[color=gray][right][sub]A [@BrutalBx] & [@Venus] Collaboration
Featuring Mr. & Mrs. [color=BFA65C]David[/color] & [color=C81935]Caitlin O’Hara[/color][/sub][/right]

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[indent][indent]The faint sounds of a Taylor Swift song could be heard echoing around the large kitchen of a spacious, craftsman style home at the dead-end of a cul-de-sac on East Edenridge. A redheaded young woman in teal shorts and a gray tank top could be seen by the white quartz kitchen island, singing along to the lyrics and transferring beautifully iced mini cupcakes into cardboard boxes with the precision of a surgeon. The countertop was lined up with these small white cardboard boxes, each containing six bite-size delights of assorted flavors. Meanwhile, nestled on her chest, safely tucked inside a beige cotton knit wrap carrier and seemingly unbothered by the music or the movements, was a small infant with hair as red as the woman's. 

As she took a moment to watch her daughter sleeping soundly on her chest, Caitlin O’Hara couldn’t help but be filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Ten years ago, she would have never dreamed of having the life she did now. David O’Hara, one of her brother’s best friends, had been her crush since she had figured out the definition of what the word even meant. She had swallowed her feelings for years, suffering in silence as he lived up to his casanova name breaking hearts along the way. She’d tried to push her emotions aside and move on with someone her own age, finding company in a short-lived relationship with soccer star and fellow classmate Marco Brady. But no matter how hard she tried to forget, her heart yearned for the tall, curly-haired basketball star with the charming smile and eyes of the most beautiful shade of blue. That was the only person out there in the world for her.

Her late night confession a few minutes before bringing in the new year and a shared kiss as the clock struck twelve were the catalysts for David and Caitlin’s relationship. The two continued to keep in touch throughout that semester, and officialized their relationship when the O’Hara son returned home for the summer after her junior year. Her parents and her brother had been furious at first, feeling that David had betrayed their trust by what they saw as him ‘romancing’ Cece behind their backs. The O’Haras, on the other hand, were mainly concerned about how things would go considering the four-year age gap between the young couple. And the one thing both families agreed on? That their children were rushing into something they were not really prepared for.

And yet, against all odds, Caitlin and David’s relationship strengthened by the day. The young man respected the boundaries set by the Clearys, and was able to prove to them that his intentions with Cece were serious and genuine. Meanwhile, Cece continued to demonstrate her maturity and level-headedness throughout it all, reassuring her parents that she had unyielding clarity about what she wanted and who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. During the holidays of her senior year, David gave Cece a gift she’d never forget by proposing to her. A month after her high school graduation and his college commencement, the young couple’s lives were forever united in marriage. They began their journey as newlyweds in a small apartment in Westwood, and eventually upgraded to their beautiful Eastbrook home when David scored his first big contract. Three years after their marriage, David and Caitlin had welcomed their first child into the world: John David O’Hara, a beautiful boy who was the spitting image of his father. And a mere twelve weeks ago, they had grown into a family of four with the arrival of the blue-eyed, red-headed princess named Lena Kate. 

As idyllic as things could look from the outside, like everything else, some days went better than others. There were plenty of struggles to be had by being a stay at home mother to two little ones under three years of age, with a husband working full-time and going away on business some nights, and trying to fulfill the duties of her small cake business. Sleepless nights, tears of frustration, time spent doubting herself and her parenting choices and wondering whether she was doing enough or even doing a good job in the first place were things the young mama struggled with some days. And yet none of that could sap away Caitlin’s happiness and her thankfulness for everything she had. Becoming a mother to two adorable children that were half her and half the love of her life and spending her days caring for her little family had always been her biggest wish. Nothing made her heart fuller than cuddling up in bed next to David with their daughter cradled peacefully in her arms, listening to her husband read a bedtime story to the sweet little mini-me on his lap.

It was the life she had always dreamed of.

[color=BFA65C]“Listen DeShawn: signing with me and the agency is going to be the best decision you’ve ever made. Trust me, I’m Irish.”[/color]

David O’Hara entered the kitchen of his home and immediately lowered his voice as he talked on the phone, not wanting to disturb the sleeping bundle of joy attached to his wife’s chest. Despite only having Len twelve weeks prior, Caitlin’s figure was amazing. She had spent a lot of nights with her cousin Bronagh at the gym working out with that goth girl, Reagan’s sister… Mei, that she went to high school with. Coming up behind his wife, Davey kissed her neck and gave her firm butt a light tap, earning himself a giggle and light swat from her. [color=BFA65C]“Yeah, that’s right: no luck but what we make. I’ll speak to you soon, D. Have a great day.”[/color]

After hanging up the phone, David kissed the top of his newborn daughter's head. [color=BFA65C]“I did it, kiddo: Daddy just signed DeShawn Marcus!”[/color] He pressed his lips to his wife-- of course she tasted like strawberries, and his heart fluttered lightly. After college, Davey had begun working for his aunt Carise, recruiting athletes and sportsmen for her prestigious school. It allowed him to be home every night whilst still being involved in the sports he loved. On the side he also did some recruiting for a few agencies that would pay him a nice fee. One such agency was desperate to land linebacker DeShawn Marcus on their team, and using as much of the old O’Hara charm as he could muster, David had landed the coveted deal. [color=BFA65C]“That’s our next vacation paid for.”[/color] He grinned.

[color=C81935]“Maybe in five more years,”[/color] Caitlin was quick to joke with a grin of her own, pulling her husband into a tight side hug to avoid squishing their baby in a frontal hug. [color=C81935]"I knew you had it in the bag, baby. Congratulations!"[/color] she told him sweetly, standing on the tips of her toes to reach up and kiss him on the lips again. [color=C81935]"I’m so damn proud of you."[/color]

And she meant it. For as far as she could remember, David had always stressed about disappointing not only his parents and her, but most importantly: himself. They'd had plenty of long conversations throughout the years about his fear of not living up to the high expectations set by his father, and the worry of having to settle for always living in the shadow of the pillar of Edenridge society that was Coach John O'Hara. Thankfully, with his talent, hard work and determination, David had managed to build his own path in life, allowing him to shine under his own light. He brought pride to every person that cared about him, and continued to do so every day with his actions. When Cece said she was proud of him, she wasn't just talking about David the athletic talent recruiter. She was talking about David the husband, David the father, and David the man. She couldn't have chosen a better life partner even if she'd tried.

[color=C81935]"And to prove that I never doubted you, I made you this."[/color] Caitlin declared as she pulled out a small box out of the fridge and placed it on the counter in front of David. [color=C81935]"Go ahead. Open it."[/color] She instructed her husband, anticipation and excitement painted all over her freckled face.

David did his best to feign surprise but if there was one thing he knew about his wife, is that if she could find a situation to bake, his woman was gonna bake. He flipped open the simple white box that she had handed him and a smile spread across his handsome face like wildfire. [color=BFA65C]“Babe…”[/color] Of course she had outdone herself. He wasn’t expecting anything less from Caitlin. The [url=https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0023/6797/9619/products/shamcake.jpg?v=1677802667&width=1024]cake was beautifully decorated in white frosting with little green shamrocks, golden pearls[/url] and a congratulatory message, and no doubt beneath its breathtaking visage, it would be a mixture of all of his favorite flavors; Madagascan vanilla and fresh strawberry. [color=BFA65C]“This is amazing, kiddo. Thank you.”[/color] He kissed CeCe again, pushing a strand of her bright hair behind her ear as he did. 

[color=C81935]“You’re welcome,”[/color] she told him sweetly, letting one of her hands tangle itself in the curls on the back of his head, pulling his head down towards her and locking her lips on his in a slow, deep kiss.

The feeling of movement inside the carrier cut hers and David's kiss short (a common occurrence since having their first child), and Cece peered down at her chest to watch as baby Lena's eyes slowly blinked open. [color=C81935]"Hi, baby!"[/color]  Cece cooed brightly with a soft smile to the squirming little one, planting gentle kisses on her ginger-haired head. [color=C81935]"Did you have a good nap? I bet you did: you slept for nearly two whole hours!”[/color]  she said excitedly, bouncing the baby a few times. [color=C81935]“Mama’s [i]very[/i] happy about that. And now daddy’s back home to hang out with us! Doesn't that sound like fun?"[/color] 

David lowered his gaze to his bouncing beautiful baby girl, Lena Kate (named after [url=https://64.media.tumblr.com/cfe26a64bce27f8b30fe49b139fc8cfd/63519f0d7416a6d1-f6/s400x600/6ce90ecb79ff751cb0906b82e207584da6690d58.gif]his favorite cousin[/url]) and booped her tiny nose. Seeing his little girl smile from ear to ear warmed his heart like nothing else possibly could. Becoming a father was David’s purpose, it was what he was put on this Earth to do. He had spent much of high school wondering what was next for him, what path was the right path. Being with Cece and having kids with her, becoming a Dad and a Husband: that was everything he ever needed and wanted. [color=BFA65C]“The most exciting thing about growing up, LK, is getting old enough to try one of Mommy’s cakes and then earning one just for yourself when you accomplish something. And I know you will accomplish greatness.”[/color] Davey moved his hand stealthily, distracting his stunning wife of nearly six years from his hand grabbing firmly onto her rear. [color=BFA65C]“Speaking of cake…”[/color] He teased her. [color=BFA65C]“How goes the baking for Beau’s thing?”[/color]

The firm, suggestive pat on her behind brought up a flush of color to Cece’s face, and she quickly retaliated with a smack of her own against her husband’s rear. David being the very physical type had been a quality she’d both loved and absolutely despised in the past. After all, how would anyone feel watching their crush parading around with their hands all over somebody else? Now that she was on the receiving end of it? She couldn’t get enough of it, even if it still made her blush most times.

[color=C81935]"I'm actually almost done!"[/color] Cece announced proudly, gesturing to the array of open boxes spread out across the kitchen island. [color=C81935]"I was packing the cupcakes into the boxes when you walked in, so all I have left to do is finish that up, close them, pack them up and take them over to Beau and Colleen's,"[/color] she explained. [color=C81935]"By the way: remind me to bake two dozen cupcakes this week if you can, please. If it hadn't been for our parents taking JD for the weekend and Lena coming in to help with LK for a few hours yesterday I wouldn't have been able to get anything done."[/color]

Marrying into the O’Hara family had come with the blessing of being able to expand on the amount of beautiful individuals who loved and cared about her and her children as if they were their own. From the day Cece found out she was pregnant, both her blood and marriage families had gone out of their way to assist her, David and their kids in any way they could. They made sure they were fed, that their house was clean, that they had time alone for themselves separately and as a couple. Anything they needed, the young couple knew they had a large support system they could count on. When people said it took a village to raise a child, they couldn't be more correct. 

[color=BFA65C]“Yes ma’am.”[/color] David made his way over to their fridge and picked up a small sharpie that sat on the counter. [color=BFA65C]“I’ll add it to my list.”[/color] He began to scribble onto a whiteboard attached to the fridge. [color=BFA65C]“[i]Remind Caitlin to make two dozen cakes[/i].”[/color] It was the last in a long line of reminders and other notes that Davey had written for himself; things which included the likes of calling clients, gym time, shooting hoops with Clay, the best times to call Jamie since she was currently teaching in New Zealand. Unfortunately, David O’Hara had the memory of a goldfish, so the list and the board was a necessity in his house.

Returning back to his wife, Davey cupped her pretty face and kissed her softly, watching her beautiful blue eyes flutter at his touch. [color=BFA65C]“People are gonna love these, kiddo. You’ve outdone yourself.”[/color] He lowered his hands and retrieved his daughter from her carrier, taking her into his arms as she let out an adorable yawn. [color=BFA65C]“Oooh, big yawn.”[/color] He cooed and he rested her over his shoulder.

Her little blue eyes widened as Mongo, the family’s British Bulldog, waddled into the kitchen causing Lena Kate to burst into a giggle. [color=BFA65C]“Mongo, I swear to God: you touch Mom’s cakes, I'm sending you to Sabrina for a ritual sacrifice.”[/color] Duke joked with the pooch, making his wife laugh while his daughter cooed at the dog. [color=BFA65C]“It’s gonna be weird seeing everyone without their kids for a change. Clay and Sab without Lilly, JJ and Cameron without Jasmine. Probably give Beau a heart attack, make him feel ancient if we all turned up with the next Elite.”[/color]

[color=C81935]"Can't say I'd blame him. It makes [i]me[/i] feel ancient just thinking about it,"[/color] Cece replied with a chuckle. It wasn't often that she had time to sit down and think about it, but it was hard to believe that, not too long ago, her, those David had mentioned and others in their circle were all highschoolers worried about relationships, friendships, grades, parties, competitions, getting into the colleges of their dreams... How they were now responsible for caring for and raising little humans and the ways the children had changed them was a remarkable thing to see.

[color=C81935]"But you know who'll be making bank today? [i]The babysitters[/i]. With how many students Beau has impacted throughout the years that have had at least one child by now, I'm sure every sitter in town's booked for the day."[/color] The woman commented, adding as an afterthought, [color=C81935]"Thank God for your Pinehurst family, Davey. You know I hate to be away from the babies for a while-- especially with Lena being so little and all. But damn if it doesn't make me feel better that I'm leaving them in good hands."[/color] Learning to let go and trusting their support system with the care of their children had been one of the hardest things for Cece to get used to as a mom. With John David, it had taken nearly nine months until she was ready enough to do something as little as go to the grocery store to get baking supplies without him. This go around, with her second baby, it was easier. Today, twelve weeks after birthing her, would be the first time leaving LK under the care of her namesake without Cece being around. With Lena Clearwater's first pregnancy going swimmingly, the blonde was trying to get all the experience and practice she could before bringing her own little cowboy into the world.

[color=BFA65C]“I wouldn’t thank God yet, kiddo.”[/color] David raised LK in the air like an airplane and smiled as the little girl belly giggled. His O’Hara blue eyes locked with his daughter's-- a mirror image of his own. [color=BFA65C]“If my auntie Carise is there, then LK is going to end up a multi-gold medal winning Olympian before the end of Beau's party.”[/color] Davey’s usually deep voice shifted in tone into one playful and childlike. [color=BFA65C]“Isn’t that right, baby? Auntie Carise is gonna make you a star, that’s right. And when you need representation Daddy will make millions off of you. Yes he will. Oh, yes he will.”[/color]

Of course, he was kidding. His mother's youngest sister had mellowed over the years, and wasn’t always trying to force the family into high-stakes sports careers so she could make a fortune now. Instead, she was happy as a grandma to be with Lena and [url=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BODYzYTZjNDctNWQzOC00NTQwLWI2NTEtYjA3OWUyNzkzZDllXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzQ5NzUzODY@._V1_.jpg]her husband Brad[/url] expecting. [color=BFA65C]“I can drop her off in PH by the way.”[/color] David returned his attention to his beloved wife. [color=BFA65C]“You focus on the party and catching up with some old faces. I wanna swing by Blue Hill anyway. I heard through the grapevine about some baseball prodigy there and I wanna get in before anybody else.”[/color]

Cece could feel her smile dim. [color=C81935]“Will you be back in time for the party?”[/color] she asked her husband, looking up at him with puppy dog eyes. While she was always grateful for his initiative and would never get in the way of his work, she also didn’t want to go to a party without him.

[color=BFA65C]“I absolutely will be.”[/color] David smiled brightly as he booped his baby girl's nose again, and she let out the cutest little giggle. [color=BFA65C]“I’m hoping it doesn’t take too long but you never know.”[/color] He placed LK down onto her car seat which sat nearby before turning and wrapping his stunning redhead of a wife up in his arms. He picked her up off of the floor before sitting Cece down on the kitchen counter. [color=BFA65C]“Don’t worry babe, I’ll be home before you know it.”[/color] Davey placed his hands on either side of Caitlin’s cheeks and offered up a warm look of deep love. [color=BFA65C]“Cross my heart and hope to die.”[/color]

[color=C81935]“Good. Because Lena said she could take both the kids until tomorrow, and Rhett said he’d take Mongo for the night. So that means we’ll have the house for ourselves as soon as we come back from the party…”[/color] she trailed off with a suggestive smirk and raised eyebrows, shooting her husband a mischievous look that spoke volumes about what intentions she’d had when she was making these sleeping arrangements.

[color=BFA65C]“Have I ever told you that I love the way you think, Mrs O’Hara?”[/color] David knew exactly what Caitlin was hiding behind both her words and her big blue-green eyes. It had been a while since they had been intimate, nothing new to the parents of two young kids and a fur child. Lena Kate was only twelve weeks old, so there was still an air of sensitivity to their world. If his cousin was willing to take the kids earlier, Davey could get back to the house whilst Caitlin was out and decorate for some romance. He wanted to treat his wife like the Goddess she was, which meant some great cheesy tropes needed to be put in play. Flower petals, candles, some soft rock power ballads. He was sure that her uncle Lance probably had a mix he could borrow.

The redhead chuckled and shrugged her shoulders, her slender arms wrapped around her husband. [color=C81935]“I think you might’ve said it in passing before,”[/color] she joked, looking up at the man with eyes that mirrored the same amount of deep love and affection that she saw reflected in his.

Smiling, David leaned in for another kiss from his best girl. [color=BFA65C]“I love you, Cece.”[/color]

The young woman’s heart melted inside her chest, and tears of happiness momentarily blurred her line of sight. Those words always sounded like music to her ears, lifting her spirits and making her feel nearly invincible. [color=C81935]“I love you more, Davey. Always and forever.”[/color] She declared fervently before pulling her husband into another kiss.
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