little darling

[naomi-owens]

❛ ROBERTS, A.

“Yeah, and I definitely don’t need the first hand embarrassment. Not to mention, I am supposed to be helping people who get injured, not injuring myself.” Alexandria replied, taking her job very seriously. Even when she was being a nurse on a volunteer basis, it was still important for Alix to look professional. “I guess I will just have to accept your compliment and leave it at that.” She added, feeling like arguing with Naomi was a little pointless. She’d known the girl long enough to know that she wouldn’t change her mind.  “A tease was enough to get me interested, that is for sure. I needed a change of scenery, but I guess I wasn’t really ready for a full on change. So instead of going somewhere new when I left home, I just decided to come here instead. It had a lot to do with the people I think. Like coming here was a change, but it also came with built in friends.”

                      Naomi was glad that Alexandria didn’t argue. Not that she was stubborn enough to insist that she was right (she was though) but overall knew that everything she said meant something and did have some kindness ringing around in it. “Well, I’m definitely glad we were enough to do a little convincing. It wouldn’t be the same ‘round here if you choose some place like Miami or somethin’.” She was just rambling by that point, so the southern honey squared her shoulders and moved for a fresh drink. “With that in mind, though, update me. Have you gotten around to painting your place yet? What about boys? Girls? Tell me, I’m curious.” 

[naomi-owens]

❛ FITZPATRICK, O.

“Yeah, yeah, you and the rest of Wilmington,” he said with a humorous eye roll, watching as Abel laughed and cooed at Naomi’s touch. It felt almost odd, standing there with his old friend from childhood, both of their young children in tow like it was the most natural thing in the world – and, in a sense, it was. The brunette had always been a bit maternal, that much had been made clear by all of the parties and outing in high school when she’d end up being one of the ones to take care of the less fortunate members of their class – while, simultaneously, being the life of the party herself – so image before him made sense. He could only hope that she could say the same. “Lord knows I didn’t. Think he got most’a his mom’s genes. But, hey, you got a good lookin’ gal there yourself,” he complimented, glancing over at the sleeping baby with a small grin before turning his attention back to Naomi and Abel. “At this rate, these two’ll be goin’ off to prom together and walkin’ at graduation before we know it.” God, even the thought felt too soon. “You want somethin’ to drink, Naoms? Haven’t gotten a chance to catch in that free coffee voucher yet, I bet.”

                      "Yeah but I’m special. I’m allowed to be extra furious.” Naomi added in her correction with a smirk tossed Owen’s way, delicate hands balanced on Abel’s lower back and hips while she cradled him close. While she was over the moon to finally be meeting this little one and to share that moment with her old friend, she also had been thrilled that Owen took this next step in his life. By accident or not. “You know, I think no one saw this comin’, but I’m so glad it happened for you. You’re wearing the signature Dad bod well.” Her teasing was light and since she was close enough to rub elbows with him she did just that, lips pained into a little half smile, then they pressed down to the side of Abel’s temple. “That was all me.” Naomi winked at Owen, referring to Rae. It certainly wasn’t with the handsome genes of her husband, but for now at least, she’d take the credit. “Mm, Lord. Don’t even get started ont hat. I’ll have a heart attack. Plus, if this little one is anythin’ like you back in the day, I ain’t so sure I can let a little heartbreaker near my girl.” She joked then turned to coo at Abel, blowing gentle raspberries. “How about I cash in on that now? I could use some serious caffiene.” 

[naomi-owens]

❛ TAYLOR, A & SOMMERS, T.

─── Tessa Sommers​:

at tessa’s home ft. @amytaylcr​ and @naomi-owens​

Taking another bite of the breadstick, Tessa allowed it to fall from her hand back into the box at her side. “I’m pretty sure I lost my speaking privileges forever. I cannot believe I told him I had feelings for him. Not to mention I told him I had feelings for him and I barely even remember doing it. That has to be the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever done.” By this point, she was rambling and her cheeks were as red as could be. As soon as she put the pieces together and unfolded the events that occurred between her and Kevin when he visited her in the hospital, Tessa became thoroughly horrified by her actions. “You don’t think he’ll tell Sophia, do you?” the brunette asked, her eyes suddenly widening in fear. “She can absolutely rip me to shreds if she wants to,” was added a moment later, a quick mutter of fear.

Ever since Tessa had undergone her preventive surgery, friends and family rallied around her for help. It was Naomi’s and Amy’s turn that evening to visit their friend and make sure she was doing okay. Sat in the living room of Tessa’s home, surrounded by pillows for comfort and support, Amy stared at Tessa with eyes wide in surprise, and her mouth just the slightest bit open. Meds could make you do and say all sorts of things, but confess your feelings to your ex? It was difficult to even imagine. “I honestly doubt that’s something he’ll share with Sophia?” Amy attempted, not knowing enough about Kevin’s relationship to even pretend to comfort her friend. “I honestly think you’ll be able to play the recovery card if he does tell her and she tries to do anything. You can also always say you were heavily medicated, which, you know, is true,” she kept on talking, not at all sure she was of any help at this moment. “Has Kevin said anything to you since you told him that?”

                      Naomi was full of the dramatics, arguably Wilmington’s very own drama queen, so when Tessa practically spilled the beans over something so juicy and close to home? The brunette couldn’t resist the way her jaw dropped and she stopped in her tracks upon returning to the living room. She had just stepped out to call home and check on Michael and Raelynn, luckily right on time so she didn’t miss the inside scoop. “You didn’t.” She didn’t mean to sound as surprised as she had come across, but sue her, she kind of was. There had always been an inkling there that told Naomi that Tessa was keeping things under wraps, but never in a million years did she think she would snag a scene straight out of Hallmark. Naomi only stayed silent when listening to Amy when she returned and found residency on the corner of Tessa’s couch, tucking her legs up. “Ames is right. You can play it off. But call me blunt but uhm──,” her head cocked to the side. “That’s kind of big, Tess. Is that really something you want to just roll off your shoulders and play cool about? I mean, it’s Kevin.” 

@sommerstessa​​

[naomi-owens]

❛ HALL, S.

“I really lucked out having him by my side.” Sirena knew that much. Logan was young and attractive and smart, he could be with anyone he wanted. Yet he was choosing to be with her, someone who was having another man’s kid. That was a good kind of man. “I’d be lying out of my teeth if I said I wasn’t afraid of him leaving. I.. I think I love him, and it would be devastating if down the line he decided he didn’t want to be with me anymore because I’m having this baby,” she said. As Naomi relived her pregnancy details, she was a little worried about what was to come. This was just the beginning for her. “Being pregnant puts a lot into perspective for me. I was a mess. And in some ways I still am, but this… it’s gotten me sober, and it’s gotten me into therapy and treatment that I needed.” Keeping Rae steady, Sirena leaned forward slightly to take a quick sip from her mug. “The morning sickness has been kicking my ass. It doesn’t have to be morning, it’s all the time. And I’ve had to cut out cake entirely because it makes me feel nauseous. I’ve been tired a lot, I just want to sleep and rest. And I’ve been feeling a lot of guilt so far, I guess. My baby’s father is god knows where because it was a one night stand, and it’s not like it’s going to have any family other than me, y’know? And I’m not exactly the world’s best influence and I sit there every day just.. terrified that I’m going to be a bad mother and that I’m in over my head.”

                       As Naomi sat beside Sirena and listened, she immediately felt an influx of different emotions. Happiness over the joy that a bundle of pink or blue brought with her ten fingers and ten toes... yet a bit of sadness over the fact that Sirena was struggling with the circumstances of which she brought her child into his world. Sure, she did indeed have Logan, but that wasn’t always promised. Naomi’s lips played into a little frown and she reached over to steal Sirena’s hand. “Love is a big deal and y’know, if he loves you back, he will stick around. I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Plus, Logan’s a great guy. He’s the perfect person to tackle this with. I know how scary it can be, but those worries? I promise you, they will be long gone by the time you’ve got that little one in your arms.” She squeezed Sirena’s fingers. “Don’t let the name fool you. Mornin’ sickness is a bitch and comes ‘round when you least expect it. For me, it was always in the middle of the freakin’ night.” Naomi laughed. “Hey, that ain’t true. It might not be the typical family one might expect, but you’ve got family. Don’t say that. It’s a learning curve and you’re going to make mistakes, but if you’re dedicated to doing your best, you’re going to be a wonderful mother.”

[naomi-owens]

❛ BLAKE, R.

“I guess I can see that, yeah. But I will reiterate again, that you’re far from old. As for them needing some help? Most definitely. They have no idea what they’re doing and to use that as a conversation starter? Ridiculous.” As a response, Remy shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. She hated that some people thought this way and went ahead to send something like that. But she couldn’t really change them now could she? All she had to do was block them and just carry on with her day. “Oh really? You think you could find her?” The blonde chuckled. “Well, if that’s the case, what are doing hangin’ out around here? Shouldn’t we be on a search for her?” She wasn’t even sure if that was possible and if it were, given how shy she was, she didn’t know if she could actually go through with it if it actually became a thing. “I don’t know… with my work schedule and my inability to act like a normal, acceptable conversationalist in society, I don’t know how successful me going out to different bars will be.”

                       "Mm, maybe you’re right, but still.” She was technically still a baby if it was left up to her brothers to decide. She was only thirty three but despite that, she felt late in the game. So ironically, Naomi was feeling both way too old and a tad bit young in the same breath. “Well, we can say next on that easily.” She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “And, it’s totally easy. You can figure out their accounts when they think they’e cool nd connect their Instagram. Then well, it’s like falling down into the rabbit’s hole with the jack pot. You get their last name, you find their Facebook, then you’re finding their Mama who’s posting family photos and you’re able to ruin his entire year.” Naomi waved her phone as if she was about to go on the hunt, but wondered if she should cut the poor sucker a break. “I find it a little hard you have the inability to act like the total knockout you are.” She said, brow ticked. “Plus, if you have time for a drink with me, ain’t it the same as multitasking and scoping out what the town has to offer? I mean come on. I’m an awesome wing-woman.” 

[naomi-owens]

❛ BRADLEY, P.

“Oh but I do”. She’d never got as far as planning a honeymoon. That was the honest and brutal truth of it, so perhaps she drank up the words that left Naomi’s lips a little too readily, greedy for the information as though she would someday have the chance to sit there and decide on destinations and plans. No, it seemed that those dreams had slipped away from her now; she was too old to be the blushing bride, so she’d simply settle with the hand she’d been dealt. Or at least, that was what she had told herself. But as Naomi spoke, and as Penelope’s gaze cast over the woman, still aglow and in that special bubble that newly weds resided in, there it was again, that low pang of jealousy. That desire for tradition and order, a home and a family. But she silenced that longing with a deep sip of wine, lips brushing over the glass and leaving behind a soft marking from her lipstick as she did. “I’ll bet there was” she grinned across the room at the other woman, mischief present in the twinkle of her eye and a crooked smirk of her lip. “God I tell you, if you could bottle that honeymoon bliss glow, you would be a millionaire” she added jokily as she settled back against the cushions. “Oh stop, there was no way I wasn’t going to be there”. Well, that wasn’t strictly true. There had been the hour before Sam had picked her up where she’d basically sat on the floor of her bedroom and contemplated just crawling back between the sheets. “Only the best for best” she declared with a broad grin. “And everyone needs a KitchenAid. Or so I hear. It’s like the mark of respectable married bliss”

                      “Let’s just say there was only a few hours spent on the beach and more time spent indoors. Well, more time spent privately, I should say. It wasn’t always indoors.” Naomi laughed anyways, flipping some strands of hair free from her eyes and eventually resorting to tuck larger chunks behind her ear. It felt good to know that plenty others could see the happiness that radiated from Naomi. Her life hadn’t been perfect and it certainly hadn’t been horrible, but it was safe to say that the past year had completely done a one eighty. She was blessed with plenty and the smile on her face showcased just how appreciative and grateful she was. “God, could you imagine? I’d beat out the entire high end skincare line in a solid week.” She chuckled some again, then crossed her legs up on the couch to get a bit more cozy. “Either way, girl, I’m glad. It meant the world to have so many people we loved there. Plus, don’t think I didn’t see how rockin’ you looked in that dress. I’m a bit disappointed you didn’t snag the bouquet, but it’s okay, we’ll work our magic elsewhere.” Her head bobbed and she grinned over the wedding gift. “This is just givin’ me the excuse to become one of those mom’s at the bake sale who thinks their cupcakes are legit... but really, store bought just tastes better.” Her lips smacked together to keep her from laughing too hard. 

[ana-elisabeta]

[a-joyfuljourney]

[naomi-owens]

❛ MONREO, K.

@wilmingtonstarters​

“When you said you had a surprise, I didn’t think it involved basically kidnapping me,” she protested half-heartedly. “Is the hand-blindfold necessary? I promise I won’t open them until you give me the go ahead.”

                      “Is this considered kidnappin’? Did I actually do it right?” The accent dripped from every word Naomi spoke, dropping both her hands down onto Kelsey’s shoulders. She had been totally winging it here, but it had been quite some time since she had gotten to catch up with the sun-kissed beauty. Naomi laughed when Kelsey protested over the blindfold again, so she caved and undid the quick knot with nimble fingers. “You’re not fun.” She hummed teasingly. “You can open your eyes now anyway. I figured if I was goin’ to get any time with the busy bee, it was goin’ to be kidnappin’.”

[naomi-owens]

❛ MONTGOMERY, N.

Nadia laughed. “I’m a lot better now actually, I think maybe I’m too nice now.” She lifted her eyes up towards her as she leaned against the table, pressing her lips together. “It would depend on the mood and what someone said. Girls were ruthless and it always took a small thing to set me off… until I met Jack, somehow… He was the calm in the storm of mine.” She cleared her throat, folding her hands on the table in front of her. “I’m hoping I can be enough,” she admitted in a soft voice as she lifted her eyes up towards her.  “How have I lived without you, Naomi?”

                      “I don’t believe there’s such a thing as bein’ too nice. You should always have a kind heart.” Naomi added her two cents in with a hum, something that her Daddy always reminded her of. “Too easy-goin’? Maybe, but that’s a whole other story.” She nodded her head along with everything Nadia said and took it all in. She couldn’t imagine the little thing to be a fighter, but at the same time, most didn’t expect for the cheerleader that she was to be able to pack a punch. “Girls were ruthless, weren’t they? Hell, they still are, I swear. I’m workin’ back at my old high school and Lord, they’re all still as prissy as they were when I was younger.” Her smile was bright when she mentioned Jack, something she could relate to with having Dominic and Caine in her corner back in her days. “Was he a friend? Boyfriend?” She asked with her head tilted, curious. “Oh, you haven’t.” Naomi boosted with a grin and jokingly rolled her head back. “But don’t you worry, I ain’t goin’ anywhere.”

[naomi-owens]

❛ REEVES, L.

Lucas couldn’t help but raise his brow at Naomi’s suggestion, simply because it wasn’t quite what he was expecting but it caught his interest none the less, “Fried peanut butter sandwich?” he repeated if only to express how ridiculous it sounded, “Alright, guess it sounds like risking possible on-set diabetes for” He joked with a smirk. When it came to Caine, Lucas had no real worries about his friend. Truth be told, he had a feeling that he had been busy with the prospects or off with Shay and would come by when he could, “Yeah, kinda regret double texting him now. Who knew I’d be one of those people” he said shaking his head with an amused expression. “Can’t be lonely with two dogs” Lucas argued back. “Well the chocolate and the open bar, it was a team effort when it came to winning me over.”

                      “Mm, I said what I said. Fried peanut butter sandwich.” It was a definite heart attack waiting to happen… but everyone kicked the bucket at the finish line so why the hell not savor the finer things in life? Naomi grinned, knowing she had caught him by surprise with that one and tapped her palms together for a brief joking clap like she had him. “You won’t regret it. It’ll even be on me, my treat, but afterwards you will have to remind me just how grateful you are for introducing you to somethin’ real legendary.” Another smirk crossed her lips, though soon enough was fading away when she stole another handful of french fries to munch on. “You’re ashamed to be a double texter? Oh sweetheart, don’t. You could be sending ten in one setting like me. I apparently can’t get all my thoughts into a single text.” Naomi cocked her head to the side then licked the salt from her lips from the fries. “You’ve got a point, I don’t know what I’d do without my Maisie girl.” She spoke fondly of the English Mastiff, but couldn’t resist ticking htat sculpted brow toward the blonde biker. “But you know what I mean. Skirtin’ around it. It’s a different kind of lonely.” 

[naomi-owens]

❛ TAYLOR, A.

Amy let it rest with an ‘I told you so’ shrug of her shoulders and a wide grin on her lips. She’d happily indulge whatever Naomi wanted to get off her chest, be it about the wedding, her newfound married bliss, or something else entirely: Amy was keen on proving she would be there for her friend, and she was there to stay this time around. Provided all the puzzle pieces fell into their place eventually, but for once she had hopes of it actually happening. For once she believed luck would be on her side─ after all, it’s been too long since the last time it happened. Heat rushed through her body and painted her cheeks a faint shade of red at Naomi’s compliments: it was one thing to feel differently, it was another thing for others to notice it and point it out. “I’m likin’ her, too,” Amy admitted, glancing down at her lap briefly. Whatever flaws and faults she still believed to have, there was a large part of her that believed it was okay not to be perfect, something the old Amy never would have allowed herself before. “Oh, you know what?” She said sneakily, leaning in ever so closely as if she were about to dish out some real dirt. “I’m gonna leave you wanting this time around and say it was everything I needed at the moment.” Pulling out, Amy finished off her statement with a playful wink and beamed a smile at her oldest friend, enjoying all too much the charade she had just put on.

                      There was a newfound glow to Amy that was infectious. Not only did the woman actually get some literal color on her skin, with cheekbones bronzed and faded just right with that brown head of hair, but everything about her radiated. Her happiness was brighter, her laughter was heavier… fuller. Call her cliche, but seeing Amy this way made Naomi’s heart soar with pride. She deserved it more than most and after all the hurdles… well, she wouldn’t get emotional quite yet, but the smile that was painted on her lips just showcased how happy she was for the eldest Taylor. Dropping her head back to roll in the utmost dramatics, the songbird groaned in disappointment. “You, Amy Taylor, totally suck.” She even went as far as puckering her lips out into a pout. “Here I am ready to dish about all the dirty little secrets of my honeymoon and you can’t even give me a little somethin’ somethin’?” She then heaved a sigh, one fat heavy one. “Fine. But you know what? You’re lame, but I’m glad you ain’t lonely.”

[naomi-owens]

❛ HARPER, A.

She appreciated the affection from Naomi, mainly because most of the time she had brushed off her past or just not really thought about it but being here at prom and thinking about how it had set the course for her life was a little overwhelming. But, she was right. She was a successful mother to be and she was pretty happy in her life, especially because she had people like Naomi there at her side. “You’re really good at that, you know? Making people feel good about themselves.”

                      It was almost immediate that a smile graced Naomi’s face when Alison uttered her words. It felt good, of course, which Naomi wasn’t too humble to relish in. “Mm, well, I try. I’m kind of an angel sent from above.” There was a wink tossed somewhere in between her joking around with Alison, and her arm moved down to loop around her elbow, squeezing the woman against her with a bit of affection. “So,” She cocked her head to the side. “Can I plan this baby shower or what?”

[naomi-owens]

❛ CERCI, I.

“You were definitely the popular girl that everyone wanted to be or you were that girl that all the popular girls hated.” She said with a wink, seeing it right now. God, she was sure glad that they’d moved on from that hell hole. “I’d say so. You’ve got your little family and a hot husband. Could be worse. You could always be a nurse.” She winked then, folding her arms over her chest before sighing. “I’m glad I didn’t go to prom if I’m honest.”

                      “Oh, God. I sure hope I wasn't hated. That would’ve broken my little heart back then.” And probably now, she thought. Her hand hovered over her chest where her heart beat. She wasn’t going to be that dramatic though, which prompted Naomi to laugh along with Isobel. “I like to think I was well liked but I liked them all in return, so. I was breaking all those cheerleader stereotypes.” She returned Isobel’s wink then felt a chuckle soon follow. Ticking a brow, Naomi turned toward Isobel, laughing some more. “Could be a nurse? You mean the heaven sent angels that change bedpans for a living?” They did much more, Naomi knew, but for teasing purposes. “Really, why’s that? Still thinking you’re too cool for prom?” This time, Naomi smirked. 

[be-artistic-deactivated20230306]

[naomi-owens]

❛ BLAKE, R.

“Okay first off, you’re far, and I mean far from old. But honestly, these apps truly do feel like they’re meant for people who just hit twenty-one…especially considering this is what they’re thinkin’ excites people.” As she spoke, she handed off the iPhone—letting Naomi take a look at the very unwanted picture. “Right!?” Remy then blurted out. She didn’t want to be a complete jerk about it, but honestly, he deserved it considering he sent it without warning. “I know that’s terrible of me to say but it’s hardly an ice breaker. Like sure, you wanna send a dick pic as your opening line, fine, but at least make sure the picture is a decent one.”

                     "This is makin’ me feel old, though. Good Lord. Not even me bein’ twenty one years old would be wantin’ that? Who wants that? They need a crash course on what really gets a woman’s motor runnin’ because they’re slackin’.” Naomi made a tsking sound with the tip of her tongue gliding over the roof of her mouth, then whistled against her teeth, dropping down onto the seat beside Remy to hand her back her phone. “It ain’t that hard to find his Mama and I’m almost tempted to forward that along for a good ass whoopin’.” Naomi laughed, then nudged the woman’s side. “You’re much better than that dating app, sweetheart. I’m thinkin’ you just need a good few old fashioned nights out at the bars.” 

[naomi-owens]

❛ GREER, C.

FRIDAY, July 10th at the Otis residence.

     “So how big of a nerd am I?” The baker was leaned up against the island in Naomi’s kitchen, taking a bit of a load off from the crutches making her arms ache and letting her body weight rest against the solid surface. She pointed to the notebook she had set down. It was full of her writing, something she hadn’t shared with anyone, and she thought maybe something inside of it would spark something with this little things she and Naomi were going to do. Or well, something that her best friend had asked her to join in on. It had been forever since Caleigh had written anything lyrical but she wrote poetry all the time and with Naomi helping her get back into the swing of things with all her talent there was a big possibility they might put something great together. While she was scared and felt guilty, the Raleigh girl was also excited. “It’s a bit thick and quite a mess.”  ( @naomi-owens​ )

                      “The absolute biggest nerd I’ve ever met.” Humming the brief tease, Naomi winked back toward her best friend, knowing that the baker had taken to light joking in order to ease the tension she might have felt over what had been buried within that notebook. It wasn’t lost on Naomi how deep and meaningful every word that found its way to be tattooed on a sheet of paper with a bit of blue or black ink was to Caleigh. A mixture of joy and heartache and… well, that had been the exact reason that Naomi prompted Caleigh to even dive into this whole thing with her. That, and the undeniable talent that radiated from her best friend that always was just slightly hidden. Plus, getting to work with her would be an obvious bonus. “How much have ya got in there?” Naomi tapped her fingertips down on the book with the other cradling her blended coffee, not daring to open it without Caleigh’s permission. “What do you mean thick?”