Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
"I know, but I am getting old and my memory isn't as good as it used to be, so I need the constant reminders. Just so I don't forget." Flynn laughed softly and gave a small roll of her eyes, "and then there's just me who needs the constant reassurance," She teased, despite the hint of truth beneath that. "What I'm taking from that is that I have your permission to be messier." Flynn laughed and then shook her head, "You do love to find loop holes - maybe you should have been a lawyer?" She joked, "though honestly how much messier can it get?" again, not true considering he wasn't particularly messy. "I've heard of people toilet training cats, not sure how it would work for dogs though. Gizmo would need really good aim, but you're welcome to try and teach him to use the toilet." An eyebrow arched, "so it is actually possible? I don't think I've trained him anything so far other than when I unfold the blanket and put a glass on the table it's time to cuddle." It did make her laugh how the pup had learned her routine now for when she was home alone and would wage his tail and wait to be brought up onto her lap for cuddle time.
"Paper, rock, scissors?" Flynn chuckled again at the thought, "I doubt either of us will be awake enough to know how to form any of those options." Given how much Liam had woken her as a baby, and how it had felt the third time in a night she'd been woken. When her eyelids felt like lead and her limbs were concrete. "We'll take turns. Whoever gets up first tends to the baby, but not you all the time. Even if you have to smack me in the face with a pillow to make sure I'm awake." She grinned, gazing at him adoringly - he was so damn sweet. She knew some people would say that could easily all be words, but she believed he would really expect her to hit him. "Trust me, I won't let it be me all the time. I need my beauty sleep," She grinned. "I will take you up on that pillow threat though."
She burst out laughing at his strike a pose attempt but gave a little clap of encouragement, and then a wolf whistle. "Very nice... best show I've seen in a long time," She laughed again and gave Bruce a flirtatious look, though she had to admit she loved Bruce's broad shoulders and his arms. It was a thing - call it the woman's gaze as they did these days - men's hands and arms, there was something about them. With Bruce being taller than her and broader, she loved being wrapped in his arms. Or maybe her favourite thing was watching him pull off a shirt - something sexy about that too, the muscles in is back..."I know someone else in this room that would look damn hot in a short, short skirt." Her gaze stayed on his face, feeling warm from the heat of his gaze. "I can wear a short, short skirt for you anytime. You just have to ask." She teased. "Yeah, it would be the perfect time to rearrange the kitchen and pantry." Flynn tilted her head as she kept shuffling him backwards until they reached the bed, and then she made to push him down onto it. "I was thinking the bed might be a comfier choice, but we can rearrange the kitchen if you'd like." She winked, resting her hands on her shoulders as she looked down on him.
She smiled and returned his soft kiss, all but melting into him. "That could be because there aren't enough words to describe just how much I love you." Her heart seemed to swell to hear those words and she beamed at him, "Just know that I do, love you, that is." Flynn kissed him back again and then made a 'phew' motion, even with the slight rose tint to her cheeks. "Phew, I was getting concerned there for a second." She teased, "But just know that I do, love you too." She added softly, knowing he knew it but she would never get tired of saying it. She never wanted him to not think it.
"Anyone would think that you are insinuating that I'm messy." She put on an innocent look, "Would I do that..." She asked with a wondrous tone and then laughed. "I mean you could be messier... it would be tough but it's possible." She was still teasing though - he really wasn't that bad. And he was pretty good at cleaning up after himself when he made the mess. Besides, when he cooked such glorious meals she couldn't begrudge cleaning the kitchen up after. "We'll teach him to wipe his paws before coming inside." Flynn laughed again and tilted her head. "And to use the toilet too?" She asked, her mind jumping to the image as if it were possible.
Again she kissed him back, hoping she hadn't overkilled it with her little speech. She knew at some point they might argue - there would eventually be conflict, but that was good. In her mind, even if later she would be annoyed by it, at least it would show that Bruce cared, that he had an opinion about something to do with his child and wanted to have an input. "And I will be there, offering suggestions every step of the way. Doing all the night feeds so that you can sleep, and learning as I go." She smiled brightly and nodded, "I mean, I am not going to say no to that.." Her gaze met his and it was her turn to kiss him, "but we'll take turns with that. I can't have you doing all the night feeds either, that's not fair." She was a light sleeper and she knew she'd likely wake anyway. Liam had been a needy and demanding child, it had only helped drive a wedge between her and her ex when they were tired and cranky, but she already knew it wouldn't be like that with Bruce.
"I really don't think I can pull off the short skirt with my legs. If I was a dancer or a gymnast, sure, but these legs aren't designed for short outfits." Flynn laughed and made a point of looking down at his legs, her gaze slowly travelling up their length. "I don't know, handsome, you have pretty good legs to me." She loved any inch of him and she always thought he was sexy - though maybe a mini skirt was a bit far. "You know that I'd do anything for you though. If you find me the outfit, I would put it on just for you." Her grin turned devilish as she considered her options. "Mmm now that is an intriguing idea..." She murmured, wondering where exactly she could pick up a Navy uniform.. or perhaps that was too cliche? Flynn glanced at the watch curiously when Bruce did, "I've got a couple of hours before I have a class of youngsters to teach. We've got time..." Another slow smile spread across her face as she let her mind wander. "Oh really? Hours?" She raised a brow in interest and her voice lowered. "Well in that case I say we should definitely make the most of it..." She gently pushed against his chest to try and maneuver him backwards toward the direction of the bed.
"Have I told you how much I love you?" She beamed at him for reversing the words she used on him earlier - and many other times she'd said it. Tilting her head she pursed her lips, still not able to stop the grin all the same. "Hmmm, no I don't think I've heard it enough today." She admitted, and she was honest - she would never get tired of hearing him say it. She knew it was mushy and Liam even pulled a face when they were too slushy around him but Flynn didn't care a toss. She loved it, loved how comfortable Bruce was sharing his emotions, and thought it was an excellent role model for her son - to know he could be open, to know what a loving relationship looked like in one form.
Her smile was teasing at the huff. "The difference is that I can clean up after I've made a mess." She nodded in agreement and tapped his shoulder with one hand gently. "Yes you can.. can't you," She raised an eyebrow pointedly, the 'but do you' a silent add on. She was joking though - Bruce was surprisingly tidy considering his job and always considerate, she had no complaints about his house hold manners. "Gizmo on the other hand, would just sit there, looking as pleased as punch, waiting for us to clean the place up as though it was our fault." Which was true, though the pup was pretty good at not making tooo much mess for his age, "muddy paws aside, he could also be worse." She said softly; and the muddy paws more often than not came from her son playing with him in the garden.
"What you mean is that you'll make all the decisions and I'll nod as though I have any idea what we're talking about." Flynn smile still but shook her head. "No, I want you to help with the decisions, this is a 50/50 situation. Me and you together. My ex left me with everything in the end...alongside dealing with his sorry ass. I want us to do this as a team like we say - but that means you get your own input too." Which she may need the odd reminder on from time to time but she gave him a serious look, meaning every word. Bruce was so accommodating and easy going, she wanted him to be happy with their decisions not just go along with them. "Don't worry, I have no aspirations of becoming a cheerleader... well, I'll be your cheerleader any day, but don't expect me to wear a crop top and short skirt - I don't have the legs." She made a noise of interest and quirked a brow. "Not even in the bedroom? A private show sounds very interesting..." She grinned suggestively. "Why would you want to do that?" Flynn laughed softly as he pulled her close and she went willing, her arms returning to their hold around his neck. "Because otherwise I'll never let you go and I'll start getting ideas of what to do to you now I have you here..."
It was her turn to raise an eyebrow as he tried a mock serious face, not used to seeing look so firm. "Tough customer, huh? I'll need to work harder then." Flynn chuckled at that and gave a quick nod, "really really hard," She joked, and then she reached up to touch the corner of his lips, "No I can't do it, go back to smiling." Flynn teased. They had had serious conversations and all that, but Bruce always had such a lovely face; such warm kind eyes and a glorious smile that always made her want to smile too, even if she had a bad day. Even messing around it didn't look right to see him without a signature grin.
"Probably a good thing too." She smiled; good point, she knew dogs and especially puppies shouldn't be left on their own for too long. It was why she hadn't wanted to get one for Liam when they moved into the flat - it had been a cat, which had not then made the move with them but instead been gifted to an elderly neighbour who the animal had taken a shine to. Liam had been very grown up about it but understood. "I could only imagine what he would do to keep himself occupied." Flynn tilted her head as she continued to gently play with the hair at the back of his neck, absentminded. "Hmm probably not much more mess than you make in a day when you're bored." But it was an easy tease to make, Bruce was not the messiest one in the house.
"People always have unwarranted good advice. Even for horse owners who are buying the first pony for their children." Flynn gave a slight smile, well aware of people being opinionated from her time at the hospital - and even as a waitress - someone always knew better. "Well, this baby will be ours to make all the decisions on," She smiled, knowing she hadn't worded it quite right but that he would understand her point. It was going to be odd having someone beside her again to talk things through - Liam's life was very much in her hands compared to her and his fathers', but this baby would have two very present parents and she knew she'd have to remind herself of that. "Go team us!" Flynn laughed softly and couldn't help herself - she rose onto her tip toes to kiss him again, just too full of all the good emotions to hold herself back. "Just don't start getting out pompoms and making up cheers," She rolled her eyes playfully and then sighed quietly and she made to release him from her hold. Reluctantly. "I guess I should let you go now." Not that she was ready to.
"I know. And I plan to spend each moment together making you smile." Flynn laughed and then tried to put on a serious face, smothering the smile she had at the ready. He was too good at making her smile; probably because he made her feel so good. "I will try to make it more interesting for you, so you can bring out the big guns every once in a while." She teased, and then damn if a smile didn't just break across her face. She tried to catch it with a wrinkle of her nose. "Nope, not possible." She shook her head, pressing her lips together with a giggle. Nobody made her smile like Bruce did, nobody made her so inherently happy just by coming through the door. She hoped she always felt this way.
Flynn was glad she wasn't wrong about Gizmo and her assumption that him being good with Liam was a good sign he would be okay with the baby. "And he spends his nights in his crate, so we know where he is all the time." Flynn nodded, "he's rarely on his own, when you and Liam aren't here I usually am and he's always good." He didn't have accidents, he didn't chew things or make much mess. He followed her around a bit but she would often play with him, or pull him onto her lap for a cuddle if she was on her own with the pup. He certainly wouldn't be left alone with a baby in reach, just incase - even if he thought the baby was someone to play with. She trusted Bruce explicitly - if he said it would be okay, it would be okay.
She narrowed her eyes playfully as his look but she didn't want to let him go yet and his hands had to stay around her. Sometimes she couldn't fathom why she had thought she wanted to be single forever, she missed Bruce when he wasn't beside her; she sought him and his touch out when he was home, it was like a magnet. She scrunched her nose as he kissed it, a little spread of warmth from the touch of his lips. "I understand." She turned her face into the touch of his fingers, reassured by the words and caress. She hoped for good vibes only, and she would do everything to hold away the bad luck. "I've heard that the longer you keep it quiet, the less likely you are to get that not so helpful advice everyone seems to have." Flynn laughed softly and tilted her head slightly, "I think having had Liam that might negate the advice.. for me anyway. If I'm lucky. But I'm sure everyone will have something to say to you." She teased, though she had no doubt people would try to tell her what to do anyway. She reached up onto her tip toes to give Bruce a light kiss. "We've got this, go team parenting." She joked, though she had no doubts in Bruce's fatherhood abilities.
Flynn hadn't expected the cravings to hit her early on, but it had happened to her before with Liam and so she really should have seen it coming. Luckily, she wasn't in the mood for anything weird just yet - that would come later - but she felt like chocolate, and not just anything but a chocolate pastry. Starbucks seemed like the best option for that and so she'd dipped into the store on the way home from her shift. She'd started early today, and Bruce had kindly dropped Liam off to school; in thanks she had asked Bruce if he had time to meet her for food and have a little lunch date. He had said he'd be here shortly as she shot off a quick text to let him know she'd arrived and would source them a table.
For now she didn't grab her food yet, just ordering her and Bruce their usual choice of drinks and moving over to a table in the middle of the shop. Somewhere that Bruce could see her easily enough when he came in the door. She figured if they were going to eat together she was better off waiting to get her food until he arrived; otherwise it would be gone before he even got there. She sipped her drink - not coffee anymore sadly but a peach tea, refreshing and sweet enough to hit the craving of sugar. Flynn checked her phone again but was distracted by a sudden commotion up the front - a couple of young seeming boys were up by the counter, and it took her a minute to hear what was being said. As soon as she did, her blood ran cold and a hand subconciously settled on her still flat stomach in protection. "No body fucking move, Otherwise someone will get their head caved in or their throat slit. Your choice.....Open the til-ll... money in the bag."
She grinned as she heard his appreciative noise, glad he was interested. Though, she would have been concerned if he wasn't. She smiled as his forehead came to rest against hers and her look was one of pure adoration at him. "Well, I guess that's a bonus." She grinned wider, "It certainly makes things a lot easier," She agreed. "You had better get used to me looking after you. Because I'm going to be doing a lot of that over the next... forever." Her heart seemed to swell at the words and her fingers gently traced back and forth on the nape of his neck, a soothing gesture, enjoying the close intimacy between them in that moment. "Forever is a very long time," She warned, though for her she felt that Bruce was it - he was her forever.
She was happy to admit her inexperience with dogs, and was glad that Bruce had the knowledge that she lacked - and then some. "Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't." Flynn nodded, appreciating that he didn't try to sugar coat it and say it was a certain. "Has nothing to do with the breed, but their personality. I guess we'll find out as the months go past." Again she nodded, "okay, that's good to know... I like to think he'll be okay, he's such a sweet pup." He just seemed to want to please, and he was smart - he had cottoned on to things quickly in training and he had always been gentle so far when playing with Liam - even when her son riled the pup up a little and encouraged some rougher behaviour. If not, they would handle it - she trusted Bruce to know what to do.
"Typical woman! Blaming everything on hormones." Her mouth dropped open at his words, "Uhh I'm pretty sure it's men who like to blame our moods on our hormones," She countered, not that Bruce had been one to go down that route so far. She wasn't generally too much of a whiplash emotional person, but there were times when she would tear up at the slightly thing and felt a little more stressed over things that wouldn't normally get to her. "I'll tell the skywriters to stad on hold until I give them the word." Flynn rolled her eyes but gave him a soft look all the same. "I would appreciate that, thank you," She teased back, but relaxed again. It was not a fun thought - to tell family and friends only to let them know that the baby had then been lost a few weeks later. "I hope it won't happen but... you can never be sure," It happened a lot more than people thought.
"Promises, promises." Flynn's grin widened, her eyes narrowing a little, "That sounds like a challenge..." she murmured and she couldn't help but stretch onto her tip toes again, curling her arms tighter around his neck to bring his lips to hers again - putting just that little extra into the kiss this time. "And on the flip side... I can't get pregnant twice?" She waggled her eyebrows with a light laugh. "I love doing all the work, because then I know you have your feet up and are unwinding after a busy day." Her smile turned sweet instead of saucy at his words, and she gave an appreciative hum. "And that is why I'm going to rock your world - to make sure you know that I love how much you look after me." She hoped that didn't sound wrong - she loved looking after him too and tried to as much as she was able but he was such a care-giving kind of guy that it was hard to flip the situations. Plus... she really did appreciate it.
Flynn beamed at his show of pride and gave a nod, "Yes you can wear those traits with pride," She promised, she liked his organisation, it made her feel secure and safe. Some people rolled their eyes at it - predictability - but from Flynn's situation with her unpredictable and unreliable ex, she thought more people should think twice about 'spontaneous'. It didn't last, and it didn't mean jack when you rolled over in the morning and they weren't there, or when you had a hard day and they didn't support you. Bruce was there, she knew he always would be, and she found that seriously attractive. It showed her what a real man was meant to be like. "If need be, I'll build a dog run for him. A lot of dogs, cats too, are great around babies. Of course we won't let him jump all over the baby, but let's give him a chance to see his reaction before we make any decisions." She nodded, "I would never say that we should pass Giz on," She promised, the pup was part of the family, the second she had agreed to keep him that was that - through thick and thin. "But I was just wondering.. if dogs were usually good with babies or not, I've no experience with it." Though she'd seen how good Giz had been with Liam, Liam was older and more understanding.
She chuckled as his eyes misted, "Oh no not you too," She teased as she wiped away a tear of her own. "I can at least blame hormones," She added with a smile, blinking away the remaining threat of crying. "You say that now. I was the world's ugliest baby." Flynn pulled a face, "Uh oh, the poor child..." She shook her head dramatically. "I'll get mum to send the baby albums over so you can see what we could be looking forward to." At that, Flynn brightened, "Oh I would love that! Yes please!" And then she chewed her lip slightly, "I was thinking...maybe we should hold off telling people just yet.. until we hit three months? Just... just incase.." She didn't want to say it, she figured he would understand what she meant, but it still hurt to think about. It would hurt all the more if they had to tell people - she'd seen it happen.
She laughed openly at his disbelief, unable to help the cheeky grin at his expression. She loved their playful banter, and how it could easily tranfer to flirting and then back again to banter in a heartbeat; it kept her on her toes plenty, and then the next second he'd have her toes curling. "Do you even know how?" She tilted his chin slighlty in thought. "I think I have a pretty good idea," He quipped back, knowing she had earned his response. "I think I will enjoy having you woo me." Flynn laughed again and began planning ways that she could do all that, flowers... cups of tea.. a sensual foot rub. She hummed slightly as he eyes brightened with ideas. "I hope you're ready to have your world rocked." Or at least mildly nudged. "Well, that explains a lot." Flynn gasped, her own mock disbelief. "And do you not like doing all the work?"
"Maybe something closer to 'try and be spontaneous' at the top? Or better yet; 'google how to be spontaneous'." Flynn grinned and wound her arms around his neck so that she could gently rub against his shoulders in comfort. "Awe, it's okay handsome, I think planning and organisation are the sexiest traits a man can have." She winked, and that wasn't even a lie. Surprises were nice, but organised people were the best at doing them, and who really needed spontaneity? It didn't always work with her schedule to suddenly up and do something, and if an idea came to either of them and they wanted to do it, they planned it to happen when it worked anyway. "True, and Gizmo will always be full of energy." Flynn chuckled and nodded, "He will... wait, what about Gizmo with a baby?" She added, the puppy was doing excellent with his training but she knew some people didn't think dogs and babies mixed with good consequences.
His soft smile melted her head and her own mirrored his. "I think he will be a wonderful big brother. I'm proud of the fact that he is someone who isn't afraid to forge is own path in the world without seeking the approval of others, or the need to follow blindly what others are doing. And he's like that because he has an awesome mum who has shown him that it's okay to be himself." She blushed hard at the compliment and then she couldn't help but have her eyes fill a little, trying to blink away the water so she didn't actually shed a tear at his sweet words. "Thank you, that means a lot." She cleared her throat. "He grew up this way of his own volition though, I tried to steer him on the right path where I could but he's always been considerate and forged his own way. I'm glad for it though." Her own smile widened, "this baby is already so lucky, to have you as their dad."
"I feel that I'm becoming predictable... maybe I need to start playing hard-to-get?" She raised a brow at his suggestion and returned his soft kiss, lingering just a little. "Do you even know how?" She teased, Bruce was far too affectionate and easy to read to play that kind of game. "Or is it that you want me to woo you?" She added with a grin, "Because I can do that..." She had no problem with letting him know what she wanted. It had taken her a little time to gain confidence, rooting around for the scraps she used to have and fixing them together again. She had gladly let him take the lead in things, but especially since moving in, she frequently sought him out for whatever it was she was looking for. "Sounds like too much work." Flynn chuckled and reached up to kiss him again, taking her time with her kiss. "Thank God for that," She murmured when she pulled back, "You know I love it when you do all the hard work." She couldn't help but tease.
Flynn had a feeling that the playhouse idea was already taking off into some kind of epic children's fun house already - she could almost see the cogs turning in her boyfriend's brain and she knew without doubt that whatever he cooked up would be fantastic; and something the kids would absolutely adore. "I can wing it... with lots of organisation." Another laugh and she kissed his nose again, unable to help herself. "Yep, with 'be spontaneous' at number one, right?" She joked, though she loved him for who he was and would never want him to change.
She had to admit she was excited to take this step with him though. She had decided she wanted more kids, it just had to be the right timing - and she knew Bruce had been happy with the idea of kids. It might not have been planned but things were settled right now, and there was no reason not to have a baby. "As long as he doesn't think a baby is going to be as exciting and playful as the puppy, we should be alright." Flynn smiled and thought about her son and his potential reaction. "We have Gizmo for that, after all." She hummed slightly as she considered. "He's always been a little segregated, always taken himself off from other kids a lot of the time, but he's so creative with his play.. I think he might really like a sibling. Someone he can really be himself with, it might help him gain confidence too, to teach a younger sibling." She didn't worry about him being lonely as much anymore, Liam had friends, but he was always more of a one-friend kind of kid, not a gaggle, and hated being centre of attention.
She grinned at his appreciative noise, "I'll look forward to that." Her smile somehow widened, but she always loved how vocal he was about his feelings. She never had any doubt, and she knew if she somehow did that she could easily ask him and he would be honest with her. She didn't ask though, she didn't need to - she knew he loved her, and he showed her every day in all manner of ways. "I'd be worried if you weren't," She teased, kissing the tip of his nose.
"So, I need to build a playhouse. Should I be taking notes, or do we just wing it as time goes on?" Flynn laughed and then her expression turned thoughtful, "You know, a playhouse might be a sweet idea... even for Liam too." She was sure he'd enjoy it, "you don't strike me as the wing it type," She teased, raising an eyebrow. Bruce was such a calm and patient person, she felt like she'd come home tomorrow to him already halfway through a pregnancy book. She knew they could get some colourful plastic houses which would be easy to put up, but she would take anything; she knew the kids would enjoy it either way. Liam was an imaginative kid and enjoyed playing make believe quite a lot; the more props the better.
Feeling his hands on her butt, her lips played with a cheeky smile. Her arms lightly crept up to slide around his neck, linking her fingers together to stay close to him. She felt ridiculously needy in that moment and wasn't ready to let him go - or him to let go of her. "Yeah, I'll be the one running around like a headless chicken, panicking!" She gave him a sweet look, "And I'll find that simply adorable, but I know you'll still be the calm one between us." She teased. "How do you think Liam will take the news?" She honestly wasn't sure, and she tilted her head as she went through her knowledge of her son. "I've not talked to him about siblings before, it's never come up.. you're the first man I could see myself spending the rest of my life with, so until then, it's not been a topic. I hope he'll be excited to be a brother, but I can't say whether he'll be upset or not."
"I know, but don't let that stop you from reminding me." Flynn's smile widened and she kissed him again. "I'll be sure to remind you plenty later," Her smile became a little coy but she warmed thoroughly to hear his words "I love you too." She would never get tired of hearing it, or saying it too. She had always liked to express her love, to make sure it was known, and in return she always felt more secure when it was returned. She didn't need grand gestures or huge declarations of love, she just needed to hear it, to be held at night, to be kissed, to be told she was loved and she was happy.
She grinned when Bruce laughed, knowing he was picturing it too. "And you know if that's what was asked of me, I'd do it without thinking. Pinkies up!" She laughed at that and nodded, "I know you will, that's what's so funny about it - you'll be hunched over in some tiny little kids play house..." She laughed again at the picture of it, but she knew her heart would melt to see it. She loved seeing him and Liam play together as it was, he had roped Bruce into many a scenario and even picked him over Flynn sometimes when assigning roles. She was only ever happy about that though, that Liam had let Bruce so completely into his life.
"Yes, you." She rolled her eyes but in a playful manner. "And best you believe that I will make sure you are." Flynn chuckled and finally turned in his arms to face him, patting his chest with a hand and then resting both there against him as she looked up. "I know you will, and I'm glad you'll be there with me.. but I'm also glad I've done this before - I won't have us flying down to the hospital for every tiny twinge and camp that turns out to be nothing." She chuckled. She would have loved to be doing this together for the first time with Bruce but she'd never regret Liam - and she had worried at every time twinge or odd feeling that would always be nothing. Now she knew what 'nothing' felt like and when to be worried, it would make things that much less stressful.
"Not since we woke up." Flynn mock gasped, "How terrible of me, allow me to rectify that." She grinned and turned her head, pressing a soft kiss to the base of his neck. She didn't want to turn in his arms just now, even though his lips were tempting - it was sweet, with his hands on her stomach, even if there was nothing to feel just yet. "I love you... so much," She said with a smile - a soppy one at that. No way was she letting Bruce get away from her. He did a lot to prove himself to Flynn, and to look after her. She knew that he loved her, and she wanted to keep showing him the same. She loved him, more than anyone she'd loved before - she knew now that the love she'd had for her ex husband was not the same as she felt now. She wanted to prove to him how much she valued him, loved him, wanted him in her life. So damn soppy.
"Happy and healthy is great." She hadn't expected anything less - that was always the most important thing, and she would worry until the weeks passed and she knew she could find out for certain that everything was strong and developing as it should. "Maybe a girl? I'm sure mum said the girls were easier to handle than us boys." Flynn chuckled at that, "I can see it now.. you sporting badly painted nails playing tea parties in a plastic doll house..." She teased, though that was somewhat stereotypical she knew, but she also knew Bruce absolutely would do anything for a daughter. "Above all else, though, I want you happy and healthy." Flynn's smile was sweeter as she looked up at him. "Me?" She hadn't expected him to say that. She always thought of the child first, herself after. "I'll be fine." She promised. Liam's pregnancy had gone well without a hitch, and she was strong and healthy.
His grin lit up her world. She loved that Bruce was very much what you saw was what you got with him, the only thing she did know was that he was one of the good guys and she knew he would try to make her feel better first - it was why she wanted to know how he was feeling first, it was about him too, not her. She didn't like women that only thought about how pregnancy affected them. Of course it was a big thing, to grow a child, to have your body change so drastically, but once that part was done, it was the rest of their lives too - a responsibility forever, and the guy had to have a say in it too. She wanted Bruce to be sure, she needed to know he was happy and that grin spoke volumes, and then so did the nodding and her answering smile was wider. The thumbs rubbing against her arms helped as the trembling subsided and the nerves settled.
She let him take her hand and then she let out a surprised laugh as he spun her, turning on the spot until her back was to his chest. Her expression relaxed, her smile soft as his hands went to her stomach and her heart gave a squeeze at the gesture, going to place her hands over his and leaning back into his comfort. "We're a team." Flynn gave an involuntary shiver at the touch of his lips beneath her ear; a sensitive spot. "I will always be here for you." It was all she could do not to melt into a puddle at his words. It would sound stupid to say out loud but this was the kind of love Flynn had always dreamed of growing up, and over the years she'd began to think maybe it was just TV shows and movies, that it didn't exist. And then there was Bruce, and she vowed to hold on to this man and never let him go.
"Have I told you how much I love you recently?" Her own voice was soft, swallowing against the lump in her throat that threatened tears; happy one's. She settled her head back against the warmth of his chest, content to stay like this forever. "Are we thinking boy or girl?" Flynn considered having either for a quiet moment and then shook her head, "I would say girl, after already having had Liam.. but the idea of having a miniature you toddling about is too cute to resist." She gave a small laugh, "As long as they are happy and healthy, I don't mind what they are. What about you?" She asked, curious as to his answer.
She was still looking at him like she was holding an unexploded bomb - cautiously, like he could tick over and go off at any moment. She knew the next steps clinical-wise; a six week scan would be first just to check everything had start off as it should, she couldn't be more along than that considering she was pretty regimented at knowing herself - her cycles and everything in between. She couldn't help but babble a little as she tried to sound out what Bruce's feelings actually were, not the rest of it but whether he was happy or not, whether he felt okay about it or not. Then he put his finger on her lips and she shut up. "Unless we were going through IVF, I don't think there is a being ready."
Okay, so he had a point there. Even when people were trying it could take years to get pregnant, and you never knew when it was happening. "You know what I mean though..." She mumbled around his finger. It was one thing to want a baby and to be trying for one, versus sleeping with someone and happening to get pregnant - it was even more of a shocker when they'd been careful - you were asking for it a little being cavalier. "How do I feel? A little nervous, but so excited!" Flynn relaxed a little and returned his sweet kiss. "Yeah?" She asked, then was unable to help but add, "You're sure?" Like he didn't know how he felt. "How are you feeling about this?" What didn't she feel would be an easier question to answer. "I am... relieved.." Her answering smile was more relaxed as she admitted it, "that you're not freaking out," Her past experience had taught her that falling unexpectedly pregnant was a bad thing. "I'm nervous too, but.. I'm happy. I want to have a baby with you," She still couldn't shake the nerves, it was one of the ultimately times to be vulnerable and it was a scary thing. "I'm excited to do this with you." She said softly.
