dunhaven; ic community.

We might be across the pond, but it's Mothering Sunday back home and I feel as though mothers should always deserve an added reason for appreciation so I have no issue celebrating a holiday that does just that twice in a year. So, happy Mothering Sunday to all of the mums and anyone else who might take up the mantle without technically being "mother". I hope that you can all take at least a minute or two for yourself, since I have no doubt that you deserve it.

TEXTS TO MIKHAIL

-- Hi.
-- [image]
-- This is your sappy lunchtime reminder that your future wife likes you a lot.

TEXTS TO ANNIE

-- Hey, love.
-- I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you. ❤️

( instagram post! )

TEXT TO LUCY

-- Can I come over?

WHO: Mary, Queen of Scots -> Annie and Alex Nikolaev (with an appearance from Alice Nikolaev)
WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 2019; Late Morning
WHERE: Their home
SUMMARY: Annie remembers the fallout with the Protestants in her Mary’s timeline and decides to step away for a little while to deal with the effects of the memories.
WARNINGS: TW for vague reference to canon rape. It is not mentioned explicitly or graphically, at all, but this is a scene in which Mary addresses her subjects in the aftermath of the Protestant attack on the castle and the allusion is definitely there in the narrative.

( It was a lie. )

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. )

TEXTS TO ANNIE

-- I'm going to check out of work early today.
-- Are you busy or can I come see you and the girls?

TEXT TO CATY

-- Tell me your favorite part about today so far.

( instagram post! )

I know that I'm a little late in saying so, but I wanted to thank everyone that came out to Sweet Nothings on Friday and bought cookies. I consider myself really lucky for fate (we'll call it fate) bringing me to a town filled with so many kind and generous folks.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

How does everyone feel about finally scheduling Christmas Redo for next Saturday, early afternoon? I know the town's Masquerade Party is that evening, but if we have it early enough, everyone will have plenty of time to leave whenever they need to to get ready. Or we can do Sunday afternoon, if that's better.

( instagram post! )

ANNIE

I know you're really busy and probably don't need distractions, but do you have a minute? I just need some advice.

Also, my sister is here. Sofia, I mean. I was going to tell you that sooner as well, but you've had so much going on that I didn't want to add to it or make you feel like you needed to make a cake.

CATY - after talking with Annie

Hey, you. How is your Wednesday?

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. ♥

( Instagram Post )

EVERYONE COMING TO NIKOLAEVS FOR CHRISTMAS (feel free to assume)

I know this is last minute and I apologize, but Alex and I have both been called out of town. We're heading to the airport in an hour and a half, so we won't be able to be here for Christmas dinner. We promise we'll send you all more details as soon as we can, just know that nothing is wrong and you don't need to worry. Bash has a key to our place, though, and all of the food was in the fridge ready to be put into the oven, or is already covered up on the kitchen counter. So please feel free to come eat all of this food and enjoy your day together. We hope we'll be home soon for a sweeter raincheck. ❤️

BASH, ELI, MIKHAIL

If everything goes as we hope, we're going to need your help while we're gone. Is it okay if we call on you all to make some changes at the house once we know for sure that we'll need to make them? We don't want to inconvenience anyone, but we also need to make sure that certain things get done before we get back.

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. )

FRIENDS* & FAMILY

As I think most of you probably know by now, I've been waiting for my house to get finished and uh it's finished. My stuff was moved while I was in Boston over the weekend and we've been spending the last several days kind of working on unpacking things so it's still kind of a mess. I'm cheerfully optimistic, though, and with it being the holidays and stuff, I wanted to do something. You've all been really great to me since I came to town and I'd like to do something as a bit of a thank you.

I don't think I could really handle Christmas or anything, but maybe a few days later, like... next Saturday? The 29th? I'd say New Years Eve, but I know the town throws a pretty great party and I don't want to get in the way of that, you know. So, yeah. Food, drinks, that kind of thing. I don't know that this sounds like the most enticing of invitations, but if you're free, it would be good to see you.

[* feel free to assume!]

Is there Is I'm not trying to start something, but I was wondering if

Bucky Barnes isn't here, is he?

[...] It's fine if he is. And, I mean, you don't really have to tell me. I just wanted to check. But it's fine.

ANNIE

I realized that I hadn't actually told you this yet, but I'm going to be in Boston this weekend. I'm flying out around noon on Friday and will be home pretty late Sunday night.

EMILIA

Just so you know, I'm going to be out of town this weekend. I know you have your sister and Kiera around, but I just wanted you to know in case something comes up and you needed me for whatever. I'll bring you back a Boston cream pie and some cannolis.

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.