Somehow I’m All Three Of Them

dorcxsmdws​:

@alicelxngbottom

She was grateful for people like Alice – the ones who both knew her and that she could still speak publicly too.  The event had just begun, and people were still milling in the main room when she spotted Alice from across the dance floor.  Grabbing a glass of water and a cup of champagne for herself she walked over to where she was standing – she passed her the water and smiled.  “A nice turnout, don’t you think?  And still so early in the evening.”

She didn’t know Alice well, not really.  She had worked with her.  She trusted her.  But she didn’t know her – she didn’t know her favorite color or how she took her tea or her third favorite dragon.  It was a small distinction, but it was an important one for Dorcas, who had never been great at opening up to most people.  “How are you doing?  I’m sure it’s a bit uncomfortable, but there are lots of people who are glad you made it, I’m sure.”

...

Alice was grateful for her status as a pureblood cousin of Bellatrix Lestrange that got her an invite to this party, but she was wishing (not for the first time) that Frank were back from his mission and here with her. As an Auror and a high ranking member of the Order, Alice was no rookie when it came to dangerous situations, but the eight month bump she was sporting made her feel exceptionally nervous about the mission she knew her fellow Order members were currently executing. Somehow she had managed to avoid suspicions about her loyalty from her father’s family, and with her firstborn child about to arrive, it seemed necessary to keep things that way. But if something were to go wrong and one of the Order members were caught, Alice knew she couldn’t just stand by and watch.

So she was feeling a little on edge as Dorcas Meadowes approached her with a glass of water in hand. Relieved for a bit of company (especially from one whose position was similarly delicate), Alice smiled in welcome to the younger woman. Gratefully taking the water, Alice nodded. “I’m glad to be here too,” she replied quietly, her gaze once more sweeping across the crowd for any familiar figures. “I know I’m not much use right now, but it feels good to just be here.” She motioned to her belly with a slight laugh before turning her gaze back to Dorcas. “How are you? I’m sure this is all very nerve wracking for you.”

I Dream. Sometimes I think that’s the only right thing to do.

Haruki Murakami, from Sputnik Sweetheart (Alfred A. Knopf, 2001)

Zooey Deschanel as JESSICA DAY NEW GIRL (2011-2018)

TED LASSO (TV Series 2020– ) ➼ Episode #2.6: The Signal 🖕

@alamoody​

“I don’t need your help.”

Alice rolled her eyes as Marlene stumbled away from her, her words slurred together. "Right, sure, I know you're used to getting yourself home when you're pissed drunk, but Rosmerta called me to come and get you, so I couldn't very well leave you."

Alice had gotten the gist of why her friend had sought refuge in the bottle from Ivy, who had heard enough to put it together. "Meadowes" "bitch" "she wrecked us, not me" "I'll show her disaster". Alice had known full well that Dorcas was going to do this, and as much as it hurt to see Marlene in this state, she knew that she had to keep quiet. It had been Dorcas' decision to do this in order to keep Marlene safe, and Alice could understand that. She wouldn't jeopardize that, even if Moody wouldn't kill her for it.

"Come on, love, you can come home with me. I'll kick Frank out of bed and hold back your hair whenever you need to bring this all up." She knew that it would be a long night, and an even longer morning when Marlene's soberness returned, but Alice would be there through it all, for as long as Marlene needed her. And between her, Lily, and Mary, they might just be able to patch Marlene up enough to keep her moving forward.

frxnkislong​:

“Alice,” he wanted to laugh.  Not because he didn’t take her concerns seriously, but because it was such a ludicrous thought.  She was going to be the greatest mom of all time.  Anything less had never even crossed his mind.  But he didn’t laugh.  He sat there with her for a long time, simply searching for the thoughts that would make this okay.  “you already have a gaggle of twenty-somethings that look at you like a sort of parental figure, and you do brilliantly with them.  This kid is going to be the absolute luckiest because he has you as a mom.”

He didn’t think that there was anything he was going to truly be able to say to sooth her fears until she got the chance to meet him.  “I’m sorry I had to go for so long, I’m sure that didn’t help.  But I’m here now, okay?  And we’ll figure it all out together.  We’ve always been a team, we’re just bringing in a new member – probably he’ll take my spot as the cutest, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”  He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.  “You’ll be brilliant, I swear it.“

...

Alice shrugged, knowing that she was being ridiculous but unable to turn off her worries. “Yeah, but a bunch of twenty somethings who are fighting in a war is a way different game than a baby.” It was ridiculous, because Alice had been lucky enough to have incredible parents, unlike all of her cousins and so many of her friends, so really she shouldn’t have this fear. “It’s just that I’ve been an Auror for so long that I don’t know anything else. What if I hate being a mum? Or what if I love it so much that I don’t want to be an Auror anymore?” 

She wanted to squirm away as he kissed her head, but forced herself to stay still, knowing that it might hurt his feelings. Alice loved that Frank was so quick to show his affection, but in moments like this, she just wanted to hide, not be loved the way that Frank never failed to love her. When she spoke again, her voice was just a whisper. “And what if something happens to us? Or to him? We’re in the middle of a war, Frank.”