Courtney Blake

As she sat on the floor behind Clara, the seven month old able to sit up on her own, she was just there for support in case she tried to move and tip over. "I have a feeling these two are going to be best friends," she nodded, her own daughter curious with the other smaller human before her. She was happy how the timing all worked out with having her baby and her brother-in-law having his own. "I agree. Plus it's nice knowing they'll have one another in general. Not just growing up but when they get older. I mean I know I definitely want another but if it's not in the cards at least she won't be all alone without someone her own age. What about you and Rory? Are you guys one and done or looking to expand one day?" @brodyblake

brodyblake

He nodded. "Oh yeah. They're definitely going to be." There was no doubt in his mind about that one. He took one of Nellie's hands and smiled as he held it softly. He listened to her before smiling. "I know what you mean." Taking a breath, Brody thought for a moment. "I don't think we've really talked about it. Right now, we're focused fully on this one." He smiled at his daughter. "But, I can see us having another. If Rory wants." @courtneyxblake

#Courtney and Brody #Brody 001

"I loved growing up with a bunch of siblings and you guys next door," she helped to make sure her daughter wouldn't tip over though she was a pro at sitting up. "So it'll be great to see these two grow up together," her eyes drifting from her daughter to her niece and brother-in-law. The sight of the made her smile and she couldn't help but chuckle at the age differences. Nodding, "yeah and I mean it's still early and you guys have plenty of time." She and Cohen had been so focused on Clara that they weren't even thinking of another baby. However they had been together long enough that they knew they'd probably have another. "I get that absolutely." @brodyblake

Cohen watched as Courtney kissed their daughter's head, all of which made Clara laugh even harder, sending Cohen into another fit himself. At this point he'd been laughing for so long and so hard at Clara's laughter, he was beginning to get a side cramp. "She only slept for like fifteen minutes." he managed to say once he was done laughing enough to form a coherent sentence without it being broken up by silence or the sound of his laughter. "So I'm sure most of this is sleep deprivation." he admitted. As she admitted the things that she got - cold cuts, fruits and vegetables - Cohen smiled. "Perfect; we have dinners planned all week. Anything good we can grill sometime soon?" he asked. "I've been itching to try out that grill Mom and Dad got us for our anniversary." Granted, it wasn't a huge grill, nor was it anything fancy, but it was a grill. More than they'd ever had in the trailer before and something Cohen was eager to figure out how to do. He'd used one enough back home with his parents and all their holiday cookouts that he got the idea of it most of the time. "You remember we'd have to buy two watermelons a week during the summer because I would sit and eat the entire thing." he spoke. "I probably would now but;" he paused. "Watermelons aren't cheap." Yet, as Courtney mentioned how fast Clara was growing, Cohen nodded. "It's really sad." he exhaled. "I love that she's growing, but, honestly it also makes me really sad that she's already so big." @courtneyxblake

The sounds of baby giggles filled the kitchen which caused Courtney to smile. The sound of her daughter's laughter was her favorite thing in the world. Now combined with the way Cohen laughed, it made Courtney laugh right alongside them. She the playfully groaned after hearing Clara only slept for a short while. "Hopefully that means she'll just sleep better tonight," she let out another playful groaned and got close to her daughter. "Lady, you're supposed to nap during the day," she shook her head before kissing her daughter's nose. "Sleep deprivation by you or her?" She quipped back before giving Cohen a wink before looking him up and down. The food she had gotten would keep them well fed for a bit and she was so happy to be able to afford groceries like they never had before. "Great," she folded the bags before tossing them in the trash, "I did buy some chicken breasts that I figured we could find something to do with them. So maybe some grilled chicken one night this week?" That in turn made her stomach growl, and was already looking forward to said meal. Finding new ways to cook, with some help from her brother had been a lot easier since moving into a house from a trailer. "I thought you were going to turn into a watermelon baby," she went over to him and playfully ruffled his hair before kissing his cheek. "I bet CJ is gonna love it," and she started to cut up some pieces. "Me too, I'm excited to watch her grow but I miss her being so tiny." @cohenblake

pinarxosman

"We do." She nodded her head, "I'm sure they would be strange to someone not familiar with them." A point that she had momentarily forgotten. "Hey," she held up her hands in a playful mock surrender, "I wasn't going to say it but I was definitely thinking it." She teased as she dropped her hands. "Kind of strange but I've grown accustomed to liking a good bunch of you." Pinar stated proudly, having loved living in Kismet Harbor for as long as she had. "How's new mom life treating you?" @courtneyxblake

#Courtney and Pinar #Pinar 001

"Oh I bet," she nodded as she pondered what other sayings different countries had. Heck even different regions of the US had different sayings that sounded strange to outsiders. Laughing, she rolled her eyes, "it's all good and we do. Even some sayings from back in North Carolina would be strange to people here honestly." Smiling, batted her eyelashes momentarily, "I appreciate that. And I'm glad you do. Oh it's a dream. Being a mom is my absolute favorite thing in the world." @pinarxosman

brodyblake

"Me too." Brody told his sister-in-law as they watched their kids together. The age difference right now was definitely making it hard for them to fully interact, but Nellie was certainly staring at her cousin with fascination and he was loving it. "It's going to be great. They'll be very close cousins, I can already feel it." There was no doubt in his mind that these two were going to be the best of friends as they grew up together. "I'm glad this all happened when it did. Like the universe aligned just for these two to be raised together." @courtneyxblake

#Courtney and Brody #Brody 001

As she sat on the floor behind Clara, the seven month old able to sit up on her own, she was just there for support in case she tried to move and tip over. "I have a feeling these two are going to be best friends," she nodded, her own daughter curious with the other smaller human before her. She was happy how the timing all worked out with having her baby and her brother-in-law having his own. "I agree. Plus it's nice knowing they'll have one another in general. Not just growing up but when they get older. I mean I know I definitely want another but if it's not in the cards at least she won't be all alone without someone her own age. What about you and Rory? Are you guys one and done or looking to expand one day?" @brodyblake

Who: @brodyblake and Courtney

Where: Brody (and Rory's) home

When: June 2026

"I love how they're gonna grow up with one another," Courtney said to her brother-in-law as she watched her daughter and niece kind of interact with one another. Both girls being really young and not really understanding too much, Clara being seven months and able to sit up on her own whereas Nellie was only four months. "A kind of like how we all grew up with a bunch of siblings. And well surrogate siblings with both of our families."

#Courtney and Brody #Brody 001

sebastianxthomas

He laughed, "That's when I call you or the hubs or put her in the shower," he teased, only kidding. But he sure did hope she wouldn't have a blowout when he was around and taking care of her. "But she's so cute she won't sh...poop on me," he said, catching himself as he didn't want to curse in front of her."It's work" what he did for years and always more than 8 hours a day for him, but he didnt mind it. "But good, same old same old Seb" he teased as he grabbed a toy ot play with Clara. As much as he wished he had some news or something new, he did not as of yet, besides an ex hook up popping up in town, but he didnt know if he wanted to tell her that yet. @courtneyxblake

"Wuss," she playfully teased her brother, "diapers aren't that bad...." She paused before shaking her head, "Okay that's a lie sometimes they could totally be horrible. But like you gotta change them. It's a part of being a parent or caretaker or guardian. Or uncle to the cutest baby girls in the world." She turned to her daughter and gave her a big kiss on the cheek to which Clara then started to giggle. "Don't let the cuteness fool you Seb," she shook her head, "and good, watching your cursing. Cohen and I are trying to too but sometimes we slip up." Though their daughter was only six months and not talking yet, she was blabbing and making sounds. But she nor her husband would want their daughters first word to be a curse. Nodding, "I can imagine. But being a chef is exciting isn't it? Like no day has to be the same and such?" She asked, before sitting down by the couch on the floor with Clara now in her lap. "But seriously? Nothing new going on with you?" @sebastianxthomas

📍kismet harbor w/ @courtneyxblake

cjblake: Who would've thought that these two young kids in this photo would be where we are now? I did, but I would've never expected that you'd have put up with me this long. Happy Anniversary, baby. Here's to another twelve years.

#socialmedia #Ft. Cohen

"Hey beautiful." Cohen smiled, turning to look back at Clara who was sitting in her high chair, clearly having been in the midst of a giggle when her mother walked in. Kissing her softly, Cohen shifted his attention back to Clara, laughing with her as she laughed, shaking his head. "She's been laughing like this for the last ten minutes." Cohen laughed, wiping it his eye that had filled with tears as he too laughed at their daughter. "Looks like a good haul though." he stated, looking at the bags, and then spying the watermelon. "Want to place bets if she'll be a Watermelon kid like I was?" he paused. "And still am for that matter, this looks amazing." he stated. "I can't believe she's already old enough to have this stuff." @courtneyxblake

"Hi," she replied back, her cheeks blushing purely from the way her husband looked at her, kissing him back. Even after all these years he made her swoon. Seeing their daughter in the high chair made her shake her head, guessing she was either done napping and had only a short nap or decided to rebel and not nap at all. Going over to their daughter, she placed a kiss on the top of her head, her hand caressing the back of the dark hair. "Whats so funny my love?" She asked and looked up at Cohen, "is daddy being silly?" She smiled and then joined in on the giggles, the sound of baby laughs always making her smile. "Definitely a good haul, they had cold cuts on sale so I got some and then a bunch of fruits and veggies," she then turned to Cohen and raised an eyebrow. "A watermelon kid huh?" Looking at their daughter for a moment and then back at her husband, "oh I just know she is. How much you wanna bet she goes feral for it?" She chuckled and started to unwrap it from the plastic and looked for a knife, "me neither. I hate how fast she's growing." @cohenblake

pinarxosman

The explanation came easily from the other, leaving Pinar with a slack jaw as she took it in. "It does make sense." She let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "I've never understood America's use of such odd sayings," though she grew up with saying of her own, "I've been living hear long enough and I still always here a new one every few months. And people say it like it makes the most sense in the entire world." Pinar admitted with another laugh. @courtneyxblake

#Courtney and Pinar #Pinar 001

Though she knew English wasnt Pinar's first language, she had hoped that her explanation made sense. Letting out a chuckle, she nodded, "oh yeah. We have some weird sayings." She agreed, especially ones she used to hear when living back in South Carolina. The south having their own variations as well and she presumed the north did too. "Don't you guys have some if your own from back home? I'm sure some of those are strange," she shrugged before smiling, "though here in the US we're just kind of strange in general to be honest. Aren't we?" @pinarxosman

@cohenblake

#socialmedia #ft. cohen

Who: @cohenblake and Courtney

Where: Their house

When: June 2026

As Courtney walked into the kitchen, her arms were filled with grocery bags, being as quiet as she could knowing Clara was napping. Being able to go on weekly grocery runs had her arms building muscle so she was able to carry everything in a single trip. "Hi," she said to Cohen, going over to place a kiss upon his lips after putting down the bags, "I got everything for dinner and some things to make lunch for you for the week." She started to unload the bags, and took out half a watermelon, placing it on the counter. "This looked so good I couldn't pass it up," she pointed to it and emptied everything else. "Plus I feel like Clara might like it. She's old enough to have some so why not? Plus it'll be really cute to see her so messy with it." @cohenblake

sebastianxthomas

He smirked, "As uncle, I don't get all the dirty stuff. I get the fun and cute stuff." he smiled, but part of him did think of how he was the last of his blood family, and he wanted to meet someone to have a family with, so his bloodline would didnt end with him. "Ohh sweetie" he smiled as he looked at Clara she was so sweet. He smiled at her a moment, "I am not that excited," he laughed, "Just working like normal," but he did love his job, so he didnt mind it. He was trying his best to get out there and do more, meet people, but as of now, it was about the same as ever. @courtneyxblake

She rolled her eyes at him, "whatever. Though when she has a blowout when you're taking care of her one day you'll have to step up." Unfortunately babies were messy and shit happened, literally sometimes too. She smiled at the way her brother interacted with Clara, the sweet interactions always making her day. " She definitely loves her uncle you know," she nodded and shrugged a shoulder, "I get it. And work is important, just don't over do it." Working long hours was inevitable in almost any line of work, especially as a chef like Sebastian. "Otherwise things are good?" @sebastianxthomas

pinarxosman

starter for @courtneyxblake

location: coffee carousel

Pinar knew some English before she moved to Kismet Harbor and had spent the subsequent years learning more English as it became her second language. She'd learned the grammar, the slang, regional dialects and yet, she still found herself completely defeated by the language at least once a week.

She had been sitting at the table across from Courtney when she heard "Eh, it's six of one, half a dozen of the other." And no one had questioned it. There was no follow up or explanation and she turned to Courtney, lips parted. "I'm sorry, did you just hear that? What does that even mean?"

#Courtney and Pinar #Pinar 001

Sitting in the café, the din of the crowd was constant though sometimes one could pick up an errant word or two. Sometimes she liked to listen in and see if she could figure out what was going on, though only if they were loud enough to hear. She figured if they couldn't keep their volume low enough for only their table or party to hear, then it was free game.

Nodding, she swallowed her mouthful of drink before replying. "Oh," she said with a soft chuckle, "like it means either option is the same. Like it doesn't matter which one is chosen." She hoped her explanation made sense, before adding. "Since six and half a dozen are the same thing. Does that make sense?" @pinarxosman

sebastianxthomas

He smiled as he walked into the home. "As long as I get cute baby cuddies and you change her, I am down," he teased. He had bags with them, food for them, and food to prep for Clara, not a lot yet, but he had been making her baby food for a while. "I know you're getting all too busy being mom now," he joked as he went to the kitchen and set down his bags on the kitchen counter. "But how are you?" he asked with a smile. @courtneyxblake

She shook her head and rolled her eyes at her brother, "wow. If you hadnt brought over food for us I'd accuse you of never helping. That and using me for my baby and nothing else." She was just kidding, as she made her way further into the house, side stepping a baby toy, or was it a dog toy? At this point they kind of overlapped. Clara was babbling happily in Courtney's arms, almost reaching for her uncle. "Best job in the world," she grinned before placing her daughter in the high chair, "I'm good. Like really good and really happy. How about you?" @sebastianxthomas

It felt like for a moment they were both floating. As if nothing that was actually happening was actually happening and he wasn't quite sure what to do with it. He was happy, but he didn't want to be too happy. Nervous, but he was trying not to be too nervous and convince himself this wasn't possible for them. He was feeling all the things, and as she touched his cheek he let himself smile a little softly, eyes fixated on her. "I can." he nodded. "I know we're barely six months into this, but, I think I'd want at least one more." he paused, shrugging. "That's something we can figure out later." he admitted. "For now let's get this house offer submitted." he smiled a little wider. "Get one step closer to the life we've always wanted." he nodded. "I love you too. So damn much." @courtneyxblake

As the one who usually thought way too far ahead, who usually always put the cart before the horse, Courtney was usually level headed. She was focused on the present moment and how they finally found a home that checked olall the boxes and was in their price range. Where she could seem them raising Clara and their pets and just living their lives for the foreseeable future. She smiled up at Cohen and nodded, before letting out a soft chuckle, "honestly? Me too." She put her free hand to her mouth to stifle a louder laugh, knowing she had always wanted more than one child. "Sounds good," she shifted Clara in her arms and gave a nod, "let's do it." She grinned, tears lining her eyes, "we're gonna have an amazing life, more so than we already do." Taking his hand and kissing it and then placing it on their daughter's back, "thank you for being the best husband and father." @cohenblake

END

Who: @sebastianxthomas and Courtney

Where: Courtney and Cohen's home

When: End of May 2026

"Thanks for helping babysit," Courtney replied as she closed the door behind her brother, her daughter in her arms, or rather resting upon her hip and in one arm. Courtney had stayed home with her daughter plenty of times while Cohen worked but sometimes she liked having the company if another human, one who could actually talk and carry on a conversation. Of course her conversations with Clara were riveting but they were usually one sided except for some babbling by the six month old. "Figured we could have a movie marathon and catch up since I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."