The way I screamed when I saw this commission! The artwork is by the simply lovely, delightful & talented @rosefuckinggenius. If you have never commissioned her, you should! Rose, you're the absolute best, my dear! Thank you for bringing my babies to life this holiday season!
All is Merry & Bright
Book: Open Heart (Post Series) Pairing: Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey Carrick) Other Characters: Bryce Lahela, Vivian Carrick (F!OC), Jordan Carrick (M!OC) Words/Rating: 1,200 / Teen Summary: It's their second Christmas with little Samantha, and the Carricks are getting ready to take their Christmas card photo. As Uncle Jordan sets up the perfect shot, Grandma Vivian and Bryce provide the commentary. A/N: In my timeline, this would be taking place during the Christmas 2024 season.
With their coffee orders securely in hand, Tobias stepped into the vestibule of his townhome, careful to make sure ‘Hurricane Samantha’ wasn’t underfoot. A year ago, he and Casey wondered what it would be like when she began to walk and talk; now they knew it only added to the joyful chaos they had come to know and love. It was as familiar as the warm vanilla cinnamon scent that had filled the air ever since Casey moved in and as welcoming as his wife’s loving embrace or his daughter’s smile at the end of the day.
He smiled as he placed the snowflake bedecked cups on their dining room table. The last four years of his life bore no resemblance to the thirty-six that had preceded it, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard his brother's desperate pleas from the next room. He was doing his best to keep Samantha occupied, but she was quicker than he thought, and the bowl of red, silver, and green-wrapped Hershey kisses was too tempting. As the toddler's tiny hand reached up to grab the bowl, Jordan started to unravel.
“No, Sammy! No! I know Mommy and Daddy don't want you on a sugar high while before taking your Christmas pictures!”
But Samantha was undeterred. “Yum-YUMS!” She yelled. The bowl was about to topple on her just as Tobias lifted her from behind, placing her high atop his shoulders in one swoop.
“Uncle Jordan’s right, pumpkin. Let’s save the sugaring up for after, OK?”
“Wow!” Jordan was astonished. “You said I was right!”
Tobias shot his brother a smirk. “Yeah, well, even a broken clock is right twice a day! Where is Casey, anyway.”
“Upstairs, finishing her makeup.”
“Still?”
“She was all done,” Jordan shrugged. “But then Ma had... opinions... so she's upstairs touching up.”
“Oh, shit!” Tobias laughed. “Then we’re safer down here with this little firecracker.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
But Casey and Vivian were descending the stairs at that very moment, and Mrs. Carrick was all happy to interrupt her sons.
“Hate to disappoint you, boys. But we smelled that delicious coffee the moment you came in. There’s no keeping us away.”
“Gam-mah!” Samanta squirmed excitedly, throwing her arms her grandmother's way, and that's how Vivian instantly forgot about her coffee.
“Oh, come here, my little angel!" She cooed, retrieving her from Tobias's arms. "That’s right! Tell Daddy that Grandma’s here. His services are no longer needed!”
“Really?” Tobias sneered. “Because with all your complaints of wanting another grandchild, I think my services are most certainly needed.”
Bryce dropped his coffee cup to the table with a thud. His eyes rose to the ceiling as he let out a sigh. “I don't know if putting up with you two is worth the free coffee.”
“Maybe not,” Tobias said, pointing to a few bags on the table. “But there are also cookies from Parziale’s, and I’m ordering in Chinese after the photo. Would that make it worthwhile?” Bryce may have answered if he weren't too rushing for the cookies.
Tobias let out a slow whistle as he walked toward Casey, making a show of looking her over as he did.
“No mistletoe needed here!" Casey laughed. "You can just kiss me."
Tobias studied Casey's face, then kissed her forehead. “Not bad! Not bad at all!”
“Jordan told Vivian he didn't like it,” Casey smiled. “He wanted something a little edgier. That a little punk edge four our family Christmas portrait would go a long way.”
“And I made it clear that my foot would go a long way...” Vivian interjected. “A long way up his ass if he thought I would allow that to happen.”
“ASS!” Samantha hollered, and everyone but Vivian broke into a fit of laughter.
“See what you make me do!” Vivian scolded as she whisked Sammy into the living room. “Making me say bad words in front of my grandbaby.”
“There is a swear jar in the kitchen," Bryce noted.
“Yeah," Casey added. "Between all of us, her college education will be funded before she turns two.”
“Amen to that,” Tobias laughed.
“All right, guys, as fun as this is, do you think we can start taking the pictures?” Jordan requested. “I do have a date tonight.”
“Oh, do you?” Casey teased.
“Yep,” Jordan grinned, playfully smacking his brother. “Someone’s gotta keep the Carrick rep going since this one has gone all domestic.”
“That’s not our rep!” Vivian shouted. “You’re not getting any younger either, Jordan! Who is this person? Do I know them?"
"I think I know him," Casey winked. "Make it quick; Vivian is itching to plan another wedding!"
“Oh! Trust!” Tobias laughed heartily. “Trust! She is!”
“All fun aside," Casey segued. " We should start the photos before it gets too close to Sammy’s naptime.”
“Yeah, we want to do it before my naptime, too,” Bryce added.
“You’re not in the photo,” Tobias reminded. “You can go nap now if you want."
“You know, I’m still insulted by that," Bryce complained. "Why am I not in the family photo?”
“Because you’re not their stepson, no matter how much you may act like it," Vivian advised. "Now, if you want a family portrait, I suggest you get mar...”
“Annnnd on that note, it's photo time!" Jordan grinned.
“Sammy, come here, baby,” Casey beamed as her giggling little toddler wobbled over to her. “Let Mommy fix your sweater so we are all pretty for our picture!”
“I’ll admit,” Vivian observed. “Those sweaters wouldn't have been my first pick, but they're definitely you two! They will make an adorable family Christmas card.”
Casey stopped what she was doing, exhaling as she snuggled under her husband’s arm. “Family Christmas card... our second already. Can you believe it?”
“Oh, do I hear disappointment there?” Tobias teased.
“Not even a little. But sometimes, I’m still astonished. How did we end up here?”
“Do I really have to explain how this came to be, Mrs. Carrick,” Tobias winked. "See, when a man and a woman fall in love, sometimes, they do this thing together...."
“OK, No!" Jordan insisted. “I don’t need to hear about how Sammy was conceived.”
“No, we don’t,” Vivian agreed. “But I do need you two to keep at it - in private! Because I sure would love a second grandbaby on next year’s card.”
“I think that’s her way of offering to babysit for us tonight,” Casey winked.
Tobias pulled his wife and Sammy closer. “Then, that's our queue! Come on, let's get this picture over with."
@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics
@choicesholidays It fits a few, but let's go with ... it's a tradition. .
Tagging the rest separately.
