SELF MADE

[ameliaxdonovan]

lawlikecaseywells‌:

kngofhell‌:

“I tried to name one Oreo as a dedication to the only food that kept this one fed for nine months but she said that would be in poor taste, didn’t you, dear?” he says, smile saccharine and tone just the same. “We both got to choose a name but as soon as it was presented it was vetoed. Ophelia was the closest I could get,” and most of this was a joke, though he had to come up with some pretty ridiculous names mostly to make her laugh. It was one of his favourite sounds, after all.  It was nice to have Amelia here and actually be sitting down, all three of them together, all of them with smiles on their faces this time around. “I think these names fit them better though. Maybe Casey was right.”

@lawlikecaseywells​

“How do you think it would go down if we were trying to enrol the girls in preschool and you had to put ‘Oreo’ on them, the poor things would never get in anywhere. Not in a million years. Plus it’s a food not a name.” Casey muttered as she used her chopsticks to eat some more egg fried rice, glancing over at her boyfriend. “Luckily he came up with Ophelia because otherwise I’d have had to name them both all on my own.” A short laugh followed, that signature roll of her eyes, glancing over towards the sleeping twin girls. “Maybe Casey was right? This isn’t the first time let’s be honest.” Last time she’d seen Amelia things were very different, there was more crying for one, so it was a nice change to that having dinner. “So I’d love to tell you he was lying, but he’s telling the truth. It was too late by then, I couldn’t back out anymore.” The lawyer teased with a smirk towards Elias. @ameliaxdonovan​ @kngofhell​

“Sorry, I have to side with Casey in this. I know you’re not like superstar level well known but do you really want your kid to have to go through the public ridicule of being named Oreo?” She pointed a chopstick at Elias, “I mean, have we not learned from Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow? Apple is not a name. And Ophelia is so much better.” She took a sip of her wine, glad for this time with them. Chosen family was something that Amelia had experienced upon moving the city, and was something she never thought she’d have herself. But between Elias, Casey and Pax and his family, she felt like she belonged in a way she never had growing up. “I will say, I appreciate how Shakespearean you went with the names. They’ll definitley grow into them. And there’s an abundance of nicknames. Are you hyphenating their last name? I don’t think I’ve asked.”

@kngofhell​  & @lawlikecaseywells​

[ameliaxdonovan]

valeriastjames‌:

“Unfortunately, it’s how it goes anywhere. I’m lucky I get to tutor there. They’re lovely people.” She smiled to Amelia. Val wasn’t only lucky she got to tutor them, but she also became friends with them. They were easily one of the kindest people she’d ever met and they had became like family to her, too. “What about you? How’s the industry for you?” she asked, wanting to get to know Amelia, too. She took a sip of her wine before she laughed. “It’s worth it, isn’t it? Guilty pleasure! The gym I go to will be seeing a lot of me that week.” The blonde was pretty excited for it now. “I started when I was four years old and my mother was a composer, too. She ran me on a very tight schedule, especially given that I was learning a few instruments.” She kept a smile on her face as she talked, but the memories weren’t pleasant ones. As much as Val adored music, her mother had pressured her quite a lot with it. “I started first with the piano, then the violin. I can’t remember how long though till I became proficient. Cello was the last instrument I ever learned.” She nodded. “It’s honestly never too late to learn music. I’d be happy to help!”

“Definitely one of the nicest clients I’ve had –– and classiest. You’d think some of this million-dollar brides would keep their cool but I guess when you’re dropping that much money, everything becomes a huge investment. I was pleasantly surprised Cecelia and Harry went a simpler route.” For second weddings people either went all out in a way they couldn’t before, or kept it very low key. Amelia thought that Cecelia had done a great job of mixing the two and finding a middle ground. Taking a sip of her wine, she listened to Val speak and smiled at the thought of sharing her passion with her mom. Not something Amelia could relate to. “Ah, well –– I guess it paid off, though? You’re an accomplished musician at...what? Only 27? Not a lot of people can say that. Cello always looks pretty cool but I think piano would be the safest place for me to start, right? Isn’t that what most people begin on?”

[ameliaxdonovan]

vienna-calhoun‌:

“You’re lying. I don’t believe you,” the redhead shook her head. There was no way someone would even think to spend that much. She didn’t even understand what it would be like to throw any sort of money away like that. It wasn’t like she grew up poor or rich, but her family was a good middle ground. Her grandparents had a farm and slaughterhouse and it was just a basic middle class life. For her to even think of that kind of money was ridiculous to her. Giving a small nod, she watched the woman’s reaction, tilting her head for a small moment. “Yeah, just an older sister. We were in the same grade in school, so it was a little weird. I don’t think she liked it at first, but in the end it worked out. As far as I know, anyway.”

“I wish I was. I mean, I’ve personally run the card for various charges –– for weddings of that size. It’s insane. Actually, it’s asinine. But hey, it’s not my money, right?” It boggled her mind but from her years of experience in the city, she knew that weddings in New York were a status symbol and everyone competed with each other. Amelia nodded along as Vienna spoke and she finished her glass of water before turning to her sister. “Well, it wouldn’t have been fair to put you in a class that was beneath your grade level, would it? You can’t help how smart you are, you know? And clearly it was the right choice because look at where you are now –– a kick ass reporter in New York City.”

[ameliaxdonovan]

tatumxlawrence‌:

“Remind me again why I continue to let you torture me like this?” Tatum asked, a breathless laugh escaping her lips as they came to the crest of the steepest hill in the park. Leaning over the handlebars of her bike, the doctor took in several deep breaths to get her heart rate back to normal. “Five years in the military and constant running around the ER and this is still the most strenuous thing I’ve done in recent years.” She added with a laugh. “Do you have a marathon coming up or something?”

@ameliaxdonovan​

Amelia laughed at Tatum’s words, catching her breath as they overlooked the hill they’d just crested. “Because you love it and secretly love the pain? And you look forward to not being able to walk tomorrow?” She chuckled and grabbed water, pulling at the cap mouthpiece with her teeth and squeezing it over her. She felt like a furnace, all the heat of the uphill trek sitting in her face and chest as she breathed. “Try triathlon, Tate – this is the easy part for me, you know –– all things considered. The running, though? Definitely gonna take me down a few notches. But, for now, I’d rather be great at something and kick your ass.” She said good-naturedly, glad to have Tatum along for these rides.

[ameliaxdonovan]

valeriastjames‌:

Of course, Valeria had no idea or experience with running a restaurant. She did run a business though, but of a completely different type, so she couldn’t truly say both were similar. However, some things were obvious. “I agree with that. In the city, there’s quite a lot of restaurants too. Like there’s already a lot of competition going.” Valeria smiled brightly when Amelia agreed to the idea. “I’m excited! I need to do a list of all pasta dishes. I’m pretty sure there’s less popular ones out there and I want to try these too. What are you looking forward to trying?” She took a sip of her wine, nodding to her. “The violin is… magical. I lose myself in all my instruments, but there’s something special about the violin. I forget where I am when I’m playing. I don’t think I can properly explain it. You know it’s never too late to learn! It’s a beautiful thing.” She was always optimistic and bright, pushing people to try things. When it came to music, the blonde would always push people to try it out. Sure, she didn’t think it was something every single person out there would love it, but it didn’t hurt to try, either.

“Kinda fits, that’s how every industry is here. I bet even the music one. Especially –– how many tutors are out there? And you’re the one the royal family picks to teach their kids. Seems to me like you’re doing pretty well if it is a competition,” Amelia mused with a smile, picking at a piece of bread and stuffing a bit of it into her mouth. God. Italian bread really was the best, wasn’t it? “We should plan for it then: a week of pasta. Different kind each night. We’ll be ten pounds heavier by the end of the week but also....ten pounds more content?” She laughed and placed her order once the server came by and then returned her attention to Val’s words. “How long did it take you to become proficient at it? It was never something I though I’d do but if you’re open to teaching an old dog new tricks, I’d give it a go.”

[horror-hotties]

Shantel VanSanten (The Final Destination)

[wordsnquotes]

i am afraid that if i open myself i will not stop pouring. (why do i fear becoming a river. what mountain gave me such shame.)

Jamie Oliveira, “Erosion” (via wordsnquotes)

[ameliaxdonovan]

vienna-calhoun‌:

“Yeah, trust me, I know,” she bit her lip, shaking her head. Listening to the older woman, she gave a nod in agreement when it came to people with money. They usually got their way, regardless of what their children want. “True. Oh my god, yeah. I saw weddings for over a hundred grand and that’s a house. Why would you spend that on a wedding when you literally can buy a house?” A question that she will always be asking. Maybe her normal life made her think a little more realistic. Who knows. “Oh, my parents got married in a courthouse when they were nineteen. My grandmother didn’t know and she had a fit when she found out. They didn’t have a formal wedding until about ten years after they got married and that was their vow renewal. Then that’s when they adopted me. So, I guess I was their anniversary surprise because apparently I was early? I really don’t know when I was supposed to be born, but apparently I was earlier than they expected.”

“Try over a million. It’s crazy what people will spend money on because they have it. I think it’s different when you’ve worked hard for it–– you kinda realize how much everything costs.” She shrugged because though she’d done well for herself, Amelia couldn’t bring herself to spend money frivolously. She knew what it was like to not have enough of it and while she wasn’t a hoarder of it, she definitely was mindful of what she spent. “That’s really...very sweet.” Her chest felt tight and Amelia cleared her throat. She had a vague memory of seeing Vienna in a crib for just a few days before a social worker took away the small bundle of a baby. “And you have siblings, right? I think you mentioned that.” Something about a sister.

[austenkates]

Shantel VanSanten as Vera Buckley on The Messengers, Season 1; 1.05 “Metamorphosis”

[wnq-writers]

Was it that hard to love someone like me?

kinikimkeem  (via wnq-writers)

[ameliaxdonovan]

“I don’t believe you, E –– you would not have named your daughter that.” Amelia laughed as she tried not to choke on the noddles she’d just put in her mouth. Swallowing, she shook her head, going for her water, “tell me he’s lying, Case.” She shot her best friend a grin, overjoyed that she was sitting with them for dinner, the girls in their basinets not five feet away, sleeping through the noise of laughter and dishes as only newborns could.  

cc @kngofhell & @lawlikecaseywells

[ameliaxdonovan]

vienna-calhoun‌:

“Yeah, me either. My last relationship gave me two scars on my shoulder,” she shrugged softly. This was the first time she has ever exposed her scars at an event, normally purposely wearing dresses with long sleeves. She hasn’t really thought about relationships much since. She felt she was better alone. And no one truly proved different. “That’s so stupid. Weddings apparently are made for people you know to celebrate your love, or whatever. Havin people that don’t know yet, makes no sense to me.” Then again, it wasn’t like Vienna knew much about weddings anyway. “Yeah, I mean, I would get a beachy wedding dress. Something simple and flowy. Go to an island and just get married. Maybe some family, but no more than fifteen or twenty people.”

“Thank God he’s locked up,” Amelia said, more grateful than Vienna could realize. “I guess it just depends on why you’re getting married. If it’s for show, I get it but if it’s really for love then....I think they tend to be more tamed. But also, if your billionaire parents are paying for it, then they usually have a say than if you’re paying for it yourself.” She shifted towards Vienna, “trust me, I’ve planned more weddings than I can count and no two are the same. The only thing that’s consistent is they’re a hell of a lot of work and they cost more than they should.” Her own parents had a courthouse wedding and look how that had turned out. No long lifetime of love and happiness. “What did your parents do for their wedding?” She asked after a beat, not sure why but....she wanted to know. Wanted to know that Vienna had grown up in a caring home with parents who loved each other and loved their children.

[weltenwellen]

Ada Limón, from “Lashed to the Helm, All Stiff and Stark”, Bright Dead Things

[love-personal]

[sudaul]

[lifeinpoetry]

“Said, A girl made of splinters isn’t built for love. But they tried, anyway. They tried. And turns out. I can. I can love hard as shrapnel. So hard I melt skin.”

— Jeanann Verlee, from “Bridge Song,” Said the Manic to the Muse

[ameliaxdonovan]

artsweeney‌:

“Nothing like some glue sticks and paper mache to get it all together, right?” It’s what he nieces had used the night before to make a card for the newlyweds since his sister was unable to attend due to conflicting events. It was impressive what Amelia had done and how smoothly everything ran. Arthur was sure it wasn’t something she got praised for besides from the people who hired her to plan their event. She certainly had a talent and a knack for what she did and he at least hoped she was proud of what she accomplished. “Let me get a gin and tonic as well as an old fashioned,” he said to the bartender before tossing a ten dollar bill into the tip jar. “An hour, huh? Do you event get to enjoy yourself at these types of things or you’re more like a fly on the wall until something is requested of you?” He wondered at what point did it conflict with being friends with someone she was managing an event for versus being professional until the clock ran out. “Ah, this is nothing” he said looking down at his get up with a chuckle. “You look pretty great yourself.”

Amelia laughed, nodding along, “right, the fabric flowers were a bitch to adhere to every surface but I managed well enough. Gorilla glue is really the secret to all of this,” she joked, observing the party around them with a satisfied expression. Her lip twitched a bit when he ordered for her and she shook her head, “not always –– but I don’t have much to do until then, believe it or not. Just the send off and then fin. Have you had a good time so far? I’m not stealing you from your date, am I?” She asked, looking up at him with a quirked brow, mouth tugging at the corner. She and Arthur had known each other for a while through Elias and Casey but until becoming godparents over their two daughters, hadn’t interacted as much before the recent months. But she’d found she enjoyed his company quite a bit. He was able to lighten the mood most of the time and they worked well as a team whenever they had baby duty. She hadn’t seen him much apart from the children so while she’d been surprised to see his name on the guest list, she’d been happy he decided to attend. “Thank you –– figured that even if I’m working I wanted to look semi presentable to meet the king and queen. It’s a bit strange seeing them here, isn’t it? Like, obviously I knew they were coming but...I’m not the only one thinking that, right?” She turned slightly so she was facing him and smiled when the bartender brought over their drink, accepting it with a grateful nod. “First real drink of the night –– cheers, Uncle Arty,” Amelia teased, clanking her glass gently against his before taking a sip.