Mrs. Elizabeth Burke

I was proud of it.

In a way, I'm just glad you've adapted to the idea. Twins, hon. Let's hope they're more like you.

"It seems like a maternity"? Oh, hon. Not your best joke.

There’s nowhere I’d go other than here. Right here, with you. That’s where I’m meant to be.

That’s all it can be. [ His voice is certain. ] I won’t let it mean more to me than that, El. I can’t. If he - you don’t know what you’re saying, hon. Come back? [ He shakes his head. ] I’m not leaving.

Why? Why is it all it can be? Has he shown interest back? [She wraps her arms around his shoulders, keeping him close, despite the growing bump on her abdomen. It wasn't too out there yet, but enough that it wasn't quite El.] We could always use extra help around here in the future with two on the way, and he's supportive.

[She pauses, debating on bringing up the fact, before she makes herself just say it.] I wouldn't mind, you know, having him around more often.

I was afraid that wasn’t what you were going to say. I was afraid I’d be on the doorstep after that one. [ He had been, too. He knew he’d been avoiding this for awhile, knew it was going to come out eventually, but there are so many other ways. Better ways. ]

It’s a crush, El. That’s all I’ll let it be.

[ He swallowed roughly. ]

Of course I’d never - El, hon, you’re the only person I’ve ever loved like this. [ He takes her hand, brushes his lips against her knuckles. ] I promise you that.

Why would I ever leave you for that? I know you better than that. I know you're not going anywhere, I'm confident about that much. [She kisses him lightly, watching her hand go up towards his lips and smiling back at him.]

Why is that all you will let it be? [There's curiosity in her question.] If he returns it- I trust you will come back.

I should have stayed at the office. Wandered New York City until you were asleep. [ It’s on his mind, and so he says it, and he wants to take it back but he can’t. ] It’s nothing, El. It’s nothing. I promise.

[ He feels like he’s choking. ]

I need air.

#peterburkefbi #[shh you know you love me]

No, this is home, this is where you belong, hon. [She crosses the way, running her hands down his shoulders, staring into those eyes she loves so much. There's so much frustration there. How long has he been fighting this? How long has he thought she would react badly?] It's not nothing, and we both know it. If you love Neal, you love Neal. And that's fine. He charms almost everyone and look how long you've been around him.

I'm okay with it, and you know why? Because I know you aren't going to leave me. [And yet she still can't say the words herself. That she fell in love with him somewhere along the line too.]

It almost did become awkward flirting.

Hmm. This is why I wasn’t going to come home.

Oh, god. Help me.

#peterburkefbi #[I had to scare him XD]

... [There's a moment she doesn't know what to say, she's always had her suspicions, but she hadn't expected to actually hear it. And in truth, there's no objection, Neal isn't a threat, she doesn't feel threatened to lose Peter to anything but a gun shot wound in the wrong place, but it's almost out of nowhere. And there's a moment where she realizes she might have to share the gun holster. That'll take a little bit of work to accept.

And there's part of her wondering why that particular kind of sex is what is making her pause.] ...what?

Neal didn’t do anything. Not this time. He was pretty damn amused, though. I’m not amused at all. I’d like for this to stop.

It could be worse. You could be limited to awkward flirting, hon.

Because I can’t control my mouth. Whatever I think, I’m saying it. No, the back door isn’t broken again.

Well, that's dangerous. What did Neal slip into your coffee?

Still here. Still looking for duct tape.

And why do we need duck tape? Is the back door broken again?

#she's amazing #okay?#*pets Neal*

fuckyeahindierpers-blog

classicratpack is one of the best writers on tumblr, their characterization and ability to turn a phrase matches none.

fuckyeahindierpers-blog

The White Collar indie RPers on here are amazing. Neal (classicratpack, nealxcaffrey, on-burkes-leash), Keller (bitmoreratsorizzo), Elizabeth (imhishon, perceptivewife), Sara (trustthebaton), OC (agentwithableedingheart), and Peter (peterburke-fbi) are fantastic individuals, both IC and OOC, no matter what relationship they happen to be writing. I love them. And I’m so glad I found them.

#asjglkadgjlkasg #keep this safe

classicratpack-blog

| peterburke-fbi, perceptivewife

classicratpack-blog

"You look a little green around the gills, partner," Neal joked, watching Peter’s face. “A little shaky, too." He moved forward, passed Peter’s scary new-dad zombie impression and into the foyer. Then he turned back to face Peter, suddenly a little concerned that he might actually pass out. “Banana?" He offered, nodding towards the kitchen. “I hear they help."

Jokes aside, Peter was smiling. That alone put Neal’s biggest fears to rest. Any man with a grin that wide couldn’t have received the kind of news Neal had been fearing the entire cab ride over. He breathed an audible sigh of relief and then looked up, meeting Peter’s smile with one of his own.

"So where is the lucky lady? I still need to congratulate her personally."

"I don’t need a banana." He needs a manual on parenting. Do they sell those at Barnes and Noble, or not? He thinks not. But there are parenting books, right? He pauses at the thought of it, still trying not to panic, and finally blinks and looks over at Neal.

"What?" He shakes his head again. “Oh - the kitchen. El is in the kitchen."

#peterburkefbi #classicratpack

"No, he doesn't need a banana." El's voice came from the kitchen, smiling a little as she walked in, though there was a concern there. Had she told him she let Neal know first overall? He didn't know about the twins, but if they weren't careful, Neal's casual attitude about it- She simply walked forward, pulling him forward by his hand to kiss him on the cheek. "I can't get him to relax, I figured you might be able to help more than me, I am the walking reminder."

Still moving, she put her arms around Peter's waist, smiling at Neal. "Did he tell you the news yet? What I told him today?"

[Over the years.]

#peterburkefbi #The Family

Shock. He's in shock, is the dim and distant thought as he feels his body moving, watches his hand search for a pulse, please let there be one, please, he adjusts his touch several times, trying so desperately to find - but it's not there, and he's fumbling with his phone and calling Peter, not the police, not for an ambulance, but he drops the phone halfway through and has to scramble away on his knees to vomit violently, feeling himself crack.

[<3 awwwwwwwwww Neaaaaaaal *pets him*]

#murder meme #on-burkes-leash #asks

[ He’s not so sure. He’s not entirely sure he won’t mess it up. Doing his job is one thing; but being a father - hell, that’s another. He’s terrified that he doesn’t have it in him. ]

You’re going to be great.

[ And that is something he means. ]

Alright.

[ He grins. ]

If you can manage an office full of people, run those meetings, chase Neal down and drag him back, and keep him from generally dying- I think you can do this.

They won't even be able to walk for awhile. You'll have an advantage.

[She smiles back, kissing him again, bursting with love for this man, and with the way her belly is growing, his children.]

I have faith in you, Peter.