Second Chances Chapter 83

AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/71092221

As he comes in, he hears her soft moans. A frown as he walks into the back garden. His heart drops at seeing her. 

“Faith!” He drops down beside her. Her color or lack thereof concerns him greatly. As does her stillness, “what happened?”

A soft moan greets this. The open window and a bit of fabric hanging from a branch tell the rest of the story.

“Oh lass, what did you do?” He rings 999 and then Claire, unwilling to leave her.

They cling to each other in the waiting room. The paramedics had scooped her up and ran terrifying both her parents. Bree was tasked with watching Elizabeth and the boys while Claire and Jamie followed the ambulance to hospital.

“How could I not have known?” She moans against his chest. 

She had run out and screamed out seeing her baby laying so still and white. Then her training kicked in. 

“Don’t blame yourself. She was in the back garden, far away.”

“My child lay suffering and I didn’t know.”

She was placed on a back board, her neck secured. Five on the coma scale, the paramedics told them. Not good.

She sits by her bed, holding her hand, her very limp hand. Wires and tubes cover her. The PICU is her new home. 

“For now.” Claire whispers, “please God bring my baby back.”

source: recked||Tired of Your Regrets? Atmosphere of Grace

now listening to

Image Title: Shark Teeth Source: akaghosty

Night Swimming

Avoiding the ocean
Carefully dipped toes at the edge of beach
Reach for nothing

It’s better being in
Ocean
Deep

Kicking hard and feeling the teeth
As you are pulled under

‘Cause in a life of second chances
Everyone eventually finds
The maw of a shark.

-Skye

Second Chances Chapter 82

AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/71092221

She waits until the house is still and quiet knowing it won’t last long. Her baby brothers are teething and wake often. 

The window opens with a creak and she stops, waiting with a pounding heart. When there is no movement from any of the other rooms, she moves to  lower herself into the tree that grows by it. He waits a little ways down the street for her. Her heart is pounding with anticipation and excitement.

Her hands are wet with excited sweat and it is hard to get a good grip on the branches. She wipes them on her jeans before moving down to the next. 

She is halfway down when her sneaker slips. It happens fast. 

A slip. A missed grab. Scrapes as she reaches out for any hand hold. A branch tries to grip her hair as she falls past it. It misses. She is too shocked to scream. 

The ground rises up quickly to meet her. She lands hard, any breath she had left to scream knocked out of her. The pain is instant. 

Her eyes search for him to see his own sneakers running away. A tear drips down her face, landing in her ear. She can’t move

Second Chances Chapter 81

AO3

New Session | Archive of Our Own

She walks in her room. It wasn’t fair! They let her date before. Okay, he was a bit older but so was she. Flopping down on her belly on the bed, she tries to think about how to get around their decision.

“It should be easy,” she thinks, “mum is busy with the boys and Elizabeth. Da is working a lot.”

Flopping back on her back, she stares up at the ceiling.

“Okay, so he is 17. I am almost 16. It isn’t that big of a difference.”

Rick had asked her out the day before. She immediately came home and asked their permission ( bad move. should’ve just gone) to go on the date. At hearing his age and that he has a license, they had said no.

“Errr, he is perfect. I simply must find a way. If I tell him my parents said no, he will think me a child. That won’t do.”

The problem is that even with da working nights, mum is up a lot with the twins. Sneaking out won’t be easy.

A sigh as she gathers up the pillow, holding it to her chest. She looks dreamily out the window. She can maybe shimmy down the tree outside her window. A risk but… huh, maybe one worth taking. 

She will not tell him she can’t go. A way will be found, one way or another. After all, she is almost grown.

DOG RESCUE FRANKIE!! That makes me so happy to hear!! I’m working on him right now, actually! I was hoping to have part three ready to share today, but the past few days have been a little wonky and I haven’t had the time to finish it, so I’m shooting for Sunday/Monday with my fingers crossed. It’s time for him and Reader to be forced into the same space for a few hours, don’t you think? (Benny does, too.)

I’m so glad you’re enjoying Frankie and the dogs, lovely! Thanks so much for reading along!!

The Winter We Couldn’t Afford

Summary : ❄ Every time it snowed, he remembered her.

A winter story about regret, devotion, and the girl who never left.

Whenever it snowed heavily in winter, there was one person Kim Hongjin couldn’t help but think about.

Back in his twenties, when he was soaked in dopamine and addicted to gambling, he had a girlfriend who seemed untouched by the world—innocent, almost painfully pure.

Whenever he got even a little money, he would immediately blow it at the gambling tables, then drink and chain-smoke. And yet, that kind-hearted girl—Y/N—never once complained. She never nagged, never scolded him.

If anything, she worked more, saved more, and quietly pressed what little money she earned into his hands.

And Hongjin, who had neither pride nor conscience back then, accepted it all without hesitation and spent every last bit on himself.

One winter day, thick snow was falling from the sky. The pipes had frozen from the cold, so they couldn’t even stay inside the house and had to wander outside.

Out of nowhere, Y/N said she wanted bungeoppang.

“Hongjin… that smells so good.

Should we buy just one and share it?”

The sweet scent had brushed past his nose too. But in his pocket, there was only 2,000 won.

With that money, he could buy instant ramen. Or sell a few empty bottles and get cigarettes. Maybe soju.

He turned to look at her.

Her cheeks and hands were red from the cold, cracked from the wind. She was blowing warm air into her palms, trying to thaw herself.

For a brief moment, he thought about buying her one.

But he hated the idea of spending that 2,000 won on his girlfriend.

And he hated himself for even feeling ashamed about it.

So he lashed out instead.

“Where the hell do you think we have money for that?”

“Just go home.”

He grabbed her wrist roughly and dragged her back.

That night, they lay on a cold, yellowed vinyl floor with no heating, sharing a single thin blanket.

Through the cracks in the window frame, cold wind seeped in. He could hear it.

He could also hear her crying quietly beside him.

But he turned his back and pretended not to notice.

Ten years had passed.

And that memory was still painfully clear.

He regretted it more than anything.

If only he hadn’t bought that drink.

If only he hadn’t bought those cigarettes.

If only he had just placed one warm pastry into her dry, red hands.

If only he had swallowed his pride and hugged her thin shoulders tightly.

But regret meant nothing now.

Read more here:

The Winter We Couldn’t Afford

Don’t forget this also,

“he’s telling he’s… Switched sides.”

“Ohh…okay. Sorry there mate.”

Theres also reformed villains and Nephilim.

ALT

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All of my heroes sit up straight

They stare at the ground

They radiate

Me, I’m mumbling in the kitchen for the sun to pay up

Lonely as a ring on a cold coffee cup

I’m some sick hound

Digging for bones

If it weren’t for second chances, we’d all be alone

My hands they were strangers lost in the night

Oh they’re waving around in the dusty light

I’m waiting in the wings while the trees undress

Cupping my ear to hear the wind confess

I’m a ghost in the garden

Scaring the crows

If it weren’t for second chances, we’d all be alone

I do not!! I can at least say I have through chapter 24 somewhat drafted. I feel like there’s still so much more!

“

I don’t know why she was holding onto me, but I wanted to be right there in her space. I was holding onto her right back, I wanted to be there in her space. There was something about the way she kissed me made me immediately melt into her, I didn’t know why she kissed me and I didn’t care.

“There, that’ll make all the boys go crazy for you,” she said with a smirk as if she knew what I was going to say to her.

“Actually, have you heard about the ‘boy crazy’ to ‘lesbian’ pipeline? It’s real.” I was amazed how I was even able to say any words in this moment, let alone form a full thought.

“Oh, well in that case,” she cupped my face, kissing me again.

“

Yesterday you called me and God how I miss your voice. I’ll never desert you again I tell myself but I also get told by others letting you go is probably better for me.

I miss you you said before you hung up I got to say I miss you back before the click.

Tho it may be true you’re only holding onto me because I’m what’s left of your destructive behavior and actions. But I missed this kind of talking with you.

I remember when you first came over and all we did was nap and I just laid my head on your chest.

What a beautiful time we had.

Or when you first moved into your place and we had the night alone. The sensations we created, the love that we rebuilt, it was all coming back to us before you let drugs ruin it again for us.

I hope it never happens again. You promised me on the phone that you’d stay away from all the bad people in your life. That when you got out you’d be at New Dawn getting your shit back together.

Damn do I miss you Reed.

I miss the way you smell, I miss your kisses, I miss the way you’d look at me and laugh.

I just miss the way things were before you went off the deep end.

Before you fought with me and fucked her.

She was using you, while I was loving you but you couldn’t accept that. Not until now because where is she? That’s right, back with her ex and completely not even about you.

So even tho I think you should be kissing my ass and apologizing like a mad man I will always end up with a soft ass spot for you inside my soul.

Which sucks but I will. I really just look forward to seeing what happens if we both end up on the sober train if maybe then you’d give me a chance.

All I know is that I still have so much love for you Reed and I’ll probably always have that for you but this time around i won’t let you lead me on and I won’t let you walk all over me again.

I really do think we belong together but right now just isn’t our time.

Fuck I love you…fuck I hate myself sometimes.

Second Chances Chapter 67

AO3

New Session | Archive of Our Own

They have discussed it. After finding out that they are having twins, they discussed it farther. 

She wanted a home birth. Jamie wants to give her what she wants but is worried. So a compromise is made.

She will attempt a home birth with the assistance of a midwife and doula. Any issues and she will immediately be transferred to the hospital or birthing center, as needed.

So after they realize what is happening, Bree calls the midwife as she helps her mama back to her house. Claire wakes up her husband, who had worked the night before. As he wakes, she changes into the soft gown she has chosen to labor in. 

“The midwife on the way?” He asks after waking up enough to realize what is happening. He runs his hands through his hair that is standing straight up from his sleep.

“Yes, and I will ring Geillis.” Her best mate will function as the doula.

“Okay. Okay,” he soothes his hair down, “how are you feeling? Any pain?” He pulls sweat pants and a t-shirt on, his own chosen labor clothes on.

“Not yet. Oh, Jemmy is walking.”

“Huh!” The change of topics is jarring, “truly?” He starts to smile.

“Yes, that’s where I was when my waters broke.” She explains as he stretches, waking himself up.

“That is brilliant, our clever lad.”

“Yes.” She smiles as she gets her mobile to ring Geillis.

Elizabeth is placed in the care of Faith, Jemmy in the care of his daddy, as Claire ‘s labor starts. She walks around the room as her labor assistants arrive. They check her and the boys out. 

“Everything is fine..” the midwife reports with a smile. 

“We shall keep a close eye.” Geillis adds. Claire had chosen her because she wasn’t in agreement with the home birth. It makes Jamie happy to know she will be strict in her care and won’t wait if there is the hint of anything going wrong. 

Hours later

He holds her up as she moans through her latest contraction. Her vitals were just checked. Her blood pressure is holding steady. The boy’s heart rates are as well. Her labor has accelerated with the pains coming  every three minutes.

“Good mama,” Bree kneels before her, “ almost over.” 

She gives her a weak smile as it eases up. 

They take turns walking her around.

“You can have gas and air.” Geillis reminds her. An hour later and now they are two minutes apart.

She nods. “I know. I just want them to come without any drugs in their system.”

“It doesn’t harm them.” 

“Ohhh!” She stops as the pain starts to rise again. 

Another hour passes Transition. She withers back and forth on the bed, unable to walk anymore. Jamie holds her between them. Her daughter is the one pacing now. Seeing her mama in so much pain is hard. Geillis is all business, knowing this is the most dangerous part as the boys are about to be born.

The midwife washes up and prepares the birth and neonatal supplies. 

“Straight to your chest, delayed cord clamping, and no vitamin k, right?”  She confirms.

“Aye.” Jamie answers.

She is soon pushing. The first lad is head down and engaged. It isn’t him his Auntie Geillis is concerned about. It is his brother. Once the first twin comes, the other has room to turn.

As with Jemmy ‘s birth, the coming of his uncles is done in peace. No counting. No pressure. She pushes when her body tells her to, rests and breathes in between. It doesn’t take long before he slips out, his red hair dark with the fluids of his first home. He is so quiet that his big sister is concerned. His mama and da aren’t. 

He lays on his mama ‘s chest, his eyes meeting hers. 

“Hello son. Hello my love.” Claire softly says.

“He is okay?” Bree asks.

“Aye,” her stepdad says, “he is braw.”

He can’t take his eyes off his son. The lad has his hair and his mama’s eyes. 

The afterbirth is delivered as the baby is placed in his mama’s breast. Geillis and the midwife inspect it but don’t disturb the little family. The cord remains attached. 

She is checked and the position of the other baby is determined. Geillis is relieved to find he is also facing down and engaged. 

His birth is just as easy as his brother ‘s. Bree holds her brother as his twin arrives. He comes as peaceful and still as his twin. He is the opposite of his brother in looks, born with his mama’s hair and his daddy’s blue eyes. 

“Judah Alexander and Josiah Samuel.” Jamie announces their names as he cradles them in his arms an hour later when the rest of the children meet them.

JMS Books LLC - (Just Like) Starting Over

After a horrible car accident, Guillermo “Guy” Rivera doesn’t even remember who he is. Suffering from amnesia, bound to a wheelchair with a broken arm and a broken leg, he relies on his in-home caregiver, Dane Mathis, to help him with everything from bathing to eating. Guy wants Dane to be more than just a caregiver, but Dane keeps his distance.

Six months after their relationship ended, Dane Mathis drops everything to help Guy put his life back together. It’s difficult to treat Guy like a stranger, but he knows he must not give in to his deep desires. He won’t risk Guy’s anger by revealing the true nature of their relationship. Or the reality of their past together.

Even so, Dane can’t help but hope this is their second chance at love …

psst…

Part One of the Frankie Dog Rescue AU (now with title!) later today/tonight, anyone?

let me know if you’d like a tag!

Second Chances Chapter 67

AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/71092221

“Who is this lad?” She sits in the living room, her hands between her legs twisted tightly together. Her mum and Jamie sit across from her.

“His name is Liam. Liam Claudel. He is in my history class.”

“So your age then?” Jamie follows up.

“Yes da.” After a few false starts, the lasses had decided on this type of address for their step-dad.

“He cannot drive yet then so how will you be getting to the movies?” Her mum now asks.

“We were hoping one of you would take us.” She bites her lips looking down.

They share a look before turning back to her. “If we agree then I will be pleased to take you, Faith.” 

She looks up and smiles at him. “Thanks da.”

“If you will allow us time to discuss it.” She nods at her mum and stands. 

After she walks out.

“I don’t like it. She is only 15.”

Jamie smiles. “You should be proud of her. A lot of lasses wouldn’t have bothered to ask.”

“That is true. It is just…”

He takes her hands. “My love, she isn’t Bree. Faith is a thinker. She ponders things. She won’t make the same mistakes. All new ones but not the same ones.”

They laugh together. “Great point. You’re right. Alright. The movies aren’t so bad, right?”

“Nope. Not too much trouble there. I will be taking them and picking them up so no issues in the car either.”

“Okay. We will allow it. Elizabeth and these guys best not grow up so fast.”

“The days are short and the years long, that is what they say. Hold fast to this moment, mum. It is her first date.”

She laugh cries as he goes to tell her the date is on.

Second Chances
Season 1, Episode 7 ‘A Night to Remember’ - photo preview