Cassie's Flower Shop

"Thank you for coming. Just put the food on the counter. Drinks are in the cooler out back. Go mingle." Penelope says, giving you a quick side hug. You groan, resting your head on her shoulder. "Do I have to?" Penelope laughs, squeezing your side. "Do it. For me please."

You reach into the cooler, reaching for a beer. Just as you were about to grab a cold drink, your hand brushes against another hand. The contact sends tingles up your arm, the hairs on your arm standing up.

You look up to find Adrian Pucey. Slytherin in your year. The boy you grew inseparable with during your sixth and seventh year. Then you graduated and never heard from him again. The sight of him brings back memories of heart break and the tubs of ice cream

"Oh hi," Adrian grimaces, pulling his hand back. "Hello um, how have you been?" You flinch at the poor attempt of small talk. Adrian was never good at small talk.

You clear your throat, stepping back from the cooler. "I'm um good. How are you?" Adrian nod, smiling. "I'm good. Um you look good. What-" He looks around the yard.

"What have you been up to?" Your name gets shouted across the backyard, giving you an excuse to go. You turn back to Adrian, smiling softly. "I'll catch up with you later Adrian. It was really nice to see you again." Adrian nods, waving as you walk away. "Yeah I'll talk to you later."

Later comes and Adrian finds you in the kitchen alone. "Hey." You look up, smiling guilty as you take a bite of a cupcake. "Hey. Don't tell Penny I started dessert without everyone." Adrian joined you by the counter, taking a cupcake of his own. "As long as you don't say anything either."

Just like that everything fell back to normal, like a missing puzzle piece falling back into place. The two of you talked for hours, catching up with each other. Eventually it was time to go home.

"It was really good to see you again." You say quietly as the two of you walk down the sidewalk. "Indeed. Can I", Adrian reaches out, interlocking your pinky with his. "Can I see you again?" This time you wouldn't let him get away as easily as before. You nod, cheeks aching from smiling so much. "Yeah I think I would like that a lot."

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The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the apartment as you place two coffee mugs onto the counter.

"So what are you going to do during your summer break? Host a seminar? Go back to work at the BAU?"

Spencer shakes his head, coming up behind you, caging you against the counter. "Nope. This summer is just for the two of us."

Your eyes widen as your hands rest on his biceps. "Really?" Spencer nods, cupping your cheeks. "Absolutely. I want to spend the summer with my wife. Name it and we'll do it."

You slide your hands up his biceps to the back of his neck, fingers curling into his brunette hair.

"Let me go grab a pen and notebook." You say, stepping away. His brow furrows as his hand chases after you. "Notebook? Why?" You beam, grinning from ear to ear. "We're making a summer bucket list."

"What do you want to do this summer?" You ask, clicking your own against the countertop. Spencer hums, taking a sip of his black coffee.

"Maybe berry picking?" You nod, adding it to your list. "Alright. What else?" Spencer shakes his head. "Nope, now you pick one." You hum, tapping the end of the pen to your chin. "Night swim." Spencer frowns. "Night swim." He questions, trying to protest as you add it to your list. "What's wrong Spencer? From what Morgan said, you enjoy night swims with pretty girls." That shut him up real quick.

It took another hour before the two of you came up with a total of 10 items on your bucket list.

"Ok so let's go over our list." Spencer says, placing a kiss to the side of your head. "So we got

berry picking,

night swim,

tye dye,

road trip to visit different libraries,

go biking,

picnic date,

go to the beach,

brunch,

farmer's market,

make homemade ice cream

Spencer hums, taking the pen out of your hand and placing it onto the table. His hand carefully brings your left hand up to his mouth as he presses a kiss to your wedding band.

"I can't wait to complete our bucket list together." You wrap your other hand behind his neck, pulling him down to press a soft kiss to his lips. "Me either."

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"Uncle Roy, can we go to the beach?" Roy's thick brows furrow. "Why the fuck do you want to go to the beach?" Phoebe frowns, holding out her hand. "Swear jar." Roy huffs, fishing a five out of his wallet.

"Here. This should cover me for the rest of the day. But in all seriousness, why the beach?" Phoebe smiles at the bill, placing it into her pink wallet. "I need more seashells. The ones I got last year broke. I need more."

"Why don't you ask your mum?" Phoebe looks away. "She's busy. I can tell she's stressed bout something." Roy sighs, the sad look on his niece's face tugs on his heart strings. "Fine kid. We can go to the fucking beach."

A knock on the door alerts the two of them that Phoebe's mom was there to pick her her. "Go get your bag." Roy says, getting up to open the door.

"I am so sorry for the short notice. Thank you for picking her up from school today. I hope she wasn't too much trouble." Roy hugs her before pulling back. "She was great."

"We're going to the beach." She turns to him, eye brow raised. Roy shrugs. "Little shit wants to go." She laughs, kissing Roy's cheek. "You're a great uncle." "Make sure to invite her." Phoebe says before running out to the car.

Her which was you. The front desk receptionist at Nelson Road who Roy recently started seeing.

The quiet, shy, beautiful woman he had for months trying to go get coffee.

Now all he had to do was ask you to go the beach with him and his niece.

Easy, right?

You pick up on the second ring. "Hello?" You say, voice muffled. Roy smiles to himself, leaning against the headboard. "Did I wake ya?" You make a noise that soundly like a sleepy no before clearing your throat.

"No I was just resting me eyes. What-" You yawn. "What can I do for you handsome?" Roy huffs, the corner of his mouth turning up. "Well Pheebs and I are going to the beach this weekend and I, we were wondering-" He clears his throat, his cheeks.

Fuck why was it so hard to ask you to join. "Roy?" He could hear the amusement in your voice. You weren't even trying to hide it. "Fuck it. Do you want to go with us or not woman?" Your giggles echo over the speaker.

"Yeah Roy, I would love to go to the beach with your guys." Roy exhales, nodding to himself. "Great. That's great. We'll pick you up at 8 on Saturday." You hum, sleep taking over. "Alright it's a date."

Phoebe's giggles mis with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. "C'mon Uncle Roy. Just this once." He looks away, grumbling to himself. "Why the fuck you want to bury me for?" You muffle a laugh behind your hand as Phoebe's eyebrow raises the same way Roy's does when someone asks a stupid question.

"Because I want to. Also swear jar." Roy huffs, clearing exasperated. "Why can't you be a normal child and go make sandcastles?" Phoebe's little eyes narrow into sharp dagger as she points at the hole she spent the last half hour digging. "Hole. Now."

Noticing the way his jaw clenched and ignoring the way your body reacted to the small action, you decided to step in.

"Hey Pheebs, why don't we go play in the water. Give your poor uncle some time to contemplate the benefits of being buried alive." Phoebe laughs, standing up. You join her, dusting the sand off your legs. "I'll beat you!" She shouts, racing towards the beach.

Fingers wrap around your ankle, causing you to look down. "Thank you." Roy mumbles, the tips of his ear bright red. You bend down, pressing a kiss to his sweaty forehead. "Anything for you." You whisper before chasing after the small girl.

Arms wrap around your waist, pulling you tight against a solid chest. "Roy?" A deep chuckle rumbles again your ear. "Expecting someone else?" You smirk, resting your head against his shoulder.

"Yeah actually my other boyfriend was supposed to meet me here once you were buried neck deep into the sand. But seeing how you were too chicken.."

His fingers flex against your hip before he turned you around. The waves crash softly against your calves as Phoebe looked around the shore for seashells. "Not funny." Your head tilts to the side, hand cupping his face. "Well it's a little funny."

He shakes his head, dipping his head down. "Minx." He mumbles, lips brushing against yours. You lean up, closing the small distance. His hands squeeze your hip as he groans, biting your bottom lip.

It only ends when a disgusted groan sounds from behind the football player. "Can you not? It's gross." Roy sighs, gathering himself before slowly turning to his niece.

"You better run." Phoebe's eyes widen in panic. "Now Uncle Roy, remember your bad knee." She tries to reason as she slowly back away.

"Phoebe, run!" You shout, holding into his arm. Roy looks at you in utter betrayal. "What-" You cut him off with a kiss to the lips.

"Careful of your knee babe." Roy laughs, cupping both your cheeks with his large hands. "God I love you." He says before kissin you an inch into your life.Then he was off, chasing his screaming niece. Your hand comes up to your lips, the faint taste of salt still there. "I love you too."

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"Oh look over there." Naruto shouts as he drags you down the boardwalk. He ignores your protests and the dirty looks from the others trying to enjoy their day.

"Naruto, slow down!" He laughter fills the space around you as he flashes a bright grin.

"Sorry but look," You follow his finger, eyes widening. A sunglasses stand. "Omg," You slap Naruto on the chest. "Let's go!"

(Flashback)

Humming gently, you lazily restock the stands. It was slow today. So slow you were certain two hours has passed since you last looked at your watch.

Yet, it had only been half an hour. The sun was unforgiving, not giving you a single break. Placing the last pair in its proper place, you nod proudly, wiping the sweat from your brow.

Then you heard it.

A thunder of footsteps to your right. Your head turns slowly as your eyes white and at the sight. A blonde boy running straight towards your hut.

"Hey!" You shout. "Watch where you're going!" His cerulean blue eyes widen as if he hadn't noticed the sunglass hut on the wide boardwalk.

He tried stopping, but ended up tripping over his feet and face planting into the freshly stocked display of sunglasses.

The boy groans, holding the back of his head as you rounded the stand. "Hey are you okay?" He grins, causing your heart to flip. He was kind of cute, even with the bloodied cut over his eyebrow.

"Sorry about that. I'll help you put them back." You try to protest, reasoning that it was slow and this is literally what you get paid to do but he would not listen.

"Geez kid, did your parents raise you in a barn?" A passerby sided. The boy's face falls, taking the warm with it.

"Um no, my parents are dead." The guys eyes white and slightly before he huffs. Figures. You-" He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as your fist connected with a loud crack.

"Fuck. Why'd you do that?" He whined as you shook your hand, hissing. "Well what I was raised in a barn. Born and raised on the dark just south of town. So maybe think twice before you open that dumb mouth of yours." You say, ignoring your racing heart.

Turning back to the boy, you hold out your hand. You may have just lost your job once word gets back to your boss but the way his eyes sparkle and how your heart flips makes you think you may have just gained some even better.

"Makes me think of how we met." Naruto says, placing a pair of a aviators on. You nod, placing your own pair on your face. Naruto groans, hands squeezing your hips.

"We are so buying you those." The corner of your mouth twitches. "Yeah?" He nods, pecking a kiss to your lips. "Definitely."

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"Unbelievable." Nacht hisses, dusting the sand off his pale legs. "Nacht relax. We're at the beach. There is going to be sand." Nacht huffs, rolling his eyes. "How did you convince me to come to this dreadful place?"

You look around the beach, smiling as kids splash each other. A couple walking down the beach, hand in hand. You giggle, rubbing the last bit of sunscreen onto your arms.

"Because you love me." The corner of his mouth twitches as he fought the urge to smile. "Unfortunately." This time it was your turn to huff.

Smothering down the urge to smack him, you look at him. Actually look at him. His long hair pulled into a messy bun. The blue swim trunks being the source of color in his entire wardrobe. All thanks to you.

"Looking a bit pink Nacht. Finally listening to Vanessa's advice about adding color to your wardrobe? Pink looks good on you." Nacht glares at you, shoving you into the sand. "Nacht!" He rolls his eyes, not bothering to help you up. You dust the sand off right into the shadow mage.

"But seriously you need to put sunscreen on before you actually burn." Nacht rolls his eyes as he stands up, holds his hand out. "Nonsense. Now let's go to the water before we return home."

You press your lips into a thin line, trying to swallow your laughter. "Don't say a word." Nacht hisses as he glares at you over his shoulder. His extremely red shoulder. You shake your head, rubbing the cold aloe into his warm skin. "Didn't say anything." He sighs in relief as the tension releases from his body, practically melting under your touch. "Didn't have to. I know you want to laugh."

You lean forward, pressing a soft kiss to his shoulder blade. "Give me another minute and I'll be finished." He hums, leaning back against your touch. "Thank you." You smile, continuing to lather his back in aloe. "Of course. I love you." And it was your love that made you keep all the tomato jokes to yourself. For now at least.

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The door slams open, causing Charlie to flinch from his spot on the bed. Any harder and he was certain the door knob would have went straight through the dry wall. The bed dips next to his foot as soft excited giggles filled the room.

"Careful Vee," At the sound of your voice, Charlie resisted the urge to open his eyes. Yet he couldn't spoil the surprise. The hushed whispers and giggles aided him in his resolve. He could hold out.

For you.

For his little dragon.

"Happy Papa's Day!" Vivana shouts, jumping on top of Charlie's stomach. His hands come up to her sides, steadying the little girl. He quickly blinks away the sleep as he looks up at the spitting image of you.

"Good morning, my little dragon. What is this, I hear?" Viv giggles, beaming down at him. "It's Papa's Day. That's what they told us at school." She smiles brightly, lighting the entire bedroom. "A day to celebrate our papas." His blue eyes mist under his words and her bright smile.

Now it wasn't new that Vivana called him that. It started about a month ago during bed time. He just assumed it was a sleepy mistake. A one time thing. Didn't even mention it to you. Charlie couldn't handle the heart break if you were against it. If you told him he wasn't Vivana's real dad.

"I made you breakfast. Wanna see?" Viv asks, crawling off his lap and towards you. You share a soft knowing smile as you hand her the platter. Like you knew how much this affected him. Being called-

"Look it's a dragon." Charlie sits up, resting against the headboard. "Oh wow Viv that looks amazing. Is that, let me guess. A Norwegian Ridgeback?" She nods, chest puffed proudly. "Look", she points at his plate, "I used strawberries for its ridges."

Charlie pulls her down into the bed, wrapping an arm around her side. "It's amazing Viv. It's perfect. Thank you."She looks away, cheeks red as the strawberries on the plate.

"I mean it. Thank you little dragon. You are the best little girl any papa could ask for." Vivana looks up, tears pooling in her eyes. "Really?" Charlie nods, tears forming in his own eyes. "Yes really. You, my sweet dragon, are the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Her eyes widen, quickly glancing back at you. "Even better mama?" Charlie chuckles, sharing a look with you. He noticed the tears in your own eyes. Charlie leans down, whispering as if he was sharing a secret. "Even more so." Vivana sits up, wide grin spread from ear to ear.

"Now can you help me eat this? You made too much." She nods before turning her attention to you. "C'mon mama. Join us." Charlie smiles, watching the way a single tear rolls down your cheek. "Yeah. Join us Mama."

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"Bye Teddy. Have a great day at work." You say, placing a fat kiss to his cheek before rushing out the door. Theo chuckles, glancing down at his watch. Late, as usual.

He stands up, taking both yours and his plates to the sink, washing them and placing them into the rack before heading to the bathroom. Your make up and face wash spread across the counter, as if you were staking your claim. Your night gown(his shirt) thrown into the floor next to the hamper. He turns on the shower, letting the warm steam fog the mirror as he tosses his shirt into the hamper before climbing into the shower.

With the bathroom humid after his shower, Theo walks to the bedroom with the towel tightly wrapped his waist. Humming to himself, he quickly got dressed in a pair of trousers and the soft navy jumper you gave him for Christmas.

A flash of light caught his eye. His heart drops at the sight of your engagement ring laying on your nightstand. Abandoned, forgotten.

Did he do something wrong? Why would you leave your ring at home? What if? Theo shakes his head, the mattress dipping under his weigh as he sat on the edge. He reaches for the ring, holding it carefully between his fingers. His vision blurs, only for a second before he pulls himself together.

The ring he spent ages combing each shop in all of Europe. A 1.5 Karat diamond because he knew you didn't like anything super flashy. His and yours birthstones spread across the band. The ring you found in his coat pocket and ruined the entire surprise. Of course you said yes, claiming it was the best possible way for him to ask.

There was no way you would.. Theo couldn't even bring himself think of it. He knew you loved him. Sure you've been busy and a tad distant lately but that was because of the project you were working on. Late nights in the office, hushed conversations with your coworkers on the floo.

His heart shatters as dread floods his veins. Maybe he was just being blind. Maybe he was just naive. Surely someone else can give you a bettee life. A life not tied to a death eater of a father who died in Azkaban. A life where people still look over their shoulder where he is around.

Maybe you were.. Theo shakes his head. Impossible. You love him. Theo knew that. Right?

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"Honey I'm home!" You sing, giggling to yourself as you walked through the front door. You are in an exceptional mood. The project, the one you have worked endlessly on for months, is officially over. Completed. Now you have an entire month off, and a surprise to take Theo back to Italy to go visit his family.

You quickly kick off your shoes and toss your bag onto the couch. "Teddy?" You called out, frowning at the no response. You saw his shoes by the door, so you know he is home. "Theo, where are you?"

Each room you looked in was empty. The kitchen, bathroom, even the library.

You push the bedroom door open, curtains closed leaving the bedroom completely dark. "Theo?" You whisper, spotting him on your side of the bed. With a wave your hand, the candle beside your bed ignited, casting shadows around the room. Theo looks up, eyes filled with tears. The sight breaks your heart as you hastily cross the room.

"Theo what happened?" You drop to your knees, eyes flickering over him for any injuries. It wouldnt be the first time you came home to find him injured from arrogant arse who thought they were better than him. "What happened?"

Theo looks away, a single tear rolling down his tan cheek as he hold up his hand. Your ring held tightly between his thumb and pointer finger. Your eyes widen before flickering down to your own hand. You knew something felt off today but you couldn't figure it out. Just chalk it up to anxiety from the project.

"Did I do something wrong?" Your eyes widen as you cup his cheeks, thumb brushing away the salty tears. "No of course not. I took it off last night and must have forgotten to put it back on this morning." Theo frowns, yet still leans into your touch.

"Why did you take it off?" You smile, pulling away to open your night stand. "I was using the lotion your nonna sent for Christmas." You reassure him, holding up the lotion. Theo nods, taking a deep breath. His eyes meet yours as he wipes his tears away. Theo clears his throat, holding up the ring. "May I?" You nod, holding out your hand. "Yes. A million times yes.

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