Written Through Time

Once I wrote, now I observe

[writtenthroughtime]

How do you keep up with all those books and find the time? I'm having trouble finding time finishing one book and studying for part one of my state teacher's test. I miss reading.

In all honesty, audiobooks and just making time to read as a priority is how I do it. I listen to audiobooks while I work and on my commute to the office. Libby and my local library really help in that department or Libro.FM for a paid audiobook route. 

I completely understand trying to find the time and how hard everything can be with schooling. In the last few years I went back and got my masters degree and it felt like I didn’t have any time for fun reading or activities. The advice I can give is keep at it. One day the studying will end and free time will come back. 

For anyone interested here’s a list of my current reads:The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina KwanWish Upon a K-Star by Kat ChoSix Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth LimThe Irresistable Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigette KnightleyThrone in the Dark by A.K. CaggianoMost Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa

[writtenthroughtime]

Like Father Like Son - Final Chapter

“Mam? Da?” Young Jamie said, and they turned, eyes going wide, mouth agape. 

“Brian?” A gasp said from behind me. I whipped around and there stood my mother, a gloved hand clapped to her face. 

“Mum?” I croaked reaching out for her. For the second time in as many seconds, the breath had been knocked out of me, this time by the force of my mother’s hug. 

“Jesus H Roosevelt Christ! I thought you weren’t coming! And to see you hit the ground… love what are you doing here?”

“What am I--?” I shook my head. “I wasn’t going to let you go alone! Why didn’t you wait for me?” 

Her soft hands cradled my face, the familiar scent of herbs and medicine clinging to her. I watched as tears welled up. 

“I–,” she started, “I do not have an excuse that is good enough to say to you. I thought you might want to stay where you were born, with all the conveniences of the future.”

“And lose you? Do you think any place is worth being if I lose my only family?” I whispered out in an angry huff, tears starting to fill my eyes. My hands lightly grab her wrists as I lean into her comforting touch. 

“I’m sorry baby boy. I hoped you would come find me, but I didn’t want to force you to come to the past with me if you didn’t want to.” 

“Mum how could you think leaving me was a good idea–”

The front door clangs open, followed by heavy footsteps and a burly voice calls out “Claire!” 

A gaelic curse, the scratches of dog claws on wood, and a stumbling thud, “Christ! Claire! Sassenach where are ye?”

I watch as my mum’s eyes widen before she turns around, her comforting warmth disappearing as she goes to the voice that calls out to her. 

“Jamie,” I hear her sigh in exasperation. “What did you do this time?”

One word. Jamie. My father. He was right there. 

A cold sweat breaks out over my body; my hands clammy and shaking as I go towards the sound of my parents. 

“--ye ken how that damned horse is.” 

“I know that you egg him on. Hold still.”

“Shite! Easy woman, I–” his voice trails off. Our eyes lock and his jaw drops open. 

“Good. Stay quiet…what are you looking at?” Mum turns and sees me behind her, a soft smile spreads across her lips. “Jamie,” My father’s shocked face turns to my mother. “I’d like you to meet your son, Brian.” 

“B-Brian?” his voice was rough, full of emotion. 

“Hi dad.” Was the lame sentence that tumbled from my lips. 

A smile broke out over my father’s face. “Welcome home.”

I smiled back, glad no suspicion or questioning took place, just acceptance and a love that I had no idea I was missing. 

“I’m home.”

FIN

Like Father Like Son: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

[writtenthroughtime]

If The Shoe Fits

“Oh, oh shit!” I exclaimed as I watched my shoe fly off my foot and land heel first into the back of the neck of the man crouched down a few feet away. His hand flew to the back of his neck, rubbing the already reddening spot. Slowly, with his other hand, the man grabbed the shoe from the ground and turned around looking for the culprit--me. I gulped and felt my cheeks start to redden as his eyes zeroed in on my own. A smirk lifted at the corner of his mouth as he made his way over to me. “I believe this is yours,” he said holding up the light blue heel. I nodded and covered my face in my hands, careful not to pull off the frilly mask tied there. “I’m so sorry! I knew I shouldn’t have borrowed these shoes. I can’t believe I hit you! I’m--” He halted my protestations with a shake of his head and a gentle tug on my leg. “Here, lift your leg. I cannae replace the fair damsel’s shoe wi’out access to her foot.” Embarrassed, I lifted my leg and let him return the shoe to its rightful place. “Perfect fit, Cinderella.” He joked, his blue eyes twinkling behind his silver mask. “I’m no Cinderella.” I countered in the same joking tone. “Och, I beg to differ. A gorgeous, mysterious woman loses her shoe and the handsome man returns it for a perfect fit, I believe that fits the requirements, wouldn’t ye say?” I laughed and nodded my head. “If you’re going by those standards then I guess so, although I’d hardly consider myself the belle of the ball.” He made a noise in the back of his throat, similar to a scoff. “Dinna sell yerself short, Cinderella. How did ye manage to fling your shoe so far, anyway? If ye were wanting my attention, ye didna have to fling your shoe at me, I would have gladly come to ye wi’ just a crook of your finger.” I couldn’t hold back my laugh. “I really am sorry, Sir Charming, for hurting you with my shoe. It really wasn’t my intention.” “Och, sure it wasn’t.” He laughed back with another sly wink that was truly more of an owlish blink. “Shall we?” He offered, hand extended. “They’re playing our song, Cinderella.” “Our song, huh? Well how could I turn down a dance with my Prince Charming?” He spun me around, then pulled me close to his chest. “So Mr. Charming, what brought you to the hospital benefit ball?” “My niece is a patient here.” He said quietly into my hair. I could feel the timbre of his voice resonating through his chest. “I helped fund the event.” I pulled back just far enough to be able to look into his eyes. “You're the mystery sponsor?” 

He nodded, closing his eyes. “Caitlin was born early...we thought she was still-born. It about killed my sister to see her child blue and seemingly lifeless.” He took a deep breath, opening his eyes and staring deep into mine. “That was nearly two years ago. One of the nurses charged with preparing a stillborn for the parents final viewing noticed the faint breathing coming from her. Christ, it was the most stressful day of our lives, waiting and watching, never knowing if that faint breath and heart beat would remain steady and strong. Jenny has a brood of children ye see, and I was tasked wi’ keeping them in line. Her eldest had just turned ten and understood more than his siblings. He kept asking to go see his sister and when the doctor came out to tell us she was dead...Wee Jamie broke down. His fit was worse than any he’d ever had even as a bairn.” 

I hesitantly reached up and touched his cheek. “But she survived.” 

He nodded, tears pooling in his eyes. “Aye, she did. I swore then that I’d do whatever I could to try and help families to never experience the kind of day we did. I ken I canna save the truly stillborn bairns, but I could help fundraise, donate, and even provide equipment needed to help support those children in need. The ones who are just on the verge of not being strong enough.”

Tears had filled my own eyes as he continued his tale. This strong, mysterious man has been the benefactor for so many saved lives in the last year from this one humbling experience, and without knowing it just gave away his identity to me. 

“Did you ever get to meet the nurse that helped save your niece’s life?” I asked after clearing my throat. 

He shook his head while looking at the ground. “My sister and brother-in-law did, but I didna get the chance to do so.”

“What would you tell her if you could?”

His eyes snapped up and searched my own. “I’d tell her how grateful I am to her, that her attention to the small details of person is what saved my family from excruciating grief and that I was in her debt. That because of her willingness to stand up to those who were deemed superior than her, my family is whole as well as many other families. If it were not for her, I don’t know if the donations I made or request for more neonatal training would have been made. Mostly I’d want to tell her thank-you.” 

“You’re welcome, Mr. Fraser.” I whispered in response. My throat too  thick with emotion to do much else. 

Mr. Fraser’s body tensed as he let my statement sink in. “Nurse Beauchamp?”

I nodded, biting my lower lip. “It’s Doctor Beauchamp now, but yes, two years ago I was Nurse Beauchamp. That experience had a lasting impact on me as well, Mr. Fraser. I went back to school determined to find some way to help, I’m the newest Neonatal Surgeon in residency here. I never want to see a family suffer unnecessarily again.” 

We had stopped moving, all pretences of dancing gone. Mr. Fraser had moved himself away from me just enough to survey my entire being, before pulling me hard to his chest. I felt a pressure to my head, as well as warm droplets of tears as they cascaded down his face and into my hair. 

“Thank-you,” he whispered over and over again in my hair. I wrapped my arms tighter around his waist, giving him silent comfort. 

“Mr. Fraser--”

“Jamie.”

“What?”

“My name is Jamie, please call me by my first name.”

I smiled into his chest, “Well then, Jamie, shall we continue this dance or take a walk around the pond? It’s starting to feel a bit too crowded for my liking.” 

“I couldn’t agree more, Doctor Beauchamp.” He smiled, holding out an arm for me to take. 

“If I am to call you Jamie, it’s only proper that you call me Claire.”

“Aye, Claire it is.”

[writtenthroughtime]

Pick Me! - Chapter 2

My mind slow and groggy with sleep gradually turned into the pounding ache of a wine hangover. I gripped the side of the attached upholstered sofa cushion as my stomach lurched and churned with a sudden sickening feeling as consciousness slowly came back to me. I was laying half on, half off the living room sofa still in my disgusting scrubs and an empty bottle of wine wedged between my back and the cushions. 

My phone dinged at the same time my iPad lit up with notifications. 

“What?” I questioned aloud my eyes going cross with the brightness of the screen, before the sinking dread filled me with ice and sudden flashing memory of the night before. “Jesus H Roosevelt Christ!”

I didn't look at the numerous notification bubbles until I opened the home screen, where an obnoxious red oval told me I had 103 messages. 

“Jesus H Roosevelt Christ,” I whispered again in astonishment. “Why so many?” 

With trepidation I clicked on the message icon and scrolled through to see just how many people made up the 103 messages. My eyes widened in shock, “FIFTY!” 

My hand shook as I clicked on the first message...and then nearly launched the iPad across the room to get the offending thing away from me. The fear of breaking the screen was the only thing keeping me from tossing it as yet another grotesque message and even worse image was in the following five messages. After the tenth message with nothing but a disgusting message inside I responded. 

Hello Red & Black Jack,

Fuck Off. 

Do the world a favor and hide your tiny gnome dick then go home.

Hot Shot Lady Doc

I copied and pasted the message and continued to send it to each and every dick pic sent to me, which was an alarming twenty people out of the fifty that sent messages overnight. 

Finally, after the multitude of disgusting messages, several vulgar and suggestive message--one of which said “What’s long and hard and full of Seamen?”, there was one person I vaguely remembered sending a message to last night that seemed to have responded. 

Hi Hot Shot Lady Doc,

Or may I call you Claire? I am most definitely a real man, I definitely am not one of those people who creep on the internet to prey on women like yourself, and I would love to have coffee with you. I think my time as an army surgeon and your current profession would give us a fantastic base to start on. I’m free any time tomorrow, or this weekend. If you are serious about the meetup please call me at [phone].

Look forward to meeting you. 

Army Doc, John Grey

My brow furrowed in confusion. “What the fuck did I even say to him?”

I reread his message then anxiously scrolled up to see what prompted his unusual first sentence. 

“Oh dear God.” I groaned in horror as ice filled my veins. “Please tell me I didn’t do that.” I closed my eyes but the drunken words were burned into the backs of my eyelids. 

Hi Amry Doc!

Are you a real man? OR just one of those crazies who want to kidnap and rape me? 

Yuor picture is very cute adn yuor cute and yeah. 

We should have coffee!! I love coffee!

I’m sorry I’m a little drunj it’s my bithday!!! Happy lonely Birthday to me!!! My best friend gave me wine and this dating app for agift! She’s nice but I don’t know about it but guess I should give chance. So coffee soon? Please!

Claire

“At least I spelled my name right.” I grumbled and flopped face first onto the leather of the couch. With half of my face still pressed into the couch I messaged the very kind Army Doc back. 

Hi John,

I’m so sorry for my drunk messages last night. Thank you for being kind enough to reply. I don’t know why you did. I know I asked last night, but I’m reaffirming I’d love to get coffee. I’m free this afternoon, it’s my only day off this week from the hospital. Where and when are you available to meet? 

Claire

I moved my head back towards the cushion where the stench of the hospital and stale wine mingled with the rich leather. I let out a huff and pushed myself up from the couch, a shower was definitely in order. 

The pounding water and fresh steam of the shower helped clear the fog from my head and bring my body back to a semblance of normalcy. In the hour and half I had spent under the water, two new messages had arrived from the dating site. Still wrapped in a towel, I thumbed through them.

Claire,

Please think nothing of it. If it weren’t for my brother I guarantee I would not have had the nerve to respond to someone like you. I would be honored to meet you in Oxford if that works for you. Would Vaults & Garden off of High Street near All Souls and Radcliffe Square be easy for you to get to around 15:00? I have a noon meeting at All Souls and will be in the area for the full day before driving back to London. 

John

My heart picked up a beat and I felt my face flush in excitement as an uncontrollable smile lit up my face. 

John,

15:00 at Vaults & Garden would be wonderful. See you there! I’ll be the one in --

I stopped and looked at my wardrobe, debating the possible combinations and hating every single option. 

“Get a grip, Beauchamp! It’s only coffee!” I said confidently before blindly reaching for a hanger.

I’ll be the one in green.

Claire

The second message was from one of the original men who I matched with and apparently hadn’t made a fool of myself with. 

Hi Hot Shot Lady Doc,

Christ, these dating apps and usernames really make it difficult to take even myself seriously. I’ll start out with my name is Jamie and I’m --

I failed to read the rest of his, what I’m sure was a well thought out message, and snooped on his profile. In the picture he had on a garish red jumper with giant blue balls knit into it. Did he think this was endearing? I tried to ignore the jumper and focus on his face, but found my eyes kept creeping back down to the ridiculous article of clothing. 

Seumas Ruadh

Name: James Fraser

Occupation: Wining Fraser - Owner/Distributor

Looking For: Something unseen, yet felt between

Interested In: Women with a kind heart, and sharp mind

“Oh, well now why did you have to go and say something cute Mr. Fraser?” I huffed in mock exasperation scrolling back up to focus on his face. A strong jaw, sharp cheekbones, with a long straight nose let to piercing blue, smiling eyes. Eyes that seemed to smile and be illuminated from behind, made my heart skip a beat and butterflies to flutter in my gut. A tumbling mass of red curls framed his face and the lone stray curl that curved towards his left eye made him even more enticing. I wanted to know this man.

I gazed at his likeness for longer than what would be deemed appropriate, lost in his smile that lit up his entire face, like that moment in time he could not be any happier. “Now I have to go back and read your message, you’re too adorable not to.”

Hi Hot Shot Lady Doc,

Christ, these dating apps and usernames really make it difficult to take even myself seriously. I’ll start out with my name is Jamie and I’m new to this whole online dating experience. I’m 28, no kids, never married. Is that the kind of thing people mention on here? I don’t know. I’m the owner of Wining Fraser, a small wine distribution business based out of Edinburgh. I love what the wine business does. Not only do we get to experience a new world with every company and every bottle, we--I--get to bring joy to people. I suppose that’s why I’m using this insane way of finding a date. I’ve lost myself in my work and figured now was as good a time as any to attempt to find that missing something or I suppose, someone.I do hope you’ll respond back, and I look forward to getting to know you. 

Jamie Fraser

I caught myself laughing at his choice and use of words. I feel much the same. Here I sat, 32 barely making enough time to sleep from insane work schedules, failing at anything that required care and attention. I wouldn’t doubt that if I were to buy a house plant the poor thing would die, not from my lack of a green thumb, but my lack of love to give to it. 

After rereading Jamie’s message and began to compose my reply. I caught myself giggling like a schoolgirl, and had to make an effort not to let the butterflies fly away with my words. 

Dear Jamie,

Please, just call me Claire. 

I understand when you said that work seems to be your entire life. I too am guilty of that very action. My lack of social and romantic life led to my best friend signing me up for this app on my birthday of all days. Sometimes I wonder where time has gone and how at 32, I feel as though I’ve simultaneously been around for much longer and not long enough to know what I’m doing. 

Have you ever felt as though your life passes you by no matter how hard you try to stop and take a moment to savor it? 

At first I was wary of even starting this app, and now I don’t want my life to fly by any more than it has without my say so. I want to savor every moment, and sometimes that means taking a risk, like saying hello to a handsome stranger. 

I too, look forward to getting to know you, Jamie. 

Claire

Pick Me! - Chapter 1

[writtenthroughtime]

Love Bracelet

The spring breeze sent her hair flying all around her face, tangling the already unruly curls into a riotous mess. Jamie couldn’t take his eyes off her. To him she had never looked more beautiful with her face tipped up to the weak early spring sunshine and her hands delicately caressing the barely-there bump. The closer to her he got, the more he noticed. She was humming an old tune while gently rubbing where their growing child lay. 

His heart squeezed as the memories of their lost babes assaulted him. He’d seen this level of contentment three times before from his wife. Each of the three times ended with the light in her whisky eyes fading that much more, and his usually quick witted, vivacious wife was nothing but a shell of herself. Losing the babies had broken her spirit and in turn, his heart. He didn’t know or feel the children as she did, but each one was a blessing to him; blessings that were taken before their time. As if his prayers of hope and longing for this babe to live, earlier that week Claire’s OBGYN had confirmed that this time the baby had quickened and the risk of miscarriage was less than the previous three pregnancies. His wife had taken leave from her Family Practice after the first twelve weeks of the pregnancy, she refused to put more stress on her body than necessary. 

“Claire?” He called out, his voice hoarse and cracking from the pent up emotion. 

She opened her eyes and a beautiful smile lit up her face, causing a smile of his own to form. She tilted her head in silent request for his kiss. 

“Hello love.” She whispered against his lips. He kissed her again softly. 

“Mmm. I’ll never tire of that. But that’s not the reason I’m out here.” 

“Oh? If it’s about your birthday tomorrow I’m not telling you a single plan! You’ll just have to wait and be surprised for once.” She smirked. 

Laughing, Jamie got down on his knees so he was eye level with his fiery wife. “No, but I did bring you a gift.” 

“Jamie!” Claire began to protest, a scowl replacing the smirk. 

Shaking his head and leaning in for another kiss he said, “No, mo nighean, don’t fight me on this. It’s nothing extravagant and just a little token. I have another gift for a different time, but this was a spur of the moment find. I overheard a few lasses in Old Morris’s Jewelry shop. They were crowded around these and lamenting about how they didn’t have a man who loved them enough to give them one…” 

He trailed off as Claire took the petite box from his hands. She slowly lifted the cover to reveal a dainty golden band studden in screws nestled amongst the protective cotton. 

“It’s called a ‘Love Bracelet,’ Old Morris’s daughter Marlene said it’s a gift to represent love everlasting. She also said that the bracelet is supposed to only be put on and removed by one’s love. So,” he gently pulled the bracelet out of the box and placed it on his wife’s offered wrist. With a quick twist of the pocket knife’s screwdriver, the ‘Love Bracelet’ was firmly in place. 

“Did you basically just handcuff me?” She asked in a tone Jamie couldn’t tell if it were of annoyance, anger, a combination of both, or said in jest. 

“Uhh…”

“Nope, take it off this instant!” 

Annoyance and anger it was then. He fumbled to find the correct screw that would release the golden band. 

“If you want to try some kinky shit with handcuffs, then take me upstairs to our bedroom. I will not be wearing a partial handcuff all day everyday James Fraser!” 

Crestfallen, Jamie finally found the correct screw and released the bracelet from around her wrist. He watched as she stalked off red-faced in anger. Placing the bracelet back in it’s box, Jamie made note to take the offending piece back either the next day or day after, hoping they wouldn’t mind the new fine scratches from his attempts to release the bracelet. 

After several long minutes standing in the open air that soon had a bite of chill to it, he went back inside to find Claire and put the love bracelet behind them. What he wasn’t expecting was to walk inside to the sound of sobbing. Jamie ran up the stairs full tilt, nearly falling on the polished wood, to find his wife sitting in the bay window in the library that overlooked their back garden. 

“I’m… so… sorry!” Claire sobbed. Her voice cracking and breathy through the gasping sobs and sniffling. “You...were...jus-t… being lov-v-ving and I’m such a-a-a cold hearted bitch!” 

“No! Claire, no! Dinnae call yourself that! Shhhh, mo nighean donn, shhh.” He consoled, wrapping her up in his arms and rocking slowly from side-to-side, her face pressed against his chest. Her sobbs slowed the longer he held her and whispered into her ear. 

“Are ye alright now, mo Sorcha? Or do I need to fetch ye something?” 

She shook her head, nuzzling deeper into his chest. 

“I’m so sorry,” She murmured into his chest. 

“What caused all this, mo nighean?” He asked with a kiss to her head. 

“I don’t know. I think hormones? It’s like one second I’m okay and the next I’m either ready to scream or cry. I can’t keep the under control! If I’m not sleeping, I’m eating, and if I’m not eating I’m this bipolar, unpredictable bitch!” 

Jamie chuckled. “Nahh, you’re just pregnant. The doc did warn us that this could happen. Besides, it’s not like I can’t handle it. If you don’t like the bauble then I’ll take it back. You can go with me and we’ll pick something together. Aye?” 

She nodded slightly, and lifting her head gave him a small smile. “Why do you put up with me?”

“Och, because I don’t have a choice!” 

She slapped his arm playfully, and he laughed more. “No, it’s because I love you and I don’t know what I’d do without you, Claire Fraser.” 

Her eyes watered and more tears slipped down her face. The only way he knew she wasn’t upset with him was the smile that now graced her splotched and tear tracked face. 

“So no to the Love Bracelet?” 

She snorted and shook her head. “Definitely not! It’s a kind gesture, but I want something that means eternal love to us, not to the rest of the world. I’m not your average woman, Mr. Fraser.” 

“Aye, I ken that just fine, but what would you want to show eternal love as you put it?”

She traced the faint black “C” that was tattooed at the base of his thumb. “This is enough for now. Maybe a charm bracelet once the baby is born. We could get things that represent us.”  

Jamie pulled her to him and hugged her tightly, he thought of the gift that lay wrapped in his sock drawer: a silver bracelet with a strawberry, a thistle, and a blank medallion charm ready to be engraved once the baby was born. “Alright, mo nighean, you’ll get your bauble eventually.”

[obsidianpegasus-deactivated2025]

Reading my own fanfiction is basically just a rollercoaster of emotional whiplash.

20% of the time: “Hold on. I wrote this? This is fire. This is emotionally devastating in the best way. This scene is dripping with tension. I’m a literary perfectionist. Someone give me a book deal.”

80% of the time: “Straight to jail. Immediate prison. Why is everyone’s breath hitching?. I used the word ‘gaze’ three times in one paragraph like I was possessed. Did I think 'his eyes darkened' was profound? Why is everyone clenching their jaws? Why is someone whispering 'their name like a prayer' again?? No one talks like this. What is this dialogue. Why are there so many weird metaphors and em-dashes…”

[writtenthroughtime]

Pick Me!

The flat was quiet and dark, no sign of my former cohabitation present. My heart ached at the realization that he was really gone. Six years of having a shadow, a lover, a home full of noise and suddenly the only sound is that of my keys desolately clattering onto an empty table. 

I didn’t bother changing from my rumpled, puke stained scrubs, nor did I care to turn on a light as I wound my way through the empty halls to the kitchen. The fridge didn’t help note the stark loneliness, I don’t know why I bothered opening it in the first place knowing I would find a few stray brown sauce packets, a spoiled carton of milk, and a half eaten container of takeaway. I did a double take at the sight of a large wine bottle topped with a bow sat on the middle shelf, an interesting label and a note tied to its neck. 

Claire,

Don’t be such a wuss on your birthday! No man is worth the six months of depression you’ve been sporting. Drink up and perk up!

Love, 

Geili 

I laughed and pulled the well chilled bottle from the fridge, without a second glance at the rest of the meager, unsatisfying contents.

“Extremely sweet red wine,” I read from the label, popped the cork and swigging straight from the bottle, then pulled out my phone.

Sweet Walter Red is it then? How sweet Walter must have been to lend you his bottle. I hope he knows he won’t get it back!

Waiting for her reply I took another drink and hummed at the delicious crisp sweetness the wine offered. I needed to eat something before the wine turned me into a blubbering drunk. 

Geili:

Aye! Walter is more than happy to lend sweet bottles to beautiful nurses. Especially on their birthday!

I laughed as her next message came within seconds of her first.

Geili:

I took the liberty of downloading a week gift to your iPad. DRINK THE WINE!!!!  Then...have some fun on my dime *insert wink face/tongue out emoji*

Geili what did you do??? 

Geili:

You’ll see! I already have it pulled up for you. All you have to do is tap the big red button!

Curiosity coursed through me. The app was indeed pulled up and a large red button read ‘Pick Me!’ 

“Pick me? What on earth?”

YOU SIGNED ME UP FOR A DATING APP?! GEILIS!!!! NO.

Geili:

*insert kiss face emoji*

Tossing my phone to the side, I quickly drained half the bottle of wine and slumped on the couch glaring at the closed cover of my iPad. 

“Who does she think she is?” I questioned. “It’s not as though I’ve never had a date…” Sighing I reasoned with myself. “...although, he never did call back. I guess I could.. NO! Beauchamp what are you thinking? Molesters, con artists and psychopaths use the internet for dating… or that’s just my overactive paranoia coming into play and generalizing to avoid admitting that I do want a date and I’m actually extremely lonely.” 

My life was starting to look like a cheap early 2000s romantic comedy, only without the romance and comedic irony in abundance. I sat myself back down onto the couch, took another mouthful of wine and started laughing riotously. 

“Bridget eat your heart out!” I laughed into the bottle, wine already nearing the opening. 

The bottle of Sweet Walter diminished surprisingly quick. My food deprived stomach craved more with every sip to ebb away the hunger, and my alcohol buzzed brain’s confidence soared.

“Get a grip Beauchamp! What’s the worst that could happen?” I slurred, and tapped the obnoxious ‘Pick Me!’ button.

A burst of confetti digitally fell down the screen and I laughed as balloons rose from the bottom spelling out ‘CONGRATS!’ So far, so good! 

Hello! 

Congrats on deciding to take this leap into the unknown. We’re here to help you find love and fun all at the click of a button! Pick Me!, Inc. has a 98% success rate and we’re happy to have you join our team! In the home bar below you will find your access to your personal profile, messages, private chats, and most importantly your matches! If you have any questions just tap on the HELP! Icon and we’ll be there to assist. 

Happy Picking!

After canceling the automated tour of the app I fumbled my way through the sections, finding my profile and groaning at the photo and information Geili had chosen to submit. The title of my pages was named Hot Shot Lady Doc, “Jesus H Roosevelt Christ, Geili! What have you done?” 

Name: Claire Beauchamp

Occupation: Professional Knife Wielder, aka SURGEON

Looking For: The perfect peen to make me happily scream and other forms of fun. *insert wink face emoji*

Interested In: Tall, NOT Dark, but very Handsome: MEN

My eyes widened and the wine was suddenly back in my mouth. I really needed to change the information. Drunk note to self: Change all information and profile picture ASAP once sober. A heart appeared in the corner of my screen, blinking the number 6. Did this mean six messages or six matches? Why didn’t they ever make this clear? Oh wait.. Maybe that’s what the little tutorial was meant for…

“Ahh fuck it… when in Rome,” I murmured clicking on the flashing heart. 

My heartbeat quickened and my stomach twisted with nerves. There were six matches waiting for me to view and one had a gold star on the top left corner stating we were a 95% match, the rest filtered through with 90%, 88%, 85%, and an 80% ratings. I bit my lip and scrolled through each, eager to see what made us compatible. One man was a wine distributor, another a carpenter, there was an army surgeon, a police officer, a publisher and even a farmer. All had stunning smiles and colorful profiles, and there was one thing important I noticed about each of these men as I read their profiles; none of them were the least bit like Frank. 

“I can do this!” I said matter of factly, tapping my, unfortunately empty, wine bottle to the screen in a mock toast. “I am a strong, independent, hot shot lady doc! I managed to graduate top of my class before the age of 30! I don’t need a man but would definitely like some fun!” A new sense of excitement washed over me at that realization, but my stomach sank in guilt. “I do want a man, but am I doing this too soon after Frank?” 

Chewing on my lip I paced my living room with empty wine bottle and iPad in hand. “No! He is not caring if it was too soon to get married two days after I landed a job to be closer to him. He didn’t seem to mind that we were still together when he started dating whatsherface Candy! This is for me! Geili was right, I do deserve some fun!” Confidently I flipped the iPad back open, I bit the bullet, and messaged the first profile that caught my attention.

Pick Me! - Chapter 2

[writtenthroughtime]

Apple Crepes

“Da da da da da da da da da da da da da--!” The constant babble for attention was cut off with an excited squeal and a laugh. 

“So you like flying, Scorp?” Draco said to his still giggling son. When another stream of “da’s” burst forth, Draco laughed and lightly tossed his son into the air before catching him. Scorpius’s  delighted laughter was infectious. 

“What’s going on in here?” 

“Mum mum mum mum mum!” Scorpius demanded reaching for his mother. 

“Hello baby, what has your father been doing to you while I made breakfast? Hmm?” She cooed nuzzling her nose into her son’s silky blonde hair. 

Clasping his hand to his heart Draco dramatically stated, “I’ve done nothing, I swear ma lionne. How could you not trust me?” 

Hermione arched an eyebrow with a knowing smirk. “Because you are always doing something, even if I can’t see it, you’re plotting it.”

“You wound me, ma lionne.”

She snorted at his falsely innocent tone. “Come on Mr. Silver Tongue, I made your favorite.”

“Apple crepes? Really?” Draco’s face lit up in a child-like fashion before he scooped Scorpius out of his mother’s arms and ran for the kitchen table. Both father and son’s laughter could be heard from where Hermione stood smiling at her husband’s antics. 

“--you’ll really enjoy this. Open for daddy! Yum, yum, yum!” Draco said guiding a spoon laden with honeyed apples and cinnamon towards Scorpius. 

“Draco, not the cubed apples, you know he can’t chew that yet.” Sensing his protest, Hermione placed a finger to his lips and set a bowl of applesauce in front of him. “I took some of the peeled, cooked apples and made applesauce out of it for him. Do you really think I’d have our son miss out on your favorite breakfast flavors?” 

Draco grinned then smacked a kiss to her cheek. “You are the most thoughtful--mppff”

Hermione rolled her eyes as Draco’s eyes closed in a blissful manner with the bite of crepe she force fed him to stop the string of compliments. The blissful moment had been cut short by a sharp elbow and a frustrated grunt. 

“Here baby, don’t beat up daddy. Mummy will make sure you get some breakfast.” Hermione smiled, spooning a small amount of applesauce into Scorpius’s eager mouth. She laughed when a similar look of bliss overtook her son’s face as that of her husband’s. 

“Like father, like son.” She laughed watching both of her boys sit in contented bliss. 

“Thank you, Hermione.” He said, grabbing her wrist. His silver eyes shining in happiness. “I don’t know how you do it every time, but every day you manage to make me fall more in love with you.” 

Hermione let out a short laugh. “You’re only saying that right now because I made your favorite treat.” 

“True. But I am serious about loving you more every day with each little act of love you show me.” 

Leaning over, Hermione kissed Draco soundly before caressing his face. “You astound me day after day with how much you’ve changed since we were children. I love how determined you are to be a wonderful father to Scorpius, how much kindness you show towards my friends, how you’ve taken Teddy under your wing and mended your relationship with your aunt. I love how you prove to everyone everyday that you’re not the spoiled brat we knew as children, that you want there to be good in the world. I love seeing you interact with my parents, and how you seem to make my dad feel like he’s gained the son he’s always wanted. And on top of it all I just love you. Your heart, your soul, your incredible amount of patience, talent, and love. You should never doubt how much you mean to me and your children.” 

Draco pulled Hermione back down, letting a tear slid down his cheek as he sweetly kissed her back. Showing his affection in the gentle, yet commanding kiss before pulling back sharply. His eyes went wide and frantic. 

“Did you just-- did you-- children? You said children. Hermione--ma lionne, are you--?”

Tears swimming in her eyes as she nodded and placed a hand to her stomach. “We’re going to have another baby.” 

Draco smiled and the last thing he could remember was the happy sight of his wife. 

Hermione shrieked in horror as Draco’s eyes rolled back into his head and he slumped face first onto the kitchen table, narrowly missing his plate of half-eaten crepes. 

“Innervate! Draco? Draco can you hear me?” She pleaded, shaking his shoulder, touching his forehead, and shaking him again. 

“Da da da da da da!” Scorpius cried, trying to get his father’s attention. 

Neither cry was answered for a few seconds. Draco’s eyes slowly began to open and he blearily stared at his wife. 

“Pregnant? Did I dream that you were pregnant and made me,” he looked down and saw the plate in front of him. “Apple crepes? So it wasn’t a dream.” 

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck. “Don’t scare me like that again! And you most definitely were not dreaming.”

A smile broke out on Draco’s face as he stood abruptly and swung Hermione around in his arms. “Another little bit of me and you?” 

She laughed and nodded in answer. Draco dropped to his knees and placed a kiss just below her navel. “Hello little one, I’m your daddy.”   

[writtenthroughtime]

Long time no see…

Hello to my 2,000+ followers! It’s been a long time since I’ve logged into tumblr let alone posted. Life is crazy busy so I won’t be on often.

I wanted to make a PSA regarding my fanfiction works. I have never and will never own the characters I’ve written about, they are the sole and exclusive property of D.G. With the sudden rise of newer fans of multiple fandoms selling PDFs and/or bound copies of fanfiction I wanted to make it known I do not endorse this behavior and actions. This is illegal and could mean the end of fanfiction as we know it.

On top of that atrocity, AI bots are scalping fanfiction to feed into their algorithms. And with a recent update, it appears this platform is also allowing AI bots to scalp our content to feed into this system. As a creative professionally, I abhor AI generated content.

Because of the reasons above, I’m currently debating on whether or not to pull my fic from all platforms. In the coming days, your favorite fics of mine may be gone forever.

Until next time,

WTT

[thoughtkick]

“Never make fun of someone’s passion because that’s the thing that saves them from the world.”

— Unknown

[writtenthroughtime]

On the Eve of Culloden, Jamie sends Claire through the stones. But when she wakes up she realizes she’s travelled back to the day she met Jamie, but she still has her memories.

Hello, thank you for submitting a prompt. I’m sorry to say I haven’t written Outlander fanfic in several years. I’m going to tag a few creators that might be able to help you get your prompt fulfilled!

@gotham-ruaidh @imagineclaireandjamie @thelallybrochlibrary

Do you all know someone who might want this excellent prompt?

-WTT

[writtenthroughtime]

Time for a ghost story.

[writtenthroughtime]

Light it up!

I’m so ready to read HoSaB!!

[jaxxartbox]

Elf Prince Draco + Elf Mage Hermione AU

I’ve been neglecting tumblr, soz :’)

[dramioneficrecommendations]

Love me some mage Hermione. She looks badass, powerful, and beautiful 😍💚💚❤️❤️

[writtenthroughtime]

Anyone know if this a fic? I would read this so fast.

[writtenthroughtime]

Dear Restaurants, Bakeries, small businesses that deal with food, and to any one else this may concern:

Please list ALL known allergens that are in things, even if they’re ingredients you don’t think about. I had a trace of almonds in my catered lunch at work today and let me tell you what happened as someone who is highly allergic to almonds and tree nuts: I had to race to the pharmacy to buy extra medication, couldn’t breathe very well and my medication was making me all fuzzy so I had to take the rest of the afternoon off work, I spent the majority of my afternoon alternating between sleeping and in the restroom. Let me tell you how bad my head, throat and stomach hurts. How I’m cramping and having serious pains all because almonds were present in my lunch. When I looked up the restaurant’s menu & allergen sheet, not a single thing I ate had a flag for tree nuts, yet there were some present. Not even a warning that said “processed in a facility where tree nuts are used”. This is potentially deadly. Do better. Label things. Even if you don’t think it’s a big deal, it could be life or death for someone.

[zoeychuanart]

I love how Howl and Sophie’s relationship developed, it started from him being the charming prince, seemingly perfect, until she gradually finding out the inner side of him, fragile and lonely and afraid, and then she came to his rescue.

See more of my art on Patreon / Twitter / Instagram

[rosiethorns88]

A new Sketch-a-Wish, voted for by my wonderful Patreons for September: A piece inspired from Howl’s Moving Castle featuring Howl showing Sophie the field of flowers near his childhood cottage. Whaaa I put so much detail into the gang in the back, but it’s barely noticeable when you zoom out. 😖