Okay I've just finished Wishful Thinking and here's what I'm thinking
The book is actually decent and fun! Quite light, but also entertaining and sends an important message about the honesty in journalism. I admit the progress is a bit slow at first, but halfway through it, it gets very interesting!
MC has a good character development. She goes from a behind-the-curtains writer to a full-on detective & brave reporter! It takes a lot of courage to expose the truth especially in a scary political climate.
I initially don't really like the way PB portrays Ellen? It feels forced, like pitting an amazing woman vs another amazing woman. PB sounds like Alec lmaooo. But Ellen is written much better towards the end and I love it.
And now onto LIs. I'm sorry but as much as I love all three of them, Aubrey is the one who's constantly forced down our throat. 😩 I didn't take any diamond scene to romance any of the LIs, but I think Aubrey gets the most chance of having romance points with MC compared to the other two LIs. All I wanted was to kiss Jaime at the end but it's Audrey who came. 😔
OH CAN I ALSO ADD THAT ANNA KOISHI IS SO FREAKING GORGEOUS
and jinx, the sassy princess. i felt rOBBED WHEN I BOUGHT THAT DIAMOND. I WANTED MORE SCENE WITH JINX BUT ALL I GOT WAS JUST OCCASIONAL APPEARANCES.
AND THE EMUS. THEY DON'T GET ENOUGH SCREEN TIME EITHER. Especially since they're the ones who appear on the cover. 😤 #JusticeForEmus
A/N: I’m so so so so sorry this took forever to be posted and continued! I’m back in college and still work and my major is focused in writing so the free time I’m writing is dedicated to my scripts and not really fanfics anymore. However, I’m determine to finish this mini series eventually and I finally felt after this sat in my drive, it’s worth posting. I think this mini series will only have five parts. So three more after this one. Thank you for being patient and still interested in this series.
Rating: PG
Summary: Viola and Aubrey get ready to meet his family for dinner. First impressions aren’t everything, are they?
(All thoughts are italicized and in parentheses)
After spending some much needed time together after Aubrey’s family intrusion, the two got dressed and headed toward Viola’s apartment so she can grab a fresh set of clothes. Twenty minutes later Viola and Aubrey stand outside her door as she fumbles in her purse looking for her keys.
“I know I put them here...Ah ha!”
She jiggles the key ring in the air before she inserts it and unlocks her apartment door. As she opens the door and steps in followed by Aubrey, she can make out the sounds of rushing pitter pattering. Just as she sees a blur of fur turn around the corner from her hallway, Viola hears a voice immediately fill the air.
(“Is that mommy? She’s finally home! I missed her so much!)
Viola bends down and scoops up her puppy as he collided with her.
“Hello Underoos. I missed you too baby.”
Setting him back down, he focused on Aubrey who was standing close by. She hears his chuckles as he bends on his knee to give the energetic puppy the attention he seeks. As she walks further down the hallway to reach her room she hears a sassy tiny voice.
(“About time she showed up. I didn’t get my nightly rubs.”)
Viola enters through her bedroom door that’s opened ajar and finds Fauna, peaking one eye open to look at her lounging on top of the bed.
Striding toward her closet to pick out an outfit she tells Fauna.
(“I see you definitely missed me as well, oh spoiled one.”)
Before she walked deeper into the closet, Viola can make out Fauna’s thought.
(“More like your absence was noticed. And you knew my standards from the jump, sister.”)
Inside Viola giggles to herself.
“Oh never change Fauna.”
She searches through her racks of clothes but doesn’t find anything until she spots an old unworn outfit that was hiding in the very back. She dresses quickly and exits her closet while doing a slow twirl.
“So what do you think?”
Aubrey who has moved from the living room now sits on the edge of the bed with Underoos laying by his feet and Fauna on his lap purring as he rubs her fur. He turns his attention from the kitten, and his jaw falls open.
“Viola...just...wow.”
Viola smiles as she smooths down her clothes. Dressed in a white short-sleeved, boat neck cut high-low top, dark-washed distressed jeans that hugged her curves, and brown open-toed wedges she makes her way in front of Aubrey.
Aubrey gently moves the cat aside on the bed and outstretches his hands so that she can fit in his embrace.
“It’s not too casual right? I have to make a good impression. I mean this is your mom! Plus I want to make up for the fact that a quarter of your family saw me post-shower.” she asks rapidly.
Aubrey tugs Viola so she sits on his lap.
“Viola, you could be wearing the towel from earlier and still make a good impression.”
She rolls her eyes and pulls away from him.
“I’m serious! This is stressing me out! Also shouldn’t we stop to pick up something? Like wine? Is your mother a fan of wine? Better yet, red or white? Oh my god this is huge! I personally am partial to white but what if I buy the wrong bottle of wine?! What if she hates alcohol?! And I brought in the devil’s liquid in her home!
Viola continues to ramble on excessively and begins to pace to and fro in front of Aubrey until he gets up and stops her. He gently removes his hands from her shoulders to grasp her own hands and intertwine them slowly. Then he rests his forehead softly against hers and whispers.
“Okay...Viola just breathe. I’m going to count to three and I want you to just relax. Just think of you and me in this moment, okay?”
His eyes pierce into hers and Viola nods her head.
“Good. One...two...three...”
Standing there he watches as her eyes flutter shut and she inhales in and out. Not much time passes before she reopened her eyes and shyly looks away.
“I overacted a bit, didn’t I?
“Just a tad. It was adorable minus the part of you being upset. I hate seeing you upset.”
“It’s a crazy little tic of mine.” she says as she turns to meet his eyes.
“We all have them.”
“You’re right...thank you. You know, for dealing with me overloading.”
“Nothing to thank me for. I’d do anything for you. So anytime you overload, I’ll proudly be there to reboot you.”
Viola breaks out in a fit of giggles.
“God, you’re so dorky.”
“Well maybe but you know you love it.”
Viola untangles her hands so she can wrap her arms around his waist.
“I never said I didn’t.”
Aubrey smirks and leans down to press a small kiss on her lips.
“And fyi you look amazing. Don’t worry about impressing my Ma. If you couldn’t tell, the ones you’ve met adore you, so I know they put in a good word for you.”
“Really?”
“Yes! After you met Shiloh and Liz, both kept texting me about when they’ll see you again. Even Shiloh asked if she’ll finally have an aunt to join her, Liz, and Ma for their annual All-Girls Weekend. And since this morning the twins and Pop have been sending me texts asking all kinds of questions about you.”
“Wow. I...I didn’t think I made that big of an imprint with your family.”
“Well how could you not. You do the same to me everyday.”
“I swear, you are ridiculously sweet. I truly don’t understand how you make me feel like a...like a chocolate chip cookie that’s fresh out of the oven. All ooey-gooey inside.
Aubrey brings his hand to stroke through Viola’s hair.
“It’s the Watson’s charm. Beside you’re just as sweet. Maybe I can start calling you my Candy Girl?”
Viola moves her hands so they rest on his chest and shoots him a pointed look.
“Did you just reference New Edition?”
Aubrey smiles even brighter and his eyes light up as he takes a few steps away from Viola and breaks out into the famous elaborate dance routine of New Edition while singing obnoxiously.
“Candy girl...you are my world…you look so sweet...your a special treat.”
Viola walks up to him barely containing her laughter as she tries to stop him.
“Oh my god, okay okay. Simmer down. I can’t tell if I’m surprised at the fact you know New Edition or the fact you know them so well that you got the dance down and everything.”
“Soul and R&B music is truly a love of mine. I would make references to countless songs, whether it was Jackson 5 or even Boyz II Men but typical the girls I dated had no idea who I was talking about. Well now with the exception of you.”
“Hmm well that’s there lost. I guess they don’t know about this here.”
“Ooh very clever. Jon B fan on my hands.”
“Oh you are good.”
Aubrey smiles and checks his watch to look at the time.
“Oh it’s 5:20. And it’s about an hour drive to get to my parent’s place. Are you all set?
Viola immediately rushes into her bathroom and looks in the mirror, her hands roaming frantically through her curls.
“Ugh! I thought we had more time, there’s no way I can straighten my hair now.”
“I think it looks fine.” Aubrey calls out from the bedroom.
“Oh honey, you’re too kind but this on top of my head is a hot frizzy mess that needs to be contained in some way, if not with some heat. I guess I’ll just have to put it up quickly and add some product and just pray.”
Viola then grabs a hanging towel to cover her shoulders and her spray bottle full of water and spritzes her hair till it's moderately damp. Then she opens up one of her many creams and dabbles it through her hair which seems to make it curl and shine even more. She grabs her brush and brushes her hair and ties it into a high afro puff leaving some stray curls out as bangs.
Then smoothes out her edges until its to her liking and hangs the towel back in its original space.Looking over herself and content with how she looks she calls out to Aubrey again.
“What time is it now?”
“5:30 on the dot. It’s best to make our way now.”
“Okay.”
She walks out of her bathroom back into her room. Aubrey stands as she approaches.
“Ready?”
“Yes my purse is by the door and-- wait!”
“What?”
“I hate to leave my babies again by themselves. It's a little late for me to call Jaime to watch them or my Dad.”
“Well there’s plenty of room at my parent’s place. They love animals and maybe it will be nice for Underoos to run around in a big backyard and there's some yarn from my Ma unused knitting collection if Fauna’s interested.”
Viola notices Underoos body perk up as they talked and Fauna turn her attention to the humans and little voices fill the air.
(”Did I hear running and a yard?! Oh I always wanted to play in a big yard! Can I come mommy please?!”)
(”I heard yarn. I suppose I could grace myself to more humans, if that’s what it takes”.)
“Are you sure it’s okay they tag along with us?”
“It’s more than okay. Plus no one can resist these two.”
“If you say so.”
Viola turns to grab Underoos leash and Fauna’s travel carrier.
“Looks like you two are coming with.”
Underoos tail wags faster and Fauna jumps from her spot on the bed to stand next to the excited puppy.
(Yay!)
(Yarn here I come.)
Viola chuckles softly to herself and gathers the animals and all together they leave and head to Aubrey’s car.
After about an hour drive and one quick stop at a store, Viola and Aubrey with the pets in tow arrive in Hartfeld and at Aubrey’s childhood home.
As she exits the car and gets out her pets she can’t help but admire the charming baby blue colored two-story home with intricate hedges and flower bushes.
Holding Underoos leash in one hand and a bottle of Pinot Grigio in the other as Aubrey grabs Fauna’s carrier they all make their way to the front door.
“You okay?”
“Yeah I really am.”
Right as Aubrey is about to knock he realizes the front door is actually cracked open and voices that were quiet grow louder and louder by the second. Confused he pushes the door open and the smell of something burning hits both of their noses. As they step through the threshold Aubrey calls
“Hello! I’m home! And I brought Viola!”
But his voice seemed to be drowned out by the bickering in the next room.
“Oww! Liz can you shut up and stop screeching!”
“Yeah, Liz chill for second!”
“Next time I’m in charge when mom’s out the room, because this is like the Anniversary dinner of ‘03 all over again!”
“Kids I leave for 15 minutes and you set my kitchen on fire?! Where’s your father?!”
Aubrey shuts the door and gestures for Viola to follow and they turn the corner past a wall. When they pushed the swing door open they see the oven door open with flames, Liz next to it crammed in a counter corner with Jasper and Forrest with Aubrey’s mother who seems to be in the middle of getting dressed with her robe and curlers in her head staring all three down. Auibrey shouts loud enough so that he’s heard this time.
“We’re here!”
Finally the rest of the family stops talking and turn toward the two. Before they could react, bursting through the other entrance to the kitchen is Aubrey’s father with a fire extinguisher and sprays it blinding hitting the oven flames but also dowsing his children.
“Its handle kids so don’t get your mother...Oh Sadie darling--.”
The older woman holds up her hand and silences her husband.
“I don’t want to hear it Richard. I’m going to finish changing and we’ll discuss this later. And that goes for you three as well.”
“Ma, are you serious? This was totally the twins fault-”
Jasper quickly cuts Liz off.
“Oh no, you had just as much responsibility as Forrest and-
The older woman steps toward her children and raises her voice.
“Enough! You all may be all grown up but once in this household that’s null and void. We all will be talking about this later. Do I make myself clear.” her voice is almost ice.
They all murmur a yes ma’am.
“Good, I expect all of you to get this place cleaned up including you, my darling husband.”
As soon as those words left her mouth the four of them start trying to clean up the mess of the foam and the burnt dinner. As they all shuffle around, Shiloh enters as she’s typing on her cellphone.
“Good news, Gram! I ordered Chinese and it will be here in another ten minutes!”
Smiling at her granddaughter Sadie makes her way to press a small kiss on her forehead.
“Aww. Oh you are just the most perfect grandchild a grandmother could have.”
Finally Sadie turns her attention back to her youngest and gives them a bright yet tired smile.
She walks toward the young couple and hugs her son first before hugging Viola.
“I’ll tell you Viola, being a Watson is no dull moment. So lovely to meet you in person dear. And who are the adorable creatures with you.
“Umm lovely to meet you too Mrs. Wats-”
“Oh honey you’re practically my daughter-in-law, please call me Sadie.”
“Before Viola respond she could hear Sadie’s voice clear as day.
(“My little baby not only introducing this woman to the family but bringing her home to me without a fuss?! She most definitely is the one. Plus the fact she hasn’t ran from our nonsense, she’ll fit in nicely.”)
Viola felt the blush hit her cheeks but ignored it so she speaks with much more confidence.
“Okay, heh Sadie this little guy is Underoos and the Sass Queen in the carrier is Fauna.”
Sadie pets Underoos as he licks her hand and then focuses on Fauna then turns back to the young couple.
“Just precious. Well I need to get myself more together. Oh and I see you brought wine! Sweetie, you don’t know how much I need this right now. Let me get changed and we’ll talk more when dinner arrives. ”
Sadie moves past the tow and head toward the stairs.
Viola says hello to the rest who are still finishing up cleaning then turns to let the animals out. Once she finishes Aubrey finds her and he wraps her in his arms.
“So I hope you’re no longer scared.
“I’m not. Your family is so quirky. And I mean that in the best way possible.”
“No, no, no it's true. I was hoping the entire drive here they wouldn’t embarrass me but I gave up because I knew it was inevitable.”
“Now I wouldn't say embarrass, more like entertainment.”
Smiling down at her Aubrey begins to lean down to kiss Viola when he’s interrupted by his older brother.
“Hey Snobery why don’t you stop hogging ya girl and share her with the rest of the family.”
He rolls his eyes as Viola laughs and tugged him along.
“Don’t you worry Jasper there’s enough of me to go around.”
Aubrey watches as Viola meshes easily with his family and he couldn't help but think to himself and unbeknownst to him, Viola hears him.
(“Everything seems to finally be falling in place.”)
Anyone else that stumbles across this and enjoys this fic or pairing and liked to be added to the tag list let me know! Thank you for being patient y'all!
I know I’m only like four screens in... but this guy from Wishful Thinking:
...is giving me some Justin Timberlake vibes. It’s almost like JT now, sans beard, with a hybrid of hair from all of his styles over the years lol. 🤷🏼♀️
