seen from Morocco
seen from Germany
seen from Australia
seen from China
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from Poland
seen from United States
seen from Bangladesh
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Japan
seen from China
seen from Netherlands
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Canada
*Holding the top of a bag full of frosted sugar cookies with his teeth, Pete uses one of his crutches to knock on Sara's door.*
*Sara’s busy trying to bring down the swelling on her arm by running it under cold water when the knock comes. She groans, sidestepping the cookies that litter the floor to go answer it*
Yes...? Oh, Pete! *swings the door open wide in surprise* What’re ya doin’ here?
The Great Pumpkin? [Pete/Kasey]
positively-pete:
Weeeellll… *He looks to the side as he speaks* The Pete noticed you got a lot of pumpkins here. There’s a legend I heard of once, on the news, ‘bout pumpkin growing spots like these. Would you, uh, call this a sincere pumpkin patch?
Mmm yup! A whole bunch. *He nods, trying to understand what the brunet man means exactly. Sincere?? Kasey had no idea what to think about that.* Um...
*He walks closer to the crops, peering over the patch of pumpkins. He shrugs his shoulders.* Well, ya know, I guess so! I've always liked to think that I grew my pumpkin patches with-- er.. sincerity? Yeah, sincerity.
*Scratching the back of his head, he glances at the unfamiliar man.* Why do you ask?
Start Again - Sara/Petes, AdamJamieTina
“Stop your pacing already, you’re making me dizzy.”
Honestly, didn’t her pretty little feet hurt yet?
“The Pete is hungry,” Bennet announces with a loud yawn. “Sar, I’m gonna go to the Inn and get some grub, I’ll be back-”
“No! No, there they are!” Sara bounces on her heels, her hands clutched to her chest. “There they are- my babies!”
The ferry takes its sweet time to dock, and by the time it's properly anchored, Sara's dancing like she has ants in her pants. The minute the gangplank is put down, she dashes across it, weeping as she hugs her travel-weary son.
“Ma… you’re getting my overalls wet,” Adam complains, awkwardly patting his mother on the back. “I’m glad to see you too but- hey Dad, Daddy, Papa.”
“Welcome back.” Sanders grins. “Yer still shrimpy, son.”
“Aw hush.” Sara turns to stick her tongue out at him. “My baby boy can be whatever height he wants to be, he’s perfect- where’s Tina?”
“Ya got your footing there, miss?” They hear the ferryman's voice coming from the back of the boat, and watch in amazement as he guides their daughter out by the arm, her other cradling a small, blue bundle.
“Hi!” Tina says quietly, smiling at her family. “… Meet your grandson.”
~ ~ ~
It takes a few trips to get all of the luggage Tina and Adam have brought with them back, even with four helping hands. Sara, of course, had been quick to take her daughter up to the house, cooing over their grandson and leaving all the men to do the work.
“Why’re ya feedin him that crap?”
Parker rolls his shoulders as he sets the last of the twins’ luggage in the living room. Sara and Tina are sitting in the living room, the former fussing over the latter as she feeds the baby from a bottle.
“Jack’s hungry, Ma.,” Tina says with a exasperated sigh. “Ain’t like I got milk to give him myself.”
“I fed both of you greedy pigs till ya were nearly a year old, what in the world-”
“I just said I don’t got milk, okay?!”
Parker’s never heard his little girl raise her voice quite like that, not in the twenty-six years he’s known her. Of the twins, Tina’s always been the calmer, more level-headed child- not like her brother, who was definitely his mother’s child. Something had to be up.
“Can I see my grandson?” He asks, thankful when Tina passes the tyke over. “Oh, look at him- he’s real blonde, ain’t he?”
“Got that from his mama.” Adam’s been talking quietly to Sanders and Bennet in the meantime, but he glances up at this question. “Luckily, it ain’t much more than that.”
“Where is Jamie, anyhow?” Bennet asks curiously. “She comin’ by later?”
“… no.” Adam sighs, taking his fussy son from his own Papa. “That’s… it’s complicated.”
“What’s so complicated?” Sara asks with a frown. “And why didn’t ya’ll call when this little critter was born? I woulda come stayed over and helped out…”
“Ya couldn’t have.” Tina clears her throat. “We weren’t…. we weren’t staying anywhere when it happened.”
“Huh?” Sanders looks confused. “What do you mean? How could you not be anywhere? That don’t make no kind of sense, lil bit.”
“What she’s trying to say is that we were moving around at that time and… well, Jamie still is. That’s why we’re here.” He smiles down softly at his son. “The nomad’s life ain’t no way to raise a child and I…. Tina and I had had enough.”
“Son… are you saying what I think you are?”
“Yeah, Dad, he is.” Tina stands up. “We’re no longer married, and she left.” Parker is shocked to see that there are tears welling up in his little girl’s eyes. “She left and she didn’t… she didn’t even tell me….”
“Oh honey.” He’s got her in his arms in a heartbeat, holding her as she sobs. “It’s okay. Just let it out, Tina.”
“Why didn’t ya say something in your letter?” Sara demands, looking stricken. “I’m gonna kick that stupid poncho bitch to Kingdom Come for that!”
“Mom, let it go.” Adam rubs Jack's back as he begins to fuss. “All of ya’ll just hush up for five minutes okay? Jamie doesn’t matter, our past don't matter- we’re home for now so just please stop asking damn questions.” He sighs heavily. “Please. For our sakes?”
Parker looks over his daughter’s shoulder at his son, who has matured quite a bit since he’s last laid eyes on him. That sort of maturity wasn’t something one gained overnight- something had happened to him, and to Tina, and his heart ached for them.
“You two hungry?” He asks instead, rubbing Tina’s back. “I’ll make your favorite.”
~ ~ ~
“Something ain’t right.”
It’s close to midnight and neither Sara nor any of her husbands have been able to sleep since saying good night to their children and grandson. As Sara sits up, she wonders if the same thought is plaguing the others like it is her.
“Why would she just leave? And what did they mean ‘nomad’s life?’ Weren’t they all keepin’ their own ranches when we went for the wedding? How on earth-”
“Sar.” Sanders tugs her into his arms, a little human body pillow. “Yer gonna worry yourself sick if ya keep wonderin’. Just let it be.”
“I can’t,” She grumbles, relaxing in her arms anyway. “Pete, that’s my babies. I gotta know what happened.”
“They’re our babies too, ya know,” Parker chides, hugging her from her other side. “But they’re grown now. Whatever happened it’s up to them to tell us if they want to or not.”
“I’m gonna break that stupid Jamie’s nose if I ever see her again.” She sighs loudly. “I don’t get it. What kind of mother leaves her baby?”
“He’s still got a mother though,” Sanders points out. “Tina’s still around.”
“You’re right…” Sara sighs. “Pete? Ya awake?”
There’s no reply from the floor, and Sanders snorts dismissively.
“Of course, Fatso would be the one to dream with nothing bothering him.”
“Sensei, stop. I think senpai has the right attitude. We need to not fret about what we can’t change. We have work tomorrow so let’s all go to sleep.”
As the three drift off to sleep, Sara wonders again what would posses a woman to leave her family behind. She knows she could never leave her idiots- they’re the loves of her life and she’ll stand by them till the day she dies.
Why hadn’t Jamie felt the same way about Adam and Tina?
~ ~ ~
Bennet wasn’t asleep.
After dinner, when they’d all gone to bed, he’d taken his customary spot on the edge, just waiting for the others to drift off to sleep. As soon as he’d heard Sara sigh softly in her sleep he’d been up and out of the room, quietly stealing down the hallway to a place that hadn’t seen people in a long time.
That was where he found her.
“Hey, Dad.” Tina’s curled up in the white rocking chair, little Jack in her arms. “Did ya need something?”
“No.” He shakes his head at his daughter, who really looks a lot like her mother in the moonlight. Hair down, dressed in nothing but a night gown and a dressing robe… it brings back memories.
“What are you thinking?” Tina asks quietly, gently rocking back and forth. “You look like you’ve got somethin’ on yer mind.”
“It’s nothing I just thought… you reminded me of yer ma for a second there. She and your Papa would always sit in that chair with the two of your- well, mostly Adam.” He chuckles. “You, miss, you’d not want to sleep anywhere else but with your Daddy. Got to be a real struggle when ya turned two and still insisted on sharing our bed.”
“Did I really?” She chuckles softly. “My bad. I guess I just… liked being with everyone.”
“How’s the little guy holding up?” Bennet asks, walking over. “Goddess, he reminds me of you when you were a tyke- see?” He laughs as the little boy smacks his lips in his sleep. “Sometimes you’d just be dreaming you were eating- I wish we’d had a video camera for that. Your little mouth would just be suckling at nothing.”
“Yuck.” Tina shakes her head. “That’s gross, Dad. Don’t remind me of that.” When she falls silent, staring at the sleeping child with a torn expression, Bennet realizes what he must do.
“Get up, sweetheart. Ya need to let the tyke sleep in the crib.” He takes Jack from her arms, crossing the room and putting him down with the ease of a well-seasoned parent.
“Dad, no!” Tina says with alarm. “He’s not used to- ever since he was born he’s been with… with…” She falters. “I was trying to make this easier on him.”
“Easier on him or easier on you?” He sits in the vacated rocking chair, patting his knee. “C’mere, sit on your old man’s lap for bit, would ya?”
“I’m not two, Dad,” She complains as she sits down. “I’m too big for this.”
“And yet, here you are.” He wraps his arms around her. “So what’s really going on, sugar? Ya got us all worried, ya know. Mopin’ around and clingin’ to that youngin’ like he’s your lifeboat… what’s the matter?”
“It’s nothing!” She turns her head away, chin jutting out stubbornly. “Can’t I just hold my nephew without everyone askin’ questions?”
“Nephew?” Bennet frowns. “That’s not- Jack’s yer kid, punkin’.”
“Not biologically. He’s Adam’s.” Tina sniffs. “When Jaime found out I was… happy, you know? So thrilled but… I want one too.” She looks at the crib. “But I can’t have…”
Bennet lets her lapse into troubled silence, her troubles reminding him of his own. The nights when he’d stood apart from the others, watched them with the kids and wondered if he really had a part in this family- if Adam and Tina were actually his. It had taken years for that doubt to fade, but it still lingered.
“I was going to ask the Goddess next time we went back to Flowerbud,” Tina continues tearfully. “She’s- she can do anything. I was going to ask her… but then Jamie left us.” She hides her face against his shoulder, her breath coming in short gasps. “It ain’t fair, Dad. It just ain’t fair.”
“I know… I know…” He rubs her back as she cries quietly. “Don’t cry, Tina. It’s not the end of the world. Jack is still-”
“Jack is Adam’s and Jamie’s, not mine. He’s always gonna have something to remember her by but I’m just the stupid aunt!”
“Well, ya sure are stupid, if ya think that.”
Bennet looks up from trying to calm his daughter to see his son standing in the door, his hair a mess and his robe hanging open.
“Damn it, Tina, the heck is yer issue?” He stomps over. “Stop being a damn crybaby and look at me!”
“Adam!” Bennet frowns. “Don’t you talk to your sister like that.”
“Let him.” Sara appears behind him, looking grumpy. “Ya don’t coddle that attitude of hers, Pete. It’s wrong.”
“What the hell is wrong with the truth?” Tina snaps, and from the crib, Bennet hears a small cry. “I’m not his mother, I’m just his aunt! A-and now that Jamie left us I ain’t never gonna be a mother to no one!”
“Stupid girl.” Sara slaps her forehead. “If it was biology that decided parentage, then ya’d not have three morons for fathers, just one.”
“Hey!” Bennet frowns. “Ouch, Sar.”
“Don’t you ‘Sar’ me, mister. I know what’s going on in that fat head of yours.” She puts her hands on her hips. “I don’t care which of your little fishies actually won that damn race but far as I’m concerned, you love Adam and Tina as much as whoever the birth father is so you’re their father. And that goes the same for you, Missy.”
“But we know who Jack’s birth parents are! It ain’t a big mystery for us.” Tina wipes her streaming eyes. “Two girls can’t make a baby.”
“And yet you were going to ask Marielle for one.” Adam shakes his head. “Really, sissy? Ya really ain’t smart after all, are ya?”
“What’s all the ruckus?” Sanders and Parker poke their heads into the tiny nursery. “Ya havin’ a party in here?”
“Your children are idiots,” Sara grumbles. “Tell this stupid girl she’s the mother of that squalling baby.”
“Why’d you guys leave the baby crying?” Parker wonders as he walks over to scoop up Jack. “C’mere little guy… it’s okay. Grandpa’s got you.”
“Why’d Tina crying- Bennet did you do this?!”
“Wha- why’s it the Pete’s fault?”
“Pete, lay off of him.”
“Um… guys…”
“You’re stupid, ya know that! Did the ceremony mean nothing to you?”
"Stop shouting for five minutes and listen to me!"
"She loved you more!"
“I will not! This idiot has caused more issues than-”
A deafening screech from Jack shuts them all up. They look at Parker, who is desperately trying to rock the kid to sleep.
“I don’t know- can someone please help me?”
“Give him here.” Adam takes his son and coos softly. “What’s wrong, lil man? Wanna wrassle?” When the kid only screams louder, he looks at his mother helplessly. “Mom…?”
“Uh uh. He wants his mama.” She crosses her arms. “Tina?”
“But I’m not…” She sighs, taking the baby. “I’m not his mama.”
“I’d say otherwise,” Bennet says softly as Jack’s wails turn into soft hiccups. “I’ll tell ya what, some kids just won’t quiet for anything but a mother’s touch.”
“Tina…” Adam exhales heavily. “Ya gotta get one thing straight in that head of yours- sure, Jamie carried him but she didn’t for a second want him. Ya never heard the way she’d go on when ya were off getting water or something- she hated being tied down to him, and she hated me for doing that to her. He was just a burden in her eyes. A mistake.”
“But she’s his mother,” Tina sniffles. “They got that bond-”
“Bullshit.” He shakes his head. “That bond was severed with the sheep shears when he was born. She didn’t- I don’t even know if she cared for a one of us, really.”
“That bitch.” Sara’s voice is soft. “I knew I shouldn’t have been so… damn it. And she hurt you…”
“Tina, there’s a reason I didn’t- when she left. You were with Jack and I knew you’d only be more hurt if you’d had to listen to the shit that came out of her mouth.” He chuckles bitterly. “She really never gave a damn about us, did she? I don’t know why I’m so surprised.”
“She was my wife too. At least I woulda liked to try and reason with her… at least she shouldn’t have left him behind. What sorta mother could I be?”
“I asked myself the same question,” Sanders admits. “I mean- father, not mother. Don’t get it twisted I just… didn’t know if I was ready to be a father when ya’ll came ‘round. When you two were small you’d be all over yer ma for this or that and I didn’t think I could compete. Especially not with the other two- I was just ‘Angry Daddy.’ You were the one who coined that one, Princess.” He laughs at Tina’s aghast expression. “I swear your mother damn near laughed herself into a coma over that one.”
“Cause it was accurate, Sensei.” Parker shakes his head. “You two… already know my story. And my stupid fears went away when we found ya’ll again and ya grinned so big to see me… Being a parent is a scary thing, ya know. Especially if you don’t know if they’re yours but blood don’t determine a family. It never has.”
“My apron-tits is right. And the Pete don’t say that lightly. There were times when I wanted to leave but damned if I’m not glad I didn’t cause now I get to stand here in my pjs and scold ya both on being idiots!” Bennet scowls. “Who cares if yer brother and sister? I mean ya can still be that and parents to the same kid- as long as he’s surrounded by people who love him, it don’t matter if one of his folks is a crocagator.”
“That don’t exist, Pete,” Sara chides with a soft smile. “But they’re right ya know. I watched the two of ya grow up and I can say now that little brat couldn’t have two better parents.”
“Aw…thanks, you guys.” Tina sniffs. “Yer too kind…”
“By far we must be if ya grew up with such a complex in yer head.” Sara shakes her head. “Look at that brat of yours, grinning with his gums showing. That means he’s happy, ya know. With you.”
“... Sissy? Maybe one day we'll both fall for someone better and- if that time comes, yer still gonna be Jack's ma. You always will be. Cause you and I... we loved him first." Adam walks over to ruffle his sister's hair, smiling softly at the baby in her arms. "Okay?"
"... Okay." She smiles up at him. "Thanks."
"Are we all ready for bed now? We got chores in the morning." Sara helps Tina off of Bennet's lap and then shoos him out with the rest of her husbands. "Let the youngin's sort their kid, we're old and need our sleep, hear?"
Once they're all in the bedroom, Sara stops Bennet before he settles on the floor with a pillow and blanket.
"Hey." She smiles at him softly. "Ya okay?"
"The Pete's a big boy, Sar," He scoffs, rolling his eyes. "I don't got no doubts now. She just reminded me... of myself."
"Well, she is your daughter, after all." She smiles over her shoulder at Parker and Sanders. "And yours and yours."
"Don't gotta tell us twice." Sanders smirks. "Now, are ya two gonna stop being gushy and get to bed, or am I gonna have ta make ya?"
"Yeah." Sara takes Bennet's hand and tugs him into bed. "Let's sleep."
In the morning, the foursome find Tina and Adam crammed into the same bed together, holding hands in their sleep like they used to as children. And between them, smacking his lips in his sleep, is baby Jack.
Things are going to be okay after all.
Notes:
Casually throws Jamie under the bus
Sorry Jamie I just- after that drabble couldn't shake the thought that yeah, those twins are gonna get burnt- and the I thought about the MM baby and 'oh wait, blue eyes blonde hair? That's totally Jamie and Adam's baby- shit. Poor Tina.'
This is pretty random I'm sorry I got all sorts of lost well here's a thing before I disappear into the world of school work and yarn for the next few weeks, bye.
Dance, Dance | Sara and Pete
'Damn it, why'd I say yes?'
Against her better judgement, Sara had accepted Pete Bennet's invitation to the Goddess Festival. Regardless that she couldn't dance for shit, something in her had compelled her to come. Something besides hecking things up for Parker and that dumb Ib key.
She just didn't know what.
The dress was her mothers, something she'd found in the cellar after ages of digging. Somehow, despite being in storage for 19 years, it was in a good condition, and even fit her well. Standing before the mirror before she'd left for the festival, she'd recalled something her dad had told her years ago, when he'd tried to get her to go to one of these things with him.
'See this dress, Sar? This is the dress your mother was wearing when we met. I fell in love with her at first sight.'
Of course, the story had just been cringe-worthy at age thirteen, but now she felt that maybe a little magic from back then clung to this dress still.
Then again, she was too old for fairy tales.
When was Bennet gonna get here? She was getting antsy, and she hadn't seen Parker or Ib key anywhere yet- plus, people were lookin' at her funny for just hangin' around without a date.
He'd better hurry his ass up, that was all she was sayin'.
Baby Steps - Sara/Petes
“Absolutely not.”
“Because a hot tub for cows is the last thing any farm needs!”
“I agree completely sensei, but do you have to be so rude about it?”
“What kind of apron-tits are ya, anyhow?! Back me up!”
Sara rubbed her temples as the three men continued to squabble, completely ignoring the task at hand. Since accepting their proposals a few weeks ago, they’d been busily trying to squeeze three farms into one. Of course, things hadn’t been too easy- especially because two of her boys were extremely stubborn.
“I ain’t sellin’ a one of them, ya hear me! They’re very special to me!”
“The hell dya think we’re gonna fit twenty damn cows! Not to mention whatever Parker wants to bring!”
“I um… don’t like animals? And Claire’s gonna take over the farm entirely so…”
“See! That means more room for my darling cows!”
As the squabbling escalates, Sara finds herself growing panicked, as if she won’t survive if she doesn’t get out now. Quietly, she gets up and goes outside, groaning as she leans against the outside wall and puts a hand to her sore tummy.
All of this squabbling for something that still felt like a dream. The little life she was carrying was hardly a swelling under her hand, and still it held more power over all of them than even the Union.
Sometimes, she isn’t sure if she wants to bless it or curse it for the changes it has brought to her life. What she really wants is for all the stress to stop so that she can jut breathe easy for five minutes.
That isn't too much to ask for, is it?
“Are you okay?”
A quiet voice breaks through her thoughts, and she turns to look up into Parker’s soft brown eyes.
“Tired of all the fighting,” She admits, allowing him to hold her. “Why ain't ya in there causing a ruckus with the others?”
“I got tired too. And worried about you.” He rubs her back. “Still feeling ill?”
“A bit." A lot. Even if the doctor said it was normal, the intensity with which everything was hitting her was frightening. "I ain’t think I’m ever gonna get used to it.” She sighs against his shoulder. “Pete, I ain’t doin’ the wrong thing, am I? I want all of us to live together but… then with all the fighting maybe-”
“Of course you aren’t,” He soothes, hugging her tighter. “If anything, it’s-”
“Hands off, Crybaby!” It’s the sound of that familiar voice that really gets her- the person she’d opened her heart for first, had held a candle for for two whole years. “Stop getting’ so damn familiar with my Sar.”
Goddamn it, Sanders.
“Hey!” Now Parker’s bristling, letting her go to get up in the other man’s face- on his tiptoes. “She’s all of ours, remember? Yer the one who said we’re going to share her.”
“I was just saying the right thing in the moment, idiot! Why’d ya think I'd wanna share with two complete morons anyhow!?”
“Um, because we’re the ones who picked up the pieces after you fucked off to Goddess knows where?” And there’s Bennet, whose angry voice is usually such a turn-on… not today. “You shouldn’t even be here, ya know! It’s a wonder she even took ya back after the shitty way you treated her!”
“You take that back!”
“Boys,” She tries, feeling her stomach churning. “Quit that right now.”
“And another thing- what have you even really done for her?”
“What the hell are you trying to imply?!”
“Please…”
“I don’t know how I thought this might work, none of ya are worthy of her!”
“And yer one to talk! What have you done!?”
“I saved this shitty farm and I-”
Sara’s dinner all over their shoes stops the argument, and they stare at their shaking wife as she straightens up, wiping her mouth with the back of her glove.
This fucking tears it.
“Yer damn right ‘bout one thing. This ain’t gonna work.” She’s horrified to realize her eyes are burning with tears as she looks from one Pete to the others. “Yer so damn wrapped up in yer stupid egos and pride you don’t even stop to look at what’s going on right before you!” She sniffs. “Damn it, I’m pregnant you idiots. This ain’t about who gets to be with me more- this is about a family! A family I’m not so sure I want to exist anymore!” She stomps past them towards the house. “Sleep in the barn for all I care, cause none of you are coming into my house!”
Her tirade is punctuated by the slamming of the door, followed by the rustle of the chains as she slides the deadbolt into place.
“Fuck.” Sanders is the first to speak, shaking his head. “What have we done?”
“We?!” Bennet hisses. “Yer the one who has been a right ass from day one! Not listening to any word no one has to say except yer own.”
“No one wants a fucking cow hot tub!”
“That’s not the point!” Parker explodes. “Damn it, you two are missing the entire reason Sara’s so mad. What kind of family are we gonna be if the fathers are fighting all the time around the kid? Sara’s right to kick us out for that- no child deserves squabbling parents.”
This gives the three pause. Despite the fact that the pregnancy is what has truly brought them together, they’ve not really thought about it too much. Sure, Sara was more irritable and ill but that, in their minds, was just a Sara issue- the baby was still just an abstract idea, nothing concrete.
In about eight months they’d be parents. There’d be a little person who looked like one of them who would be sponging up everything that went on in the little farm house and with the way they were fighting, the kid would turn out some sort of demon.
“… Damn.” Bennet shakes his head. “I never thought about it that way.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Sanders snarks. At Parker’s sharp glare, his expression softens. “… Neither did I.”
“Can we please just keep it together for her sake?” Parker asks quietly. “I don’t dislike you guys, really, except if you make her upset.” He looks at Sanders. “Ya don’t have to be so damn jealous, ya know. We all know who she loves most, after all.”
“Yeah,” Bennet mumbles as he starts to walk away. “Knew it from the first time I met her.”
Parker gives Sanders one last searching look before walking off after his other ‘sister-husband’- though how long that joke title would even last now was up for debate.
Goddess, he’d been a royal ass, hadn’t he? Poor Sara- no wonder she’d looked so stressed out, ever since he’d found his way back home. Even before she’d started dating the three of them, she’d worn that pained expression every time he’d opened his mouth.
Some dad he’d be.
Sleep eludes him for most of the night, and he wakes up to see her silently doing her chores, ignoring his presence amongst her flock of sheep. When he tries to hug her, she gives him the cold shoulder and an elbow to the gut, focusing on her tasks with a grim expression.
Just as he deserves.
~ ~ ~
“So… she’s serious, huh?”
Bennet and Parker are at the Inn, quietly supping together over burgers and fries.
“Well, yeah. Since when is Sar not serious?” Parker nods at the bags beside them. “At least Bigbee’s nice enough to let us stay for a while.”
“… The Pete’s not happy about this, apron-tits. What are we gonna do if she doesn’t take us back?”
“Uhm…” Parker wilts. “Don’t ask me, I don’t want to think about it.”
And he really doesn’t. He’d left his family now not once, but twice. The first time had been to take over Cherry Farm, and the second… had been for her. His father didn’t approve of their relationship, and his mother… well he was sure she couldn’t like it either. What parent would?
Polyamory… what had they been thinking?
He know exactly what he’d been thinking- he’d just been happy not to have been left behind. Of the three of them, he’s always known that Sara prefers him the least. Heck, she’d started dating Bennet first, never let go of Sanders in her heart and him?
Well, he was just Shortie Crybaby.
“I don’t think Sara likes me.”
“Huh?”
They’re back in their rooms, in the tiny twin bed that Bigbee had given them out of pity (and perhaps a bit of spite). Parker turns to look at the other man, who is wearing quite the magnificent pout.
“What are you talking about, senpai?”
“Don’t make me say it twice.” The fact that he doesn’t say ‘The Pete’ or comment about ‘not being a sand pie’ makes Parker nervous.
“Uh…”
“Look, you and Sanders do stuff for her. Like… ya cook and then stupid Sanders is just… she missed him, ya know?” He huffs. “Honest, I think she only started dating me cause I look like him.”
“You could say the same for me too, ya know,” Parker points out. “I mean, despite the short thing…”
“Look, point is, I just give her headaches and maybe it’d be better if I went back to Flowerbud and worked the dang ranch ‘lone again.”
“Senpai, no.” Parker sits up. “Ya can’t leave. If anything, I should. I just cry and make a scene. I'm hardly good husband material and what kind of papa am I gonna be to the kid? They need someone strong- like you or sensei.”
“Yer plenty strong yerself, ya know.” Bennet sits up too, reaching over to turn on the light. “Ya deal with our shit all the time… that makes ya perfect for fatherhood.”
“Thank you…”
They sit in silence for a while, only the humming of the lamp providing any sound.
“Hey... have you ever thought about it?” Bennet turns to look at Parker. “The kid, I mean. What it’ll be like when it gets here?”
“Little bit,” Parker admits with a smile. “It’ll be loud ‘round here, that’s for sure.”
“Ya think it’ll take more after us or Sar? I mean… whichever of us is the real dad.”
“I hope after Sara,” Parker says finally. “I’d love a little girl just like her.” Not the least of which, he wants to avoid the ensuing fight over who the kid's father was. Of course, he'd love for it to be his little boy or girl, but a kid was a kid, no matter the parent. He'd love that kid no matter if it were his or not.
Still, it would just be easier if the kid took after Sara.
“Nah, she’d be a lot to handle, that’s for sure.” Bennet laughs quietly. “Can you imagine that spitfire personality in a little person? The tyke’d run circles round all of us.”
“Makes ya wonder how Sara’s dad raised her all by himself.”
They both start to laugh at the thought of a tiny Sara Wilder and her poor pa. Knowing their wife, she must have made the man gray before his time.
“What if it’s a boy?” Bennet asks suddenly. “Ya ever think of that?”
“Sometimes.” Parker shrugs. “Honest, I’ve been so worried about Sar and us that I forgot about the kid.”
“Yeah…” Bennet sighs. “Eight months ain’t long, is it?”
“Nope.” Parker starts to lie back down again. “But now I do feel bad… poor Sar. We gotta go talk to her tomorrow. I dunno about sensei but you and I… she doesn’t deserve all this headache.”
“Yeah.” Bennet flops onto his side, reaching for the light. “She’s a good girl, ya know. Even with all that roller-coaster emotions of hers. And we’re all three lucky to have her.”
“Yeah.” Parker yawns. “Good night, senpai.”
“Not… a sand pie… apron-tits…”
The light clicks off and they fall asleep, waking up in a tangled mess to Bigbee looming over them.
“You boys have a visitor.” He laughs as they sit up, still clinging to each other. “Damn, you better tip well so Sara don’t hear ‘bout this.”
“She thinks it’s funny, actually,” Parker mumbles, eyes widening as the last member of their ‘sister-husband’ trio walks through the door, looking disheveled and woebegone. “Sensei…?”
“Guys, ya gotta help me out.” He’s covered in dirt and hay, and there’s some wool stuck to his hat. “I don’t know what to do to get her to like me again. Even when she hated me, she loved me and I don’t know what to do when she’s pretending I don’t exist. It’s weird and I don’t like it. Help.”
Bennet’s the first to react to Sanders’ outburst, a lazy smirk on his lips as he looks the other man over.
“Give me one good reason why.”
“Huh?” Sanders looks confused. “What why? Because I said so!”
“Sensei, have you not learned anything this entire week?” Parker shakes his head. “Sar’s mad because we keep acting like it’s all about us. It isn’t anymore. We’re going to be parents soon.”
“Yeah.” Bennet nods. “There’s gonna be a lil kid lookin’ up to us soon.”
“We’re a family.” Parker scowls. “And by the way? You’ve been treating the dogs nicer than ya have us.”
“Koro and Butterball are fam- oh.” Sanders wilts. “You’re right.”
“So?” Bennet’s practically bouncing on the bed. “What dya say?”
“… shut up, Fatass.” He looks away with a scowl. “I ain’t gonna say it.”
“Then we aren’t helping you.” Parker crosses his arms over his chest. “Your move, sensei.”
"Aw just give up already, apron-tits. Asshole ain't gonna give, so we might as well march over to Sara and tell her-"
"Sorry."
"Yeah that." Bennet freezes. staring at the oldest member of their trio. "Wait what!?"
"Don't make me say it twice." His cheeks are red. "Really, I'll try harder. It's just... weird, ya know? I came back and she was happy... because of you two. Even when I didn't have my memories I was so... jealous. But yer good for her... idiots though you are. So... can we please get Sar to like us again?"
He's practically begging, which is what convinces the others to finally give.
"Sensei, you're in luck." Parker gets up from the bed. "We're gonna win our wife back today, and I know just the way to do it, right, senpai?"
"The Pete ain't a sandpie but I agree." Bennet nods with a determined look. "Let's go win our wife back."
~ ~ ~
Damn it, she was so tired.
Sara trudged up the hill towards home, recounting the events of the day in her head as she walked. After chores, she'd called the Union for shipments and they'd asked her to come in for a surprise meeting.
Turns out there were 'concerns' about her current living situation, and whether it was beneficial to the farm to be living with three men. She'd had to fight tooth and nail on that one, showing them the original contract that said the only requirement was for her and Pete Sanders to both be on the property. It said nowhere that she couldn't have other people with her- plus, her shipment records showed a sharp increase with the extra hands in just the past month alone.
The thing that had really closed the deal was when she'd gotten sick all over their stupid documents. Then, they'd finally taken pity and told her to go home before she gave them all the plague.
Too bad they couldn't catch what she had.
Her animals are inside, for some reason, which would set off alarms in her head were she not so exhausted. After checking on all of them, she heads for home, which is when the panic sets in.
Her lock is broken.
She's the only one with the keys to the house- not a one of her boys, not even Sanders, had been gifted with that privilege yet. And as far as she knew, they were all staying in town at the Inn.
Who the fuck was in her house?
A short jog to her barn later, she enters the house, her shot gun held aloft. Whoever it was would get the surprise of their life when they realized the little lady was not only armed, but well-trained.
Rest in pieces, motherfucker.
"Sara, you're home!"
The sudden sound and movement from her right makes her jump, and her finger slips on the trigger.
They're all damn lucky that Pete Bennet can move so fast. As it is, only the lamp beside him suffers, exploding with a loud crack as the bullet hits it.
"Goddess, Sar! I didn't know you were that mad at me!"
She'd almost lost him. Goddess, she'd almost shot her husband. Slowly, the gun is lowered as her eyes begin to well with tears.
"Pete, what the fuck?" She croaks, sniffing loudly. "I coulda killed ya, idiot."
"I wasn't expectin' ya to come in with a gun!" He turns to look over his shoulder. "Damn it, Sanders, I told ya we shoulda left a note for her."
"That would have ruined the surprise, Fatso." Her oldest husband walks out, clucking his tongue when he sees the gun in her hands. "Sar, put that down, ya could hurt someone with that."
"What the fuck are ya doing in my house?!" She clutches the gun tighter. "Answer me or I'll shoot ya with no reservations!"
"What, so Fatty gets the tears and I just get another round?!"
"Hey!"
"Sensei, senpai, stop fighting. That's the reason we're in this mess to begin with." Parker steps into view, holding his hands up. "Hey, Sar? Can you please put the gun down and come with me? We've been waiting for ya all evening, ya know. We have a surprise for you..."
"It better be damn good for breaking into my house," She mumbles, crossing to the dining room table to put the gun down. "And ya'll owe me a new lamp."
"That's fine." He takes her by the hand, leading her slowly from room to room. "Notice anything different?"
"Not really." She glances around the living room dismissively. "What's to notice- oh!"
There's a blanket on the couch, one she's never seen before. All sorts of colors and patterns adorn it, and it looks... soft and warm.
"I made that," Parker admits with a blush. "Last Winter out of boredom. It was on my bed at home but... this is home now."
"I wanna show her next!" Bennet bounds forward, clearly over his life-or-death scare. "See here, Sar, the Pete brought the best in home entertainment for our house. See, we got Blue's Brothers, 50 First Dates, a Fraggle Rock Concert..."
"I don't even know what that is," Sara admits with a shaky laugh. "But weren't that all at yer place?"
"Geez, is that baby makin' yer hearing go? Didn't Parker just say this is home?" He laughs, ruffling her hair. "C'mon Sar, focus."
"Don't mess with my hair!" She giggles despite herself, trying to smooth it down. "Ya jerk!" She looks over at Sanders, who is standing quietly to the side. "So?"
"Well, this has already been my home but..." He shrugs. "I went to grandpa's farm the other day. Picked up the last of my things and... listed it." He shrugs at her incredulous expression. "Well, it was a matter of time, wasn't it? Come on, I'll show ya what I mean..."
With the other two men holding her hands, she follows Sanders to the back to their bedroom, and then just past it to the tiny spare room she's just been using as junk storage.
"What the shit, Pete?!"
"Aw, what kind of reaction is that to yer future nursery?" Bennet jokes, squeezing her hand gently. "What do ya think?"
There's nothing really in there to move her to this extent. The walls are painted a light blue, the clutter is gone and there's a small bassinet sitting in the middle of the room.
It really isn't anything at all, so why is she crying?
"Sara?" Parker's panicking. "Oh Goddess- here, take my neckerchief, you've cried into mine a million times anyhow."
"The Pete thought this was going to make ya happy, not more upset- way to go, Sanders."
"Me?! She's probably just mad you chose blue when we're probably gonna have a little girl!"
"Stop fighting, morons!" She wails, hiding her face in the red cloth. "Why'd ya do this for me?"
The question gives them all pause, and the three men have to look at each other before Sanders finally answers.
"It's to say sorry for being such asses. And to show ya... we are committed to this. Our family."
"All this time we been squabblin' bout you and not even thinkin' about you at all. Ain't that dumb?" Bennet pats her shoulder awkwardly as she continues to sob. "Um... we really do love ya, honest. And the tyke- whoever it might belong to."
"Sar, are you okay?" Parker asks in alarm as the tears don't stop. "What did we do wrong here?"
"No, idiots." She looks up with a bright red face. "I just- hormones. It's hormones. Yer stupid brat's makin' me a hot mess." She sniffles. "Ooh, get over here, all of ya." She sighs as they hug her, coughing slightly as her tears slow. "I love ya morons. I just want us all to be happy, ya know?"
"Course we do." Sander's voice is hot in her ear. "And we are- so long as we're with you."
"Also if we get food," Bennet says after a moment's thought. "Ain't no one can be happy on an empty stomach!"
"Senpai!"
"Stupid." Sara shakes her head, waving them off. "Oh, I missed you morons. It was weird livin' alone again after so long..." She glances at Sanders, whose expression grows somber as he gets her meaning. "I'm glad to have ya home."
"And we're glad to be here." Parker kisses her wet cheek. "Let's go clean up and have some dinner, huh? Is the baby feeling like spaghetti?"
"Screw what the baby feels like. I want some of your famous pasketti." She giggles, wiping at her eyes with his neckerchief. "Say, ain't the tables turned? You used to ruin mine, but now I'm wreckin' yours."
"What's ours is yours, Sar. Ain't that what family means?"
He's right, of course. It is. And she's thankful that at least she's got them all together again.
It may take baby steps to get them to where they're going, but so long as they have each other... it'll be okay.
She knows it.
Notes:
Well well well. Budgie's being trash again.
There is no way three men and one woman can easily come together without some friction- even if there's a baby as the uniting glue.
I love writing the boys and I hope I didn't butcher a one of them because they're all perfect precious people.
Also Sara's reactions to all of this are like... 300% over the top because like- man you get the symptoms of pregnancy twice as fast and twice as hard with twins. She's not even into her second month proper but they've been slamming her like they've been there for twice as long. So she's more emotional- but who could blame her for it?
The twins' nursery is hella cute, okay? Light blue with clouds and animals dancing 'round the walls, white furniture- it's really gender neutral, which is good since they end up with one of each. And Sara's not exactly fond of pink.
But Sanders totally is which is why Tina's wardrobe is 60% pink. She's the motherfuckin' princess of Wilder Ranch.
Why am I talking about the kids who aren't even born yet in this sorry goodbye.
A REAL Date | Sara and Pete
Sara was utterly mortified. Of all the stupid dares she coulda gotten, she'd landed this one.
At least someone would be happy about it.
"Hey, Fatso." She raised her voice as she approached the other farmer. "You, me. Date." She felt her ears burn. "Now?"
Oops - Sara/Petes, Erik
The first time she notices is when she’s mucking out the chicken coops.
“Sara! The Pete came by with some flowers- woah.” She turns to see Bennet standing by the door, a disgusted expression on his face. “Which hen did that?”
“This one.” She wipes her mouth and straightens up. “Goddess that was weird. I didn't even feel sick or nothin'.”
“I uh- the Pete doesn’t want that kiss now.” He holds his hands up in surrender. “But I’ll put these in a vase for ya?”
“Sure.” She leans her shovel against the wall and follows him out. “I gotta use the lady’s room anyhow.”
Strange. She’d not had anything but a glass of juice today but she really needed to go- not to mention her stomach sort of hurt. When she comes out, Bennet’s waiting at the kitchen table, the wilting wildflowers in the pretty little vase that Sanders had bought for her their first winter together.
“Don’t ya have work today?” She asks, crossing into the kitchen to look for an aspirin. “Yer cow’s ain’t gonna miss yer singin’?”
“Aw, Sar, don’t tell me you forgot.” He pouts. “The Pete is extremely hurt.”
“Huh…?”
“She probably just doesn’t want to go out on the town with a tub of lard.”
Oh boy. There’s her partner, at it again. She swallows the pill and walks out, hands on her hips.
“Pete, quit it right now. I ain’t havin’ ya’ll get into a brawl right now- did ya finish the plants?”
“Yes, I did. Unlike someone who didn’t finish the coops- are the hens sick?”
“Naw, that was Sara,” Bennet supplies helpfully. “Nothin’ a day out won’t cure.”
“Shoot.” Her eyes widen. “Our lunch date- that’s today, ain’t it?”
“Yep! And then we’re going back to Flowerbud where we are gonna-”
“She can’t.” Sanders shakes his head. “And I ain’t saying that just cause I hate ya, but if she’s puking like that…”
“I took medicine!” Sara protests. “Stop being an ass. Yesterday was yer day.”
“And we had a huge harvest, remember? We weren't done till sunset! It ain’t fair and-” He stops abruptly, peering into her face. “Woah, you look pale.”
“Yeah.” Bennet nods. “Like paper. I'll take a raincheck on the date, don't worry.”
“Go lie down.” Sanders steers her to the bedroom, plopping her down on the bed. “Bennet and I can finish your chores, you just rest easy, hear?”
“Um.” She wants to protest but she is feeling dizzy. “Fine, I guess.”
“Good.”
As he walks out, she hears Bennet loudly complaining about how his ‘free day’ has turned into a work day. Poor thing. At least his cows got a day of rest from that singing…
She’s out like a light as soon as her head hits the pillow.
~ ~ ~
When a week passes with little improvement, they send her to the city doctor with Parker.
“Stop fussing over me,” She growls as they get off the ferry. “It’s just a stomach bug.”
“Well even so, we gotta make sure you’re well, Sar.” He grabs her hand and guides her around a hole in the sidewalk. “Don’t worry about the visit though- I know this doctor. He’s been real good to my family for years. In fact, when I was born-”
“Great. I get to be prodded by the old man that stuck you in the butt when you were a kid.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m probably gonna be the first person in the family to ever see a doctor, ya know? How embarrassing.”
“That’s alarming.” They pause in front of a building, and he pulls her into a kiss. “I’ll meet you in the café across the street, okay? See you in a bit.”
When they meet up an hour later, it’s a white-faced Sara who calmly tells him that she needs to go home, no everything’s fine but she’s not in the mood for pizza and a movie today.
She’s so fucked.
~ ~ ~
“Sara, long time no see!”
“Heya, Erik.” She smiles as she lets herself in the front gate. “How’s it hanging?”
“Well, the kids’ tutor just went home, and Bianca’s out for the afternoon- say hello, Lucia.”
“Hi.” The five year old peers around her father’s leg before running off.
“They get so big so fast!” Sara exclaims. “They weren’t no bigger than grasshoppers when I saw ‘em last.”
“Kids are like that, huh?” The man laughs. “So, what brings you out here?”
“Um.” Her cheerful expression falls, a more worried one replacing it. “It’s… um… I gotta talk to ya about somethin’.”
“Sure, sure. We’re friends, right? What’s the matter? Issues with the plants? Or that Union-”
“No.” She shakes her head. “Luckily not that today. I just um… remember how ya told me that they’re… actually can we do this inside?”
“Sure?” He looks puzzled. “That serious, huh?”
“I might have done something real dumb.” She sits herself at the table and rests her head in her hands. “Goddess’ sake, I fucked up.”
“Daddy, what’s ‘fucked up?’” She nearly jumps out of her skin at the young voice coming from underneath the table.
“Mason!” Erik scolds, bending down. “Sorry to take your fort, buddy, but can you go play with Lucia now?” He coughs. “Also, don’t repeat that word, especially not around your mother.”
“Aww. Okay, bye.” He gets up and takes off, and Erik shakes his head with a laugh.
“Kids, huh? Okay so what’s the matter?”
“Remember a long time ago when you um… explained some things for me?” Her face is hot, and she’s reluctant to lift her eyes to look at him. “Ya know… about how those two were…. made?”
“Yes but I don’t follow. Please don’t tell me you want a recap. That was awful enough the first time.”
“No!” Sara shakes her head. “Absolutely not! You were just saying that… you and Bianca had to get married when they were… after they got made, right?”
“Uh huh…” His eyes widen. “Wait, are you saying-”
“Yep.” She looks at him through her fingers. “Ain’t that somethin’?”
“Congratulations!” He jumps up from his seat. “That’s great news, Sara! When is the wedding? If you need a flower girl and a ring bearer-”
“There ain't gonna be a wedding.”
“Huh?” Erik stops his excited movements. “What are you talking about?”
“There can’t be a wedding ‘cause I don’t know who the pa is.” She exhales shakily. “I wasn’t… expecting this.”
“You don’t know who the- oh, Sara.” Erik shakes his head. “Please, spare me the details- but how?!"
“I will. And I... would have to tell ya the details to answer that question. But Goddess, Erik, what am I supposed ta do?” She clenches her fists. “A kid needs two parents, right? There ain’t no way I’m doing this alone- not cause I can’t but cause it ain’t fair to the brat. Not to mention my partner-”
“Sanders, was it?”
“It might be his… or it might be Parker’s or Bennet’s. No matter what it's gonna disrupt our household and I'm scared.”
Erik is silent for a long while, his brow furrowed in deep thought. After a time, he reaches out, taking her hand in his.
“Don’t worry about them. Just worry about yourself and the kid and everything will be okay.” He smiles at her warmly. “I know you’ll make the right decision.”
“Erik…” She finds herself tearing up, and she’s grateful when he passes her a tissue. “T-thank you.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t mention the tears. Bianca was just the same.” He chuckles. “Seriously though, Sara. Three guys? You’re at least planning to tell them, right?”
“… Yeah.” She sniffles. “I guess I gotta, right? Boy, but won’t it break them…”
“Well… if they love you, then they’ll do what’s right, won’t they?”
“Yer such a damn optimist. Ya wouldn't be saying that if you'd met my dorks.” She giggles. “Thanks, Erik.”
“What are friends for?”
~ ~ ~
It’s a week later when she invites them all to supper, a meal she’s barely able to get through cooking without tossing her cookies. As they tuck into the meal, she surreptitiously glances around at the three faces surrounding her. Crybaby Parker, Overconfident Bennet, and of course… Sanders.
Each one of them is so, so special to her. In their own ways, they each completed her. They are her family, for better or for worse. She needs them.
What will she do if she has to lose one of them for good?
“Guys. I got an announcement.” She straightens up, her nails digging into her palms. They're all looking at her eagerly, hanging on her every word.
Poor suckers.
“I’m pregnant.”
Notes:
Idk I randomly thought of this this morning and decided to slap it together. Sorry.
This goes after Four and before For Better or For Worse.
Yep, cue Sanders fainting and hitting his head on the floor. And three idiots running helter-skelter for blue feathers.
Erik is Sara's friend. That was my main inspiration for this.
Also Sara's that bad 'aunt' who teaches the kids bad words when she comes over. I'd like to think one of the twins starts to mimic her accent and drives Erik and Bianca crazy.
This is so dumb I'm sorry goodbye.
positively-pete replied to your post:*Taps on Sara's window* psssst PSSSSTT It's the Pete!
*Turns and waves when Sara comes outside* Hey, Sara! Well it’s, uh, your birthday, right?
... shoot, it is, ain't it? *frowns* I guess I forgot with the cleanin' and all...
Still don't explain why yer here.
