There are two sides to every coin

Phoebe Amelia Dalton A boy may be as disagreeable as he pleases, but when a girl refuses to crap sunshine on command, the world mutters darkly about her moods. : reporter for The Chronicle

[anthonybridgertonn]

I’m a hopeless romantic and I believe that you can find love in many different places and be very conflicted. I’ve discovered as I’ve grown up that life is far more complicated than you think it is when you’re a kid. It isn’t just a straightforward fairy tale.

[ladiesinfire]

[twigfawn]

Rachel McAdams, “Passion” (2012)

[insanequinzel]

On a parallel where Harley Quinn marries Poison Ivy.

[mcadamsdaily]

Rachel McAdams laughs at Alessandro Nivola’s story at the Disobedience Q&A @ TIFF, 10 Sept. 2017

[roleplaymmemes]

Send me a ship and I’ll tell you...

[daltonphoebe]

thequeengenovese:

Who asks the other on dates: Michael. Who is the bigger cuddler: Phoebe. Who initiates holding hands more often: I’d go with Phoebe, but I doubt they’re holding hands. Who remembers anniversaries: Phoebe. Who is more possessive: Michael. Who gets more jealous: Phoebe. Who is more protective: Michael.. Who is more likely to cheat: Phoebe, but I don’t think she would. Who dislikes PDA the most: Michael. Who kills the spider: Michael. Who asks the the other to marry them: Michael. Who buys the other flowers or gifts: Michael. Who would bring up possibly having kids: Phoebe. Who is more nervous to meet the parents: No one? Who sleeps on the couch when the other is angry: Michael. Who tries to make up first after arguments: Michael. Who tells the other they love them more often: Michael.

[mcadamsdaily]

“I did, I’m working on it, and I’m wearing Spanx, I failed you there.”

[subtleelevation-deactivated2018]

Rachel McAdams

[michael-colomba]

At the ballet → Phoebe & Michael

[daltonphoebe]

michael-colomba

At the ballet → Phoebe & Michael

Michael gave the go-ahead for the waiter to open the bottle. “Interesting enough. Scotch does not go with everything. The wine compliments the flavor in french cuisine and vice versa.” Highly amused at this turn, Michael had this perplexed look on his face. But as that moment came and left Phoebe managed to hit him with another even more compelling question. To which he was prepared, “I thought it was your job to know how men like me work, or at least be damn good at predicting.” He grinned, looking over his glass. “I was under the impression it wasn’t that long? Maybe I wanted to see who you really were. Aside from a google search. I know how infatuation works, it dwindles faster than the high I get from making millions off a great business contract. I’m not interested in that.” Perhaps in his younger years when running with the Genovese when he didn’t have a care in the world, nevertheless his sincerity was startling to him. “Good to know you were waiting for me to ask you out,” As if his ego couldn’t get any bigger. “I would have never guessed you liked me?” Thinking of all the times they were so nice to one another, who could have guessed.

Phoebe merely shrugged, softening her features with a warm smile. "That is all true and not that I would refuse a glass of wine as you can obviously see, but scotch is a scotch." Partially now she was being stubborn as every Texan naturally was, but if he wanted her in his life, he'd have to get used to that part of her personality. "I should be knowing that, shouldn't I? After all, you're just a man. And every man falls down on his knees sooner or later because of a gorgeous woman." Phoebe leaned closer to him. "See, mission accomplished." To which she herself had to laugh. Phoebe wasn't interested in Michael in that way at first because all she wanted was to provoke him, yet soon she had started finding amusement in their mutual dislike and banters. It was only natural for some feelings to be developed afterwards. "What are you exactly interested in then, Michael?" To be with her for a long run? Well, at least to try be with her. Phoebe remembered their talk in a car earlier that very night. They were both aware of every good and bad aspect of their relationship, especially he was. Michael was concerned for her and her career more than she was, if she was honest with herself. That was saying so much about his feelings for her. "Waiting? Oh, I wasn't, not really. I knew it was just a matter of time, but I thought it would be a little sooner. That's all." Phoebe smiled, maybe giving him the softest and warmest smile up to that very point. "I wasn't aware of it too if that's any consolation, not at first at least. You're definitely more intriguing than any other man of your position due to your past," - Phoebe remembered the tragic story that made him a widower, yet she was still mostly clueless about it as everyone else, only being sure that it wasn't just a car accident. She quickly continued. "I mean, Joseph Genovese was always polite, harsh maybe, but polite. Dave Gambino was cold, but kept his manners always up, while Vito Lucchase was a huge flirt, but actually demonically heartless. Of course, those were their masks, of course. But you, you were simply unapolegitically yourself which was at the same time so refreshing, yet frightening." Where was she even going with that? "I really didn't like you back then, not at all, but when I look at it now, and maybe it sounds crazy, something was pulling me towards you. Whatever was happening, I'd end up being next to you," - Phoebe leaned back into her chair contemplating all of her thoughts. "And then you saved my life, taking me by surprise completely."

[michael-colomba]

At the ballet → Phoebe & Michael

[daltonphoebe]

michael-colomba

No one had used the word mysterious to describe him. Michael was for the dramatics, and always but always the person to make a lasting impression. Just the things he took pride in. “Charming? Now? Because I am always charming, if not always when in your presence Phoebe?” He never once looked up to catch her eyes, for there were far too many words Phoebe could have used to describe him. But he ran with it and he couldn’t help himself when the moment presented itself.

Nodding along, he had that simple smirk on his face. The one that was the most natural when he wasn’t putting on his “act.” It was a rarity but every once in a while it appeared. “Ah, the night is still young.” Knowing him he could have a few more tricks up his sleeves, but it was good to hear. And in the same breath he answered the now present waiter by requesting a bottle of his favorite Musigny wine. As long at it was vintage and red, all he cared for with french cuisine. “Since I doubt they carry your beloved scotch, will a vintage bottle of musigny wine do?” One of the things he wanted to learn was her taste in the finer, most exquisite things.

Most of women would happily approve of the expensive bottle of wine appearing in front of them, knowing that the men they had desired was ready to spend some money on them, or in other words to invest into a maybe more meaningful or simply just meaningful relationship with them. But Phoebe was not like most women."What kind of a restaurant is this if they don't have a scotch?" The blonde sighed disapprovingly before she continued. "But I don't mind wine, not even a musigny as long as I'll have my dose of scotch by the end of the night." Maybe some would say she was predictable or boring, but Phoebe liked what she liked just like she knew what she wanted. And she wanted Michael Colomba more than anyhing, for quite some time. "What took you so long?" Phoebe asked while accepting the glass of wine from him. "Why did you have to wait so long to ask me out, Michael?" He had crawled into under her skin. Througout all of their mutual annoyance, maybe even hate or simply pure dislike for each other, all the other people in their lives, they were here now, sitting in a French restaurant, very much being on their way to become something serious, very serious.

[gossipgiffin]

[daltonphoebe]

Two to three

Sitting by the window with a cup of hot coffee in her hands, the blonde was looking at nothing in particular. A tornado could be coming towards her, disturbing the peaceful morning such as this one, but the blonde in an oversized deep grey wool knitten sweater wouldn't have noticed it. Deep in her thoughts, she was unaware of her surroundings. Ever since she had come back, she couldn't stop thinking how contrary to her beliefs, New York was just the same. Nothing had changed. It was the same old city with the same old people and problems, but she had to admit it to herself. In a way, it wasn't as exciting as it used to be, not to her. And it wasn't the city, it was her. It was her who had changed. And just like that, the reason of the change within her, had made a sound, immediately pulling her out of her thoughts. After putting her cup of coffee down on the wooden floor, Phoebe walked over to the small white crib in the middle of her living room and lowered her head down to its level. "It was about time, baby girl." Phoebe lifted her daughter up from the crib and planted a tender kiss on the top of her head while letting the baby get comfortable in her arms. "What is it about New York that makes you sleep so well ever since we came back? Or at least I came back." But in contrast to her daughter, Phoebe couldn't sleep at all and she knew the reason for her sleepless nights more than well. After all of her plans of moving to England or Spain or even staying in Switzerland after giving birth in Rome, she had decided to come back home. Deep in her heart Phoebe knew that only New York could give her daughter the life she deserved. Not to mention the fact that Phoebe had a successful career here, the one that would be able to give her daughter everything she wanted and needed. However, coming back also meant coming back to the people Phoebe wanted to leave behind. New York was a big city, a huge one actually, but nevertheless, at the same time it was so small, especially when you're trying to avoid someone. Sooner or later, they were bound to see each other.

- - - - - - -

Truth be told, the blonde had no idea if he had been aware of her absence at all. Knowing him, he probaly was, but also knowing him, he probably burned all of his feelings for her the very moment she told him she was leaving him. Knowing Michael, he didn't care anymore at all. But why was she still thinking that somewhere deep down within himself he still had to care about her? Shaking her head at the silliness of her own thoughts, because she knew better than to let herself hope, Phoebe walked out of the elevator after hearing the bell ring announcing that she was on the desired floor.

She couldn't remember who exactly it was, a senator or a governor, but someone of those two said to her in an interview a couple of years ago that the best way to get out of a frightening situation was to simply face it. Besides, Phoebe was not known as a woman who would hesitate in front of anyone or anything. Some would even say she was crazily brave. But would it work in this case or not, remained to be seen, though she had the advantage of being in charge for the time being and she had to use it. Passing right by the front desk, dressed in a black YSL pantsuit and the emerald green stilettos by the same designer, Phoebe was making her way straight to his office just like so many times before, only this time it was slightly different. Today she was not the person the boss desired to see the most. Rumors that would start after her visit were inevitable, but gossip was part of her life. The thin blonde learned a long time ago that gossip and rumors would be always following her no matter what. Obviously, she couldn't be bothered by the stares Michael's workers were throwing at her, especially not by the surprised stare of his new assistant. What did he do now to make the last one quit? Michael.

Rolling her eyes not so subtly, Phoebe passed by the assistant's desk ignoring her shouts and pleas completely. So what if he didn't want to be bothered by people today or if she had to make an appointment first in order to be able to see him? Threatening her with a security made Phoebe only laugh, really hard. Trying to stop her was definitely a cherry on the top of the whole situation. Not even attempting to knock, the blonde let herself into his office, her eyes instantly finding the man she was still in love with, with all of her heart and if possibly after giving birth to their child, now even more. As always, he was going through some folders, reading them and probably already counting the amount of money he'd be getting out of the business deals that were apart of those folders. "I tried to stop her, Sir." His assistant breathlessly said as she rushed into his office following Phoebe. "I really did try. You have to believe me, Sir." Why was that person still here, Phoebe wondered. On the other hand, Michael's eyes found their way to Phoebe. She felt his gaze burning on her, slowly making its way from her face down to her body and then quickly going back up to meet her eyes again. For all she had known, minutes could have passed without them saying a single word. It was enough for them to just look at each other, trying to find the answers in each other's eyes. "Sir?" And the girl was still talking and breathing. But no words were necessary. One look of his was enough to make the girl disappear. Just as all of Phoebe's strength and will was slowly fading away. It was one thing to be thinking of this moment, but to actually be so close to him after all that time? She needed a drink. Taking her eyes of off him, Phoebe started walking towards the bar that he had in his office, slightly smiling when she saw he was still keeping a bottle of scotch next to the bottle of his beloved grappa. The day she told him to put that bottle up there was still very vivid in her mind. How could it not be? Everything between them would always stay with her. Michael was a part of her, now more than ever before. Unfortunately, as she was walking it dawned on her that she couldn't drink, not yet at least. How would she do this without a drink? And it really wasn't helping her that Michael was keeping himself quiet, which was more than odd for him. Usually he'd be already acknowledging her presence in some way. "Dalton?"

There it was, something she hadn't heard in a while. At least not coming out from his lips. It hurt, but also she was more than happy that he called her that, instead of throwing her out of his office because that was highly likely too. "I forgot what an alcoholic you are. Don't let me stop you, but try not to embarass yourself." And there it was, Michael she had known and loved. The pieces of the man she fell for had began showing just as the urge to throw something at him or yell at him had returned like it had never left in the first place. "Only in your presence, Colomba." Phoebe coldly replied, but inside she was burning with anger, though she really had no right. She was the one who left him, not the other way around. "I'm touched." When he said that, using that trademark humor of his, Phoebe realized that she was even missing his never-ending use of sarcasm and irony. She missed everything about him, all the things she loved and disliked about him. She missed it all more than she was ready to admit to herself. Would she ever be able to stop missing him? Stop loving him? "I've been gone from New York for the past eight months."

8 months had passed since she left New York. 4 months since she gave birth to her daughter. One week since she made her way back to New York. From Geneva to Rome, only to find herself back in the city that was hers just as it was his. Only to bring their daughter to the world that was rightfully hers.

Michael dropped the folders onto the desk and leaned further into his leather chair. "Wrong floor, Dalton. A psychiatrist is on the lower ones." Phoebe rolled her eyes before she let out a big sigh. "What? I'm just trying to be helpful. They are the ones who are paid to listen." Taking a deep breathe, Phoebe had to remind herself that this kind of behaviour from his was to be expected. It didn't mean it wasn't hurting her, but she brought that to herself on her own. "Time is money, Dalton." Although, Phoebe also knew why she left him that day. If he had found out about her pregnancy, he would have left her. Having two kids already was enough for him and having a third one with her was never an option. And she respected that, thought that she would be okay with that and that she'd be happy as long as she was with him, but when the test proved to be positive that day, she realized that she could never get rid of that child. It was hers and his, and bringing their baby into the world was far more important to her than their relationship. "God, Michael, listen to me. Will you?" Phoebe looked at him expecting him to say something back, but he stayed quiet. Good. Or maybe not because now she's the one who actually had to speak without further delaying it. "After we broke up, I had to leave the city. Not immediately as you know." They still occasionally ran into each other in restaurants or bars, but it was as if those two had never happened. They were pretty much ignoring each other. "I still had some time, but eventually I had to get out of here. Maybe I didn't have to go, but I had to. And at one moment I was even thinking of never coming back. Not just to New York, but to The States as well. I thought it would be for the best, but as you can obviously see, I'm here." If one had to guess the reason behind her departure, they would never say she had to leave because she was maybe pregnant. Phoebe looked exactly the same, as if she was never pregnant. "I made a decision to go to Switzerland. I have an old friend there and I knew she'd be more than willing to let me stay with her for some time before I decide what to do next. Before I decide what to with my life considering that I've left everything I care about in New York. Somehow, it all lead to Italy. I decided to go to Rome," and just like that she was interupted. To be fair, he was being quiet for some time and that was barely possible for Michael. "Dalton, doesn't The Chronicle have some traveling section? If I wanted to hear about Rome, I'd go there myself. Oh wait, I already..." It was just like Michael to be petty in such a moment or to be petty with her from the start. She wasn't surprised, but she was annoyed. "Michael, I'm trying to tell you something important. I'm trying to tell you that I left because I was pregnant and that you and I have a daughter, so will you shut up and listen to me just for a while?" Phoebe angrily breathed out before she realized what she had just said to him. "What?" How it came out so differently than she had intended to, she had no idea. "We have a what, Dalton?" Phoebe swallowed hard before recomposing herself. "I left you because I was pregnant." He momentarily stopped her. "You came back for some money now?" The blonde frowned at him not believing what he was asking. "How dare you? I came back because I have a successful career here. The one that will give everything to Isabella. I don't need your money, I never..." She shook her head when he started again. "Was that your plan all along? To stay pregnant and get the money? Is it even mine?" And that was the man she was in love with. The man she would have done everything for. Furiously she walked over to him and slapped him across his left cheek as hard as she could. How dared he even of accusing her of such thing? "I left because I was pregnant, Michael. Not because I was not in love with you or because my career was more important, but because I was two months pregnant with your baby and I knew that having a baby with me was something you have never wanted. I left because I wanted to have that baby. I wanted to have a child with the man I am in love with. It was never, but never my intention to stay pregnant, but it happened and I decided to keep the baby and even though leaving you was the hardest thing I had ever had to do, I don't regret it at all. If I hadn't done that, I would have never ever got Isabella, Michael." Phoebe stepped away from him, wiping off a tear that escaped her eye. She was mad at herself for letting him make her cry and she expected another accusation of his to be thrown her way, but much to surprise, he had remained silent. Silent and very much to her dismay, his face was unreadable. "I came here to tell you that I have a child because it was better to find out that from me than to hear it from someone else." Phoebe lightly, barely smiled. "We have a child, Michael. Isabella is your daughter." She had his eyes. That warm shade of brown was the one she got from him and whenever she'd look at her daughter, she'd see in her the man she was in love with. It was breaking her heart, but it was also making her happy at the same time. "I'm not asking anything of you. Not your money, not your name, and definitely am not asking of you to be a father to her. I respect your wish, I always have, but I couldn't let you think that I had cheated on you and left you because I was carrying another man's child. I would have never ever done that." Her heart was screaming to her to say that she loved him too much to ever be able to do that, but unlike of her heart, her mind knew that this was no time for pouring out her feelings for him. Michael and she were a history, now more than ever before. All of the silent cries of her heart and soul would have to be hushed. "To conclude, you have no obligations and no duties what so ever. You are free, Michael."

[dailywomen]

I’m a hopeless romantic and I believe that you can find love in many different places and be very conflicted. I’ve discovered as I’ve grown up that life is far more complicated than you think it is when you’re a kid. It isn’t just a straightforward fairytale.

[redcorset]

love is in the air moodboard

[dailyactress]

Rachel McAdams in Passion

[rihannafenty]

Evil takes a human form in Regina George. Don’t be fooled because she may seem like your typical selfish, backstabbing, slut faced ho-bag, but in reality, she is so much more than that. 

Mean Girls (2004) dir. Mark Waters

[harveyxspecter]