i'm no sweet dream, but i'm a hell of a night

[its-blakecarter]

The Basics

name: Blake Noelle Carter nickname: n/a birthday: October 13th, 1990 age: 32 years old hometown: Fairford, WA current residence: suburbs occupation: manager at mountainside inn gender: cis-female pronouns: she/her orientation: Biromantic Bisexual

Deeper Dive

alignment: lawful neutral mbti:  zodiac: librapositive traits: dutiful, liberal, faithful negative traits: jealous, insecure, hesitant neutral traits: dreamy, nonconfrontational, idealistic likes:   dislikes: 

Appearance

faceclaim: Zazie Beetz haircolor: Black eyecolor: Brown height: 5'6" weight: 140 lbs identifying marks: much to the chagrin of her parents, a thigh tattoo, and she also has a small scar on the right side of her bottom lip from an old lip ring he had while in college. clothing style: she is a mix between business-casual and street style. Either way, she sticks to more solid colors with less patterns, and she's never been a fan of heels. This doesn't mean she doesn't wear them if an occasion calls for it, but flat tennis shoes are prefer. Light button downs, skinny-jeans (millenials, amirite?), and tanks or tees. She does have a few graphic tees she will wear under an oversized denim jacket in the cooler months.

Backstory

tw: infertility mention, PCOS, break-up/broken engagement

Blake's conception had been a surprise following her older brother's birth. Maybe not so much as the twins following. With enough of a gap between them it's not shock, but rather that they had been a more startling discovery in the form of the biggest bluest plus sign, but Blake wasn't expected all the same.

Most of the Carter parents' energy had already gone into the eldest son, but that didn't mean Blake got overlooked. Similar expectations fell on her tiny shoulders, and they had been there for as long as she could remember. Longer than she thinks she's come to learn the love for her youngest siblings. Work hard, strive for greatness, and settle for nothing less.

Early on Blake recognized that doing as she pleased for her own wants did nothing to earn the attention and praise of her parents. She was never a kid to enjoy the spotlight, but when her brother's academic achievements overshadowed her own, she oftentimes found herself wishing that sometimes it was her that her parents were showing off during family holiday get togethers.

So, Blake tried harder.

Honor roll was an easy achievement, and so was earning a captain position on the girl's lacrosse them with an MVP trophy handed over at end of season. She made scholarships with her academics and athletic achievements combined, but in all that time she felt her teen years slipping away.

You see, all her time had been spent trying to earn the same approval her brother got (and by God, she did), but somewhere along the way she realized almost too late the cost to it. A childhood lost to books, an adolescence that raced by with few friends and fewer experiences beyond her accomplishments. Blake wasn't unhappy, per se, but she did feel lost.

Lost on which path she wanted to take, and figuring out who she truly was. Her pursuit of a B.A. was another thing that wasn't for her. She did complete school with a degree in tourism and hospitality management without a goal in mind.

Post graduation, Blake left for Seattle in search of a job. There she'd met a man, and in the worst cliche sort of way, she fell for him. They were happy together, engaged even, until news came out that she had PCOS. This also affected her fertility, and the chance of not being able to build a family was a deal breaker in the end.

The fertility issue was not something her ex-fiancé decided was a reason to end things, it was Blake’s decision. It took enough time of mulling it over to decide that what was best was to end things so that he could find someone to fulfill that dream with. For him, a family with kids was everything, and for her? She hadn’t really thought about it, but the chance of it being impossible beyond adoption wasn’t all that heartbreaking. To her it was an easy decision to call things off for his sake more than her own.

Post-break up, Blake returned to Fairford, head held high, the reason for the broken engagement a secret she holds close to her chest to his day. Not for any shame or regrets, but because it is a sensitive subject still. She doesn’t want sympathy for something she could not predict that is beyond her control. She used the money she saved up to purchase a two-bedroom ranch in the suburbs.

She took up a job in hotel management at the Mountainside Inn, settling into something that pays the bills for the time being. She doesn’t dislike her job. If anything, Blake feels freer than ever having made this decision on her own, and she’s taking time learning how to pursue what she enjoys without the overbearing eyes of her parents over her shoulder.

With her return, she feels renewed in a sense. This is a chance for her to pave her own way. Though she is terrified of taking the first step down that path, the idea is there. For the time being, she manages the hotel and comes home to her Aussie pup, Koda.

Headcanons

1. Her Australian Shepherd Koda is her best friend. She brought him home shortly after moving to the suburbs, and now they're inseparable.

2. Recently, Blake has started dabbling in watercolor painting. A pastime of hers, she never got to train or put time into it as her academics took precedence. Watercolor paintings don't bring home the paychecks, after all.

3. The topic of kids isn’t a difficult one, but Blake is on the fence about what she wants in that category. Sometimes she finds she enjoys her life now as she is relearning how to make it her own, and other times she wishes she could raise a tiny human. One day it might be in the cards, but despite her uncertainty she does know that this moment is not the time for it.

4. Her job in Seattle was that of a Travel Consultant. It was a high stress, fast-paced job, and though it brought in decent money she ultimately decided that her happiness was more important. Hotel management gives her more room to breathe and focus on her hobbies.

5. Blake enjoys running themed 5ks - bubble runs, color runs, mud runs, etc. Nothing more than that, though. She isn’t competitive by any means. If you so much as breathe the words 'half marathon' around her, she might just keel over.

TBA

Pinterest: [ here ] Playlist: [ here ] Connections page: [ here ]

[fionaosman]

"I hold my liquor very well," Fiona grins, which is partly true in terms of her usually staying upright and rarely getting sick, but isn't quite true when it comes to her inhibitions dropping to about zero.

"Oh my god," she coos, at mention of Mack's costume, "didn't he look perfect? We went together, they're these characters that we came up with," she says, flushing a little as she mentally reroutes, "just like, for backstory 'cause we wanted to go ancient Greek. He's a gladiator, I'm the neglected wife of some Lord. Very Romeo and Juliet but genuinely so much more profound."

"You going as Thadd was unbelievable. If there'd been a contest you for sure would've won."

[its-blakecarter]

There is disbelief in Blake's eyes at Fiona's claim. From the excited pitch of her voice and the mimosa in hand, she wonders then how long it will be until the day-drinking catches up to Fiona. It isn't her job to chastise her, though, so she just laughs it off. "As long as you're careful and hydrating. Day drunk is much different than night drunk." The crowd doesn't help either, but Blake knows she is an adult capable of watching over herself.

If she could trust anyone to do that, it would be her.

"Aren't gladiator's Roman?" she muses aloud but barely wastes a second before waving her hand to dismiss that thought. "No, no, forget that. You both looked great. No hint of slacking whatsoever. I hope there's pictures of the party because everyone was amazing." It had been a good time, and the mild headache she had to push through the following day during the family's father day shenanigans had been entirely worth it.

"That was a misunderstanding, but the best kind. Figure the theme name meant we had to all dress as him or Lu… and I dug out a picture of him as a toddler-" one she'd kept alongside one she found of Tallulah and one of them all, "-and recreated the early 2000s toddler fashion as best as I could."

[thaddcarter]

There was something eerily familiar about Blake's outfit that Thadd couldn't quite place upon first glance.

It was clear that she'd dressed up as he'd asked, though also clear that she hadn't expected him to have to ask just who she'd come as. His eyes narrowed as he awaited his sister's answer, mind racing with the various possibilities...he thought maybe she'd been going for some sort of play on the Fresh Prince--which would've actually been sick as fuck, now that he thought about it, and nostalgic as hell.

But nothing could've prepared him for her actual answer, not the knot between her brows or the confused look inside helping connect the dots on just what it was he was missing...and there really was something so familiar about that sweatshirt.

"Yeah, Thaddoween. Or, well, Thalloween, really. Or Whackoween, if you ask Ty...but maybe just don't ask him. What did you think I--"

He suddenly realized just where it was that he recognize her outfit from. Could picture the image of him atop the kitchen counter as if their mom had the photo album cracked open right in front of them. The sweatshirt, the baggy pants, the animal print bag...

"You thought--" Thadd's hand raised to cover his mouth, containing his grin beneath it. The last thing he wanted to do was embarrass her for what he could definitely see as an understandable misunderstanding. That'd been his bad, really.

"Fuck, B, that's such a better fucking theme! Why did I not think of that?" He laughed, head shaking as he went to wrap his sister in a hug. "You fucking nailed it, dude. Where'd you even find the sweatshirt?"

[its-blakecarter]

Blake laughs, glancing at Thadd like he might be crazy for even suggesting Tyson as a source of information. "You think I would? I wouldn't trust a word that came out of his mouth, in terms of themed parties, I mean."

As Blake is sure she could count on his honesty if in dire need. She just also would expect him to give her direction to stray her off the path of what is expected in terms of costume. Clearly, she didn't need his help to stray off all her own, but it is a happy mistake. 'Toddler Thaddeus' is still a costume, so it counts.

"It's a easy mistake to make! Your directions weren't clear! And it works if I wake up too hungover - dressed as a blast from Dad's past for father's day." Forgoing the fact she could have easily asked her brother what anyone else was going as, or reached out to at least Tallulah. Maybe this is just a sign she has to reach out to her siblings more. She did a better job when she was in Seattle.

Blake welcomes herself in through the threshold now as Thadd beams, carrying her own grin of satisfaction. "Figured it would be sticking it to Father's Day, too. If the theme was to dress like you or Lu, like 'hah, it's about me tonight' or something. But I'm glad it works." Even among the Sasquatch and the gladiator and there's a rainbow cowboy hat floating in the crowd, and she thinks she sees Aylin dressed as… something familiar.

"I made it. Iron on pattern - it probably won't survive one wash, to be honest, but I only need it for tonight. Then I can use it when I go for jogs in the fall. Now, birthday boy, I demand we take a birthday shot together."

[sasika-lg]

who: anybody (@fairfordstarters) where: crystal cottage

As the brunette was leaning back behind the counter, her eyes firmed placed on the book that was spread open in front of her, Sasika barely noticed the trickle of the melodic bells that signalled a customer had arrived. This wouldn’t be the first time she’d been caught slacking off at her job. As much as she needed the money, it was hard to care a menial job that paid barely anything. Besides, the place was empty, despite this new arrival.

Her eyes didn't even look up momentarily as someone approached her, an air of annoyance of being disturbed while reading on the job exuded from her. “Browse all you want,” she insisted, eyes still focused on the pages before her. "But hands where I can see 'em. The owner told me to hex anyone I catch stealing."

[its-blakecarter]

"Oh." Blake takes a step back subconsciously, eyes wide in surprise at the curt command. Now, she isn't sure what hexing means, but she definitely knows it doesn't sound good. Some cartoon comes to mind that mentions the word, but she can't quite put her finger on it. 

A crystal shop isn't her usual setting, but in this new journey to allow herself to find new things to enjoy she thought 'why not'? Tumbled stones look pretty, and she's heard sage can help with any bad energy in the house. It isn't all that outlandish to consider the healing properties of naturally occurring things as such, right?

"I - I'm not familiar with this. Any of it. I've been told stones around the house can help with spiritual... guidance, or something?"

[tallulahcarter]

"Okay, but not fucking with the ocean is just good common sense. You're never getting my ass on a cruise ship because people have no business being out there. I'm on the side of the orcas," Lu answers her sister, her tone indicating sureness as she took a sip from her own cup.

"You know what? That would actually make so much sense. Birds are so goddamn smug. Like yeah -- you're the only ones who can fly. We get it, shut the fuck up with the tweeting."

[its-blakecarter]

Blake shudders, images of the deep blue crossing her mind at the mere mention of it. Where sand falls off into crevices that become an endless pit of black. "It's already too much for me being on a boat off shore even when I can still see civilization in the distance. If I can't see my feet, I don't trust what's in there." So amount of statistics on shark attacks or pictures of baby seals and cute puffer fish will change her mind.

"It's funny, honestly! Something about how all the birds were replaced with spy drones or something. But in all seriousness, birds will eff you up if given the chance. Small, feathered raptors, they are. Except ducks, they're cute."

[milobooker]

with a watchful eye on blake's expression as she describes her siblings with a kindness only milo can imagine, being the only child as he is, he shakes his head, reaching out with a gentle hand to pat her on the arm. "ya, and that's really nice. but you're a knockout, blake. if i wasn't afraid thadd would nail my balls to the wall, i'd say a lot more. but as he's right over there and i ain't as quick as i used to be, i'll save it for another day."

and he's all grins as he says it, yet, lacking the jest or notion that he's teasing her. it's a genuine compliment, one he'll stand by ( on safe ground ) for the time being. he does offer her his arm though at the mention of needing a refill, his own beer bottle about to hit empty which he simply couldn't allow so early in the night.

"fuckin', yeehaw and all that then, i guess," he chuckles, tilting his hat in her direction. "at your service, ma'am."

[its-blakecarter]

There is a sincerity to Milo's tone that pulls the softest smile to Blake's face, and that fact she is so confident that anything following, all of which Milo openly admits he will not say for fear of provoking any streak of protectiveness from her little brother, wouldn't be anything harmful. 

"Thadd's a teddy bear." She winks at him, linking her arm in his. "It's Lulu you got to worry about." By far, Blake will stand by that, but that isn't to say Thadd wouldn't rise to the occasion if she needed him. She's grateful for the relationship she has with them both. 

"I'm feeling... another glass of punch. Whatever this 'Voodoo Juice' is - and maybe a shot with Mr. Cowboy Gentleman? It's not like you have to drive."

[ofrevolvtions]

"Sorry, sorry," Bastian quickly apologizes as Blake startles, giving her a sheepish smile that begs forgiveness. Then his attention drops down to Koda as the dog dances at his feet. A larger smile breaks across his expression and he stoops to the dog's level to give Koda some loving scratches behind the ears. "You never have to apologize for him. You have met my husband and his bleeding heart for all things four-legged and furry, right? Not sure what that says about me, honestly..."

Raising back up to his feet a bit awkwardly Bastian brushes his hands off, glancing back in the direction of his home - and the doors that refused to open for him. "Yeah...maybe we had just discussed it but then the kids grew up - Granted, it might be good for you to have a key anyway at this rate." He gestures vaguely at the current situation.

"I'm not sure how long he'll be," Bastian warns, "But I'd appreciate it. I can stay out of your hair, I promise. I'll owe you dinner, or something."

[its-blakecarter]

"He's always loved you. Koda - and you're husband, of course, but I think Koda might try and compete with him." He'd never win, not above the sort of marital bliss Bastian and Santiago share. 

It reminds her of her parents' love growing up, a house full of it. Despite the high expectations that bore into her and turned her into someone trying to figure herself out in her thirties, that is one thing Blake can give them credit for - the recognition of healthy relationships, and to never settle for someone that doesn't meet that standard.

Blake waves for him to follow, careful to not trip over her dog who is easily bolting and doing excited spins in front of her. "Or maybe I do have a key and I'm just trying to hold you hostage for some company to have coffee with." She looks over her shoulder quickly. "Kidding. But I can put coffee on, or I can get you a glass of lemonade. Freshly squeezed by yours truly." She leads him into the house

"You owe me nothing, Bastian. If you don't have your phone, mine is charging in the kitchen. You can shoot Santiago a text to let him know I've kidnapped you for the time being."

[its-blakecarter]

Rumor has it Koda is the bestest boy.

"Koda is the bestest boy. I think my neighbor can vouch for that. I think he favors Bastian over me some days."

@bastianisms

[its-blakecarter]

rumor has it that you think pancakes suck

"What a rumor! I'm absolutely flabbergasted I've been caught. I wouldn't say they suck, but waffles are by far superior."

[ofrevolvtions]

@its-blakecarter

Bastian generally wasn't the type to get angry - or even frustrated, really. But on this particular morning there was a stream of grumbled Spanish leaving his lips as he twisted and pulled on the door handle to his home, to no avail. After another minute or two of glaring, pleading, and cursing the thing out he huffed and turned, settling on the stoop in a defeated sort of manner.

He'd somehow managed to lock his keys within the impenetrable home.

A bit of time passed as he sat there, contemplating next steps. He could break in, of course; the repairs to the damage would be simple enough to fix, but frustrating to deal with all the same. He could call in a locksmith - but again, an entirely unnecessary expense, and he didn't seem to have his phone on him anyway. Or he could simply wait, find his way into town and spend the day doing something else until his husband returned from work and let his sorry ass back in.

When movement nearby caught his eye he looked up to find his neighbor out and about. Well, he certainly hoped she wasn't privy to his momentary battle with the door; suburban home: 1, Bastian: 0.

"We never ended up giving you a key that you happen to have lying around somewhere for moments like this, did we?"

[its-blakecarter]

Koda heads up the drive when Blake opens her front door, but he doesn't beeline to the mailbox as she expects him to. She watches him curiously, then her neighbors voice catches her attention. She jumps, just barely, in startlement. "Oh! Ah, Bastian-" she laughs feeling flustered about being caught off guard. "I'm sorry, don't mind him. He likes to get the mail with me. Almost as much as he likes you…"

Blake steps down from the doorstep, her flip-flops making that distinct sound while she crosses her front lawn to close the distance between them. Koda is already wiggling his tail and butt, doing excited Aussie spins and pawing at Bastian's shoes. Blake frowns to him with an apologetic shrug. "I'm sorry, I don't think I have a key. We can check the bowl by the front door?"

"If not, you're more than welcome to wait inside my place until Santiago gets home. I don't mind."

[milobooker]

"shh, i won't, i just wanna re-capture this memory." because he'd find a use for it at some point, he's sure. something goofy and silly and a lot of fun just to make some laughs more than anything else, a point he turns to blake to make but can't stop giggling for it with beer brain already whirling. "i don't blackmail. it can just be his contact picture for now."

looking back to the picture, he holds it up for both he and blake to see properly, giggling to himself all over again. it's a kick in the teeth, really, how he'd never be able to do this for himself. have a picture of when he was younger to show off when everything had gone with his aunt. she might not even have it on hand any more, tossed it all away like junk when she went through his father's belongings for anything of value.

"yeah... still think you're the better lookin' one of the bunch though," milo then murmurs, holding on the photo for blake to take back with a force to place his grin back on his face again.

"tallulah scares me and thadd's a goofball."

[its-blakecarter]

There is a tightness to Milo's smile that catches Blake off guard, but she knows when it is appropriate to address something like that. Now, at a costume party, is not it. She puts it in her back pocket for later and chooses to continue with the conversation in hopes of a smooth transition from whatever suddenly overtook Milo's mind.

"Oh, no. Not at all. Thadd's handsome as anything - you've seen him, and Lu, she's…" Blake shrugs, looking down in her cup with a subtle envy. It isn't malicious by any means, but her little sister is absolutely- "Stunning." It isn't a fish for compliments by any means, but there is just this youthful vitality to them both. Blake loves them for it even if she sometimes wishes she have it in the same breath. "I love them both dearly." Through any trials and tribulations, Lulu's mess with prescription drugs after the surgery specifically, that one thing rings true to this day.

"C'mon-" Blake holds her cup up with a wiggle. "I need a refill, and a dashing waiter in a cowboy hat needs to escort me."

[maxeloi]

max opens her mouth to earnestly answer that regardless of what she liked to do outside of their friendship, blake always chased after her in some way. an attempt keep up, a fear of missing out on whatever amount of excitement she'd find herself in the midst of; something, anything. blake lingered one step behind, then always rushed forth to catch her. just as does now, as max spins on heel to face blake as she takes back her card and ups the pace to match her own, forever on her tail, forever bounding after her. "i can make no promises. if he loves me, he's comin' wit' me, that's the rules."

but as she goes to rush off with a cackle towards blake's car, max comes to a sharp stop, turning to face her once more with a wiggle of her brows. "spend the night? oh, cherie, i'll even tuck you in, kisses an' all," she laughs, waddling back on over to plant a big, wet kiss to blake's cheek. "sing you a lullaby an' everythin'."

[its-blakecarter]

"No, Max. You cannot steal my dog! Who else will guard me at night?" Blake chases after her with a laugh. "And don't say you will."

Expected, but Blake hopefully cut her off from the joking promise. Max very much so reminds her of the trouble-making faeries in story books. Always looking for fun and trouble even if she has to make it herself. "Are those kisses a promise? Because then lucky me," she shoots back to her, screaming with laughter mixed in the sound when Max plants a smooch to her cheek.

She hopes to be as free as her one day. Not in the literal sense of having no physical boundaries. Blake is as free as she'd ever been in that sense, making her own choices and paving her own path now that Seattle sent her back to Fairford. But to be able to be herself without fear of judgment.

If anything, it will be Max on that short list of hers that can help her figure it out, Blake has no doubt about it.

[audreydawson]

location: cookie crumbles

open to everyone @fairfordstarters

Audrey had been working all night on her new vegan recipe, tasting it for herself she thought it tasted like heaven but then again she loved anything she baked because that was just who she was. As she pulled the cookies out of the oven, she put them on a sample plate and walked out to the front where she saw someone passing by the door. Audrey quickly grabbed the plot and unlocked the door running outside to flag the person down.

"Hey!" she called with a smile "I probably look like a crazy person right now." the blonde said as she wiped some coconut flour from her cheek.

"Would you try this for me, please? I'm trying to make more vegan options for my cookies and I just want to know if this is good."

[its-blakecarter]

Blake had been off from the Mountainside Inn that day in the midst of running her errands. Her keys jingle from her she holds them, clutched in her hand, and she is in a leisurely pace after finishing her first appointment and with a window a time before her next one, she's taken a downtown stroll.

"Huh?" She perks up and looks through her sunglasses, tugging the wire to her headphones to pull one out of her ear. Her younger siblings have said something or other about her needing to update to Airpods at some point, but anyway - Blake looks down to the plate and carefully picks a cookie up from the plate. "A whole one?" It has to be now that she's touched it, but the young woman's sunny demeanor doesn't make her too worried about upsetting her.

"This is vegan?" she asks after a nibble. "I can barely tell the difference! They're delicious."

[milobooker]

milo: oh thank god milo: i'm coming mama thank you you're the best

[its-blakecarter]

[ read ]

[maxeloi]

with her gaze held as it is, max half wonders if she'd hit a nerve of sorts, or said the wrong thing in her teasing. had it been anyone else sat at the table, she wouldn't have blinked twice at the thought. let it roll off her back and call it water under a bridge. but it's blake, and with her comes the difficulty of overlooking her words for the sake of her own comfort, and not her friends.

but, there's no time spent wondering about it then, for blake is back in action and slipping away from her and out of the booth.

"non, non. course not. at least wit' the general public," max coos, sliding out after her with a grin. "mais, with me? you just like the chase, that's all. everyone does."

"koda? aw, definitely stealin' whatever a koda is," max then says cheerfully, skipping towards the door. "right into my pocket, he goes!"

[its-blakecarter]

"Now, I think you're wrong there," Blake tuts, tossing a look over her shoulder to the woman behind her. The thrill of the chase, buzz of the risk - excitement felt over pursuing something possibly unattainable? That might not be what Max really means, but Blake figures in the same breath not everyone can enjoy the catch as much as Max might. Probably because Max is one of the few she is sure will attain whatever she is pursuing with such confidence.

Blake pauses, thoughtful, while digging through her clutch for her credit card. "Do you really think I just like that chase? What gives you that inclination?" She points to Max with her card with an added afterthought. "Actually, we can table that for after a couple of drinks at my place." Silly chit chats over glasses of wine or cocktails sounds like her ideal night. Besides, with Tyson off shift, there isn't any real reason to linger.

"Koda is my fur-son. You will not be putting him in your pocket-" Blake warns, snatching the card from the current bartender once payment is completed to chase after Max. Always. She is a challenge to keep up with sometimes, and Blake envies her energy.

"By the way, if you need to spend the night after — not that I'm insisting you get drunk, just if you do — you are more than welcome to spend the night."

[milobooker]

milo: but what should i hold? [ five minutes later ] milo: blake??? [ ten minutes later ] milo: oh, i get it. see you in a minute

[its-blakecarter]

[ fifteen minutes later ] BLAKE: ... Milo. BLAKE: Sweetheart. BLAKE: Oh boy, okay. BLAKE: If you're done terrorizing the fish, I'm out front waiting for you.

[milobooker]

"yeah? at least someone appreciates me," milo whines, bringing his solo cup to his teeth to gnaw on the edge, half wondering if he could get away from pocketing a couple on his way out. they're just cups, right? nobody's gonna miss a few cups...

pausing the thought process of how he'd steal his own party favours from his friend without feeling guilty about it, milo takes the picture from blake with a curious frown before proceeding to burst into such a fit of laughter that he has to turn away from her for a minute or two to find his composure again. "yup... yup, that's — let me just take a picture of his — " he giggles, holding his cup between his teeth again to pull out of his phone.

"look at his little cheeks. jeeze, what happened? he grew up into a goober."

[its-blakecarter]

"Just don't bend it-" Blake warns Milo when he snatches the picture away. She could fight more for it, but it's Milo. He means no harm, and he would be careful with it.

His laughs rings clear, Blake can't help her own even as she covers her own mouth. The picture itself is darling, one of her favorites. She'd always had a soft spot for her younger siblings. Her older brother? Well, he had a few hidden gems in the photobooks before the heaviness of high expectations set in.

"Oh, Milo - be nice. Don't tease-" Blake goes to reach for the photo while he pulls out his phone camera. "What could you possibly need a picture of that for in your camera roll? It's not blackmail worthy." And Thaddeus wouldn't have been bothered either way. "Be nice! He looks the same. Look-" Blake leans over Milo's shoulder to point out the grin on his little toddler face.

"He's cheesing. Just a mini version of who he is now. He and Tallulah look like carbon copies of their toddler years."