#tcaw

Ethan brought him back to earthy when he pointed to two lounge chairs under a pink and orange striped umbrella.

“What about those?”

Tobias shook his head. “Too close to the pool... splash zone if any rugrats show up.”

Ethan looked around, noting there wasn’t a child in sight.

“But there could be,” Tobias warned. He pointed to another set of chairs positioned on a raised deck nearby. “Those,” he said. “We’ll catch the rays, stay out of the family zone, and it’s the perfect vantage point to check out our prey.”

“Prey?” Ethan asked with disdain, but his friend only smirked.

“Come on, loosen up, pal. I brought you to St. Barts in hopes of improving your sense of humor... not diminishing it!”

As Ethan set up, Tobias returned from the bar with two pineapple-garnished frozen beverages in hand. After handing Ethan the blue one, he sat in his lounge chair and took a long sip of his bright yellow concoction. Ethan’s nose crinkled when the sweetness hit his tongue.

“Do you even know what’s in this thing?”

Tobias shrugged. “No idea, but that cute little redhead behind the bar recommended them, and far be it for me to question her professional expertise.”

“You’re incorrigible,” Ethan chuckled as he opened a book to Tobias’s horror.

“What! What! WHAT! Is that in your hands?”

Ethan looked at the cover to make sure he hadn’t brought something salacious by mistake.

“It’s Principles of Medical Science,” he replied. “You’re in that class; we have an exam when....”

Tobias removed the book from his hands, snapping it shut.

“HEY!”

“Hey, nothing! Ramsey, we work our asses off at school. We barely sleep and do what needs to be done, but this week... this week is about fun. Rest and relaxation, baby! There will be none of this.”

“I just thought that....”

“No!” Tobias insisted, and when he threatened to throw the book in the pool, Ethan reluctantly relented. Crossing his arms over his chest with a scowl.

“Get that look off of your face!” Tobias chided. “How are we supposed to pick up with you looking like that! You’ll scare any decent options away!”

“Is that all you think about?”

“Hell, yeah!” Tobias grinned. “We’re on the prowl...otherwise I’m stuck with you for ... companionship... this week... is that what you want?”

“I’d rather have the clap,” Ethan snickered.

“Well, I can’t provide you with that, buddy, but I suggest choosing wisely, or maybe someone else can.”  

Tobias was about to close his eyes for a quick nap when something caught his eye. Sitting at attention, he hit Ethan's chest.

“OWW!”

“Shhhh!” Tobias ordered. “Look, over there!”

He pointed to a statuesque woman wearing a barely there pink hibiscus print bikini and a pair of high-heeled sandals that highlighted every contour of her curvaceous legs. She let down the hair piled atop her head, and her long, golden-brown curls spilled over her shoulders, stopping just above the place Tobias now longed to be.

“I think I’m in love,” he whispered.

“More like lust,” Ethan smirked.

“Can you blame me?”

The woman caught Tobias shamelessly staring her way when she adjusted her sunglasses. After looking to both sides to ensure she was the object of his attention, she lowered those glasses, raising her drink with an enticing smile.

“Gotta go,” Tobias grinned. “Mama’s calling!”

“Seriously?” Ethan groaned. “Can you maybe put off objectifying the woman until after you say hello?”

Tobias turned to his friend with mock irritation. “Yeah, because look at how she’s looking at me! Clearly, she’s thinking about my gentle demeanor and intellectual prowess right about now. So, you coming with me?”

“Why would I?” Ethan replied. “You’ve already staked your claim, and it’s not like she has a friend.”

As if the universe had heard his request, a gorgeous blonde in a white bandeau top and blue sarong took a seat at the original beauty’s side, and Tobias cleared his throat.

“You were saying there, big guy?”

But Ethan was already on his feet. “I was saying we better get over there, fast; I have no desire to have you as my companion this week!”

November 2022 – Stowe, Vermont

Casey was in a fit of giggles as she attempted to open the door to their luxury suite. The three-hour trip wouldn’t have been so bad if the last hour hadn’t consisted of nothing but bucolic scenery. As stunning as it was, it didn’t provide the one thing she needed most... a bathroom. She just got the door open when her new husband called out in a panic from down the hall.

“WAIT!” He hollered, running to her side with that brilliant grin that made her weak no matter how many times she saw it. “I believe I’m supposed to carry you over the threshold, Mrs. Carrick.”

Mrs. Carrick. The sound almost made her melt. What she didn’t realize was that it had him melting, too.

“Oh, are you?” She grinned. “You’ve never carried me when we’ve gone on other vacations.”

He reached over and tugged at her sweatshirt, pulling her close. His fingers delicately lifted her chin toward him.

“That’s because this is the first time you’re my wife,” he crooned, sealing the sentiment with a sweet, tender kiss. “And I want to carry my wife over the threshold, not only because my mother would break my legs if she found out I didn’t.”

“Well, we can’t have that,” she laughed. “So, Mr. Carrick, if you’re going to carry me over the threshold, let’s do it! Our baby-to-be isn’t being too kind to my bladder right now.”

“That little brat,” he sighed, and without another word, he swept her into his arms, kicking the door open to the rustic suite open wide.

Tobias meticulously planned this trip, attending to every detail with painstaking care. Everything needed to be perfect. And while the photos had shown the stunning views—elegant rustic charm with a touch of romance—nothing could have prepared them for the actual beauty of the place, bathed in the amber glow of the late afternoon.

“This place is gorgeous!” Casey gasped, but her husband’s eyes were fixed on her when he replied.

“Sure is,” he said, as a blush came to her cheeks.

Casey rushed off to the bathroom while Tobias started a fire. When she returned, she joined him in front of the beautiful stone fireplace, wrapping her arms around him from behind.

“Leave it to you to find the perfect honeymoon spot,” she whispered. “Vermont is gorgeous! I can’t believe I’ve never been here before. I can’t wait to see more of it with you.”

“It is beautiful,” he agreed. “And just what we needed.”

“We could have gone to Bora Bora like you wanted,” she needled, scooting around to sit on his lap. “My obstetrician said it would have been fine.”

“That’s nice,” Tobias replied dismissively. “But there was no way my pregnant wife was going to be 10,000 miles away from her doctors. Not a long flight, not eating foods she’s unaccustomed to, not....”

“I know, I know, I know!” Casey laughed. “I’m just teasing, but I do feel bad that we couldn’t have your perfect honeymoon spot.”

“Hey, all I need for a perfect honeymoon is you,”  he assured. “We’ll go to Bora Bora next year – you’ll see.”

“With a baby in tow?” She chuckled. “Not so romantic.”

“No way! The baby will be in Boston with grandma,” he laughed. “This way, we can work on a sibling.”

“OK, big guy,” she chortled. “Can you let me get through this pregnancy before we start talking about another?”  

“I suppose,” he murmured, pulling her on top of him and joining their lips in a long, sensual kiss. When he opened his eyes, he gently brushed her blonde locks from her face, letting the fire’s glow illuminate every feature he cherished. “This has been the best day of my life,” he said with a smile. “I’m the luckiest man alive.”

“Mmm,” Casey beamed, nuzzling close. “This has been the perfect day, but you know what?”

“What?”

“Being here, alone with you, this is undoubtedly my favorite part.”

A gentle rumble vibrated in his chest, and his strong arms pulled her close. “You know what, that’s the best part for me, too.”

Casey playfully untangled herself from her new husband and tossed herself onto their plush, feather-topped bed, and purred, “Should I change into lingerie, Mr. Carrick, or would just getting naked suffice?”

Tobias flew over, cradling her in his arms as he gently lay at her side. “You’re sure it’s been a long day, and....”

“Tobias!” She scolded. “You know darn well it’s all right for us to do this, and if you think I’m not consummating this marriage...”

“Oh, I’m all for consummating the marriage,” he chuckled. “As long as you’re not too tired.”

Casey grinned mischievously and traced a finger along his jawline. “Too tired? Not a chance. In fact, I’ve been looking forward to this moment all day.”

Tobias smiled and kissed her gently. “Then let’s make this night as unforgettable as the day.”

With that, they lost themselves in each other, the fire casting a warm, flickering light over their intertwined bodies, sealing their love with passion and intimacy that would be the foundation of their life together. They were right; this was a perfect day.

Family road trip to Disney World, June 2032

Tobias’s face turned red when a slice of bologna hit this side of his head with a smacking sound. He saw Brooke’s eyes go wide in the rearview mirror, and Casey did her best to contain a laugh as she removed the offending piece of lunchmeat from her husband’s face.

“I’m sowee, Daddy!” his eight-year-old said with a sweet little voice. “It was an accident.”

“Brooke, sweetie,” he said, doing his best to maintain composure. “How does one accidentally throw a slice of bologna?”

“One doesn’t,” ten-year-old Samantha chimed in. “I think she should be punished.”

“Sammy!” Casey called out, silencing her eldest at once. She turned to face Brooke seated in the second row of their van. “How did that happen?”

“I just handed a piece to Kayla,” she replied. “She’s hungry. She threw it at Dad, but she didn’t know any better. She’s only three!”

“And what happened to our no eating in the car rule?” Tobias asked.

“Mom says that’s suspended on trips over three hours long,” Sammy informed, as Tobias gave his wife the side-eye.

“Well,” she reddened, “maybe we should stop for a snack. It is getting late, after all.”

“Mmm-hmmm...” her husband hummed in sarcastic agreement.

“That’s a good idea!” Brooke stated. “Because Kayla has to pee!”

“Oh yeah," Casey laughed. "And how do you know that?”

“Because I just peed!” Kayla giggled.

Casey placed a reassuring hand on Tobias’s knee. “There's a service area three miles ahead...” she soothed.

“And not a mile too soon.” He replied, before playfully taunting his wife.

“Let’s drive to Disney, she said. It will be fun, she said. Why would we want to fly, she said.”

“Because the plane hurt Kayla’s ears last time, Daddy!” Brooke scolded.

“I know, Brookey,” Tobias smiled into the rearview mirror. “Daddy’s just teasing Mommy.”

Without removing her eyes from the book she had been engrossed in the whole trip, Samantha needed to add her two cents. “Grammy says you need to knock that off before Mommy gets sick of you.”

Casey barked out a laugh as a weary Tobias shook his head. “They need to spend less time with my mother,” he grumbled as they pulled into the service area.

Once the van was cleaned up and everyone was fed, Casey decided to put the girls into their pajamas for the rest of the trip. According to GPS, they’d be arriving at their hotel around midnight, and this way, they could usher them up to their beds, hopefully without waking them. Tobias suggested piling them all on a luggage cart as he and Casey finished their ice cream. She wasn't sure if he was joking, but she didn’t think it was a bad idea.

After fastening the girls into their seats, Tobias put on a soothing, lullaby playlist, and they were out like lights before they were five miles down the road.

“Are they all asleep?” he whispered.

Casey turned around to double-check. "Down for the count!” she smiled.

“Have I mentioned how happy I am that our suite has two bedrooms?” Tobias asked.

“Only a few dozen times,” Casey chuckled.

Tobias reached for Casey's hand and raised it to his lips, placing several tender kisses upon her knuckles. The tender moment solidifying a bond they had created long ago.

“I’m sorry if this was too much,” Casey sighed. “Maybe we should have just gone to the lake...”

“Hey, hey...” he interrupted. “Look, they're our little monsters. We know they're a handful, but I’m just teasing you. This is going to be a great trip and we're going to have these memories for a lifetime. Don’t worry about it one bit.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. “Because in the eleven years since you've met me, I certainly turned your happy bachelor life upside down.”

Tobias turned to her without an ounce of amusement on his face. “I hope that you're joking. The last eleven years of my life make the thirty-seven that preceded it seem like nothing at all. You and the girls are everything to me, baby. You are my life.”

“I know,” she grinned. “But I always imagined this life to a degree... the best parts and the chaotic parts, but you didn’t.”

Tobias pulled over to the side of the rural road, his hand on his wife’s cheek as soon as he put the van in park.

“Shut up,” he smirked, leaning over for a kiss.

Casey’s brow creased when he opened the door and stepped outside.

“Babe, what are you doing?” she whispered, but by the time she finished her question, he was already opening her door.

“Step outside, Mrs. Carrick,” he beamed.

Without letting go of her hand, he placed his phone on the hood of the van and fumbled to find a song. As the first notes played, Casey's shoulders relaxed. She would recognize their wedding song anywhere.

“All of Me?” she smiled, happy tears rising to her eyes.

“May I have this dance, beautiful?" He asked, looping his arm around her waist. "I promised you I’d sneak a little romance into each day for the rest of our lives, and I had no plans on stopping today.”

Casey nuzzled her head into his shoulder, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"God, I love you."

"I love you, too," he replied, softly kissing the top of her head.

The world stood still as the two of them swayed together under the stars. Patients, deadlines, carpools, bickering, playdates, homework... they all melted away as they were transported to a world where the only thing that existed was the two of them and their love for one another.

When the song ended, Casey pulled back and looked into her husband's eyes. "How did I ever get this lucky?"

"You?" He asked with surprise. "I’m the lucky one here, sweetheart. I get to spend the week with four beautiful ladies that I love with all my heart."

"Well," she said, tenderly caressing his cheek. "Those four ladies love you, too. So, you're sure you're not upset over all the chaos today?"

"Upset?" he shrugged. "No way. Chaos and all, today was a perfect day."

Stowe, Vermont - November 2057

They held hands as they walked through the quiet forest. Tourist season was over, and it felt like they had the mountains to themselves, just like it had so many years ago. Casey took a deep breath, her face lighting up as the scent of pine and fresh mountain air filled her lungs, and Tobias couldn’t help but smile. It was their 35th anniversary, and they had returned to Vermont, the place where their journey began long ago.

Tobias glanced at Casey; the silver streaks in her hair that she fought so hard to hide shimmered in the light. She never understood that he meant it when he said every grey hair and wrinkle only made her more beautiful to him. At that moment, his heart was filled with joy.

“Can you believe it’s been 35 years?” he asked, his voice full of awe.

“It’s hard to believe,” Casey grinned. “It seems like only yesterday we were here, newlyweds with all our lives ahead of us. Now, our babies have babies, and you and me....”

“We’re every bit as in love as we were back then,” he cooed. “We’ve had quite a life, haven’t we?”

Casey nodded as her mind drifted to the life and memories they had created. Their three little girls had grown into strong, beautiful women, and they were so proud of each one. Along the way, they faced challenges they could never have imagined and celebrated joys they would have believed were too great for this world. Throughout it all, their very best friend was always at their side, supporting each other through thick and thin.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” she whispered. “You’ve been the cornerstone of my life, Tobias.”

He took her hand and led her to a small wooden bench, where they watched the sun begin to set in comfortable silence. The sky put on a show for free, a canvas of pink and orange that only nature could create. The years had brought changes, but their love was a constant on which they could always rely. Thirty-five years before, they couldn't imagine their love growing deeper, yet it did with each passing year.

Tobias reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, worn photo from their wedding day. “Look at us,” he beamed, showing it to Casey. “We were so young and full of dreams.”

“Well, I was young,” Casey teased, running her finger over the photo. “You already had a leg up on me, old man.” But then she became more serious. “And look at us now,” she said, a tear rolling down her cheek. “We’ve lived every dream we had and created new ones along the way.”

Tobias took her face in his hands, their eyes damp as they faced one another. “Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I had never met you, and I shudder. You showed me a life... a love... I could have never imagined before."

“And you’ve done the same for me,” she replied, her voice cracking with emotion.

“We should head back,” she said after a long embrace. “It’s beginning to get dark.”

As they stood to leave, Tobias wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and they began to walk to the Inn. “Here’s to many more years,” he said, planting a tender kiss on Casey’s forehead.

“To many more,” she smiled, turning to him with questioning eyes when he chuckled. “What is it?” she asked.

“Look at us! Still creating perfect days after all these years.”

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

His younger brother's anxious voice could be heard buried beneath the bags.

"You okay?!" Phillip yelled out.

Carefully setting his takeout down, Tobias began to gather everything else up.

"Sorry about that." He told Phillip once he found his phone. "Dropped a few things."

"A few?" Phillip muttered in disbelief. "Sounded like your whole house crashed down around you."

"It wasn't my house." Tobias snorted. "Only the gifts I bought for Tabitha."

Phillip's daughter was turning five the following weekend. The Carrick's were gathering at the family home in Greenwich to celebrate as they did with everyone's birthday. Tobias even cleared his schedule for the week just so he could spend extra time with everyone.

He needed a break. After all the turmoil of Mass Kenmore losing its funding and the mad dash he'd recently done to save a young Edenbrook doctor, he knew he needed some time to decompress. The stress of the problems growing with possible shutdowns and layoffs had finally gotten to him.

Phillip chuckled. "You should see all that Jasmine has picked out for Tabitha. Between her and Mom, my girl is going to be the most spoiled five year old in the world."

Tobias grinned at the thought. His sister-in-law went through a lot to have her two children with Phillip. Jasmine had seen many fertility specialists and had multiple procedures for a slim chance at becoming pregnant. Tabitha was the first miracle for the couple. Spoiling the little girl became the norm in the family. It wasn't difficult to do given how sweet she was.

He was beyond the proud uncle of all his nieces and nephews. He made certain that their gifts revealed just how crazy he was about them and that he actually listened to all they told him. Tobias enjoyed spending time around Christmas and their birthdays to search for special presents that lined up with their interests.

This year, his niece was currently obsessed with the Disney movie, Aladdin. Phillip joked that it was because her mother's name was Jasmine which was why the little girl wanted to be that particular princess.

Tobias didn't care what the reason was. He only knew he had to find something special for her big day.

He spent the day at various toy stores around Boston, buying new dolls, puzzles, and games. Walking past an antique store, the idea to try and find her a real oil lamp struck. He went inside and as luck would have it, he found exactly what he'd hoped to find.

After dropping all his packages on the kitchen table, he took the lamp out of the box and set it on one of his couch cushions. He squatted down to see just how it would look to Tabitha.

The old brass lamp turned out better than he'd hoped. The engravings along the sides added more to the imagined mysticism one could pretend the lamp contained. He could easily see it sitting in some forgotten cave filled with treasures from long, long ago.

"Not bad." He said, running his thumb along the intricate engravings.

"Thank you." A voice said from within.

Tobias fell back with a gasp as silvery black smoke pooled out. It swirled around the room as sounds of thunder boomed and flashes of lightning penetrated the smothering darkness. Once it cleared, a man in a three piece suit was sitting next to the lamp.

"What in the actual hell was that?" Tobias breathed. "Who are you?"

"Isn't it obvious?" The strange man replied. "I'm the Genie of the Lamp."

"Right." Tobias got to his feet. "And I'm the man who is about to force you out of his home."

The stranger clucked his tongue. "I wouldn't try that if I were you, Tobias."

Tobias cursed as he reached down to yank the intruder off his couch.

He went right through the man and hit the couch cushion.

"I told you that you shouldn't try to remove me." The genie chuckled over Tobias's fruitless attempts.

"This is a prank." Tobias said, looking around for one of his friends. "This is nothing but an image projected into my living room."

"No, I'm, as they say, the real deal." The genie got to his feet. "I can see though that you're a doubting man."

"You got that right." Tobias muttered while looking for what was causing this hallucination.

"I thought dressing like this would be less startling to a man like you."

With a snap of his fingers, the genie now looked like one from storybooks, complete with turban, a long pointy beard, and lack of a lower body. The shimmery black smoke swirled where his legs had once been.

Tobias rubbed his hands over his face in an attempt to get his vision clear of whatever the hell was going on in his living room.

When he lowered his hands, he saw the genie still waiting with his arms crossed.

"Is this better or can I look more like a man of today?" Genie gestured towards his body.

"Do whatever you want." Tobias gave up and sat down. "It isn't like I really have a say in the matter."

"I wouldn't say that." The genie snapped his fingers and was once again a man in a suit.

Straightening his tie, he smiled at Tobias.

"Now then, you are the lucky individual of three wishes."

"Yippee." Tobias grumbled. "So I can wish for you to get out?"

"My my, aren't we an unwelcoming host?" Genie responded.

"Forgive me for not wanting a weird has to be some drug induced hallucination I somehow was cursed with in my house." Tobias bit out.

"Do you do drugs?" Genie asked.

"No." Tobias said. "But I could have been slipped something in my coffee from earlier."

"True." The genie conceded. "But you weren't."

Tobias continued to glare at him.

"Make your wishes and I will leave, never to return again." The genie promised.

"Then I'll take this lamp back for another." Tobias added. "There's no way I'll let you near my niece."

The genie let out a boisterous laugh.

"Ah, Tobias. I won't appear before Tabitha. She doesn't need me."

"What?" Tobias muttered in disbelief.

"She's a happy child who has all her needs met." Genie explained. "I only appear to those who have a great need for my assistance in their lives."

He smirked while watching the doctor get irritated over hearing that he needed help with anything.

"And," the genie pointed out, "this lamp isn't my only home."

Tobias leaned forward. "Like I said before, what?!"

"All oil lamps belong to me." He continued. "How do you think I appear before people from all over the world?"

"I wouldn't even begin to guess what a character from a story does." Tobias told him.

"Where do you think all the stories came from?" Genie smiled at him with a hint of mischief. "You don't think someone like me could possibly be a work of fiction, do you?"

Tobias lowered his head in his hands. He knew he had two options. One, he could continue arguing with this thing or he could take advantage of what could be his good fortune and make some wishes.

Lifting his head he gave in to the latter. It would probably save his sanity in the long run to just let this scenario play out.

"About these wishes," he hesitated, "this isn't some Monkey Paw type wish is it?"

"Meaning something horrific must happen to get your wish?" The genie clarified.

Tobias nodded. "Is it?"

"Not at all. My wishes are free and clear of any ill intent." He leveled his dark eyes upon the doctor. "Unless your wish is one that is to harm another."

"Not my style." Tobias told him. "My wishes have nothing to do with hurting anyone."

"Excellent!" The genie rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Now then, let's discuss some possible wishes."

"Discuss?" Tobias smirked. "Am I not capable of making my own?"

"They will still be yours," Genie replied, "but I have never taken advantage of one's ignorance when it comes to making wishes."

"For instance?" Tobias prodded.

"For instance, if you told me your first wish was to be in the perfect profession then I would point out you are currently in the perfect one for someone like you." He explained. "No need to waste a wish on something you already have."

"I see." Tobias's brow furrowed in thought. "Hmm."

"Might I make a suggestion?" Genie prompted.

"Sure."

"You are currently worried about funding for your hospital. Correct?"

"Correct." Tobias answered.

"Then I can fix that!" Genie motioned towards him. "Simply say the words and--"

"Can you fix two hospitals?" Tobias interrupted.

"Two?"

"Mass Kenmore and Edenbrook are both going to be shut down if someone doesn't intervene." Tobias explained. "And the people of Boston would suffer because of it."

"I see." Genie shrugged. "That can all be easily taken care of."

"Then for my first wish, I wish that you would make Mass Kenmore and Edenbrook have the funding needed to remain open and functioning at their best."

Genie nodded in approval before snapping his fingers. Within seconds, Tobias phone rang.

His eyes widened to see Mass Kenmore's Chief of Medicine calling him.

"Hello?" He listened to the excited doctor explain that the Board had made a deal with Solomon Health.

"We're saved!" She exclaimed. "We won't be dependent on state funding again."

Tobias ended the call. He couldn't quite believe that his wish had come true.

"Who ended up helping Edenbrook?" He asked.

The genie snapped his fingers again and an image of a man Tobias knew appeared in a puff of smoke.

"That's Leland Bloom." He turned back to the genie. "What does a tech billionaire have to do with anything?"

"He'll end up buying the hospital and keep all the staff." The genie explained. "In fact, he's now talking to Edenbrook's Chief of Medicine and their Board right now."

"Wow." Tobias sat back in awe.

"I know." Genie winked at him. "I am that amazing."

Tobias began to laugh. Only he would be the one to find a genie with an ego similar to his own.

"Now then, what shall be your second wish?" The genie prompted.

"I'm not sure." Tobias told him. "Honestly, all I've thought about lately is Tabitha's birthday and the whole funding fiasco."

"Hmm." The genie began to stroke his beard while thinking of something Tobias might need or want.

"Could I wish for my family to remain healthy and happy?" Tobias asked.

"You could." The genie responded. "But I don't see a reason to do so. They all have what they need for that to happen."

"I still wish it. Just to be on the safe side."

"Very well." The genie snapped his fingers. "Done."

He then leaned forward, a mischievous glint back in his eyes. "Now let's make this final wish more interesting."

"Interesting?" Tobias cocked an eyebrow. "Meaning?"

"Meaning something specifically for yourself." The genie explained. "You've already done your good deeds to those you care about and the city you reside in. Let's get something that will be only yours."

Tobias chuckled. "I can't think of anything I need."

The genie humphed. "I bet your mother would say differently."

"You don't mean--"

"Oh I do." The genie grinned with glee. "One of my favorite things to grant someone is the perfect mate."

"Hold on!" Tobias held his hands up. "I don't think I'm the marrying kind."

"You're wrong." Genie's smile grew larger. "You think that now, but there is someone out there made for you."

"Uh-huh." Tobias doubted that. "If you don't mind, I think I'll wish for something else."

"Such as?" The genie was quite curious what could be better than his own suggestion.

"How about a new challenge?" Tobias offered. "Something to push me on to succeeding."

The genie stroked his beard once more in thought. "A challenge, eh?"

He looked up at Tobias. "Say the words."

"I wish for a new challenge in my life, one that requires all my expertise to succeed."

An amused expression flooded the genie's face as he snapped his fingers to make it happen.

"So?" Tobias asked. "What's my challenge?"

"To win the heart of this woman." The genie waved his hand through the smoke until another familiar face appeared.

"Is that who I think it is?" Tobias gasped.

"It is." The genie responded, completely delighted to turn the wish into what he knew the man before him needed.

Tobias glared at him. "I thought I told you I wasn't the marrying kind."

"You will be once Chris gets a hold of you." The genie teased.

As he began dissolving into the silvery smoke he'd first appeared in, the genie spoke once more.

"Don't fight it, Tobias. Enjoy your life with those you love."

His dark eyes sparkled before disappearing.

"And that includes, Dr. Valentine." His voice echoed.

Tobias sat there staring at the empty spot on his sofa where the genie had been sitting. Still in disbelief over all that happened within the last few minutes, he reached over and picked up the lamp.

Giving it a slight shake, he chuckled to himself.

"Nice try, but there's no way Chris Valentine is meant for me."

He set the lamp down to begin wrapping Tabitha's presents.

A mystical voice spoke from the lamp causing him to stop mid step.

Some prompts are NSFW-ish; they are in RED below, so you can skip them if you wish.

Day 1: Sunday, June 30, 2024

WWTD? Tobias can no longer practice medicine (the reason why he can't is up to you). What would your Tobias select as his new career? What would he pursue? Would he be successful?

Travel & Leisure: Does he travel? Have hobbies, or is he a workaholic through and through? What does he enjoy to do when he has downtime? What does he wish he had time to do? Does he have any hobbies he doesn't want anyone to know about? Where does he like to travel? Does he overpack or underpack? What's his ideal vacation/holiday? Does he travel solo or with others? Share your ideas with us!

Day 2: Monday, July 1, 2024

WWTD? Tobias randomly buys a lottery ticket while getting his morning coffee. Turns out it's the winner, and he's just won $50 million dollars. What does he do?

Friendship: Does he have friends? A lot or a select few? Are they deep friendships or more frivolous? Who (if anyone) is his best friend? His oldest friend? His newest friend? Does he let friends from different worlds interact with each other? What's he like as a friend? Would his friends consider him a good friend? Feel free to share anything about your Tobia's friendships with us!

Day 3: Tuesday, July 2, 2024

WWTD? Tobias buys an old lantern at an antique store. When he gets home and places it on his shelf, a genie appears and offers to grant him three wishes. How does he react? What does he ask for?

Seasons: Does your Tobias have a favorite season? What is it and why? What are his favorite things to do in each of the 4 seasons? Does he have any seasonal sports/vacation spots (mix with Day 1).

Day 4: Wednesday, July 3, 2024

WWTD? Tobias is the sole witness of a crime. No one knows he saw it, so he could walk away without having any involvement, but in doing so, the criminal would get off scot-free. If he comes forward, the criminal will be apprehended and convicted, but it could endanger Tobias's life or that of the people he loves. If he knew these were the only outcomes, what would he do? Would it matter what the crime was (i.e., robbery vs. murder)? Would it matter if the victim of the crime was someone he knew/cared about?

Fashion & Appearance: What is Tobias's fashion sense - in and out of work? Is he into fashion, or could he not care less? Casual, formal? Designer clothes? How much is he into hygiene? Any unusual habits? Anything he MUST have/do? Doe he manscape? Has his style evolved over the years? Does he have tattoos? Piercings? Ever colored his hair? Anything anyone would be surprised to know about him in this realm? Share anything fashion/appearance-related.

Day 5: Thursday, July 4, 2024

WWTD? At home or work, Tobias accidentally opens a piece of mail or a package meant for someone else. The contents are very embarrassing, and there is no way to seal the package again. What would your Tobias do? (You can select who the package belonged to and what was inside.)

Date Night: Tobias is planning a date - what's he got in mind? How have his dates varied throughout his life? Does he go all out, or keep it casual? Is there romance involved, or does he have only one goal in mind? Does he like dating? See it as a necessary evil? Or does he avoid it? If your Tobias has a partner, how do dates change during the span of their relationship? If your Tobias has multiple partners, how do dates differ depending on his partner? - Free reign on dating!

Day 6: Friday, July 5, 2024

WWTD? Tobias has been dating someone he's really into - after a few months of dating, he finds out they're a porn actor/actress. How does he react? Would it matter if they told him, or he found out some other way? Does he stay with them? Does he want to stay with them but mess it all up anyway?

Family: Tell us about his family growing up. Who does he consider his family today? What does his family look like to him? How important is family to him, if at all? Does he prefer family or friends, or have friends become family? Anything family-related.

Day 7: Saturday, July 6, 2024

WWTD? He's walking past an on-call room and hears two coworkers having sex. Let's assume he knows them very well (you can decide who they are). What does he do? Does it matter if he likes them/is friendly with/ them or not? What if one (or both) are someone he's been interested in? What if he knows one (or both) are married/in relationships with someone else? How would he handle this? What would he do with this information?

Let's Talk About Sex: What's your Tobias into? Is there anything he's definitely not into? Tell us about his past, present... things he still has on his bucket list for the future. Does he have any kinks? Dom, Sub, Switch, or not into it? Sexual orientation? Mono, poly or ambi-amourous? Be creative! (I'm pretty sure he would be lol)

In addition to these prompts, there will be some fun little templates and fill-ins provided during the event. Keep your eyes out for more!

Tagging last year's participants and those who have expressed interest this year. If you'd like to be added or removed from the tag list, please let us know!

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Tobias was having a rough day at work, dealing with patients who thought they knew better than him, admin giving him a hard time, etc. He was just ready to head home for dinner and a drink, or a few. 

When he got to his office, he had probably been in there for less than five minutes before his phone rang. 

“Dr. Carrick’s office.” The other side didn’t answer. “Hello?” No answer again and he hangs up the phone. A minute later, the phone rings again from the same number and he answers. “...Hello?”.

“Hey sorry about that, I was trying to speak but I guess you couldn’t hear me.” The voice said. “My dad told me not to call you but I felt the need to.”

Tobias furrows his brow. “O…k. Who are you? And what is it?” The line is silent for a second, “I was digging through some of my dad’s old storage bins and found some documents of a biological kid of his named Tobias Carrick. Oh, and my name is Jason Carrick.”

Tobias freezes in place. Out of all the things that happened today, this takes the top spot. Jason keeps saying “Hello” to no answer. Eventually Tobias unfreezes and slams the phone down. He then lowers his head and brushes his short hair back and forth. He is lost in thought enough to not hear a knock on his door and the door opening.

“Dr. Carrick?” He looks up to see Adelaide. She stands in the doorway, debating if she should keep a straight face or try a fake smile. “Dr. Bira told me to deliver these files to you.” Adelaide walks over to his desk. 

Tobias sighs and takes the files from Adelaide and starts going through them. “You know, it’s best to knock before entering a private space.” Adelaide lowers her gaze at him, “I did.” Tobias looks up at her briefly before turning his attention back to the files. “Oh, I guess I didn’t notice.”

“Clearly. You had your head down.” Tobias continues reading through the files and Adelaide sits in the chair across from him. “You don’t look so good. Are you okay, Dr Carick?”

Tobias sighs and sets down the files, knowing that he won’t be left alone if he doesn’t give her a satisfactory answer. “I’m fine. Frankly, it’s not your business to be worrying about me. Now if you’ll excuse me.” He picks the files back up and continues reading them. 

Adelaide then tightly closes her mouth and leaves his office.  About an hour later, Tobias leaves his office to go home and Adelaide goes on a break.

The next day, Tobias heads to his office when he sees an envelope on his door. He takes the envelope and brings it with him into his office. Tobias sets his things down and opens the envelope to a bright card saying sorry on the front. 

On the inside it says, “I’m sorry if I pushed any buttons yesterday Dr. Carrick. From Adelaide Barnes.” He then sees the gift card to the coffee shop across the street from Mass Kenmore.

Tobias walks out of his office and starts quickly walking around the building, he knows that Adelaide should be wrapping up her shift soon and will be heading home. He ends up spotting her at the nurses desk two minutes before her shift ends. 

“Hey, I need to speak to Dr. Barnes for a minute.” He pulls Adelaide aside. “Listen, you didn’t need to apologize. I had a rough day yesterday and I’m sorry if I made it seem like I was mad at you.”

“Well thank you, but I do feel like I pushed you for information that I don’t need to know.” Tobias blinks slowly. “No. No you didn’t. You asked me a simple question and I took my frustration and anger out on you.” He then hands her the gift card. “While it’s nice, I think you may need it more than I do. In fact, I’ll buy you a coffee the next time we have the same shift.”

Adelaide smiles. “I’d like that. Thank you Dr. Carrick.” Adelaide hugs him, catching Tobias by surprise. He then hugs her back. “You’re welcome Dr. Barnes.” 

Adelaide walks away to grab her things and Tobias heads back to his office. He sits in his chair, contemplating for a few seconds before dialing a number. “Hey Jason, It’s Dr. Carr- Tobias Carrick. You were asking about your dad’s past?”

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While other passengers scurried to follow instructions before takeoff, neither Merida nor Tobias needed any such prompting. The stylish duo were already buckled into their first-class seats, the latest copies of Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily in hand. They were doing their best to exude an air of cool detachment, befitting their Elie Saab attire, but inside, they were two giddy children who just boarded a flight to Disneyland.

“We have been cleared for takeoff...”

Tobias swore he heard Merida squeal, or perhaps it was him? In either case, it was not the norm, so he did what needed to be done as soon as they reached cruising altitude... moments later, they had drinks in hand, a gin martini for him and a champagne cocktail for her. This was the life. They clinked their glasses together, bright smiles beginning to belie the sophisticated image they were attempting to project.

“To Fashion Week!” he beamed.

“To Paris Fashion Week!” Merida corrected with a raised glass. “I still can’t believe we’re going... together, no less!”

“It sure is a bucket item list!” He agreed.

“Now, are you going to tell me how you managed to get us into first class?”

Tobias’s lips twisted into a cocky grin. “I have friends,” he simpered. “The real question is, how did you get us invites to Chanel and Balmain?”

Merida turned to him with a smirk that put his pompous grin to shame. “I have friends.”

“Checkmate! Well, here’s to our friends.”

They launched into an animated conversation about where they wanted to eat, all the wine they planned to drink, and, of course, all the fashions they would peruse. They were chatting non-stop until Tobias's phone buzzed. Merida took one look at his face, and it was clear who it was... Casey.

Merida had barely recovered from their fifteen-minute make-out session at departures in Logan, nearly having to drag him onto the flight. So, with Tobias’s attention diverted, she took solace in the pages of Vogue once again. She would have been happy to remain there if not for the irritating little chuckles he made every few seconds. Finally, she had enough.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

Merida had his phone in hand, texting furiously before depositing it into her pocket.

“I’m texting Casey and telling her you’re being punished. I’m taking your phone away from you until we hit the three-hour mark.”

“What? Why? We've only been texting for the last ten minutes.”

“And how long have we been on the flight?” she asked with a raised brow.

An abashed Tobias turned away, mumbling under his breath. “Twenty minutes.”

“Exactly. I love you both, but you need to live in the moment, Carrick. You're not spending this whole trip texting."

“I know, but cut me a break, Mer! It’s hard for me to be away from her this long... literally and figuratively.”

Merida shook her head with a groan, befitting someone else back in Boston. “Sometimes I wonder why I’m friends with you.”

“Because there is no one you’d have more fun with at Fashion Week than me, and you know that’s true.”

“I’ve got to admit, it wouldn’t be the same if I came with... say, Ethan.”

“Yeah,” Tobias chuckled. “Back in Hopkins, I had to explain to him that JC Penney’s wasn’t a designer... and if they were... they wouldn’t even be a good one.”

“Oh, no!” Merida laughed.

“Oh, yes!”

“Ah... my Ethan,” she sighed.

“Your Ethan,” Tobias grinned mockingly. “See, you can’t make fun of me and Casey. You miss him, too!"

“He dropped us off at the airport two hours ago. I haven't had time to miss him yet. Tobias, a little time apart away from our partners is good. Just think about how you and Casey will pounce on each other after you haven’t seen her for a whole week.”

“Oh, there will be pouncing!" He growled. "Will you be pouncing, too?”

“We do plenty of pouncing," Merida countered. "But some of us have a little more decorum... we’re not as feral as you!”

“But that’s what you love about me!”

“Keep telling yourself that!”

“You know, for a work wife, you’re pretty abusive!”

Merida’s eyes lit up, and she put her magazine away for good when she found her opening.

“Speaking of wives... when are you making the upgrade with Casey, and why the hell didn’t you tell me about it in advance?”

Tobias's neck flung toward Merida, a look of horror in his eyes. “What! How do you know?”

“I’m not telling,” she teased.

“Ethan! I’m going to kill Ethan!”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.” Shoving his shoulder so hard he nearly ended up in the aisle, she admonished her friend. “How dare you leave me out of this! I wanted the two of you together from the start!"

"What!" He hollered, garnering the attention of everyone in the first-class cabin. After waving an apology, he turned to Merida with a lower voice. "You threatened my life the day you found out I was dating Casey; now you want to pretend you were a matchmaker?"

"Look," Merida dismissed. "I just had to make sure you weren't doing one of the hit-and-runs you were known for. Once I knew it was the real deal, I was all in. God, you're pissing me off, Carrick! I have half a mind to tell Bryce he’s my new work husband!

Tobias looked wounded. "You wouldn't!" he gasped.

“Want to try me?”

Realizing he had no choice but to dish, he began sharing the details with Merida... the ring he selected, when and how he planned to pop the question, and most importantly, how unabashedly happy he was. Merida was beaming with delight and offered some suggestions, which Tobias had to admit were just perfect. He said he should have told her from the start, and once again, he nearly ended up in the aisle. Then, when their conversation ended, Merida happily handed Tobias his phone back.

“What’s this?" He asked with confusion. "We’re nowhere near the three-hour mark yet.”

“I know, but you’re too cute. I don't have the heart to keep you two apart. Just keep your animalistic noises to a minimum, or I'll have that phone back in my pocket, but quick!"

“Thanks, Mer,” he smiled. "I'll try to contain myself."

“Good! And this is just for the flight! When we get to Paris, we’re all about fashion shows and shopping!”

“Of course, work wife,” he grinned. “You'll have my full attention in Paris. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Good, work husband,” she beamed. "As long as you know your place."

Tobias reached over and gave Merida's hand a little squeeze.

"And Mer... I may be on my way to being an old-married man soon but don't worry, you'll always be my bestie."

"Of course, I will," she smiled. "A friendship like ours never goes out of style."

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