diverge me

“I don't want to be one of those easily forgotten people; so important at the time, so special, so influential, so treasured-- yet years later just a vague face and a distant memory.” [ R O L E P L A Y ]

[alohaitsshai-blog]

Shailene was exhausted, sore, and over the moon with this moment here. Her husband and her baby, there were no more nightmares and only good dreams. There was no more fear of the unknown, but excitement for the new adventures that lay in front of them. Shai knew this was the greatest thing that ever happened to her. No award, no movie, no amount of screaming fans would ever compare to the proud feeling she had from knowing that this human being was hers. She was theirs. She smiled down at her husband’s kind words, leaning down to press another light kiss to the top of his head. “I’m proud of you, I mean you took me screaming at you like a champ. I’m really sorry about that, by the way”, she chuckled in a whisper, pressing yet another kiss to his forehead because she was finally able to be nestled in so close to the one other human being in the world who knew her inside and out. Her mother had been a god send with this whole thing, and she knew that she would continue to be. This was her grandchild after all. At first, Shai had been worried that Theo wouldn’t want her mother in her life, worried that he would be scared to let her family into their circle, but now that he has and they were supported the way they were…Shai couldn’t be more happy. “I think you’re my mom’s second favorite now, Bailey wins hands down”, she chuckled, leaning over to look to their sleeping baby girl. “Hey, her mommy is only stinky because she pushed her out of her!”

[theodorefck-blog]

With his and Shai's baby in his arms, fast asleep, the three of them finally together and awaiting the signal which would allow them to finally go back to their home, Theo couldn't help but think about how much his life has changed ever since Shai's walked into it all them years ago. Which seemed like a blink of an eye to the two of them who had been living in the moment ever since they could remember, all of the time that's passed has been really anything but a blink. Years have gone by - they were married, they were living together, and they had a kid. And who even knew what else could be in store in the years that were yet to come. Surely it would be both trial and triumph but now that his heart was as complete as it could ever be, he was ready for whatever life threw at him and his family. “Hey, I figured I deserved it at least a little bit,” the man laughed, before shaking his head as if to say that it was no problem at all. Coming into the hospital a few days ago once Shai's water broke, he figured that his wife would say a lot of things to him that she wouldn't mean - especially when all the pain was over and they were nestled in together as a family like they were in this moment. “Oh, of course. I'll gladly take a side step for this little squirt -- she can win everything.” A smile on his face, his eyes still planted on the baby, he laughed again. “Yeah, yeah. Excuses, excuses. Don't listen to her, Bail - she's stinky regardless,” he teased, his voice soft for the baby but still smirking over at his wife.

[alohaitsshai-blog]

The pregnancy had been relatively easy compared to most she had read about or heard from her friends and family. She had her weird food cravings, gummy bears with mac and cheese, pretzels dipped in ice cream, and ketchup covered pineapple pieces were just a few of her favorites through the nine and a half months. She had the hormones fluctuate and the insecurities kick in. She had the high sex drive and periods of never wanting to watch Theo walk out the door, especially when he was gone for work. But all the ups and downs were worth it for the moment she watched Theo hold the sandy hair colored baby so carefully in his strong arms. They were parents, they were a team, and now they were a true family. Sure, her mother had been there to help show them a few tricks the first couple days, but they were ready for all this. Their new perfect adventure.

Shailene sighed happily as Theo’s lips pulled apart from her’s, years together and his kisses still always felt like the first one. For a long time, she thought that nothing was stronger than their love, but that was soon proven to only grow stronger in the sense that nothing was more powerful than her love for her family. “Thank you”, she whispered back, wrapping her arms lightly around his shoulder to make sure they didn’t disturb their sleeping daughter as they got closer. Nine months and this was the closest they had been since her stomach started growing. Having a baby in the way really made hugging, dancing, and cuddling a bit of a challenge. “Good, my mom said she got everything ready at home. Last minute stuff and all, probably even made us a months worth of dinners if I know my mom”, she chuckled, eyes landing back on her baby girl. It was still such an odd idea that now she was real, she was independent from her now. It almost made Shai sad to see her baby already so much bigger! “Look at her, I think she’s already a daddy’s girl.”

[theodorefck-blog]

Even though it had been nine and some odd months since he and Shailene found out about their baby for the first time, to Theo it still felt just as surreal thinking about the fact that they were truly going to be a family as he held his newborn daughter in his arms. Of course, they were going to become one eventually - but he couldn't have imagined it happening so soon, like in the blink of an eye; however he sure wouldn't change it for the world. Especially when the little girl he already loved with all of his heart was so small and fragile like this, and the two blooming parents had so much in store for the both of them in the years to come; whether it be the milestones they were waiting for or the ones it'd feel like they were never ready for, they would be with this little girl for the next eighteen years and the rest of their lives.

Theo could swear that his heart could never have beaten any faster than when he was around just his wife alone, but he was effortlessly proven wrong when surrounded by the two girls he'd do anything for. Now, with the two of them so close, his heart could burst from all the love he held inside. "You did wonderful, you know that?" he grinned, ever so slightly leaning into Shai's subtle touch, his movements slow to not wake the sleeping angel. "I'm really, really, really proud of you." And he was, that was for certain. He knew that his wife was a stronger woman than most before the pregnancy just to begin with but he couldn't imagine how much strength, not only physical but emotional, that it took to bring another human life into the world. "See, that's why your mother's my favorite - she helps us out and makes us meals," he chuckled, more grateful than he could express to have someone there for both him and Shai if they ever were to need the extra set of hands. Grinning upon her statement, he looked over to his wife with a teasing smirk. "She better be! I'm way better than her stinky mommy anyways."

[alohaitsshai-blog]

The moment that their daughter had entered the world and that faint cry echoed through the room, Shai knew that her life would never be the same. From the day she met Theo, her life had continued to change with each step. There was no more nomadic life style, she owned a home and a closet full of clothes, and now she was a mother. She looked over at her husband and her baby, knowing that despite everything had changed, she wouldn’t of changed it for the world. She had the love of her life laying next to her and now they had the perfect combination of their genes, a token and evidence of their never ending love for one another. The second that she saw the blanket in Theo’s arms, she knew that he was ready to be a father and she was ready to be a mother. This was a task they both were excited for and a challenge they were going to do together.

Shailene chuckled, slowly pushing her way up from the spot she had taken in bed. Recovery from birth was going to take a bit, but that didn’t ever stop her from pushing herself as she usually did. Things just took a bit more effort and time than usual. She moved to his side and pressed a light kiss to his forehead. “Our baby girl is perfect and very very real, she’s about to be the reason we don’t sleep for the next eighteen years”, she chuckled, looking from her husband and back down to Bailey. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to be mad at her “, she mumbled, fingers absently tracing through his wavy mess of hair as she usually did. “Have they told you when we get to go home?”

[theodorefck-blog]

As each month passed by within the pregnancy, and as Shailene's stomach grew larger and larger as she carried the bundle of joy that now rest in Theo's arms, the man's doubts about becoming a father only grew greater and greater. Seeing the hormones unfold, making late night trips to the supermarket to grab the new thing his wife craved, and even being able to feel his baby kick quite a few times - that all made him nervous, and he didn't exactly know why. And now that he look back on all the nerves that he constantly had within him during the pregnancy; he thought he was an absolute fool to even think in such a way, because now as his baby girl was in the world and he was actually a father, he realized that he could never be more ready no matter how prepared he could have possibly been. Despite the shitty family life that he had personally, he was sure that he wasn't going to replicate that and he was positive that he was going to be the best dad he could possibly be. Just as Shai was going to be the best mom she could possibly be.

As he heard his wife stand up from her hospital bed, his eyes still focused on Bailey with the softest of smiles gracing his lips, he knew that while the two may be ready to leave the hospital on the doctor's terms, there was a lot that went into recovery for Shai and early life for the baby. They would have to do a plethora of things at home to ensure that not only Shai was getting back to normal at a steady pace, but the baby was jumping into her normal just as steadily. Chuckling gently, he looked over at the woman beside him and nodded along. “Probably... but that's okay, she's more than worth it.” Leaning over just a bit and pressing a quick kiss to Shai's lips, he couldn't help but to mumble a 'thank you'. While he helped create their little miracle, she was the one who brought them into this world and there was no amount of thanks in the universe that he could give for that. She gave him a perfect family and there was no repaying that. “I think after the doctors check over all the paperwork and such, make sure they've got all the numbers and she's got everything she needs,” he figured, a small shrug to his shoulders before looking down at Bailey again. Deep in sleep, she looked so comfortable, and he wasn't sure if he would ever be able to wake her.

[alohaitsshai-blog]

Twenty hours of pain and labor was something that Shailene was not expecting in the least bit. In those twenty hours, she may have said things she didn’t mean to her husband and she may have shed more tears than ever before. But those mean words and tears were well worth it the moment she first got to see her daughter. Bailey Tris Taptilikis was the world’s most perfect human being and there was not a soul in the world who could convince her differently. Not even a couple days old and already a full head of hair that seemed to stick out in every direction, just like her daddy’s. She was almost a spitting image of Theo in her mind, from the hair to the pout in her closed lips. Bailey was perfect and there was never going to be a day as perfect as this moment.

But still, it was finally time to take their baby home and she couldn’t wait to be back in her own bed. Shailene pulled on one of Theo’s hoodies and looked over at her husband, noticing the glow in his features. She watched him for a while from the edge of her bed, looking over at him and the pink bundle of blankets in his arms. His tired expression and disheveled hair was no match for the look in his eyes. “What’s running through your head, papa?”, she asked quietly, pushing her strands of hair back from her face.

[theodorefck-blog]

If somebody told Theo that the twenty hours of labor Shailene went through to give birth to their little girl would be the longest hours he’d ever have to sit through, quite frankly, he wouldn’t believe them. Sure, he’s read about labor plenty of times (thanks to the trusty pregnancy books) and even heard about it from friends, though the information he gathered just never stuck in his head - almost like it didn’t seem real until he was experiencing it first hand. However it sure was real, and he was certain that he’d never forget it. Even though he hated seeing his wife in so much pain with virtually nothing he could do to help, the light at the end of the tunnel was the brightest light ever seen. The most adorable baby girl - clearly the world’s most precious - and more importantly, their baby girl was finally here and witnessing the world, and the love that sprouted between the pair and the baby was one that couldn’t even be described if you hired the greatest author ever known to put it words.

And a few days later, the love only intensified. Finally being able to go home with Bailey was something that he felt like he was waiting forever for, because after the countless number of tests on both the baby and the new mother, everything was starting to get a bit tedious. Though sitting here, waiting for the last nurse to give them the OK, with Bailey wrapped tightly in the proud father’s arms, that was something that he would never grow tired of. Lost in what appeared to be a trance, Theo’s eyes fixated on the little girl’s features and his mind went to work memorizing them, learning them, and still feeling astonished that this baby girl would be their baby girl forever; and as much as she was his, she was Shai’s as well. Really, he was so lost within his own mind that he barely heard his wife speak. Looking up slowly and reluctantly, like he didn’t want to look away just yet, he found Shai sitting on the edge of the hospital bed with his hoodie wrapped around her. “I love her so much...” he said softly, as if his voice went any higher that he would disturb the baby’s peace. “I ---- I don't even know how to say it, Shai... she's just so tiny, and so perfect, and - and she kinda smells a bit funny, but that's okay...” he chuckled, looking down at Bailey again. “I can't believe she's even real...”

[alohaitsshai-blog]

Shailene’s smile easily slipped up into a smirk. She had a thought in her head, the same usual thoughts that led to her panting in a state of pure bliss with his love pouring out of them both. “Well, we are getting married you know. And the marriage doesn’t stand until the marriage is consummated”, she mused through his laughter. There were a lot of things that made her nervous about having their baby, but none of them had to deal with giving anything up or losing things, She had no doubt that they were going to be able to handle all the changes and even learn to cope with it. She knew that the love they would have for their child would make it so that stuff didn’t even matter as much. “You’re going to be an amazing daddy to our cub”, she reassured, kissing his knuckles lightly.

To know she wasn’t the only impatient one here made her smile widely. ”Could you imagine if we waited to get married like normal people? Six or eight months? I think we would actually combust”, she chuckled, finding herself bouncing in her seat. She could see a chapel in the distance, now if only Theo would step on it and then maybe her heart wouldn’t beat so rapidly!

[theodorefck-blog]

Theo wore a smirk that matched Shailene's in no time upon her words. The thoughts that ran through his head were anything but appropriate, and really if it were up to him, tonight couldn't come fast enough -- where they were alone with nowhere to be and when they were finally married like they had always wanted. “Wonderful, then; tonight's settled,” he said with a simple shrug, the smirk still teasingly on his face. Her words were everything he always needed to hear; that he would be a good dad. It was a constant fear of his, he couldn't really help it-- but to know that the one person who truly mattered was there to prove his own thoughts wrong made everything better. “Thank you, Nala - I bet you'll be an awesome mommy... the coolest, I'm sure,” he chuckled.

Just thinking of what they would have done if they were to have a traditional wedding nearly had him sighing of relief because of the fact that they didn't. Waiting that week to get everything settled seemed like a life time, let alone months and months of planning! “I was about ready to combust when I woke up this morning because even that was too long of a wait. I'd never make it for six to eight months,” he laughed. “You'd have no fiancé to marry.” At the sight of the chapel, the butterflies in Theo's stomach seemed to start up, and it was evident that Shai was just as excited as he was. So much so, that when they pulled into the parking lot, he was sure she'd open the car door and run out right then. Unbuckling his seatbelt as they settled into a spot, he hopped out of the car and over to her side, taking her hand again as she got out and holding it close to him. “You ready, babe?”

[alohaitsshai-blog]

Shailene had to smile at the thought too, it was a fun one. There was just something appealing about sneaking out, skipping class, and runnin with a crazy boy she was completely and totally in love with. It made her sad that they never had that chance, but what mattered was that they had each other and the perfect future they could ever dream about. She had her dream man and a baby on the way. Who cares if they didn’t have wild and reckless nights as teenagers? “Yeah, mine were kinda boring. But hey, if we really wanted to have car sex we totally still can”, she chuckled wiggling her eyebrows playfully over at him. She couldn’t help but beam over at him again, a goofy grin on her lips. “You called yourself a parent”, she giggled, still never having been able to picture Theo doing such a thing.

To know he understood what she meant was soothing enough, and made her tense shoulders relax once more. “We can tell them tomorrow, or next week, or in a year. Either way, I’m still going to be your wife and that’s all I care about”, she admitted, kissing his knuckles once more before letting his hand fall. She was starting to et nervous and impatient, just wanting to get there already and share this experience. Waiting was slowly killing her.

[theodorefck-blog]

“Well, if we want to we might want to do that soon— seeing as it may be a bit uncomfortable with a bump and nearly impossible with a baby,” Theo laughed, looking over at her just in time to catch her wiggling her eyebrows, which only made him laugh even more and even copy the action. He knew they would have to give up a lot of things for their baby; personal time being the biggest sacrifice right along with time for each other. However he also knew they would be able to find a way to balance everything - they always did. Upon her next statement, he took his bottom lip between his teeth, a tiny smile forming at his lips. “Yeah, I guess I did…” he laughed lightly, nodding as if it would confirm his words. “I’m going to be a parent, and you’re going to be a parent - we’ll be parents - and as much as that still kind of makes me a little nervous, for obvious reasons… I like to say that.”

Theo smiled, nodding in agreement. If he was honest, he didn’t really mind not telling anybody right away - or soon, for that matter. People could find out on their own, really, for all he cared; this was for them, and only them, and nobody would interfere with that. “And I’m going to be your husband,” he added. “We’ll be husband and wife, and… god, I really can’t wait any longer,” he admitted with a smile. Luckily though they were nearly at the chapel which meant that they were nearly bonded on paper as well as in their hearts.

[alohaitsshai-blog]

“I think we have an equal share in it all”, she scoffed out a laugh, fingers still tracing along the imaginary bump that formed under her silky dress. Shailene stopped what she was doing as she thought about what it would of been like if they had met when they were teenagers. Something told her that Theo would of been the foreign boy with a bad influence who stole her heart with a simply glance. “I feel like if I met you as a teenager, this little cub would of happened much sooner. Because you would of had me in the palm of your heads and probably in the back seat of your car in days”, she laughed innocently, knowing that she really wouldn’t of been able to resist him then if she couldn’t resist him now! She knew that timing was unfortunate and they might have to work around her baby, but there was just part of her that didn’t care at all. “Good, because our cub will be walking and talking by this point! I’m going to be depressed they are getting so big”, she admitted with a light smile.

Shailene smiled over at him, knowing they had a lot ahead of them, but this was going to be about them. “I actually haven’t told anyone about this, I don’t know…I wanted it to be our thing. Even if she ends up mad at me for this, I’ll let her know we plan on having something for family and all that. But….this is for me and for you. I don’t want to have questioning mothers breathing down my neck”, she mused as they drove down towards their destination. “Did you tell anyone?”, she asked curiously, bringing his knuckles up to her lips.

[theodorefck-blog]

Theo found himself smirking at just the simple thought of meeting Shailene during his teenage years. While what she said was probably true, he also had his own theories of what would have happened. During his teen years, he was mostly alone-- those years being the bulk of when his parents had completely forgot him -- and he had a feeling that she would be the one who made him feel less lonely, become more rebellious, and ultimately forget about all the troubles of his home life. Maybe that was why their bond was so strong; because even in some alternate universe, they were destined to fall in love and end up in the same spot that they are in now one way or another. “You know, just imagining that... that sounds fucking awesome, really; definitely better than the teen years I had!” he laughed and let his thumb trace along her knuckles, giving her hand a light squeeze beforehand. Just thinking about their baby walking and talking made him smile even more; he wondered all the little details about this baby, and he thought that these months couldn't go by any slower. “We'd both be depressed about that, I think-- I'm not sure any parent wants to see their kids grow up.”

He nodded along in understanding. This was something for them, only them, and side opinions from family, friends, or anyone inquiring were definitely not needed. Of course, elopement wasn't the traditional route that everyone dreams of - or chooses, for that matter - but he was one hundred percent positive that this was what was right for them. “I haven't told anybody, no... I was actually kind of hoping that we could tell people together whenever we'd want to? Either way, I understand you completely. This is for me and you, and we're going to keep it that way,” he smiled.

[alohaitsshai-blog]

Shailene loved the fat that both her and Theo were the types to never take their own looks too seriously. She didn’t find herself to be this drop dead goregous model, she was just happy with who she was. And she knew Theo felt the same. But when it came to their little cub, all modesty went out the window. When it came to their child, they knew it would be beautiful and smart and everything good that each other had. Their child would be perfect and there was no other way to describe it. “Beautiful, smart, compassionate, and a definite hell raiser. I mean god, I don’t even want to think of you as a teenager”, she chuckled, wrinkling her nose in his direction but ultimately smiling. “Oh yes, not until this little cub is nice and big and we’re sad about they’re baby days being done and wanting another. Preferably after Allegiant gets filmed!”, she laughed, gently patting her stomach as if it was supposed to make a point. She had no doubt about their parenting or how they were going to handle it, she just knew. She knew they would be the parents their cub needed.

Shi glanced down to her stomach at the mention of his happy tears when their baby was finally in the world and they got to hold them for the first time ever. “Oh, I think I might have more than happy tears that day. I might have pain tears and sadness tears and oh fuck Theo did this to me tears”, she laughed, turning over to look at him.  He was much better than the Greece coast line, if she had to choose one. “but then I’ll forgive you and sleep for a few hours”, she teased squeezing his hand lightly. “And as much as I love talking about our baby, why don’t we focus on us for a while. Seeing as we’re about to get married in our favorite place in the world.”

[theodorefck-blog]

Theo didn't really care if he sounded full of himself when he was talking about his child-- he figured every parent or soon-to-be parent had at least a little bit of pride in their son or daughter; they did bring them into this world, after all, and that was something to take pride in. "All of the above will probably come from you - except for the hell raiser, I think; I can't really imagine you as a hell raiser, babe. At least not now - lord knows what would've happened if we had known each other when we were teenagers," he laughed, looking over at her as they sat at a red light, a smile forming on his face at just the mere sight of her. "After Allegiant, gotcha. I'll protect my baby maker until then," he teased and began to drive again as the light turned green. He knew this was all kind of bad timing for the baby-- with the franchise still underway, he wasn't sure how much longer Shai could film with the bump of hers starting to form. And the both of them most likely having to take a break to care for their cub when they actually are born. Surely that would be a bit of a curve in the road, though he was positive they'd find their way around it.

He laughed out, shaking his head ever so slightly. He thought it was funny now, but when they were actually in that hospital he was sure it would all be true, and he most certainly won't be laughing. "All those tears will be worth it, I promise - and you better forgive me! If you don't, I'm squeezing myself in that bed with you either way," he joked with a small chuckle. He couldn't help but feel her eyes on him, so he looked over at her again very briefly; however, he found himself wanting to look at her for much longer. She had a certain glow to her that made it almost impossible to take your eyes off of. "Right, right-- us. We're getting married, I kind of still can't believe it... have you talked to your mom at all? Does she know any of this?"

[fyeahtheo]

“Don’t ever think that you haven’t got anything to learn.”

[alohaitsshai-blog]

Her hazel colored eyes dropped down to her stomach once more, still practically invisible the to the world but she knew what was there. He was right. It would be great to have a baby Theo running around in the world, but it would be awesome to have a little her actually existing in such a perfection she never knew was possible. “Either way, I think the world needs to prepare itself for a new Taptiklis entering the world. Our cub will be a hell raiser and a world savior all at once”, she chuckled, before her teeth sunk down into her bottom lip. “And you know…if we have a little boy or a little girl…somewhere down the line, we could always try for another”, she said bashfully. Shai felt silly being bashful, on the way to their wedding, but she would always be shy and bashful with him. Especially with things such as this.

That wasn’t what she had in mind for this day. But it was so much better. Shai found herself nodding eagerly. “I think that sounds perfect, Mr. James…out planning your fiancee like a pro already”, she teased, leaning across the way to press a kiss to his cheek. As they took off, her eyes trailed along the coast line she had fell in love with so long ago, a place she considered home even if they never got the chance to live here. “But it will be good tears and finally getting to marry you is something that’s worth happy tears”, she admitted, smiling over at him. She had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to help them at all.

[theodorefck-blog]

Theo kept his eyes on the road ahead of him, though he couldn't resist the laugh that escaped his lips. He liked talking about their child like this-- about who they would look like, or who they would act like, and anything in between. It made this whole experience seem more real, as now it still felt like some sort of heavenly fantasy. “Oh, totally - the world will never be ready, though. With genes like ours? - Total stunner, I'll bet on it already,” he laughed with a nod, giving Shai's fingers a light squeeze before looking over at her briefly. He smiled upon the idea of having more children although their first wasn't even here yet. It showed that even now they had faith in each other as parents, and even now they were looking even more beyond into that future of theirs. “Another would be wonderful, sometime later in the years... but lets get our little cub out first, yeah?” he grinned ever so slightly. He wasn't exactly sure how many kids he would want - he supposed he would have to wait and see on how well he would do as a father, because even now he still had his own little doubts buried deep in the back of his mind. However he couldn't really be blamed at all.

“Hey, I gotta learn early,” he joked, the grin remaining on his lips as she kissed his cheek. Driving around Greece was something he wished he could do more often; the place was absolutely beautiful, even from a moving vehicle. In his mind this was the perfect spot for any type of vacation, and he was suddenly so glad that Shailene suggested coming here all that time ago back when they were still just best friends. He couldn't imagine their forever starting in any other place. “Okay, okay; I suppose I can allow a few happy tears... only because I know I'll probably do the same eventually - if not now, in that hospital months from now,” he admitted with a shrug. “Just don't cry too much because I can't stand to see you cry for too long, you know that.”

[alohaitsshai-blog]

Shailene arched a brow looking over at Theo as they stepped towards the rental car. “She? Is someone subconsciously admitting that he wants to have a daughter?”, she asked with an arched brow. They had agreed to wait until their little cub was in their arms to learn the sex, not that it was even a possibility for a while. She still needed to see a doctor and find out the other details, but still their little daughter or little son was going to be perfect and she couldn’t even worry about the little things. She didn’t even know what she would want, she just wanted a healthy baby and her husband- her soon to be husband. Shai slipped into the car, making sure her dress was all in before he shut the door and the nerves were sinking in.

"So where are we meeting him?", she asked, knowing they had decided on a place, but at the moment it was like she had blanked out on everything. She trusted that Theo had settled out everything and there was absolutely nothing to worry about. But still, she had to ask and had to know. Her eyes turned to him slowly and a nervous smile crossed her lips. "We’re only signing papers and I’m ready to cry with nerves, imagine when we decide to have a wedding for our family and I walk down the isle to you! We’ll already be married and with a baby, and I’d still cry with nerves!", she chuckled, lacing her fingers through his free hand and drawing it into her lap.

[theodorefck-blog]

Theo hadn’t even noticed the word ‘she’ slip from his lips - in all honesty, he thought he said ‘they’. Either way, though, Shailene wasn’t necessarily wrong. He would absolutely love to have a daughter— a mini Shai, who wouldn’t want that? However, he’d also absolutely love to have a son— a mini him was something that you simply couldn’t beat. “A daughter would be perfect, I think - a little you running around and causing mayhem? I’ll take it,” he laughed. “But I’d also really love to have a son… you know, as long as our little cub in there is healthy and happy.”

He closed the door behind his soon-to-be wife as she buckled in, and walked around to slip into the drivers seat himself, making sure he was safe and secure in the seat before turning to her. “Well,” he started, “I figured, since it’s really only signing papers, we could do all of that in one of those pretty chapels—— however, since I know you find the beaches here absolutely stunning, and you’d probably want something to brag to your friends about, if you’d like, we could take pictures near the beach by the hotel… only if you want to! We could go somewhere else, too - whatever you wanna do, Nala,” he smiled, bringing her hand up to his lips and pressing a kiss to the knuckle of her ring finger. He had to laugh though - because of her words, and because of the fact that she was nearly as nervous as he was. “Hey, no— no crying! Only smiles! Big cheesy smiles, yeah? We’re getting married,” he grinned, watching her for a few more moments before he turned on the engine and took off towards the chapel in which he booked for this special occasion.

[alohaitsshai-blog]

“I think that might be the most true statement ever! I’m pregnant, we’re getting married, and we’re on our honeymoon all at once. I think we’re just a rather efficient couple”, she laughed, knowing that for some people they were rushing things or that they couldn’t handle all of this at once. But Shailene knew they could handle it all. They were lost in love and that’s all that truly mattered in the world. “Now, is that because it all sounds great together…or because you can finally smirk at all the other guys when they say they want me?”, she asked with her own little smirk playing up on the corers of her lips as they separated.

Shailene giggled, looking down to her belly with a knowing grin. She loved how into this Theo was. He didn’t seem afraid of being a dad so suddenly, he seemed more than ready for it. He seemed like there was nothing he wanted more in the world. “See! She’s our own child therefore she knows everything!”, she chuckled, finally feeling the weight of it all settling in. But it was a good weight, the best weight even. “I really would like to make it to our wedding on time, so yes yes, let’s go”, she laughed in that happy babble she could get as she bounced on her toes. She was more than ready to start her forever.

[theodorefck-blog]

“And I wouldn't have it any other way," he admitted with a happy grin. They had moved into all of this very fast. Normally there was time between everything to adjust to their newer lives - but they didn't have any of that time for longer than a few hours at least. He liked it, though, it gave them a whole lot of excitement; and with their baby, the excitement would just be piling on even after the birth. Everything was all perfect to him and he couldn't ask for anything different. "If I'm honest, both," he laughed, just smirking at the fact that he could show her off without even having to be near her; the name said it all. She was his and that was going to be permanent. 

Theo laughed, nodding in agreement. It seemed as if after every passing moment, he just wanted their child to be with them already. As fun as all the pregnancy stuff will be-- the scans, the shopping, and even talking to the belly --he had a feeling that holding their little boy or girl in his arms for the first time would be absolutely priceless. "Exactly! I wouldn't even be surprised if she did, honestly - we only have ourselves to blame for that," he grinned, lifting a shoulder. As they walked out to the car they rented, he swung their hands ever so slightly. And when they finally reached the vehicle and he opened the door for her, he had finally started to feel a tiny bit of nervousness settle in - along with the happiness and the excitement, of course. 

[alohaitsshai-blog]

“Like it’s taken much too long to get to this point, like I can’t wait for everyone to call me by James, to share your most personal of name…to just belong to you for the rest of our lives”, she whispered. Shailene was the one who leaned in and pressed light kisses to his lips and along his jawline as their bodies seemed to move naturally together. “Mrs. Shailene Taptiklis or Mrs. Shailene James…it sounds so much better than Woodley”, she giggled finally forcing herself to draw back and behave herself in the moment they were about to leave to actually get married. There was plenty of time for that later.

Shailene watched the way his long fingers seemed to ease over the white silk of her dress, around the tiny jutting belly that had formed unknowingly the past few months- around their child. “Maybe Little Cub knows that mommy and daddy are doing something that will make them both very happy for the rest of their lives”, she sighed, reaching down and slipping her fingers through his and stealing one last kiss. “How about we make our cub really happy and go get married now?”

[theodorefck-blog]

Theo listened to her whispered words and really let them sink in; she couldn't wait to be his just as much as he couldn't wait to be hers in every official way even imagined. They were getting married, they were having a child - possibly children down the road - and they were going to start the family of their own that every person could only dream of. "It has taken way too long, I agree-- but, hey, at least it's happening now... everything's happening now," he smiled, letting his eyes fall closed as she placed feather light kisses to his lips and jawline. "I gotta say that I do like that a whole lot better... it sounds perfect to me," he admitted with a small chuckle, opening his eyes again and nearly pouting as she drew back. Though he knew that if she continued now he may not want to leave the hotel. 

“Maybe..." he smiled, looking down at her stomach again, her hands in his. "Do you know that, cub?" he asked with a small laugh, waiting a second or two before looking up at Shai again. "They said they do," he joked and gave her fingers a light squeeze before grinning against her lips. These gentle and loving moments they shared had to be his absolute favorite, because they always left both him and her smiling, and that was one of the best feelings in the world. "Yeah, let's go make cub happy-- and you and I happy, too. - Besides, we don't want to be late, either," he laughed a bit, making sure he had everything he needed with him before keeping his hold on one of her hands and moving towards the door. 

[alohaitsshai-blog]

They stood there for just a moment, just staring at one another. He was handsome, every single feature of his was something carved from perfection. He was the boy girls had to dream of in school. The stud on campus you watched as you drank your coffee. The man you smiled at every time you passed each other in the coffee line. She believed that even if they weren’t actors and cast as love interests, they would of found each other one way or another. Regardless, he was the man of her dreams and she was getting to live out a whole new dream with him.

Shailene wound her arms around his neck and gladly welcomed his kisses and body in close to her own. She wanted to wait for their wedding to kiss today, but that was a far fetched idea with how addicted to his lips she was. Her fingers slipped along his chest, having to resist slipping into his hair as they usually would in such a close moment like this. “Look at you, looking all handsome and stuff”, she giggled, tightening her grasp on him as if they were drawing them in close. “I like the way you think, James.”

"Little Lion Cub is happy today, I can feel it", she whispered, knowing that sounded absolutely silly seeing as she knew about the baby for a solid three days max. But she couldn’t explain it. There was a happiness swelling up in her, a happiness that wasn’t from all of this or their marriage. It was just a source of pure and true happiness, the purist she had ever felt before.

[theodorefck-blog]

As her body so easily leaned into his touch, he smiled. They had grown so comfortable with each other in such a short amount of time, and even though a part of him believed that it was because they had worked together, another part of him believed that it was because they were meant to be together. In some alternate universe if not this one. No matter what they did or how they met, it would all lead up to this very moment; one of their last as boyfriend and girlfriend - or fiancé and fiancée.

Laughing softly as she mimicked his compliment, he too tightened his grip on her ever so slightly— as if this was all just one of his silly night dreams and he was just waiting to be stirred awake. “Mhm… how’s it feel to be an almost Taptiklis?” he asked, and he figured at this point his smile may as well be permanent. The thought of her taking his last name was one that he was still trying to wrap his head around. She wasn’t going to be a Woodley anymore, but a Taptiklis - or a James, for the sake of the public. Soon enough, she’ll be signing her documents with his last name, answering by ‘Mrs. Taptiklis’, and everyone around her will know that she is and forever will be his. It was something that he absolutely couldn’t wait for, and something that he found himself shamelessly imagining before, and now that it was all finally happening made him overjoyed.

Theo’s hands almost immediately went down to slide across her stomach at the mention of their baby, as he assumed they always will from here on out. “Are they?” he questioned, looking down at his hands for a small moment before meeting her eyes again. “Cub probably likes it when you’re so happy, Nala,” he spoke, a small shrug to his shoulders. He wasn’t sure how exactly she could realize the fetus’ happiness, if that was even possible, but he found it almost fascinating how she could. Maybe it was a motherly instinct - he didn’t know. Nor did he really mind, actually. He loved to hear all this talk about their baby, and he will continue to up until the day he leaves this earth, probably. “They feel your happiness…”

[alohaitsshai-blog]

Today was the most important day of her entire life. There were no award shows, no press tours, no filing, nothing of the sort. Today was the day that she would sign those papers and become Ms. Theodore Taptiklis, or Ms. Theodore James to the rest of the world. Either way didn’t matter because she was going to be his in every official way possible. As if carrying their child wasn’t official enough. Despite having to wait a few more days to get their marriage license, the last few days felt like she had already become his wife. There was no big ceremony, no family, no big honeymoon, but this was all just something she could only dream of. It was like she was waiting to wake up in a bed alone.

She knew she should of been getting ready, but somewhere in the middle of fighting to get her hair to lay the right way she was distracted. Shailene had spotted herself in the full length mirror and couldn’t help but get lost in her own reflection. Her hands smoothed over the soft white dress she had found in the last shop she had stepped into, protectively stoking the skin. There were so many questions on how this all came to be, which time was it that caused their perfect little miracle, Their son or daughter was right below her grasp and in a few months the little cub would be in her arms. Would he have Theo’s eyes and nose? Or would she have her eyes and chin?

It was Theo’s knock that broke her from her baby stare and turned her attention back to the mirror. She looked just as she did the night of their first official date. Soft make up, new dress, a whole new type of glow from the love of her life seeming to make her happier and happier. “I’ve been ready, Simba”, she sighed happily, prying her hands away from her stomach and pulling open the door, allowing her soon to be husband to finally see her in the white dress she planned on starting their forever in.

[theodorefck-blog]

As Shai pulled open the door to reveal the dress she bought for this very special occasion, a smile instantly spread across Theo's face, his eyes nearly lighting up at just the mere sight of her. She was beautiful - absolutely beautiful; as always, of course, but here in this white dress of hers seemed to be where she shined-- where she made him wonder more than he usually did about how he got so lucky to have her for this long and have her for the rest of his life. No other man in this world would be fortunate enough to snatch a woman like her and just thinking about that also gave him a sense of pride. He was the lucky one. 

As he looked at her, though, he couldn't help but feel like he was looking at two people-- and in a sense, he was. Their small bundle of joy in which she was carrying nearly popped out at him, even though she wasn't showing yet, and if she was - very little. This cub of theirs will be a part of this moment, their marriage, although they won't even know. In a way, he or she was sharing it with them, and he liked that more than he could put into words.

Stepping forward, the smile still on his face, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a short but sweet kiss. "Look at you, looking all gorgeous and stuff," he chuckled, this time placing his lips to her forehead. For some reason, he couldn't help himself-- his lips as well as his fingertips needed to be touching her at all times, it seemed. He wasn't going to complain, though, and he could guess that neither was she. "I love you... now, let's go get married..."

[alohaitsshai-blog]

[fuckyeahdamose]

[theodorefck-blog]

Shailene&Theo rehearsing for Jimmy Kimmel Live (2/03/2014)