That one time I convinced Carter and Donovan do something normal couples do.
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I'm nearly bouncing by the time the door opens and Carter and Donovan walk through. At the sight of my obvious excitement, Carter turns around but Donovan catches her arm before she can leave.
"Okay, I'm really glad you came," I say.
"Yes, I can tell because you look like you're going to pee yourself."
"Carter, blunt as ever but I will forgive it because today you are going to do..." I jump once and do jazz hands. "Thirteen Questions for Couples!"
"No."
Carter starts to leave again but I race to the door and plaster myself against it. Like it would do anything. If Carter wanted to she could throw me aside with her pinkie finger. But I stand my ground. Which I think takes a lot of bravery, and a touch of stupidity, on my part.
"You can't leave. You're going to do this. Come on. It will be fun," I say.
Donovan looks skeptical while Carter crosses her arms and stares me down. Wow, she really has that penetrating-I-could-rip-out-your-throat glare down.
"I'm not doing a TikTok trend."
"Well, it's not for TikTok it's for my Reels on Instagram."
"Same thing."
"I'm not going to play into your need for approval and acceptance. You have worth without the number of followers or likes you get, if you can't see that then that's on you. But I won't support something that could be damaging to your own view of yourself."
Ouch and awe!
"I'm not doing it for that. Honest. I saw this trend and I simply thought it would be fun. I won't even post it if you don't want me to. Please."
Carter looks to Donovan. It's heartwarming to know that she at least cares about one person's opinion. Even if it's not mine. Which I don't care about...psssh it's not hurtful at all.
"Joy's had a really hard week," Donovan says. "I say we do this."
Carter takes in a deep breath and lets it out. "Fine. We're only doing this because you look awful and we feel sorry for you."
"Great! It's how I get most things in my life right now. I really play up the I'm in constant pain card, works wonders! Now you two sit in those chairs."
As they sit, I hurriedly set up my phone knowing that the window of opportunity with Carter is rarely open for a long time.
"Okay," I say. "I'm going to ask the questions and all you have to do is point to the person that fits the answer. Super easy. Now, who overthinks everything?
Carter points to herself while Donovan points to himself. They look at each other.
"Carter, there's no way you overthink more than me," he says.
"Of course I do."
"No, you act without thinking."
"I do not-"
Donovan raises his eyebrows at her and she stops.
"Next question," she says.
I grin. Oh, this is going to be amazing.
"Who showers less?"
They both point to Carter. She shrugs.
"I hate showers."
"Who's always eating?"
They both point to Donovan and he grins at Carter. She laughs and pushes his head like he's annoying but in an adorable way. They are way too cute!
"Who has nicer butt?"
"What?" Carter says. "I am not answering that."
Donovan merely points to Carter. She smacks his finger away.
"That is an inappropriate question," she says. "We're moving on."
Probably but what was a great response.
"Who is more possessive?"
They both point to each other.
"You're joking," Carter says. "Do I need to list the times when you've been possessive?"
"Carter, we can't even go the gym without you glaring at every girl we pass. Admit it, you are far more possessive."
She crosses her arms. "Next question."
Hehe, this is amazing. I should have done this ages ago.
"Who drools more?"
Again they point to each other. Donovan stares at Carter pointedly and she rolls her eyes before pointing to herself.
"Who is the better driver?"
They both point to Donovan.
"But that's only because he was driving since he was twelve," Carter says. "Otherwise I swear I would be better than him."
"Not true, you drive like you're competing against everyone."
"So I drive assertively."
"No, you drive aggressively, there is a difference."
"Fine. Next."
"Who curses more?"
They both point to Donovan. He shrugs.
"Grew up on a Marine base. Couldn't be helped."
Though technically I've only heard Carter cuss so that is interesting.
"Who always sleeps in?"
They both point to Carter so quickly there's no dispute. Which makes sense, she's never been a morning person. Didn't Donovan have to drag her out of bed at one point? Whatever, moving on.
"Who is always on their phone?"
Again they both point to Carter.
"In my defense, Donovan reads. What else am I supposed to do."
"You could read," Donovan replies. "I have a million books for you to choose from."
Carter waves away his offer.
"Who has the worse singing voice?"
Surprisingly, they point to themselves.
"Donovan, you've heard me sing."
"Yes and you can keep a tune, I can't. I'm constantly flat."
She smiles and runs her fingers through his hair. "Yes, but hilariously so."
"Next," Donovan says.
"Who takes the most selfies?"
They both look at each other then back at me, neither holding up a finger.
"I take pictures of Carter but we rarely take selfies."
"You take pictures of me?" Carter asks.
"You ask that like you don't know. Of course I do. All of my photos are of you, what did you expect? What are your photos filled with?"
"I don't know ones that Maggie sends of Captain and Danny and her. Or ones Maddy sends of her and Link. Sometimes your mom will send my baby photos of you. Mason often sends me photos of him flipping me off because he's bored. I don't go around taking pictures of you. I want to see what you have of me."
"No, I'm not showing you those photos."
"Why can't I see them?" Carter asks.
"You'll make fun of me for them."
"I will if you don't show me."
Donovan mutters something and hands her his phone, which she unlocks with her thumb.
"Your phone has her thumb registered?" I ask.
Donovan stares at me as if I'm dim-witted. Which compared to them I kind of am.
"Of course, she's my wife. What would I have to hide from her?"
"You mean besides the photos you've taken of her?"
To my shock, Donovan shifts as if he's embarrassed. Carter is silent beside him, scrolling through his photos. She says nothing as she hands it to him and she meets his eyes. There's something soft and awed about the look she gives him. Their moment of quiet affection plays into my hand and I snatch the phone from Carter.
Donovan wasn't lying, all the photos are of her. Carter sitting at her desk across from him reading a report. Carter laughing at something his brothers are saying. Carter asleep, the morning light falling over her. Carter biting her nail as she reads a book. Carter staring at him with her eyes narrows as if she'd not amused by him taking a photo. Carter at the gun range aiming at a target sheet. Carter curled up next to him, asleep.
The phone is snatched away and I'm pinned down by two fierce glares.
"I didn't see anything," I say. Before they can kill me, I ask the last question. "Who is the lawbreaker?"
"We both work for the FBI," Carter says.
"We uphold the law," Donovan says.
"Okay, we're done here."
"Joy, you got what you want. We are never doing this again.
They stand and head for the door. Before they leave, they turn back.
"Don't post this," Donovan says.
"Or we will become lawbreakers and break you."
"I won't post it," I say. They close the door. "Until you're gone." I grin and upload.
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Hahaha!! Hi munchkin!
I really hope you enjoyed that because I did! Let me know your thoughts about it all! 💭💬🗯
Not going to lie, interacting with Carter and Donovan is always fun and interesting. Even if they don't like me all that much, it's fine. I'm a bit odd for them!
On the topic of odd, I posted the first chapters of my book The It Girl. If odd amuses you then I think you'd love Courtney. She's as if my author's notes came to life and got their own book.
So go check it out, I hope you enjoy it!
Vote, comment, follow because they are hilarious!
Them as cute penguins!
Also adorable Carter and Donovan!