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spaghettificationandpretzels · 2 years

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The Reaper and the Death Angel Part 47

There are going to be so many changes to canon for the last part of the story, hold on for angst, violence and a whole lot of smut. My life is still very unstable right now and I'm feeling pretty stressed so please excuse if this sucks.

Series Masterlist

Part 46

Contains: Angst, I mean so much angst and it ends in a cliffhanger, fluff, hurt/comfort, mentions of a serial killer, loosely follows the plot of 5x01 - 5x03.

6.5K Words

Comment if you want to be tagged/removed or follow #the reaper and the death angel.

Shots fired

"Ok then, let's hope they're a good fit because you do not have enough people for all the shit you have to do."

"Hey Jacky boy, you needing anything?"

Jax smiled, "I'm good brother. You ready?" Jax took a puff of his cigarette, "nah, Happy's still getting his dick sucked."

Jax cringed, "in this skankhole?"

Tig huffed, "oh come on, there's nothing wrong with the occasional skank."

"Time to pull out, I wanna head home." They went off towards their bikes, "alright girls, dicks and balls out, home's a speeding ticket away."

The ride back to Charming was calm until they met the Niners on the highway. The groups didn't acknowledge each other as the cars filled with Niners pulled into the convoy of bikes to take them to Pope's warehouse in Oakland.

The bikes were far enough ahead that they couldn't see the truck or the Niners, Phil beeping the horn was what told them something was wrong. When they rode backwards, they were greeted with the truck on fire and one of the Niners' cars overturned.

They got off their bikes and ran over to the wreckage, LaRoy doing his best to pull his friend out of the overturned car while the Sons went to get Phil, "what the hell happened?"

One of the Niners shrugged, "no idea, D's car just started swerving then he hit the truck."

They pulled D out of the car, he had blood on his face, Chibs finished checking Phil out and walked up to him, "I think he just has a seizure, he's got to go to the hospital."

The Niners left as fast as they could, then Jax was directing the Sons to hide the crates in the woods. Sam dusted his hands and walked up to Jax, "so much for our first run going well."

It was just before dawn when Jax and Sam got home, Jax smiled as your car pulled up beside his bike as your drove into the driveway, you must have been on night shift. You came racing up to him as you got out, looking over his bruised face.

"What happened?"

Jax smiled softly, "I'm fine, one of the Niners crashed his car and hit the truck. Everyone's whole."

You rubbed your face, "what caused the accident?"

Jax shrugged, "LaRoy called just as we got into Charming, the guy was on antibiotics for a skin infection and had a reaction, he's fine."

You breathed out, "as long as everyone's ok, how did Pope take it?"

Jax shrugged again, "he got his guns, he's happy.

You coming to Piney's thing today." You nodded, "yep, I'm gonna get some sleep first, Wendy's in there helping Ima with Abel so be ready to give her an excuse as to why you're hurt."

Jax huffed, "how's she doing?"

You smiled, "much better, Abel adores her. I think we need to start talking about telling him the truth."

Jax shook his head, "not yet, give it some more time."

You pecked his cheek, "alrighty then, shall we head inside?"

"Please."

****

"Why mommy?" You got down to Abel's level and fixed his shirt, "because grandpa Piney died and we have to say goodbye."

Abel looked confused, "why did he die?"

You smiled softly, "because he was very old and his body didn't work anymore."

"Ok, is uncle Opie sad?"

You took his little hand in yours, "I'm sure he's very sad but if you give him a hug I think he'll feel a bit better." You stood up and walked him to the car, Ima getting in the front seat while Sam and Jax took their bikes.

The cemetery was quiet as you got out of the car, you helped Abel out of the car and walked over to the group, Abel dropped your hand and hugged Opie as hard as he could manage, "I'm sorry you're sad."

You saw Opie's breath catch in his throat, "that's alright little guy." He put his hand on Abel's head and everyone walked over to the chairs to sit down for the service.

"Gemma's not here."

There was rage in Jax's voice, "it's probably very painful for her Jax. Clay's finishing his move out of the house today, give her a few weeks and I'm sure she'll be back to her old self and once the divorce is done, she'll be a lot happier."

Jax turned his attention back to the pastor, "I hope you're right, because she's on my last nerve." After the indecent her place, Abel had been waking up and coming into your room with nightmares a lot and Jax was having trouble standing his mother.

"She'll get better, you and Abel are too important for her not to."

****

Gemma woke up in a strange bed in a strange room, her head pounded with a hangover and the air stunk like booze and sex. She wrapped a sheet around herself and went to get her bag, hastily pulling her gun as a man emerged from the bathroom.

"Woah, woah, easy now love. I was that bad?"

Gemma had no idea what was going on, "who the hell are you?"

The man dropped his arms, "wow, really? You came home with me last night, this is my place. I'm not gonna.."

Gemma's hands were shaking, "back off."

"Yes ma'am."

Knock knock

The door opened and a woman in her forties stepped into the room, "ok, nice. Let me guess, Jdate?" Gemma calmed down as the woman took the blondes out of the room. She put the gun down after a short exchange and went to have a shower, she didn't even know that man's name.

No matter, she had a shower and made her way downstairs, sitting down to talk with the man more. Gemma felt something when she spoke to him, as she got up to leave, the man handed her a card, "Nero Padilla, my number's on the back."

Gemma smiled and handed him her phone number, "well Nero, thanks for not being a dick."

Gemma felt sick when she got home, not only did she have to face Clay but Unser had to mention Piney's funeral and the fact that she missed it. When she drove to your house to relieve Ima, no one was there so she left for the Clubhouse to ask Jax what the hell was going on.

****

"How's Lynette?"

Clay shrugged at Hale, "she's alright, you got any leads?"

Hale shook his head, "boot prints didn't turn up much, y/n said it was hard to tell much and to call her if it happened where she could get a better look."

"She said the same thing to us, damp footprints on pavement are worthless and we'll have to wait until they hit somewhere with soft ground."

Hale sighed, "call me if you see or hear anything, we don't need this getting any worse."

Hale left just as the Sons came back from Piney's funeral, the air was tight was as they walked into the chapel and took their seats. With the nomads there they couldn't show their true feelings about Clay, especially with the fact that they were just voted in.

"Pope got his shipment fine, next run's in a month but we're gonna cut the group down, some of us need to be here with these home invasions going on."

Sam chimed in, "I think it's worth it if we start showing up more at community events, make sure the town knows we're just like them. The highschool is having a football game on Sunday, if you can go, you should."

There were grunts of agreement around the table, "anything else?"

Sam shook his head, "there's a bake sale for the library in two weeks that my sister and Angela are running, I don't think that's optional."

Franky huffed, "a bake sale, how fun."

"I'm sure y/n will be happy to teach you to read if you having trouble Franky but some of us want the town to think we care."

The meeting went on, Juice was shifting in his seat everyone so often, Jax smirked and shook his head, "y/n gave Jessica a half day today, does that have something to do why you can't sit still?"

Juice looked at the floor bashfully, "don't be so hard on him Jacky boy, Jess is a pretty girl, smart too."

Jax smirked, "go on, we're almost done here anyway." Juice was up in a flash and off to see his new friend.

"You know y/n is going to have him working there with how much time he spends with that woman."

Jax chuckled, "I'm pretty sure she's over the moon with herself for setting them up. I mean, when was the last time we all saw him this happy?"

The table laughed, "the question is, who's next." Sam pressed his lips together, he knew the answer but there was no way he was going to tell anyone else that. Church finished and they walked out to start their work day only to be greeted by a spitting mad Gemma.

"I just went by my house to see my grandson, who the hell decided to put Abel in daycare?"

Jax turned to his mother, "me and his mother."

Gemma huffed, "we don't let other people raise our children, it's selfish and lazy."

Jax wasn't interested, "I don't have time for this mum, you wanna see Abel, work it out with y/n."

A call pulled Gemma away, "hey."

It was Nero, "yeah."

Gemma was a little surprised, "just making sure you got home ok."

"Oh, well yeah, yeah I did. I'm fine."

Gemma felt a little warm, "well now you have my number, in case you need anything."

A soft smile came to her face, "yeah, thanks."

*****

"He's congested, you need a humidifier in that room."

You shook your head, "it's not a dry cough, that won't help."

Gemma was pissed, "and he doesn't need to be in daycare. We can take care of our own."

You crossed your arms over your chest, "Abel needs to socialise with other children. Also Gemma, kids are pathogens factories, and they only make so many vaccines. He needs exposure to the outside world or he's going to get sick all the time. I can forward you lots of studies to say that kids need time away from home as they get closer to school age."

You took a deep breath, "and I don't think you are in the right frame of mind to be looking after Abel right now, you've been through a lot these last few months, you need to focus on yourself."

Her eyes went wide, "excuse me?"

"You are intoxicated all the time, I can smell cannabis and alcohol on your breath every morning. I don't want you driving yourself around half the time, let alone my kid."

She shook her head, "I don't smoke or drink in the morning."

"Gemma, this is why I'm worried. The chemicals that make you a risk are still in your blood and affecting your brain. I've seen what happens when adults drive off their face with children in the car, I've picked apart enough burnt to a crisp children to know not to let my little boy in the car with someone who's not sober."

That seemed to do something, "I don't want you alone with my child until you are more stable."

She huffed, "really, does Jax feel the same way?"

You shook your head, "what do you think? Don't insult his intelligence Gemma, he knows something is going on with you. He'll be home soon, you can ask him then."

Right on time, Jax walked in the door, "hello my love."

Jax took you in his arms and kissed you, "we ok?"

You looked at Jax, "you have some things to talk about, I'll leave you two alone." You walked away and Gemma watched you go, you hoped Jax would handle the matter with some grace.

"What's going on Jackson, why did you and y/n put Abel in daycare."

Jax swallowed, by her tone this wasn't going to go well, "Abel needs to spend time with other children before he starts school and I don't feel comfortable with you looking after Abel by yourself right now."

Gemma huffed, "where's this coming from?"

Jax was getting pissed, "you're always drunk or high and every time Abel's stayed with you in the last few weeks, something has happen. He ended up seeing a horror movie because you fell asleep and were too high to wake up, his still has nightmares. You can't be trusted to look after him right now."

"Is this coming from y/n?"

Jax clenched his jaw, "no, it's not. She wanted you to be able to spend time with him alone while you were here but I told her that I didn't want Abel to end up on her slab because you wanted to take him out for ice cream while shitfaced."

Gemma's breath caught in her throat, "get your shit together and we can talk about it, until then, you can't be alone with Abel." Gemma got up to walk away, as she got to the door, you came rushing out of the room, re-dressed in work clothes.

"What's going on?"

You looked worried, "Your house has just been hit, Unser's badly hurt."

Gemma didn't know what to say, "the home invasions?"

You nodded, "Same MO, you should stay here tonight, I call when I know something."

****

"Anything?"

You moved the flashlight over the driveway, "shit nothing, the one boot print could be anyone."

Hale rubbed his face, "Unser's alright, he might have a concussion, Candy's going to take him to St Thomas to get checked out."

You nodded, "alright, I'm gonna head home, there's nothing more for me to do here."

Hale put a hand on your shoulder, "thanks for the help."

You left and went back home, everyone's bikes were out the front, "hey, is everything ok?"

Jax shrugged, "what happened." You sat down next to him, everyone turning their attention to you.

"There was one boot print, it could be four people in this room so it's useless, Unser is heading to St Thomas to make sure he's ok and Gemma's house is a mess."

Jax rubbed his face, "we'll help her clean up tomorrow."

You tilted your head, "why are you all here? I can't imagine it's because of this?"

Sam took a deep breath, "Alvarez needs something, we're waiting on him to call."

You shrugged, "well I have work tomorrow so I'm going to bed."

Jax smiled and got up, pecking your lips, "give me an hour then I'll be in." You nodded and left Jax to Club business.

****

"Good morning beloved."

You pressed a kiss to his bare chest, "hello darlin, sleep well?"

You nodded, "I did, what did Marcus want?"

Jax huffed, "Creep got shot, he's just called to let us know that we need to be more careful on runs. He also needs us to take out a rat in their Stockton charter."

You nodded, "things are really picking up, let's hope taking him out gets you some goodwill."

"Yeah, let's hope. You wanna go down for breakfast?"

You nodded and took Jax's hand, "yeah, we got to see if Gemma and Sam are fighting over who's making breakfast."

****

Jax was pulled away by a call before he could sit down, "we have a problem."

Sam huffed, "what?"

Jax sat down and ran a hand through his hair, "we're going to need a place to camp out, the Mayans want us to handle their issue, today."

Sam shook his head, "I'm guessing we can't use the Mayan Clubhouse?"

"No, looks like the rat's ready to talk, the Clubhouse isn't safe."

Gemma spoke up, "I know somewhere you can go."

Jax was taken aback, "alright, it's not like we have any other options."

****

Jax did his best to explain to this man, who introduced himself as Nero what was going on, "I get it man, when you've got to put it work, you've got to put in work. I drive past the Clubhouse on my way home everyday, I don't need my street blowing up."

Jax handed Nero a wad of cash and he walked off, Chibs leaning in to talk to Jax, "all this traffic makes me very nervous."

Jax thought for a moment, "all this traffic makes me think we're in the wrong business."

Sam came back, phone in hand, "I just spoke to my sister, I knew Diosa and Nero sounded familiar. Y/n knows the guy, said he asked her to help set up some kind of security program to keep the women safe. She said we don't need to worry about him going to the cops." Jax let go of the breath he had been holding.

"Call the others, let's get this done as soon as we can."

****

Jax watched all day as people came in and out, it was insane, he even recognised some of the higher class patrons as city officials and one cop. The wheels in Jax's head were turning as the guys did Recon, driving between the Stockton Clubhouse and Diosa in their cars while gathering information.

He found Nero in the back office doing paperwork, sitting down on the couch, Jax got ready to start probing for business information, "how long you been working girls?"

Nero dropped his pen, "a long time, just moved indoors like four years ago."

Jax nodded, "yeah, you know my old lady."

Nero tilted his head, "Dr l/n, Sam's her brother, said she helped with something?"

Nero smiled, "I went to a conference on safer sex work. She did a lecture on the need for sex workers to be able to report violent Johns, she helped me get a database off the ground. A few places in the area use it."

Jax smiled, "does the escort thing get much heat?"

Nero shook his head, "Vice are always sniffing around but as long as I've got my permits in order and I ain't making no noise, they pretty much back off." Jax liked the sound of this.

"How's the money?"

Nero smiled, "I take twenty-five per cent in house, thirty for outcalls, that's after taxes."

Jax nodded, "that's it?"

Nero huffed, "hey, it don't pay to be greedy. You gotta treat your girls good, they stay happy, they all got regulars, the feria, the money, stays steady."

"How does your crew work into that?"

Jax was impressed, this may be a way forward for the Club, "they get a piece of my end. Free pussy, keep away the competition. So I know you guys run guns, how does that pay out?" Jax didn't know what to say at first but there was no point in lying, this man clearly knew what he was doing.

"Percentages and blood."

As they spoke, Jax could tell that Nero was interested but hesitant, "this whole thing, what's it about?"

Jax didn't know where to start but he wanted to give Nero a reason to trust him, "we're getting out of the game by the end of the year, but to do that we want some good faith."

Nero nodded, "you seem to know what you're doing."

Jax nodded, "I try, so what got you into escorting?"

Nero smiled, "spent some time inside for drugs, picked up some books, saw the bigger picture."

Jax smirked, "and the bigger picture was pussy."

Nero laughed, "every picture is pussy ese."

Jax laughed, he wasn't wrong. "You ever put much thought into expanding?"

Nero shrugged, "I don't know, you interested?"

Jax gave a noncommittal shrug, "I don't know, it's certainly better than what we're doing now."

Jax sat around for another hour, then Juice and Kozik were coming back, "he's alone, we should go now."

Jax nodded, "call Happy, ask him if he wants another smiley face." Jax took a deep breath and got up, he hoped this was going to go well.

****

It went better than well, they were done in a matter of minutes. Jax patted Happy on the shoulder and they went back to Diosa to thank Nero before heading home for the day. The gears in Jax's head had constantly been turning since he first walked into the building, now he just had to figure a way to bring it to the Club.

****

You weren't home when Jax got back. Ima was getting dinner ready with Abel, Jax relaxed into the couch and nursed a beer, he didn't know how you'd react about going into escorting with Nero but there was no way he was going to go ahead with him without talking to your first.

You got in just as Ima was putting out dinner, "that's the third time this week you've been late, is everything ok with work?"

You shrugged, "meth cook gone wrong, I've got four bodies to ID and I haven't even started with the bodies from the car fire last week, I need a holiday."

Jax smiled softly, "that would be nice."

Jax was quite, "what's on your mind, does it have anything to do with the call I got from Sam today?"

Jax nodded, "you think this Nero guy is worth it?"

You thought for a moment, "I do, he knows what he's doing and he treats his women well. You thinking of going into the business?"

"You didn't see how many people were in and out today, it would keep as afloat while we get out of guns."

Ima chimed in, "the girls at CaraCara are always looking for side gigs and the porn star experience pays pretty heavily, I'd be willing to ask around but Lyla and I and leaving to LA for tomorrow. We'll be back in three days, I'll ask then." Jax smiled, this was going well.

"That would be great."

Jax turned to Sam, "you think it will go over well with the guys?"

Sam huffed, "I can't see anyone saying no, it's pussy."

You cringed, "gross, but you're not wrong."

The table started to laugh, "this is not a normal dinner topic."

"Are you guys coming to the football game?"

Sam and Jax nodded, "you made a pretty good case, even if you said it's a brutal sport."

You huffed, "well, Charming needs to know that we're going into an era where the Club cares about the town. Showing up at the high school's games helps a lot."

"As long as you don't ask me four hundred times what's going on."

You huffed in fake offence, "I know how sports works."

Jax shook his head, "sure you do darlin."

Sam's chortled, "the last time we watched a football game together you spent the whole time with your hand over your eyes."

"Fuck you Sammy, head injuries are no joke."

Jax put a hand on your leg, "you are such a dork."

Ima turned to you, "how's the book idea coming along?"

You rubbed your face, "I regret it but I can't stop researching, these red pill guys are nuts."

Jax cringed, "I can't believe you're going ahead with this, those guys are cancer."

"It's got to be done Jax, plus, who doesn't love pissing off men with masculinity so fragile that it falls apart when a woman opens her mouth."

Sam nodded, "aren't half our frat boy neighbours red pilled?"

You swallowed, "yep, they're part of the reason why I'm doing this."

The neighbours had been bad on and off, things had calmed down since Jax got home from prison but they were still an issue when they knew Jax and Sam weren't home. You yawned and Jax huffed, "come on sleepy head, I'll get you some dessert, then I'm taking you upstairs so you can sleep. No more depressing research."

****

"Oh, hello Happy, I'm so glad you could come."

You stretched your arms out for a hug and led him to where you, Sam and Jax were sitting, "Jax didn't really give us a choice."

You shook your head, "well, now that I've got you here." You turned a little towards Jax so you could take to both of them at the same time.

"I've been a keynote speaker at the Califonia conference for medieval criminal justice and torture for the last three years. I have a plus one and one ticket, now I usually give my ticket to Aden but he's been so many years in a row that he's getting his own now."

Happy was smiling, "you are inviting us?"

You nodded, "only if you want to come, it's in a week and they provide lunch."

Jax shook his head, "sure darlin, I'll come."

Happy gave you a short nod, "I'll be there."

You clapped your hands, "yay, learning."

Jax chuckled, "dork." You rested your head on his shoulder as the others arrived and filled the bleachers. "You want me to explain what's going on?"

You shook your head, "just tell me when to cheer."

Jax spent the whole game watching you, he loved the way you took in all the sights and smiled each time you told him some tidbit of information about the history of sports or how human knees work. You weren't wrong about the Club looking good, by the end of the game, people were laughing and joking with the Sons, any worry about the home invasions soothed with gentle reassurance and promises that the Club would always be there if people needed it.

You all got home late, Sam leaving to call Ima after a very fast goodnight to you and Jax. Jax laughed and shook his head, "he is so in love."

You smiled, "I know, he has a photo of Ima and Abel as his lock screen."

Jax put an arm over your shoulder as you walked upstairs, "do you think people look at us like that?"

"I know they do, I have to hear about how cute we are at work all day long, Holt is never impressed but he always says something about Kevin when it comes up."

Jax huffed, "cute? I have a reputation to maintain."

You shook your head, "good luck, I'm always telling people how wonderful you are. Everyone knows you pick me flowers when you take Abel and the dogs out for their walk in the morning."

Jax pulled you into his arms, "well that's just great."

His tone was full of love, "isn't it? I want everyone to know how lucky I am to have you."

Jax rested his chin on your head, "you wanna call it a night?"

You nodded, "yeah, that would be nice."

As you climbed into bed, you saw a thought come over Jax's face, "you hate it when people you know come to your lectures, it took you months to even let us in when you were holding them. I can understand why you asked me to come, but why invite Happy when the tickets are cheap?"

You did you best not to give anything away, "I'm trying to change that, and I know Happy will have fun."

Jax was skeptical, "alrighty then, so you're not playing matchmaker?"

Your eyes went wide, "maybe I am, but she's such a nice person. She works at Oakland cat refuge and she's totally cool."

Jax's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "aside from her being an animal lover, she doesn't sound like Happy's type. Why will she be at a torture convention?"

You smiled, "she's a professional dominatrix in her spare time."

Jax snorted, "I see, you really are obsessed with making sure people around you end up happy, aren't you?"

"I try, I think they'll be great together."

You crawled into Jax's arms, "I am the luckiest man in the universe."

He pulled the covers over you and pressed a kiss to your forehead, "I don't know about that, I'm pretty sure most men don't spend their morning picking flowers for their fiancee."

Jax huffed, "how could I not with the way you smile at me."

You giggled, "I think I'm the lucky one Jackson."

He hugged you tighter to him, "I love you so much."

You lifted his hand to you lips and kissed his fingers, "I love you too, goodnight beloved."

"Goodnight darlin."

****

"You got a busy day?"

You nodded, "yep, Pope's coming by to ask about starting a program for some kids in his old neighbourhood, then I have to grade some papers and finish the exam I started on Friday."

Jax snorted, "you work too hard."

You shook your head, "I work the normal amount of hard."

"Ima gets home tomorrow, right?"

Sam nodded, "thank God, I miss her so much."

You gave him a soft smile, "you two are really cute."

Sam went red, "you are the worst."

Jax pressed his lips together and looked at Sam, "I mean, she's not wrong. It's like watching some sappy romance."

Sam rolled his eyes, "you're one to talk man. Y/n, he smiles like an idiot whenever you text him."

Jax's eyes fell to the table, "no comment."

You giggled, "adorable."

****

"How's work been?"

Wendy smiled and handed a crayon to Abel, "good, we've expanded our groups. Can I ask you something?"

You nodded, "why isn't Gemma on the list of visitors?"

You blinked, "I saw the list when I picked Abel up today."

You took a deep breath, "Gemma's going through a lot. I'm sure we both want Abel around stable adults, which she isn't right now."

Wendy swallowed, "you want me to talk to her?"

You shook your head aggressively, "that will just make it worse, she'll be better once things are done with Clay."

She nodded and smiled down at Abel before looking at up, her eyes serious, "you hope."

"Yeah, I hope."

The mood in the room fell, "does Jax know?"

You nodded, "the daycare has always been an option, Jax wanted the change more than I did. I wanted to start small but Jax thought it would be better and I'd have to agree."

Wendy rubbed Abel's head, "well, I'll take him off your hands for the day so you can get back to work. Can I take him out for ice cream?"

Able's head perked up, "can we mummy?"

You smiled, "of course, but only one scope, I don't want you spoiling your dinner."

Abel clapped his little hands, "yay."

Wendy stood up with a smile and offered her arms to Abel, "you ready to go little man?"

He stood up and took her hand, "bye bye mummy."

"Bye sweet boy, be good for Miss Wendy." Once Abel left, you finished the exam you started on Friday and got stuck into paperwork, right on time Pope arrived.

"Mr Marks at the front for you, Mr Pope couldn't make it today."

"Thanks Travis, send him in."

August looked pissed as he dropped his body on the chair, "what?"

He snorted, "Oakland city council won't give us any funding."

"You're kidding me?"

August shook his head, "if we want the program to take off, we need to fund the whole thing."

You looked down at your desk, speechless, "but, it's free. There's no funding needed."

He huffed, "you try telling them that, fucking asshole mayor."

"But here's the check anyway."

He just pushed a million check towards you, "way to bury the lead dude, why do you feel the need to anger me?"

He chuckled, "because righteous indignation is a good look on you."

You shook your head, "you sound like Jackson."

"When can we start?"

You pulled up your calendar and turned the monitor towards him, "next month. You good with that?"

He nodded, "that's great, I'll get out of your hair."

You took his offered hand, "I'll be in touch, please tell Damon good luck with whatever's going on."

Marks shook his head, "it's a long story, his little girl isn't so little anymore and he's getting ready to kill someone."

You did your best not to laugh, "ahh, kids." August left with a smile on his face. he was glad the meeting went well, may it would stop his friend from killing his daughter's boyfriend.

****

It was the end of the day when your intercom beeped, when Travis's voice came over the line, it cracked. "You need to come to the desk, it's serious."

****

Jax didn't know what to think when he got the call from Travis telling him to wait up for you to get home that night, just that Travis sounded like he had seen something horrible. It was past midnight when you finally got it, Jax took in the way your shoulders slumped over.

You didn't say a word as you climbed into his lap and pressed your face into his chest but he could feel you sobbing. Jax wrapped his arms around you, hugging you tight while he pressed his face against you.

"It's ok, I'm here, take your time." The crying stop and you sat there in his lap for a little while longer, when you pulled back and met his eyes, the look in yours made his chest ache, "what happend today?" You wiped your face.

"They found a serial killer's killing field when a hiker's dog dug up some bones, ten bodies, so far, all young women and it looks like there's more. It was horrible."

Jax swallowed, "do they have any ideas?"

You nodded, "it's the MO of a guy who's already on death row, with these new cases, everything will be looked at again."

Jax knew why you were so sad, "you wanna tell me about the women? I'd like to know about them so I can tell everyone when this makes the news, they deserve for people to know who they were before they died."

Jax felt his eyes get wet when you looked at him, it was a mix of pain and relief, "sure."

Jax held you as you talked, stopping to soothe you if it got too much. His thoughts went back to his father's manuscript, what his father thought it meant to be a man. In his mind, this was it, being the strong one without it being asked of him. He hated hearing this, the wasted life, the sound of distress in your voice but he knew that this helped you so he listened while you talked about the lives these women lived and your hopes that this man would confess so the families could move on.

He felt you take a deep breath and pull back, "thank you Jackson."

He smiled and stroked your face, "anytime Darlin."

Jax relaxed when you smiled at him, "how was your day?"

Jax huffed, "where do you want me to start?"

"At the beginning."

****

You weren't there when Jax woke up, when he went downstairs, he could hear you yelling from the office. When you came out, Jax could see how angry you were, "what happened?"

You shook your head, "that hiker, he knew where the bodies were. He was sent there by Howard Epps to delay his execution. That was the DA, there more bodies, he's only going to talk if they take death off the table."

Sam's head whipped towards you, "let me guess, Epps knew you'd get the case?"

You nodded, the name sounded familiar to Jax, "who is this guy and why would he want you on the case?"

You crossed your arms over your chest, "Howard Epps is a killer who focuses on blonde women, I put him away the first time. I told him in court that the last time I would ever see was when they took him to the chair, I guess he had other ideas."

"What happens next?"

You shrugged, "he gave up the names of the women at the lab, I just have to confirm it's them then I move onto the next case. After that, it's just a matter of waiting for them to find the other bodies."

"I'm sorry darlin, you want me to stop in for lunch today?"

You nodded, "please, if you have the time."

****

Jax arrived at the lab with a smile on his face and your favourite cake in hand, "hey T."

Travis waved him in, "she is going to be happy to see you, she's spent half the day telling reporters to fuck off."

Jax huffed, "fucking vultures."

Travis nodded, "you said it."

You were waiting at your office door for him, Jax smiling as you hugged him with all your might, "hey."

He pressed a kiss to your lips, "hey." He came in a sat down, "have you seen Abel today?"

You nodded, "yes, I stopped in for morning tea. He can count to ten now without making a mistake."

Jax's face broke out in a grin, "that's great."

"I'm sure he'll be happy to show you, he's so proud of himself." Jax was excited to go see Abel, he loved this, the easy times where he could spend hours sitting with Abel, teaching him how to count or colour between the lines.

You and Jax finished the cake and went over to the daycare, Abel waving his little hands at the sight of his father, "daddy, daddy, look."

He showed Jax the picture he was drawing and Jax smiled, "you did such a good job."

Abel smiled and ran back to the table, you sat down next to him and Jax sat opposite, "can you how daddy how well you can count?"

Able nodded and ran over to the toy box and got the counting blocks before sitting on Jax's lap, "see daddy?"

Jax reached across the table and grabbed your hand, "that's great, can you show me again?" Abel was so proud of himself as he put the blocks back again.

He met your eyes and smiled, even with all the mess, things were great.

****

"Meet me at the abandon house off the highway, I've got info on the home invasions."

Sam looked at his phone, the text was from Bobby who had been chasing up leads from previous victims all morning, he didn't question why Bobby wanted to meet him at an abandoned house by the lumber yard, just that it must be serious.

It didn't take Sam long to get there but to his surprise, Bobby wasn't there so he went inside the house to get out of the sun. He waited for a while and Bobby didn't show up, he called him, "I'm at the house, where are you." Sam felt the hairs at the back of his neck stand up, "what are you talking about?"

"You texted me and told me to meet you at the old lumber house off the highway."

Bobby didn't respond right away, "Sam, you need to get out of there right….."

BANF BANG BANG

"Sam, Sam?" Bobby could hear groaning over the line, then the phone went dead. Sam felt searing heat hit his torso, then he hit the ground. He brought his hand to his chest and it came away wet, when he looked down, it was covered in blood.

Part 48

Comments and reblogs are always welcome!!!!

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starter-library · 2 years

Text

ORVILLE PECK'S SHOW PONY LYRIC STARTERS

FEEL FREE TO CHANGE PRONOUNS/NAMES/PHRASING AS YOU SEE FIT

Summertime

“Nothin' holds me down”

“Askin' where the time's gone, Dreamin' with the lights on”

“Tryna keep your eyes on something along the rise”

“You and I bide our time and I miss summertime”

“They punish those who love young”

“Something inside me dies”

“Keep on rockin', baby Keep on risin' on the tide”

“We'll be ridin' all night”

No Glory In The West

“Lived through London and drank through Memphis”

“The things you live by were once just a guess”

“There ain't no glory in the west”

“Hard to think on your feet”

“Tired of beggin' 'em just to compete”

“Shoot to win can feel so bittersweet, But you take what you can get”

“Nowhere left to go, Goin's all we know”

“What's a boy to do? Hit the road with a dollar or two?”

“There's still no rest”

“"Count your blessings," they'll say”

“After each midnight begins a new day”

“Don't place your bets on a word that they say, They'll put your life to rest”

Drive Me, Crazy

“No one on the highways tonight just you and me and the rigs we ride”

“The road doesn't matter, it's how you haul”

“You put up the cards just to watch 'em fall”

“You always said you'd drive me crazy”

“Said it was you and me 'til we died, so hands on the wheel and let's drive”

“Just look straight ahead if you like it slow”

“Take guesses on exits, one has to be right”

“Nothin' lasts forever, that's how it goes”

“Never thought I'd learn to love the snow”

“No time for the past if you're speedin' by me”

“Saw you pass me earlier in the double”

“Just thought maybe you saw me as well”

Kids

“Dare me on a dime to say that we had everything we need”

“You told me to shut my mouth and to my surprise neither one of us has died”

“Washed up, nowhere to go”

“Hate to say I told you so but I'm, I'm just a nervous guy”

“Target on our backs each day, tails turn, or so they say”

“Gettin' low on luck, it's time to fight”

“You call me up and tell me all your frights ‘cause neither one of us has died”

“I keep thinkin' we'll disappear, but years go by still, neither one of us has died”

Legends Never Die

“Been gone back from my old ways”

“Each song keeps me rolling along my way”

“A stampede couldn't break me in my stride and you wanna know why?”

“It gets lonesome on the lonesome trail so keep your head up high”

“Takin' orders never been my style”

“I've been rode hard and put up wet”

“Ain't nothing in this world that I can't get”

“Don't worry 'bout making sure they won't forget. No, it's fine 'cause legends never die”

“Won't stop 'cause I never lost a fight… Well, once or twice, haha”

“Another blow ain't gonna stop me, wait and see”

“You got nothing if you ain't got pride”

“We got one chance and legends never die”

“Baby, baby, you get one chance”

“Sometimes, you gotta break away from the pack”

Fancy

“I remember it all very well looking back”

“We didn't have money for food or rent to say the least, we was hard-pressed”

“Here's your one chance, [name], don't let me down”

“I could see the tears wellin' up in her troubled eyes as she started to speak”

“Your Pa's run off and I'm real sick And the baby's gonna starve to death”

“To thine own self, be true”

“Just be nice to the gentlemen, [name]. They'll be nice to you”

“But if you want out, well, it's up to you and don't let me down now”

“The wheels of fate had started to turn and for me, there was no way out”

“I knew what I had to do but I made myself this solemn vow”

“I couldn't see spending the rest of my life with my head held down in shame”

“It wasn't long after, a benevolent man took me in off the street”

“I charmed a king, a congressman and the occasional aristocrat”

“Now in this life, there's a lot of self-righteous hypocrites that call me bad”

#lyric starters #roleplay meme #rp memes #rp starters #roleplay starter #roleplay prompts #sentence meme #sentence starter meme #sentence starters #rp prompt #rp starter #roleplay starters #orville peck #show pony #album starters #orville peck show pony

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xmint-conditionx · 3 years

Text

tongue tied | myg

pairing: yoongi x reader, f2l

w/c: 3.5k

summary: you've been best friends with yoongi for almost a decade, and you're hopelessly in love with him. he's the most important person in your life, and you don't want to mess that up, so you can never be anything more... right?

written as a response to a request from the old blog -- the requestor was @yoongi--enthusiast; thanks again for your request, i loved doing it!!! "I had an idea... something based off of the song “tongue tied” with yoongi. I feel like it would be super soft with soft smut... I just think it would be nice to read so can you please wright it 🥺👉👈"

tags/cw: 18+ please, smut, outdoor sex, overall a little angsty but super cute too

a/n: i did not know that there was a song called tongue tied by marshmello before i wrote this so... i hope the person who requested this didn’t mean that song because I wrote this drabble over the grouplove song lmaooo but anyway, here goes! thanks luv, enjoy! also reposted from the old blog!!

Yoongi’s laugh is so beautiful. It’s rare, so when you see it, you soak up everything you can about it. The way his eyes crinkle up into crescent moons, the way his lips curl back putting his gummy smile on bright display. You can swear you see his eyes sparkle.

You are in love with him. You are in love with your best friend.

He makes loving him such an easy thing to do; bringing you into his inner world, showing you the sweet and warm center he conceals from everyone else. The way he looks at you, the way he says your name, the way he pouts when he wants a back scratch, all of those little things that make him who he is only deepen your infatuation with him.

You’re with him again this Friday night, making the drive to Bom’s house. It’s been a long week for the both of you; he’s been wrapped up in producing a track and you’ve been nose deep in college textbooks. His track is completed, and your exams are over. It’s safe to say that you both could use a good break.

It’s the end of the spring semester and the weather is going to be gorgeous tonight. The racing summer breeze coming through the open car windows is exhilarating. The sun is setting, and the warm evening light on Yoongi’s dewy skin makes him appear absolutely radiant as he navigates the highway.

You’re just listening to fun little summer jams as you speed off toward the city’s suburbs. Ones with funky little basslines that are easy to groove and sing along to. Ones that make you shout and laugh into the rushing wind. Ones that make you drink in the moment you’re having with Yoongi; ones that make you soak up all of his joy.

And when he steals a sly look your way, one hand still on the top of the steering wheel, you can swear your heart stops.

You’ve loved him as long as you can remember really knowing him. Since you were both 12, bonding over games of tag and basketball and the spilling of secrets to each other. You’d sit beneath the big tree in his backyard and share the snacks you’d bought at the corner store. He’d always let you have the last chocolate.

The only secret you’ve ever kept from Yoongi is the matter of your infatuation, and you are pretty resolute in keeping it that way.

He is the single most important person in your life. He had been there with you through it all; when your parents split up at 13, when your dad got you your first car at 15, when your long time boyfriend cheated on you at 16, when your dream college denied you at 17, when you got a full ride scholarship to a smaller university outside of the city right after that, when you were drugged at a house party at 20, when you were diagnosed with depression at 21, and when you were accepted into your masters program at 22.

You needed him, and because of that, you could never tell him.

You pull into the gates that surround Bom’s neighborhood. Her parents are pretty wealthy, so they live on a golf course. As you pull up into the driveway, you see some other students milling about, catching Frisbee. There’s Eunha, Ireum, Ji-Ah, and Miyeun that you recognize from some of your classes, but there are a few more that you’ve never met.

After a few rounds of drinks and a few lost games of flip cup, you all head outside to the back patio with all of your schoolwork from the year. Bom turns on the bluetooth speaker and sets it on the railing. You take in the night air and gaze up at the sky, wishing there was a shooting star to wish upon.

“Alright, everyone,” Bom begins, “essays and lab reports first, then tests, then miscellaneous homework.” Yoongi helps you dig through your stack to fish out the cursed papers. You all toss the stapled packages into the fire pit, one by one, each hitting with a soft thud. Once everyone has thrown their woes into the pit, Bom tops it with actual firewood and unceremoniously sets the whole lot of it on fire. You gaze into the center of the flame, watching your entire year catch fire. All the hours you spent doing that research project, all the disappointment when your group members wouldn’t follow through. Gone, like it never existed.

Yoongi’s holding your hand in his, and he’s busy drawing little circles with his thumb on your palm. Your head rests soundly on his shoulder, and you sigh into him, comfortable in where you are. The whole group piles in more papers, as you lament about the shitty professors and the shitty group projects and the shitty caf’ food and the shitty grades. Yoongi turns into you and nuzzles gently on your forehead. You feel his soft lips graze your temple, breath warm on your skin, tingles rising through your body, and you’re right where you want to be. Under the moon’s gaze with the person you love.

Before long, the breeze sends a chill through you that even the fire won’t remedy. Yoongi feels your shiver and unceremoniously removes his hoodie and puts it on over you, pulling up the hood and kissing your forehead. You always love when you wear his jackets; they surround you in his warmth, his smell. A smile plays across your lips until you notice Yoongi’s goosebumps.

“Hey,” you pout, “I don't wanna wear this if you’re gonna be cold.”

“I don’t wanna wear it if you’re gonna be cold,” he snaps back, smiling.

“Here,” you say, standing up from your deck chair. You take the step to get you to Yoongi’s chair, and sit in his lap. “This way we can both be warm, yeah?”

It takes him a second, but he wraps his arms firmly around you again, mumbling a “yeah, that’s fine” when you glance at him over your shoulder.

Your attention is called back to the group with Bom asks if you’re going to the Summer Romance Festival by the river next weekend. She’s been pushing you to get yourself out there more. The last time you were in a real relationship was high school, after all.

“I’d love to go; I hear they have the most beautiful fireworks display,” you start, “but I don’t think I will this year.”

“Well,” Bom says, “Why not?!”

“Because I don’t have a date, Bom!” you say, covering your face in the sweater paws you’ve made from Yoongi’s hoodie. “I don’t think I could find one in enough time.”

“Ya, just get Yoongi to go with you! You already do everything together anyway,” Eunha quips.

You notice that the steady rise and fall of Yoongi’s chest has stopped.

“Hey, you know we’re just friends, right Yoongi?” you look to him for backup.

The man nods, looking down and to the left.

“Okay,” Ireum speaks up, “In that case, do you want to go with me?”

“Wait, what?” you say.

“Do you want to go to the Summer Romance Festival with me? As a date?”

Yoongi tenses beneath you.

“Oh, I don’t know…” you breathe, “Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent. We can even get dinner before we go. Not too much, though. I’ll want to get us a treat from one of the dessert stalls.” Ireum says with a soft smile.

“Yeah,” you say, smiling back at him, “Okay. We’ll go together.”

Yoongi stirs beneath you. “Hey, can you get off of me?”

“What, why?” you pout.

“I said get off.”

“Yoongi, wh--”

He doesn’t wait for you to finish before he abruptly stands up, forcing you to catch yourself. When you look back at him, he’s walking toward the French doors that lead back into the house.

“Ya! What was that about?”

He keeps walking. You storm after him and slam the door, trapping you both inside.

“Yoongi, I’m talking to you! What’s your fucking problem?”

He whirs around.

“Oh, I have a problem?”

“Well, it sure seems like it.” you spit back, hands on your hips.

“Why don’t you go talk about it with your date, huh?” he says, gesturing out the window to Ireum. “Don’t you have some details to work out? He gonna pick you up? You gonna let him hold your hand? On your nice little extra special romantic date? I guess I’ll just fuck right off and leave you two alone, yeah? That’s what you want, cause we’re just friends and all.”

“Yoongi, we… are friends! You’re my best friend!”

“Did you ever for a second think that I could want more?”

“What?!”

“I fucking love you, Y/N! Isn’t it obvious?! I’ve loved you since the 7th grade. You remember when we played spin the bottle at Ha-joon’s house? Do you remember when you kissed me?”

“Yoongi…”

“No, let me finish. Do you remember the frat party we crashed junior year? Remember when we got up onto the roof and made out until we fell asleep? And then you weren't there when I woke up so I walked back to my dorm and then we just pretended it never happened? What the fuck was that, Y/N?!”

You reach for his arm, but he backs up, flinching away from you.

“I am so in love with you it hurts!”

“Yoongi.”

“But I guess if that guy can make you happy, then whatever,” he sighs.

“Yoongi.”

“Go on your little date and have fun and I’ll just go write some more goddamn songs about you--”

“Yoongi!”

He stills, pain flashing through his eyes.

“Yoongi,” you say quietly, easing toward him, “I had no idea. I left the roof to go inside and get you some water. When I came back, you were gone. You had been drinking a lot that night… and I felt really bad because… I thought I had taken advantage of you… Ever since I first kissed you at Ha-joon’s house, I wanted to do it again. And again. And, you looked so good that night and up on the roof when you were laughing about the quarterback I just… I couldn't hold myself back anymore. I thought surely you didn’t want to actually be kissing me.”

“Why the fuck would I have kissed you back, then?”

“You were drunk, and I--” you’re cut off when he grabs your wrist.“I have wanted to kiss you every time I’ve seen you since you first kissed me,” he says, glancing down at your lips. ”I want to kiss you right now.”

You take no time in closing the distance between the two of you, your lips crashing desperately. You’ve tasted his kiss before, but this time feels different. His hands are winding through your hair, pulling you deeper into his kiss. You moan against his mouth, and he responds with his tongue teasing your lips, asking for entry. You grant it, and he explores. One of his hands holds your jaw, the other still intertwined with your hair. His tongue runs along your bottom lip before he sucks it in, drawing out a small whimper from you. Taking his hand from your jaw, he runs it down your neck and décolleté and then down over your stomach and latches it on your hip, sinking his fingers into your skin. He gives your hair a small tug, just enough to break the kiss and expose your neck. He breaks off and trails kisses up your jawline and then onto your neck, speaking in between kisses.

“You have… no idea how… much I’ve… wanted to tell… you everything,” he breathes onto your neck, and you feel a heat pooling in your panties.

“Please, Yoongi…” you say as you begin to run one hand under his shirt. He stops kissing and looks up at you with the softest expression.

“What is it?” he asks as he grabs both of your hands in his, bringing one of them up to his mouth to sprinkle kisses along your fingers.

“You…” you begin and sigh, “you have no idea how much I want you.”

He stills.

“Are you sure? We don’t have to, I’m sorry, I just…” he trails off, eyes getting lost in the way his jacket is draped on your figure.

Him eyeing you up doesn’t make it any better.

“I’ve wanted you for so long,” you say, eyes pleading up at him. “I’m tired of waiting.”

After a beat, he sighs.

“Neither of us are waiting another minute,” he says, landing a quick peck on your lips and going across the room to the couch, grabbing the throw blanket that rests on the arm.

“Come on, I have an idea,” he says, grabbing your arm and leading you out of the front door, across the street, through someone’s back yard until you reach the top of a hill on the side of a fairway. You watch as he scans the area, holding the blanket tight. His gaze lingers on two hills near the green of whatever hole this is, where there are a few more trees and hills to block you from the sightline of those second story windows. He looks at you, eyes asking the question. You smile and nod, and that’s all he needs.

He tugs your hand and you both go running down the fairway, laughing along the way. Once you reach your spot, he quickly puts down the blanket and lays on it. You’re still standing at his feet, hands fiddling with the ends of the jacket sleeves.

He smiles up at you and holds his arms up in your direction and says, “come here, beautiful,” while doing little grabby hands.

You slowly walk up to where he’s laying and sit on top of his hips, feeling how hard he already is. His hand rests on your hip underneath the fabric of his jacket, the other holding the side of your face.

“Let me see you,” he says with a tinge of whine in his voice, and that gives you an idea.

You reach under the still zipped jacket and fiddle around. Yoongi looks up at you befuddled, the corners of his lips turning down slightly as he tries to figure out what’s going on. When your hands emerge, one is holding your strapless bra and the other is holding the halter top you had been wearing. You can’t believe you managed to unzip the back by yourself.

You throw the garments to the side, and watch as understanding hits his face. His eyes glaze over and he licks his lips, clearly shaken up by your little trick.

He carefully dips his fingers below the waistband of your shorts and eases them down. You put your weight on him and give him a few kisses as he continues to move them down your legs. Once they too have been tossed to the side, you sit back up, lips red and swollen from the kiss.

He gently reaches up to the zipper of the jacket and begins to slowly pull it down, letting the cool night air in. You feel your nipples harden at the exposure to both the night air and Yoongi’s hungry eyes. He swallows and licks his lips as he runs his eyes over every new inch of you that is revealed. Memorizing your form, your perked nipples, the way your chest rises with each anxious breath.

He reaches back up to the collar and eases one shoulder of fabric off. You move to take the rest off despite the cold, but he stills your hand with his.

“Keep it on, please. I love seeing you wear my clothes,” Yoongi says, intertwining his fingers with yours.

You bring his hand up to your lips, pressing them against his knuckles as you slowly grind your still covered core on his length. He groans in frustration, his pants getting tighter. You let go of his hand and run your fingers up beneath his white cotton v-neck, his ab muscles flinching under your touch. You help him remove his shirt, taking in the way his pale skin shines under the moonlight.

Seeing you look at him makes his cock twitch in his pants, and you think it’s time to provide him some relief.

You scoot back and start to undo his belt, getting low and staring up at him through your lashes. His breath hitches when you make eye contact with him, and then it starts to pick up as you undo the button and zipper. You shimmy down the denim, but leave his black boxer-briefs where they are.

You come back up to the waistband after releasing his jeans, and you take the elastic in between your teeth. You tug them down with your teeth while your hands pull them on the sides. His erection springs free, and he sucks in a fast breath when his cock meets the cool air. You take the opportunity to let your warm breath ghost over his throbbing cock, coaxing a deep groan from Yoongi. He puts his hand to your cheek, and you look up to meet his gaze.

“I don’t think I can last if you put me in your mouth, baby girl. We can do head next time,” Yoongi says, and your heart soars at the pet name. You ease back up so that you’re straddling him once more, and reflexively start to grind on him again.

“Please let me take care of you. Look how wet you are,” he says, running his fingers over your clothed slit, dipping one finger in to collect a bit of slick. He tastes his finger and says. “Yeah, we’re definitely going to need to do head next time.”

You blush at the thought of him buried between your thighs, vulgarly slurping up everything you have to give him. You clench just thinking about it, and Yoongi notices. He pulls your panties to the side, takes the head of his cock and presses it to your clit, teasing your entrance. His precum mixes with your wetness, and you can’t resist him any more. You’ve resisted him for years, and you’re done.

You slowly ease yourself down on his cock, only making it halfway down before you have to wait for you to adjust. You both look at each other; Yoongi’s jaw is set and his eyebrows are furrowed together. Your mouth drops open as you raise and lower yourself again, feeling the delicious stretch that accompanies it. You bottom out and begin setting a slow and gentle pace.

Your body is rolling steadily, moonlight creating beautiful shadows on your body as you take him in over and over. As many times as you’ve dreamed of this, you still didn’t fathom it being this good or it feeling this right.

Yoongi is everything you had imagined he would be and then some. The way he is looking up at you, the way his soft little moans escape every time you bottom out, the way his eyebrows furrow together at the sight of your dripping heat enveloping him. Perfection.

He takes his hands and trails them up the curve of your waist, stopping just below your breasts. He runs his thumbs over your nipples, making you shudder and arch your back, pushing your chest into his hands. He palms them, kneading little circles around your areolas.

You lean forward, putting your weight on him again, and he meets you eagerly with another kiss. He wraps his arms around your back, keeping himself under the jacket, and you pick up the rhythm. Yoongi scratches his nails all the way down your back. Once he gets to your ass, he cups it, squeezing gently. You place your forehead against his, and your eyes meet.

“Y/N,” he whispers, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear, “you look so beautiful on top of me like this. Please let me see this sight for the rest of my life.” You whimper at the praise, and pick up the pace.

“Please,” he continues, small grunts mixing in with his words, “Don’t wake up tomorrow and pretend like this never happened. Please... don’t break my heart,” he pleads.

“Not a chance, Yoon. I can never let you go. You’re everything to me. You’ve always been.”

“Baby, I am so close. Can I--”

“Come with me, Yoongi. Let’s do it together,” you say. Yoongi’s hands are on your hips and he’s thrusting up into you with an unrelenting pace. At this angle, you can feel his head graze against your cervix with each thrust, sending white spots in your vision.

You both reach your end at the same time, breaths mingling as you come down from your highs. You lay your head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat gradually slow. He presses a soft, lingering kiss to the top of your head and sighs into your hair.

“So…” he begins, “do you wanna go to the festival with me?” Yoongi asks.

“Are you gonna pick me up? Let me hold your hand? Have a nice little special romantic date?” you fire back, trying your best to sound like him. You sit up on your arm, letting your hair hang over to one side, and watch the light dance in his eyes as he laughs.

“Yeah,” he laughs, “I might even get us a little snack from one of the desert vendors.”

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viking-raider · 3 years

Text

Southern Generation - Part VI

Summary: Sy officially moves in with Lily and they go on a road trip to make amends.

Pairing: Austin Syverson/OFC (Lily)

Word Count: 11,965

Warning: PG-13 - Language, Fluff, Angst, Smut, Oral - F Receiving, Drama, Pregnancy Cravings

Inspiration: Syverson is OP

Author's Note: Thanks to the wonderful @wondersofdreaming

Author's Note 2: Make sure to follow and turn on the notifications for my Tag List blog @viking-raider-taglist to stay up to date on this and all my other stories!

“That's the last of them.” Sy smiled, setting the last box of his stuff down.

With Lily pregnant and them making their relationship official, Sy moved all of his stuff from his Austin apartment into the farmhouse with Lily.

“Well, officially.” Lily replied, resting her hands on her hips and looking up at him. “Welcome home.” She smiled, giddy and proud.

“Thanks, Darling.” He grinned back, cupping her face and kissed her.

Lily smiled, as she woke up from her nap, feeling the warm and heavy weight of Sy's body in bed with her, his head in its customary place, on her chest. She usually woke up from her naps with Sy, whether or not he was with her, when she fell asleep or not. Sighing and moaning softly, she lifted her hand to twist the short, curling ends of his hair between her fingertips.

“Hm.” Sy hummed softly, rubbing his scruffy face against her chest and hugging his arms tighter around her middle, thumb stroking her tummy.

“I'm surprised at you.” Lily whispered, still playing with his hair.

“Why?” Sy moaned back, turning his head to look up at her.

“When I first met you, I half wondered what your hair would look like if you let it grow out.” She explained, running her fingers through it.

“Oh?” He chuckled, smirking at her.

“Yeah.” She blushed at him. “But, I just didn't expect the Bear, Austin Syverson, would have curls.” She grinned at him, twisting the ends of his hair between her fingers, she loved his developing curls.

“My hair hasn't been this long in ten years.” Sy laughed, blushing and biting his lip. “I've been thinking about cutting it again.”

“I will end you, Wyatt.” Lily threatened, touching the tip of her finger to his nose.

“Oh, busting out the middle name and everything.” He smirked, taking a playful snap at the tip of her finger. “Lily?” He whispered, biting the inside of his lip as he stared into her eyes.

“What?” She replied, tilting her head at him.

“Have you thought about going back?” Sy murmured, brow creasing. “Back to Middleburg, to see your grandparents. Jak isn't a threat anymore. I'm sure they would love to see you and I'd bet my life, you want to see them again. Especially now, with the baby on the way.”

Lily pressed her lips together, resting her hands on Sy's shoulders. “It would be nice to see them again.” She answered, after a long pause.

“But?” He pressed, sensing it coming next.

“What if they don't want to see me?” She asked, searching his eyes for comfort, and found it. “What if they don't want me in their life anymore?”

Sy took a deep breath, sitting up as he did, and brought Lily up with him. “Then, that's their loss.” He told her, folding her up in his arms and pressing his lips to her forehead. “If they don't want you in their life, then they are missing out on knowing one of the most amazing gals, who can light up a room, simply by walking into it.”

“You're just buttering me up, Austin.” Lily mumbled into his neck.

“Woman, have I ever lied to you?” Sy grinned into her hair.

“No.” She chuckled, blushing shyly.

“I don't intend to now, Angel.” He whispered, kissing her temple. “But, you won't know their reaction, unless you go and see them.” He added, softer.

“I know.” She whispered back, leaning against his chest. “You're right. I owe it to them and myself.”

“Whatever choice you make, I'll support you, every step of the way.” Sy told her, gently tipping her head back and tenderly kissed her.

“I think I want to go see them.” Lily said, later that night, while she and Sy sat at the dinner table.

Sy looked up from his plate of spaghetti and garlic bread, slowly lowering his fork. “All right.” He nodded, straightening his back and giving her his full attention. “When do you wanna go?”

“The sooner, the better, I think.” She mumbled, shifting in her seat, her own dinner mostly untouched.

Sy nodded his head again, quietly regarding Lily from across the table. He could see the worried and fearful anxiety on her face, still mulling over every worst case scenario about seeing her grandparents again, he could almost see every one of them tick by her eyes. Afraid that her grandparents would disown her, the moment they laid eyes on her. Blaming her for what transpired with Jak. Afraid of what their reaction would be, when she showed up at their door, after five years of silence, pregnant with the baby of man they had never heard of or met before, especially since they were incredibly religious.

He reached across the table, just in time to catch the tear that escaped and started to slip down her cheek, then rested his hand over hers. “No matter what happens, Lily. You still have me.” He told her, lovingly.

“You still have us.”

Lily grasped Sy's hand and tried to smile at him and not cry at the same time, which was hard with the way her hormones were starting to really get out of control. “I know.” She choked back.

“Let me finish painting the rest of the house and go to your twelve week baby appointment on Friday, then we'll pack a bag and ourselves into the car and drive out there.” He told her, making a game plan, so her frazzled and tired mind could relax.

“It's only a twenty-ish hour drive.”

“I think, that's a good idea.” Lily nodded, chewing on her lip, taking deep breaths.

Sy smiled and squeezed her hand. “Good.” He chuckled and let her hand go, before picking his fork back up and dug into his spaghetti.

Sy double checked his large, Army issued duffel bag, making sure he and Lily had enough clothing, he had her zofran, nausea medicine, and prenatal vitamin, along with everything else he, Lily and Aika would need for the almost nineteen hour drive from Celina to Middleburg, Virginia, having already put her pregnancy pillow in the car, before tugging the bag closed, slung it over his shoulder and went downstairs.

“Billie promised to keep an eye on the place and pick up the mail for us.” Lily said, meeting him in the entryway hall.

“Great.” He smiled. “Well, I got all our stuff packed.” He said, jostling the duffel bag.

“I already packed some snacks in the truck too.”

“Then, we're all set!”

“No, I have to pee, one more time.” Lily giggled, and rushed into the half bath.

Sy laughed, shaking his head and took the duffel bag out to the truck, dropping it in the back seat with Aika. “All set?” He asked as Lily came out of the house.

“I am now!” She nodded, crossing the yard to the truck and got into the passenger seat.

“Did you lock up?” He asked, getting in with her.

“Yep.”

“You good, Aika?” Sy asked, looking to the German Shepherd, who let out a loud bark. “All right, let's get this road trip underway!” He pulled up Google Maps on his phone and entered the address to Lily's grandparents' place, then set the device on its dock and started the truck.

Sy and Lily laughed, as they sang along to a song that came on Sy's playlist that they both liked, Enemies by Shinedown. But, Sy turned the song down, when Lily suddenly stopped singing and quickly identified the look she got just before she threw up. Quickly popping open the center console, Sy reached inside of it and pulled out a circular, blue and white object and opened it, holding it out to her. Lily took it from him, without question and threw up in it, once or twice.

“Where did you get this?” She asked, looking at it, realizing it was a hospital-grade nausea bag. “Did you rob a hospital?” She chuckled, looking over at him.

“No.” He laughed back at her. “I bought them off Amazon. I wasn't sure if you got car sick on long rides or not. But, I was sure the baby would make you nauseous, at least, once on the drive. So, I wanted to be prepared and make you as comfortable as possible in the process.”

Lily tied the used bag closed, then opened the center console and found another twenty-plus of the blue emesis bags inside. She smiled up at him, shaking her head in disbelief of his utter and complete thoughtful and preparedness.

“You never cease to amaze me, Austin.” She said, sitting back up. “You see how amazing your Daddy is.” Lily grinned, looking at her belly, and making Sy blush.

“Well, I gotta take care of ya, don't I?” He smirked, resting his hand on her thigh.

“Yeah, I suppose.” She sighed, smirking back at him.

“There's some Listerine strips in the center console, by the way.” Sy added, after a few quiet moments.

“I'm sorry, am I offending you?” Lily giggled, opening the console again and fished around for them, before finding the small blue case.

“No, no.” He grinned, chuckling. “Just figured you'd want to get the taste out of your mouth.” He explained, finally getting them on the interstate highway.

“Did you pack my nausea meds?” Lily asked, feeling another wave wash over her.

“Yeah. It's in our bag.” Sy nodded, brow creasing, as he tried to figure out what stupid shenanigans the car in front of them was up too.

Lily twisted in her seat and pulled the worn green bag between the front seats, tugging it open and riffled through it, until she found the little prescription bottle of tiny, white oval tablets, then turned back around. She removed one of the pills and cracked open one of the two bottles of Voss water in the cup holders and downed the pill.

“Why don't you rest?” Sy suggested, reaching behind her seat for her pregnancy pillow. “It's just going to be annoying highway stuff for a while.” He said, giving her the pillow.

“I don't want you to get lonely.” Lily protested, maneuvering and situating the U-shaped pillow into a comfortable position.

Sy smiled over at her. “I'll be fine, Angel.” He assured her. “If I get lonely, I'll talk to Aika and we'll play the quiet game.” He chuckled, looking at the dog from the rear view mirror. “I'll wake you up around one, and we'll find some little place to have lunch.”

“If you're sure.” Lily yawned, she was usually already in the middle of a nap by now.

“Positive, Sweetness.” He nodded, turning the heat on a bit to make sure she was kept warm.

Lily contorted her body in her seat, drawing up her legs and propping her head and the curve of her pillow against the window, wrapping her arms around it and hugging it against her body, before dozing off to sleep. Sy reached out and rested his hand on her leg, gently massaging it as he kept his eyes on the road, just listening to the hum of the tires on the worn asphalt of Interstate Forty fill the silent cabin of the truck; Aika curled up on the backseat. The quiet boredom of the road allowed the devil to whisper into Sy's ear.

He wasn't sure what to do, if Lily's grandparents, the people that raised her, rejected her, and not only her, but their great grand-baby, his child. He knew he had to be strong for Lily, it would crush her, if they wanted nothing to do with her and the baby, but Sy wasn't so sure he would be able to keep himself under control. He had a feeling he would end up giving the couple a very big piece of his mind, before bringing Lily back home to Celina.

“It'll be fine.” He said aloud, glancing over at Lily. “It'll be all right.” He assured her sleeping form, leaning over just enough to lay his hand on her belly.

Sy found a turn off into Memphis just before one in the afternoon, parking at a small riverfront park in downtown Memphis, giving Lily a quiet place to wake up and all three of them a place to stretch their legs, and Aika a place to pee.

“Hey.” Sy called, softly, shutting off the car and leaning across the console. “Lily. Wake up, baby.” He cooed at her, brushing his knuckles against her cheek and tucking her hair behind her ear, kissing the corner of her mouth. “Hey, sweet pea.” He grinned, watching her eyes slowly flutter open, blinking at the bright sunlight glittering off the murky river water.

“Where are we?” She asked in a sleepy voice, rubbing her cheek against the microfiber cover of her pillow.

“The home of the King, Memphis Tennessee.” Sy chuckled, teasingly, and kissed her again. “So, love me tender.”

“I'm all shook up.” Lily chuckled, unfolding herself and sitting up in her seat.

“Well, it's now or never, baby doll.” Sy roared, his head going back.

“Oh, don't be cruel.”

“But, I can't help fallin' in love.” He chimed back.

“What now, my love?” Lily asked, smirking at him.

“I knew there was a reason I loved you.” Sy commented, finding more and more of them every day. “But, I thought we'd get some fresh air and stretch our legs, I'm sure Aika has to pee. Then, we'll find some lunch.”

“I like that idea.” Lily nodded, pushing her pillow into the back seat, then climbed out of the truck, taking the used nausea bag with her to throw away, while Sy put Aika on her leash.

Sy took Lily by the hand and strolled down the little sidewalk along the riverside, watching the various types of boats go by them on the water. The weather was nice and warm with pleasant enough humidity, a few clouds floating in the baby blue sky.

“Are you craving anything specific?” Sy asked as they patiently waited for Aika to do her business in the grass beside them.

“Hmm.” Lily hummed, pressing her lips together and considering if there was something specific she wanted for lunch; she hadn't had any definitive cravings yet, other than the three days she really needed to eat Mac and Cheese.

But, something specific did strike Lily.

“A pretzel.” She purred, already licking her lips at the thought of the salty baked good.

Sy chuckled at her, amused at the expression on her face, eyes closed and dreamy. “All right. I'll get you a pretzel then.”

It was like a ding went off in Lily's soul. “I want a lot of Pretzels.” She said, eyes popping open and looked up Sy, almost manic and desperate.

“Okay.” He replied, brows raised and blinking at her. “I'll get you a pretzel for lunch, then some to munch on.”

“Yeah.” Lily nodded, staring down at their feet, eyes wide. “Pretzels are good.”

“That they are.” Sy agreed, snickering, unable to keep back his amusement.

Lily's eyes snapped up at him, watching him laugh at her, his eyes practically teasing and making fun of her. “Shut up.” She snapped, but started to laugh back at him. “I can't help it.”

“I know you can't.” He nodded, trying to stop, but it only made him laugh harder. “That's what makes it even better.”

“I hate you.” Lily giggled, playful punching him in the arm. “Now, I want my pretzel, Captain.”

“Yes, Major!” Sy replied, saluting her, then quickly cleaned up after Aika and took them back to the truck. “I just need to find a place to get you one.” He sighed, taking his phone off its dock and googled where to get a pretzel in Memphis, Tennessee.

“Okay, there's an Auntie Anne's not that far from us that does pretzels.” He said, saving the directions and setting them in that direction.

Leaving Aika in the car, Lily and Sy went into the shopping center the Auntie Anne's was in, navigating the crowd and line to the counter. Lily chewed on her lip for a moment, torn between getting a regular pretzel or the pretzel bites, before finally deciding on the bites with the nacho cheese dip. With her food, they navigated their way around again and Sy got himself something from the Wendy's the center had as well, before going back out to the truck to eat there; Lily stealing a couple of Sy's french fries and sharing a couple of her pretzel bites.

Once their lunch was finished and they tossed their empty containers away, Sy made a quick run into the Mega Wal-Mart across the street from the shopping center to buy a big bag of mini pretzels and a case of Voss water for Lily, knowing she was going to get very thirsting from devouring them.

“Thank you.” Lily said, when Sy gave her the bag as he got in the car, her eyes glued on the bag.

“Just don't turn into one.” He teased her, chuckling. “All right, let's get back on the road.”

“I don't want you driving all night, Austin.” Lily mumbled around a mouthful of pretzel.

“I know and I won't.” He replied, reaching a hand into the bag. “I'll go until sun down, then we'll find a place to sleep for the night.” He said, then crammed the four or five pretzels into his mouth.

“Good.” Lily smiled, passing back a pretzel to Aika, who quickly devoured it and came back for more.

Reaching Blacksburg, Virginia just after dark, Sy found a drive-thru to order them dinner and a motel for the night, parking out front of the motel's office. Sighing, he rested back in the driver's seat, scrubbing his palms over his tired face and lulled his head to the side to look over at Lily, who had fallen asleep again, twisted around her pillow and her half eaten bag of pretzels clutched to her chest. They were three hours away from her grandparents' orchard, three hours from finding out whether or not they would be in Lily and the baby's life.

“Watch her, girl.” Sy said to Aika, before slipping out of the truck, locking the doors for extra measure, and going inside the office to get a room.

Once he had the room, Sy got back into the truck and parked as close to the room as he could, before going around and opening Lily's door, careful not to let her slip out. Then, gently took the pretzel bag from her and set it aside, unbuckled her seat belt and tried to figure out for a moment how to untangle the mess of limbs and pregnancy pillow, but quickly gave up with an amused chuckle. He just picked up both her and the pillow to carry her into their room and laid her down on the bed, tugging the turned down blankets over her, then went out to get their bag, dinner and Aika.

“Hey, Angel.” Sy smiled, closing the room door with his foot as Lily sat up, rubbing at her face and pushing her hair out of her face. “I got us some food.” He said, holding up the bag.

“You hungry?”

Lily nodded, still sleepy. “Where are we now?” She asked, sitting cross legged on the bed, beside Sy as they ate their food.

“Blacksburg.” He replied, shoving fries in his mouth. “About three hours away from your grandparents' place.”

Lily bit her lip and nodded her head, staring at the half eaten, plain chicken sandwich in her hand, suddenly losing her appetite and set it down. “I'm gonna take a shower, I'm sore.” She mumbled, getting off the bed and headed into the tiny bathroom.

Turning on the light and closing the door, Lily let out a heavy breath and tugged her tank top off over her head, followed by her elephant patterned leggings and underwear, before turning towards the shower, the walls were dingy and discolored, but clean. Spinning the hot and cold taps, then stepping under the shoddy shower-head, she leaned her forehead against the cracked acrylic wall, letting the pleasantly warm water cascade down her back, like a waterfall, with a soft moan. She was starting to have second thoughts about going to see her grandparents. She wondered how upset or disappointed Sy would be, if she told him she wanted to go back home to Celina in the morning, instead of going the three hours to Middleburg to see them.

She wondered how disappointed in herself she would be later on, if she chickened out this close to their destination.

The bathroom door opened and closed, followed by the rustle of clothing, before Sy stepped into the shower behind Lily, resting one hand on her hip and brought the other one around to cup the gentle slope of Lily's belly, pressing his lips to the base of her neck. Gulping down a thicket of emotions in her throat, Lily turned in Sy's arms and pressed herself against his chest, nuzzling her face into his neck. He smiled against her wet hair, gently kneading her hips and lower back, knowing after so many hours in the car and the way she contorted her body to sleep, she must have been in pain.

“Let me take care of you.” He whispered, kissing her forehead.

Sy picked up the little bottle of travel sized, hotel shampoo, broke the seal on it and poured it into his broad palm, then gently massaged it into her hair, stealthily wiping away a line of soap that dripped down her forehead and almost in her eye. Lily closed her eyes, softly moaning at the gentle and pleasurable pressure of Sy's strong and blunt fingers working the scentless shampoo into her scalp, his thumbs moving out to methodically rub her temples, easing the edge off of the tension migraine she had all day. Sy tipped her head back into the spray of the shower, combing his fingers through her wet and soapy strands to rinse out the shampoo. With her hair washed, he found a small wash cloth and bar of soap, and started to wash her body, beginning with her shoulders and applying a little bit of pressure as he did to massage the cramped muscles there.

“God, that feels so good.” Lily sighed, melting under his tender affection, a smile twitching on her face as he rubbed the cloth over the ticklish spots of her sides.

Sy smiled, kissing the bridge of her nose. “Anything for you, Angel.” He cooed back, paying special attention to the beautifully growing bulge of her belly.

“Thank you.” She whispered, relaxed and sleepy, after they got out of the shower, letting Sy dry her off and secure the towel around her body.

“You're welcome, Sweetheart.” He replied, kissing her cheek.

Lily went back into the room and opened their duffel bag, just pulling out the first article of clothing that her hand came in contact with, which was Sy's worn, Jack Daniels, Tennessee Whiskey t-shirt and let the towel slip off her and pulled on his shirt. Sy stood in the bathroom doorway, still naked and dripping from the shower and smiled at her, loving how the black garment hung on her like a dress, her shoulder length hair dripping and making it wet as she brushed it.

He had never seen anyone so beautiful in his life.

Moving over to the full sized bed, Sy situated her pregnancy pillow, then turned towards Lily. “Lay down, Angel.” He cooed at her.

Frowning at him for a moment, but seeing the look in his blue eyes, Lily chuckled and laid down, situating herself with her head and neck propped up on the belly of the pillow and her body comfortably cradled in the middle of it. Sy picked up her discarded towel and used it to dry off some, before turning off the room lights, then crawled into bed with her. Moving between Lily's legs and gently bending up her knees and pushing them apart, Lily's startled gasp filled the dark room as Sy's warm breath wafted over her exposed folds, just before his wide tongue took one long and leisurely lick.

“Jesus H. Christ!” She cried out, gripping the arms of her pillow.

“Just me, Angel.” Sy chuckled, hooking his arms around her legs, so they rested on his shoulders, and pressed his palms down on top of her thighs, to keep her still, before dipping his head back down and pressing an open kiss to her clit, flicking the tip of his tongue against it, melting Lily into a sweet and needy whimper.

Sy licked and suckled at her delicate pussy, slipping his tongue between her folds to tease her entrance and get a deeper taste of her, lewd noises filled the room as neither of them hid the pleasure they were in and having. Lily rocked against his mouth, her hands pressed to the back of Sy's head to hold him in place, eyes rolled and fluttered, her anxiety of not wanting to go to her grandparents' in the morning completely forgotten in the heady peak of her orgasm.

“I love your mouth.” Lily sighed, out of breath, exhausted and pleasantly numb.

Sy roared with laughter, laying down beside her. “Good to know.” He grinned, pulling the blankets over them and draping his arm over her. “Good night, Angel.” He whispered, kissing her cheek.

“Night, Bear.” She mumbled back, starting to drift off.

Sy stayed awake for a little while, his hand slipping up inside the shirt she was wearing to gently caress her belly and stared at the back of her head. “God,” He whispered, careful not to wake or disturb her. “I don't ask much of you. But, for whatever my word is worth, please don't let these people hurt my girl. She needs and wants them in her life, so does our little one.” He said, lifting his hand to gently stroke her damp hair.

“Let this meeting tomorrow go well, for all of us.” He sighed, squeezing his eyes shut and hugging Lily back against him.

Lily took a deep breath and held it, as Sy turned the truck off the main road and onto the dirt road leading onto the Warren Orchard farm, seeing the tall apple tree shaped sign with Warren Apples carved elegantly in its trunk. It wasn't long before they came to the closed security gate, shutting them off from the rest of the farm. Sy rolled the truck to a stop and looked over to Lily, lifting a brow at her, waiting for her to tell him what they should do next, when a voice came to life next to him.

“Welcome to Warren Apple Orchards, what can I do for you?” A deep Southern drawl asked from a mounted intercom box outside the driver's side window.

Sy rolled down his window and leaned closer to the box, spotting the security camera mounted above the one side of the gate. “Yeah, we're here looking for the owners of the place.” He replied, glancing over at Lily again.

“Mr. and Mrs. Warren aren't taking visitors just now.”

Lily huffed through her nose and leaned over the center console and Sy. “Tell them, Liliana wants to see them, Judd.” She called out, biting and pressing her lips together.

There was a long pause with a bubble of tension, before an electric buzz filled the humid air around them and the metal gate rolled out of their way. Lily sat back in her seat and Sy gave her a concerned look, before driving though.

“You know him?”

“He's worked here as long as I can remember.” Lily replied, staring out her window to the immaculate lawn and row of trees beyond that. “Just keep following the road, you'll find the house at the end of it.” She added, picking at the hem of the shorts she was wearing.

True enough, a few minutes later, a massive colonial, plantation house appeared behind ancient weeping willows. Made mostly of white stone with two stories of wrap around porches and ornate black railings, tall marble columns, from the foundation to the roof; what looked like five chimneys, three turrets and an apple tree weathervane. The driveway looped around the front of the house, leading up the stairs onto the porch was double french, front doors.

Sy was in complete awe of it as he pulled around to the front of the driveway. “This place is amazing.”

“Yeah.” Lily gulped, biting her lip and stared up at the house. “Oh dear god.” She whimpered, shrinking her seat, trying to hide.

“What?” Sy frowned, then noticed a whited haired man step out of the house, wearing a pair of light brown khaki pants and a black pull over sweater with the Warren Orchard's logo on it, an apple with an arrow threw it, the front of the arrow's shaft bent in the shape of a W.

“I'm guess, that's--”

“My grandfather.” Lily nodded, peeking over the edge of the door to look up at him. “Yep.” She sighed, squeezing her eyes shut and pressed her forehead to the window.

“Well, you can't hide forever, Angel.” Sy told her, tilting his head at her. “He knows we're here and this is more than likely us, sitting here.”

“I know.” Lily huffed, chewing her lip. “I know.”

“You can do this, babe.” He encouraged her. “I'm right here, Angel.”

Lily looked over at him, looking at him like a lost puppy, before taking a deep breath and fortifying herself. “You're right.” She nodded, leaning over and kissed him.

Taking another deep breath, Lily opened her door and stepped out of the truck, gulping as she looked up the steps to her grandfather. Her heart felt like a war drum in her chest, she was excited to see him again, he didn't seem any different from the last time he had seen him, at least, not from the distance they were at.

But, she was also afraid of what was about to happen next.

“Paw-Paw.” She called out to him, softly, her voice shaky.

“Liliana.” He replied, lifting a snowy brow at her, his honey-brown eyes scrutinizing her.

“I've missed you.” Lily blurted out, sniffling, tears burning her eyes. “I'm sorry I disappeared. I'm sorry I just ran away and I didn't tell either of you where I was going or why. That I stayed away for so long without a word.”

“But, I thought about you all the time.”

He stared hard at her, crossing his arms over his chest. “You scared the daylights out of your grandmother and I, Liliana. We tried looking for you everywhere, but you just vanished into thin air, like you never existed.” He told her, his anger slowly showing on his face.

“We thought you were dead.”

Lily bowed her head, ashamed for what she had put her grandparents through. “I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention, Paw-Paw.” She choked, looking back up at him, breathing hard.

“Then, what was your intention, Liliana?” He barked at her, his eyes glowing with rage. “Who are you?” He hissed, as Sy came around the front of the truck to wrap an arm around Lily's waist, to comfort her.

Sy looked up at him for a moment, his eyes hard at the man. “Austin Syverson.” He replied, hugging Lily against his side and rubbing her back.

“Your relation to my granddaughter is what?”

“I'm her boyfriend.” He replied, narrowing his eyes at the other man. “Look, she's come here, because she misses you both, very much, and has regretted the way she left. But, she had to leave, she had a very valid reason in doing so. In reality, she's an adult, more than capable of making her own choices and doesn't have to answer to anyone as to why she's made them.” He told Lily's grandfather.

“That includes you.”

“But, she's gained the strength to come here to try and make amends with you both, for more than one reason. You can either accept that or you can not. What happens now, is up to you.”

“Davy, who is it?”

A voice called from the double doors behind Lily's grandfather, before it opened to a thin, elderly woman with a short, curly pixie cut, who struggled to wheel herself out of the house and onto the porch. Her dim and pale blue eyes almost instantly found Lily at the bottom of the porch stairs, her hands flew to the front of her flower pattern dress, mouth dropping open.

“Liliana!” She exclaimed, reaching out a hand to her husband.

“Mee-maw.” Lily sniffled back, smiling at her grandmother through her tears.

“Thank the Lord, you're all right, my sweet child.” She cried, pressing a hand to her mouth.

“I am.” Lily nodded, wiping at her eyes. “And, I wanna be part of your lives again. I want to make amends for what I did by running away and disappearing. I'm sorry, I hurt you and Paw-Paw.”

Lily's grandmother looked up at her husband, who was still glaring at Lily and Sy, pressed her lips together, then looked back at them. “Come inside.” She said, letting his hand go and turned her wheelchair around and headed back towards the door.

“Davy.” She called over her shoulder.

Sighing, he turned and pulled the door open for her, eyeing Lily and Sy as they mounted the porch stairs, then followed his wife inside the house, before doing the same. She rolled down the hallway and turned into the private study, motioning to the long leather couch and parked herself in front of it.

“Hello.” She said, looking at Sy as he sat down beside Lily on the couch.

“Ma'am.” He replied, politely nodding his head to her.

“Who might you be?”

“Austin Syverson, Ma'am.” Sy answered with a sweet smile. “I'm your granddaughter's boyfriend.”

“Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Syverson.” She replied, regarding him. “I'm Violet Warren, and this is my husband, Davis.” She said, motioning to him as he took a seat in a chair to Lily and Sy's left.

“Sir.” Sy said, nodding his head stiffly to him.

“You're looking well, Liliana.” Violet commented, turning her attention to her granddaughter.

“Thank you.” Lily whispered, licking her lips. “I just go by Lily now.”

Violet nodded her head. “Very well.” She acknowledged. “Where've you been, Lily?”

Lily drew a deep breath through her nose and slowly let it back out. “It's a long story.” She whimpered, gripping Sy's hand for support, chewing the inside of her cheek to bits.

Davis and Violet glanced at each other, before she leaned forward and took a small hand bell off the coffee table between them and rang it. A moment later, a young lady appeared in the doorway of the room and Violet asked her to serve them some tea. The tension was tight and thick in the room while the tea was being made for them, no one saying a word to each other. The servant returned, carrying in a highly polished tea tray and set it down on the coffee table, setting out teacups for the four of them and filled the cups, before leaving the room again.

“What is your story, Lily?”

Carefully drizzling a bit of honey into her tea with a honey dipper and taking a fortifying sip of it, Lily started her story. “You know that I had been seeing Jak.” She said, looking between her grandparents.

“We did.” Violet nodded, taking a sip of her own tea.

“Well, what you didn't know was Jak had been abusive to me.” She continued, staring into the rich and steamy liquid in the expensive china teacup. “He had been the entire time we were together. But, I was too naive and silly to break it off with him for the longest time. But, after a particularly bad incident, I decided I couldn't take it any longer. So, I packed a bag and went to live with Maggie. I didn't tell you-” She paused, brow creased, she had often thought about why she hadn't told them, but had never really pinned down a specific reason to why she hadn't.

But, she shook that thought off.

“I honestly don't know why I hadn't. All I knew was I was terrified of Jak finding me again and dragging me back into the life and situation I had been living in for so long with him. While I was with Maggie, I changed my name from Liliana Jade Warren to Lily Ana Moore, to make it harder for him to find me, which made it hard for the both of you to find me, and finished university.” She continued on. “After I did that, I moved to a very small town in Texas and started my own company for my Graphic Design and Photography.”

“It's how I've been supporting myself.”

“I was so consumed by my paranoia and fear of Jak finding me, that I never left the house I bought in Texas, five years ago, this is the farthest I've been from it, since I've moved there.” She confessed, looking to Sy, who smiled at her, supportive and proud.

“What's changed?” Her grandfather asked, his own teacup still where the servant set it, ignored and cold. “Why are you here now?”

Lily cleared her throat and set her tea aside. “I left and became reclusive, agoraphobic, because I felt unsafe and afraid. That Jak would end up finding me and hurting me. He did end up finding me, but Austin...” She looked to Sy, her eyes filled with appreciative love and pride. “Austin makes me feel safe again. He's protected me, in more than one way, and he's shown me what real love is. I owe him so much.”

Sy grinned brightly at her, gripping her hand, a bit choked up at her words.

“He's helped me get back to this place, a place I've held onto, wanting to be a productive member of society, to be back in your life and be your granddaughter again. I miss you and I love you both. That never changed and it will never change.”

“That never changed for us either, Lily.” Violet replied, resting her teacup back on its saucer. “You will always be our precious granddaughter and we have always loved you; from the moment you were born to this moment right now.”

“I hope you could find it in your heart, to have a little more love.” Lily whispered, biting the inside of her lip, gulping.

“For what?” Violet frowned, brows drawing together and head tilting at her.

Lily looked to Sy, who nodded his head at her. “Sy and I are expecting.” She mumbled, not meeting either of her grandparents' eyes.

“You're with child?” Violet asked, shocked disbelief in her voice.

“I am.” Lily nodded, whimpering.

“I hope you're not here, thinking this little reunion will get you money.” Her grandfather snapped, coldly.

Lily's eyes snapped over to him, a cold knot of shock, hurt and anger in her stomach, she could feel the tension stiffen Sy's body. “We don't need any of the family money.” She hissed, eyes hardening. “My business alone is quite well off, thank you; and I'm more than offended at the accusation.”

“That's putting it politely.” Sy chimed in, staring daggers into the old man.

“Davis.” Violet barked, offended at her husband's insult as well, she had no feeling that Lily and Sy were there looking for money or assistance with their lives or the baby.

“Excuse me, for the last time I recalled a couple sitting on that very same couch to tell us they were expecting a child, it was our sweet Daisy and that good for nothing, Palmer, and we all saw how that ended.” Davis replied, his voice cold and sharp.

“Austin isn't my father.” Lily barked, her voice mirroring her grandfather's.

Lily and her grandfather glared darkly at each other, before Violet grew annoyed with their childish behavior and clapped her bony hands together, catching the room's attention.

“That is quite enough.” She scolded them.

Sy hid his smirk around the rim of his teacup, already liking Lily's grandmother.

“How far along are you?” Violet asked, looking at Lily.

“Almost thirteen weeks.” She replied, unconsciously touching her belly.

“Do you know what you're having?”

“Not yet.” Lily grinned at Sy, giddy at the thought of finding out the gender of the baby, she didn't care if it was a boy or a girl, she was just excited in general. “We won't know for another five weeks.” She added, glancing over at her grandmother.

“Well,” Violet grinned, her eyes lighting up. “I can't wait to meet my great-grandbaby.” She said, sounding overjoyed at the prospect. “Davy?” She looked to her husband, her eyes still filled with excitement, but outlined with warning.

Davis looked at her for a moment, then over at Lily, before looking down at the watch on his right wrist, then stood. “I have to meet Mac in the south orchard.” He said, tonelessly, and left the room.

Lily let out an uneven breath and painful tears punched her in the chest, turning her face into Sy's collarbone as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her against his side, pressing his lips to her hair. Violet's mouth was pressed into a thin, angry, lipstick red line as she continued to stare out the study doorway after Davis, the rapturous event of finding out about their great-grandbaby being overshadowed by his stubborn pigheadedness.

“I think we should go.” Sy said to Lily, gently wiping away her tears.

“Please, do stay.” Violet chimed in, turning her attention back to them. “There's more than enough room right here.” She said, looking back and forth between Lily and Sy. “Please, it's been so long, Lily. You've been gone and so far away. Town is twenty minutes away and with you here now, two minutes is too far away.”

Lily looked up at Sy.

“It's up to you, Angel.” He whispered, brushing his thumb against her flushed cheek.

She looked over at her grandmother. “Of course, I would love that.” She whispered, wiping her nose on the back of her hand.

Violet smiled at her, relieved to have her granddaughter under the same roof again. “I'll have Clara set two extra places at the table.” She grinned, overjoyed. “I'll even have her make your favorites for lunch and dinner.”

Lily smiled at her, touched at her grandmother's sentiment. “Thank you.”

“You remember where your room is?” She replied, lifting a brow at her.

“I do.” Lily nodded her head.

“Then, I won't keep you any longer. I'm sure you must be tired with the baby and the long journey from Texas.”

“I am.” She agreed, sighing softly.

“Off you both go then, the bell will ring, when lunch is ready.”

“Thank you, Mee-Maw.” Lily said, nodding her head and stood up, Sy standing with her.

“Ma'am.” Sy nodded his head to Violet, then followed Lily out of the room and down the hall to a flight of stairs. “Well, that didn't go as badly as the two of us thought it would.” He commented, mounting the stairs behind her.

“No, it did not.” Lily replied over her shoulder, going up the three sets of stairs. “I just hope my grandfather comes around.” She added, coming to the second floor and going down to a door at the very end of the hall. “This is...was—my room.” She said, turning the vintage, metal and ceramic door knob that had a hand-painted gold floral design on it, and pushed the door open.

The bedroom was spacious and bright with the mid-morning sun shining in through four windows, between one set of windows sat a squat, five compartment, vintage chest of drawers, across from that was a full sized, poster bed, with the doorway to a bathroom to the left and a walk-in closet to the right. There was a bookcase and table against the wall by the door, mostly filled with church and home school related things.

“It's a nice room.” Sy commented, picking up one of the books on the table, a bible.

“Thanks.” Lily smiled, shyly, seeing that her grandparents had left her room the exact way she'd left it, when she moved out.

“Do you wanna rest for a little while?” He suggested, stepping up behind her and resting his hands on her hips, gently pressing his thumbs into the small of her back and massaging them.

“Yeah.” She moaned, her head dropping back against his chest, turning to kiss the underside of his bearded jaw.

“How about a nice warm bath first, maybe a cup of tea?”

Lily chuckled into his neck, grinning. “So dotting, Captain.” She teased him.

“I love you.” He cooed, kissing her forehead, then moved away from her and went into the bathroom, plugging the drain on the ancient claw-foot tub and turned the X-shaped tap handles.

Lily padded into the bathroom, sitting down on the closed toilet seat and pushed down the stress of her grandfather's behavior towards her, to watch Sy fill the bath for her, a soft smile on her face. She stood up for a moment and reached underneath the sink and removed a small bottle and handed it to him. Sy smiled at her and took it from her, uncapping it and getting the strong snap of eucalyptus and sprinkled the Epsom salt into the delicately warm water, before turning off the tap. He grabbed a towel and folded it, then situated it at one end of the tub, to pillow her head, when she started to soak.

“Now, where is the kitchen?” He asked, looking at her.

“Down the stairs, first door to your right.” Lily replied, getting out of her clothing.

“Cool, I'll be right back.” Sy told her, kissing her temple and stepped out of the room to go downstairs to get her tea.

Lily finished undressing and carefully stepped into the pleasantly warm water, leaning back with a soft and satisfied moan, focusing on the warm water enveloping her body easing away her aches and pains, melting away the anxieties that had accumulated during the drive over from Texas and the visit. While Sy found the kitchen and pushed open the swinging door, finding the cook, Clara, inside, who looked up as she heard him come in and wiped her hands on her apron.

“Can I help you?” She asked, lifting a brow at him.

“Um, just need a cup of tea.” He replied, licking his lips and glancing around the kitchen.

“Oh, of course, right away.”

“I'd hate to put you out.” Sy said, alarmed.

Clara chuckled at him, pulling down a cup from a high cabinet. “It's what the Warren's hired me for.” She assured him. “I'm guessing it's for Lily.” She added, moving about the kitchen as she put the things together to make the tea.

“Yeah.” He nodded, then patiently waited for her to finish and took the cup from her. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” Clara smiled, and returned to what she had been doing.

Sy carefully took the cup back upstairs to Lily, smiling as he stepped into the bathroom and saw her lounging comfortably in the tub. He was glad she could relax and let the stress go, even if it was for a little while. Lily stirred as he sat down beside her, smiling at him and taking the cup of tea from his outstretched hands and let out a pleased moan.

“Feels like a spa day.” She chuckled, handing her teacup back to Sy for him to hold, so she could relax back again.

“You deserve to relax.” Sy replied, softly. “You've got an important job to do.”

“Yeah, I'm growing a Syverson.” Lily chuckled, teasingly.

“Exactly.” He laughed back. “That's no easy feat to bring one of us into the world.”

“Bringing a Syverson into the world is just the start of it, then we have to raise them.”

“Oh, trouble, trouble, trouble.” Sy grinned at her. “Nothing, but trouble.”

“Toil and bubble.” Lily giggled, fully amused and lighthearted.

“Come on, sleepy, out with you.” Sy said, setting her empty teacup on the vanity counter and pulled the towel off the bar and held it open for her.

“Okay.” Lily replied, stifling a yawn with her hand.

Stepping out of the tub and into Sy's arms, she rested her forehead against his chest and let him dry her off. Sy had taken a liking to drying her off after she showered or bathed, since she'd become pregnant, none of which Lily protested to, she was usually very sleepy by the time she got out of them, so having him there to finish up was always nice.

“Oh, fuck.” He barked, after helping back into her clothing. “Your pillow is still in the truck.”

“It won't kill me to have one nap without it.” Lily said, through yet another yawn.

“You were a very cranky mama bear the last time you didn't have that thing to sleep with.” He reminded her. “I'll go down and get it, just sit tight.”

“I'd rather lay tight.” She huffed, starting to get cranky as she shuffled over to her bed and laid down.

Sy rushed back downstairs and nearly collided with Violet. “Oh my god, I am so sorry.” He panted, making sure she was all right. “ Are you okay?”

“I'm fine, where's the fire, Mr. Syverson?”

“Lily's laying down for her nap and I just realized she doesn't have her pregnancy pillow and she always wakes up very cranky, when she doesn't have it to sleep with.” He explained, calming down.

Violet smiled up at Sy, touched and pleased at the plain devotion he had for her granddaughter. “Well, we can't have that, now can we?” She chuckled, rolling back out of his way.

“No, ma'am.” Sy shook his head at her.

“Violet, Mr. Syverson. Just call me Violet.” She informed him as Sy reached the front door.

He paused, hand on the door and smiled at her, remembering when Lily told him to call her by her given name. “Of course, Ms. Violet.” He nodded at her, politely.

Violet smiled back at him and Sy went out to his truck.

“Hey, girl.” Sy said, opening the passenger door of the truck and only to get attacked by Aika's tongue. “I know, I know. I haven't forgotten about ya. I promise.” He chuckled, petting her. “I'll come back down in a couple minutes and take care of you. But first, I have to take care of your mama.” He said, reaching in the back seat for Lily's U-Shaped pillow, pushed Aika back and closed the door again, before rushing back upstairs.

“Okay, pillow.” Sy said, bursting into the room, only to find Lily curled into a ball and sound asleep, making him chuckling. He situated her pillow and gently unrolled Lily from her ball and slipped her between her pillow, before covering her up.

“Sleep sweet, Angel.” He whispered, kissing her cheek softly, then went back downstairs. “Um, do you know where Ms. Violet is?” He asked the servant that had served him and Lily tea when they had first arrived.

“Yes, she's in the private study, right through there.” She replied, pointing the way.

“Thank you.” He nodded, then went down, gently knocking on the door.

“Enter.”

“Ms. Violet?”

“Ah, Mr. Syverson, I'm trusting the pillow crisis was averted?” She asked, an amused glitter in her eyes.

Sy chuckled. “It was, thank you.”

“Then, what can I help you with?”

“I, uh, brought Lily and I's dog with us...” He said, sheepishly, though Lily's grandmother seemed like a very sweet woman, Sy got the vibe she was the authority in this household and crossing her wasn't the way to go. “She's in my truck and I didn't want to take her out without asking first, so I didn't step on any toes and cause any issues with you and your husband.”

“What kind of dog is she?”

“She's a German Shepherd.” Sy replied, licking his lips. “I found her in the war-zone on my last deployment.” He half explained to her.

Violet blinked several times at Sy. “You were in the military?”

“Yes, ma'am.” He nodded, with a deep sense of pride. “I was a Captain in the U.S Army, Special Forces, for more than ten years.”

“What's the pup's name?”

“Aika.”

“Well, Aika is more than welcome here.” She told him. “As long as she behaves herself.” She added, a soft smile on her face.

“She's a very well behaved dog, you have my word.” Sy replied, smiling back at her.

“Good.” Violet nodded. “Just make sure you keep her out of the orchards or Davis will have a never-ending fit.”

“Will do.”

Excusing himself, Sy went back out to the truck and put Aika on her leash, walking her around the front of the property and away from the orchards, making sure to clean up after her, then brought her inside, taking her upstairs to Lily's room, where she curled up on the bed with Lily, before he decided to do a little exploring himself before lunch.

He wandered into the orchards, seeing the short trunks, but wide crowns, light green and shiny apples weighing down its branches and a couple littered the ground. There easily had to be a hundred trees of the same sort for as far as Sy could see in the area he was in, before he moved on. Sy came to a small dirt lane and crossed it into a totally different portion of the orchard, these trees were still squat and wide, but the apples on their branches were medium sized and mostly two toned, a dull red that faded into a yellow-y green color.

He crossed another dirt road and found another orchard of another kind of apple, this one a light yellow color, when he heard voices and then his name and turned, seeing Lily's grandfather, realizing he had wandered into the south orchard.

“What are you doing out here?” Davis asked, approaching him.

“Just looking around.” Sy replied, keeping his tone guarded. “Lily's told me a lot about the place.”

“And where is she?”

“Back at the house, sleeping.” Sy told him, his shoulders stiff. “She gets tired a lot with the baby.”

“Hm.” Davis huffed and turned on his heels.

“What's your problem?” Sy barked after him, unable to hold his temper any longer. “She just wants her grandfather, the man that raised her, back in her life, in her child's life. Not your money or your business, just your love and affection.”

Davis spun around on his heels to face Sy. “I might have raised her, because my Daisy died, and her father was an unreliable scum, but she's making the same mistake her mother did. I won't be part of that again.”

“I won't be there when it kills her too.” He hissed, then stormed off.

Lily woke up to Sy's angry pacing at the foot of the bed and cursing under his breath, and sat up, rubbing at her eyes. “What's wrong, Bear?” She asked, frowning at him.

“Your grandfather is a pigheaded, son of a bitch.”

Her mouth fell open for a moment, then her brows drew together and her eyes narrowed. “Did the two of you get into an argument?”

“Sorta.” He huffed back.

“For the love of Jesus, Austin.” Lily barked at him, pressing her hands to her face. “Why?”

“I didn't go lookin' for it, Lily.” He retorted, stopping his pacing. “I was just checking out the orchards and ran into him. One thing came to another, I asked him what his problem was, all you want is his love and affection back, not his damned money or his orchard, and his reply was you're making the same mistake your mother made and you'll end up dying because of it too.”

“Which you will fucking not!” He added, a panicked fright breaking through his burst of anger.

“Of course, I'm not going too, Bear.”

Lily sighed, shaking her head and running her hand through her hair, before getting up out of bed. “I'll be more than all right. We have a great doctor and an amazing hospital back home. Plus, I have you to take care of and look after me, the whole time. I'll be perfectly safe and sound.” She told him, hugging her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest.

“Don't listen to him, Sy. He's just a grumpy old man, set in his ways.”

“What's that make me?” He asked, half jokingly.

“My boyfriend and Papa Bear.” She giggled, tilting her head back to look up at him.

“Good to know, Mama Bear.” He teased back, dipping his head to kiss her. “The fuck was that?” He asked as two loud dinging sounds filled the house.

“That is the lunch bell.” Lily replied, pulling away from him. “One ding is breakfast, two is lunch and three is dinner.” She explained to him, finding her shoes and slipping them back on. “Old Virginian hospitality, Syverson. I know you Texans aren't used to it.”

“Oh, you posh and polished Southerners.” He teased back, following her downstairs. “Give me the ringing of a triangle any day and this cowboy will know the way to the dinner table.”

“Remind me to buy one for our house, then.” Lily giggled, showing him into the family dinning room.

“Buy what for your house?” Violet asked, already seated at one end of the table.

“Oh, Sy was making fun of us for being—what did you call it?” She asked, looking at him as he vigorously shook his head at her. “Ah yes, posh and polished Southerners, for having a meal bell.” You grinned at him, impishly. “While, pointing out the Texas Cowboy in him could only find his way home, if he heard the call of a triangle bell.”

“I said, I would be able to find my way to the table. I know my way home, thank you very much.” He spoke up, his cheeks pink underneath the hairs of his beard.

Both Lily and Violet's laughter filled the dining room, but Sy soon joined them. But, the laughter died down as Davis entered the room, taking his place at the other end of the table, practically sucking the air out of the room as he took his seat.

“How is the south orchard doing?” Violet asked, as lunch was being served.

“One of the original York apple trees is starting to fail for some reason.” Davis replied, picking up the salt shaker. “Mac and I were running through a list of things we can do to save it.” He explained, paying closer attention to his food than to the others at the table with him.

“This looks really good.” Sy commented, licking his lips at his plate.

“It's one of Lily's favorites.” Violet smiled at him. “Creamy Shrimp pasta.”

“I used to try and bribe Clara into making it for every meal once for a whole summer.” Lily chuckled, twirling the angel hair pasta around her fork. “Never worked out.”

“Didn't deter you from trying though.” Violet chuckled, smiling fondly at her granddaughter. “I'm more than sure you'll love what Clara is making you for dinner.”

“I have no doubt.” She smiled back.

“Oh, Mr. Syverson, if you'd like a place to park your truck, I'm sure Davis could show you where the garage is.” Violet said, her eyes on her husband.

“Thank you, Ms. Violet.” Sy replied, smiling at her. “And, please, call me Sy or Austin, whichever you might prefer.” He told her, a bit shyly.

“Austin, it is.” Violet answered, giving him a sweet smile. “But, you can do that for him, can't you?” She said, lifting a brow at her husband, with an expression that dared him to object to her request.

Davis stared at his wife, his hard brown eyes holding Violet's stern blues, before his shoulders dropped slightly. “I'll show you after lunch.”

“Thank you.” Sy replied, stiffly.

Lily rested her hand on Sy's thigh, gently squeezing it, trying to keep him calm and relaxed. “How have the orchards been?” Lily asked her grandfather, trying to open any sort of connection with him. “I know picking season is coming up soon in the next few months.” She pointed out, gathering up a forkful of her shrimp pasta.

There was a long silence at the table, each second made Lily's heart clench tighter, fearing her grandfather would just continue to ignore her and pretend she didn't exist. She didn't know how much more of his coldness she could take, before it became too much to bear and she would just want to leave again.

No matter how much it would hurt.

“Other than the York tree showing signs of white rot, the orchards are as productive and fruitful as ever.” He finally spoke.

“What happens if you don't cure the white rot?” Lily frowned, concerned for the tree.

“We lose the tree.” Davis sighed, resting back in his chair and tossing his napkin onto the table beside his plate. “It'll only be the third originally planted tree on the farm we've ever lost. Well, with any luck the rot won't spread and it won't hit us too hard.” He explained, looking at her.

“Just because you lost one, don't mean you'll lose more.” Lily replied, holding his gaze.

Davis dropped his eyes and nodded his head, sighing, then looked up at Sy, noticing his empty plate. “You done?”

“I am.” Sy nodded, wiping his mouth.

“Come on, and I'll show you where the garage is and you can park your truck.” He said, standing up, leaving his half eaten lunch on the table.

“I'll be right back.” Sy whispered to Lily, kissing her cheek and stood, following her grandfather out of the house.

The walk from the house was silent as they stepped off the paved driveway and onto a pea gravel lane that led a little ways away from the house, through a small grove of very ancient looking weeping willows to a large building with several vehicles parked outside of it.

“You can park it here.” Davis said, motioning to the area in front of them.

“Thanks.” Sy nodded to him, then turned back to get his truck.

Bringing his truck around and finding a place to park it, Sy got out and and grabbed their duffel bag out of the back and locked up, heading back up to the house; when Davis stopped in his tracks, noticing the duffel bag slung over his shoulder; the worn military green and the faded, black U.S letters.

“Something the matter?” Sy frowned, turning back to him.

“That's a military bag.” Davis replied.

“Yes, it is.” He nodded, shifting it on his shoulder and tilting his head at the other man.

“It's yours?”

Sy's shoulders slumped and he stared at the old man. “I served more than ten years in the U.S Army as a Captain in the Special Forces.” He explained to him. “I retired almost a year ago.”

“How did you and Lily meet?”

“As I said, I retired almost a year ago and I returned home to Austin, Texas.” Sy replied, sighing. “Even though I could live quite well on my retirement, I don't like not having a job or being idle. So, I went about applying for jobs, mostly jobs I could do with my hands, construction jobs and such. A construction company told me about a contract that they had gotten from a young lady, who needed help fixing her place up in Celina, which is about three hours south of Austin. I called about it and got the job. I'm sure you guessed, it was Lily.” He smirked, chuckling to himself.

“I started fixing the place up for her and we grew close, especially after we helped each other through a few traumatic things.”

“Like, what?”

“I have pretty severe PTSD from my time in deployment and Lily's gotten me through more than one episode.” Sy smirked, blushing slightly and toeing the ground with the tip of his boot. “She's the guiding light to holding them back.” He whispered softly. “As for her, she's been through a lot in the last five years, especially the fear and turmoil caused by Jak.” He said. “There's nothing on this planet, there hasn't been anything on this planet, I wouldn't do to ensure her happiness and safety.”

Sy looked Davis dead in the eyes, a deep seriousness coming over him, even though he had a knot in his stomach. “Listen, your granddaughter isn't a little girl anymore. She's a grown woman, and a beautiful, loving and intelligent one, at that. She's so incredibly caring for the people around her, even when she's been so hurt and her trust in people has been cut deeply. Her work ethic is admirable, she built a company from the reclusion of her own home, that she hadn't left in more than three years, and it is thriving. She's even currently in the process of interviewing people to fill two positions, because she has so many clients, that she's in need of the extra help.”

“You're projecting the fear of your daughter’s mistakes and death on Lily and it isn't fair to her, or to you and your wife.”

“My Daisy Mae's misfortunes aren't the only failures that have me disappointed in the situation.” Davis said, rolling his jaw at Sy.

Sy huffed at him, biting his lip and nodding his head at him. “You think I'd be some, what was it, unreliable scum, like her father?” He asked, lifting a brow at him.

Davis sighed back at him, scrubbing a palm over his wrinkled forehead and lifted a brow at him. “Come with me.” He said, motioning him back towards the house.

Pressing his lips together, Sy followed him back up to the house and into Davis's private study, setting the duffel bag down by the door as Davis closed it behind him. Davis motioned to a leather and mahogany upholstered chair in front of a cold fireplace, then moved over to a small table of bottles and glasses, pouring them both a drink. He handed Sy a glass and took the seat across from him, taking a long sip.

“Smooth stuff.” Sy commented, licking his lips and admiring the rich, amber liquid.

“Maker's Mark, Kentucky bourbon whiskey.” Davis replied, smirking at his glass, appreciatively.

“Anyhow.” He cleared his throat, balancing his glass on the arm of his chair. “Palmer Hughes. He came to work here in the summer of 1985, he was twenty years old and Daisy was eighteen. I knew the boy was trouble the moment I set eyes on him and knew I should have sent him picking.”

“But, for whatever reason, and against my better judgment, I didn't.”

��He took an instant liking to our Daisy, who was ordinarily a good mannered, well behaved and proper girl. But, as soon as he set his eyes on her, he started corrupting her. He would stop coming to work in the fields to sneak himself and her off the property and go into town or wherever it was they would go to. Daisy started to become more defiant and rebellious. One of our church elders even spotted her and Palmer with a group of their lowlife friends in a questionable area of town, getting high, smoking and drinking.”

“It was such an embarrassment.” He sighed, taking a deep gulp of his drink. “When Daisy was twenty-one, she came to her mother and I and told us she was pregnant. Palmer had split the moment he found out about it. But, I tracked his no good ass down and dragged him back. He and Daisy got married just before Lily was born.”

“What happened?” Sy asked, frowning at him, the burn of the alcohol melting through the knot in his stomach as he thought about it. “How did her mother die?”

“She developed a hemorrhage that the doctor's couldn't get under control, so she ended up bleeding to death.” Davis explained, growing pale at the memory of the doctor's telling him and his wife the news of their daughter’s death, their only child. “For his part, Palmer did seem distraught over her death. But, he blamed Lily for it. So, he spent the rest of her life coming in and out of it, before Violet and I finally just adopted her and permanently took care of her.”

“It was Violet and I that ended up naming Lily, as well. Daisy hadn't picked one, that we were aware of, and Palmer wasn't being cooperative with anyone, us or the hospital staff.”

“Where is her father now?”

Davis sighed and carefully regarded Sy for a long moment, before replying. “He died, some years ago.”

Sy blinked at him, shocked. “You never told Lily this.”

“No.” He shook his head, guilty. “Vi and I thought it would be best that we didn't.”

“That's not really for either of you to decide.” Sy frowned at him, annoyed. “Lily deserves the truth.”

“I know she does.” Davis agreed. “I'll tell her, one day. As for you, Austin.” He met Sy's eyes. “I've unjustly projected my prejudices of Palmer onto you. You are, not even an ounce, the man he was. You are a man I wish my own daughter would have met and fallen in love with. But, I am glad my granddaughter met, fallen in love with and is having my great-grandbaby with you.”

“Thank you.” Sy answered, taking his compliment and finished off his drink.

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