#trr au fan fic

[ao719]

What's Already Mine

A/N: This is a part of my Us Again series. Submission for @choicesflashfics using prompt #2. Not beta’d. Please excuse any errors.

Title Inspiration: Already Mine - Us The Duo

Book/Pairing: TRR; Liam x MC (Katherine)

Rating: G • Warnings: None.

Word count: 2500

Catch up here

Both my suit jacket and arm are draped over Katherine’s shoulders as we walk back towards the hotel from her old bar where I found her. 

We’ve walked in silence for a few blocks and it’s deafening despite the bustling city around us. We’ve seemed to have only a silent understanding of the situation; neither of us has said a word. 

My mind is too muddled to speak. I don’t know what to say because there’s so much to be said but nothing all at once. I don’t want to ask if she’s alright because obviously she isn’t. I don’t need to ask what’s wrong because I know. I know why she was there. I know why she broke down when she saw me. 

Despite knowing, I don’t know what to say … and I hate myself for it. 

I glance down at her when I hear a sniffle; she’s staring at the ground as she walks holding my jacket securely around herself. I watch her hand poke up from beneath the lapels to wipe a tear from her cheek and I feel my heart break a little more. 

I want to tell her it’s ok, that it’ll be ok, that we’ll be ok. I want her to tell me the same. But I know that neither of us can say that right now with certainty. 

So we continue to walk … in silence. 

****

Once back at the hotel, Katherine and I step inside our suite. I shut the door behind me and start to follow her as she walks into the bedroom; now that my arm isn’t around her, I notice that she’s a little wobbly on her feet thanks to her slightly tipsy state. She didn’t have much to drink, only a couple of glasses of wine at the gala, and based on the tab I paid at the bar before leading her out, I’d surmise no more than two drinks there, but I know she’s barely eaten anything today which is doing her no favors and she’s always been a bit of a lightweight as it is. 

When I enter the bedroom steps after Katherine, I see her draping my suit jacket on a chair. She then reaches back, attempting to grab the zipper of her gown, but she can’t quite reach it. When she becomes frustrated, evident by the small huffs of breath she keeps releasing, I step up behind her and gently cover my hand with hers. She goes completely still. After a moment, she glances over her shoulder; her eyes are rimmed red and still misty when she meets my gaze. I give a soft nod, and she slowly lowers her hand as she looks straight ahead again. 

As I lower the zipper of her gown, I let my thumb graze her spine, and I swallow thickly. When was the last time I touched my wife like this? The last time that my fingers brushed against her bare skin? I think back … it’s been a year. We were in Ramsford for the Beaumont Bash and we both had a lot to drink that night. I vaguely remember stumbling into our room, my hands tugging at the fabric of her dress and her arms wrapping around my neck as I kicked the door shut. Before that night, it had been months since we’d last been intimate, and before that, even more months. When we woke the next morning, we showered and dressed without a word, and when we arrived back at the palace, she went to the east wing while I headed to my study. It was awkward in a way and treated like it never happened. I think that’s when the deteriorating state of our marriage started to slowly consume my thoughts. 

Once her zipper is lowered enough, Katherine takes a step away and turns to face me, holding the front of her gown against her chest so it doesn’t fall. I slip my hands into my pockets to stop myself from reaching for her because I don’t know if that’s something I’m allowed to do anymore. We stare at one another, and my eyes are silently pleading with her. Talk to me. Please. Talk. To. Me. I can swear I see a similar plea in her own eyes. I open my mouth to speak but quickly snap it shut because I still have no idea what to say. 

“Thank you,” she whispers. 

“Of course,” I nod in reply. After staring at me almost expectantly, she lets out a soft breath and turns. “Katherine, I …” 

She stops and looks back at me; I see a flicker of something … of what I think is hope mixed with desperation and worry. “Yeah …?”

I hold my breath and her gaze for a moment before shaking my head. “Nothing …” 

Her breath subtly hitches in her throat as she drops my gaze and nods. When she disappears into the bathroom, I hang my head, squeezing my eyes shut in disappointment. 

Disappointment with myself, where we are, and my inability to grasp how to fix it. 

I begin to loosen my tie, but I freeze as my eyes shift to the bathroom door when I swear I hear a muffled cry from behind it. 

Where did it go? The love I once knew? It’s lost in the dark The light can’t shine through Where did we go? I can’t see it now I’m fighting the night To find you somehow…

*******

My fingers are steepled over my lips as I stare out the window of my study. My mind is in the same place as it has been for the past week since returning home: my marriage. Hell, my mind was here before our trip, but now, it’s all I can think about morning, noon, and night.

Katherine and I have yet to speak about what happened in New York. The morning after finding her in the bar, we sat through a silent breakfast followed by a few appearances that were scheduled before heading to the airport for our flight home. On the jet, I almost said something but decided against trying to have that conversation 35,000 feet in the air with no escape if we needed one. 

In hindsight … maybe that wouldn’t have been the worst idea. 

Since we’ve returned home, things have gone back to exactly how they’ve been. I work through the day and go to the east wing for our nighttime routine with the children. But instead of leaving the moment they go to sleep to go back to my study or the west wing … I’ve lingered. I think she believes I’m just waiting to be sure the children are asleep before slipping out, not realizing I’m there for her. I’m trying to give myself the courage to bring it up, but I find an excuse every damn time. It’s not good timing. It’s late. The kids are there. Whatever my mind can conjure up, it does. My fight or flight has turned to strictly flight; I flee every time. And either she’s having the same thoughts and coming up with the same excuses to not bring it up herself … or she’s completely given up, which after what happened in New York, it’s plausible. 

The bottom line is this: I know we’ve reached our limit. I know, one way or another, a very difficult conversation is eventually coming. 

At this point, it’s inevitable … and it fucking terrifies me. 

I’m so lost in thought that I don’t even register the knock on my study door. It’s not until I feel a shove against my arm and hear my name that I finally snap out of it and glance up to see Drake staring at me questioningly. 

“I’m sorry,” I say, shaking my head as I straighten in my chair. “I didn’t hear you come in.” 

“No shit,” Drake playfully scoffs. “I knocked a few times … called your name when I came inside, but you were zoned out.” 

I release a breath and nod, rubbing my eyes with the pads of my fingers. “Yeah … sorry. It’s been a long week.” I blink a few times to focus my vision and when I do, I see Drake now sitting across from me. His arms are folded across his chest and his brow is arched. “What?”

“Seriously, Li … what’s been going on with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve caught you like this over the last few months. You seem like you have a lot more than just the stress of running a kingdom on your mind.”

I look away, unable to hold his gaze. Neither Katherine nor I have ever mentioned anything to our friends pertaining to the state of our marriage. We’ve put on the same show in front of them that we have in front of everyone else. 

“Liam … talk to me.” 

I look at my best friend again, trying to rein in the sadness I feel. If I can’t talk to Katherine, maybe talking to someone will help. I clasp my hands together and lean forward against my desk as I let out a heavy sigh.

And I end up breaking down as I tell him everything. 

Drake listens without interruption, but he doesn’t hide the surprise in his expression. When I finish, I can see him still trying to process everything I’ve just told him. 

“I never would have guessed … any of that,” Drake finally says. 

“We’re good at hiding it,” I say. Too good. “It’s just … it’s become our norm. It’s like second nature now … putting on the front.” 

“Why haven’t you guys ever said anything?”

I can hear the hint of hurt in his tone. “I don’t … I don’t know,” I reply truthfully. “I can’t speak for her, but for me … I guess it’s … I feel like I’ve already let her down … and the kids. I didn’t want to let my friends down, too.” 

“Liam, you’re not letting any of us down.” 

“I’m supposed to maintain this image of my life. Acknowledging that my marriage had completely fallen apart to myself was hard enough. Saying it out loud to someone else …” I shake my head. 

“So what the hell are you going to do?” Drake asks. “I mean, you’re going to fix it, right?”

“I don’t know,” I scoff with a shrug. “I don’t know if it can be fixed.” 

Drake’s brow furrows. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that …” I trail off, chewing the inside of my cheek, not wanting to say my next words, but they come anyway. “I’m saying that perhaps this is the end of our story.”

“What the fuck, Li?” Drake barks as he abruptly stands from his chair. The reaction startles me, and I look at him, unable to hide my surprise. “How could you even say that?”

“Do you think that’s what I want?” I snap. “Because it’s not! But I can’t force us to get back to where we once were!”

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” Drake chides, and when I open my mouth to retort, he leans forward, getting right in my face. “It’s bullshit. And. You. Know. It.” He stands upright. “To just accept defeat is not only the easy, coward’s way out, it’s not you!”

“Drake—”

“No, I don’t want to hear it,” Drake interrupts. “What you and Katherine have … it’s the fucking dream, Li. And I’m not talking about the literal fairytale crap,” he says, waving his hands dismissively. “I’m talking about the real shit. I watched you two; I had a front-row fucking seat. I watched your story unfold. I watched you both fight like hell to be together. And here you are now, a decade later, and you’re ready to wave the white flag because you two hit a rough patch that you won’t acknowledge to each other? Fuck. That.”

As I stare up at him, I feel a tear slip down my cheek … because I know he’s right. I clear my throat and snap my gaze toward the window, trying to fight back my emotions.

“I know you both, Li, and neither of you would keep putting yourself through this if you truly wanted to walk away. That’s gotta stand for something.” 

My gaze shifts up to his again. “I don’t want to walk away,” I say through a cracked whisper.

“Then you fight.”

Where did it go? The passionate fire? We can’t find the flame And now we’re both tired What do we do When all we have left Is dying for life But on its last breath?

****

That evening, as I’m finishing up my work for the day and finalizing some plans I’ve set into motion, I hear a knock on my study door and call for them to enter. When I look up, Katherine steps inside. “Hi,” I greet her as I rise from my chair.

“Hello,” Katherine responds. She quietly closes the door behind her. “I’m sorry to bother—”

“You’re not bothering me,” I interrupt as I walk around my desk. 

Katherine swallows, holding my gaze as she subtly nods. “I, uh … I was just trying to get things in order with my schedule for next week, but it’s … did you have it cleared?”

“I did,” I answer, and my heart is pounding in my chest as I watch the confusion fill her expression while I try to keep mine impassive. 

“Why?”

“Because we’re going on a trip.”

Katherine’s brows raise. “We?”

“Yes,” I nod. “We … as in you and me.” 

“A trip for what?”

“That’s still to be determined,” I say cryptically. 

Katherine furrows her brow. “Is it a work-related thing?” 

Even though I expected her to think that, it still hurts when she asks. “No,” I shake my head. “It’s not.”

“I’m confused …” 

“About?”

“We … we haven’t gone on a trip that wasn’t duty-related in a long time,” Katherine says. “At least … not together.”

“I think it’s safe to say we’re a bit overdue,” I quip. 

“But what about—”

“Eleanor and Lucas are going to have some quality time with their Uncle Drake,” I interrupt again, knowing what she’s wondering. “I spoke with him and made all of the arrangements already.” 

Katherine lets out a sigh as she continues to stare at me. “I …” She trails off, shaking her head. “I don’t understand …”

My impassive wall drops and I sigh as I let the emotion I’ve been trying to conceal fill my features. “Katherine …” I speak just above a whisper. “You and I … we’re lost.” 

I see her eyes slightly widen as she lets out a breath before she drops my gaze, but not before I see the pain fill her expression. It’s as if hearing me finally acknowledge the truth we’ve both known but have remained silent about out loud has gravely wounded her. 

“We’re lost and we both know it. And we can’t keep running from it. We need to face it. We need to … to talk about it and figure out if we’re going to find ourselves again — find us again — or …” I trail off, struggling to say the next words out loud. “Or if we’re going to walk away from this … from each other … because we can’t keep living this way.” 

When Katherine looks back up at me, tears trickle down her cheeks. She parts her lips to speak but stops as she lifts a hand and rests it against her throat to where I assume the lump is that’s stolen her voice. More tears fall and more confusion crosses her expression as she continues to hold my gaze. 

“I cleared both of our schedules for the next two weeks,” I continue to explain, “and made arrangements for this trip … just for us.” 

Katherine’s breath hitches. “Where … where are we going?”

“To the private island …” 

I hear the soft breath of acknowledgment Katherine releases. 

We can’t run there; we can’t hide or avoid each other. And she knows it. We’ll be left with no other choice but to face this … to face one another. 

We stare at each other, and I’m certain the worry and fear of the unknown of what this trip will bring that I’m feeling is the same thing she’s feeling. 

We both know we’re going into this completely broken. And we both know that we’re either going to come out pieced back together and on the mend to being whole again … or we’re going to come out irreparably shattered.

I can’t control you Or what your heart will decide But I’ll never stop Trying to fall back in love with what’s already mine…

***************************************

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[angelasscribbles]

Art for Dark Elf

You guys!! You guys!!! I am soooo excited about this art commission from @bayleedrawsx that I won from @storyofmychoices for her Shadows and Deception murder mystery event!!

Shout out to @karahalloway for suggesting Dark Elf when I asked for opinions on what to get!!

It's cute but evil Elven Liam!!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[openheartfanfics]

Newly Added Fics

Feb 11 - 17, 2023

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

BRYCE X F!OC

After Dark: Satisfaction Guaranteed - @storyofmychoices ☁💘

Bryce has a special surprise waiting for Olivia.

I’m a Sucker for You! - @peonierose ☁💘

Bryce and Luna spend some time on Valentine‘s Day (even though they’re not the biggest Valentine’s Day fans).

Love, Rosie - @peonierose 📷💘

It’s February 14th, Maxine‘s Birthday. So all her family & friends share some love on her (not) beloved day. Valentine‘s Day.

Once A Shattered Heart - @a-cloud-for-dreams 🦚

As Chandini and Bryce work on planning their wedding, he helps her deal with a heartbreak that never healed. [Wedding]

ETHAN X F!MC

A Valentine's Surprise - @peonyblossom ☁💘

Ethan is woken up early by his daughter, who needs his help making a Valentine's Day surprise for her mom. [Domestic; Family]

Abundance - @jerzwriter ☁💘

It's their first Valentine's Day together, but they still have to keep things secret... and Ethan isn't helping.

Accidental Valentine - @cariantha ☁💘

It’s Valentine’s Day and Ethan and Sawyer get “stuck” spending the evening together.

Afternoon Delight - @coffeeheartaddict2 ☁💘

It is Valentine’s Day and Ethan sends Casey a cake to help get her through the afternoon.

Caked - @txemrn 🎭Ⓜ

After receiving horrible life-changing news from the hospital's lab report, Tatum is overcome with worry with having to be the bearer of bad news to the couple. TW: Depiction of dysfunctional eating

Death Stare - @headoverheelsforramsey ☁💘

A friendly staring contest turns into a heated competition. Who will emerge as the winner? Ethan or Meera? [Donahue's; Friends Intervene]

Flowers - @jamespotterthefirst 🎭💘

She is stung when he sends flowers to someone else on Valentine’s Day. [Jealous]

Making a Mark - @txemrn ☁💘Ⓜ

Despite med school exams, Ethan and Tatum plan on spending time together for their first Valentine's day; but their plans take a different course... literally. [Jealous]

Not the Right Person - @lucy-268 ☁💘

Various “Celebrations” for Valentine’s Day when you aren’t celebrating with the right person. Feat. Sienna Trinh, Aurora Emery

Okay to treat yourself - @amortentiaopenheart ☁💘

Ethan receives an anonymous gift.

Special Surprise - @potionsprefect ☁💘

Luke and Lily enlist Aunt Sienna for a very special mission. Feat. Sienna Trinh [Domestic; Family]

Staying In - @potionsprefect ☁

Victoria is left disappointed when she is sick on her birthday. [Birthday; Illness/Injury]

Valentine Memories - @liaromancewriter ☁💘

When Alan finds a box of childhood memorabilia, Cassie teases Ethan about his romantic past. Feat. Alan Ramsey

ETHAN X M!MC

The Art of Doing Nothing - @dr-colossal-pita ☁💘

They don't do valentine's cards...until they do.

PLATONIC/ENSEMBLE

Stained Glass and Stuffed Animals - @peonyblossom ☁💘

Sienna continues her own little tradition of Valentine's sleepovers with her friends, even if most of them already live in the same apartment.

The Galentine’s Day Queens: A TRR / Open Heart Crossover - @bebepac ☁💘

Daniel takes Riley and their friends on a special night on the town as Galentines. Feat. F!MC

SIENNA X M!OC

The Reluctant Valentine - @liaromancewriter ☁💘

It’s Valentine’s Day, and Max can’t say no to his favorite girl.

TOBIAS X F!MC

Ground Rules - @jerzwriter 📱Ⓜ

Not long after they finally made it official, Casey just wants to set some things straight. Can Tobias wear her down?

No One Else - @jerzwriter ☁💘

Misunderstandings, changes in plans, a blast from the past, and secret admirers threaten to turn Tobias & Casey's first second Valentine's Day upside down.

Part 1

Simple Pleasures - @jerzwriter ☁💘

Tobias is driving himself crazy trying to create the perfect Valentine's Day for his new wife and momma-to-be. [Pregnancy]

_

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

[lorirwritesfanfic]

Do you have any fics in the works? Tell us about them!Looking forward to any other writer's upcoming fics? Tell us about them too!

My wip folder is never empty, darling. I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing to say it, given the number of unfinished works I have there, but oh well...

I haven't had much time to write. You know... real life, bills, family, more bills... 😵 and of course I procrastinate a lot (I blame Netflix Brasil for getting Downton Abbey and all the Turkish diziler I find online 🤦🏻‍♀️). But I write sometimes. Not every day. Not most days of the week as I used to do before. But I'm still writing.

The one wip I'm actually half way through is a Hamid x MC xmas fic. I know you're thinking "but it's almost February! And Prince Hamid is Muslim!" and you're right. But Daphne is Christian, very fond of Christmas, Hamid loves a nice social gathering and finding any reason to tease his favorite girl and we do not follow the real life calendars in here, so why not?

Among the series I write, earlier this month I was working on Meant To Be (Desire & Decorum modern day AU) chapter... 27? (I lost count... 🙈) Anyway, I think the next two chapters will finally explain why I label it as a Soulmates AU. There's a Sinclaire and Daphne awkward scene here, a little Sinclaire x Alisha moment there... But nothing too dramatic for now.

There's also Jade and Liam's For The World to Know. Tbh I have no idea what chapter I am (I'm getting super lazy on this because Tumblr and AO3 count the chapters automatically for me 😅). They're just a couple of weeks away from the wedding, they're getting joint a bachelor and bachelorette party, there's some heart to heart talk with Hana (these girls need it), Leo is joining them in Vegas (and we all know he often brings drama) and there's Drake situation to be solved. I'm close to reaching the end of FTWTK and I wish I could really start Happily Ever After (instead of just posting a few one shots of them married) because I've been daydreaming about the plot for years (the story will be soooooo good, ugh!), but I don't know... If I managed to finish FTWTK (or just The Fives Stages since there's only two more chapters left), I'll take it as a win.

Last year, I also remembered I never finished my Bloodbound series. A while ago, I got a comment on AO3 from someone who wanted me to extend the series and I thought about doing it, but at this point I wouldn't know how to do it. I'd probably have to create a new plot since the one I started back then is nearly solved. But that would demand time to replay Bloodbound to find inspiration and, unluckily, that's something I don't have lately. I started planning a chapter with Adrian x OC (any Adrian stans still out there?), then I'll write one more chapter to wrap it up.

There are other Desire & Decorum AUs and a TRR AU, but I haven't touched those wips in months... I rather not make any promises regarding any of those stories for now.

Other than that, there are a few one shots planned:

A Thomas Mendez x Ayla (+ Stephanie and Luz) inspired by one of my favorite Brazilian memes and a scene of a 2010 romcom. I can't explain why I'm doing this... The muse wants what the muse wants 😂

A few ficlets (or short stories, depending on how inspired I am when I actually sit down to write) to answer some OTP asks for Hamid x Daphne and Nate x Stella (TWC). I was debating if I'd include Liam x Jade, but I might give away the plot of Happily Ever After in one of the questions, so nope 😅

When it comes to other people's stuff, I don't know... I'm not super active on Choices (or any fandom, for that matter) and I'm not familiar with most of the fandom and what people have been writing lately. I do have my faves (@missameliep @lilyoffandoms @storyofmychoices @princess-geek @noesapphic ) and they still write from time to time, but I'm not going to pester them for new fics. They have their own lives and write whenever they can. As a fan of their work, I respect their writing pace and I'm simply glad they're still here.

Thanks for the ask, anon!

[lizzybeth1986]

(I'm so sorry this is so late, I was going nuts keeping track of the links. How do you guys do it!!!)

I honestly love the idea of a week to appreciate both content creators and content promoters in the fandom - and I know I'm a little late coz of RL stuff but I'd still like to show my love to so many people who have made my time in the Choices fandom such a beautiful experience!! Thank you so much @choicesfandomappreciation for this incredible week and I hope it gets the best response.

Over the years I've been in the Choices fandom, I've been blown away by the transformative power of fanfic itself - I know so many writers who explore facets of characters that I hadn't even thought of, placed them in different universes...and sometimes even wrote fics that attempted to improve on things that canon either left hanging or that canon did wrong. My reading had gone down in the past few years and there's a whole bunch of fics I've bookmarked hoping I'll do full justice to reading them...but here are the ones I really wanted to give a shoutout to:

Fics and Meta:

@callmetippytumbles - Shoutout to one of my oldest friends in the fandom. While she is no longer active in the Choices fandom, I have to say her work changed the way I looked at fanwork in big ways. Tippy's fics are the best because she has an exquisite way of exploring her characters and making them come alive, and a fantastic sense of humour which she injects into a lot of her work. She incorporated themes and discussions that she experienced and/or researched on, in ways that flowed seamlessly into her narratives. Her series Home, and her fics Wash Day and Juneteenth (among many others) was a great example of this. She also wrote one of the few Drake x Kiara fics I liked (of course this was kind of before canon itself crapped itself all over that possibility) called Bold. Metawise, she was no stranger to essays and often did reviews that made people laugh their lungs out and think deeply about stuff at the same time. I miss her presence in fandom immensely but I feel great joy seeing her post about all the things she loves 🥰

@thefirstcourtesan - Also an old friend whose fanfic I was a big fan of when I first became part of the fandom in 2018. She has written on a range of books, but I tend to stick to books and pairings I know really well so my favourites always wind up being her Eleanor x Liam fics, as well as her friendship fics that feature her Drake MC Amelia with Hana. Amelia and Hana are two very different people with different responses to similar family environments, and therein lies the beauty of that relationship. A lot of her transformative fic re: Hana was done with this MC's PoV (Eleanor, her Liam MC, was closer to Olivia and - in a AU/rewrite - Kiara). My favourites were The Perfect Gift which rewrote the gift-choosing scene in TRR3, and her fics featuring Hana and Amelia supporting each other during labour (The Best Laid Plans & Support). The second in that pair - Support - is more recent and I love it especially for how Misha isn't afraid to explore Amelia's flaws and where she can do better in her friendship with Hana (plus Kiara gets to go off about it to Amelia's face, which I highly appreciate).

@cassiopeiacorvus - I'm absolutely in love with Cassi's meta and hcs!! She has some of the most creative ones, and I love how she (and this is something I see in @thecapturedafrique too) incorporates details from canon and tries to integrate fresher perspectives. Among her meta I would highly recommend the essays that explore what being single in Choices books look like, her absolutely brilliant essay on Xanthe...and her Liam, Hana and Kiara HCs! (My absolute favourite is the hc that Liam and Hana regularly fight over whether vanilla or chocolate is better 😄). Her fic, A Lesson in Sources, is a sumptuous treat of humour, familial bonding and lore and I would highly recommend it to all TRR fans. She's also an incredible artist...but that's a post better suited for tomorrow!

@thecapturedafrique - Listen if there is one reason you haven't seen a lot of Nikki's fanfic, it's because she's super-detail-oriented and has a whole incredible UNIVERSE for her TRR characters! It's why I honestly cannot wait for her fics to come out, but for now she has plenty of amazing headcanons that explore so much about the characters and give them so much depth. You can see how her consummate worldbuilding has made her fics incredible, from her Liam fanfic Silver Spoons. It highlights the tension between Liam and Constantine after the reveal in Book 2, Regina maintaining the peace between the two and acting as the reasoning factor, hints of her MC Ally's background and of course, a whiff of jasmine perfume that is a reminder of Liam's mother 🥺 Nikki also recently put out an excerpt of her beautiful fic based on Kiara's Cotillion, and I hope to see it in full soon 🥰

@mand-delemonde - If you're a Kiara stan you HAVE to read Midterms! It's a sweet, subtly humourous fic that looks at a Kiara who is privileged but happy to use that privilege for good. In an ocean of fics that simply insult and tear her down, this was a realistic and fun depiction of her that didn't try to make her out to be picture-perfect yet explored how great of a friend she was. He is also writing "Favourites" (here's 1 and 2) which is an ongoing series exploring Liam's (referred to as Philip) relationship with each of his four children.

@twinkleallnight - I met her last year and we bonded instantly over being Desi Choices fans! I've had the opportunity to see some really lovely stuff from her, including her series Once Upon a Time which follows different characters of the TRR series telling stories to their children. A lot of the pairings are new to me, but I really loved the overriding theme of translating your own story into a fairytale for kids. She also recently wrote two really good Kiara focused fics - Melting Moments explores her as a teen and All We Have Is One Another, where she has to let some of those teen dreams go, as an adult. Really loved the way she characterized Kiara there as both practical and a dreamer!

@lorirwritesfanfic - Lori writes for a range of characters, pairings and books, but I have a HUGE soft spot for the Hayden x MC fics!! Her Hayden and Natasha are wonderful and loving and incredibly sexy together. One of my favourite stories is Fate/Coincidences, which was written around the time of the first Hayden Young Appreciation Week. It was an incredible piece which looks at how Hayden perceives questions of having a soul and finding ones true love, even after he has left Eros. Recently she wrote the sweetest wedding proposal fic for the two as well!!

@zoey-wades - Her Liam x Lyra fics are amazing, and honestly her MC Lyra is so amazing and she explores them both in a canon-verse (one of the big gems is Picture Day, which I love especially for its adorable depiction of Liam doing a hairstyle his young daughter's curly hair (and is one of the best TRR fics I have seen exploring a black person's hair and their relationship to it) as well as another one, Start Spreading the News, that explores Lyra's homesickness for NY) and a Dark Liam x Lyra-verse named Honeymoon that takes place in a Crime Family AU. Very often a darker version of Liam is written as an unrelieved villain, but this series of fics explores him in a lot of depth.

@lilyoffandoms - I haven't been able to read a lot of her fic since I left Choices before BoLaS came out, but I was mesmerized by her drabbles and short pieces! I honestly can't get over how much emotion and subtle interactions she packs over a few hundred words...that's a skill in itself and she does it so well. A mood that would take me 1000 words to set up, Lily can set up in maybe 300 or less. Amazing. My favourite has to be the Game Night, which pairs Lily Spencer of BB and Chadley of RCD. They're very much their fun canon characters...and a pair I wouldn't have thought twice about...but she did make me as a reader connect to them 🥰 She's also done a super cute A Year of Kisses series that I'm slowly trying to read that is based on mainly Tyril x MC of Blades.

@missameliep - I've just begun reading some of their work and I love it! I recently read the mini-series Rainy Days and it touched me to see a depiction that focuses on what Liam went through when his father died, and his own doubts about his capabilities as a king. Canon often avoided this and it really makes my heart glad to see a fic that tries to center Liam in that exploration rather than the MC or anyone else. They've also done some really lovely D&D, Blades and RoD fics!

@noesapphic - I met and spoke to her while I was running an appreciation week but I'm certain I've known her before then! Recently she filled me in on what happened in D&D post Book 1, which made me a slight bit more confident about reading and understanding fics from that book! She seems to have a knack for very deep worldbyilding and crossing over universes, which I find very impressive, and she has done fics for ACoR, RoD and TRM. Very recently I've begun reading her epic Supernatural AU for D&D, The Cursed Heiress. It's still my early days of reading and I've been saving the chapters to comment on soon, but I've found it elaborate, intriguing and full of wonderful magical lore! I can't wait to read more!!

@ohsnapitzlovehacker - I know them more for their lovely hcs, cute MCs and riveting liveblogs, but they've also written one of my favourite meta series' - Being Black in Choices. The first essay explores the experience of playing with a Black MC (including talking about context and appearance) and the second about contextualizing LI treatment! Truly an amazing essay duo! I've also seen some amazing Sloane fic with her PM MC Aaron, and they're so cute and funny and wholesome together 💖

@feisty-mary - She was one of the first people I talked to in fandom and she did incredible work both with fandom and meta! Among her fanfic my favourites were her Chazz x Violet fic, The Beauty and Beast, as well as A Pawn's Gambit, where her MC Sabrina speaks to Bertrand, reiterating her belief in Liam after the events of Book 1. In Meta I think my all-time fave was her first essay on Liam, written immediately after the Book 1 finale which explained perfectly why Liam's reaction made sense (remember - this was at a time when he was receiving all sorts of hate for choosing Madeleine).

Along with these fantastic writers, are those whose work I've loved, and who I still miss because they are no longer a part of the fandom:

1. Pixieferry - Her Tale of Tales (a Hamid x MC fic that explores his story in the context of what the Ottoman Empire was like at the time) was so incredible and intricate. You could almost smell the roses and feel the pathos of Hamid's situation. She also had some really cute Liam x MC fics and was a Storyscape fan who did fics on Titanic as well!!

2. Violetflipflops - She had fics on an insane number of pairings but my favourites were always her fics with Liam and her MC at the time Allie Keswick. Especially the ones from Books 1 and 2.

3. Alicars: I still recall she had a one-shot fic where her MC was preparing to marry someone else while still having feelings for Liam...and it was so good and received such an incredible response that it developed into an 8-chapter (I think?) story. And it was such a beautiful one where Liam and Alex had lost and found each other.

4. The OC Lady Plays Choices: She quit PB a long time ago but I remember her fics with great fondness. She was also one of my first friends in the Choices fandom. She did a lot of Liam x MC fics - some smut, some fluff - but my fave was one where Liam was explaining his country's history (TCaTF, essentially) through stories to the MC. It was cute, fluffy and a slight bit sexy towards the end xD

[alj4890]

Choices: A Red Carpet Diaries Fan Fic

(Thomas Hunt x OC) inspired by Top Gun Maverick and taken from my A Second Chance AU

A/N: LOL! Okay. Everyone who looks at my fics/moodboards/etc knows that Jon Hamm is my FC for Thomas Hunt. Blame my eternal love of Mad Men, smh. Anyway, due to the violence and sadness going on in my current TRR Dark AU series and that bit of angsty fluff fic with Drake and Olivia and this last angsty one with Riley, I need some fluff, humor, family life, jealousy; all the stuff I normally write for a breather. And now that my husband is out of the hospital and well again (and life has finally calmed down, LOL) I needed a Thomas Hunt fic! I adore the action, romance, and cheesy 80s aspects of the first Top Gun. And yes, I will confess that I saw Top Gun Maverick twice the week it came out. But this sequel knocks it out of the park storyline wise. And maybe because they added a certain Mr. Jon Hamm to the mix makes it even better 👀 So in this fic of mine, it isn't Jon given the role of Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson. It is our beloved Mr. Hunt much to his wife's delight. And yes my OC, Amanda, is given my love of Top Gun and my own personal embarrassing story of what I used to do when playing the original's love song when single and dating as a teenager 🙈 Those poor guys never understood why I insisted on playing such an old soundtrack each date.

@hopelessromantic1352 @krsnlove @trappedinfanfiction @sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @aworldoffandoms @tessa-liam @flyawayboo @moodyvalentinestories

Song Inspiration: Take My Breath Away

Masterlist

Going Method

"Cut!" Joseph yelled out. He had a big smile gracing his lips. "That is exactly the reaction I was looking for."

Thomas tried to be grateful for the compliment. It has been nearly two decades since he had stepped back in front of the camera. He knew the reason for deciding to act just this once was because of a desire to work with Joseph Kosinski. His fellow director impressed him with many of his previous films.

He'd also looked forward to finally being able to work with Tom Cruise. The two Hollywood icons tried for nearly fifteen years to find a free moment to collaborate on a film. Each time Thomas had a new project, it seemed that Tom was in the midst of filming a new sequel to his Mission: Impossible franchise or there wasn't a part right for the actor.

Everything about this should be perfect.

Though this was a sequel, and Thomas typically detested such, there was something about the script that drew him into the storyline. This wasn't your typical action movie. It had heart. It touched emotions he hadn't thought possible for a story about a bunch of hotshot pilots.

Thomas should be having the time of his life, instead of fighting a burning jealousy that could only be sparked by one person.

His wife.

Amanda had no idea how badly he wanted to punch Tom Cruise in his still too handsome face. Her reaction to hearing there was not only a sequel to, unknown to her husband, one of her favorite films but that Thomas would be taking part had taken him completely by surprise.

As Thomas made his way back to his trailer, he could still picture his wife's face when he told her he wanted her to come on location with him.

******************

A month earlier...

"I want it to be just the two of us." Thomas slipped his arms around her. "Rachel and Stephen agreed to watch Kathleen and the twins." He smiled softly at her. "We haven't had a vacation of sorts alone since our honeymoon."

"You know I would love that." Amanda leaned in to kiss him. "But we can't be away from the children that long."

"We'll have them visit." He responded. "If they miss us too much, then we will have them stay."

Amanda's smile twisted into a playful grimace. "We both know once Rachel and Stephen are here that you and I will be easily forgotten."

He snorted, shaking his head. It was true. Kathleen, Ian, and Elizabeth adored their aunt and uncle. Nothing made them more excited than getting special time with them. Most of the requests when they came by for a visit were for their parents to stay home while they went out with their fun loving relatives.

"Perhaps time away will make them remember they love us too." Thomas teased, pulling Amanda closer. "And give us a chance to show each other our own feelings."

"Don't you dare give me that look!" Amanda playfully scolded.

"What look?" His lips skated down her nexk

"You know very well which look." She met his lips in a long heated kiss. "That look plus kisses like that got me pregnant twice."

"Must be powerful." He mumbled, kissing her again.

"Very." She sighed softly as his hands moved along her curves. "You never told me what type of movie you will be starring in."

"Costarring." He reminded her. "It is actually a sequel to one of Tom's old movies."

Her fingers stilled in unbuttoning his shirt. "Oh? Which one?"

"Top Gun." He tugged her shirt up over her head.

"Top Gun!" Amanda squealed, pushing out of his arms.

Thomas stared at her in surprise.

"I love that movie!" She continued, smiling even more at the notion. "Are you his new wingman?"

"No." His eyes narrowed somewhat over her slight pout hearing that. "I play an admiral over the pilot school, Admiral Beau Cyclone Simpson."

"Really?" Amanda sat down at the foot of the bed. "Does your character, Cyclone, like Maverick or do you disapprove of his actions and attitude?"

Thomas folded his arms. He could tell that all thoughts of romance had left by her simply sitting there being unusually inquisitive during his attempt at seduction.

"I disapprove." He grumbled, meaning it in more ways than one.

"I knew it." She nodded. "With your personality and voice, you would be serious and against Maverick."

His eyes narrowed. "Let me guess, you like his character?"

"Of course I do!" Her laughter over what was clearly a ridiculous question turned into a deep, heartfelt sigh. "Who wouldn't love him?"

So like is now love, he thought to himself.

"Do you think he will wear the outfit?" Amanda asked after a few moments of staring off into space.

"Outfit?

"You know?" Amanda prodded. "The Maverick look: blue jeans, tight white t-shirt, brown bomber jacket, and those aviator sunglasses." Her sigh was even louder than the one that came before it.

Thomas frowned while buttoning his shirt. "I don't know what he is wearing in the film."

"If I see him in person wearing that and riding his motorcycle..." Amanda shook her head with a dreamy smile as her voice trailed off.

"I take it you like this particular look." Thomas said with a sarcastic edge.

"It was my favorite look on a man for years." Amanda cut her eyes to her husband. "Right up until I saw you for the first time in a tuxedo."

Thomas stilled in his actions. "Really?"

She nodded, rising off the bed to wind her arms around his neck. "You made every other look and man fade away once I saw you."

His frown eased hearing that.

She pressed a long, tender kiss to his lips. Her hands slid down to start unbuttoning his shirt once more.

"Will you, by chance, be wearing any navy uniforms in this movie?" She bit down on her bottom lip when his kisses traveled along her neck and shoulders.

"I will." He cocked an eyebrow at her.

Her smile turned flirty. "I can't wait to see how you look in them."

His smile reappeared as her lips crashed back against his.

******************

He should have known when he first saw Tom in the stupid white t-shirt and blue jeans that his wife would be thrilled. He heard her slight oh the moment the actor pulled out the leather jacket and made his way over to them.

"You must be Amanda." Tom held his hand out, a big smile popping up.

"I am." Her own matching smile irritated Thomas. "It is so nice to finally meet you."

As the two talked, Thomas could only stand there both grateful for his own aviator sunglasses hiding his glare and cursing the eyeware to perdition because Tom slipped his on. Then he felt heat flare over him as the two walked toward a motorcycle, leaving him to trail behind.

"I know this isn't the GPZ from the first movie." Amanda said, eyeing the new bike. "Is it still a Kawasaki?"

"You know your bikes." Tom replied with a smile.

"I don't." She laughed. "I only know the one you rode in Top Gun." A blush crept up her cheeks. "When my uncle showed me the movie, it became a dream of mine when I was thirteen to ride on one."

"Would you like to try this one?" Tom asked.

"She doesn't know how to drive a motorcycle." Thomas quickly spoke up.

"Then how about I give you a ride?" Tom put the bomber jacket on, then swung his leg over the seat. "We've got some downtime before the next scene."

Thomas was already shaking his head while his wife was nodding hers.

"I'd love to!" She quickly got behind Tom.

Thomas stood there with his jaw dropped. His wife was asking where to put her feet and then where to hold on for safety.

"Just hold on tight to me." Tom told her, starting up the bike. "And lean into the curves."

"Wait!" Thomas struggled to speak. "Doesn't she need a helmet?"

They didn't hear him over the roar of the engine. Amanda wrapped her arms around Tom's waist, scooting much too close in her husband's opinion to the actor's back, and with a quick nod, they took off down the road.

Leaving Thomas fuming.

****************

Later that evening...

"That was the most thrilling ride I've ever been on." Amanda continued to gush. "I've been on motorcycles a few times in my life, but nothing will ever top that!"

Thomas blew the candles out at the table he had made certain was set for a romantic dinner for two. Their bungalow at the beach couldn't have been more perfect for a second honeymoon. Dinner with the waves hitting the shore in the background should have been pleasant.

If only Tom Crusie was not a part of it.

Amanda began to collect their empty dishes while continuing to talk about her teenage fantasy becoming a reality.

"To have him dressed like that while he drove me around was perfect." She sighed softly. "If only my sixteen-year-old self knew it would one day happen."

Thomas eyed her over the rim of his glass. "Sixteen?"

She nodded. Another blush covered her cheeks. "I used to fantasize that I could be the girl Maverick falls for. Takes on rides at night." Her smile turned a tad self-depreciating. "Kiss."

Thomas took a needed gulp of his drink. He welcomed the burn to keep his jealous words from tumbling out.

"I know what I'm about to admit sounds awful." Amanda tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, eyes averted from her husband. "But do you remember the love song in the first Top Gun?"

"Yes." Thomas cleared his throat. "Take My Breath Away."

Amanda's lips curved somewhat. "Gah. That song used to give me chills. When it plays in the movie, and Tom and Kelly start to make love..." She shifted nervously, "I used to play that when on a date."

Thomas frowned somewhat. "The film's love scene?"

"No. Take My Breath Away." Amanda finally looked up at him. "Remember, I was sixteen and well, I used to close my eyes and pretend the guy that was kissing me was Maverick."

Thomas didn't know how to respond. How had he managed to somehow end up in a movie with the one actor his wife not only fantasized about but also felt the need to tell him every detail of it.

"It makes me sound horrible." Amanda mumbled when she noticed the look of disbelief on her husband's face.

"No." He managed to say. "Like you said, you were young and most likely the young men you were dating at the time could have used an upgrade."

Amanda shook her head with a laugh. "It's true." Her smile was warm once again. "I suppose they too imagined I was someone else."

He doubted it.

She wound her arms around his neck. "So..."

Thomas quirked an eyebrow in silent question.

"We are all alone." She threaded her fingers through his hair. "No twelve year old or seven year olds knocking at the door." Her lips found his earlobe. "Whatever shall we do with this freedom?"

His arms locked around her. Eyes closed tight with the way she kissed him.

Thank God that song isn't playing somewhere, he thought to himself.

Her hands drifted down his body.

And then he couldn't think at all.

******************

The next few weeks went quickly. Thomas found himself gritting his teeth anytime his wife and co-star interacted. When it came time to perform his scenes, he had no trouble at all displaying the struggle of keeping his dislike at bay.

Tom and Joseph praised him for somehow conveying that dislike just below the surface.

"I gotta say," Tom patted him on the back after once scene, "that look you gave me was one that made me pause in wondering if you really can't stand me." He chuckled as he parted from Thomas and went into his trailer.

Thomas had to bite back that he wasn't acting, at least not in the sense he used to.

He was going full method for this role.

***************

During Thomas's last week to film for his scenes, a party was given in Tom's bungalow.

Amanda seemed more excited than usual on the days leading up to it. Thomas didn't ask why she was. The last thing he needed was another reason to be jealous. But the night of the party, he was unable to remain silent.

She was actually humming to herself while putting her makeup on. He couldn't remember a time she was this giddy to go out for a night of supposed revelry.

"You seem happier than usual." He grumbled as he stepped out of the shower.

"I do?" Her eyes found him in the reflection of her mirror. "I suppose I am."

He wrapped a towel around his waist, dreading to hear her reasons.

"I know that tonight marks our final days here." A smile played about her lips as she searched for her powder. "I've missed our home and daily routines. Having the children visit us was nice, but I can't wait to get back to them." She lifted her eyes to her husband's. "Though I have thoroughly enjoyed our alone time."

Thomas felt his dread disappear. It wasn't the fact she was about to see Tom Cruise or anything at all to do with her feelings for his character. She wanted what he wanted. To go home and return to the life they had together was still a shared dream.

He came up behind her, tilted her face up, and gave her a tender kiss. He felt her smile against his lips as her fingers tangled in his damp hair.

"You're making me want to be late to the party." She teased.

"You're wrong." He kissed her again. "You're the one making me want to forget about what time we should arrive." His hands grasped her waist, urging her closer as their kisses became more heated. "Hearing you say that you want what I long for in returning home makes it impossible not to kiss you."

She reluctantly stepped back with a frustrated moan. "We better stop while we still can." Her half-smile revealed how little she wanted to. "It would be rude of us not to be on time."

His hands slid inside her robe, pulling her closer than before.

"We'll be fashionably late." He whispered against her skin.

*********************

Perhaps it was the talk the two had or the fact that his skin still tingled from making love to Amanda an hour earlier, but Thomas was doing better at observing from across the room his wife in deep discussion with Tom Cruise.

Seeing Joseph as part of the conversation also helped him keep his jealousy at a low boil.

When she was pulled away by some of his costars, he decided to find out what they had been talking about.

"I bet your ears are burning." Tom teased.

"Burning?" Thomas asked.

"I think you married your biggest fan." Joseph explained. "She was just telling us how much she loves watching you in the scenes you were in."

"She did?" Thomas couldn't stop his smile from forming.

Tom shook his head with a laugh. "My feelings would be hurt if she wasn't married to you. She was blind to the rest of us as soon as you showed up in a scene." He winked at Thomas. "Thank God you weren't in every scene or else she wouldn't have been able to critique my own performance."

"I'd say that you are a lucky man," Joseph added with a grin, "but then that would mean we aren't as lucky as you."

"And we can't have that." Tom teased.

"No, I suppose not." Thomas mumbled, searching the room for his wife.

"She stepped outside in case you are wondering." Joseph pointed toward the patio door.

The two watched in amusement as Thomas hurried off without another word.

***************

He found her near the water. After all these years, he still loved how she would leave a party to get off by herself to think on things and the people she interacted with. He also loved that she never insisted they remain at said party until the bitter end.

He wrapped his arms around her, smiling as she immediately relaxed back against him.

"I was looking for you."

She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Looks like you found me."

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming out here?"

"You were talking to Tom and Joseph. I didn't want to interrupt." Amanda turned in his arms so she could slide hers around him.

"You," Thomas leaned down until he was barely brushing her lips, "are never an interruption."

She started to laugh when he drily admitted that she was a distraction though.

"I'll try to stop that." She said once calm.

"You better not." He muttered, finally kissing her.

"I'm going to miss this." She mumbled, once more barely brushing his lips with hers. "No interruptions while we sneak away."

"I thought you missed our three interruptions." He pressed her closer to his body.

"I do, horribly." She captured his bottom lip with her own causing him to suck in a surprised breath. "We will have to find a way to have both them and these rare moments alone."

"Agreed." His mouth slanted over hers, drawing a soft moan from her. "We'll have Rachel and Stephen over more often."

"Perfect." She stepped out of his arms.

He cocked an eyebrow at her when she held her hand out to him.

"Where are we going?" Thomas asked, allowing her to tug him further away from the party.

"Back to our bungalow." Amanda cast a coy glance towards him. "I have a very strong desire to be with my favorite actor from Top Gun"

"That better be me you're talking about." He yanked her back into his arms.

"As if there can be any doubt." She looped her arms around his neck. "You were the only one I visited the set for." Her eyes drifted down. "The one I found the most handsome in his uniforms." Her lips curved when she felt his body respond to her words. "The one I couldn't take my eyes off of whenever anyone else spoke."

"What about Tom?" He couldn't stop the question from tumbling out.

Her lifted back to his. "What do you mean?"

"He was playing your favorite character." He reminded her.

"So?"

Thomas grimaced somewhat. "Wasn't he able to steal your attention away from me?"

Amanda tilted her head in a manner that made him squirm as she silently studied him.

"Nevermi--" he started to say.

"Not once." She replied at the same time.

His eyes widened. "What did you say?"

"I said, not once." She returned to her former position of being close against him. "He doesn't even come close to holding my attention like you do."

"But you love Maverick." He reminded her

"True." She turned her head when she heard music begin playing. "Is that..."

Thomas felt his heart drop when he heard the familar song, Take My Breath Away, playing. He'd forgotten that his other costars were planning on using it to tease Tom. He could hear the laughter of the cast mixed with the melody.

Don't kiss me, he silently pleaded. Don't kiss me and think of Tom Cruise while you do it.

Amanda looked up at him with a playful, flirty smile.

"We should go." He mumbled as she inched closer.

"I'd rather have a kiss." She pressed her lips along his jaw. "Beau."

He stilled. "What did you call me?"

"Beau." She muttered between kisses along his neck. She leaned back to meet his shocked gaze. "Or would you rather I call you, Admiral, or your call sign, Cyclone?"

Thomas merely stuttered until her lips met his. He clutched her close when he realized what was happening.

The song, the very one her younger self used as daydream fuel of Tom Cruise while kissing, was now being used to think of his own character. Thomas didn't know he had anything left within him to fall more in love with his wife, but in this moment he could feel it happening.

He took over the kiss, determined to give her one that she would never forget. He tried to imagine how his character would react to having the woman he loved more than anything in his arms. Completely his. He used that inspiration to draw moans from her, glorying in taking her breath away.

How lucky could a man be to not only have his own dream girl to kiss in both real life and pretend?

[karahalloway]

I posted 1,327 times in 2022

That's 456 more posts than 2021!

115 posts created (9%)

1,212 posts reblogged (91%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@angelasscribbles

@aussiegurl1234

@harleybeaumont

@the-soot-sprite

@petiteboheme

I tagged 128 of my posts in 2022

#drake walker - 71 posts

#the royal romance - 69 posts

#drake x mc - 54 posts

#harper gale - 52 posts

#trr fanfic - 48 posts

#less than noble intentions - 35 posts

#choices fic writers creations - 31 posts

#kara halloway - 26 posts

#sleepless in new york - 20 posts

#uncommon attraction - 19 posts

Longest Tag: 51 characters

#denim shirt and biker jacket…what else do you need?

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

WHOOOO!!!

Just got a message from Tumblr support informing that my account has been restored and I am officially un-shadowbanned! (Apparently it was glitch at their end that was causing the problem... 😒)

But... it got sorted much quicker than last time, and I’ve got my account working properly again, so...

...PAAARTAY!

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65 notes - Posted February 16, 2022

#4

100 Followers!😧

OMG guys... 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

Thank you so, so, so much!

It seems like only yesterday that I hit the 50 followers milestone, and now to have 100 lovely people who thought that the stuff I post on my account is worthy of their attention is just...

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68 notes - Posted March 7, 2022

#3

TRR Round Robin - Part 9: Danger Zone

In the universe that The Royal Romance/Heir fan fiction inhabits, the people are represented by two not necessarily separate yet equally important groups: The Writers, who come up with these fantastical stories, and The Readers, who eagerly consume them. One writer, @sirbeepsalot, was struck with inspiration and came up with the idea of a round-robin story based on The Royal Romance/Heir.

This is that story.

What’s happened so far?

Liam and Olivia were plotting a plan which Leo interrupted; Queen Madeleine and King Liam are hiding at Drake’s cabin with Max, but Drake has disappeared with his motorbike bike while Max texted someone, who turned out to be Bertrand. Riley Brooks, Royal Communication Director, played her part for the King, by giving a press release with fake news of Queen’s miscarriage, but has unknowingly revealed the whereabouts of the King and Queen to Eirik. Leo shot Anton dead and fled away from the crime scene with his lover, Olivia, and the secret contents of the box. Barthelemy has extracted the whereabouts of the King and Queen’s location from Bertrand at the point of a gun. Leo and Olivia realise that Liam and Madeleine are not at Valtoria and Drake has found a note.

Catch up here.

Book: The Royal Romance/Heir

Pairings: Liam x Madeleine, Riley x Drake (sorry... not sorry! I’m an unabashed Drake stan so... 🙃)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Swearing, kidnapping, torture

Word count: 1,000. On. The. Dot.

I am participating in @wackydrabbles with this post. The week 135 prompt is “Why did I let you talk me into this?” and will appear in bold below. 

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68 notes - Posted February 24, 2022

#2

Sleepless in New York: Chapter 4 - Showtime, Baby!

Series: TRR

Pairing: Drake Walker x OC (Harper Gale)

Rights belong to Pixelberry, most characters and some dialogue belong to them.

Synopsis: This is a short-story series written from Drake’s POV that explores an AU where Drake meets Harper (my OC from (Un)Common Attraction) by himself before the boys come to the bar on the last night of Christian’s bachelor party.

Masterlist: Sleepless in New York

Chapter Summary: The sparks fly (in more ways than one!) as Drake faces off against Harper...

Word Count: 6,700

Rating/Warnings: M (swearing, sexual tension, Drake going all out - change of panties advisable 😆)

Chapter theme song:

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Chapter 4 - Showtime, Baby!

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75 notes - Posted January 17, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

(Un)Common Attraction: Dive into the Deep End Comic

The amazingly talented @blueberryarts18 has done it again! 🤗 She created a jaw-dropping comic that brings to life a pivotal moment from (Un)Common Attraction - Harper and Drake’s first kiss! 

I literally have no words... 😭 Every time she sent me a WIP of this comic, I squeed, loving watching the scenes come to life with more and more detail, until she sent me through the final, finished work and I was honestly rendered speechless...! It is a thousand times better than I had imagined it in my head - the colours, the facial expressions, the emotion in each panel... It’s seriously as if she looked in my head and saw what I saw when I wrote the scene... 🤯

Extract of accompanying scene below the cut.

Extract from Chapter 21: Dive into the Deep End

Warnings: Swearing, minor smutty moment, major angst

"Now there's a million-dollar view if ever I saw one," I remark, taking in the beautiful vista.

"Worth the climb, isn't it?" murmurs Drake, leaning against the wall.

"Definitely! You get a workout and a view! What more can you ask for?"

Drake glances at me briefly before looking back out over the water. "We should start heading back before they send out a search party."

"Back the way we came, I'm guessing?"

"Or you could jump."

I stare at him in disbelief. "You're joking... That's a 30 foot drop at least!"

"Don't chicken out on me now, Gale," he replies with a cocky grin, edging backwards.

In the next instant, he becomes a blur of motion as he dashes forward and leaping into the air, throws himself off the cliff. I gasp as he twists into a forward flip before straightening out and diving expertly into the water below.

"Holy shit..." I breathe as I watch him resurface a couple of seconds later to let out a loud whoop of exultation.

"You comin' or not?" he calls, treading water as he looks up at me.

I gulp nervously as I stare down at him.

While I really did not want to jump, the alternative was to try and make my way back down the way we had come... And unfortunately, without Drake's help, that option would most likely result in a sprained ankle, if not something worse.

So, despite every instinct in my body screaming at me not to do it, I back up as far as I can go. Closing my eyes, I heave several deep breaths to try and calm my thundering heart. Then, pushing my self-preservation instincts aside, I rush forward and throw myself over the edge.

My mouth opens to emit a terrified shriek as I flail my arms and legs in a vain attempt to slow myself down, before I remember that I need to straighten up to avoid seriously hurting myself when I hit the water.

Lifting my arms above my head, I press my legs together and point my toes just before I cut through the cool water like a knife. With my lungs crying out for air, I kick back up, taking a ragged breath as I break through the surface.

"Oh. My. God!" I exclaim breathlessly, every inch of me tingling from the sudden rush of adrenaline. "That... That was..."

"Pretty intense, huh?" grins Drake. "Though in all the excitement, you seem to have dropped something."

I gasp in horror as he holds up my bikini top with one finger.

"Give that back!" I cry, lunging towards him.

How the hell did I manage to end up basically naked with both Christian and Drake just days apart?!

"Or what?" he taunts with a wicked grin, swivelling easily out of the way.

"I'll...I'll..." I flounder. "Oh, I don't know! But if you don't give it back, this instant, I swear you'll regret it, Walker!"

"I'll take my chances."

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76 notes - Posted May 14, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[jerzwriter]

Let me do this right this time 😂😂

S: How do you feel about fan art inspired by your writing?

So far the only time that has happened is when I commission it, and I LOVE it. If I was ever surprised with it, I think I'd faint. lmao

M: What’s the weirdest AU scenario you’ve ever come up with?  Did it turn into a story?

Hmm. Weirdest? I guess it was 50 Shades of Ethan. Because I saw an interview where David Gand said he had been considered for the main role in 50 Shades of Grey. I was like, "COULD YOU HAVE IMAGINED?" And that led me down the crazy slope to that little fic.

Their Plus One was crazy in a way, too, because there is no way in hell I could see this actually happening, but...

I don't think I have anything too out there. But others may disagree. lol

U: Is there a pairing you would like to write but haven’t tried yet?

Hmm. I do plan on an Ethan x F!OC that will live in the Tobias/Casey world. I am anxious to write for her (Eva), but I want to solidify Ethan/Kaycee a little more first. I've considered writing some pairings for the friends, but I"m on the fence on it right now.

Also, I wrote one fic for Olivia Nevrakis x MC in TRR, I'd love to examine that more, but I'm hesitant to do so.

T: Any fanfic tropes you can’t stand?

I really can't think of any. Probably too many that I like lol

Better? LMAO

[ao719]

Best Kept Secrets

Best Kept Secrets - Maybe We’ll Get It Right (Chapter 18)

Characters belong to Pixelberry.

Summary: An unforeseen encounter with the past proves that even the best-kept secrets eventually make their way into the light. 

Title inspiration: Hold On Tight - Forest Blakk

Book/Pairing: TRR; Liam x F!OC

A/N: Thank you to @burnsoslow for prereading most of this. Please excuse any errors. 

Rating: M • Warning: This series will contain NSFW material. If you read, you acknowledge you are 18+

Catch up here

Standing in her bedroom inside the north wing, Amara stared at her reflection in the floor-length mirror. She scanned over her outfit before meeting her own anxious gaze; she took in a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying to settle her nerves. 

Today would be Amara’s and Liam’s first public outing with Sophia since the statement had been given. It would be the first time the press would not only catch a glimpse of the heir but see the three of them together … as a family. She knew that the purpose behind the outing was to show the public that their King had moved beyond her betrayal and that they were putting the past behind them for the sake of their child. It was all in hopes of shifting the negative attention she was receiving and showing her in a more favorable light. 

Amara was nervous, however. One would think she would find this to be fairly simple; working the press to change public perception was literally her job, but it was much different being the one whose image you’re trying to change their perception of. She wouldn’t be working her PR magic behind the scenes because she was the one under the microscope. She knew her every move was going to be picked apart, questioned, and, at times, manipulated to fit whatever narrative they were attempting to paint of her. Whatever they felt was going to sell a story was what they were going to try and sell, truth or not. 

Despite knowing this was something they needed to try, Amara had second-guessed the decision since Daniel suggested it; they’d given themselves an extra week behind the palace walls to prepare, but she felt anything but because she couldn’t get out of her own head. She didn’t want her presence during these planned outings to make things even more difficult for Liam than she’d already made them. 

However, when Amara subtly brought up the concern, Liam didn’t seem all too phased. They planned to spend the day on the private beach, and he reminded her that while, yes, the press was sure to be camped out nearby, they would still be far enough away so they’d be able to enjoy their day together with Sophia and that he was looking forward to spending the day out … with both of them. He seemed to be treating it as both a casual and normal outing and not one that was planned with a purpose.

Amara wasn’t reading too much into what he’d said, however, seeing his words for exactly what they were. She knew it was nothing more than his way of trying to make her feel more relaxed because he could sense that she was on edge about it. To think he meant anything beyond that was pointless. Despite her feelings for him, she’d forced herself to face reality over the last month and a half, a reality where she knew that any chance she might have had at continuing to rekindle things between them was long gone. After what she’d done, he’d never give her a second chance, and she didn’t deserve one. Her feelings for him didn’t matter and didn’t mean anything to anyone but her, so she shoved them into a box and pushed any notion of them being anything more than co-parents as far down as she could. It hurt, of course, but it was the consequences of her actions. And she’d suffer in silence because she wasn’t going to let those feelings get in the way of his and Sophia’s relationship. 

A knock on the door pulled Amara’s attention, and she gave herself one last glance in the mirror before turning and exiting her bedroom. When she opened the door, she smiled at Sophia, who was giving her signature toothy grin.

“Mama!”

“Hi, baby,” Amara chuckled as she took her from Liam’s arms when she leaned over to her. She kissed her cheek as she ran her hand over her head of blonde hair. 

“Morning,” Liam said. 

Amara offered him a tentative smile. “Morning.” She stepped aside to let him in, closing the door behind her. “I have her stuff ready. I’ll just go get her changed real quick.” 

Liam nodded and watched the two of them disappear down the hall, listening to Sophia babble and Amara laugh, smiling as he sat down in the living area to wait. He drummed his fingers against his thighs, wondering what the day was going to bring.

They would be spending the day at the private beach, and while he knew it would be accessible to the press, it would keep them far enough away so they wouldn’t be too overbearing. They couldn’t go out in public and make it obvious that they were putting on a show for the cameras. 

Truthfully … it wasn’t about the cameras for Liam nor was it a show. Yes, he was doing this as a way to hopefully shift the narrative surrounding Amara, and he was looking forward to finally taking Sophia beyond the palace walls, but it was more than that for him. He wanted to spend the day out with Amara, too. 

Over the last month and a half since everything had happened, one of the things he struggled with most was his feelings for Amara. At first, those feelings were suffocated by anger and resentment, but once he forced himself to let go of those emotions for the sake of moving forward, they came back tenfold. Now that he’d been spending every day with her the past two weeks, practically playing house inside the palace with her and Sophia … the three of them, together, as a family … everything he felt before seemed amplified. His feelings began to consume him, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be able to continue to shove them aside. And maybe he shouldn’t. He’d been trying to do what was best for Sophia, but perhaps what was best for her was the very thing he’d been trying to ignore. 

Liam had a couple of reservations, however, and they seemed to be the one thing holding him back. 

The first reservation was trust. No matter which way Liam looked at the situation, he’d been betrayed. Did he now understand the place in which Amara was coming from? A little. He’d allowed himself to see things from her perspective, and he understood her headspace at the time. It didn’t change the fact that he was still lied to and kept in the dark about something as important as the existence of his child. Were there other secrets she was keeping? He didn’t know. And he didn’t know if he could trust her to not keep more in the future. 

The second reservation was fear. Twice now Liam had tried to make things work between them, and he was left broken both times. They say the third time’s the charm, but this was something that now went beyond just him. If they tried again and they failed a third time, not only would it affect him but Sophia as well. He and Amara had a knack for being unable to get their stars to align. Could he really risk Sophia being collateral damage in a game he wasn’t sure he would ever win?

“Dada!” 

Sophia’s squeal pulled Liam from his thoughts. He glanced over and a laugh bubbled out of him at the sight of her toddling towards him in a white cover-up that concealed her bright pink bathing suit, tiny aviators, and a floppy white sun hat. “Look at you looking like a little beachy princess,” he chuckled as he scooped her into his arms. “Are you ready for our day at the beach?” Sophia nodded with a clap of her hands. “Is mommy ready?”

They both looked at Amara at the same time, and she forced a smile. “I’m ready.”

****

When Bastien pulled into the private parking lot of the beach, Amara turned her face away from the window, shielding her eyes from the flashes of the cameras. The press had been camped outside of the gate when they left the palace and had followed them. Having spent so much time tracking the royal family’s movements, it didn’t take them long to realize where they were headed; they raced ahead so they were there waiting when they arrived. 

When Liam exited the vehicle, the press, who were contained behind another gate where two more guards stood to ensure they didn’t cross, began shouting his name. He turned and tossed his hand up in a wave as they snapped photos before turning back toward the vehicle. 

Liam met Amara’s gaze as she finished unbuckling Sophia from her car seat. “Here we go …” 

Liam lifted Sophia from her seat and into the safety of his arms, and when he pulled her from the vehicle, the frenzy ensued. The press shouted louder as the shutters from their cameras went off. Sophia turned her head toward the clamor as her grip on his shirt tightened. “It’s ok, little love,” he whispered. 

Occupied by their first glimpses of the princess, the press almost missed the moment Amara came into view. Almost. The moment they noticed her, more shouts ensued as their cameras continued to snap photos. 

“Why is she with you, King Liam?”

“Anything to say about your betrayal to the King, Ms. Onasis?”

“Will she be leaving Cordonia soon?”

“Will the Princess be staying?”

Amara turned so her back was toward them and inhaled a deep breath. She felt Liam’s hand on her shoulder a moment later and looked up at him; he gestured toward the path that led to the beach and she nodded before starting toward it. 

Once down on the beach, Amara set the bag she’d packed beside one of the chairs that were set up beneath an umbrella. She glanced around, taking in the silence, feeling a little more at ease, but only for a moment before she saw the press hurrying toward the edge of the barrier. The guards were already in place, ensuring they stayed on the other side, and they were far enough away where they wouldn’t be a bother, but just knowing they were there at all had her right back on edge. 

“Did you hear me?”

Amara snapped her gaze to Liam. “No. I’m sorry … what did you say?”

“Sunscreen?” Liam pointed to Sophia.

“Yeah.” Amara shook her head and crouched down next to the bag, pulling out the sunscreen she’d packed for her.

Liam set Sophia down on the chair, and Amara removed her tiny cover-up before smothering her in sunscreen. Once she was finished, she stood and turned to see a now shirtless Liam setting up the toys he’d brought on the massive beach blanket that was laid out for them; he’d slipped inside the tent just behind their chairs to change. She turned away from him and closed her eyes; between the press and him, her mind was jumbled.

“Ready?” Liam’s voice sounded from behind her, and she turned, but he was speaking to Sophia. He scooped her up and set her on the edge of the blanket so she could reach the sand before laying on his side next to her. 

Amara stood and stared at the two of them as they played. Then her gaze flickered to the edge of the beach where the press remained, continuing to snap photos. She couldn’t help but wonder what story they were going to try and spin from this. 

“Are you going to join us?” Liam asked.

Amara looked back at him. “Uh … yeah.” She kicked off her flip-flops before reaching down and grabbing the hem of her cover-up to remove it but froze as her eyes lifted to the press again. She casually brushed her hand against the fabric of the cover-up as she moved toward the blanket and sat down on the other side of Sophia. 

Liam looked up at her, squinting against the bright sun. “Did you not bring a suit?” he asked, gesturing to her cover-up that was still on. 

“I’m … I’m fine right now,” Amara lied as she looked out at the water. She wasn’t fine. 

Under the heat of the Mediterranean sun and the watchful eyes of the press, Amara was hot and flustered … but she didn’t want to take off the cover-up, afraid of what story the press would spin from it. Would they say she was trying to seduce him into forgiveness by flouncing around in a bikini? Would they criticize her for said bikini because she was the mother of the heir and not setting the example they thought she should? Hell, she was afraid to even look at Liam for a second too long, knowing what type of story one photo of that could paint. 

Liam stared at Amara as she gazed out at the water. He knew something was bothering her and he didn’t have to ask what it was. She’d been on edge the past week since they planned this first outing, and when he saw her this morning, he knew she hadn’t eased up. It was easy for him to ignore the presence of the press because he’d grown up with it and learned to drown them out a long time ago. Amara, however, wasn’t used to being on this side of things. On top of that, she was consumed by how her presence would rub off on him and Sophia and worried what stories would be in the papers the next morning. Because of that, she was being careful. Too careful, considering she wouldn’t even remove her cover-up. 

“Amara,” Liam said, and she glanced at him. “Relax.”

“I am relaxed.”

Liam snorted. “No, you’re not.” She dropped his gaze and bit her lip self-consciously. “Hey, look at me,” he whispered, but she shook her head. “Look at me.” She hesitated another moment before glancing up. “Don’t pay them any mind. It’s just you and me here, ok? Just us.”

Amara held his gaze. He knew exactly what was running through her mind without her having to say a word. And she felt the sincerity behind his words from the way he looked at her. But she needed to defuse the situation before her stupid heart took any of it to mean something more than it really did. “And Soph,” she quipped. 

“Yes,” Liam shook his head with a small smile. “But you know what I meant.” With Sophia occupied with filling her bucket full of sand one small scoop at a time, he laid on his back, tucking his arms under his head as he closed his eyes. “Take off the damn cover-up and enjoy yourself.” 

Liam heard her let out a quiet chuckle, and after another beat of silence, he could hear the quiet shift of the fabric against her skin. He opened one eye and inconspicuously slid it in her direction; his chest tightened at the sight of her body in the navy blue bikini before he quickly snapped the eye shut. 

****

That night, Liam and Amara put Sophia to bed inside her room in the north wing. They’d spent the entire day at the beach, playing in the water and lounging on the shore. Once they returned to the palace, she’d taken a bath, and barely made it through dinner before she passed out in Liam’s arms. 

The press had watched them the entire day, but Amara took Liam’s advice and ignored them as best as she could. She knew she had to come to terms with the fact that they were going to write what they wanted and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it except suck it up and deal with it. 

They quietly shut Sophia’s door behind them before creeping down the hall, stopping in front of the living area. “She racked out,” Liam quietly chuckled. 

Amara smiled as she leaned against the entryway, crossing her arms and tucking her hands beneath them. “She had fun today.”

“Minus the evil wave,” Liam quietly laughed. 

Amara jutted her lip out in a pout before bowing her head and covering her mouth with her hand to contain her laugh at the memory of the wave that washed away the sandcastle they’d helped Sophia build. She was not happy, and her extreme meltdown over the loss was when they knew it was probably time to pack it up and leave. 

“I thought she was going to try and kick that wave’s ass,” Liam chuckled. 

Amara snorted against her palm before looking back up at him, and when she did, a strand of her hair caught on her eyelashes. Instinctively, Liam reached up to brush it away. 

The air suddenly felt very thick as they stared at each other and both their smiles slowly faded. 

Snapping from his momentary daze, Liam quickly dropped his hand. “Uh … sorry. You had — your hair, I mean … it was …” He trailed off and blew out a breath. 

Amara continued to stare at him, feeling a bit bemused as her heart and mind argued over what just happened and what it meant. Nothing, she told herself. It was nothing. “Yeah … uh, thanks.”

“Well … I should probably …” Liam gestured over his shoulder to the door. “I have sand in places where there shouldn’t be sand and need to shower,” he chuckled, earning a laugh from her. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’ll let you know when she’s up so we can meet for breakfast.” 

“Sounds good.” 

Liam leaned down and kissed her cheek, letting it linger a heartbeat longer than normal before he drew back; he met her gaze for a split second before he turned and opened the door, quickly disappearing into the hall.

*******

Sitting inside his study, Liam read over an article from Trend magazine, detailing his and Amara’s outing over the past weekend in Applewood; he was needed there to go over a proposal to expand the orchids and invited Amara to bring Sophia. The article had several photos printed beside it, each one from a distance; a few of him and Sophia as they walked through the orchids, some of just her, and a few of the three of them together.

It had been nearly a month since that first outing at the beach, and the many they had after seemed to be doing the job they were intended to do. Most of the press — Trend being one — had done exactly what Daniel had said and followed his lead, looking beyond the past and focusing on the here and now. A few remained skeptical, however, questioning Amara’s motives for remaining in Cordonia and her intentions going forward. They didn’t know that she’d already decided to stay because he had yet to make a public statement. He knew he would need to make one soon, though; he’d spoken to Daniel, who told him the next step would be for the people to hear directly from him since they hadn’t at all since Sophia’s existence had been made public nearly two months ago. 

Liam was happy to know that things with the press were starting to settle down. What wasn’t settling down were his feelings for Amara. Each night after they would put Sophia to bed, the length of time they lingered behind got longer. They went from a few moments of simple conversation to now talking over drinks or a late-night snack about their day and making plans for the next. They had gotten closer and had fallen back into a place where things didn’t feel so tense. 

It was comfortable. 

It was familiar. 

Every day they spent together chipped away at those reservations Liam had and drew out his feelings even more. And every day he came closer and closer to throwing caution to the wind and taking that leap. 

Hearing a knock on his study door, Liam called for them to enter; when it opened, he lifted his gaze from the magazine article just as Amara stepped inside with Sophia. 

“Dada!” 

“Hi, little love,” Liam grinned as he stood and walked around his desk; he crouched down as she toddled toward him and he scooped her into his arms, smothering a mix of playful kisses and raspberries against her cheeks as she giggled.

“Hope we’re not interrupting anything,” Amara said.

Liam situated Sophia on his hip. “Not at all,” he replied before leaning forward to kiss her cheek; his hand brushed down the length of her arm as he drew back. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” 

“I wanted to come talk to you.”

“About?”

“I’m going to have to make a trip to New York.” 

Liam looked at her. “Oh?”

“My lease is up at the end of the month,” Amara explained. “I’ve been putting it off, hoping to have found a place beforehand, but that hasn’t happened yet.”

Despite the surprise her words gave him, Liam kept his expression impassive. “I hadn’t realized you’d been looking.” 

“Well, I haven’t … not really, I mean. I’ve perused some listings, but I’m still weighing my options between renting or buying and haven’t made a decision yet. But I can’t put off packing up my apartment any longer since I only have a couple of weeks. And I’ll have to clear out my office space as well.” 

Liam nodded. “Ok. Are you thinking this weekend, or …?”

“I wanted to check with you first,” Amara said. “I didn’t know if you had anything going on, and I figured you’d want Soph to stay here with you.” 

Liam thought for a moment as he glanced at Sophia; he scrunched his nose with a smile when she offered him one of her toothy grins. “How about we go together?” 

Amara’s brows rose in surprise. “You … you want to go?”

“Sure,” Liam shrugged as he looked back at her. “Let Imogen know, and we can leave Friday and take the weekend … get it all done in one shot so you don’t have to worry about going back for anything. There’s plenty of room on the jet to store whatever you need to bring back with you.”

Amara stared at him for a moment. “If you’re sure …” 

“I am,” Liam smiled. “I’ll have Bastien make arrangements.” 

*******

A few mornings later, the SUV pulled up on the tarmac, stopping alongside the waiting jet. Liam glanced out the window at the press that were huddled together on the other side of a barrier.

“How did they know we would be here?” Amara asked.

Liam sighed with a shrug. “They always manage to find things out one way or another.” He looked over to where she sat on the other side of Sophia’s car seat. “Get her on the jet. I’ll handle them.” 

Amara nodded and unbuckled Sophia’s straps before lifting her out of the seat. A guard opened the door and she and Imogen slid out; she ignored the volley of shouted questions from the press as she carried Sophia up the stairs and disappeared inside the jet. 

“Sir?” Bastien said from the driver’s seat.

Liam looked up, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror as the other two guards took their luggage and Sophia’s car seat to the jet. “I’ll talk to them.” 

Bastien nodded before getting out and opening Liam’s door. When the King came into view, the press shouted at him; he was a picture of calm as he buttoned his suit jacket and made his way toward the crowd. 

“King Liam, where are you headed?” Donnie Brine from the CBC asked as Liam neared. 

“I’ll be in New York for a few days,” Liam answered.

Another slew of shouted questions ensued, and they were all asking the same thing in various ways: is Amara leaving with Sophia? Thinking back on his several conversations with Daniel over the past couple of weeks, and knowing he could use this as an opportunity to put any more doubts about her intentions to rest, he decided to be transparent. 

Liam held up his hand to quiet them, and once he had their attention, he cleared his throat. “We’re headed to New York for the weekend to pack up Ms. Onasis’ belongings as she will be staying in Cordonia permanently so that I may continue to maintain a relationship with our daughter.”

More questions were immediately volleyed, but one in particular had caught his attention.

“Are you concerned she’ll try to leave again with the princess?”

Liam sighed, knowing they were referring to what was mentioned in Daniel’s statement. “The circumstances surrounding Ms. Onasis trying to leave in the past were entirely different.”

“Can you elaborate?” a reporter asked, holding their recorder out in front of him.

Transparency, he reminded himself. “Ms. Onasis had been spooked by the betrothal aspect of the alliance that Auvernal had been pushing for. When she learned of the blackmail threat, she became frightened of what that meant for our daughter, and in a moment of panic, yes, she tried to leave. But as a mother, she was trying to protect her child … and that’s not something I can or will fault her for. As for the move … she’s uprooting her entire life to ensure that the princess and I stay together, and I’m extremely grateful that she’s so willing to do that.” 

The reporters stared at Liam in a bout of awed silence, and a heartbeat later, they were shouting more questions.

“Will they be staying with you at the palace?”

“What’s the status of your relationship with Ms. Onasis?” 

“Are you rekindling your romance?” 

They’d changed their tune so fast, it gave Liam whiplash. He let out a breath, feeling a bit lighter, but decided he wasn’t answering any more questions. He didn’t really have the answers at the moment anyway. He threw his hand up in a wave before turning and heading towards the jet. 

****

After the long flight and traffic-jammed ride from the airport, Liam and Amara arrived at their hotel in New York that afternoon; they’d planned to arrive early enough to leave them time for Sophia to hopefully nap off the jet lag. 

Once Sophia was asleep in the guest room of the suite, Liam sent Imogen to her own room that was situated across the hall to rest. He plopped onto the sofa in the living area while Amara stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, taking in the view. 

“Have you missed it?” Liam asked. 

Amara shrugged. “Certain things, like pizza and breakfast bagels, yes,” she chuckled. “But other than that … not particularly, no.” 

Liam stood and came next to her. “Where’s your apartment from here?”

“About 15 minutes that way,” Amara pointed. “It’s in Tribeca.” They were at the Millennium in lower Manhattan. “And my office is only a block from there.” 

“Have you made any decisions regarding your company and what you plan to do?”

“Not yet,” Amara shook her head. “We’re on a bit of a pause at the moment until I figure things out. Daniel hasn’t decided whether he’s staying yet, but with both Riley and I now there and him not having anything tying him down here …” She shrugged. “But I could still run the company from there and set up an office … or I could sell it …”

“You’d really consider selling it?” 

“If that’s what needs to be done … yes,” Amara answered. And I know a couple of competitors that would probably be more than willing to take it off my hands.”

Liam leaned against the window frame as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. “You seem pretty content for someone giving up so much of themself on a whim.” 

Amara looked back out the window. “I wouldn’t say it’s on a whim.” 

Liam’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean …” Amara paused, taking in a breath and slowly letting it out. “I mean that all of this was stuff I’ve thought about from the moment I found out I was pregnant.” She tucked her hands beneath her arms as she fought against the urge to look at him. “I always thought about the what-ifs … and I planned out all these different scenarios in my head for the day I finally drummed up enough courage to … to tell you. And in all of those scenarios, the outcome was the same … I was leaving New York, and either running the company from where I was or selling it. Now that I think about it … it was never really a what-if, but more of a when.” 

Liam remained silent for a moment before speaking. “I just … I don’t want this move to be something you come to regret later on.” 

“It’s for you and Sophia.” Amara looked up at him again. “I would never regret it.” 

Liam stared at her, not having realized until that moment how close they’d shifted to one another, and he saw the moment she realized it, too. Her gaze was both hesitant and questioning, but then she looked away from him and took a step back. 

“Um … I think I’m going to nap while Sophia is.” 

“Yeah.” Liam cleared his throat as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I, uh … I’m actually not that tired, so I can listen for her if you want to go lay down in the master.” He’d already offered for her to take the bigger of the two rooms. 

“Ok,” Amara nodded.

Liam watched Amara turn and heard her let out a breath as she disappeared inside the room. 

*******

The following morning, Liam and Amara headed over to her apartment while Imogen stayed with Sophia at the hotel. Liam had arranged for a moving company to meet them there to take the boxes she would be bringing back and load them on the jet. From what she’d told him, most of it would consist of her and Sophia’s clothes. Anything she didn’t need, she planned to throw out or donate. 

When they pulled up outside of the tall brick building, Liam slid out before turning to help Amara out. They greeted the staff of the moving company that was already there waiting before heading inside. 

After riding the elevator up to the seventh floor, they stepped out, and Liam followed Amara down the hall. She paused in front of a door and unlocked it, and when she pushed it open and stepped inside, he followed. 

Liam glanced around as he moved further inside. He’d never seen her apartment, but it was exactly what he pictured her having. Casual with a touch of modern sophistication. “This is nice.”

Amara looked around fondly; she’d always loved her apartment. “Thanks.” 

“Where should we start, Miss?” a voice spoke from the doorway. 

Amara turned to the movers lingering in the hall. “Uh …” She glanced around. “Living room and kitchen.” She then looked at Liam. “We can get started on Sophia’s room and then mine.”

“Lead the way,” Liam gestured. 

****

Within a couple of hours, most of the apartment had been boxed up. While the movers carried boxes from the kitchen, living room, and Sophia’s room down to the truck, Liam and Amara finished up in her room. 

“I’m going to take this out,” Amara said when she finished taping the last box of her shoes shut. 

Liam nodded. “I’ll bring the nightstand out for you.”

“Thank you,” Amara replied before pushing the box out the door and down the hall.

Turning to the nightstand next to the bed, Liam reached down and hooked his fingers under the lip of the top. He lifted it, and when he realized it was heavier than he anticipated, he tilted it to adjust his hold; the movement caused the drawer to slide out of it and crash to the floor. 

“Shit.” 

Liam set the nightstand back down before kneeling to pick up the contents from the drawer now scattered on the floor. As he scooped up the items, something caught his eye, and he froze as he stared at it. A photo. He reached down and grabbed it, bringing it closer, only to notice another beneath it. And they weren’t just any photos, but ones of him and Amara. He remembered the night the one he held in his hand was taken. They were watching a movie in his quarters and were on the sofa; she was resting back against his chest with his arms wrapped tightly around her and his face was playfully nuzzling her neck with a grin as she smiled. He picked up the other from the floor. It was of them in the maze; she was on his back with her arms looped around his neck, both of them laughing. 

At that moment, at the sight of those photos, at the realization that she’d kept them all this time, Liam felt the last of the reservations he’d been holding onto crumble. He wanted to be the two people in those photos again. 

Two people who could make each other laugh and smile.

Two people who were better when they were together. 

Two people who were happy and in love.

“Liam?” Amara’s voice carried down the hall. 

Liam snapped from his daze and cleared his throat. “Coming.” He placed the rest of the items back in the drawer but slipped the photos into his back pocket before standing and carrying the nightstand out. 

****

That night, Amara stood out on the balcony of the hotel suite while Liam put Sophia into bed. She stared out at the view of the city she’d called home all her life, but she couldn’t say she’d miss it all that much. 

“Penny for your thoughts?” Liam said behind her.

Amara glanced over her shoulder, and her eyes followed him as he came to stand beside her. “Nothing,” she said, “just … taking in the view. Did she go down ok?”

“Yeah,” Liam nodded as he leaned against the railing. “Out like a light.” He glanced out at the view, staying quiet for a moment before looking over at her. “Are you going to miss it?”

“No … not really,” Amara answered. “I think … I think I’m ready to start over somewhere else.” 

Liam stared at her for a moment before taking her answer for the opening it was. “Speaking of starting over …” He stood upright and reached back, pulling the two photos from his back pocket. “When we were packing … these fell out of your nightstand drawer.” 

Amara focused on the photos in his hand, fighting against looking at him as she blinked away the sting in her eyes. “Yeah …” 

“I didn’t realize you had them.” 

“I …” Amara let out a soft breath and cast her gaze to the ground.

Liam’s thumb slid under her chin and he lifted her eyes to his. “No more secrets.” 

Amara swallowed. “I would look at them … in hopes I could convince myself to reach out to you … to tell you about Sophia.” She fell quiet for a moment before speaking again, her next words coming out just above a whisper. “And on days when I missed you … which was all the time … I’d look at them to remind myself of what it felt like to be whole … because that’s what being with you made me feel. Whole and complete … and happy.”

Liam searched her eyes for a moment, and in the next, he leaned down, capturing her lips in his. Amara stiffened in surprise, needing to rest her hands against his chest to keep herself upright, but when his arm curled around her waist and pulled her closer, she went more than willingly. When her lips parted against his, she felt his tongue softly curl against hers, so slowly at first it was as if he were trying to savor the moment, but then he deepened the kiss, and she gripped his shirt to steady herself.

Forcing himself not to get too caught up, Liam drew back. It took her a moment to open her eyes, and they stared at each other in silence for a few heartbeats before she looked away from him. He could see the self-consciousness fill her expression and realized it was because she determined that he must have thought what just happened was a mistake … but she was wrong. 

“I want to go back to being the two people in these photos. I want this again.” Liam held up the pictures. When she looked at him again, he saw the surprise in her eyes, like she couldn’t believe what he was saying. “I want this … I want us. But I want to slow down because I want us to be sure when we go in, if not for our sakes, then for Sophia’s.” 

At his words, a tear trickled down Amara’s cheek, and he reached up, brushing it away with his thumb. “I didn’t think … after what I’d done—”

“When I told you I was leaving the past in the past, I meant it, Amara,” Liam interrupted. “I just need to know if you want the same … that you’re willing to try.”

Amara took in a shuddered breath as her tear-filled eyes searched his. And then she nodded. “I want the same,” she whispered. 

Liam dropped his hand from her face and curled his fingers around hers. “Then we take it day by day once we get back home … and we’ll see how things go.” 

***************************************

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[angelasscribbles]

A Fervid Fixation Chapter 6: Conflagration

Series: A Fervid Fixation

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Riley x Drake

Rating: MA

Warnings for this chapter: Language

Word Count: 4,159

A/N: This is me officially giving up on predicting the length of this story. 🤷🏻‍♀️

My other stuff: Master List.

Riley jumped as the door slammed behind Liam. She turned back to Drake, “What do you mean I have no idea what I’ve just done?”

“I mean…you’ve only known the charming and polite Liam, the person he is when he’s getting his way.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that you don’t know what he’s capable of! Liam handles things…differently.”

“Differently how?”

“Okay, so take me for example. I’m a simple man, Riley. Straightforward. Nick pissed me off, I punched him. Tariq threatened you, I punched him. Simple. Out in the open. Resolved and moved on from. But Liam? He can destroy a person’s life from the ground up and they never see him coming until it’s too late.”

“Liam wouldn’t-

“Oh, he would, he can, and he has! I’m telling you…you don’t know him like I do! If I haven’t been fired, had my clearance revoked, and been shut out of all our systems by the time he makes it back to the office, I’ll eat my shoes.”

“But…you’re his best friend!”

“Who just betrayed him.”

“You didn’t-“

“As far as he’s concerned, I did and that’s all that matters. I told you, absolute monarchy.”

“What will you do if he fires you?”

“The job is the least of my concerns, Riley. I told you; I have money. I can get by without an income for a while. I can get another job, somewhere else, but…”

“But?”

“But I can almost guarantee he’ll have all my domestic assets frozen by nightfall. He can make it impossible for me to find another job, he can seize this property if he wants to and frankly if he decides to arrest me, I could spend the rest of my life in a prison cell.”

“But you’ve done nothing wrong or illegal!” She protested, “Surely a jury-“

“Doesn’t matter. There won’t be a trail. This isn’t America.”

“Why would he do any of that?”

“Because in his mind, I just took something that belonged to him. Liam Rys doesn’t do tit-for-tat. He goes for shock and awe. Slight him, he will raze your life to the ground.”

“I…I don’t believe you! He’s just hurt right now, he’ll calm down, you’ll see.”

Drake plucked his phone up from the coffee table where she had placed it and dialed. Putting it on speaker phone while it rang, he held it toward her so she could hear the conversation.

“Who are you calling?”

“Jason Toussaint, the Lieutenant in charge of cyber operations,” he answered.

The call connected, “Drake? What the hell is going on? I just got orders to lock you out of all systems.”

“Hey, Jason,” Drake spoke into the phone, “Has my employment been terminated?”

“Yes, and all security clearances revoked,” Jason answered, “What the hell is going on, cap?”

Drake gave Riley an I told you so look before answering, “Has the order been given to freeze my assets?”

“Yes, but I haven’t done it yet.”

“The assets don’t matter,” Drake answered, “but do that last.”

“All right. I’ll buy you as much time as I can, but be advised that your passport has been revoked.”

“Noted. Thanks, Jason.”

Drake hung up the phone and started pacing.

Riley watched him, anxiety spinning her mind in a million different directions. “What are we going to do?”        

Drake stopped pacing and turned to face her, “We need to go, now!”

“Where?”

“Anywhere that isn’t Cordonia or a country that has an extradition treaty with Cordonia. His reach ends at the border.”

“Okay, but how do we do that if you don’t have a passport?”

“We get creative!” He smiled reassuringly at her, “Don’t worry, I have a plan! Go pack your stuff!”

It didn’t take her long because she had barely unpacked. When she came back down the stairs, Drake was just hanging up the phone, “Who was that? Is everything okay?”  

“I just found out from my contact in MiSHI that the person Tariq was working with is Bastien.” He said grimly, “And there’s only one person he takes orders from.”

“Who’s that?”

“Constantine.”

Riley’s heart dropped, “Liam’s father?”

“Yes, the fucking bastard! This makes it even more imperative that we get out of the country as soon as possible. If Constantine has determined that you’re not suitable marriage material for his son, he will go to any lengths to ensure he stays away from you.”

“Okay,” she took a deep breath as she nodded, “I’m packed, we can go!”

“Me too,” He pointed to a duffle bag laying by the door, “I’ll go grab your bags, you go grab some snacks from the kitchen so we don’t have to stop any more than necessary.”

“On it!”

“There’s a cooler under the cabinet closest to the fridge!” He called over his shoulder as he bounded up the stairs.

Fifteen minutes later their stuff was loaded into the back of a nondescript range rover.

Confusion pulled through her, “Where did that come from and where’s your car?”

“My car is stashed in the garage around back where this was parked. It won’t be easily seen unless someone is looking for it. And they won’t be. They’ll be looking for it out on the road, but they won’t find it because we’ll be in this!” He grinned at her as he dangled the keys, “It was my sister’s. They won’t think to look for her car. I doubt Liam even remembers she had a car before she left!”

“Savannah, right?” she asked as she slid into the passenger seat, “You told me about her. You never told me why she left.”

“Because some fucking duke used her and threw her away like she was garbage!” he climbed into the driver’s seat and put the car in gear as he spoke, “Made a big deal about how she was good enough to fuck but not good enough to marry. Then she found out she was pregnant and was afraid the guy would take her to court and get custody of the kid. And he would have won because he had all the money and all the power. So I helped her move away before anyone here even knew she was pregnant.”

“Jesus…that…that sucks, I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay,” he shrugged, “Fuck that guy. She dodged a bullet if you ask me.”

He navigated the vehicle down the rutted-out path and eventually onto a better, but still rough dirt road. It took twenty minutes before they hit pavement.

“So…an officer in the Royal Guard, huh?”

“Yes, the youngest Captain in the history of the guard!” he told her proudly.

“I’m sorry you’re giving that up.”

“What?” he pulled his eyes from the road briefly to look at her, “It’s fine. I did what had to be done. I have no regrets.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because, if titles and money were what you cared about, mine weren’t going to impress you. I’m a captain in the Cordonian Royal Guard, not a crown prince or even a duke. I make good money and I have a small inheritance from my grandmother, but I can’t compete with billionaires.”  

“I don’t care about your money, Drake.” She sighed, “I literally chose you over a crown prince, remember?”

That got a smile out of him, “You did, didn’t you?”

She smiled back, “I did.”

“I still can’t believe you did that!” his voice held a note of awe as his hand reached for hers.

She squeezed his back and smiled, “So where are we going?”

“To Hadley Airfield.”

“What is that and why are we going there?”

“It’s an old government-owned airstrip that’s still staffed by the guard, but used primarily for non-military purposes. Crop dusting, running supplies for research missions, shit like that. It’s a low priority for upgrades so it’s still pretty low-tech. I won’t need to swipe a key card to get in, just punch in a code that I’d bet money no one has thought to change, and even if they did, they’d have to physically send someone there to do it.”

“So…what? We’re going to steal a plane?”

He gave her a mischievous grin, “Yep.”

“Wait…seriously?”

“Seriously. An old one that can’t be controlled remotely. Then we’re going to fly right over the border into Auvernall. No extradition treaty and they have an international airport there.”

They would ditch the stolen plane and melt into the masses of people in Auvernall before hopping a flight to anywhere in the world and disappearing off Liam’s radar forever.

“And just who the hell is going to fly this plane?”

“I am!”

“You’re a pilot?”

His grin widened, it was downright cocksure as he answered, “Before I joined the guard, my prior service was in the Cordonian Royal Air Force, babe. Yes, I can fly a plane.”

Five hours later they pulled up to a rusted metal gate and stopped at an unmanned guard station. Drake rolled the window down and typed a code into the box. The gate made a loud buzzing sound and then slid open.

“Told you!” He gloated as they drove unimpeded into the airport.

“I never doubted you!”

He navigated the Range Rover through the airport to a row of metal aircraft hangers in the back. He pulled up next to a small office building and put the vehicle in park. “I have to go inside and check the logs.”

“Why?”

“I need to know which planes are fueled and ready to go. I need to know the flight schedule. The last thing we want is to take a plane with a mechanical issue, not enough fuel or to take off at the wrong time and crash into another aircraft.”

“Okay,” She nodded, “I’m coming with you!”

“No,” he shook his head, “You should stay in the car.”

“And what if someone comes to ask me what I’m going here?”

He rolled that around in his head for a few seconds before acquiescing, “All right. Let’s go!”

A bell tinkled as they entered the office. An air-conditioned blast hit them, a stark contrast to the heat and humidity outside.

A slender, blonde-haired man with a crew cut looked up from his seat at the desk, “Hey, you can’t be in here-“

Drake flashed his badge at the young corporal, “I need access to the flight schedule and maintenance records.”

“Yes, sir!” The corporal surged to his feet, stumbling over his own feet in his haste to produce the records.

After thrusting the requested documents into Drake’s hands, the young man glanced in Riley’s direction.

“Hey!” Drake snapped his fingers in the kid’s face, “She’s not your concern!”

“R-Right! Sorry!”

Drake flipped quickly through some pages on a clipboard before tossing them onto the desktop. He grabbed Riley’s arm and aimed her toward the door, “Come on, let’s go!”

The bell jingled as the door opened again and a lone figure strode through it, blocking the light so all Riley could make out was a silhouette.

Drake took several steps back, pulling Riley with him, “Bas? What are you doing here? How did you know-“

“You don’t think I remember Leo giving us the slip just like this when you were partnered with me during your training year?”

“Shit! Fuck!” Drake kicked at a pile of boxes, sending them toppling over. He pulled Riley closer and put his mouth to her ear so only she could hear, “When I tell you to go, you get in the car and go. Meet me at hanger forty-seven. Got it? Don’t talk. Just nod if you understand.”  

She nodded as he discreetly pressed his keys into the palm of her hand.

“This place is going to be swarming with King’s Guards any minute,” Bastien flashed his badge at the corporal and told him, “Go on kid, get out of here before you end up in the middle of a shootout.”

The kid scrambled out the door without a backward glance.

Why are you doing this, Bas?” Drake asked, “I thought you believed she wasn’t good enough to marry Liam.”

“What I believe doesn’t matter, I have my orders, I can’t let you leave,” Bastien reached for Riley’s arm.

Drake moved quickly, pulling her out of his reach, “God damn it, Bas! I wish you hadn’t done that.”

“I’m trying to help you-“

“Go!” Drake spun Riley toward the door with one arm as the other shot out to clothesline the older man.

Riley hit the door running and didn’t slow down until she skidded into the Range Rover. She yanked the door open, clambered up into the driver’s seat, and threw the car in gear, leaving rubber on the asphalt as she careened out of the parking area.

Her eyes scanned the dingy metal hangers as she drove. They each had a number painted on them in now faded yellow paint. When she found the correct one, she drove straight into it and slammed the brakes on.

Flinging the door open, she rushed back to push the sliding doors of the hangar shut.

Maybe that would slow them down. She ran back to the car and started transferring luggage to the plane.

When she was done, she began pacing back and forth across the hangar. Minutes ticked by as she considered going back.

She started talking to herself, “What if he got hurt? What if he got arrested? Fuck!”

She made up her mind to go back if he didn’t appear within the next two minutes. Out loud she said, “Come on, Drake! Where are you?”

Footsteps sounded near the rear of the hangar, and she whirled toward it, ready to run.

Drake stepped away from a small door she hadn’t noticed before. He grinned at her, “I’m right here, Brooks. Miss me?”

“Oh, thank God!” She rushed into his arms, “What happened?��

“I had to knock Bastien out,” he said grimly as he caught her, “he wasn’t going to let us leave.”  

“I’m sorry, I know you were close.”

“Yeah, well, he may have been my godfather and he may have loved my mother,” Drake said as he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head, “but his first loyalty was always to the crown.”

“Well, I’m still sorry you had to hurt him.”

“It’s okay, he’ll recover,” he told her as he released her, “But we have minutes to get out of here before soldiers are everywhere. Let’s go!”

He took her by the hand and headed for the plane. He made it to the steps when she pulled her hand away, “Wait! I forgot-“

“There’s no time!”

“Your phone! It’s in the console!”

Shit! He was going to need that to reach his contact in Auvenall. “I’ll get it, you get on the plane!” He reversed direction and pushed past her.

He scooped the phone out of the center console and didn’t bother closing the door as he hustled back to the plane.

Riley was still standing at the bottom of the steps, waiting for him, instead of on the plane like he’d told her.

“Freeze!” The doors of the hanger banged open as soldiers poured into the room, scattering and taking up tactical positions around the area.

Drake pushed her in front of him, “Get on the plane!”

“But-“ she stumbled as he guided her body forward while her head moved around to see behind them.

“Riley! Drake!” Liam’s voice rang out as he stepped past the guardsmen.

Drake spun around, yanking a nine-millimeter Baretta from the waistband of his pants. He leveled the firearm at Liam while making sure to keep himself situated in front of Riley, blocking her from any potential gunfire.

Every assault rifle in the place was suddenly aimed at them as the king’s life was threatened.

“It’s okay, hold your fire!” Liam yelled at them as he held his arms out to the side to indicate that he himself was unarmed. He couldn’t risk Riley getting shot when they took Drake down. “Are you going to shoot me, Drake? Your best friend? Your brother?”

“Is that what you are?”

“You know it is,” Liam replied calmly.

“Did you tell Riley that I was obsessed with her? That I was unhinged?” Drake demanded.

Liam’s eyes slid to Riley’s face then back to Drake, “You have been acting erratically, Drake. Nick…Tariq…coronation night…this! Stealing a plane? Really?”

“Borrowing it,” Drake corrected him, “You can have it back once we’re safely out of the country.”

“This is treason, Drake. Come on, man. Be reasonable!”

Drake’s back pressed against Riley, eyes still trained on Liam as he moved backward, nudging her up the first step. In a low voice, he told her, “Everything I did, I did for you! You understand that, right?”

“Don’t move!” One of the guardsmen yelled as Drake edged Riley up another step.

A rifle clicked.

Riley’s gaze swung around the room to take in the ridiculous number of guns pointed directly at Drake’s chest. “No!” she pushed around and in front of him, placing herself between him and the guns.

“Riley, don’t!” Both men yelled.

She spread both arms out in the air, “I won’t let you shoot him! Liam, please! He’s your best friend!”

“I don’t want to hurt him, Riley, but-“

An officer stepped up next to Liam and whispered something in his ear.

Drake kept the handgun grasped in one hand while the other landed on her shoulder, “Riley, get behind me and get on the plane!”

“No! They’ll shoot you!”

“Riley-“

Liam’s features hardened, “Riley, you don’t understand-“

“No, I don’t Liam! Why can’t we just leave?”

“Well for starters, Bastien is dead, and we have some questions,” Liam replied grimly.

“What?” Drake stumbled back like he’d been struck, shaking his head, “No! No!”

Liam’s face reddened, and his voice was laden with accusation, “You killed him!”

“No! I just disabled him! He was alive when I left!”

“Then who killed him, Drake?”

“I don’t know, Liam, you tell me!”

“Are you insinuating-“

“I’m not just insinuating, Li! You had him killed so he couldn’t reveal your father’s part in the plot against Riley!” Drake accused, then after a moment’s thought added, “And possibly so you could pin it on me!”

Liam’s eyes darted from Drake to Riley, “You’re not buying any of this, are you?”

“I don’t know, Liam.” Her eyes narrowed, “When I chose Drake, you told me I’d just made the biggest mistake of my life. That sure sounded like a threat.”

“When I said you’d made a mistake, I meant by trusting him!”

“But Drake’s been telling the truth about you, Liam, I heard it myself!”

“From whom?” Liam asked in astonishment.

“Jason.”

“Who’s Jason?”

Her confidence wavered, “The Lieutenant in charge of cyber security…”

“There’s no Lieutenant named Jason in the cyber division, Riley.” Liam shook his head sadly then extended his arm toward her, “Come on, Riley, just take a few steps forward and all this can be over.”

Drake’s fingers dug into her shoulder, as he moved up another step, pulling her after him, “He’s lying, Riley! Can’t you see that?”

“No, Riley,” Liam moved his fingers in a come hither motion, “He’s lying! Just take a few steps forward and come here.”

“So…you didn’t fire him and revoke his clearance?” Riley asked, uncertainty coloring her voice.

“Of course, I fired him and revoked his clearance!” Liam exploded, throwing both hands in the air, “he abused his position and literally kidnapped you!”

“I rescued you, Riley!” Drake protested, “He told you himself, he wanted you on that plane that night!”

Riley’s mind spun with indecision. She still had questions, “What about his assets?”

Liam’s brows furrowed, “What about them?”

“Did you have them frozen? Did you revoke his passport?”

“Yes! Because I was trying to stop him from doing exactly what he’s doing right now! Once he gets you out of Cordonia, I won’t be able to protect you! But it didn’t matter anyway.”

“What do you mean, it didn’t matter?”

“I mean…he had no assets to freeze. Why is that Drake?”

Drake shrugged as he adjusted the Barretta in his grip, “I moved all my assets out of Cordonia two days ago, Liam.”

“And why would you do that if you weren’t planning this little escapade all along?”

“Because I know how you operate! I had to protect myself, and her!” He lowered his voice so only Riley could hear, “That’s why I told Jason to do that part last. So it took longer for Liam to figure out I was a step ahead.”

“Me?” Liam scoffed, “I think you’re the tactical genius here.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Drake said evenly as he moved up another step, pulling Riley up with him.

“I mean….I’m beginning to think maybe you were behind the whole setup with Tariq!”

“You think I sent him to do the thing I beat the dog shit out of him for? I never pegged you as delusional, Li.”

“Maybe you didn’t know about that part. Maybe that was all Bas’s idea.”

“Bas?” Drake snorted, “You know he only took orders from one person…your father! And we all know how badly he wanted you married to Madeleine! Speaking of Madeleine, are we sure she wasn’t in on the whole thing?”

“My father is far too sick to be meddling in my affairs. We all know the person Bas would have done anything for was you!”

“What?” Riley froze, almost to the top step.

“Think about it, Riley!” Liam insisted, “He contrived the entire scandal precisely because he knew what the protocol would be, he’s a trained, high-ranking officer after all! And he knew precisely what my reaction would be. He likes pointing out how well he knows me. He’s right. He does! He knew I’d want you out of the country and out of harm’s way while I investigated and cleared your name. It was the perfect opportunity for him to swoop in and play the hero, paint me as the villain. Which is exactly what he did, isn’t it?”

Panic laced Drake’s voice, “Riley, you’re not buying this, are you? He’s twisting everything!”

“How convenient that Bastien is dead,” Liam continued, “He was the only person that could have connected you to the scandal.”

“The only person that could have exonerated me and implicated your father you mean! That is convenient, isn’t it?”

“Riley, come here!” Liam’s voice cracked, betraying signs of his rising desperation.

“Riley, get on the plane…” Drake pleaded.

She hesitated as everything they had both said swirled through her mind. They both made persuasive arguments. She was never going to know the truth either way. How well did she really know either of these men?

There was one thing she did know for sure though, “Liam, I know one thing...”

“What’s that?”

“I know you’re a liar!”

His arm dropped as shock coursed through him, “What?”

“You told me you loved me! You told me you were going to marry me! You fucked me in the hedge maze and then you turned around five minutes later and got engaged to another woman while letting me be drug out of the palace under armed guard!”

“That was different! I’ve explained why! I have to think about Cordonia, Riley!”

“I understand that Liam. I do.” She nodded.

His body sagged with relief, “Good. Okay, come here,” he held his arm out toward her again.

She stepped back, her body pushing Drake up another step, “But…”

All the stress rushed back into his body, “But?”

“But I need a man who puts me first and Drake has proven he’s more than up to that task.”

Liam’s mouth fell open, “Even if he’s a liar and a murderer?”

“He’s not, Liam. You’re wrong about him!”

Drake took one more step back, into the plane then dropped the gun as he yanked Riley inside and slammed the door.

“Goddamn it!” Liam kicked fruitlessly at the ground.

“Sir?” The officer in charge of the scene approached him as the plane’s engine roared to life, sending half the contents of the hangar flying through the air.

Shouts of “Cover! Cover!” pinged off the walls as Liam was yanked backward and drug to safety.

Men scattered and dove out of the way as the plane taxied out of the hangar and onto the runway.

“Sir!” The commander yelled, “We can still stop them! We can aim for the pilot or the fuel tank!”

Liam watched as the plane picked up speed. He shook his head, “No, if the pilot’s dead, the plane will crash, if it loses all its fuel, there’s a chance it gets airborne before it runs out and plummets to the ground.”

He still wasn’t willing to risk her life.

“But sir-“

“It doesn’t matter,” Liam sighed as he watched the plane climb into the air. He still had one play left, “Get me Isabella Achilles on the phone. Now!”

[openheartfanfics]

OH MC Other Fics

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

F!MC

A Bit Dark - @jerzwriter 🦚🏳‍🌈 Jess has noticed a bit of a change in Casey, and offers her support when she learns the reason why.

A Quick Study - @jerzwriter ☁🏳‍🌈 Casey's a little hangry during their late-night study session, but Jess isn't letting her off the hook. Feat. F!MC x F!OC

Any Other Day - @jerzwriter 🦚💘 Jessica's not a fan of Valentine's Day, and she's made that pretty clear, but now that the day's up on them, Casey realizes there's more to it than meets the eye.

Anti Valentine - @liaromancewriter 📱💘 Cassie and Max commiserate each other on their most hated day. Feat. Ethan x F!MC

Beach Clean-up - @liaromancewriter 📷☁ Cassie is not happy about what she finds. Feat. OH Gang.

Before the Beginning - @trappedinfanfiction  ☁ 📱 Celia can’t sleep, and with nothing else to do, she contacts her brother.

Crossed Wires - @liaromancewriter 📱 Cassie finds out Max kept a secret from her.

Green-Eyed Girl - @liaromancewriter 📱 Random convo between Cassie and Max about family traits.

Finding a Path - @liaromancewriter 📱 Cassie is frustrated by the system and needs to vent. [1.8]

Happy Birthday to the Valentine Twins - @liaromancewriter 📷 It's Cassie and Max's birthday and their mom shares a moment.

High Score - @jerzwriter 🦚🏳‍🌈 Casey and her girlfriend Jessica are eagerly looking forward to sharing lunch at "their" diner. One idiot nearly derails their plans, but the women won't let him win. TW: Mentions of homophobia including a slur

I've Got You - @jerzwriter ☁ Casey & Jess are taking a little break until there is a turn of events - then it's Jess to the rescue.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science - @storyofmychoices ☁ Celebrating three of the loveliest ladies: Olivia Hadley, Merida Rhys (@lilyoffandoms), and Casey MacTavish (@jerzwriter).

It Is Time - @snoopdogcone ☁ It's her first day at Edenbrook.

Like it's 1989… - @jerzwriter 📱 It's another Taylor Swift release, and that means it's time for Tobias and Jensen to suffer come up with a plan of survival. Feat. F!MC, M!MC

Lost and Found - @liaromancewriter 🦚 Cassie and Max celebrate their birthday under the Northern Lights and have a heart to heart about what’s happening in their lives.

Not a Valentine - @jerzwriter ☁ It's lunchtime for Casey & Jensen... and some annoying interns, too. Feat. F!MC, M!MC

Positive Reaction - @jerzwriter ☁🏳‍🌈 When the couple step out to celebrate Jessica's achievement, Casey gives her a gift that money could never buy. Feat. F!OC

Rocky - @jerzwriter ☁ Casey attempts to help Jensen after a rough day. Feat. Jensen (M!MC), Casey (F!MC), Bryce Lahela

Secret’s Out - @liaromancewriter ☁ When everyone at Edenbrook finds out Cassie’s identity, she realizes who her true friends her. Feat. Jackie Varma, Sienna Trinh.

Six Times - @jerzwriter 📚🏳‍🌈 [extended: wip] Casey knew what it felt like to have her heart broken, and so did Jessica. Love and all its notions had no place in their life right now... and then they met. F!MC x F!OC

Sweet Stuff - @jerzwriter ☁ Merida, Casey & Olivia spend the day at an amusement park, and one of them is quite amusing.

The Doctor Is Almost In - @liaromancewriter 📷 It's the week before intern year and Cassie explores her new home.

The Galentine’s Day Queens: A TRR / Open Heart Crossover - @bebepac ☁💘 Daniel takes Riley and their friends on a special night on the town as Galentines. Feat. F!MC

The Meeting [Open Heart/Bloodbound Crossover] - @ezekielbhandarivalleros and @aesthetic-aag 🛸

Jake and Ade have been online friends for a while now. Ade plans on day to come visit Jake in Toronto.

Trepidation - @jerzwriter 🦚 Casey and Jessica have both been in love before, and both have had their hearts broken. That's why they promised each other to take it slow. Feat. F!MC x F!OC

Twin Shenanigans: Java Edition - @liaromancewriter 📱 Cassie and Max get silly with each other on text, as per usual.

Twin Shenanigans: Pandas Edition - @liaromancewriter 📱 Max teases Cassie with her spirit animal. Bonus: Ethan teases her too! Feat. Ethan Ramsey

Twinsies - @liaromancewriter 📱 Cassie and Max celebrate National Twin Day.

Who’s The Cutest? - @potionsprefect 📱 The Clarke siblings have a disagreement.

Zodiac Fun - @liaromancewriter 📱 Cassie is all about love that's written in the stars.

M!MC

Friends with Rollerskates (Open Heart/Bloodbound Crossover) - @ezekielbhandarivalleros ☁ When nobody wants to play with Jake, Ade choses to Roller Skate with him when she herself has nobody to play with.

_

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

[alj4890]

And Then I Left You

(Thomas Hunt x oc*Amanda) in a “what if” version to the RCD/TRR fan fic And Then I Met You Series

A/N Here it is! Finally! The fluffy finale to this series. I honestly loved reworking and thinking about how these two could have ended up together if something had changed in my original AU for them. Thank you again for your patience as I took so long. Moving and unpacking killed the romance in me for a while, LOL. I needed to get my head right for their wedding. And thanks once more to Nonny for this request. Who knew it would take sixteen chapters to answer? As with all my other series, requests from this AU will always be welcome even if this is the end of the main storyline.

Song Thomas chose for their first dance: (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons by Nat King Cole

Once more the song for Olivia and Ryan's duet 😉

And Holly and Addison couldn't be ignored with their song 😂

@krsnlove @my-heart-beats-for-ya ​ @aworldoffandoms ​​ @flyawayboo ​​ @trappedinfandoms ​​  @sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @hopelessromantic1352

Masterlist

Chapter 16: It Had To Be You

"Deep breaths."

Hana gently patted Amanda on the back while a concerned Riley fanned her.

"I shouldn't," Amanda wheezed, "shouldn't have peeked out."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "You've been to balls with more people than are outside."

"Yes, but not everyone was watching me the entire time!" Amanda snapped.

Why did Constantine have to have those pictures taken?

"Right. We have just a few minutes before we are to walk down the aisle." Holly said brusquely. "What do you need us to do to calm you down?"

Amanda shook her head with a half-hearted shrug. She honestly couldn't think about anything other than the three hundred people sitting just a few yards away.

"How about a drink?" Addison offered. "Nothing too strong, but hopefully something that will take the edge off."

"That might help." Amanda mumbled.

"I'll go." Olivia said, feeling useless with this type of battle.

She left the bridal tent and tried to hurry over to one of the bars set up for the reception. No bartender or waiter was nearby. Deciding she didn't need them, she went behind the bar to search for something to either grab or mix.

"What's wrong?" Drake asked.

She whirled around to see not only him but also Thomas.

"Why aren't you waiting over there?" She gestured with a bottle of vodka toward the stage where Liam and the rest of the groomsmen stood.

"We were." Thomas lowered his voice. "But when I saw you come over here, I thought something must be wrong with Amanda."

She quirked an eyebrow at Drake for him to explain why he felt the need to join in on this interrogation.

"I was curious." He grumbled, folding his arms across his chest.

It irritated Drake to no end that Olivia had spent the last two days giving him the slip. He wasn't sure why she wouldn't at least discuss what they had done during the bachelor/bachelorette parties. It stung to say the least that she could practically seduce him without at least a goodbye at the end.

"Amanda saw the crowd and went into a slight panic." She explained. "Addison was the only one of us to suggest a drink, so here I am."

Olivia finished pouring a healthy amount of vodka over ice.

"She prefers cranberry or orange juice with that." Thomas reminded her.

"I know. With the way she's shaking, I didn't think she'd appreciate having a stain on her dress."

"I'll take it to her." Thomas plucked the glass from her hand.

"How?" Olivia's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "You're not supposed to see her until--"

"I'll find a way." He grumbled as he quickly walked to the tent.

"That's not going to go over well." Drake muttered.

Olivia snorted. "If he gets past Holly and Addison, I'll be impressed."

Drake turned fully toward her. "Liv? I need to tell you--"

"I better get back in there!" She tried to escape him. "Lord knows what will happen between Thomas and--"

"Olivia, wait." Drake grasped her wrist.

"The wedding starts in less than a minute." She tried to twist out of his grip. "We don't have time to--"

"I want to be with you." He harshly whispered.

Olivia stilled.

They heard music starting. People began to settle down. Bridesmaids and groomsmen were getting in their positions.

"If you want the same," Drake let her go. "Then come find me at the reception."

Her lips parted as if to respond. Unable to find the words, she hurried off.

****************

"You're supposed to be up front with Liam!" Addison argued, standing guard at the front of the tent. "People are going to think neither one of you wants to get married!"

Thomas merely glared at her.

"We don't have a way to hide her." Holly explained. "You can't come in here and--"

They each heard the music begin.

"It's time!" Riley chimed as she scooted past the three.

Hana beamed at them on her way out.

Nadia and Maxwell followed.

"Thomas, come over here a second." Nadia slipped her hand within the bend of his arm and tugged him over to the backside of the tent.

"I don't have time to--" he stopped when he noticed a small opening within the folds.

"You two can talk here without anyone seeing." Nadia explained. "And, you can hold her hand."

His lips curved when Amanda's hand slipped out.

"Thank you, Nadia." He placed the drink in the offered hand.

She winked at him, whispered good luck, and hurried back to find her place in line.

"Sorry about all this." Amanda said.

Thomas reached in through the opening, taking her hand. "There's nothing to apologize over."

"I don't know why I keep panicking. I want everyone to see how happy we are. It's just...walking in front of them...speaking before all those people..."

He could feel her trembling.

"Then we won't do it."

She stilled. "You...you don't want to marry me?"

His eyes widened. Tightening his grip on her hand, he immediately spoke to nix that ridiculous conclusion.

"Of course I want to! We are getting married tonight. I'll have Liam come into this tent and perform the ceremony for the two of us. Our guests can get over it and simply enjoy the reception with us."

He could hear the clinking of ice cubes as she took a sip.

"You'd do that for me? Make everyone wait while we say our vows privately?"

"I'll do anything you need me to. All I want is to make certain you are mine by the end of the evening."

He lifted her hand to his lips. He pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand, one to the inside of her wrist, then a final one within her palm. Her fingers brushed along his smooth shaven jawline in a caress.

"You better go take your place up front." Amanda said softly. "I will meet you there."

"Are you certain?" Thomas pressed her hand to his cheek. "I'm more than willing to tell everyone to wait."

"I'm sure." She finished off her drink. "Once I have you holding my hand again, I'll be fine."

He pressed another lingering kiss to her palm. "Then I will see you in a few moments."

"Thomas?"

"Yes?" He paused in turning around.

"I love you."

"And I love you."

*******************

"Something wrong?" Liam whispered once Thomas returned.

"A slight panic over our audience." Thomas grumbled. "That was the reason she wanted us to elope the night of your coronation."

Liam's brow furrowed in thought.

"Excuse me a moment."

Thomas watched as Liam sought out his father. A few whispers had the king and former king walking toward the bridal tent. Thomas wondered if he should follow.

"Just wait." Ryan muttered, smiling towards the guests. "You can trust Liam to do what's right."

"I do trust him." Thomas explained. "It is his father who I don't."

********************

"Your majesties." Amanda dropped down in an automatic curtsy.

Liam smiled warmly at her. "You look beautiful, Amanda."

A wry grin appeared on her face. "I can't take credit for any of it." She gestured from head to toe. "All Hollywood magic."

He chuckled then motioned toward his father. "Since you don't have your uncle or father here to do so, I think my father should be the one to walk you down the aisle."

"You do?" Amanda looked back and forth between the two men.

"It will show the world once more that the Crown holds no ill will towards you for choosing Thomas over me." Liam explained. His smile grew. "And it will give you someone to hold onto in case you get too nervous and stumble."

Constantine cleared his throat. "I would also like to add that I would be honored to do so." A slight frown formed. "I have come to realize that my treatment of you the night of the ball was uncalled for. I offer my sincerest apologies for the invasion of your privacy and the harsh words spoken afterwards."

Amanda turned from him to Liam.

"He means it." Liam told her. "We have had many discussions these past two weeks over that night."

Amanda took a deep breath and picked up her bouquet. "Then I thank you, sir." She placed her hand in the bend of Constantine's arm. "I am honored to have you as my escort."

Constantine patted her hand.

"Then I guess that's my cue to return to my place." Liam pressed a kiss to her cheek, beamed at his father, and hurried out.

*****************

Thomas could barely stand still as the bridesmaids and Maxwell made their slow progression down the aisle. He couldn't voice his frustrations now that the microphones around them had been turned on. He had to appear happy for the numerous cameras filming every moment. All he wanted was to see Amanda and make certain she was truly alright with everything.

His lips parted with a sharp intake of breath when she came into view. His eyes traveled her curvaceous form clad in the gown Addison had designed. They touched on the tiara Elizabeth had worn when she married Reginald. But it was Amanda's face which had him smiling one of the biggest smiles those in public had ever seen.

She had her head tilted in that proud, duchess way. Her eyes held simply him while she smiled. She ignored the murmurs and such of their audience. Didn't even glance where cameramen stood, training their lens on her. She made certain to show the world that she only cared about one thing.

Him.

He couldn't be more proud nor more humbled that she fought through her fear for him.

Once she was close enough, Thomas not only took her hand, he slid his other arm around her waist. Her chuckle was smothered by the kiss he placed upon her lips.

Ryan, not bothering to hide his amusement, leaned toward them.

"One would think you being a director would keep you from mixing up the timing of kissing the bride." He loudly whispered for the guests and cameras.

Laughter and aw's followed.

"Forgive me." Thomas didn't bother to look at his oldest friend. His eyes remained on Amanda. "I couldn't resist."

His bride's cheeks were pink. Her eyes dropped bashfully away while a tender smile played about her lips. To everyone watching, there was denying the feelings each had for the other.

Liam cleared his throat.

"I have to say that next to choosing my own bride," he winked at Riley, "this chance to officate two of my friends' ceremony is one of my favorite parts of becoming king."

He continued on with the brief part he had in helping the couple get to this point. He shared what their love revealed to him and those closest to them. He then asked Thomas to say his vows first.

Thomas lifted his hand from her waist to gently touch her cheek. He thought over the vows he had written and hoped he could truly convey what was in his heart.

"When I first asked you to come to California, romance was the furthest thought from my mind. My only hope was that we would work well enough together to develop a screenplay and that you wouldn't drive me crazy during the process."

Holly and Addison snorted to try and keep their laughter silent.

"I should have known the moment I saw you that my hopes would change. You did drive me crazy with wanting to have you close at hand. Every thought I had revolved around you and in wanting our collaboration to become a more permanent partnership."

Amanda squeezed his hand when he paused.

"My attraction for you grew beyond anything I had dealt with before. I wanted every part of you to be mine. Your mind, your heart," he shook his head in exasperation, "You became the center of my entire world."

He gently brushed one of her wind blown curls back behind her ear.

"My vow is simply this: I will do everything within my power to show you each and every moment we are lucky enough to have together just how much you mean to me. You will never have a second of doubt of the love I have for you."

Thomas lifted her hand to his heart. "This has been yours from the moment I met you. It will always belong to you and only you."

Amanda blinked back her tears. Ignoring her audience, she tugged him close for a kiss.

"Is this another rehersal?" Ryan teased.

Chuckles and more whispers of how romantic it was followed his question.

Liam merely beamed at them when they parted.

"Amanda?" He said. "You may say your vows now."

She laughed softly, shaking her head as stray tears slipped down her cheeks.

"Thomas, I love you." She shrugged with a smile. "I always have. Before I met you, I loved you for your talent."

"And his modeling days." Maxwell loudly whispered.

"Those didn't hurt my growing affection." Amanda replied, causing more laughter. "Then I met you and everything I originally loved about you dimmed in comparison to the man you truly are."

Thomas pressed a kiss to her knuckles, his hint of a smile growing with each word she said.

"When I left you, I realized how deep my feelings ran. I missed our talks. I missed how you listened to me." She shook her head. "You saw me like no one else, the real me, and made me feel all the compliments you ever gave." She looked up at him. "I missed you."

"You say you wanted my heart and mind to be yours." She looked down to gather her thoughts. "They have been. I have been yours since I stepped off my plane and into your car. Every moment with you has been the best of my life. Your patience, your passion, your loyalty, and your heart are all I want out of life."

She lifted her eyes to his. "You are my fantasy come to life. I vow to do all I can to be worthy of such love and devotion. I will spend the rest of my life loving you, listening to you, and encouraging you in everything you do."

She lifted her free hand to his cheek.

"After all, you made it impossible for me to keep from falling for you."

Thomas turned his head to brush another kiss to her palm. His eyes closed for the brief moment he allowed his lips to linger there, grateful for the one he was about to have for all eternity.

Liam went through the rest of the ceremony. The exchanging of the rings and such made the pair smile.

"I think with all the practice you two have done since we began," he teased, "I don't think I need to say let your union be sealed with a kiss."

"You're right." Thomas pulled Amanda within his embrace. "You don't."

Their lips met in a tender yet passionate kiss.

When they parted, Liam addressed the guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the Duke and Duchess of St Orella, Lord Thomas and Lady Amanda Hunt."

Cheers went up as the couple walked the aisle. They quickly disappeared within the bridal tent for a moment alone.

"We did it!" Amanda breathed against his lips. "We're married."

"Now we have nothing ahead of us except our life together." Thomas kissed her neck. "And a honeymoon to plan."

She smiled, looping her arms around his neck. "So much to look forward to."

"Beginning with pictures and your reception."

The couple turned to see Holly standing in the opening of the tent. Her smirk gentled as she congratulated them.

"I am thrilled to say to both of you, I told you so." She motioned for them to follow her back toward the stage.

********************

45 minutes later...

"How you doing? No stage fright developing?" Maxwell asked.

"None for me." Ryan replied.

"A Nevarkis never gets fright of any kind." Olivia snapped in irritation.

"Good." Maxwell looked about at the guests finding their seats. "Once we get the signal, I'll--"

The beginning of a song had them all whipping around in surprise.

Thomas and Amanda walked onto a dancefloor and began to slow dance.

"What is this?!" Maxwell practically wailed.

"Sounds like Nat King Cole." Ryan grinned. "I bet Thomas picked this."

Chris joined their group. "You're right. He said this song was meant to show his feelings for Amanda."

"No!" Addison came jogging up. "I had the perfect song for them!"

"So did I!" Maxwell dropped his head back.

"So we don't have to sing?" Olivia began to smile.

"Oh no." Maxwell grabbed her hand. "My wedding gift is still happening."

"You have exactly ten seconds to release me" she hissed.

"Please!" Maxwell pleaded. "This is the only surprise I thought could truly be one for Amanda."

"Fine." Olivia twisted out of his grasp. "But you better delete everything right now!"

Maxwell pulled his phone out and did as she asked. "Done."

"Let's go talk to the DJ, Ryan." Olivia slipped her arm in Ryan's, leading him toward the stage.

*****************

"I don't think I've ever heard this Nat King Cole song before." Amanda said, gently swaying with Thomas.

"I came across it recently." He pressed a kiss to her lips. "And I realized it perfectly described how I felt when you left me along with my hope when I came here to admit to loving you."

"Really?" Amanda smiled into his next kiss.

"Really." His hand slowly along her back, enjoying the skin revealed in her dress. "You made me doubt I could ever convince you my feelings were true."

She winced at the reminder of her stubborn refusal to hear him out when he first arrived in Cordonia.

"I was heartbroken." Amanda admitted. "I wanted to tell you how in love I was. Then the pictures of your dates flooded the media and I felt so foolish for even thinking you could possibly feel as I do."

Thomas tugged her closer. "All I ever wanted was you."

A wry grin appeared on her face. "I know that now. But back then," she chuckled shaking her head, "back then all I could see was I could never measure up to the women you were attracted to."

"You have that backwards." He leaned down for another kiss. "No one can possibly measure up to you."

"You're being awfully romantic." She teased. "One might think this is a special occassion."

He smiled. "One might be right."

*****************

"If the bride and groom would remain on the dancefloor." Ryan flashed his signature charming smile toward the guests. "We have a gift for you."

Thomas kept his arm around Amanda as the pair turned toward the stage.

Olivia lifted her microphone. "Maxwell did not know that the two of you already had your first dance planned out. He worried over it and found the perfect song." Her nose wrinkled. "Then decided that Ryan and I were the two who should sing it."

Maxwell gave them a thumbs up as he whispered to the DJ to start the song.

Olivia lifted her microphone.

🎶Baby take my hand. I want you to be my best friend. Cause you're my Iron Man and I love you 3000. Baby take a chance cause I want this to be something, straight out of a Hollywood movie. 🎶

Amanda covered her mouth when a delighted laugh slipped out.

Olivia winked at her as she continued.

🎶 I see you standing there and nothing compares. And all I can think, is where is the ring? Cause I know you want to ask. Scared the moment will pass. I can see it in your eyes. Just take me by surprise. 🎶

🎶 And all my friends they tell me they see, you're planning to get on one knee. But I want it to be out of the blue. So make sure I have no clue, when you ask. 🎶

Thomas moved behind Amanda as the chorus began, wrapping his arms around her waist as they watched their friends. His smile grew when Ryan's words struck true to how he felt the night he proposed.

🎶I can see you standing there. And I can't help but stare. I'm ready to bring your wedding ring. On the day that we met, I wanted to ask, if you'd be by my side forever. 🎶

🎶And all your friends, they tell you they see, I'm planning to get on one knee. I'll make sure it's out of the blue. I promise you'll have no clue, when I ask. 🎶

🎶 Baby take my hand I just want to be your best friend. Cause I'm your Iron Man and I love you 3000. Baby take a chance cause I want this to be something straight out of a Hollywood movie. 🎶

Olivia resumed her spot by Ryan's side. The next part of the song had both Thomas and Amanda laughing.

🎶No spoilers, please. 🎶

Once the duet ended, the newly wedded couple embraced the three who made this gift possible. While Amanda laughed with Maxwell and Ryan, Olivia quietly slipped away to join Drake at the bar.

He glanced down at her, then ordered her a glass of Merlot.

She took the glass with a brief incline of her head in gratitude.

The two remained silent as they sipped from their glasses.

Unable to keep his need to know at bay, Drake turned toward her.

"Have you decided?"

She looked up at him in surprise. A slow smile began to form on her lips.

"You told me if I wanted the same to find you at the reception." Her smile turned to a smirk. "Looks like I found you."

Rolling his eyes with a chuckle, he pulled her close for a long, deep kiss.

********************

The rest of the reception was filled with joy for Cordonia and Hollywood's biggest surprise. Though those closest to them never had a doubt how their relationship would go, the rest of their guests were amazed over the way the two freely displayed their love for one another.

Amanda and Thomas seemed to be within their own bubble of happiness. Neither was ever far from the other while greeting their guests. Their dances, the bites of cake, the almost reverent touches each gave to the other all pointed to the fact that despite the scandal, this was a couple truly in love with one another.

As the party grew stronger, the pair were whisked away by their friends.

"I think you two have been put through enough public attention." Liam told them as he opened a door to a waiting car.

"It's time to enjoy being married alone." Ryan added with a suggestive wink.

"Where are we going?" Amanda asked when she noticed Holly putting their bags in the trunk.

"It's a surprise!" Addison pulled her into a tight hug.

The rest of their friends who made this night possible hugged them with wishes for a good night. The group stood waving as the car drove off into the night.

"I can't believe we did it." Addison playfully collapsed against Holly. "All our hard work finally paid off."

"We certainly couldn't have done it without you guys." Holly beamed at both those she had known for years and the new ones she had become close to within the last few weeks.

"I think we work great together." Maxwell threw an arm around her shoulders and one around Nadia's. "Now. Who should we matchmake next?"

The group laughed and groaned at the thought of having to use their impressive powers once. They teased and joked about the parts they played as they made their way back to the reception.

*******************

On a train, heading to Lake Como, Italy...

The private car was just what Thomas and Amanda needed. There was no press. No gawking public. No curious acquaintances. No interfering friends. It was exactly who they wanted from the beginning: just the two of them.

"I thought we weren't going to leave town." Amanda dropped her head back when Thomas embraced her from behind.

"I might have hinted that I wanted a few days alone with you to Liam." His hands drifted along her curves as his kisses grew more heated.

"I see." She turned in his arms, returning each caress and kiss. "I might have also said a word or two about wanting the same to Holly and Addison."

The pair smiled as they began to undress the other. Their passionate kisses briefly paused when a song began to filter through the speakers.

"Where's that music coming from?" Amanda asked.

"Is that...Air Supply?" Thomas grumbled.

Lost in Love was turned up, followed by a note being slipped under their door.

Amanda left Thomas's arms to retrieve it then dissolved into laughter.

Thomas took the note from her. He shook his head with a slight smile forming.

Just because Thomas and Maxwell ruined our chance to have the perfect song played for you at the reception, that doesn't mean you can escape it. Here's how Thomas really was when you left him in California, Amanda.

We love you guys and are thrilled you finally found your happily ever after!

Holly and Addison

XOXO

P.S. We told you you were perfect for each other!

******************

****Epilogue****

Thomas's home, California...

"Here we go." Thomas popped a bottle of champagne.

He filled two glasses with just a hint of a smile upon his face.

"Surely you can do better than that." Amanda teased.

His eyes landed upon her, feeling a wealth of happiness over having her here to share this moment with him. His smile curved more as he took in her shoeless feet tucked up under her royal blue gown. A handful of hair pins rested upon an end table, allowing her hair to finally be free of the formal updo she'd felt was necessary for the night.

"Do better at what?" He asked.

"Smiling." Her own was bright and still filled with the excitement the night had wrought.

"Perhaps you can help me with that." As he passed her a glass, he leaned down and kissed her deeply.

"Much better." She murmured against his lips.

He chuckled, settling down beside her.

"I still can't beleive it." Amanda rested her head against his shoulder. "Can you?"

"I can and fully believed it would happen." He pressed another kiss to the side of her head.

"I'm so proud of you." She tilted her head up for another kiss.

"Of us." He corrected.

"You read my book and loved it enough to turn it into a film. You're the one who guided my writing. You're the one who directed the year's best--"

"None of it would have happened without you." Thomas cut off her arguments with another heated kiss.

She sighed softly, resting her gaze once more on the three golden statues.

"Best picture and best director." She pointed out.

"Best screenplay." He handed hers over to her.

"And we can't forget the Oscars for Jessica, Ryan, and Chris." Amanda added.

"Nor Addison's." He pressed his lips against her neck.

"Your film swept the Oscars." After listing all the others the film won for the night, she set her glass and award on the coffee table to focus more on her husband.

"Our film." He corrected again, shifting them around until she was straddling his lap.

"And look at this very crowded Afterparty we are attending." She teased, untying his bowtie.

"I prefer to spend the evening with the only one who made it all possible." His hands searched the back of her dress for a zipper. "I hope that meets with your approval."

"It does." Her eyes closed as his lips traveled each spot of bare skin exposed.

He smiled softly against her shoulder as his mind went through the past year. Becoming inspired by her novel led to this very moment. Thank goodness he had decided to see what all the fuss was about.

He leaned back to look up at her. "Happy?"

Her eyes opened. A tenderness she seemed to have for only him softened her facial features.

"Beyond happy." She replied. "Even if our film had been hailed the biggest flop in cinematic history, I would be beyond happy for simply being with you." She kissed his lips. "Married to you." Her lips touched his neck. "Loving you." She traced the shell of his ear with her tongue.

In one smooth move he had her under him on their couch.

"I'm glad to see we are in complete agreement." He captured her lips once more in a kiss that he knew was only a mere line on a page of their own happily ever after story.