winnie

A small grin formed on his lips, soaking in the scent of her shampoo and perfume as she nuzzled into him. "Well I am glad that beautiful girl gave that pretty boy a shot." He replied, giving her a wink and a smile as he then turned to finish loading the dishwasher with the plates from the morning's breakfast. If the kids weren't around he would have kept the flirting going, heck, he wished they had been in school already that morning but he was still happy to see them beforehand. "Yeah why not?," he asked about the truck, he figured driving the kids to school and then helping her with errands would be a lot more useful than him just going home and taking a nap. As the kids raced out the door to be the first one to the truck, with the dogs following them, he pulled her aside and wrapped his arms around her waist and giving her a deeper kiss than the one in the kitchen before they went outside to take the kids to school.

She blushed a little at Theo's words when he called her beautiful. Even after so many years being married, one look or one word from Theo had her feeling like it was their first date when he picked her up from her student housing when they finally decided to give dating a try after being friends. Nodding her head when he said why not, she shrugged a little and finished wrapping up the morning breakfast shift with him alongside her. After putting her shoes on and grabbing her bag, she was about to head to the car when Theo pulled her in for a kiss, her arms quickly going around his neck and kissing him back softly, her stomach turning into a butterfly nest "I love you so much" She mumbled into the kiss, wanting to make it last longer, but she could hear the kids in the garage "We... Should get these kids to school"

You're like a Christmas angel! I was just thinking about how I would have to watch the sales to see if I could find a new set for the winter classes, and now here you are. Thank you so much! I'll repay the favor with some pretty Christmas flowers for you. How's Lily doing with ballet, by the way? Does she love it?

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Black Friday angel fairy right here for you, Nar! You don't have to pay me back, honestly, with all the knowledge you've given me over the years, I feel like there's so much more I still need to pay back to you. Lily's doing great! She's very excited about the end of year recital they're putting on in a few weeks with her class, it's the cutest thing in the world.

WHO: Beck and @winniearcherb WHERE: Harmony Ranch WHEN: Sometime in November

Winnie spent as much time as she could at the ranch. Even if there weren't any injuries, check-ups or vaccinations she needed to give the horses, it was one of her favorite ways to unwind. After dropping the kids off at school, or dealing with teachers, her favorite thing to do was to grab the dogs and come here. The pups could run free with the other barn dogs and let their energy flow out, and there was something about the smell there that made Windsor feel at home. She was running her hand down the back of a pony, trying to feel for any sore spots, when she heard a familiar voice "Hey Beck! Nothing special, I saw Clover here moving a bit stiff today during her lesson, so I offered the girl who rides her a check-up... Just looking to see if there's any muscle tension which could mean something more... Oh, there" She dragged her finger tightly down the horses croup and the pony shifted, ears darting backwards, obviously confused about the tension "Wanna try it? You can definitely see what I mean, it's like a knot when you're giving someone a massage"

Hey, you! Oh God, I know that struggle all too well. I feel like Colton's done a lot better with keeping up with his assignments since he started high school this year, but I also feel like a lot of that has to do with him wanting to be be on good standing with the football team. But don't worry, we can be uncool together, why don't we try to set something up for them this weekend if Riley's got the homework done? Colton's just got football Friday night, but Saturday should work? Or next weekend sometime, during the holiday, even.

He's not too bad, but he's been having this phase where whatever I say is uncool, lame, and he's never gonna do it, so when I suggest him do his homework, it's the worst thing in the world and he will never ever do it ever in his life... Of course, Theo gets home and he does anything dad tells him. Mom? Absolutely uncoolest human ever. But I think that'd be good, Saturday could be something fun for them to do, like doing homework together before going out to play.

Theo loved coming home to the chaos of the mornings. Yeah he was beat tired, but he loved his family more and loved being able to be a part of the little things such as breakfast, or taking them to school. As Winnie leaned into him, he kissed the top of her head. "I think so," he chuckled a bit and nodded, "though I don't how the heck I got so lucky." He grinned as he rubbed the small of her back a bit. After finishing his plate, he took Riley's plate as well and placing it next to his own in the dishwasher. "Everybody got their lunches or are we buying lunch in school today?" He asked as he headed on to the front door to put on his shoes as he waited for the kids to grab their bags. Turning to Winnie, "and what about you? Can I drive you too?" He smiled as he grabbed his keys and jingled them a bit, which sent the dogs barking.

She looked up at Theo as he mentioned how lucky he was, reaching up to kiss his cheek softly and nuzzle his cheek "Mhm, turns out, the pretty boy in college was more than just a pretty face... Plus, everyone says you should marry your best friend, and that's exactly what I did" Winnie spoke softly, enjoying the moment of comfort and closeness with her husband she rarely got to have during the morning rushes. Watching the kids pack up their lunches and make sure they had everything ready, Windsor saw Theo picking up the keys to the truck "Oh, you wanna- Alright, let's make it a family affair then" She laughed when the dogs barked "Alright everybody, first one in dad's truck picks the music" She always knew how to get the kids moving.

Taking the plate of pancakes from Winnie, he smiled and winked, blowing her a kiss before leaning on the counter and taking a bite. Watching her as she picked the berries, he was in awe of her and the kids. He then turned his attention to his daughter who was rattling off her schedule for the day, to which Theo chuckled to himself. How much she reminded him of her mother, both in looks and personality. He then turned to Riley who was deep into enjoying his breakfast. Then he finally turned to Winnie as she spoke about his offer. Swallowing his bite of food and taking a sip of his coffee before replying, he nodded. "So I'll take a nap when we're done. I like taking the kids to school, and I kinda like being around you." He said playfully as he returned her kiss, placing both one arm around her waist while he took another bite of his pancakes.

Winnie looked at Lily, paying attention to what she was saying but also keeping Theo in her broader vision, happy to have him home for a while. She leaned into him when he wrapped his arm around her waist, letting her head rest on his shoulder and a small sigh escaping through her nose "Well, good thing I married you all those years ago, huh?" She joked, looking back at the kids "What do you say, kids? You want dad to drive you to school today?" She put her now empty coffee cup as she went over to Lily and grabbed the empty yogurt bowl, heading to the sink and placing it there, figuring she could wash it after.

As she leaned into the side of his head, he couldn't help but smile and feel those butterflies in his stomach. She could still make him feel them even after all this time, and he wouldn't have it any other way. After pouring the kids' drinks, he headed over to the coffee maker where he was able to smell the brewed coffee, and poured himself a cup from his #1 Dad Mug given to him from his kids one Father's Day. He laughed as his wife recounted her plans and subsequent teasing from their kids. Sipping the hot coffee, he smiled. "Well it seems like you three have a very full day ahead." He chuckled, as the dogs were sitting by the kid's feet, waiting for them to drop some food. "I was thinking, I can drive the kids to school and then I can drive you to give the dogs their tick and flea baths." He didn't have to drive the kids to school since they took the bus, but he also liked to when given the chance. That and he would always love to spend time with them and his wife.

She watched him move comfortably around the kitchen while she fixed him a plate of Riley's pancakes, these ones dad sized and not teenager sized, leaving him to get the syrup once their son was done with them. She grabbed a bowl of berries and started picking at them, not terribly hungry yet. Lily started running off about what she was gonna do in dance class this afternoon, and Winnie turned to Theo when he suggested he come with them "You wanna do the school run? You must be so tired, sweetie" She placed one hand on his cheek while leaning in to kiss his lips, Lily looking at them with stars in her eyes while Riley pulled a face and let out a quiet 'gross', making Winnie laugh.

Smiling, Theo leaned his chin on her should to watch as she cooked the kids breakfast. "If you're cooking then sure. Mhm, it was good, but I'm just happy to be home." Even after being married for 15 years, he was still so fully in love with her. She was the perfect puzzle to piece to him. He sniffed the aromas of the breakfast foods, then turned as he heard his kids come down the stairs and into the kitchen. Helping set up their place settings for the meal, he grabbed the juice and milk out of the fridge and poured whatever the kids had asked for. "So what's on the schedule for today?" He asked them, knowing Lilly probably had dance class and Riley had something else going on after school too.

Winnie smiled at his words "I'm happy you're home too" She said, leaning into the side of his head as she finished cooking. She really was, happy that he was home. She always was happy when he came home, not only because she liked being with him, but because with Theo's work, him coming back wasn't always a guarantee. On easy days, where no sirens were heard in town, yeah sure. But even after fifteen years, she was still scared before going to bed, her biggest fear of one of his crew knocking the door with tears in their eyes. She shook her head and snapped out of it when she heard the kids running down the stairs, quick to hug their dad before tucking in "Lily's got dance, and Riley's got soccer practice, I'm taking the dogs in to get their monthly tick and flea bath too, but I'll do that after they go" She answered, thinking he was talking to her, but both kids teased her and then continued talking to their dad, making her laugh and head over to the coffee machine to make her second coffee of the morning.

Starter: @winniearcherb and Theo Location: Browning household Time: Sometime early November 2023, morning time Theo's shift ended and after finishing up his paperwork, he couldn't wait to get home to his wife, kids, and dogs. After making the drive from downtown out to the coast of Merrock, he pulled into the driveway. Thankfully when his shift ended, it was right before rush hour so the roads weren't crowded and he hit little to no traffic. Picking up his duffle bag from the passenger seat of the car, and hopped out, making his way to the front door. As he approached, he could hear the dogs barking, though his kids were probably getting ready for school so no one was awoken by the loud noise. Getting inside, he tossed his bag and took off his shoes, walking into the kitchen where his wife was making breakfast. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Honey, I'm home," he replied kissed her shoulder.

Early mornings were a normal thing in the Browning household. Theo was usually not home yet, so she was the one in charge of getting the kids ready for school and making sure they had everything before the bus came to pick them up. While they got ready, Winnie made her way downstairs to finish packing their lunch and get their breakfasts going, Riley with his oatmeal pancakes with syrup and Lily's yogurt already in a bowl, a small portion of berries on the side to put on when the little girl came down the stairs. The barking dogs alerted her that Theo was back, turning her head around from the counter when he came in the door "Kitchen!" She spoke loudly, smiling as he came round and held her, her head turning again to plant a kiss on his cheek "Hey sweetheart, you want breakfast?" She finished zipping up the kids' lunchboxes and turned around on her feet, still in his arms, to wrap her own around his shoulders "How was the shift?"