"Well, that picture of me with blood on my face, a rifle in hand, really helped buy those swing states during the election." The Old Warrior might have had to put down his guns, but he had a cold and direct disposition to using the tools available to end a conflict --- decisively.

No Meme @fullrangeofemotions

"We love you Mom. Happy Mother's day from me and Ally." Jayden and ally produced their gifts.

From Jayden, the necklace rested in a pale pink velvet box. She had gone to a local master specialty jeweller months before to have it put into the works. He had finished just a few weeks before and Jay had to hide it from her mother in the back of her walk in closet. She had helped Ally, taking the girl on a weekend trip to give Donna a little personal time. Besides, even if they weren't related by blood Jayden would do anything to see the girl smile. Upto and including Late night RomCom Marathons. SHe had told Ally what she was getting their mother. The next day the pair went out to find a pair of earrings to fit in the theme. It was in a little art studio that the two found the glass rose. Both agreed on the spot that they would not leave without it.

past transmissions || { always accepting }

{ @fullrangeofemotions } continued from { x }

The garden was filled with the quiet chirp of songbirds among the trees and the scent of blooming lavender mingling with the scent of salt from the breeze blowing in off the sea. Beneath one of the flowering apple trees in the garden, Laira listened to the conversion that floated about her.

Since returning to the capital, the Queen Consort had kept her distance, she and her ladies twittering and whispering each time entered or departed a similar space as them. It was an old game, one that Laira had grown used to before she and Hal had ever married. It was one now that she knew to expect, one that she could easily combat should she wish it.

Thus far, there had been no need to. Laira knew the venom that could spread through a court through gossip, how favor could be slip away through a perfectly crafted web. Caroline had yet to show herself capable of weaving a web, though.

In hindsight, Hal should have pretended that he wasn't home. He could've easily stayed in his office, continued working, and let whoever was on the other side of the door leave. But, Laira had been sleeping the last time he'd checked on her. After the last few days, he wanted her to rest. It had been that thought, and that thought only, that had gotten him up and to the door.

Unbolting the lock, he wasn't as surprised to see Donna on the other side of the door when it swung open as he should have been. He'd been expecting her to show up a few days before, in fact.

It was official. It looked like he'd gotten into an actual brawl. Guy'd always known Jordan had a mean right hook. He'd just never been on the full receiving end of one of the punches that right hook could dish out. Probably wouldn't have been on the receiving end of one if Guy hadn't swung first. That wasn't something he was going to think on too much. He didn't regret it. Not for a second.

Only thing he did regret was having to walk inside his house and explain why part of his face was turning fifty shades of purple. He didn't want to rehash this. He didn't even want to think about it. The captain had already poked and prodded enough.

Maybe he'd catch a stroke of luck and Donna'd already be asleep. Guy wouldn't want to talk about anything in the morning either. But, maybe some of the anger would be gone by then. Before he even thought it, he knew it was a lie.

Unlocking the front door and stepping inside, Guy already knew luck wasn't on his side. The kitchen lights were still on and he could hear Donna walking around just a few feet away from him. Welp, the night couldn't really get any worse.