dunhaven; ic community.

Today, I answered a disturbance call about a belligerent squirrel that was keeping someone from entering their vehicle in the hotel parking lot. The man fortunately didn't demand that the squirrel be arrested. He just wanted us to know what kind of squirrels we have in our community, and apparently they're ones that disturb the peace.

Spring is here, folks, and apparently winter has damaged our sensibilities.

NIKOLAEVS, BASH

Hey. This feels weird, but I feel like I need to say it or I'm just never going to leave the house again. ( Cut for Grishaverse spoilers, in case that's a worry! It's specific to the original trilogy. )

WHO: Alex Nikolaev
WHEN: Middle of the night on March 1
WHERE: His and Annie's bedroom, then the bathroom
SUMMARY: Alex is given a very unwanted gift.
WARNINGS: Spoilers for the Shadow and Bone series, then King of Scars

( As was so often the case, Alex woke with a start. )

WHO: Alex Nikolaev → Nikolai Lantsov
WHEN: Night of February 6
WHERE: Alex and Annie's bedroom
SUMMARY: Alex gets an update on what's going on in the life of his favorite Ravkan royal.
PROMPT: Redacted just in case it's spoilery and people are worried about that, but I definitely wrote this with a prompt in mind, okay
WARNINGS: Spoilers for "King of Scars"

( 'Never had a gift for pining, though I do like to show off my profile by staring mournfully out of windows.' )

This was in my Instagram stories this morning, but I just want to have visual proof for forever that even though I forgot my gym shoes, I didn't wuss out. I've been getting up at 5am to work out for the last three weeks and I'm somehow still alive.

( Cut for Image )


[ELIJAH]

I know we're planning to go to the Masquerade next Saturday evening, but do you have any plans earlier in the day?

( instagram post! )

WHO: Alex Nikolaev, with cameos of Ava and Alice Nikolaev
WHEN: Very early morning of January 12
WHERE: Their home
SUMMARY: Ava wakes up and in the process wakes everyone else up, leading Alex to intercede and think about how different his life is compared to a few weeks ago.
WARNINGS: Brief mention of fertility struggles

( This was how it had always been meant to happen, he thought. Their struggles might have been difficult and heartbreaking at times, but they had led them right here, just where they were supposed to be. )

FILTERED TO FRIENDS & FAMILY OF LUCY & MIKHAIL

Hello, you all. I love 2019, don't you?

( Cut for image! )

😇

FRIENDS & FAMILY

I'm so sorry for all of the secretiveness and Alex and my disappearing acts, but I promise it's all been for a very good reason. Almost two weeks ago, a wonderful woman asked to meet us based on the file that was created when Alex and I became an active family. She wanted to find out if we could be the right parents for her two beautiful nieces and, this morning, she chose us. We couldn't say much before, both because there was a process we needed to follow, and also because we didn't know until today that this would be a reality, so we hope you'll all forgive us for having to keep this one close to our chests.

We've spent spent every day since Christmas with her and the girls, letting them get to know us and, quite frankly, falling absolutely and utterly in love with both of them. So, tomorrow, we will be moving forward with the process and, on Tuesday, Alex and I will be coming home with our daughters: Alice Nicole (3) and Ava Marie (4 months). We'll share pictures once we're home and will start introducing each of you to them in the coming weeks.

Our hearts are full today, and we are so incredibly blessed. ♥

( Delivery for Zoya )

WHO: Annie & Alex
WHEN: Tuesday, December 25, 2018; Morning
WHERE: Their house
SUMMARY: The couple gets an unexpected call about their family growing :’)
WARNINGS: Cute? Adoption news.

( If there was one thing that he was sure they succeeded at, it was meeting the unknown together. )

Last week the eye doctor told me I'm getting old. Today I picked up the evidence. ( Cut for image! )

FAMILY & FRIENDS

In much better and unrelated news -- Annie told you all about the steps that we've been taking toward parenthood in the last handful of months and we wanted to give you a happy update. We found out today that we've been approved and we'll be moving forward in the process as being considered for adoption. It's still a game of waiting, which we've gotten pretty good at, if I do say so myself, but it's honestly less of a step and more of a leap. We're really hopeful.

We also wanted to thank you all for being so present and patient as we worked through all of this. As strong as Annie and I are together, we both know that we are incredibly lucky to have a support system like you guys.

[ELIJAH]

If Vivian (the blonde, leggy one) calls or texts you out of the blue, that's undoubtedly my fault and I'm not sure yet if I'm sorry or not.

[ALEX AND MIKHAIL]

Even if it's a lie, tell me that moving back to Dunhaven wasn't the second stupidest decision I ever made.

( instagram post! )

( instagram post! )

I bet you all were thinking, "Oh, good. Charlie is going to stop asking random questions about our dream lives because it's an uncomfortable and awkward topic most of the time." HA HA. No, not quite. I'm too curious for my own good and I think, eventually, all of this information will be of use to us. So here's the next topic for discussion for all you second-life dreamers out there!

What is the best part about your dream life? What is the worst?

You can answer anonymously, or not. Totally up to you.

ALEX, ANNIE, MIKHAIL, LUCY, EVAN, CASSIA, JILLIAN, ZOYA, ELIAS, LYRA, NICK, OCEANA (please lmk if I forgot anyone!!)

I know this is extremely late notice, but Bash and I would like to invite you to join us on Saturday, October 20 at Northwind Stables to celebrate the two of us getting married with dinner at Bash's our house afterward. You're welcome to bring a plus one, if you'd like, but we are intending to keep this very, very small, so we just ask that you let us know before you extend the invitation. We hope each of you can be there!

ALEX & ANNIE

Alex, we were wondering if maybe you could do one of those online certificate things where you get ordained and can marry us? If you're up for it.

And, Annie, we were hoping that you might be willing to make a bundt cake for our wedding cake? Again, I know it's last moment, so of course I'll help however I can, if you're willing to do it.

CASSIA & JILLIAN

I hope this is okay. I know we're still getting there, but the only dream I've really had about my wedding since before I even knew Bash existed was that I wanted you both there. Wherever we are with each other right now, I don't want to look back on the day and have any regrets. I'd regret it if I didn't tell you both that I want you there.

VIOLET

Hi! I was wondering if, perhaps, you'd be interested in and able to provide a couple of simple flower arrangements for a very, very small wedding (less than 20 people) on Saturday? And, regardless of the answer, you should come and bring your husband. If you want. It'll be at Northwind Stables.

EVAN

Don't be mad.

WHO: Alex & Annie Nikolaev
WHEN: Tuesday, October 9, 2018; Early Morning
WHERE: Their house!
SUMMARY: Alex dreams of Nikolai’s affliction.
WARNINGS: None, really!

( Let’s hope Zoya sharing a name with Zoya doesn’t mean anything, though, because that could get awkward. )

Getting thrown up on by an infant is kind of unfortunate, yet somehow also really endearing?? I don't know what this baby has done to me, but being Uncle Alex is pretty great and I'd recommend it. 10/10, feel free to give me another to spoil, Pasha.

ANNIE

How are you doing with all I love you. Just a reminder, in case it somehow slipped your mind.

FRIENDS & FAMILY

We're having a baby!