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PUT YOUR BEARD IN MY MOUTH
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@daniiwrites
Master List
Here’s my little library of debauchery.
Film and TV Based Stories here.
Original Fiction here.
---
Roman Reigns NSFW Alphabet
{Dog Days of Summer Challenge} Desert Fest
{Little Wrestling Fic’s October Challenge} - Sacred Ink
Sneak peak of Ruin.
Sneak peak of The Devil Inside.
Dividers by @cafekitsune.
If you see this on your dashboard, reblog this, NO MATTER WHAT and all your dreams and wishes will come true.
Oh hey! Haven’t seen this in forever! Didn’t reblog it when it came across me before, not gonna skip it this time, I need some good vibes.
Jayme Lawson for Cartier 🤍
Jayme Lawson for Cartier 🌾
Jack Reacher (Reacher) x fem!reader
Jack learns that the best way to help you calm down when you're spiralling in a pit of anxiety is to lie on you like a weighted blanket. Which would be fine, if he wasn't so damn in love with you.
The first time it happens, it’s an accident.
Sort of.
Jack Reacher has spent most of his life learning how to read people fast. It’s survival. Instinct. The tiny details matter—the twitch in someone’s jaw before they swing, the shift of weight before they run, the too-calm voice hiding panic.
So when he looks at you across the cheap motel room and notices your breathing going shallow, he knows immediately something’s wrong.
You’re sitting on the edge of the bed with your elbows on your knees, fingers digging so hard into your sleeves it looks painful.
The TV is on low in the background. Some late-night infomercial buzzing static into the room.
Rain taps against the windows.
And you look like you’re drowning.
Reacher studies you for a second.
“You hurt?”
You shake your head quickly. Too quickly.
“No.”
Lie.
He leans back in the chair near the window, watching carefully. “Somebody threaten you?”
“No.”
Another lie.
Not a dangerous one. Not the kind he usually deals with.
This is different.
You stand abruptly and start pacing the motel room. Three steps one direction. Turn. Three steps back.
Your hands shake.
Reacher’s eyes narrow slightly.
He’s seen panic attacks before. Soldiers. Civilians. Witnesses after bad scenes.
But yours is quieter.
Like you’re trying to suffocate it before anyone notices.
“Hey,” he says evenly.
You stop pacing immediately, like you got caught doing something embarrassing.
“Sit down.”
“I’m fine.”
“Didn’t say you weren’t.”
Your jaw tightens.
Then your breathing hitches sharply enough that even you seem startled by it.
Reacher stands.
At six-foot-five, built like something people should probably fear on instinct alone, he takes up most of the motel room just by moving through it.
Usually that calms you down.
You somehow look more panicked.
“Sorry,” you blurt suddenly, backing toward the bathroom. “I’m sorry, I just need a second—”
Reacher catches your wrist before you can disappear.
Gentle.
Always gentler than people expect him to be.
Your pulse is racing under his fingers.
“Look at me.”
You try. You really do.
But your eyes are glassy now, breaths too fast, shoulders pulled tight enough to snap.
“Can’t—” you whisper.
Reacher makes a decision.
Fast.
Same way he always does.
He guides you backward toward the bed and sits you down before kneeling in front of you.
“Listen carefully,” he says, voice low and steady. “You’re okay.”
You shake your head immediately.
“Yes, you are.”
“I can’t breathe—”
“You are breathing.”
Your chest spasms with another sharp inhale.
Reacher thinks.
Then moves.
Before you can question it, he shifts onto the bed beside you and pulls you sideways with him.
You make a startled noise as he maneuvers you flat against the mattress.
And then—
He lies on top of you.
Not all his weight. He’s careful. Precise even now.
One massive arm wraps around your waist. His chest pins yours against the mattress just enough to ground you.
Solid.
Heavy.
Warm.
You freeze in shock.
Reacher keeps his voice calm near your ear.
“Breathe with me.”
Your brain short-circuits for a moment purely because—
Jack Reacher is lying on top of you.
Fully.
Like some kind of enormous human security blanket.
Objectively, this should not help.
And yet—
The pressure eases something awful clawing at the inside of your ribs.
Your breaths still shake, but they stop coming so fast.
Reacher notices immediately.
“There you go,” he murmurs.
One of his hands slides slowly up and down your back in a steady rhythm.
Your body, traitorous thing that it is, starts unclenching inch by inch.
“Oh my God,” you mumble weakly into the motel pillow.
Reacher tilts his head slightly. “What?”
“This is humiliating.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“You’re literally crushing me.”
“You seem calmer.”
“…I hate that you’re right.”
A pause.
Then, unexpectedly:
“You want me to move?”
The answer should be yes.
Absolutely yes.
Instead, your fingers curl instinctively into the fabric of his t-shirt.
“…Not yet.”
Reacher goes still for half a second.
Then settles more comfortably around you.
“Okay.”
After that, it becomes a thing.
Not intentionally at first.
The second time happens two weeks later in Nebraska after a diner shooting, too many sirens, and one particularly nasty interrogation.
You make it all the way back to the motel bathroom before the panic starts crawling up your throat.
Reacher finds you sitting on the floor beside the tub.
“You spiraling?” he asks plainly.
You glare weakly. “What gave it away?”
He crouches in front of you.
You look exhausted. Eyes rimmed red. Hands trembling.
Reacher considers his options for approximately two seconds.
Then he opens his arms slightly.
“C’mere.”
You stare at him.
“…Seriously?”
“You got a better idea?”
No.
You really, really don’t.
So you let the giant ex-military drifter haul you against his chest and eventually down onto the motel bed where he performs his now apparently patented anxiety-intervention maneuver.
Which is how you end up flat on your back with Jack Reacher stretched over you like a six-foot-five weighted blanket.
Again.
“This is insane,” you mumble.
“You’re breathing better.”
“You’re very smug for someone using himself as emotional support furniture.”
Reacher huffs a quiet laugh against your hair.
The sound surprises both of you.
Because Reacher doesn’t laugh often.
But you’ve started noticing something lately:
He does around you.
The problem is this:
Jack Reacher is dangerous to love.
Not because he’d hurt you.
Never that.
But because he leaves.
Always.
No apartment. No roots. No permanent address.
He drifts through towns like a storm rolling across state lines.
And you know better than to mistake temporary shelter for permanence.
Unfortunately, your heart doesn’t seem to care.
Which becomes a serious issue somewhere around Missouri, when Reacher pins you gently beneath him after another panic spiral and your stupid, hopeless brain suddenly notices things it really shouldn’t.
Like how warm he is.
How careful.
How impossibly safe you feel wrapped beneath all that strength.
How every inch of him seems focused entirely on protecting you from the world—and maybe from yourself.
It’s unbearable.
You’re in trouble.
Real trouble.
Because you’re pretty sure Jack Reacher is starting to feel it too.
It shows in little things first.
The way his hand lingers at your waist after helping you out of cars.
How his gaze tracks you across every room automatically.
How he sleeps lighter when you’re nearby.
How violent he becomes when someone scares you.
That last one is particularly telling.
A man in Oklahoma grabs your wrist outside a gas station.
Reacher breaks his nose before you even fully process what’s happening.
The guy hits the pavement hard, shouting curses through blood.
Reacher steps between you and the man instantly.
Murderously calm.
“Bad decision,” he says.
You touch Reacher’s arm carefully.
“It’s okay.”
“No,” he says flatly. “It isn’t.”
The terrifying thing?
He means it.
Entirely.
Later that night, you sit on the motel bed while Reacher paces near the window.
Restless.
You know him well enough now to recognize agitation.
“You gonna wear a hole in the floor?” you ask softly.
“No.”
“You seem upset.”
“I’m thinking.”
“Dangerous pastime.”
Normally that earns at least the ghost of a smirk.
Not tonight.
Reacher stops pacing.
Looks at you.
“You didn’t pull away.”
You blink. “From what?”
“That guy grabbed you. You froze.” His jaw tightens. “Then you apologized to me afterward.”
Oh.
Oh.
You stare down at your hands.
“It’s a reflex.”
Reacher’s expression darkens in a way that would terrify most people alive.
“Somebody hurt you.”
Not a question.
You swallow hard.
“Not anymore.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Then Reacher crosses the room in three strides and kneels in front of you.
Massive hands settle lightly on your knees.
“Look at me.”
You do.
And God, that’s your first mistake.
Because Jack Reacher looks at you like you matter.
Like you’re precious.
Like he’d tear apart the world with his bare hands if it kept you safe.
“You never have to apologize to me for being scared,” he says quietly.
Emotion climbs abruptly into your throat.
Dangerous. Sharp.
You try to look away.
Reacher doesn’t let you.
One large hand cups your jaw carefully.
“You hear me?”
Your eyes burn.
“Yeah.”
He studies your face for a long moment.
Then his thumb brushes under one eye.
So gentle it nearly wrecks you.
“You spiraling now?” he asks softly.
A watery laugh escapes you. “Maybe a little.”
“Okay.”
And then—like this is the most natural thing in the world—he stands, guides you backward onto the bed, and lies over you again.
Heavy. Warm. Safe.
Your face presses into the hollow of his throat this time.
Reacher’s arms tighten around you immediately.
Like instinct.
You breathe.
Slowly.
Steadily.
His hand moves up and down your spine.
And suddenly the words slip out before you can stop them.
“I think I’m in love with you.”
Everything stops.
Even your breathing.
Reacher goes completely motionless above you.
You close your eyes immediately.
Great. Fantastic. Wonderful. You’ve confessed feelings to a human weighted blanket.
Humiliation. Death. Oblivion.
“Forget I said that,” you mumble into his shirt.
Reacher does not move.
Does not speak.
Your stomach drops straight to hell.
Then—
One enormous hand cradles the back of your head carefully.
Reacher exhales slowly against your hair.
“That’s a problem,” he says quietly.
Pain slices through your chest.
You nod once. Tiny.
“Yeah. I know.”
“Not the way you think.”
You frown slightly.
Reacher shifts just enough to look down at you.
His expression is unreadable to most people.
Not to you anymore.
You see it instantly.
Fear.
Not of you.
For you.
“I leave,” he says simply.
There it is.
The truth of him.
Roads and bus stations and motel rooms and no staying anywhere long enough to become part of it.
Your chest aches.
“I know.”
Reacher studies your face like he’s searching for damage.
“And I’m in love with you too.”
Your breath catches.
Completely catches.
“What?”
His mouth twitches faintly, almost frustrated with himself.
“You heard me.”
You stare at him in stunned silence.
Jack Reacher—who speaks in short sentences and guarded looks and brutal efficiency—just handed you the softest part of himself with bare hands.
Carefully.
Like he doesn’t know how to do this without breaking something.
“You’re terrible at timing,” you whisper.
Something warm flickers in his eyes.
“Probably.”
You smile shakily.
Then his forehead lowers against yours.
And for the first time since you met him, Jack Reacher sounds uncertain.
“I don’t know how to stay,” he admits.
Your heart nearly breaks for him.
So you slide one hand up into his hair and hold him there gently.
“You could learn.”
Reacher looks at you for a very long moment.
Then, slowly, deliberately, he settles his full weight more securely around you.
Not trapping.
Not restraining.
Choosing.
Staying.
“For tonight,” he says quietly.
It isn’t forever.
Not yet.
But later—months later—it becomes apartments with badly brewed coffee and his boots by the door.
It becomes toothbrushes left beside each other and his hand automatically finding yours in crowded places.
It becomes soft mornings and hard kisses and the astonishing realization that Jack Reacher, eternal drifter, keeps coming back.
Eventually, he stops leaving altogether.
And sometimes, on the bad nights when anxiety still claws its way into your chest, he pulls you against him without a word and sprawls over you with that same careful pressure.
Your giant, terrifying, hopelessly beloved weighted blanket.
Still staying.
crédits : murdock
Shooter
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 is up.
SHOOTER:. Chapter 3
Aaron Pierre x Keri Hilson | Captain Terrance "Terry" Richmond x Savannah Malone Richmond
Rating: Explicit 🔞
Word Count: ~6.9k
Warnings: suggestive language
A/N: Chapter three, my loves. As always, minors DNI. 🖤
Tags: marine!Terry, NP!Savannah, he came home and hasn't stopped touching her, she bribed his mama with babies and I respect it, blood orange dahlias as a love language, Sandra really thought she had a chance, Gloria don't play about her people, Deacon and Ghost reunited, the business cards, the pack and play, one word text that ruins everything, Terry Richmond is about to remember he's still Ghost
She would always be the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Especially like this, early in the morning, dressed in her favorite robe as she did her makeup for work. Terry's eyes drifted over her face, a little smile tugging at his lips as he just watched her, relishing in the simple fact that he was going to get to do this for the rest of his life. After months and months of staring at concrete, sand and desecration, looking at his beautiful wife as she applied her blush was something he would forever thank God for. He'd been standing in that doorway for a solid two minutes before she noticed him.
She felt his eyes on her. She always felt those eyes.
Her eyes met his in the mirror and she smiled, feeling her blush from her cheeks all the way to her chest.
"How long have you been there?"
"A while."
Her hazel eyes drifted from his face, down to his wide chest and finally to the bulge he couldn't hide in his grey sweats. When her eyes made it back to his face, he was already smiling at her.
"I know what you're thinking…"
Savannah just giggled as she pinned her long hair into a top knot before adding a touch of lip gloss.
"I'm just enjoying the view of my husband…"
"Nicole is already texting you."
"She misses me," Savannah said with a little laugh. "When I told her I was taking the week off, she said she was gonna pray for my vagina," she cackled. "She'll be impressed that I can walk."
Terry just shook his head. His wife and her best friend were a fucking riot. The two of them together were dangerous for everyone else around them. Storm padded into the kitchen, her ears perked up. She looked up at Terry and let out a soft bark. A few seconds later, both parents could hear their baby from the monitor in the bedroom.
"Meet you in the kitchen, mama."
Terry stepped closer to her and Savannah closed her eyes as he pressed a kiss to her temple. On his way to the kitchen, he stopped in the nursery to grab Elijah. The sleepy baby rubbed his eyes as his daddy carried him into the kitchen and started to brew coffee. By the time Savannah made it to the kitchen, fully decked out in her cute new lavender scrubs, Terry had breakfast sitting on the counter and was pouring her coffee. She paused, just taking in the moment of her husband quietly taking care of her before making her way over to him. He faced away from her, Elijah on his hip, as he doctored up her coffee the way she liked it, adding her favorite creamer and collagen. Savannah slipped her arms around his waist, pressing a kiss to his back before laying her head against him. She could feel his heartbeat against her cheek as she took a deep breath of his scent, her nervous system calming completely. Elijah mewled softly, those big pretty eyes of his locked on his mama. Savannah beamed, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her baby boy's lips.
"How's my sweet boy?"
Elijah giggled and cooed, playfully hiding his face against his daddy's massive bicep. Terry turned, dropping a soft kiss on her lips and patting her ass.
"Sit down and eat, Bug… I'll bring your coffee over."
Unable to keep the smile off of her face, Savannah slid into her chair at the breakfast bar, her belly rumbling as she looked at her breakfast. An egg scramble with veggies, chicken sausage, avocado toast, and fresh blackberries. A similar plate with double the amount of food sat in front of Terry, still steaming. And a little bowl with plain scrambled eggs and mashed banana for the baby.
"I have some breast milk in the freezer for him if he wants it."
Terry nodded, more to himself than her as he fed the baby a small spoonful of eggs.
"He'll definitely want some later," Terry said with a little chuckle. "Can't let those leg rolls disappear."
Savannah giggled softly as she began to eat her breakfast. Elijah had the CUTEST little Buddha belly and leg rolls. She was obsessed. She knew that every mother felt that way, but she truly was obsessed with his chubby little cheeks and hands. It was still wild to her sometimes that she was a mom and forever had a little piece of her and Terry to love forever.
"This is really good, baby. Thank you."
Terry winked at her before taking a sip of his black coffee.
"Excited to go back?"
"I am actually… It's insane, but I've missed it."
"I know, baby. I'm sure your patients have missed you too."
"What are you two going to do today?"
"You know… little tummy time… gonna get him reading The Odyssey. Nothing major."
Savannah just laughed, shaking her head. Elijah, clocking his parents' joy, giggled and clapped his little hands together.
"I'm gonna stop by John's office around 4. He wants to see the baby and talk to me about that job thing."
Savannah nodded, popping a berry in her mouth. The couple enjoyed their breakfast over casual conversation, with occasional baby murmurings peppered in. After setting his plate in the sink, Terry walked over to the fridge and grabbed his wife's lunch bag, all packed and ready to go. He passed Elijah to his mother for some cuddles before she left for work.
"Tell John I said hi when you see him."
"I will, baby."
"You be good for daddy, munchkin."
Elijah shot his mother a wide grin as the family made their way towards the garage door.
"Let me know when you make it?"
"I will."
Savannah leaned up on her toes for her kiss, grinning when Terry slipped his free arm around her waist and pulled her in close. Her free arm was around his thick neck and she pressed her body close as her man kissed her THOROUGHLY. Savannah's eyes were a little cloudy as he pulled back, dropping another quick kiss on her lips before letting go. Terry patted her ass, a sly grin on his face as he looked down at her.
"I should call in sick…"
Terry laughed, shaking his head.
"Nicole would kill you for abandoning her over some dick."
"Top-tier dick though. She'd understand."
"She's a lesbian… would she really?"
"I mean…"
"Drive safe, mama. I love you."
"I love you too, Mr. Richmond."
She grabbed her Stanley and lunch bag from the entryway table and gave Elijah a quick kiss before passing him to his daddy.
"Be good for daddy."
"Mama!!"
Savannah felt her heart squeeze and leaned in for one more kiss, smiling when her baby put his little hands on her cheeks.
"Mama loves you, Eli. More than all the stars in the sky."
She took a deep breath and walked out the garage door. Terry stood in the doorway, watching as she climbed into the driver's seat of her blacked-out Infiniti QX80. Storm sat at his side, her tail wagging softly.
"Mama…" Elijah babbled softly, his little hand reaching out for her.
"Me too, bubba," Terry murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple. "She'll be back soon."
Savannah blew them a kiss before popping the garage door and backing down the driveway. Terry watched until her car cleared the driveway before closing the door.
"Wanna watch some X-Men?"
—
Her feet were screaming six and a half hours into her shift and her belly was most definitely protesting loudly. She sank into her chair and set her lunchbox down in front of her. Her husband had packed it this morning and she hadn't taken a peek yet. It was something he'd always done when he was on leave, and that level of care had always warmed her heart. It was very easy to be attracted to a man like Terry because of every aspect of his physical prowess. He was a big man, standing at 6'4", 245 pounds of heavy muscle. That face belonged in museums. It was truly the way he took care of her that made her fall in love with him every single day. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially. Terry had been making the effort to show his love since they'd been together and it was something Savannah didn't take for granted. He made her feel cherished and she hoped she made him feel the same way. The break room was blissfully empty as she began to dig into her lunch bag. She grabbed the glass bowl and popped it open, grinning when she took a deep breath of the quinoa and chicken bowl. Packed with roasted veggies and her favorite feta from the farmer's market… it smelled amazing. She popped up to warm it in the microwave for a moment before checking to see what else was left. There was a little treat in every compartment… Persian cucumbers and hummus in one compartment. Almonds and strawberries in another. He'd even packed her some cold brew for the post-lunch slump. The microwave dinged and she grabbed her bowl, pouring on the vinaigrette he'd packed on the side because… of course he did. When she reached back in for her fork, her fingers brushed a little Post-it note. When she pulled it out, scrawled in Terry's neat handwriting was: "Don't forget dessert." Curious now, she unzipped the bottom compartment, beaming when she saw two bundtinis from Nothing Bundt Cake safe and sound in little mini containers. One had a little note on it: 'For Nicole'. The other was red velvet, her absolute favorite.
That was how Nicole found her when she joined her best friend for lunch, tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
"I'm gonna marry that man all over again."
Nicole chuckled as she plopped down with her lunch, a kale chicken salad from her favorite little bistro.
"What did he pack this time?"
"This bowl… some snacks. Cold brew. And dessert," Savannah said with a little smile, sliding over the other mini cake. "This one is for you."
"He packed a dessert for me??"
"Mmmhmm…"
Nicole had a little smile on her face as she peeked into the container, her mouth falling open when she saw that not only had her bestie's husband treated her to dessert, he'd somehow remembered that the lemon raspberry one was her favorite.
"How did he…"
"Baby, he's Force Recon. He noticed your Bundtini flavor the same way he notices everything else. It's literally his job. You're my bestie and his son's godmother and he loves you. I also think he's got a little touch of the 'tism… His pattern recognition skills are insane."
Savannah took a bite of her lunch, sighing happily as she enjoyed the delicious meal. Nicole slid her treat to the side before popping the top on her salad.
"You know… I think men are gross, but I'd switch teams for Terry."
"Oh my fucking God…"
Savannah's laugh could be heard in the hallway outside the break room, and Nicole couldn't help but join in, her shoulders shaking as she laughed hysterically with her best friend. By the time the giggles had subsided, both women were slightly out of breath and had matching sets of sore abs.
"Deadass though. Marry him again."
Savannah smirked as she continued to eat.
"It's been so nice having him home, Nic…"
Nicole smiled as she looked over at her, so happy to see her friend this content and loved. The two women had been friends since their freshman year of college. They'd met in the dorms and clicked right away… been inseparable ever since. Through nursing school. Through relationships. Through cross-country moves. The two of them were like two peas in a pod. And when Savannah had added Terry to the dynamic, Nicole had known Terry was in love with her before Savannah did. They'd gone on a double date and it was something about the way Terry was looking at her friend. Content. Like it was Christmas morning and she was all he'd ever asked for. The way he walked on the street side of the sidewalk. The way Terry talked about her when she wasn't around. Seeing her friend being loved so deeply made Nicole realize that true love was real. That soul mates existed. That sometimes, the universe gave you a love so perfectly matched to how you needed to be loved that it couldn't be questioned.
"I bet. I know you were missing him like crazy."
"I was, girl… It's so different now that we have Eli. I just didn't want him to miss anything."
"I'm glad he made it back safe and sound. Is he thinking about staying stateside?"
"Yeah. I think he's going to end up working with John. I'll take that. At least it keeps him in the country and not in a damn war zone."
"I can just imagine John and Terry together. They were in the same unit before John retired, right?"
"Mmhmm… met in basic but didn't really become friends until the basic recon class. John's known him longer than I have," she chuckled. "The two of them together are a riot, so a working relationship is going to be interesting. And insane."
"John's another good one. Give me faith that all men aren't trash," Nicole said with a laugh.
"They're a dying breed, I tell you. I can't imagine being on the dating scene right now. You know Janna was telling me that she went on a date the other day and the guy asked her to Zelle him half… Can you believe that shit?"
"She is way too pretty to be dealing with a man like that."
"That's what I said… Maybe I should hook her up with John." Nicole glanced over at her with a little smile.
"They'd be cute together."
Savannah smiled as she finished off her lunch.
"I'm gonna invite her to our next little cookout. See if they hit it off. John's so picky, but I think he'd actually really like her."
"He's only picky because he knows what he wants. Plus, he sees how happy Terry is, so why settle for less?"
"You're right…"
—
A little while later, both ladies were getting ready to get back on the floor. Savannah was at the sink rinsing out her bowl, and Nicole stashed her dessert back in her bestie's lunch bag for safekeeping. They'd both have them later when the sugar rush would hit. Savannah followed Nicole back onto the floor, the friends parting in the hallway. Savannah headed towards the nurses' station to check if her bloodwork was back. Charge Nurse Gloria Mae Simmons manned her desk, her keen eyes scanning a patient's chart. From the moment Savannah started in this ER almost five years ago, Gloria had taken her under her wing. The older Black woman reminded Savannah so much of her favorite aunt, and she'd been a constant source of support during her career. She ran that floor like an army sergeant, and they were all better for it. Gloria glanced up as she approached, her smile warm like the sun.
"Mrs. Henderson's blood work is back," she said, handing over the iPad so Savannah could see. "How was lunch?"
"Delicious. I love having a husband who can cook," Savannah said with a little chuckle. "Has Dr. Amante seen this yet?"
"No. He's been with another patient while you were out."
The post-lunch lull was always deceptive in the emergency room. So easy to get lulled into a sense of calm and then BOOM. Utter chaos. Especially over a night shift. Savannah did NOT miss those days.
"Ok… Thank you. I'm gonna go check in on her."
Gloria nodded, turning her attention back to the ER, those all-seeing eyes of hers scanning the room like she always did. Savannah made her way over to her elderly patient, a smile on her face as she pulled the curtain and stepped inside. The small woman was lying in bed, her eyes on the small screen where Judge Judy was reading someone for filth.
"How are you feeling, Mrs. Henderson? Has your pain level gone down?"
The older woman, seventy-four and still sharp, silver hair pinned in a neat little bun at the top of her head despite spending the last seventy-two hours in the hospital, considered the question carefully for a moment before answering.
"It's gotten a little better, baby. You've got gentle hands. I barely felt that last IV."
Savannah smiled as she made a notation on Mrs. Henderson's chart, using the in-room screen to push updates back to the nurses' station.
"That's very kind of you to say. I try to treat people the way I'd want someone to treat my grandma…"
"Are you two close?"
"Very. I adore her. I'm going to check your blood pressure real quick."
Down the hall at the nurses' station, Gloria glanced up from her charting the way she always did when the ER doors opened. Twenty-two years of instinct. She set her pen down as a smile graced her face. Her favorite little emergency room visitor was here, dressed in the absolute cutest football onesie and looking like a miniature version of his fine-ass daddy. Gloria might have been older, but she wasn't dead.
"Lord have mercy," she murmured.
Nicole was rounding the corner when she caught sight of him, her smile getting bigger when her eyes went from what was in his left hand to the adorable bundle of love cradled in his right. The ripple moved across the floor as it always did—quietly, without disrupting the flow of things. Heads lifted. Eyes tracked. Sandra, a young nurse who had been hitting on Terry for the better part of two years, exited the break room and went very still.
"Ma'am," Terry said with a knowing smile and a wink as he passed Gloria at her station before his eyes slowly scanned the room, landing on his wife. Elijah let out a little squeal when his eyes landed on his mama.
Behind the curtain of bay two, Savannah's eyes were on the blood pressure cuff, monitoring the pressure and checking in with her patient. She didn't notice any of it. But Mrs. Henderson did.
"Oh my…"
"Too much?"
"Oh no… I'm fine, baby. But there is a very handsome man holding a baby, and he is staring right at you."
Savannah whipped around, her face breaking into a grin when she saw her husband standing there, cradling their child and her favorite flowers.
"Go on… Lord knows I'm not going anywhere."
The heat in Savannah's cheeks intensified as Mrs. Henderson patted her hand. She loosened the cuff a bit before turning towards her husband, who'd stepped a little closer.
"Good evening, ma'am. I'm sorry to disturb you."
"Don't be sorry at all, young man. This made my night," Mrs. Henderson said with a little giggle.
Savannah stripped off her gloves and tossed them as she made her way to her husband, walking him back towards the nurses' station. Elijah lunged at her and she took him in her arms with a little giggle, pressing a kiss to his chubby cheek.
"Are those for me?" she asked shyly, her eyes on the blood orange dahlias in his hand.
"Of course they are, mama."
Terry grinned as he tipped her chin up with his finger and kissed her softly, keeping it PG since they were in her workplace.
"They're beautiful… thank you, baby. What are you doing here?"
"We're on our way to John's. Eli thought you might like the surprise."
"Oh did he?"
"Mmhm… came up with it all on his own."
Savannah reached up, her left hand cradling Terry's cheek. He closed his eyes briefly, pressing his cheek against her palm.
"I love them… this was a perfect surprise."
Elijah chose that moment to take notice of Gloria and Nicole, and his little hands immediately began a grabby motion towards them. Nicole just grinned as she walked over and picked her godson up, cuddling him close.
"Thanks for the dessert, Terry."
Terry just smiled, shrugging his shoulders.
"Knew you'd enjoy it."
Nicole just grinned as she brought the baby over to Gloria, where they both immediately began gushing over the bright-eyed baby boy. Knowing her baby was in safe hands, Savannah turned her attention back to her husband. He was dressed in dark-washed jeans and a black henley. His biceps were currently testing the limits of the sleeves of said shirt. His favorite gold chain hung around his neck. Black boots completed the look.
"You look so damn good…" she murmured, reaching out with one hand and playfully squeezing his bicep.
"Now don't start something you can't finish, Mrs. Richmond."
"Who says I won't finish it?"
"Oh?"
"You've got about five more hours to prepare yourself."
Terry growled low in his throat, and something about that sound had Savannah's lower belly clenching in response.
"Gotta work on our girl until it takes."
Terry's eyes darkened, and it took everything in him not to throw her over his shoulder and find the nearest empty room and lock them away. His wife reached up and teasingly tugged at his necklace, bringing him down to her level for another quick kiss. His hands were itching to grab her ass but… he kept them at her waist.
"Ya know… seeing this does in fact make me a little curious," Nicole muttered.
"About what?" Gloria asked, gently bouncing Elijah.
"Maybe men aren't as repulsive as I thought."
Gloria just snickered and shook her head.
"After thirty years, you're suddenly straight now?"
"Well… I mean, Sav seems incredibly happy all the time."
Movement out of the corner of her eye caught Nicole's attention. It was Sandra, a young nurse who had been hitting on her best friend's husband for the better part of two years with zero response. Talk about not being able to read the fucking room. Nicole watched as the woman leaned her forearms against the counter and sighed softly.
"What a man."
Gloria's eyes flickered towards Nicole and her expression sharpened slightly. She remembered what had happened at last year's Christmas party. Sandra in that red dress that left very little to the imagination, landing her in a meeting with HR about workplace party etiquette. Gloria had watched the way she slid up next to Terry while his wife sat nearby, soft and freshly postpartum, navigating her new role and new body… saying something about how men needed variety and how her body hadn't been ravaged by pregnancy and childbirth. How the baby weight hadn't dropped off as quickly as she'd been expecting.
And without raising his voice, without causing a scene, Terry had looked at her—steady, unbothered, and a little disgusted—and said, "My wife just gave me a son. She's never been more sexy or beautiful than she is to me right now. You couldn't compare in any lifetime." And just like that, Terry turned his back on her, effectively dismissing her. Gloria had gone home and told her husband that night… and reported Sandra to HR the following Monday.
"Yes… a very married, very satisfied… very FAITHFUL man," Nicole said, arching a thin eyebrow at the audacity.
Gloria didn't bother to hide her smile. "Nicole…"
"Just stating the facts, Ms. Gloria."
Sandra just sighed, tearing her gaze away from the beautiful couple.
"Yeah… I guess you're right."
Elijah cooed softly, his expressive eyes on Sandra before looking up at Gloria.
"Awww… he's so cute," Sandra said, smiling as she reached out towards him.
Elijah shrank away as Gloria turned her body so Sandra couldn't touch him.
"Do not touch that woman's baby. What is wrong with you??"
Nicole glared over at Sandra.
"Girl, go somewhere."
As Sandra turned and walked away with her tail between her legs, Nicole turned to Gloria and rolled her eyes.
"This is why I'm not into blondes."
—
Terry stood, staring down at his wife as she prattled on about dinner, a small smile on his face. She clutched the flowers he'd gifted her close to her chest.
"I think I want Italian tonight. Maybe we can order from that spot downtown."
"Sounds good, Mama. I can pick it up if I'm still at John's office when you get close to getting off."
"Mmm… and then you can get ME off," Savannah murmured softly, her eyes soft as she gazed up at her fine-ass husband.
Terry closed his eyes for a moment, trying to stay composed while his dick was threatening to break through his zipper. His hands tightened on her waist as he pulled her body closer against his.
"You're lucky that we're in public."
"I thought you liked it like that."
"Savannah Noelle Richmond."
The naughty little giggle she let out as she buried her blushing face against his chest warmed Terry's heart. This woman drove him absolutely crazy, and he prayed every day that he'd get this for another sixty years. He dipped his head, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.
"Gotta get on the road, baby doll. I'll text you later."
"Ok. I love you, Papa," she murmured, leaning up for a kiss.
Terry held her close as he kissed her gently, his teeth nibbling at her lush lower lip. He couldn't fucking wait to get her home. By the time he pulled back, her cheeks were flushed and she had that look he loved so much on her face. He kissed her forehead gently before letting her go. Nicole took the flowers Savannah handed off as Gloria walked over, passing the cuddly baby to his mama.
"Say bye bye, Eli," Savannah murmured.
Elijah did his version of a wave, giggling when Gloria waved back at him. Savannah pressed a kiss to his soft curls, taking a deep breath of his sweet baby scent.
"Mommy loves you. Have fun with Uncle John and be good for Daddy."
"He's always good," Terry said, his grin proud as he took his son into his arms, shifting him in the crook of one massive arm.
"Drive safe."
"Always. I love you."
"Love you more."
Terry dropped one more sweet kiss on his wife's lips before turning to head out, his son waving back at the ladies. Savannah leaned her hip against the nurses' station, a little smile on her lips as she watched her husband walk away.
"I'm gonna marry him all over again…"
—
Obsidian Group was housed in a sleek building, black glass hiding an interior filled with some of this country's most accomplished operators. Men and women who'd put it all on the line for this country. People personally vetted by John Kincaid himself. Terry's black Ford F-450 pulled cleanly into one of the visitor's spots near the entryway. He climbed out and went to get his son from the backseat. The almost nine-month-old was letting out an adorable yawn as Terry opened the back door.
"Hey Bubba… you sleep ok?" he murmured softly, grinning as he stroked Elijah's round cheek. The baby grabbed his finger and promptly jammed it in his mouth. Terry let out a chuckle as he began to unbuckle the little one.
"Let's get you inside and you can have a snack."
Baby bag on his shoulder and miniature in his arms, Terry Richmond made his way into the building, those blue-green eyes scanning the lobby. There was a woman sitting behind the reception desk. Pretty like Nia Long in the '90s with a haircut to match. Had to be former Army judging by the way her eyes took him in and filed him away. She smiled slowly when her eyes landed on the baby. No one could resist the kid.
"You can go on back, Mr. Richmond. He's been expecting you."
Terry nodded a greeting before heading towards his best friend's office. The interior of Obsidian Group was just as sleek as the exterior, all cool charcoals and rich leather. The hallway wasn't crowded, but people moved through it efficiently, the way one moves when used to clearing a space before relaxing. A few glanced up as he passed. The first was a woman with a severe bun at the nape of her neck and a thin scar that dragged from her carotid across her throat, disappearing into the neckline of her shirt. Survivor. Badass. Her eyes did a quick sweep of him, her gaze softening when it dropped to the baby sitting on his daddy's forearm. She didn't smile. But almost. Two men at the end of the hall, Navy SEALs judging by the assortment of tattoos and haircuts, were mid-conversation when he rounded the corner. One of them clocked Terry immediately, recognition lighting up in his eyes. Ghost was among them. Living legend. Utter nightmare in combat. Elijah turned his head as Terry passed the two men, giggling and blowing a spit bubble. Conversation forgotten, the men wondered what brought Ghost to Obsidian Group…
Terry reached out with one hand, giving two quick raps of his knuckles on John's door before pushing it open.
"Guess who?"
John Kincaid stopped speaking mid-sentence, looking up from his computer to see a man he hadn't seen in four months. A man he'd known since they were both scared eighteen-year-old boys on Parris Island. Captain Terry Richmond was home.
"I'll call you back later."
He hung up without waiting for a response before pushing himself to his feet. His dark eyes went from Terry's face to the child in his arms, his heart cracking open in that very moment. The two men gravitated towards each other, dapping each other up before pulling one another into a hug that said more than words ever could. I'm so glad to see you. I'm glad you made it back in one piece. Thank God you're alive. John pulled back and just stared at Terry for a moment, silent as his eyes took his friend in. Home. Whole. And Terry let him. There was no way to describe to someone who had never experienced it what it felt like to see a dear friend off to war and not know if you'd ever see them alive again. Not knowing if they'd return to you in a pine box or with a mind so shattered Humpty Dumpty himself couldn't put them back together. He understood that grateful feeling… to see a loved one return in one piece when so many of their fallen brothers didn't.
"Man… it's so fucking good to see you, Ghost."
"Likewise, brother."
Elijah cooed softly, that expressive little face lighting up when he realized who was in front of him. He reached out for John, and Terry grinned as he passed his child over.
"There's my little man. You're getting so big, kiddo."
"Growing like a weed."
Terry's keen eyes drifted across John's office, taking notice of the space the way he always did—assessing, cataloguing, efficient. The heavy walnut desk was new. The photos centered on it were not. The oldest one, worn by age, was a black-and-white photo of John's grandparents, John Kenneth Kincaid Sr. and Elizabeth Caldwell Kincaid. Terry's smile deepened when he saw the photo of the family at a cookout right before his last deployment—Terry standing behind Savannah, his arms around her waist while she smiled down at the tiny infant in her arms, Terry's father laughing at something outrageous John had just said, and Sloane, John's baby sister and resident badass, smiling over at the newest member of their unit. The last photo was the second-best day of his entire life. He was standing in the maternity ward cradling his newborn son. John had taken that photo, and Terry still remembered, vividly in fact, the feeling of his heart exploding in his chest when he first made eye contact with the tiny little being he'd created with the love of his life. His whole world had changed that day.
"Place looks good…" Terry murmured as he turned to look towards one of the large windows that dominated the space, his eyebrows slamming together as he turned back to look at his friend. "John, why is there a pack and play in your office?"
The small pack and play, grey with cartoon baby animals on it, looked absolutely outlandish in an office dominated by a large desk in its center, a wall of screens offering a live stream of every single inch of this building, and a treadmill facing a window in the opposite corner.
"Seemed easier to get one of my own rather than having Savannah lug one around."
Terry laughed as he shook his head.
"Plus he's gonna be here way more often now that you're back," John said, his face smug as he rubbed the little one's back.
"Is that so?"
"Oh yeah. Obsidian Group is very family-friendly."
"Who says I'm taking the job?"
John deadpanned a look at Terry before standing and walking over to the small fridge near his coffee bar. He dug around in it for a moment before finding one of the organic pureed fruit pouches and handing it to Elijah.
"You keep snacks for my kid in your office?"
"I keep snacks for my godson in my office. There's a difference."
Terry just shook his head, watching as John sat Elijah in the pack and play with his little snack.
"You're a natural. Time for you to join the club."
"Find me a wife and I will. Now… back to this job I know you're taking."
As Terry sat in the expensive leather seat across from John, he watched as his friend dug in the bottom drawer of his desk, pulling out a small black box. He didn't say anything. John just set the box down in front of Terry with a smirk. Terry warily glanced over at his friend as he reached out, opening the box. Inside were business cards. Expensive ones, if he was judging by the heavy card stock and gold-embossed lettering. He ran his thumb across the words, his eyes widening slightly.
Terrance Richmond/Partner Obsidian Group, est. 2020.
Cerulean eyes met warm chocolate.
"When did you have these made?"
"February."
"I didn't decide to retire until April."
"Yeah, well."
Terry just shook his head, a small smile on his lips as he ran a fingertip over the sharp edge of the matte black card.
"I've gotta talk to Savannah."
"I know."
Terry glanced out the window, his eyes drifting across the beautiful Charlotte scenery. Truthfully, he hadn't known for sure what was going to happen after retirement from the military. It had been something that was such a huge part of his life for so long that pivoting to something new seemed almost alien. He and John had talked about a security company for years, and Lord knows, John had the business mind for it. The man was brilliant. But seeing it all come to fruition was something else. A dream deferred. A dream delivered. Obsidian Group would allow Terry to do something he excelled at, while keeping him stateside for his wife and son. He'd go home to his family every night. Terry sat back in his chair, silently tucking the business card in his pocket.
"You wanna see your office? I need to get your input on the decor."
John had a little smirk as he stood up, brushing away an invisible crease on his slacks. Both men glanced over at Elijah, who was happily gnawing on his fruit pouch. Terry pushed himself to his feet.
"Be right back, Bub."
John led him out of his office to a door across the hall. If both doors were open, the two could literally shout across the hallway. Aside from the large walnut desk, leather executive chair, and recently installed bookshelves, the office was largely bare, waiting on its new tenant. Like John's, it had large windows that dominated the space, revealing the beauty of Charlotte. A video wall sat, screens black but ready to see all. Terry smoothed his hand across the desk, his eyes drifting to the only thing on it at the moment. A framed photo. He picked it up and grinned. It was his baby. Not Elijah. His first baby. Savannah.
When they'd first started dating, they'd been out at some fancy spot in downtown Charlotte. The lighting inside had been perfect, and she'd looked so fucking gorgeous. Terry had snapped a photo of her as she smiled over at him, and that photo had traveled with him all around the world. From Charlotte to New York. To places of great beauty and places of utter devastation. He'd carried a printed-out copy of her everywhere with him. When shit got hard, she'd been the reason. She was his why. John had probably seen Terry staring at that photo thousands of times. And now here it was… the first personalized thing in his brand-new office. His "why" stared back at him from the framed photo, and his heart flipped in his chest when he got that same feeling every time he looked at her
"February, huh?"
Terry glanced over at John, and the man had the smuggest look on his face.
"Someone had to."
"Guess you should go on and send me the link to that pack and play. Savannah's gonna find some kind of way to add plants in here…"
"Already on it."
Terry took one more look around the office before following John out, finally noticing the nameplate on the door. His name in recessed brass. If he'd said no, John would have had to get a whole new door to replace that nameplate. Terry reached up, carefully smoothing his fingers across the etched letters. Terrance Richmond/Partner. John really wasn't fucking around.
Back in John's office, the baby was babbling to himself as he played with a stuffed toy. Elijah reached his arms up to be held as soon as he noticed his father had returned. Terry chuckled as he scooped the little one up, his grin getting even bigger when the baby wrapped his arms a bit too tight around his neck. In his pocket, his cell buzzed.
HOME: On my way home. Don't forget Italian. 🍝
He grinned and typed back a response.
TERRY: Already on it.
John chuckled softly when he saw the goofy grin on his buddy's face.
"Wifey?"
"Of course. She wants Italian for dinner."
"You gonna tell her about Emerald Ridge soon? I went by last week and it's looking amazing."
"I was going to surprise her with it tonight," Terry said with a big grin. "I really appreciate you overseeing that for me while I was gone."
"Of course, bro. It's the least I could do."
The two men dapped each other up, and John playfully dapped up his little nephew, snickering when the baby burst into giggles. That sound was something that always warmed John's heart. There was no purer sound than a baby's laughter.
"Drive safe and let me know when you decide on shit for your office."
"Will do," Terry said, shifting the baby's bag on his shoulder. "Did you already install a gun safe?"
"First thing I did. Vaultek VT20i. Same as mine. Right side of your desk."
Terry nodded. At home, he had a Fort Knox pistol box mounted in his nightstand. His tried and true. The Vaultek was a bit fancier, but he trusted John's choice implicitly.
"I'll call you tomorrow. Don't work too hard."
"Sounds good, bro. I'm outta here in an hour or so. I have some new contacts to review and then I'm done. I'm behind on House of the Dragon, so I've gotta catch up on that before Sloane ruins it for me."
Terry smirked, shifting his son in his arms as his friend playfully complained about his baby sister. In his pocket, his phone buzzed again, and he pulled it out, expecting to see another message from his wife.
It wasn't a message from Savannah.
An unknown number. Albanian prefix. One word.
GHOST.
Terry stilled for a moment. Something in him went quiet in a very dangerous way. Ghost was not a nickname that a civilian would call him. Ever. Terry slid his phone back into his pocket before glancing back at John, who sat at his desk, eyes on his computer monitor.
"Enjoy the episode, Deacon."
John looked up from his screen, eyes locked on Terry's retreating back. A nagging thought tugged at the back of his mind as he watched until Terry rounded the corner and disappeared. On one of the screens on his wall, he watched as his friend made his way over to the large blacked-out truck and sighed softly.
Terry headed back out to his truck and carefully buckled the little one in, pausing to press a kiss to Elijah's round cheek.
"We'll be home soon, little man."
Terry walked around to the driver's side of the truck, pausing to glance up at the building that housed everything his best friend had been building over the last few years. This was his future. He knew it. He was right where he was supposed to be. As Terry climbed in and started the engine, his gaze fell to his rearview mirror, where he could see his son looking back at him in the little mirror in front of his car seat. That itch of paranoia tugged at him again. Something was off. Terry Richmond just didn't know what.
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SHOOTER:. Chapter 3
Aaron Pierre x Keri Hilson | Captain Terrance "Terry" Richmond x Savannah Malone Richmond
Rating: Explicit 🔞
Word Count: ~6.9k
Warnings: suggestive language
A/N: Chapter three, my loves. As always, minors DNI. 🖤
Tags: marine!Terry, NP!Savannah, he came home and hasn't stopped touching her, she bribed his mama with babies and I respect it, blood orange dahlias as a love language, Sandra really thought she had a chance, Gloria don't play about her people, Deacon and Ghost reunited, the business cards, the pack and play, one word text that ruins everything, Terry Richmond is about to remember he's still Ghost
She would always be the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Especially like this, early in the morning, dressed in her favorite robe as she did her makeup for work. Terry's eyes drifted over her face, a little smile tugging at his lips as he just watched her, relishing in the simple fact that he was going to get to do this for the rest of his life. After months and months of staring at concrete, sand and desecration, looking at his beautiful wife as she applied her blush was something he would forever thank God for. He'd been standing in that doorway for a solid two minutes before she noticed him.
She felt his eyes on her. She always felt those eyes.
Her eyes met his in the mirror and she smiled, feeling her blush from her cheeks all the way to her chest.
"How long have you been there?"
"A while."
Her hazel eyes drifted from his face, down to his wide chest and finally to the bulge he couldn't hide in his grey sweats. When her eyes made it back to his face, he was already smiling at her.
"I know what you're thinking…"
Savannah just giggled as she pinned her long hair into a top knot before adding a touch of lip gloss.
"I'm just enjoying the view of my husband…"
"Nicole is already texting you."
"She misses me," Savannah said with a little laugh. "When I told her I was taking the week off, she said she was gonna pray for my vagina," she cackled. "She'll be impressed that I can walk."
Terry just shook his head. His wife and her best friend were a fucking riot. The two of them together were dangerous for everyone else around them. Storm padded into the bathroom, her ears perked up. She looked up at Terry and let out a soft bark. A few seconds later, both parents could hear their baby from the monitor in the bedroom.
"Meet you in the kitchen, mama."
Terry stepped closer to her and Savannah closed her eyes as he pressed a kiss to her temple. On his way to the kitchen, he stopped in the nursery to grab Elijah. The sleepy baby rubbed his eyes as his daddy carried him into the kitchen and started to brew coffee. By the time Savannah made it to the kitchen, fully decked out in her cute new lavender scrubs, Terry had breakfast sitting on the counter and was pouring her coffee. She paused, just taking in the moment of her husband quietly taking care of her before making her way over to him. He faced away from her, Elijah on his hip, as he doctored up her coffee the way she liked it, adding her favorite creamer and collagen. Savannah slipped her arms around his waist, pressing a kiss to his back before laying her head against him. She could feel his heartbeat against her cheek as she took a deep breath of his scent, her nervous system calming completely. Elijah mewled softly, those big pretty eyes of his locked on his mama. Savannah beamed, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her baby boy's lips.
"How's my sweet boy?"
Elijah giggled and cooed, playfully hiding his face against his daddy's massive bicep. Terry turned, dropping a soft kiss on her lips and patting her ass.
"Sit down and eat, Bug… I'll bring your coffee over."
Unable to keep the smile off of her face, Savannah slid into her chair at the breakfast bar, her belly rumbling as she looked at her breakfast. An egg scramble with veggies, chicken sausage, avocado toast, and fresh blackberries. A similar plate with double the amount of food sat in front of Terry, still steaming. And a little bowl with plain scrambled eggs and mashed banana for the baby.
"I have some breast milk in the freezer for him if he wants it."
Terry nodded, more to himself than her as he fed the baby a small spoonful of eggs.
"He'll definitely want some later," Terry said with a little chuckle. "Can't let those leg rolls disappear."
Savannah giggled softly as she began to eat her breakfast. Elijah had the CUTEST little Buddha belly and leg rolls. She was obsessed. She knew that every mother felt that way, but she truly was obsessed with his chubby little cheeks and hands. It was still wild to her sometimes that she was a mom and forever had a little piece of her and Terry to love forever.
"This is really good, baby. Thank you."
Terry winked at her before taking a sip of his black coffee.
"Excited to go back?"
"I am actually… It's insane, but I've missed it."
"I know, baby. I'm sure your patients have missed you too."
"What are you two going to do today?"
"You know… little tummy time… gonna get him reading The Odyssey. Nothing major."
Savannah just laughed, shaking her head. Elijah, clocking his parents' joy, giggled and clapped his little hands together.
"I'm gonna stop by John's office around 4. He wants to see the baby and talk to me about that job thing."
Savannah nodded, popping a berry in her mouth. The couple enjoyed their breakfast over casual conversation, with occasional baby murmurings peppered in. After setting his plate in the sink, Terry walked over to the fridge and grabbed his wife's lunch bag, all packed and ready to go. He passed Elijah to his mother for some cuddles before she left for work.
"Tell John I said hi when you see him."
"I will, baby."
"You be good for daddy, munchkin."
Elijah shot his mother a wide grin as the family made their way towards the garage door.
"Let me know when you make it?"
"I will."
Savannah leaned up on her toes for her kiss, grinning when Terry slipped his free arm around her waist and pulled her in close. Her free arm was around his thick neck and she pressed her body close as her man kissed her THOROUGHLY. Savannah's eyes were a little cloudy as he pulled back, dropping another quick kiss on her lips before letting go. Terry patted her ass, a sly grin on his face as he looked down at her.
"I should call in sick…"
Terry laughed, shaking his head.
"Nicole would kill you for abandoning her over some dick."
"Top-tier dick though. She'd understand."
"She's a lesbian… would she really?"
"I mean…"
"Drive safe, mama. I love you."
"I love you too, Mr. Richmond."
She grabbed her Stanley and lunch bag from the entryway table and gave Elijah a quick kiss before passing him to his daddy.
"Be good for daddy."
"Mama!!"
Savannah felt her heart squeeze and leaned in for one more kiss, smiling when her baby put his little hands on her cheeks.
"Mama loves you, Eli. More than all the stars in the sky."
She took a deep breath and walked out the garage door. Terry stood in the doorway, watching as she climbed into the driver's seat of her blacked-out Infiniti QX80. Storm sat at his side, her tail wagging softly.
"Mama…" Elijah babbled softly, his little hand reaching out for her.
"Me too, bubba," Terry murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple. "She'll be back soon."
Savannah blew them a kiss before popping the garage door and backing down the driveway. Terry watched until her car cleared the driveway before closing the door.
"Wanna watch some X-Men?"
—
Her feet were screaming six and a half hours into her shift and her belly was most definitely protesting loudly. She sank into her chair and set her lunchbox down in front of her. Her husband had packed it this morning and she hadn't taken a peek yet. It was something he'd always done when he was on leave, and that level of care had always warmed her heart. It was very easy to be attracted to a man like Terry because of every aspect of his physical prowess. He was a big man, standing at 6'4", 245 pounds of heavy muscle. That face belonged in museums. It was truly the way he took care of her that made her fall in love with him every single day. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially. Terry had been making the effort to show his love since they'd been together and it was something Savannah didn't take for granted. He made her feel cherished and she hoped she made him feel the same way. The break room was blissfully empty as she began to dig into her lunch bag. She grabbed the glass bowl and popped it open, grinning when she took a deep breath of the quinoa and chicken bowl. Packed with roasted veggies and her favorite feta from the farmer's market… it smelled amazing. She popped up to warm it in the microwave for a moment before checking to see what else was left. There was a little treat in every compartment… Persian cucumbers and hummus in one compartment. Almonds and strawberries in another. He'd even packed her some cold brew for the post-lunch slump. The microwave dinged and she grabbed her bowl, pouring on the vinaigrette he'd packed on the side because… of course he did. When she reached back in for her fork, her fingers brushed a little Post-it note. When she pulled it out, scrawled in Terry's neat handwriting was: "Don't forget dessert." Curious now, she unzipped the bottom compartment, beaming when she saw two bundtinis from Nothing Bundt Cake safe and sound in little mini containers. One had a little note on it: 'For Nicole'. The other was red velvet, her absolute favorite.
That was how Nicole found her when she joined her best friend for lunch, tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
"I'm gonna marry that man all over again."
Nicole chuckled as she plopped down with her lunch, a kale chicken salad from her favorite little bistro.
"What did he pack this time?"
"This bowl… some snacks. Cold brew. And dessert," Savannah said with a little smile, sliding over the other mini cake. "This one is for you."
"He packed a dessert for me??"
"Mmmhmm…"
Nicole had a little smile on her face as she peeked into the container, her mouth falling open when she saw that not only had her bestie's husband treated her to dessert, he'd somehow remembered that the lemon raspberry one was her favorite.
"How did he…"
"Baby, he's Force Recon. He noticed your Bundtini flavor the same way he notices everything else. It's literally his job. You're my bestie and his son's godmother and he loves you. I also think he's got a little touch of the 'tism… His pattern recognition skills are insane."
Savannah took a bite of her lunch, sighing happily as she enjoyed the delicious meal. Nicole slid her treat to the side before popping the top on her salad.
"You know… I think men are gross, but I'd switch teams for Terry."
"Oh my fucking God…"
Savannah's laugh could be heard in the hallway outside the break room, and Nicole couldn't help but join in, her shoulders shaking as she laughed hysterically with her best friend. By the time the giggles had subsided, both women were slightly out of breath and had matching sets of sore abs.
"Deadass though. Marry him again."
Savannah smirked as she continued to eat.
"It's been so nice having him home, Nic…"
Nicole smiled as she looked over at her, so happy to see her friend this content and loved. The two women had been friends since their freshman year of college. They'd met in the dorms and clicked right away… been inseparable ever since. Through nursing school. Through relationships. Through cross-country moves. The two of them were like two peas in a pod. And when Savannah had added Terry to the dynamic, Nicole had known Terry was in love with her before Savannah did. They'd gone on a double date and it was something about the way Terry was looking at her friend. Content. Like it was Christmas morning and she was all he'd ever asked for. The way he walked on the street side of the sidewalk. The way Terry talked about her when she wasn't around. Seeing her friend being loved so deeply made Nicole realize that true love was real. That soul mates existed. That sometimes, the universe gave you a love so perfectly matched to how you needed to be loved that it couldn't be questioned.
"I bet. I know you were missing him like crazy."
"I was, girl… It's so different now that we have Eli. I just didn't want him to miss anything."
"I'm glad he made it back safe and sound. Is he thinking about staying stateside?"
"Yeah. I think he's going to end up working with John. I'll take that. At least it keeps him in the country and not in a damn war zone."
"I can just imagine John and Terry together. They were in the same unit before John retired, right?"
"Mmhmm… met in basic but didn't really become friends until the basic recon class. John's known him longer than I have," she chuckled. "The two of them together are a riot, so a working relationship is going to be interesting. And insane."
"John's another good one. Give me faith that all men aren't trash," Nicole said with a laugh.
"They're a dying breed, I tell you. I can't imagine being on the dating scene right now. You know Janna was telling me that she went on a date the other day and the guy asked her to Zelle him half… Can you believe that shit?"
"She is way too pretty to be dealing with a man like that."
"That's what I said… Maybe I should hook her up with John." Nicole glanced over at her with a little smile.
"They'd be cute together."
Savannah smiled as she finished off her lunch.
"I'm gonna invite her to our next little cookout. See if they hit it off. John's so picky, but I think he'd actually really like her."
"He's only picky because he knows what he wants. Plus, he sees how happy Terry is, so why settle for less?"
"You're right…"
—
A little while later, both ladies were getting ready to get back on the floor. Savannah was at the sink rinsing out her bowl, and Nicole stashed her dessert back in her bestie's lunch bag for safekeeping. They'd both have them later when the sugar rush would hit. Savannah followed Nicole back onto the floor, the friends parting in the hallway. Savannah headed towards the nurses' station to check if her bloodwork was back. Charge Nurse Gloria Mae Simmons manned her desk, her keen eyes scanning a patient's chart. From the moment Savannah started in this ER almost five years ago, Gloria had taken her under her wing. The older Black woman reminded Savannah so much of her favorite aunt, and she'd been a constant source of support during her career. She ran that floor like an army sergeant, and they were all better for it. Gloria glanced up as she approached, her smile warm like the sun.
"Mrs. Henderson's blood work is back," she said, handing over the iPad so Savannah could see. "How was lunch?"
"Delicious. I love having a husband who can cook," Savannah said with a little chuckle. "Has Dr. Amante seen this yet?"
"No. He's been with another patient while you were out."
The post-lunch lull was always deceptive in the emergency room. So easy to get lulled into a sense of calm and then BOOM. Utter chaos. Especially over a night shift. Savannah did NOT miss those days.
"Ok… Thank you. I'm gonna go check in on her."
Gloria nodded, turning her attention back to the ER, those all-seeing eyes of hers scanning the room like she always did. Savannah made her way over to her elderly patient, a smile on her face as she pulled the curtain and stepped inside. The small woman was lying in bed, her eyes on the small screen where Judge Judy was reading someone for filth.
"How are you feeling, Mrs. Henderson? Has your pain level gone down?"
The older woman, seventy-four and still sharp, silver hair pinned in a neat little bun at the top of her head despite spending the last seventy-two hours in the hospital, considered the question carefully for a moment before answering.
"It's gotten a little better, baby. You've got gentle hands. I barely felt that last IV."
Savannah smiled as she made a notation on Mrs. Henderson's chart, using the in-room screen to push updates back to the nurses' station.
"That's very kind of you to say. I try to treat people the way I'd want someone to treat my grandma…"
"Are you two close?"
"Very. I adore her. I'm going to check your blood pressure real quick."
Down the hall at the nurses' station, Gloria glanced up from her charting the way she always did when the ER doors opened. Twenty-two years of instinct. She set her pen down as a smile graced her face. Her favorite little emergency room visitor was here, dressed in the absolute cutest football onesie and looking like a miniature version of his fine-ass daddy. Gloria might have been older, but she wasn't dead.
"Lord have mercy," she murmured.
Nicole was rounding the corner when she caught sight of him, her smile getting bigger when her eyes went from what was in his left hand to the adorable bundle of love cradled in his right. The ripple moved across the floor as it always did—quietly, without disrupting the flow of things. Heads lifted. Eyes tracked. Sandra, a young nurse who had been hitting on Terry for the better part of two years, exited the break room and went very still.
"Ma'am," Terry said with a knowing smile and a wink as he passed Gloria at her station before his eyes slowly scanned the room, landing on his wife. Elijah let out a little squeal when his eyes landed on his mama.
Behind the curtain of bay two, Savannah's eyes were on the blood pressure cuff, monitoring the pressure and checking in with her patient. She didn't notice any of it. But Mrs. Henderson did.
"Oh my…"
"Too much?"
"Oh no… I'm fine, baby. But there is a very handsome man holding a baby, and he is staring right at you."
Savannah whipped around, her face breaking into a grin when she saw her husband standing there, cradling their child and her favorite flowers.
"Go on… Lord knows I'm not going anywhere."
The heat in Savannah's cheeks intensified as Mrs. Henderson patted her hand. She loosened the cuff a bit before turning towards her husband, who'd stepped a little closer.
"Good evening, ma'am. I'm sorry to disturb you."
"Don't be sorry at all, young man. This made my night," Mrs. Henderson said with a little giggle.
Savannah stripped off her gloves and tossed them as she made her way to her husband, walking him back towards the nurses' station. Elijah lunged at her and she took him in her arms with a little giggle, pressing a kiss to his chubby cheek.
"Are those for me?" she asked shyly, her eyes on the blood orange dahlias in his hand.
"Of course they are, mama."
Terry grinned as he tipped her chin up with his finger and kissed her softly, keeping it PG since they were in her workplace.
"They're beautiful… thank you, baby. What are you doing here?"
"We're on our way to John's. Eli thought you might like the surprise."
"Oh did he?"
"Mmhm… came up with it all on his own."
Savannah reached up, her left hand cradling Terry's cheek. He closed his eyes briefly, pressing his cheek against her palm.
"I love them… this was a perfect surprise."
Elijah chose that moment to take notice of Gloria and Nicole, and his little hands immediately began a grabby motion towards them. Nicole just grinned as she walked over and picked her godson up, cuddling him close.
"Thanks for the dessert, Terry."
Terry just smiled, shrugging his shoulders.
"Knew you'd enjoy it."
Nicole just grinned as she brought the baby over to Gloria, where they both immediately began gushing over the bright-eyed baby boy. Knowing her baby was in safe hands, Savannah turned her attention back to her husband. He was dressed in dark-washed jeans and a black henley. His biceps were currently testing the limits of the sleeves of said shirt. His favorite gold chain hung around his neck. Black boots completed the look.
"You look so damn good…" she murmured, reaching out with one hand and playfully squeezing his bicep.
"Now don't start something you can't finish, Mrs. Richmond."
"Who says I won't finish it?"
"Oh?"
"You've got about five more hours to prepare yourself."
Terry growled low in his throat, and something about that sound had Savannah's lower belly clenching in response.
"Gotta work on our girl until it takes."
Terry's eyes darkened, and it took everything in him not to throw her over his shoulder and find the nearest empty room and lock them away. His wife reached up and teasingly tugged at his necklace, bringing him down to her level for another quick kiss. His hands were itching to grab her ass but… he kept them at her waist.
"Ya know… seeing this does in fact make me a little curious," Nicole muttered.
"About what?" Gloria asked, gently bouncing Elijah.
"Maybe men aren't as repulsive as I thought."
Gloria just snickered and shook her head.
"After thirty years, you're suddenly straight now?"
"Well… I mean, Sav seems incredibly happy all the time."
Movement out of the corner of her eye caught Nicole's attention. It was Sandra, a young nurse who had been hitting on her best friend's husband for the better part of two years with zero response. Talk about not being able to read the fucking room. Nicole watched as the woman leaned her forearms against the counter and sighed softly.
"What a man."
Gloria's eyes flickered towards Nicole and her expression sharpened slightly. She remembered what had happened at last year's Christmas party. Sandra in that red dress that left very little to the imagination, landing her in a meeting with HR about workplace party etiquette. Gloria had watched the way she slid up next to Terry while his wife sat nearby, soft and freshly postpartum, navigating her new role and new body… saying something about how men needed variety and how her body hadn't been ravaged by pregnancy and childbirth. How the baby weight hadn't dropped off as quickly as she'd been expecting.
And without raising his voice, without causing a scene, Terry had looked at her—steady, unbothered, and a little disgusted—and said, "My wife just gave me a son. She's never been more sexy or beautiful than she is to me right now. You couldn't compare in any lifetime." And just like that, Terry turned his back on her, effectively dismissing her. Gloria had gone home and told her husband that night… and reported Sandra to HR the following Monday.
"Yes… a very married, very satisfied… very FAITHFUL man," Nicole said, arching a thin eyebrow at the audacity.
Gloria didn't bother to hide her smile. "Nicole…"
"Just stating the facts, Ms. Gloria."
Sandra just sighed, tearing her gaze away from the beautiful couple.
"Yeah… I guess you're right."
Elijah cooed softly, his expressive eyes on Sandra before looking up at Gloria.
"Awww… he's so cute," Sandra said, smiling as she reached out towards him.
Elijah shrank away as Gloria turned her body so Sandra couldn't touch him.
"Do not touch that woman's baby. What is wrong with you??"
Nicole glared over at Sandra.
"Girl, go somewhere."
As Sandra turned and walked away with her tail between her legs, Nicole turned to Gloria and rolled her eyes.
"This is why I'm not into blondes."
—
Terry stood, staring down at his wife as she prattled on about dinner, a small smile on his face. She clutched the flowers he'd gifted her close to her chest.
"I think I want Italian tonight. Maybe we can order from that spot downtown."
"Sounds good, Mama. I can pick it up if I'm still at John's office when you get close to getting off."
"Mmm… and then you can get ME off," Savannah murmured softly, her eyes soft as she gazed up at her fine-ass husband.
Terry closed his eyes for a moment, trying to stay composed while his dick was threatening to break through his zipper. His hands tightened on her waist as he pulled her body closer against his.
"You're lucky that we're in public."
"I thought you liked it like that."
"Savannah Noelle Richmond."
The naughty little giggle she let out as she buried her blushing face against his chest warmed Terry's heart. This woman drove him absolutely crazy, and he prayed every day that he'd get this for another sixty years. He dipped his head, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.
"Gotta get on the road, baby doll. I'll text you later."
"Ok. I love you, Papa," she murmured, leaning up for a kiss.
Terry held her close as he kissed her gently, his teeth nibbling at her lush lower lip. He couldn't fucking wait to get her home. By the time he pulled back, her cheeks were flushed and she had that look he loved so much on her face. He kissed her forehead gently before letting her go. Nicole took the flowers Savannah handed off as Gloria walked over, passing the cuddly baby to his mama.
"Say bye bye, Eli," Savannah murmured.
Elijah did his version of a wave, giggling when Gloria waved back at him. Savannah pressed a kiss to his soft curls, taking a deep breath of his sweet baby scent.
"Mommy loves you. Have fun with Uncle John and be good for Daddy."
"He's always good," Terry said, his grin proud as he took his son into his arms, shifting him in the crook of one massive arm.
"Drive safe."
"Always. I love you."
"Love you more."
Terry dropped one more sweet kiss on his wife's lips before turning to head out, his son waving back at the ladies. Savannah leaned her hip against the nurses' station, a little smile on her lips as she watched her husband walk away.
"I'm gonna marry him all over again…"
—
Obsidian Group was housed in a sleek building, black glass hiding an interior filled with some of this country's most accomplished operators. Men and women who'd put it all on the line for this country. People personally vetted by John Kincaid himself. Terry's black Ford F-450 pulled cleanly into one of the visitor's spots near the entryway. He climbed out and went to get his son from the backseat. The almost nine-month-old was letting out an adorable yawn as Terry opened the back door.
"Hey Bubba… you sleep ok?" he murmured softly, grinning as he stroked Elijah's round cheek. The baby grabbed his finger and promptly jammed it in his mouth. Terry let out a chuckle as he began to unbuckle the little one.
"Let's get you inside and you can have a snack."
Baby bag on his shoulder and miniature in his arms, Terry Richmond made his way into the building, those blue-green eyes scanning the lobby. There was a woman sitting behind the reception desk. Pretty like Nia Long in the '90s with a haircut to match. Had to be former Army judging by the way her eyes took him in and filed him away. She smiled slowly when her eyes landed on the baby. No one could resist the kid.
"You can go on back, Mr. Richmond. He's been expecting you."
Terry nodded a greeting before heading towards his best friend's office. The interior of Obsidian Group was just as sleek as the exterior, all cool charcoals and rich leather. The hallway wasn't crowded, but people moved through it efficiently, the way one moves when used to clearing a space before relaxing. A few glanced up as he passed. The first was a woman with a severe bun at the nape of her neck and a thin scar that dragged from her carotid across her throat, disappearing into the neckline of her shirt. Survivor. Badass. Her eyes did a quick sweep of him, her gaze softening when it dropped to the baby sitting on his daddy's forearm. She didn't smile. But almost. Two men at the end of the hall, Navy SEALs judging by the assortment of tattoos and haircuts, were mid-conversation when he rounded the corner. One of them clocked Terry immediately, recognition lighting up in his eyes. Ghost was among them. Living legend. Utter nightmare in combat. Elijah turned his head as Terry passed the two men, giggling and blowing a spit bubble. Conversation forgotten, the men wondered what brought Ghost to Obsidian Group…
Terry reached out with one hand, giving two quick raps of his knuckles on John's door before pushing it open.
"Guess who?"
John Kincaid stopped speaking mid-sentence, looking up from his computer to see a man he hadn't seen in four months. A man he'd known since they were both scared eighteen-year-old boys on Parris Island. Captain Terry Richmond was home.
"I'll call you back later."
He hung up without waiting for a response before pushing himself to his feet. His dark eyes went from Terry's face to the child in his arms, his heart cracking open in that very moment. The two men gravitated towards each other, dapping each other up before pulling one another into a hug that said more than words ever could. I'm so glad to see you. I'm glad you made it back in one piece. Thank God you're alive. John pulled back and just stared at Terry for a moment, silent as his eyes took his friend in. Home. Whole. And Terry let him. There was no way to describe to someone who had never experienced it what it felt like to see a dear friend off to war and not know if you'd ever see them alive again. Not knowing if they'd return to you in a pine box or with a mind so shattered Humpty Dumpty himself couldn't put them back together. He understood that grateful feeling… to see a loved one return in one piece when so many of their fallen brothers didn't.
"Man… it's so fucking good to see you, Ghost."
"Likewise, brother."
Elijah cooed softly, that expressive little face lighting up when he realized who was in front of him. He reached out for John, and Terry grinned as he passed his child over.
"There's my little man. You're getting so big, kiddo."
"Growing like a weed."
Terry's keen eyes drifted across John's office, taking notice of the space the way he always did—assessing, cataloguing, efficient. The heavy walnut desk was new. The photos centered on it were not. The oldest one, worn by age, was a black-and-white photo of John's grandparents, John Kenneth Kincaid Sr. and Elizabeth Caldwell Kincaid. Terry's smile deepened when he saw the photo of the family at a cookout right before his last deployment—Terry standing behind Savannah, his arms around her waist while she smiled down at the tiny infant in her arms, Terry's father laughing at something outrageous John had just said, and Sloane, John's baby sister and resident badass, smiling over at the newest member of their unit. The last photo was the second-best day of his entire life. He was standing in the maternity ward cradling his newborn son. John had taken that photo, and Terry still remembered, vividly in fact, the feeling of his heart exploding in his chest when he first made eye contact with the tiny little being he'd created with the love of his life. His whole world had changed that day.
"Place looks good…" Terry murmured as he turned to look towards one of the large windows that dominated the space, his eyebrows slamming together as he turned back to look at his friend. "John, why is there a pack and play in your office?"
The small pack and play, grey with cartoon baby animals on it, looked absolutely outlandish in an office dominated by a large desk in its center, a wall of screens offering a live stream of every single inch of this building, and a treadmill facing a window in the opposite corner.
"Seemed easier to get one of my own rather than having Savannah lug one around."
Terry laughed as he shook his head.
"Plus he's gonna be here way more often now that you're back," John said, his face smug as he rubbed the little one's back.
"Is that so?"
"Oh yeah. Obsidian Group is very family-friendly."
"Who says I'm taking the job?"
John deadpanned a look at Terry before standing and walking over to the small fridge near his coffee bar. He dug around in it for a moment before finding one of the organic pureed fruit pouches and handing it to Elijah.
"You keep snacks for my kid in your office?"
"I keep snacks for my godson in my office. There's a difference."
Terry just shook his head, watching as John sat Elijah in the pack and play with his little snack.
"You're a natural. Time for you to join the club."
"Find me a wife and I will. Now… back to this job I know you're taking."
As Terry sat in the expensive leather seat across from John, he watched as his friend dug in the bottom drawer of his desk, pulling out a small black box. He didn't say anything. John just set the box down in front of Terry with a smirk. Terry warily glanced over at his friend as he reached out, opening the box. Inside were business cards. Expensive ones, if he was judging by the heavy card stock and gold-embossed lettering. He ran his thumb across the words, his eyes widening slightly.
Terrance Richmond/Partner Obsidian Group, est. 2020.
Cerulean eyes met warm chocolate.
"When did you have these made?"
"February."
"I didn't decide to retire until April."
"Yeah, well."
Terry just shook his head, a small smile on his lips as he ran a fingertip over the sharp edge of the matte black card.
"I've gotta talk to Savannah."
"I know."
Terry glanced out the window, his eyes drifting across the beautiful Charlotte scenery. Truthfully, he hadn't known for sure what was going to happen after retirement from the military. It had been something that was such a huge part of his life for so long that pivoting to something new seemed almost alien. He and John had talked about a security company for years, and Lord knows, John had the business mind for it. The man was brilliant. But seeing it all come to fruition was something else. A dream deferred. A dream delivered. Obsidian Group would allow Terry to do something he excelled at, while keeping him stateside for his wife and son. He'd go home to his family every night. Terry sat back in his chair, silently tucking the business card in his pocket.
"You wanna see your office? I need to get your input on the decor."
John had a little smirk as he stood up, brushing away an invisible crease on his slacks. Both men glanced over at Elijah, who was happily gnawing on his fruit pouch. Terry pushed himself to his feet.
"Be right back, Bub."
John led him out of his office to a door across the hall. If both doors were open, the two could literally shout across the hallway. Aside from the large walnut desk, leather executive chair, and recently installed bookshelves, the office was largely bare, waiting on its new tenant. Like John's, it had large windows that dominated the space, revealing the beauty of Charlotte. A video wall sat, screens black but ready to see all. Terry smoothed his hand across the desk, his eyes drifting to the only thing on it at the moment. A framed photo. He picked it up and grinned. It was his baby. Not Elijah. His first baby. Savannah.
When they'd first started dating, they'd been out at some fancy spot in downtown Charlotte. The lighting inside had been perfect, and she'd looked so fucking gorgeous. Terry had snapped a photo of her as she smiled over at him, and that photo had traveled with him all around the world. From Charlotte to New York. To places of great beauty and places of utter devastation. He'd carried a printed-out copy of her everywhere with him. When shit got hard, she'd been the reason. She was his why. John had probably seen Terry staring at that photo thousands of times. And now here it was… the first personalized thing in his brand-new office. His "why" stared back at him from the framed photo, and his heart flipped in his chest when he got that same feeling every time he looked at her
"February, huh?"
Terry glanced over at John, and the man had the smuggest look on his face.
"Someone had to."
"Guess you should go on and send me the link to that pack and play. Savannah's gonna find some kind of way to add plants in here…"
"Already on it."
Terry took one more look around the office before following John out, finally noticing the nameplate on the door. His name in recessed brass. If he'd said no, John would have had to get a whole new door to replace that nameplate. Terry reached up, carefully smoothing his fingers across the etched letters. Terrance Richmond/Partner. John really wasn't fucking around.
Back in John's office, the baby was babbling to himself as he played with a stuffed toy. Elijah reached his arms up to be held as soon as he noticed his father had returned. Terry chuckled as he scooped the little one up, his grin getting even bigger when the baby wrapped his arms a bit too tight around his neck. In his pocket, his cell buzzed.
HOME: On my way home. Don't forget Italian. 🍝
He grinned and typed back a response.
TERRY: Already on it.
John chuckled softly when he saw the goofy grin on his buddy's face.
"Wifey?"
"Of course. She wants Italian for dinner."
"You gonna tell her about Emerald Ridge soon? I went by last week and it's looking amazing."
"I was going to surprise her with it tonight," Terry said with a big grin. "I really appreciate you overseeing that for me while I was gone."
"Of course, bro. It's the least I could do."
The two men dapped each other up, and John playfully dapped up his little nephew, snickering when the baby burst into giggles. That sound was something that always warmed John's heart. There was no purer sound than a baby's laughter.
"Drive safe and let me know when you decide on shit for your office."
"Will do," Terry said, shifting the baby's bag on his shoulder. "Did you already install a gun safe?"
"First thing I did. Vaultek VT20i. Same as mine. Right side of your desk."
Terry nodded. At home, he had a Fort Knox pistol box mounted in his nightstand. His tried and true. The Vaultek was a bit fancier, but he trusted John's choice implicitly.
"I'll call you tomorrow. Don't work too hard."
"Sounds good, bro. I'm outta here in an hour or so. I have some new contacts to review and then I'm done. I'm behind on House of the Dragon, so I've gotta catch up on that before Sloane ruins it for me."
Terry smirked, shifting his son in his arms as his friend playfully complained about his baby sister. In his pocket, his phone buzzed again, and he pulled it out, expecting to see another message from his wife.
It wasn't a message from Savannah.
An unknown number. Albanian prefix. One word.
GHOST.
Terry stilled for a moment. Something in him went quiet in a very dangerous way. Ghost was not a nickname that a civilian would call him. Ever. Terry slid his phone back into his pocket before glancing back at John, who sat at his desk, eyes on his computer monitor.
"Enjoy the episode, Deacon."
John looked up from his screen, eyes locked on Terry's retreating back. A nagging thought tugged at the back of his mind as he watched until Terry rounded the corner and disappeared. On one of the screens on his wall, he watched as his friend made his way over to the large blacked-out truck and sighed softly.
Terry headed back out to his truck and carefully buckled the little one in, pausing to press a kiss to Elijah's round cheek.
"We'll be home soon, little man."
Terry walked around to the driver's side of the truck, pausing to glance up at the building that housed everything his best friend had been building over the last few years. This was his future. He knew it. He was right where he was supposed to be. As Terry climbed in and started the engine, his gaze fell to his rearview mirror, where he could see his son looking back at him in the little mirror in front of his car seat. That itch of paranoia tugged at him again. Something was off. Terry Richmond just didn't know what.
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Beautiful Violent Things cover
I don't know who came up with this idea... just that I first saw it on @pocketsizedpanther 's page. Message me if you want credit for it. But it's happening. Here's the prompt:
A mafia!AU with AJ as the ruthless older brother in charge of the family business....with twin!aaron as the slightly unserious & just a touch reckless, but still geniuses younger brothers (just a 2 year age difference). One twin is a tech genius, the other a science genius
OR
Another Mafia!AU: Charismatic older brother AJ that everybody lowkey fears bc he's known to be involved in some underground boxing rings. Quiet younger brother Aaron that everybody thinks is soft bc he's soft-spoken, shy & reads a lot, but he's the executioner when the time comes & is the one with the more volatile temper.
This story is a mix of both prompts.
And here's the cover. BEAUTIFUL VIOLENT THINGS coming soon.
Starring: Aaron Pierre as Rémy Delacroix
Lady London as Simone August
Anthony Joshua as Séverin Delacroix
Candice Patton as Reyna Holloway
Ties That Bind
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Baybee, you are really cooking with this series. Shannon (Jade) is that girl!!!
Thank you! And she really is.... She is just as stunning in real life.
one of the best feelings tbh
You gotta continue the Shooter chapters 🥹 The girlies need more of a sista being treated right by a good man 🥹🥰
LOL. Shooter has at least 20 chapters mapped out. It's not ending any time soon. Just gotta find the time to write for fun and not for work. :)
List of Superpowers
An incomplete list of powers that can be used for good and evil.
amalgamation – ability to merge existing creations
attack powers – blasting, shock waves, object projection, fire breath, laser vision, etc.
creation – ability to create out of nothing
dream manipulation – ability to change dreams
echolocation – ability to determine locations through reflected sound waves
elasticity – ability to stretch their body in any way
element control - ability to control the elements
emotions manipulation – ability to manipulate the emotions of others and themselves
empathy – ability to feel and replicate the emotions, moods, and temperaments of others
energy absorption – ability to absorb energy from people and objects and use it
enhanced physical skills – like senses, stamina, strength, accuracy, intelligence, speed, etc.
fear inducement – ability to evoke extreme fear and horror in others
flight – ability to fly
hypnosis – ability to hypnotise and manipulate others
immortality – not being able to die
immutability – not being able to get altered by outside forces
invisibility – impossible to see
invulnerability – being immune to all forms of physical harm
knowledge replication – ability to replicate the knowledge and skills of others
levitation – ability to levitate in the air
magic – conjuring things
mind control – having control over another’s mind
omnilingualism – ability to speak and understand every language
portal creation – ability to create portals for transport
psychokinesis – ability to move energy and matter
reality warping – ability to manipulate reality
regeneration – ability to rapidly heal
replication – ability to replicate people (including themselves) and objects
self-detonation – ability to self-explode
shapeshifting – ability to change their appearance
telekinesis – ability to move objects with their mind
telepathy – ability to communicate through their minds
teleportation – ability to instantaneously travel
temperature resistance – ability to survive extreme temperatures
vocal mind control – ability to control people with their voice
x-ray vision – ability to see x-rays
More: Hero & Villain Masterpost
If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰
https://x.com/wb_loe/status/1833854339393241405?s=46
Savannah and terry🫦
Hahahaha!! Accurate!
observational skills: anthony joshua x black!fem reader
summary: 😅
warnings: 18+, NSFW. wc: 1.7k
“I feel like your hands would look so good around my throat.” You casually said.
Anthony doesn’t reply, he looks over at you. You feel his eyes on you, but instead you decide to play clueless, keeping your head down your phone becoming so interesting.
“You wanna repeat that for me?” He asks.
As you lifted your head to meet his eyes, you shrug. “I think you heard me just fine.” Turning your attention back to your phone.
He nods once, sort of like he’s making a mental note.
The night wound down just like the rest of the day, easily. You and him both had time in y’all schedules to do nothing; spend a little time together. Then come back home and be lazy. Anthony was finishing his nightly routine while you were barely paying attention to the TV. He came out of your shared bathroom shirtless in a pair of sweats hanging low on his hips; he makes his way over to you, climbing in the bed laying on his stomach between your thighs.
He rests his head on your thighs, kissing the exposed skin since you’re wearing an old T-shirt of his. His clothes are your favorite thing to sleep in and he highkey loves seeing you in them. “You ‘gon keep playing coy?” He asks lowly, letting hands rub up your thighs, always having to touch you in some way.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about AJ.” You breathe.
He hums, not in approval but in feigned surprise. “You don’t?”
Your eyes are low as you nod slowly, watching your man rest between your legs like it’s his favorite place to be. “Guess we gotta change that, right?” He says, shifting himself onto his elbows, allowing him the space to move around. He drops a kiss on the inner part of your thigh, working his way up to under the old shirt. As he gets closer to your pussy, he switches to your other thigh doing the same thing.
“Stop teasing me.” You whine.
He of course ignores you. In his mind he’s already made up that he’s setting the pace for tonight. His eyes look up and you truly take in how beautiful he is. His eyes were your favorite feature of his; they just held this light to them. You could always get lost in them. Tonight though, the usual light in his eyes is replaced with a smoldering heat.
As he finally ends his teasing, he pulls you close to him, letting your legs rest on his shoulders. In moving you closer to him, the shirt rode up and leaves your lower half uncovered; to get it out the way completely you pull the shirt over your head, tossing it somewhere behind you. He breathes in deep, taking in the scent of your arousal mixed with whatever body wash you used during your shower and some vanilla scented body butter, your skin soft and supple against his. You watch as he unfurls his tongue, then flattens it while dragging it up your slit. You moan softly, the eye contact from him turning you on more than the act of him eating you out. His tongue continues to lap against your pussy; your hands caress the back of his head, trying to pull him closer to you while your hips grind against his face chasing your release. You try to close your legs over his face, the pleasure too much but, he quickly readjusts his arms under your thighs, keeping them open allowing him to feast.
His tongue moves to your clit, lapping at it softly; like he’s eating ice cream on a hot day. Alternating between that and the sloppy figure eights against the sensitive bud. You feel that coil in your stomach tightening, your moans get higher and airier, like you’re begging him with out actually saying a word. He releases your thighs, only to push them back, folding you in half while keeping his mouth attached to your pussy.
This new position allows him to slip two fingers inside of you, slowly pumping in and out of you. Your walls clench around them involuntarily, a low groan leaving his mouth as he mutters against your center, “Uh uh, open that pussy back up for me baby.” Fingers still dragging against your walls, a breathy mewl slips out of your mouth. You can feel him smile against you, he knows your body better than you do. He knows you’re close.
“Give it to me.” He mumbles, wrapping his lips around your clit pulling it gently between his lips.
“Anthony— “you gasp squeezing your eyes shut.
As if on command, the orgasm crashed into you. Body tensing up while your back arched; and he licked you through it all.
He pulls back, lower half of his face drenched in you. He doesn’t give you a second to catch your breath, instead he’s hovered over you, gold chain that he always keeps tucked under his shirt, dangling in your face as he drops down to start kissing you, allowing you to taste yourself off his tongue. You moan into the kiss, it all being an aphrodisiac. Slowing down, he breaks the kiss and pulling back enough to let a line of saliva drip from his mouth into yours. You catch it, pulling him back down to you, immediately turned on again, getting loss in the lip lock.
He moves to your neck, sucking on the sensitive skin there. “You got another one for me?” He rasps between the sloppy kisses he’s leaving. Continuing his assault down your body, he wrapped his lips around one of your nipples, sucking softly, his other hand pinching the other one between his thumb and index finger. Your answer wrapped in a moan while nodding at the same time. He moves to stand at the edge of the bed then it dawns on you that he just ate you out like his life depended on it, completely forgetting he also has dick to offer too.
Your eyes rake over him while he takes his sweats off, that being the only article of clothing between you and him at this point in the night. As your eyes work lower, they focus on the deep V cut that leads to his dick. He’s palming it through his sweats before he takes them off fully. His dick bounces out, resting pretty between strong thighs. It’s about a shade darker than the rest of his skin, with the tip being slightly lighter and a thick vein running down the underside of it.
He’s stroking himself, looking at you laid out in front of him. Naked, hair wild, pupils blown with lust and both sets of lips swollen from his doing. To him, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Absentmindedly, your hand slipped between your thighs, rubbing small circles on your clit. He watches you, tongue running against his bottom lip. Not the one to want to miss the fun, he pulls you to him by your ankle, your legs falling open.
Your fingers are still moving over your clit as he grips his dick at the base, pushing himself in bottoming out in one full stroke. Anthony takes a moment before moving again as he feels your walls fluttering around him. A moan slips out from how warm you feel around him. Your legs rest on his hips as he begins a lazy stroke, moving his hips slowly, the curve dragging over that sensitive spot deep inside.
You move your hands from between your thighs, bringing them to his mouth, letting him taste you off your fingers. You grip his chin slightly to get him to focus on you—you wanted him to be in the moment for this.
“You feel what you do to me baby?” You coo.
He had a thing for talking you through it, but you wanted to let him know how he made you feel tonight. Wrapping your arms around his neck, you pulled him down closer to you, tugging his ear lobe between your teeth, nibbling on it softly. He exhaled, like he was trying to hold back.
“Don’t hold back, I can take it.”
And that was the line that broke his resolve; his hips sped up, thrusts becoming messier. He wraps his hand around your throat, and you gasp from the amount of pressure he ‘s applying. It’s just enough for you to feel a little lightheaded from the lack of oxygen but also pleasurable— intensifying the relentless strokes he’s giving. The quick moment of silence between the two of you allows you to hear how wet you are.
Your moans are rolling from your lips freely and he loves how vocal you are.
“Make a fuckin’ mess for me,” he mutters. His strokes slow down as you both look at where you're connected. A steady in and out motion, the sounds almost obscene. “Can you do that for me baby?” nodding your head rapidly, you feel that telltale sign that you’re close and he does too. You squeeze your eyes shut, “I’mcomingI’mcomingI’mcoming!” Pleasurable waves crashed over you, body tensing for a second before it relaxes into the mattress. Anthony’s not far behind you, heavy breaths against the side of your face and those once again messy strokes.
“Let go for me, daddy.” You whisper into the room.
Like a command, his body tenses, white-hot pleasure consuming him, with zero urge to even try to pull out. He fully drops his weight on you, trying to catch his breath. After a few moments, he pushes himself up over you and pulls out slowly. The sudden loss of him causes a shaky exhale from you, and he’s watching the mixture of you and him spill out of you—eyes fixated between your legs. He shakes his head, turning to walk to the bathroom. Coming back a few seconds later, he gently wipes between your folds, cleaning the mess that was made. Once he’s finished, he tosses the towel with the rest of your clothes scattered about the room and gets back in bed with you. You snuggle up against him, body fitting perfectly against his. You press a kiss to his chest as he pulls the sheets over the both of you, falling into an easy slumber.
a/n: I saw that pic on threads and had to lol.
The Racist Fandom Starter Pack
A canon interracial couple exists "I just don't see their chemistry" proceeds to fanon ship [insert white character] instead, claiming they have more of a connection.
"It's not their skin color, I just don't like them for some reason, btw, here are my top 5 [insert white actors] I think are better suited"
"Not everything is about race". They say, as they prop up every white character over any character of color.
"Please stop bring race drama into the fandom". Which translates to, I'm comfortable in my racism and don't appreciate any criticism, thanks!
White person, "Yeah, I wrote character of color as an animal, doesn't make me racist".
"I love character of color, here's a fic where they act like as [insert white characters] servant/therapist".
Character of color is such a bad friend for having opinions of their own/taking care of themselves instead of putting their friend [insert white character] first.
A character of color is morally ambiguous or a villain, gets redemption arc. "They're awful and haven't been condemned enough of their crimes". Stans [insert white characters] who did the exact same crimes or was a villain who's redemption arc is praised.
"Can't believe that character of color had the nerve not to die as a selfless sacrifice for [insert white character]".
"POC actress/actor is too ethnic and they'd ruin the character".
"I haven't seen racism in the fandom therefore it isn't there".
"Character of color is the main character of the show sure, but let's be honest, everyone came for [insert white character]
"Character of color is alright but I can only relate to [insert white character]".
Feel free to add more, that you've come across. Sadly, it all runs together after awhile of being in a lot of fandoms. Special shout out to all who helped me with these comments!
"making character Black is inaccurate/offensive! I'm not racist, it's just facts!"
In something like Actual Plays:
I like [Black cast member] as a player, I just wish they’d be less disruptive, interject less, and not comment on what’s happening like [white cast members who do so just as much or more, and the show is popular because of the people watching aspect]. I just prefer shows they’re on better when they edit more of that out. (This goes triple for Black women and queer Black people.)
