Open Heart Fanart

Posting for @choicesmcappreciationweek for A Day in the Life! Olivia, Malia, and Makoa are all original characters

With this little cutie born this past week, Olivia’s days are very much filled with caring for her new bundle of joy. Both she and Bryce are on leave from the hospital so they can spend time with their family.

"Happy buhday to you, happy bifday to you, happy buhfday, mama! Happy buhday to youuuuuu!!!" Malia sang out proudly, singing at the top of her lungs. She toddled forward straight to Olivia, wrapping her arms around her mom. "Mama's birfday! Yay!!! I do good?"

Olivia pulled her daughter in for a big hug. "It was perfect, my beautiful girl. Absolutely perfect!" She brushed a kiss on her forehead, cradling her head a moment longer. She knew these moments wouldn't last forever.

"Oopsies! I forgot!" Malia tapped her head and bounded away. 

"What is she up to?" Olivia questioned as Bryce drew her in for a tender kiss. She lingered there, resting her forehead against his chin. "Thank you for today."

"I don't know what you mean," he replied coyly. 

Before Olivia had time to challenge him about the beautiful flowers she'd received all day, Malia had returned with a stack of party hats in hand.

"Hat!" 

"How could we forget the hats?" Bryce knelt next to his daughter, helping her put on her own party hat. 

"Mama next!" Malia declared, holding a paper party hat toward her mom. Olivia knelt down as much as she could, helping Malia place the hat on her head. 

"Dada now!" 

Bryce scooped Malia into his arms, helping her put his hat on. "Now, everyone is ready!"

"No," she shook her head, holding up the other hat still in her hands. 

"We all have hats already," Bryce insisted, pointing out each person's hat.

"Nuh-uh!" she wagged her finger at him. "Fishy!"

"Oh," Bryce chuckled. "I'm not sure the baby can wear the hat yet. Why don't we save it for next year?" 

"No, now!" She insisted, "Down!" 

Bryce set his daughter down. There was no arguing with her when she set her mind to something. 

Malia stood on her tiptoes, stretching as high as she could reach next to her mom. "Hi fishy!" She pressed a kiss to Olivia's stomach and then held a hat on top of her baby bump. "Fishy have hat!" 

Bryce slipped an arm around Olivia’s waist, his hand resting gently over the tiny party hat perched on her belly, helping hold it in place. “Now it looks like everyone’s ready for the party.”

"Yay!" Malia bounced in place before once more bursting into song, "Happy buhday to you..."

Scraps of torn wrapping paper, discarded ribbons and boxes, as well as, emptied decorative mugs littered the living room, evidence of their Christmas celebration from the previous day.

Olivia sipped from her warm cup of ginger tea, surveying the damage.

"That bad?" Bryce questioned, seeing his wife, paused in the doorframe. He wrapped his arms around her from behind.

It wasn't that bad. And, it wasn't like there hadn't been offers to help last night, but she wanted to enjoy the time she had with her friends and family. Tidying up just hadn't been a priority... until now.

"No. I don't think so. We should be able to get it done before Malia wakes up," Olivia decided, taking one last sip of tea before setting it down on the mantle. "I'll take dishes and mugs, you take gift cleanup?"

He gently massaged her shoulders before placing a kiss there. "We've got this."

She leaned into his touch, nodding her agreement. "We do!"

His reassurance and warmth lingered as she stepped forward into the room.

The pair fell into an easy rhythm of working side by side to complete the job, just as they always did. Bryce gathered the paper, ribbons, and boxes, deftly sorting them between the garbage, recycling, and save. Olivia expertly collected a series of mugs, balancing them between her fingers. Her time as a waitress in college was paying off now. She made a trip to the kitchen, setting them down by the dishwasher.

A smile pulled on her lips at the sight of a small green sprig that a certain couple had been carrying around all night, not that they needed another reason to do so. In truth, neither did they, but who said mistletoe was only good before Christmas!

She held the plant behind her back as she returned to the room. Bryce had made quick work of things. "Wow! It looks amazing already!"

"Nothing these hands can't do, you should know that," he teased with a wink in her direction.

"Oh, that I certainly do. But..." She paused for a moment, chewing her lower lip before revealing the mistletoe. "Your hands aren't quite what I'd like to see in action right now."

"I'm always happy to take special requests!" He crossed the room in three quick strides, swooping her into his arms. His lips met hers without pause. It wasn't urgent or rushed. It was tender, warm, and filled with love. The kind of kiss that said everything without uttering a single word. She melted into the safety of his embrace. When they parted, they both stopped to catch their breath, their foreheads resting together.

"Remind me to thank Tobias for leaving that here," he whispered, brushing his lips over hers once more.

"I'll tell Casey," she readily agreed. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pulled him in for another kiss. "There's just one thing," she started between kisses.

"What's that?" he questioned lazily.

Reluctantly, Olivia pulled back. She dangled the mistletoe between them. "Those kisses didn't count! You didn't give me time to hold the mistletoe up."

"I don't know," he ran his fingers through his hair, brushing it out of his face. "I thought they were some of my best work."

"Oh, and they were, but those were practice kisses," she decided, lifting the mistletoe above her head.

He couldn't help but laugh. He wrapped one arm around her back, the other gently cradling her growing bump. "I love you, Liv! I love our family. Our daughter and our new addition," he whispered, pressing his lips to her cheek. "Now and always."

"I feel the same way," she cradled his cheek in her hand, guiding him once more to her lips. "I love you, too, today... and for all the Christmases yet to come." 

"Next," the barista gestured toward Olivia. "Good morning! What can I get you today?"

"I would love one of your decadent hot chocolates!" She began, her eyes brightening with the possibilities.

"Of course. To start, do you want milk or dark chocolate?"

Olivia hummed in thought. She had considered the toppings but not the base. "I'll take dark chocolate."

"Cinnamon or nutmeg?"

"Cinnamon and nutmeg, please."

"Sure thing. Okay, next, whipped cream or marshmallows?"

Olivia's nose scrunched as she bit her lower lip, "and... please."

The barista let out a soft chuckle. "Not a problem. Lastly, and I feel like I know the answer already, a peppermint stick AND chocolate curls?"

"If that's not too much of a problem," Olivia offered warmly, knowing the "or" was there for a reason.

"Not at all. We typically charge extra for more toppings, but I got you today," the barista responded.  

"Thanks. It's just my first hot cocoa of the season and it has to be the ultimate! I want my little one to enjoy the full wonders of the season." Olivia swiped her card at the register.

The barista moved with delicate speed, making sure everything was just right. As she returned to the counter, she halted a second, turning back for one last thing. She placed the large mug filled with gourmet cocoa on the counter. "I may have added a few sprinkles, too. Just for fun. I didn't think you'd mind."

Olivia beamed, "I very much do not mind. Sprinkles are my favorite! Thank you, this is perfect! Happy holidays!"

"To you as well."

Olivia settled in at a quiet table near the window, cradling the large mug between her hands, letting its heat seep into her fingers. It was a little cool from the draft of the door opening and closing, but the warmth of the cocoa sheltered her. She smiled contentedly as she watched the busy people of Boston go about their day. She would be joining them soon, but for a few moments, she would pause, letting the world go around her as she savored her sweet treat.

I commissioned this forever ago (like 1-2 years🙈) and have just never posted it. I had wanted to write a fic for it to go with this year's @choicescommunity Picnic, but life had other plans and hasn't allowed me to do so... yet (hoping that maybe I can still do it at some point). But for now, please enjoy this art.

This was the time of year when he most appreciated the hospital's proximity to Boston Common, and if the sun was shining, you could be sure he’d be there; today was no exception. As he took in nature's rebirth all around him, he couldn't help but think of an impending birth much closer to home—and that was all the inspiration he needed.

It took just a quick stop at a Beacon Hill maternity boutique to pick up the floral dress Casey had been eyeing, a call to a photojournalist friend, and, just like that, a springtime maternity shoot had been put in motion.

When the day arrived, you would have thought Tobias had called in a favor with Mother Nature; there couldn't have been nicer weather, a bluer sky, or a more attentive husband.

The photographer was inconspicuous, eager to catch every tender moment. Like when Tobias knelt among the flowers, his hands resting gently on the curve of Casey’s belly, his thumbs gently rubbing the spot he kissed just moments before.

“Did she kick again?” he asked softly, looking up with that look of wonder that never seemed to leave his face, despite already being the father of a toddler and a doctor, to boot.

Casey smiled in return. “They did. I think the baby knows your voice - but we don't know if it's a she, darling."

“She better,” he insisted, pressing another kiss to her belly. “Because she’s going to be hearing a lot of it.”

Casey ran her fingers through his hair, her eyes filled with love. “You’re such a good dad. I'm sure Sammy is going to tell her little sister or brother just how amazing you are."

“Well, it's easy to do with you at my side,” he whispered. "Our little girls are so lucky to have you as their mom."

"We're all lucky to have each other," she said, as he rose to his feet. "I can't wait until this little one is here, so they can feel it, too."