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Warren Hutchinson III. 21. Son of the senator, youngest of the legendary Hutchinsons. Recent Ravenwood University alum, Class of 2019. Law student at Northeastern University. Proud fiance of Ella Woodson. "If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers." - Charles Dickens

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

jasper-hutchinson​:

“Dude, they are..going. I meant tough as hell but I’m enjoying being a total pain in the ass to my professors,” he teased. Law school was not easy in the slightest but he had gone there with a single mission an that had mostly kept him on track so far. Yeah you’re totally alone there for that Black Friday adventure but I can totally show my face at dinner for a bit. I also took on the challenge of cooking for my mom and her wife. I’m talking vegan deliciousness so we’ll see how it goes.”

**

“Ah, yes, being a total pain in the ass.” Warren echoed, mildly, sipping his coffee again. “I am familiar with that concept. We did grow up together, after all.” He can’t help but tease, thinking about a time or two where Jasper drove him crazy when they were far younger. “Well, at least on Black Friday, all the shopping will get done. Especially with Hanukkah right around the corner, I’m cutting it close.” Luckily, his holiday gift list was smaller than ever. “You know you’re always welcome, so come around whenever... Oh, wow. That is great. Are you converting them to veganism?”

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

jasper-hutchinson​:

“Between you and Keaton…are you having white boy Taylor Swift listening parties and not inviting me? Rude,” he joked but his laughter made it clear how much he got a kick out of the idea. “You can add a podcast to it. Thanks man, I am too, and hanging out with you? Totally one of the best parts. Now we can sit here as officially two future lawyers,” he joked. “What are yours and Ella’s plans for the next couple of days?”

**

Warren chuckled along with his cousin, but then shrugged: “How could I not? I think Ella might put me in the metaphorical doghouse if I outright refused to give it a listen. However, between you and me? I think she’s a very talented songwriter.” He took a bite of his cupcake after tearing the bottom half off and placing it on top of the frosting like a little sandwich, before he took a sip of his coffee. “Yeah,” he said, clearing his throat. “Absolutely. I’d be out of my mind if I did not try to see you while we both happen to be in town. How’s your courses going? I swear Torts is going to be the death of me... Oh, I’m not exactly sure. Probably doing some little Thanksgiving get together, which obviously you’re invited to. And I am certain there will be some Black Friday shopping, as my betrothed cannot resist a good deal. What about you?”

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

jasper-hutchinson​:

“I would usually complain about my birthday being on Thanksgiving but being back home in time to celebrate already feels like the best gift. I mean really,” Jasper paused as he reached for another vegan cookie he had gotten from Magnolia’s, “I couldn’t think of a better celebration. Though apparently the best thing about turning 22 is the Taylor Swift song.”

“You’re perfectly in time for turning 22, too.” Warren pointed out, unwrapping another red velvet cupcake carefully. “What with Red, Taylor’s version being released. You can listen to Taylor’s version, guilt-free...” He paused and grinned before he admitted: “Yes, obviously, I have been following all of that. I really think there’s a larger conversation to be had about musicians owning their music... But, I digress. Happy birthday. I’m glad you’re back home.” 

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“What was that?” Ella asked Warren from her side of the door, knocking once again as she was ready to see him in his ensemble— or well, lack there of because she was sure they were bound to win Halloween in their looks. “Oh, come on. When has the cold ever stopped us from turning a look, Warren?” Ella countered, crossing her arms as she waited for him to step out of the bathroom. “I will make sure we get very comfy robes to avoid such an end. So come out, let me see you. The future of our Halloween couples costume wins depends on you stepping out of that bathroom.”

Warren only hummed in response to what she said. As ever, Ella made an excellent point. They had historically always had good Halloween costumes, and he had felt especially proud of Dad-cula... But this would not be as comfortable of a Halloween as last year, he was realizing. He then opened the door further, letting his fiancee take in the sight of himself in the Speedo. “There better be a robe, at least... And well, I’d really have to shave... everything.” Warren wasn’t one to just let his body hair situation entirely to its own devices, but he had some hesitation. His hand flew to his chest. “Oh, fuck, I’ll have to shave my chest hair.” 

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“Warren, you need to come out of there right now.” Ella knocked on the bathroom door of their bedroom. Their couple costume had come in, a costume that yes, she might have ordered without getting her soon to be husband’s approval. But the moment she’d seen a picture of Jayne Mansfield and her husband, Mickey Hargitay in matching bathing suits— she knew that had to be them. “Come on, I bet you look amazing.” Ella told him, knocking once more. “Are you really going to leave me out here on my lonesome?” 

 ( @warrenhutchinsoniii​ )

“Oh, God.” Warren muttered to himself, looking back at his reflection. Somehow, this was a Halloween costume idea that he would have never anticipated as he turned sideways to check the fit of the leopard print... Well, there was no other word for it, but a Speedo. He sighed and then opened the door just a crack, his eyes narrowed at his fiancee as he said: “You do realize it is cold in Illinois this time of year, right? We’ll both freeze to death if we go out like this.” 

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“Oh, you don’t say?” Ella asked Warren, a small laugh leaving her lips. “Trust me, you’ve more than succeeded, even when I want nothing more than for you to not make me swoon. I suppose I just can’t get enough of you.” She told Warren, taking a moment to just take this in before she pressed her lips to his. “That’s unfortunate because honestly Warren, you deserve an award for just how different you are from the man-child that you once were. It’s actually kind of legendary.” Ella told the love of her life as he definitely deserved to give himself some credit. He went from honestly your typical upper class California dickhead to someone who was so caring and kind, someone who was working their ass off to be a someone rather than just letting his name carry him. “Well, it’s my pleasure to make you stop and smell the metaphorical roses because it’s good for us to acknowledge where we’ve come from before we tackle what’s coming.” Ella nodded, as she herself didn’t think they’d come back from their breakup all those years ago but look at them now, stronger than ever. “We did. And I’m happy we did because I can’t imagine furniture shopping with anyone else but you, my beloved.”

-

Warren nodded thoughtfully before he chuckled, “Of course. We used to winter in Vail and Whistler when I was a kid, between my dad’s senate sessions, obviously.” It all sounds so ridiculous to him now, some of these accoutrements of his Beverly Hills lifestyle, it all feels so alien. It feels so different from the way he lives now. But he knows not to let it get to him, not let it drag him down like an anchor to the bottom of the ocean... As that used to lead him to a drink. But that’s never far from his mind, anyway. 

His eyebrows furrow, picking up on one word in particular, “Man-child? Well, Jesus, I don’t... know if that’s apropos. I mean, I wasn’t smoking weed in my parents’ basement and playing video games all day... I was an alcoholic. I am an alcoholic, I always will be. And that’s what... You know, I used alcohol to cope with...” He stopped and shook his head, switching gears. “It’s not worth it to try and bicker on it... Anyway, your words, as ever, are meaningful to me. I have worked hard to better myself and it’s an unending project.” 

His cheeks flushed a little when she called him my beloved. One of the few things he recalled from the Christian Bible that was special even in Judaism; “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” Warren smiled and kissed the corner of her lips, “And you are my beloved, too. Thank you. I love you.” 

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“Oh stop it,” Ella said as her smile only grew as Warren spoke of building her a Barbie Dreamhouse. “Don’t worry, I think I’m past the age of wanting the dream house. But make no mistakes, I’ll definitely be looking forward to us owning property in Malibu.” Ella let him know, as he put into the universe and now they’d definitely be manifesting it. Plus, as much as she loved Rosewood… she was still a California girl at heart and she’d need an escape back home often enough. Especially when those Illinois winters came rolling in, she still wasn’t use to those. “Yeah, that exactly.” Ella nodded, as the Warren and Ella of today were very different from the kids they once were. They were kind of doing the damn thing. And she couldn’t be proud of them. “Uhm… you know, that’s actually very on brand for us.” Ella told Warren, impressed by his choices. 

“I suspected as such.” Ella laughed, as she could always count on Warren to be the devious one between the two of them. And honestly, she loved that about him. “No, you thought incorrectly.” Ella said, with a nonchalant shake of her head. While she tried to make sure that Warren and herself composed themselves in public, she found herself giving into the man. Take one look at him, and surely you’d understand why. “I’m better than Netflix?” Ella asked Warren as she held her hands to her heart. “You truly know how to make me swoon, Warren.” She teased, as she made her way towards him to sit down on his lap. “Do you ever take a moment to like take this in? We are moving in to our home, one you made happen from the ground up? And we’re also putting together a wedding amidst all of this while juggling our careers and our fur babies. Warren, we’re like killing it at life.”

-

Warren pretended to consider what she had to say, drumming his fingertips on the arm of the leather couch. “Hmm, well, I suppose summering here and doing winters in Malibu wouldn’t be so bad.” He speculated with a wide grin. “Besides, the worst Malibu has to offer usually winters in... Vail, Whistler, and Zermatt. I would know, I used to be one of them before I became hardened by Illinois winters. It all seems moderate once you’ve felt that wind coming from Lake Michigan in January.” He ran a hand of his hair idly and shrugged at her compliment, taking her impressed look in stride: “I do what I can, Miss Woodson.”

As she settled onto his lap, he slipped an arm around her waist, holding her close. He laughed as she teased him, shaking his head back. “I always try my best to make you swoon, my darling.” This time, he did consider her words and she was correct, he just... Hadn’t really thought of it like she did. But that was how she was, she saw things in a way so different that it shook him up more than he liked to admit it. “I... I think I’ve been so in my head about everything that I hadn’t actually thought about it that way.” He rubbed his hand slowly over her back as he spoke without thinking, but continued: “I’ve been so worried about internships, sobriety, and being between here and Boston, and everything else... But that’s what you show me, how to stop and smell the metaphorical roses. And you’re right. We’re doing... So awesome. So well. I don’t know if I ever thought I could get here. But we did.” 

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

Ella scrunched her nose towards the pillow that her soon to be husband held in his hands, shaking her head. Teenage her would have lived for said pillow, but this Ella, well she wanted her home to show off the fact that she was mature. But that in no way meant that things would be a bore. Or worst, The Kardashian-West home. Now, she understood minimalism but she refused to have Warren and her home look like a mausoleum. “That will not be going with us.” Ella told him, a small smile on her face as she signaled for him to put it back where he got it from. “As much as I’d love for our house to be a Barbie Dreamhouse— and trust me, I would want nothing more than that… our home is going to be the perfect representation of the people we are today.” Ella let Warren know with a nod of her head. 

“Well, that’s because that’s a given, Warren.” Ella said, her tone very much implying a ‘duh’ at the end of her statement. “Is that so? And here I thought your reasons for wanting a comfortable mattress were a bit more nefarious.” Ella told him, laughing lightly as he spoke. “It’s just a checklist of things we need to furnish the bedroom. This is our first home together, I want it to be like the moment, you know?” She said with a twist of her lips. “Like by the time I’m done, I want our house to be the house that our friends go to and their mouths just drop from how gorgeous it is.” Ella said. “Actually strike that, I know it will be.”

-

Warren grinned at her, amused by how she spoke, his head tilting one way, then another as he listened. “I mean, if you really really wanted a Barbie Dreamhouse, I’m sure you could convince me to build you one in Malibu one day... Once I have Malibu real estate money, that is.” He couldn’t help but visibly wince at the very thought, his wallet stinging at the idea. “The representation of who we are today...” He echoed, drawing back from her and sitting down on a display couch, his arm drawing over the back. Tapping his index finger on his dimpled chin, he considered it before he said, still grinning: “So, like American Psycho meets Working Girl?”

“Oh, you did hear me right. I did mean for more nefarious reasons.” He admitted, drawing one of his legs up so his foot rested on a knee. “I just thought you’d object to me talking about fucking you in such a public forum.” Warren cast a glance around, however, but they were utterly alone. “But yes, of course. They’ll be astonished we managed to pull it all off since we’ve spent much of our time in our books or in bed. I don’t think I’ve even checked a non-school related e-mail in months or watched Netflix... Not that I am complaining. You’re better than Netflix.”

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

@woodsonella​

Warren picked up a light pink pillow that was covered in faux-fur, rubbing his hand idly over the fabric before he showed it to his fiancee, a short distance away, jotting something down on her clipboard. Her organization skills where their home was concerned were bar none. She had binders full of notes and articles she had annotated with a shorthand he found nearly illegible. And on the shelf under their printer, there were a set of clear plastic bins filled to the brim with fabric samples and paint swatches. YES was emblazoned on the side of one, MAYBE on the other. Their mail back in Boston now had catalogs from a variety of furniture and home good shops. 

“Hey El, how about this pillow? Will this fit in with your design scheme?” He asked, grinning as she made a show of rolling her eyes. “It’s still a Barbie Dreamhouse meets modern-chic, right? Pink, pink, and more pink.” 

He was teasing as he dropped the pillow back down onto the couch it was being displayed on before he crossed toward her. When he reached her, he put a finger on her clipboard, pressing down on in until he could make out a few words. “Hmmm, it doesn’t say anywhere on here anything about how the bedroom should have a very comfortable mattress... It’s more conducive to sleep, you know.” He waggled his eyebrows at her playfully before he asked, “Okay, what even is on here? It looks Greek to me.” 

[brockpurdy]

DAVID CORENSWET ELLE & Ferragamo Hollywood Rising Celebration (2019)

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“So, maybe it’s simple a III thing.” Ella teased her beloved, as he’d more than proved himself to be an utter romantic. Warren’s ability to love and love without fear, well it was one of her favorite features of his. Ella’s lips found themselves on Warren as he playfully rolled her eyes, enjoying the fact that she was able to play around with her boyfriend. Sure, his family at one point would have preferred them to be stiff and serious at all times but that was never going to be their reality. She was a fan of their reality as it was and luckily enough, they’d managed to turn the tide with his family who loved them as they were as well. “Well, fortunately for you, you won’t be dealing with any long, lonely nights for a long, long, long time.” Ella let the love of her life know, her finger running against his sharp jawline. “And that’s a promise.” She said, pressing a sweet kiss to his cheek. 

Her fingers found themselves in his hand as he kissed at her neck, slowly but surely losing herself to how he was making her feel. Ella surely wouldn’t make any apologies for it, that’s for sure. She loved one, Warren Hutchinson III and she intended on showing that off whenever she could. “Can I tell you?” She asked him, before leaning into his ear to whisper exactly what she’d do to Warren once she had him all to herself in quite vivid detail. Before pulling away from him, she took his earlobe into her mouth– if only to execute her point. They needed their alone time and they needed it now.

“A three thing? Maybe so.” Warren echoed, his head tilting to one side, shrugging again. “Probably get it from my mom’s side. European ideals, cultural values, and all that stuff... But I don’t think people generally associate Eastern Europe with romance. I think they think of, like, borscht.” He joked, chuckling. “Oh, baby. Neither will you. I’m not letting you out of my sight... Except for, y’know, school and work and whatever.” He is in a joking mood, trying to distract himself from getting too excited in such a public space. 

But that changes when she leans over and whispers all these dirty things in his ear. Warren is sure he’s grinning like a guy who has just won the lottery. He shifts a little underneath her, getting hard in his pants and he presses himself against her butt, expressing interest. “God,” he murmurs when she nibbles on his earlobe. “You... Wow, you do that part too damn good. We gotta go find a room. Now. Lead the way, I’ll have to stick close behind you.”

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

Ella found herself letting out a small ‘aw’ as her significant other spoke of lassoing the moon for her. She knew most people saw Warren and they saw his obvious good looks or his affluent lifestyle but she really wished people could get to see this side of the man she loved. The side that had a way with words that would make even the most jaded person a whole romantic. Ella couldn’t help but place several kisses onto his face post that, her man just had a way with words and she loved that. “But not all men, you managed to get the upgrade. Is that a Hutchinson thing?” She asked him, playfully as her fingers found themselves in his dark locks. “Oh, do you recall?” Ella asked him, biting down on her lower lip as she thought back on the great times that Warren and herself had had. It was rare to find someone who you just connected with in every possible way but Warren was that person for her. Not only did he stimulate her mentally and emotionally, but she could had no complaints when it came to what they did physically. 

“I… can’t say I remember right now…” Ella’s words lagged as Warren’s lips found themselves on her jaw. “I didn’t intend on doing so.” She let Warren know with a tap to his nose, cherishing the fact that even after all these years… they just couldn’t get enough of one another. They were still very much those kids back on that bed full of rose pedals, just older and a whole lot more wise to what it meant to be in a healthy relationship. “I’m pretty sure this house has several rooms. Rooms with locks. I say we find one because we deserve to celebrate today… in the right way, you know?”

Warren let himself get swept up in the moment, his eyes closing as he savored  each kiss from Ella. He had forgotten the topic of conversation at hand when she asked him a question directly. “Hmm?” He murmured, blinking before he grinned lazily as the conversation came back to him. He rolled his shoulders in a small shrug in reply, suggesting, “Maybe it’s a Hutchinson thing. Maybe it isn’t. My dad is on his second marriage, but one of my brothers is, as you recall, rather happily married, so... I guess it works for some of us.” He can’t help but roll his eyes a little at her teasing. “Yes, of course I recall. My memories of us have...” He paused for a moment, his face flushing a little. “My memories of us have gotten me through many a long, lonely night... If you know what I mean.”

He could feel the hitch in her breath when he kissed her jaw and moved down her neck, tenderly. They were past the days of leaving each other’s pale skin dotted with love bites, but... sometimes, old habits died hard, didn’t they? And without another moment’s hesitation, he nipped at the soft skin of her neck. His hand drew up her ribcage intimately at her suggestion and he pulled back to give her a grin. “I think I’d like that very much. How do you... How do you plan to celebrate with me? Can you tell me?”

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“Aw, you’re just saying that cause you want me to kiss you some more and guess what? I will.” Ella told him with a laugh before placing quick kisses all over his face, surely Warren would be leaving the party with lipstick prints all over him. “Uhm, of course.” She told him, as they’d had some great times in their relationship. “I thought it was so cute that you did that, though. Because back then, boys don’t even think to do that. Isn’t that crazy? Like, come on. Romance us a little before you even try to get with us, is that so hard?” Ella went on a mini ramble, before turning her attention back to her beloved. “Only several? Consider yourself lucky, I had rose petals all over.” Ella told him with a laugh, because it’d literally been all over. But, it was well worth it because Warren had her on cloud ten that night. “Did you think I was lying? Me?” She asked him, playing up her offense. “It might be that. It just might be.” Ella nodded, playing along but honestly, she just didn’t need alcohol to be good at a party. Being with Warren, she’d come to understand that. Not just that, but it felt good to be a good influence for him. Sure, she had her glass of wine or a girl’s night out every so often— but she was always tried to be there for her favorite person. “I think I’m allowed to want the love of my life on today of all days. So yes, I want you, Warren Hutchinson… the third.” Ella laughed, you couldn’t forget the third. “And I’m not going to make any apologies for that.” Ella let him know, her fingers finding themselves at the buttons of his shirt as she undid the first couple to let him know exactly what was on her mind.

“Oh, always. Of course.” Warren quipped, grinning into her kiss. “If I’m ever not trying to get a kiss from you, please, darling, it’s time for me to be put in a home.” He laughs a little at his own joke and shakes his head at their shared memory. “For you, I’d lasso the moon, like that old Christmas movie. But you make points, Miss Woodson, as ever, and if I had some answer that was more than... just that men are all just feral beasts, I’d give it to you.” He remembers that night vividly, as he remembers most of their nights. The sight of her blonde hair splayed on the hotel bed, vibrant against the white bedspread and red rose petals, her lips dark pink from kissing... It’s nearly enough to make him hard. “Yeah, I think we got them everywhere on each other, the room, too... If my memory serves, which if does, because I recall that night, and so many others, very often.” 

He sips his drink again and gives another shake of his head. “I’d know if you were lying, I was only teasing you.” He finishes his sentence and presses a kiss to her jaw. “Mmm, what day is today again?” He asked rhetorically as she pulls him in closer. He feels lightheaded as she unbuttons a few buttons on his shirt. “Oh, god, Ella Woodson the first, never, ever apologize for wanting me. It is music to my ears and frankly, it’s working. If we don’t get out of here soon, I am going to be arrested for indecent exposure or something.”

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“I decided to change it up, I think kisses are a whole lot better than some flower petals. And more respectful to our planet.” Ella told the love of her life, happily kissing him and enjoying said kiss. Sure, they might have been a party but when she found herself in her boyfriend’s embrace… well, it took a lot to take her attention off of him. And could she be blamed? No. Look at him. “See, I suspected as such.” Ella told him, laughing as he spoke. He was so ridiculous and she loved that about him. Now, she knew that Warren had asked her a question in that moment but he also knew that kisses to her neck were one of those things that just got to her. “Club soda.” She told him, biting down on her lip. “I think you and me are in for a night of fun so I’d prefer to be ready for all that comes with that.” Ella said with a wink.

“Your kisses are better than any flower petals I’ve ever felt,” Warren quipped before a smirk played across his lips and he couldn’t help but reflect: “Remember that one hot Valentine’s Day we had in Tulum? Spring break, senior year of high school, and I scattered rose petals all over the bed?” He waggled his thick eyebrows at her playfully. “I think I pulled several petals from my hair later that night in the shower.” He pretended to be confused when she said she only had club soda in her cup and he tipped her cup toward himself, peering into the cup to inspect the contents. “Well, I’ll be damned. I thought you might have been drinking a little something, but I suspect you’ve been dosed with love potion number nine.” Unable to help himself, he hums a few bars of the old song and grins at Ella. “And yet you accuse me of being too horny, now look at you.” He teases, his fingers splaying over her side and tickling her ribs a little. 

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“He loves me,” Ella sang playfully, kissing at Warren’s cheek. They sat in their own corner at Rosewood’s latest soiree, a good ol’ fashioned house party. It’d been quite sometime since she’d been at one, which spoke to how “adult” her life had become as of late but it felt nice to finally just be surrounded by her peers and have fun without having to think of how she looked or came off in that moment. “He loves me not.” Ella scrunched her nose, shaking her head playfully before pressing a quick kiss to his lips. “He loves me?” ( @warrenhutchinsoniii​ )

Warren giggled, almost childlike, into his cup of iced tea. “I thought you did that sort of thing with flower petals.” He mumbled into the cup, his eyes cutting over to Ella. He had just brought his cup away from his mouth when she kissed him on the lips. Squeezing the arm that held her onto his lap, he grinned when she pulled back. “Oh, but of course, he loves you fiercely and tremendously!” He said in a baritone voice like he was reciting a line from a Shakespearean play. He tipped his head to press a kiss to her neck intimately before he teased, “And what do you have in your cup tonight, future Mrs. Hutchinson? Brandy? Everclear? Or just club soda?” 

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“I don’t know that man anymore, he says.” Ella said with a playful scoff. Yes, her soon to be husband had definitely matured past his snobbish ways, but there was still some snobbery in there if you pushed at Warren’s buttons in just the right way. But that could be said for her and just about everyone who’d grown up the way they had. They were children of privilege. Learning what that meant and unlearning some of the horrid things they’d been taught was their responsibility and she could say without a doubt that Warren had amazing at that responsibility. The man in front of her a couple of years ago wouldn’t be talking about donating things to those in need but he wanted to— and that made her love him just that much. 

“Oh, don’t you start.” Ella laughed. “Yes, Baxter is a total daddy’s boy but that’s not to say that Bruiser hasn’t warmed up to you.” Ella let him know as her baby had been more than receptive towards Warren than he’d ever been, even if at times— he reminded Warren that he sure as hell didn’t forget. But that was their little makeshift family and she wouldn’t have traded it in for nothing. “Our babies love you, but you know— they love me more.” She teased her beloved, kissing his cheek once again. “Honestly, I couldn’t agree more.” Ella had to agree with Warren. As much as they might tease about wanting to beat each other in the gift giving race, the best gift was the fact that through it all— they stayed together and were stronger than ever. “Like what would I do if I didn’t wake up to that face everyday? I’d be miserable.”

“Weeeeeelllll,” Warren admitted, drawing out the syllables in the single word, chuckling. “Maybe I remember him, after all. There are some things... some bad habits, I guess, that are harder to break.” He was proud of the strides and progress he had been making since he’d finished high school and even since he had finished his undergraduate studies. Even after a year of law school, Warren felt different. He wasn’t exactly the same guy he’d been at 18 and if there had been anything the last few years had taught him, he would have to say that it was that change was only possible if you wanted it. And boy, did he want it. And so he had worked at it. “We’ve both changed,” he said finally, finishing the thoughts circling around in his mind. “And it’s for the better.”

At the mention of his name, uttered by Ella, Bruiser stirred and came over to sniff them, pausing to stretch. Warren reached out a palm toward the dog, who nosed it and then licked it. “Yeah, that’s true.” He said as Bruiser proved Ella’s point by turning his focus toward her. “They know who the queen of the house is. I can’t help but wonder how our future kids will feel.” He teased, kissing Ella’s cheek sweetly. He couldn’t help but grin when she said she would hate not waking up next to him. “I feel the same way, but for me, it’s also how you help me... take my mind off of the day when it’s been a tough one. I don’t know how I’d be able to sleep without your...” Here, he paused, his grin almost wider now, before finishing: “Back rubs.” 

[warrenhutchinsoniii]

woodsonella​:

“I could never do that.” Ella told Warren with a shake of her head as she played with his hair. “But I could always ask Tierney to do it for me. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” She let Warren know, teasingly although there’d be no taking anyone to any backyards anytime soon. “Huh, what was that?” She asked Warren, as she feigned being hard of hearing if only to hear him say those three words once again. “You know, it’s funny you bring that up—” Ella said with a playful grin on her face. “No, I’m totally kidding. You already accommodate me enough, I do not need anymore space. If anything, I’m totally learning how to curb my shopping habits… even if I didn’t really do that this month. I brought you a ton of things.” Ella said with a laugh, as she had. Warren had more than earned himself everything she’d bought him, in many ways. “What do you mean you can live without? Warren Hutchinson III, shoes are like babies… you can’t just be getting rid of them all willy-nilly.” She told him with a shake of her head, as if he’d just said the most offensive thing in the world. “Okay, never ever did I think I’d hear you say that you miss French Fries.” Ella laughed, but it was so cute to see. “Well, don’t you worry, we’re almost there. I mean, we do have to go back to celebrate the holidays with your family in town and I am dying to see Celeste and Tierney.” She told her soon to be husband, excited for what would come when they found themselves back in Rosewood. 

“Okay, but in my mom’s defense, she was going through her crystals suck up bad juju era.” Ella let him know, taking a hold of his hand to place a kiss at his palm. “And after that happened, she totally got them fixed so you won’t be cutting your hand at our home anytime soon.” Ella tilted her head. “Well, how could I not say that when you fully come through with the KO once the holidays come through. First you gave us another baby,” Ella said, as they both looked in the direction of their youngest puppy. “and now, you gave us a house. I can’t compete with that.” Ella said with a laugh. “But I’m most definitely going to try, I am.” She nodded, as Warren knew her far too well. “Oh, shh. It was perfectly cheesy, okay.” Ella let him know, placing her lips back against his cheek to kiss away. 

Warren couldn’t help but roll his eyes when his fiancee offered to let Tierney kill him when or if the time came. “I’m sure she might relish it, even now.” He murmured, giving a small shrug. He laughed when she feigned ignorance and said, ever so softly. “I love you, Ella Woodson.” He smiled encouragingly when she admitted she wanted to curb her shopping habits. “Hey, better late than never, right, champ?” He teased her, giving her cheek a playful, but gentle, pinch. “I do think the rules of shopping are... flexible when it comes to the holidays and birthdays. If you’ve taught me anything, one of the things is that finding great gifts takes persistence. And an eye for a deal.” He grimaced a little when she compared shoes to babies and gave a little shake of his head. “Ah, I disagree with you there. Your shoes are like your children, but for me? Enh, it’s just a nice accessory. For the record, you did say the Gucci flip-flops and bottle green wingtips I’ve kept in their boxes were not my style. And they should go to people who would appreciate them.” He gives another shake of his head, thinking about St. Elmo’s fries again with longing. “I know. I used to be a man who never ate a single hot lunch meal that Beverly Hills High had to offer and had lobster shipped in from the coast of Massachusetts...” He pretended to look off into the middle distance for dramatic emphasis and added: “I do not know that man anymore.” 

“She had great points,” he said then, thinking about what little he remembered of Mrs. Woodson’s passionate speeches about the powers of crystals. “But I don’t... remember much of that. I believe that Thanksgiving, I had smoked a joint with your cousin from NorCal. The one who has the buddy with the weed farm. So, I recall little, except for the palm cutting. And all of us screaming.” He chuckled now at the memory, smiling when she kissed his palm. There was still a faint scar, if you knew where to look. He glanced at their puppy, dozing with his big brother, Bruiser, nearby. “Yeah, but honestly, Baxter is totally more my boy and you know it.” He joked, but it was mostly true. Baxter always slept more on Warren’s side of the bed and listened to him better than Bruiser ever would. “And I can’t wait to see, but it’s true. What matters to me is that we’re together.”