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Thanks for the new chapter. I really like the person Will is becoming. Sometimes it is very hard to forgive a person who has wronged you. I am glad Will can do that. AS for Matt and Gathan, maybe Matt feels he is being replaced by Gathan and feels jealous. Gathan has a temper which I don't think Matt wants to set off. This could put Robbie in a difficult position. His son on one hand and his cousin on the other. I know Mark loves these conflicts. Bring on the Drama!!

Again thanks for the new chapter! Two questions arise during my reading of this chapter. Is Matt the father of Tiffany's new baby and what sex is it? The second question who is the father of Jeanine's baby daughter?

Thanks for the new chapter. I loved Will and Wade conversation. Wade is one of my favorite characters. It's great to see the drama build with the new baby. Thanks again for coming back. You've been missed more than you could ever know.

I have been away for a time and did not read your email and post until today. I have always wonder how you could live your life and write as much as you do. The only thing I could think of is no sleep. I can not tell you how many times I have read the CAP saga, all the chapters from the beginning to where we are now. Being as old as I am I remember most of those times which you have brought to life. If that is not good enough you have created characters that are so real they jump off the page. So real I have to tell myself they are not real flesh and blood. You have created a family saga. Starting from one single 25 yo gay man you build a story but more than a story a family, with all the joys and sorrows that real families have. I can see them in my mind, Each one of them. Understand how they think and how they will react. But Mark, you did sometime more! You made us love them, or in some cases hate them. They could have been just words on a page, but they are so much more. I hope and pray that this story will continue. Your characters deserve to live on. The post 9 11 world is harsh, ruff, and filled with peril but your characters do not break in hard times. They will find their way through. I wish you all the best.

One more great moment in Bloodlines when Wade whispers to Matt “You made me love you when I didn't want to. Then you jumped in and saved my life. You can't leave me now,” I pleaded. “You can't. You have to wake up and spend your life with me. That's how it has to be.” Even Shakespeare or the Bible would have difficulty coming up to this unbelievable plea.

Back in The Box JP watched Steven. For some reason that seemed an innocent encounter. Forgive me if I am reading it wrong but it still seems Scott was preying on Will. Will just met him. The question is was this an innocent encounter or more? Only you know Mark. The rest of us can only wait and see.

I am hoping that Will can find a nice gay boy at his new high school. The idea of a 38 yo seducing Will really creeps me out. I always liked Lark in his past life but trying to relive his wasted youth by get it on with Will is not right. I understand that Mouse and Marcel had relationships with JP. Both of them were in the 20's and had finished college not almost 14 and beginning high school. They were also the ones who wanted JP. Who wouldn't love JP. Stef certainly does. The thought of having sex with someone my father's age (Lark is Brad's age) makes my skin crawl. Sorry Mark. Maybe I am too protective of Will but it still seems wrong.

When the guys decided to go to Vegas I was worried. Vegas has ruined many people. Spending $250,000 in only a few days is unbelievable. Going to Stef and confessing however shows something. JP's solution again show what a wise person he is. A way of showing Gathan how to value what he has. I feel much better about him now. If he sticks to the deal and stays away from Vegas he'll be O K. The thing what bothers me the most on this chapter is Lark's ( who like Brad is 38) trying to seduce Will who is 13 going on 14. Does he think Will is Brad? To me it was very creepy. I am glad Will is in California and not Hawaii. The unanswered question is why is JJ so much against Gathan? Gathan saved Brad. If someone had saved my dad I how be his friend for life. Could it be Gathan has a relationship with both Darius and Will and not him?

Jeremy, I was not critizing Mark or the story in any way. I was just pointing out things which I found unusual from the response I thought they would have. Mark does a great job of weaving the different characters and story lines together. As for Will coming out of the background. He is one of my favorite characters as I believe he is yours. He and Gathan, Matt are great representives of their generation. The reason I was surprised JP and Will had as close relationship is that JP lives in Palo Alto and Will is in Malibu. JP is not the most open person. Don't get me wrong I am very happy they are so close. On another note, when Mark started The Box not only did he given us and Stef his father, Steven but also showed us a deeper understanding of JP, Marie, Jack, Jim and Tonto. Now we as readers understand why the characters do what they did and why. To me it made their lives more real. Those missing years were priceless. (Hint for more stories in future.)

One thing I would like to point out, when Will gets to the hospital and sees the family gathered waiting for the news. He tells us some very interesting things about how each person is reacting. Two reactions come across the most unique, Brad regresses into that young boy maybe at the moment he first landed on JP's door step. And then there is Stef. who is grim yes, but holding it together. JP most of these times helps hold Stef together. Now Stef must be the rock for the others. Just one question: where are Matt and Wade? It is odd that they aren't present. Either are Marie and Courtney. John is there. In the last few stories JP has kind of recessed into the background. It is good to see how much he means to each of the members of his family. One last thing. It seems like Will and JP are closer than I thought they were.

Thanks for not killing off JP. I was pretty sure you wouldn't but with all the twists and turns you never know. I also worried if Gathan and Kristin wouldn't get out of Claremont unharassed. I am glad they did. Adding Cole to the picture is a new twist also. I can only guess what adventures they will have along the way. Great chapter. I can't wait to see what will happen next.

It was a very good thing.

I have the feeling that this chapter is more transitional than any thing. Mark is setting us up for JP operation, Kristin's father is not going to sit on the sidelines, And what will happen to Will's love life? Some people have thought Gathan was rude. I wonder if they had been dragged out of bed and hauled off to jail with false and trumped up changes they would be as forgiving. I would not. Saying you are sorry for something you did was wrong is one thing but really being sorry is another. Gathan does not believe him and either to I. As this story develops I believe we can see into those characters I think we sometime judge them by our standards and not by theirs. Will is only 13 going on 14. Gathan just turn 18 and just met his first love. They both have some growing up. As for Gathan going into politics, he has street smarts and has got to be a lot better than 99% of these people in Washington today. Of course I'm from Minnesota, home of Michele, Tim and Jesse.

In MIM we got to know a three year old bundle of activity who won the hearts of all who knew him. Next he see him standing up to his mother, defending himself and his younger brother, JJ. We see him hanging out Gathan and falling in love will El. Only now after 15 years are we beginning to understand him. He has become a truly noble young man. It would have been easy to follow his grandfather into the Navy but giving up that dream so that someone else can have their dream shows what kind of person he has become. This family must be proud of him. The other part of this chapter also shows how good this family has done in raising their kids. Will knows Robbie is hurting and he does out of his way to help. Even though Will has his own pain he wants to help Robbie with his. Another son to be proud of.

Stef! Poor homeless street kid to mogul. He was helped a long the way but turning 200,000 into billions does take a lot of work. As for will America recover and see better times or is this the beginning of the great decline I don't know. I think the people who lived in the 30's and early 40's wondered that too. The depression went on and on only the war solved the problems to some degree. I am sure also there was a time when it seemed we could loose the war. It could have happened. Over the many years only one person became president that I didn't vote for. George W. Bush. I am very unhappy about what is happening in Washington, today. In the past when the country needed leadership we got great leaders to pull us through. That seems not to be happening today. What the answer is I don't know. I was born in Wisconsin and live in Minnesota. I can say I am ashamed to what is happening in both states. The only thing that stopped it here was the democratic governor. All I am saying that it can get better but we as a people have to start working together too make it happen. In lot of countries in the world, the people don't have that power, so far we still do.

First I'd like to say even though I didn't like 1968 at first I have grow to love it more each time I read it. The years 2001 to 2011 and 1968 were difficult times. I was in high school in 1968 and was sheltered from the revolution which was just starting. The 60's were a massive change for America. In 1963 on Nov 22 the president was shot and that changed the country, forever. Then only a few years later in 1968 riots, assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King shocked the country to it's core. Before 1963 the people felt safe after that they didn't. After 9 11 they felt even more in danger less safe. A threat, a bomber and terrorist around every corner, hidden behind every tree and bush. Today is a far cry from the peaceful days of the 50's. But America like this family has survived and even thrived through pain and heartache, great sadness and greater joy. This is why I love this story so much, where else but America could this story happen? Rags to riches, but more than just money, these characters love each other a lot. It is a story of growth, becoming better people, helping the world become better. Thanks Mark for all that and more!!! ( Bob steps off soap box)

Parenting is a difficult job, I believe the most difficult one in the world. Also the most important, It does not come with a rule book a manual how to be the best parent. If we think about how Brad grew up first with his birth mother who abused him from day one to thankfully being with JP and Isidore in a stable loving home. Maybe they were easier on Brad because of what he went through. Robbie's childhood we know little about. However, his father Frank's childhood was almost as bad as Brad's. Because of this I think both Brad and Robbie are more permissive. They are also in California which is by nature more permissive than the Midwest. If you look and compare Will and Brad's childhoods I think they are very much alike . Brad's shows his love for the kids easier than JP's could. But again JP grew up in a much more restrictive situation. JP thought he had to hide his feelings and who he was or he'd be hated. Thankfully, Brad and Will didn't have to do that. Brad's reaction to the situation in Rome was exactly how I thought he would. Knowing that Will was punishing himself more than Brad would, Will knows that Brad loves him and is willing to die to save him. Many kids never know how much their parents love them. Will knows that he has been shown that time and time again. If you look at the whole picture, I think Brad has done a pretty good job so far. Not bad for the shy abused kid he once was.

There is a reason you are Goddess/ Queen of the Darkside. Thanks for one of the great moments in this unbelievable story,

Another great moment is when Brad gets to know about his bio dad.

As i was at work I was thinking of a few more: 1. In CAP when Jeff visited JP at Christmas in Claremont saying " Ho Ho Ho I'm Santa and I've come to ____ you" 2. In MIM Clair's wedding, Brad"s best mans toast. 3. Grandmaman's death in MIM. 4. At the end of the Box when JP asks how Stef is. Stef's tribute to his father. 5. In If it fits when JP reveals the truth to his family.

The idea of one of the new daughters being named after Tonto is wonderful. So is revisiting Tonto last days. As for your parents Jeremy I didn't know anything about them but they must have done something right to have you. From what I can tell from here you are a remarkable person. And that is a very good thing.

After rereading again the whole Saga I wonder what are your favorate moments in the CAP saga? I could list mine but there so many of them. Three of them are in Bloodlines alone. In chapter six when Matt first meets Brad and Robbie, the second is when Wade thinks Matt maybe dieing, and the third is Wade and JP in the Great hall in front of Tonto picture. What are yours?

Jeanine lived with Marie JP's mom not Tonto. The reason was Tonto had moved to California after Barry died about 1973. As for the babies. I really hope Jeanine and Robbie have a daughter and Tiffany, Wade and Matt have twins. a boy and a girl.

Mark you have never been afraid to tackle those difficult subjects. Some people love the safety of solid ground and some like living on the edge of the cliff. I think you really want Will four or five years older than he is. Will has up to this point been very in control of his life, Maybe this it your way to show he is human like the rest of us. Your last chapter started a firestorm of debate. I believe Will let himself go, maybe to much, but who hasn't done that from time to time. It may not be one of his prouder moments but getting into a fight with a car wasn't Brad's either. As for reaction to this event, I can't believe Brad reacting too harshly. Remember, Brad likes to show off some himself and has done some dumb things in the past. I honestly think Brad would think it was funny. "Just don't do it again." Loving someone is also forgiving them their mistakes. I wonder what JP would think about this. This is so out of character for Will I can't see any grave reactions to it. It seems like Stef should have known the pitfalls of going the the club. Will Brad ever trust Stef with Will again?

Working with men clothing I encounter a group of Italian men in the 20's they wanted their pants very tight also skin tight shirts nothing was left to the imagination.