“Now to go get new clothes!” Azalea sang as they exited the goblin smith’s shop. She was happy and a bit amused, watching Chitchat walk unsteadily trying to acclimate to her new accessory. “Yes, we’ve had enough distractions for one day,” asserted Reina. “We have a bit of a walk,” groused Chitchat. “This way.” The job Chitchat had anticipated to be simple was proving more than she and her rear had bargained for. She rubbe...

The trio made their way back to the bustling ring of the shopping district, stopping in front of a statue of what must have been some iconic blacksmith when Devin turned to the girls. “I have a shop I want to visit. I thought of a few presents I wanted to buy the two of you. Do you mind getting a head start and finding a seamstress? Oh, and Azalea, can I borrow the drawing you did of… my… er… me?” Azalea gave him a quizzi...

On the day Darren was to arrive home, he let me know he'd made dinner reservations for three at his favorite restaurant. It was a fancy place, one I couldn't afford to frequent even when I had a job. No longer feeling the need to be modest, I chose a black dress with a plunging neckline. To say my cleavage was ample would have been a huge understatement. Once I'd gotten ready, I waited until I heard Darren's car out front...

Holding my blouse together, I moved to sit on Darren's couch. Carter, meanwhile, remained standing, as if waiting for permission to join me. With a shy smile, I granted it. "Darren likes to rest his head on my lap while we do this, but if you'd prefer another way..." "No, that's perfect," Carter quickly assured me, "as long as you're comfortable." Moments later, he laid his head down on the pillow I'd placed in my lap. I...

After dinner, Devin retired for the night. His footsteps faded up the stairs and left the girls alone with Ellyn and her father. Ellyn sat down after having finished cleaning up dinner, sewing kit in hand, and set to work mending some shirts. Without pausing, she asked Devin’s ladies, “So, how’d you two enjoy your day on the farm?” “It was so much fun! I'm sad we can’t stay longer,” Azalea replied as she unbraided her hai...

Without thinking, I took my hand from Darren's. That subtle gesture made him appear stricken, and he rushed to say, "It's only a suggestion, Gale. I absolutely understand if you're not interested in doing that." I didn't tell him no outright. Instead, I racked my brain for another way. "Wouldn't it be easier if I went with you? I could stay at the hotel while you're working." Darren set his mouth in a grim line. "I wish I...

Upon hearing the news, Darren told me he was leaving work and would be at my apartment as soon as he could. While impatiently waiting, I was overcome by the irrational fear that my milk would dry up before he arrived. I busied myself with stripping out of my clothes and putting on the robe Darren loved. A short time later, he knocked on my door, then immediately opened it to let himself in. We stood in my living room, our...

Ever since Stella first saw it, she had wanted to learn magic. She could still remember her first magical experience at only five years old, witnessing an astral magician manipulate the lights of the constellations themselves. While the magician wasn't truly changing the position of the stars it truly looked as if he was, the lights bouncing and dancing around if they were merely toys to him. Constellations twisted and tu...

My son is finally sleeping! Everyone likes to tell you how rewarding, but exhausting, being a new mother is. And to be fair, they are right about that. But it’s still hard to understand the depth of that simple statement until you experience it first-hand. Watching my little six-month-old boy sleep for a moment before I leave his room warms my heart more than I ever would have imagined. But then as soon as I step out of h...

The following morning dawned with an air as if the previous night's escapades were nothing but a fever dream. Breakfast passed with amiable chatter, both Taylor and Bella wearing masks of normalcy as Aunt MJ presided over the meal with her usual mixture of love and sternness. Once the meal was finished, Taylor excused himself to begin his day’s labor on the farm—a routine he knew well by now, each task grounding him back...

Connor had been an Uber driver for several years. It was a great way of making ends meet whenever the day job slowed down or if he needed some extra cash, and occasionally made for some interesting stories too. Ever since Connor had given up drugs and alcohol, his life had become rather mundane. Which was admittedly what he had hoped for when he decided to start living a healthy lifestyle. Alcohol and drugs had only ever...