Livin' it

[just_sayit]

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:39:00 GMT

Here I thought the bride was supposed to be the diva of the weekend.

justprompts - Details

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:05:57 GMT

(Lani = stillunwrittn, Nina = det_beautyqueen.)

Avery was just getting in from working at the fitness center. His phone had been ringing as he tried to get in to door, so he tossed his gym bag down and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. He flipped it open as he headed to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

"Yo," he said, not bothering to check the ID.

"Hey Av," Lani's voice replied. A grin spread to his lips at the sound of his sister's voice.

"Hey yourself. What's up?" He filled his glass and stood against the counter to take a long sip.

"I need...need to tell you something, but I don't want you to freak out. Everything is...okay right now. Please don't freak out..."

He didn't like the tone or words. He set his glass down, frowning. "What's goin' on, Lani?"

He heard her take a deep breath and let it out before speaking. "There was a situation in the city today and...Nina got shot." Avery froze, hardly processing the words. Lani spoke quicker. "She's okay right now. Out of surgery and everything."

Avery blinked, shaking his head. "What?"

"You don't have to worry, okay? She's being taken care of and...I'll be here. Her partner Ed is here. She'll be down there with you in no time."

"I'm coming to New York," he said quietly.

"Avery. Really...it's not-"

"I said I'm coming to New York." He hung up and slammed the phone down on the counter. It didn't matter what his sister said. He wasn't going to believe Nina was okay until he saw her himself. His sister had a way of wanting to protect him any way she could, so he didn't completely believe everything was okay. And at that point he didn't care how it had happened or who it had been. They were just details. His girl had been shot and nothing more than that mattered.

He didn't give himself time to get upset though. He sat at his computer and pulled up an airline search. He had to get to New York as soon as he could.

349

justprompts Seaside Christmas

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:39:48 GMT

I don't want a lot for Christmas//This is all I'm asking for//I just want to see my baby//Standing right outside my door//Oh I just want you for my own//More than you could ever know//Make my wish come true//Baby all I want for Christmas is you

"Here Daddy, this for Hope." Lulu handed him a doll. "She likes that one."

"Okay, I think you got presents for all your cousins. And for Mommy. Are we ready to go?"

"No Daddy. Gotta get somefin for Nia."

"I got something for her, baby, it's okay."

"No! From me! Somefin from me!" She ran down the aisle way and Avery rolled his eyes, but followed. He watched his daughter closely survey every object before grabbing one. "This one!"

"I don't know, Lu...maybe we should-"

"This one, Daddy! It's from me! I can get her what I want!"

"Are you paying for it?"

"No. You are." She tipped it into the cart and grinned up at Avery. He shook his head with a sigh.

"Okay. You can get her what you want. Now c'mon. In the cart."

"Cart's are for babies."

"You're Daddy's baby. Get in the cart. Quicker we get outta here, quicker you can go see Aunt Kala." He bent to pick her up and she let him.

"We got somefin for Aunt Kala?"

"We did."

"Good."

"Can we go now?" He asked her.

"We can go," she nodded. He smirked and started for the cash register. "Daddy, who you gonna have Christmas morning?"

"What do you mean?"

"If I'm with Mommy, who's with you?"

"Pete will be with me. And then I'll go to Grandma and Grandpa's house and see everyone for lunch, and wait for Mommy to drop you off there."

"You won't be alone. You got Pete."

"Exactly," Avery smiled and kissed her forehead as they stopped to wait in line.

"You want Nia for Christmas, Daddy?"

He laughed. "Yea, baby, I do."

"Okay," she nodded. "I see what I can do."

****

For Nina:
from Lulu
from Avery - along with an open dated roundtrip ticket to Hawaii

287

sixwordstories

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:09:14 GMT

Wish I could take pain away.

sixwordstories

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:00:25 GMT

Sister needs brain to mouth filter.

makeyourlist - 44.1 - Foods I like to eat

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:02:29 GMT

~pasta
~really big sandwiches
~pie
~macaroni and cheese
~pizza
~chips
~popcorn
~m&m's
~ice cream
~chili
~soup
~stir fried veggies
~anything my Mama makes
~anything my Papa makes
~anything my sisters make
~any meal I get to eat with my two favorite girls

on_thecouch - 20.4 - Ghos'es

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:05:12 GMT

(picture prompt)

Lulu skipped beside Avery as they walked through the department store. "Mommy say nofin' scary, Daddy."

He smiled and shook his head. "Mommy obviously doesn't understand Halloween. The whole point is that you can be scary, but it's not scary."

"I wanna be scary," she nodded and stopped at the racks of costumes.

"Like what?"

"Like Gamma."

Avery could barely hide the smile on his lips. "Which Grandma?"

"Your Gamma."

He laughed and scooped the small child up in his arms. "Grandma Rallita scares you?"

"A'times." Her arm went around Avery's neck and she tilted her head to look at him. "Daddy, why you not look like Gamma?"

Shit.

He sighed and thought that over slightly as he moved through the racks of costumes. He hadn't decided yet how to explain that to her, if she ever asked. He had really hoped it wouldn't be soon, but there the moment was. He was learning those moments popped up randomly when you had a three year old.

"Well, baby...you know how Mommy and Daddy don't live together?" Lulu nodded. "We don't live together, but we still love you very much. And we thought a long time ago that the best thing for our family, was if you lived in two homes." He really didn't know if she was understanding his words, but he was on a roll. "When I was a little baby, Aunt Bailey too, our..." he sighed and thought a moment longer. "Our real Mommy and Daddy decided it was best for us if we lived with your Grandma and Grandpa. They thought Grandma and Grandpa would love us and be a great Mommy and Daddy to us. So they gave us away."

Lulu leaned her head to Avery's shoulder and thought it all over. He let her and kept looking through the costumes. "You my only Daddy," she said.

He smiled and hugged her. "Always, Lu. I will always be your only Daddy."

Her head popped up and her eyes went wide. "Ooooh! Ghos'es! Daddy! I wanna be a ghos!"

"A ghost?" He picked up the ghost costume.

"Ooooh," she said in her best spooky tone. He chuckled and put the costume down.

"Tell you what, baby. Let's ask Grandma to make you a ghost costume, she would love that very much."

"Yay! I'mma ghos!" She threw her fists up to cheer. "Ooooh!"

395

on_thecouch 15.1 - Time in a bottle

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:14:14 GMT

(Follows ongoing storyline revolving around his sister Evie [a_badapple] all of which can be found in her journal. This piece happens after she is brought home to the town they grew up in to get help she needs with problems in her life. Nina = detbeauty_queen and referenced with permission of her awesome mun.)

Avery could hardly remember the last time he and his siblings had been in one room at the same time. Of course, he hated what had brought them together, but looking around at everyone...

The girls had gotten in earlier that day. Avery hadn't been around much for the initial homecoming. Partially because he had Nina home with him and partially because he knew he didn't want to be around for what would obviously be a long and hard talk with their parents. He came over that evening though to see them. They'd all planned it out. He'd wanted to include Nina, but he really didn't want her meeting the entire family under the circumstances they were in. And it was a time for him to be with his brothers and sisters.

His eyes rested on Evie. It was no secret that they'd never had the perfect relationship, but she was his baby sister. He loved her. It pained him to see her as she was. It had the first time around and it still did.

He closed his eyes at the memory that surfaced in his mind.

”Abrey! Abrey!” The four year old little blond Rallita wandered over to where an eleven year old Avery sat on the front porch. She tapped his knee. “Abrey?”

He gave her a look. “You're not a baby, Evie. Say my name right.” She grinned and began to climb onto his lap. He rolled his eyes, but helped her up any way. She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at him seriously.

“I wanna play.”

“So go play,” he said.

“Noooo, Abery, I want you to play with me!”

“Why?”

“Cuz I do.”

“Go play with Kala.”

“Nope,” she shook her head. “You. Please?” She batted her eyes at him. He sighed, but smiled.

“Fine. Go get your tricycle.”

His eyes opened and he looked at Evie again. She met his eyes and held his gaze. Life as a big brother had been a lot easier when all he had to do to make her happy was watch her ride her tricycle. Or maybe he just hadn't been trying enough over the years.

363

Finally Here ~ RP for detbeauty_queen

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 03:15:45 GMT

Avery hadn't slept well the night before. He'd waited impatiently at his apartment until a reasonable time to get to the airport without being there too early. He parked and made his way in the small airport. He knew Nina wouldn't have a hard time finding him, because it was a simple airport to navigate.

He took a seat in a big chair just in front of the security gates. Over the next while, he got up and walked around, stood still, sat down, and did it all over again. He glanced up and jumped to his feet when he realized her plane had landed. His heart was pounding.

justprompts Predictable

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:31:42 GMT

(I wanted to write something more with the Pete storyline, and something not from the drama Avery and Beka storyline...and I almost wasn't gonna go here, but I'm gonna suck it up anyway. This piece is in honor of my precious lovely kitty who passed away this week.)

Avery was sitting on the couch, reading a magazine, and waiting for Rebeka to show up with Lulu. Pete was sitting on the back of the couch, watching her over her castle. As she so thought it was.

A knock sounded at the door and Avery jumped up and went to open it. The moment he did, Lulu shot through the door and passed him by shouting a loud, "Peeeeete!" He stepped back to watch her go. She jumped onto the couch and stood on it to reach up and pet Pete. Pete looked scared enough to run for a moment, but then relaxed and began to purr. Lulu giggled.

Rebeka stepped inside and crossed her arms. "That cat is all I've heard about all week," she commented.

"Sorry," he groaned.

"It's not so bad. I think it's good for her."

"Good enough that you wanna take her back with you when you have Lu?" He grinned at her, hopefully. She just laughed.

"No." She went over to the couch and leaned over to kiss her daughter. "By honey, Mommy's going."

"See ya, Mommy," Lulu said distractedly as she tried to pick up Pete. Pete did a somersault out of Lu's arms and ran off. Lulu laughed and ran after her. Rebeka smirked and went back to the door.

"Have a great weekend with them, Av."

"Yea, I will," he smirked back, shutting the door behind her. He shook his head and went to find the troublemakers.

He spent the whole night chasing them around, trying to calm Lulu down, and trying to avoid getting scratched by Pete. For some reason, Pete wasn't his biggest fan. But the sentiment was mutual.

It was later in the evening that Avery knew it was definitely bedtime. He walked around the all too quiet apartment, looking for his kids - his kid and cat. He finally stumbled upon them in shock.

"Lulu! What are you doing?!"

"Pete need a bath, Daddy."

"Not in the toilet!"

332

OOC

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:45:47 GMT

So I've been out of town all weekend, but I am home now. However for the rest of the week tags and entries may be slow coming. I'm sorry. I've got some things I need to figure out.

makeyourlist 34.3 - Things I SHOULD have gotten my kid for her birthday..

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:54:10 GMT

..instead of that damn cat.

~A few My Little Ponies.
~A toy cat or dog (maybe one of those ones that moves all life like)
~A tricycle
~New outfits
~A new movie for her be obsessed with (so we can stop watching Homeward Bound - and thanks Bailey for buying her the sequal. Really.)
~Anything. But. That. Damn. Cat.

on_thecouch 10.3 - Luck

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:55:41 GMT

Lani always told us we were lucky. We grew up hearin' that. She'd say, "Av, we're all lucky..you know what kinda foster parents there are out there? We got lucky with Mama and Papa." And..I know she's right. That part, I know.

She also used to tell us that we're lucky we didn't know our birth parents. Our birth family. I mean...me and Bailey..we just kinda got dumped. Some nurses found two cryin' new born babies outside the back. They couldn't find record of us bein' born there or any hospital nearby. Mama says we were on the news and everything. I guess cause we were twins and cute and..not exactly Hawaiian in a Hawaiian town.

I don't know, though. I mean..I don't know anything about Lani's birth family. She doesn't talk about it, but I do know something was bad. And Kala, she had it rough, too. So I get that. They'd probably rather not remember. But..I wanna remember. I wanna know the people I'm from. Don't want them to be my family, of course. I've got a family. I just...wanna know where me and Bailey come from. I wanna know my daughter's heritage.

Most people don't get it, though. Bailey does. Yea, I'm damn lucky. I got a great, supportive, loving family. I've got a beautiful daughter that I love. Life is damn good right now. Hell, my woman told me she loves me for the first time, can't beat life right now.

All the same...I wish I knew.

260

sixwordstories

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:01:15 GMT

::spins and sings:: I got sunshine...

sixwordstories

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:23:51 GMT

Anyone want a cat? Anyone? Please?

sixwordstories

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:21:09 GMT

Can't believe she named her Pete.

Random Fic ~ Birthday Girl

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:08:57 GMT

Early Friday morning, Avery went to the door when a soft knock came. He opened it and smiled at his younger sister, Akela. "Hey," he whispered. He leaned in to hug her and kiss the top of her head. She smiled.

"I come bearing the princess' birthday present," she remarked dryly. She held up the small plastic carrier. Avery grinned and leaned over to peer in. A white paw poked out and batted his nose.

He chuckled. "Thanks for keeping her over night, Kee. She's gonna love it."

"I know."

"I'm gonna go wake her up. Why don't you stick around for breakfast?"

"Chocolate chip pancakes?"

"Of course." He opened the cat carrier and pulled out the white kitten. He petted her softly and carried her to Lulu's bedroom. Pushing his way in he glanced over his sleeping daughter and went to her side.

He sat on the side of her bed and let the kitten go. She sat there a moment then padded across the bed lightly. She went over to observe Lulu who was sleeping soundlessly. Lu's curls were all over the place and her breaths were long and content. The kitten sniffed Lu's hand and Lu jerked slightly in her sleep. Avery chuckled.

He brushed a finger against her arm. "Wake up babygirl," he murmured soothingly. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Lulu.." She stirred again and brought her hand up to rub her face. She sighed and opened her eyes. "Good morning birthday girl."

A sleepy smile came to her lips and she set her hand to his cheek. "Hi Daddy."

"Happy Birthday," he said, wondering when she'd notice the kitten wandering her bed.

"It my birtday," she chuckled. Then she spotted the ball of white fluff and her eyes grew wide with a gasp. She sat up and stared at the kitten who was now walking on her. "A ki'y ki'y," she said breathlessly.

"She's your kitty kitty," Avery said. Lulu gasped again.

"My ki'y ki'y?"

"Mmhmm." He scooped the cat up and brought her closer to his daughter. Lulu gently lifeted her hand up to pet her, and she started purring. Lu's face lit up with a grin.

"Hi ki'y," she giggled.

"She needs a name," Avery said.

"I name her?"

"She's your kitty, you can name her anything you want."

Lulu nodded importantly and pet the kitten for awhile, deep in thought. At last she tilted her head. "Pete."

Avery held back a smirk. "Pete? Honey, you can't name her Pete."

Lulu stuck her bottom lip out. "Pete, Daddy. Peeeete."

"But Pete's a boy's name. She's a girl."

"Why?"

"Because, baby, it just is."

"She's Pete," Lulu nodded. She leaned down and kissed the top of the kitten's head. "I love Pete."

Avery couldn't help but grin and laugh. He pet Pete's back. "Alright, Pete it is." Lulu grinned and cheered. "Can Daddy give you some birthday kisses?"

"Yea!" She got out from under the covers and launched herself into his arms. Pete jumped a mile and ran off under the bed. Lulu wrapped her arms around Avery's neck and he kissed her cheek.

"One," he kissed her other cheek, "two," he kissed her forehead, "three. Three birthday kisses." Then he rolled her back and leaned over to blow a raspberry into her neck. "And one to grow on." She laughed as he did that and tried pushing him away.

"Nooo, Daddy! Noo!"

He laughed too and pulled her back up. "I love you," he said, hugging her tight. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"I love Daddy," she said. Pete stuck her head out from under the bed and looked up at the two nervously. Lulu grinned at her. "I love Pete."

justprompts Adulthood

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:59:50 GMT

When was the moment you realized you were an adult?

July 18th, 2005 9:23am

Near hysteria surrounded Avery. Or so it seemed. The small room was a mess of doctors, nurses, beeping - Rebeka screaming and squeezing his hand. And one sound broke through it all to him. It froze him on the spot.

The sharp cry of a baby.

He didn't notice Rebeka's hand going relaxed in between his own, or the calm that came over the room, or even the doctors voice as she announced, "It's a girl." All he heard was the sound of a crying baby.

"Av," Rebeka tugged on his hand and he looked down at her. She looked tired and drained, but happy. Sweat and tears marked her face and she smiled at him. A slow smile spread to his lips and he turned to where the nurses were cleaning the baby. Once they were finished they walked over with the pink bundle and placed it on Rebeka's chest. Avery watched closely, still speechless.

Rebeka fawned over her daughter, spoke to her, kissed her. Avery couldn't think of a thing to say. He knew he was supposed to think his baby was the most beautiful baby on earth...but the truth was...she was kinda wrinkly and splotchy. She wasn't crying anymore, though. Her small eyes were closed, her little fingers moving slightly, adjusting to the world.

"Av," Rebeka whispered gently. "You wanna hold her?"

He nodded and stepped forward. The nurse helped ease the baby from Rebeka's arms to Avery's. He pulled his daughter close and looked down on her. His daughter. He had a daughter. Maybe not the way he wanted...being broken up with her mother and all...but she was still his. He lowered his lips to her soft forehead and sighed against her. He felt her little body sigh with him and he closed his eyes. The smile on his face was unstoppable. "Hi babygirl," he murmured.

"Luna Dawn," Rebeka corrected from her bed. Avery stopped and looked up at her, his smile fading. His head tilted and his brows rose.

"Say what now?"

sixwordstories

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:47:58 GMT

Dog? Cat? For daughter's first pet.

makeyourlist 32.4 - Why I regret showing my daughter Homeward Bound

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:59:57 GMT

(Or as she calls it, "Doggies and Ki'y cat!")

~She recounts the story to everyone she possibly can
~She pretends she's a dog or a cat all the time
~She wants me to play along ("Daddy be Sadow")
~She won't stop watching it
~She wants a doggie for her birthday
~She wants a ki'y cat for her birthday

Talk to me!

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:14:47 GMT

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want--good or bad. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people remember about you. Feel free to respond either IC or OOC.

sixwordstories

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:37:26 GMT

Thinking about going back to school...

A phone call ~ RP for detbeauty_queen

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:28:55 GMT

Avery had finally gotten Lulu to sleep, the kitchen cleaned, the living room cleaned, and the apartment was quiet. He sighed and looked out his sliding glass door towards the ocean. He loved having Lulu whenever she visited, and lately it was one of the few things that cheered him up. He missed Nina like crazy and wanted her to be there so bad. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed her number, then held the phone to his ear. He stood by the balcony door and waited as it rang.

sixwordstories

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:37:50 GMT

Damnit. AC busted. It's hot. Damn.

justprompts Family

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:29:19 GMT

Avery stood on the front porch of Rebeka's small house and waited very impatiently. He was exhausted and drained, having only flown in from New York hours earlier. The only thing that was making him feel better about having to leave Nina was that he was about to see Lulu for the first time in over two weeks.

His hands held the wooden railing of the wrap around porch, and he leaned against it peering down the street. Before too much longer Rebeka's car rounded the corner and pulled into the driveway. He grinned and launched himself over the railing. Obviously, walking down the steps would have taken too much time. He jogged over to the car and laughed at Lulu's hand waving frantically out the window, which was all of her that he could see. He ignored Rebeka completely as she got out and said hello. He opened up the back door of the car and Lulu squealed.

"Daddyyyyyyy!!"

"Luuuu!" He unhooked her from the car seat and she jumped out at him. He caught her in his arms and stepped back and spun around, holding onto her tightly.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Her arms wound his neck tightly.

"Oh, I missed my baby," he said, kissing the top of her head. His spin fell off track a bit as he stumbled across the yard with her. She threw her little head back in laughter which only got him going, then he tripped over his foot and fell. He twisted so they'd land on his back with her on his chest. She sat on him and patted her hands against his chest, still laughing. He brushed her hair back. "Your curls are getting so pretty and long."

"Unh-huh, Gramma told Mommy cut them. Mommy said no."

"Good," he nodded. "Daddy loves your curls."

"I love you no hair," she giggled, her hands to her mouth.

"What?" He playfully gasped. "What'd you just say?"

She leaned forward and dropped her elbows to his chest and set her chin in her hands and grinned at him. He chuckled. "Did you have fun with Mommy?"

"Yes!"

"I think you should come home with me and tell me everything you did."

She blinked and looked up at Rebeka for approval. Avery resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "You can go," Rebeka nodded. Lulu cheered and Avery got up still holding onto her. "Her suitcase is in the car. You'll need to wash some of her clothes."

He nodded. "Okay." He turned and walked for the car to get the suitcase. Lulu was already talking his ear off about her adventures in California and Disneyland. He glanced back at his ex as he picked up the small Dora the Explorer suitcase, and Rebeka gave him a steamy look. One of, 'We will have a talk, and you won't be able to run from it'. He turned from her and went for his car, tuning into Lu's stories. They mattered more to him than anything her mother could possibly say. The pure fact that his daughter was growing into an age to actually have conversations with him brought more happiness than he ever thought it would.

"An' know what?" Lu asked. She was in her booster seat an hour later at Avery's dinning table and had still been going. Avery looked at her.

"What?"

She grinned, pizza sauce all over her face. "I love you."

He grinned back and leaned over to wipe her chin. "I love you too, babygirl."

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