Andrew Q Gordon

Frosty thanks on all fronts and I think 2011 is going to be our year. Let's hope my feelings mean something Sam Uncle Bugeye doesn't suit you, How about Uncle Sam?? Nephy Thanks for the good wishes. I think this time is a charm, so let's all just go with that. Lughbert Agreed October will be a fine month for a birth - 16 weeks of paternity leave will get me well passed the holidays too . Soon I can email you for parenting advice, you can be like my big little/younger brother.

I prefer God complex to nuts, but they might just be the same. I hesitate to say the story writes itself because there are times I start taking it one way then delete a thousand words as stupid, but when I am forced to write things - i.e. to bridge a gap to where I need to go, that is when I get bogged down, so I suppose it is true that the story does write itself because if it doesn't, well then I can't seem to make it up on demand. And you are right, sometimes they do feel real - too real maybe Nice to hear from you. Andy Frosty, Not sure I think of my characters as being as real as my family but I can say that there are some stories I read where when it ends, I feel like a friend has left my life - sort of like I worry about them, care about what happens, see them while I am reading, almost feel myself in their world, then when it is over, I feel a lost. I guess the authors talented enough to do that, deserve the following they get - hopefully I can get there someday - wishful thinking perhaps but one must have worthy goals, right? Thanks for all your help and comments. You are a jewel. Andy

So now we know who Blake has the hots for, but is he out of his league? Of all the characters, Blake is the one I can least picture right now. At first I thought one thing - based on his critical self assessment, then you gave us glimpses of reality and it improved, but his image of himself sounds like it will be vastly different from the real image - nicely done - it adds to our understanding of his issues by clouding our visual image of him - at least that is who it is for me. Again nicely done.

Nice start, I like how you develop Blake and his issue - whatever that is that required a new start. The imagery is vivid, having never been to Australia, I have no idea what the are you are talking about looks like but that did give me a good idea of what you are trying to convey. Nice first chapter. Andy

My sense is that Peter is willing to go along with the secrecy mostly because he doesn't hang out with a lot of kids at school. His financial situation requires he work and he feel uncomfortable around those who have money. Perhaps he thought Jason was there on scholarship as well? As an aside, don't you love how authors speak as if they are observing things from the outside instead of saying 'well I wrote it like this because . . .' Is that literary license or a repressed God complex? Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

Mike- Thanks for the encouragement, at this point, I might not live long enough to be a granddad, but the idea is still nice Stoned - (a.k.a. Damian) - What did I do that you wish that on me . If I do have triplets I am going to name one after you and send you their diaper bills. Bee That is a bit of expectations to live up to, but that is our goal. At least no one can ever tell the kid(s) they were unplanned or unwanted.

Thanks soup - hopefully soon you will have someone else in the house to stalk, though I don't recommend swiping the baby food, go for the good stuff in the basement fridge instead

Blue - Thanks Though some might say it is not lucky to have twins, I am going to say I am lucky no matter what so long as we have a happy healthy child(ren) Happy new Year and thanks for thinking of us. Dargon - Thanks Mate, when are you and yours going to show the world what awesome parents you can be Amelia - I appreciate the encouragement, it sometimes has been frustrating and disheartening given how long it has taken but I agree, 2011 is going to be the year - I can feel it this time

Four hundred characters is too few for the update I want to make so I'm going to post it here. As many might know/remember, Mike and I are trying to have a child(ren). We tried traditionally surrogacy - commonly referred to in technical medical circles as the 'turkey baster method,' but after 3 attempts that proved unsuccessful. The fertility Dr., who I found to be a wonderful doctor, told us that statistically further attempts would end up costing us more than biting the bullet and going with IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), despite IVF being WAY more money. He explained that statistically, surrogates who do not get pregnant after three attempts generally do not get pregnant with more attempts. Not to say it wouldn't happen, but more attempts failed far more often than succeeded. Chance were, that if we tried more times, we would still end up at IVF, but would have spent more on the unsuccessful attempts. This left us with a hard choice. We could keep trying the less expense method and hope we were one of those 10% cases where the surrogate would get pregnant after 3 attempts or we could go with the more expensive but much more successful method. Just so we are clear - each traditional attempt was about $1500-1750 with ultrasounds, travel fee to the surrogate, her fee per attempt, etc. But there was also the added cost of having enough 'boys' there for the insemination attempts. Five days in California, donating as often as was medically recommended, cost a bit over $1000 and yielded enough for just 3 attempts. And that didn't account for lost work etc. IVF on the other hand was wildly more. $14,500 to the clinic, then there was an egg donor fee, fertility drugs, anesthesia costs, fertilization costs and all of that was just for one attempt. Now the clinic has their insurance package, which for a tad under $5,000, you get many more attempts than one. Basically, when they get the eggs, they fertilize them all at once, they only use 2-3 per attempt. SO if you have more than 3, you can keep them frozen and use them for future attempts free of the $4100 per attempt charge AND you get a full second go round if needed as well. But if she gets pregnant on the first time - and 90% do, you do not get a refund. Given our luck so far, we bought the insurance package. We felt we had to. If it didn't work, if was another $20,000 plus to try again, money we just couldn't afford. Okay, so - we are on track again - sometime in the next two weeks [i'm not clear exactly when, I'll find out more on Tuesday when the surrogate has another ultrasound] we will make another attempt. I really hope this works, because even with the insurance and other attempts we're entitled to, I'm getting really anxious [and older by the day. ] So with that - here's to 2011, the year I finally get to be a dad. Now watch, we get twins or more. Andy

Hey, thanks for commenting, always appreciate it - Glad you could feel the characters - Anyta has been working overtime helping me bring out that part of the story - she hates when I give her kudos but its true. I hope things stay as focused going forward. The ending has me worried the most - but we have a bit to go before that. Andy

I promise as I get closer to the end, I will post quicker - I just want to get all the chapters edited and ready before I start posting faster. As for a happy ending - not sure I can promise that. Sorry - If Peter survives they have a lot to work out - OMG I sound like Nephylim when we were pestering her about Rowan and Astrin in Hostage. I am pretty close to having it all done, so it won't be two a week for too long - that much I can promise.

Geez Imo, did you get a copy on the next few chapters??? Yes to all you said. As for Jordan, remember when we first learned of him and his fraternity it was about a year prior to this incident. Now he is a Junior and one of the older members of his fraternity. So he is no longer the peon and low man on the pole. Um that and it was literary license since I needed there to be a few people or else how would anyone believe he took out Peter? Hopefully the next few chapters keep everyone engaged, there isn't going to be a quick resolution of this so I hope I don't bore you all. Thanks my friend, I always like hearing from you. Andy

I am glad he is not my friend too, though I did write it so many in some weird alternative universe he is

Everyone kept thinking accident, it is a good thing this was the very first chapter I wrote of the story or else everyone would think I changed it just to avoid the common perception that he had a motorcycle accident. As for Jordan, his fate will be revealed at the end - promise. Thanks for reading and taking the time to write me. Next Chapter should be up Monday.

It's a good thing Anyta.. however, i do.. and I'm looking at my nails... and there's nothing left to chew... my fingertips are already pulp! Please write faster Andy... The fate of the Karate kid is in your hands! The Soccer Boy is in too much pain! hugs, Frosty Sorry Frosty but you might want to get some thick leather gloves, it will be several chapters before we find out what the prognosis is for Peter - sorry but it wasn't a little tap on the head, it was a serious beat down that, if he survives, will not resolve itself over night. Writing faster isn't the issue, posting faster is what you really want - two a week until I get closer to the end. That's about as much as I can promise AND still stay employed

Barbara is many things, but not behind this. She still is going to figure in these events, She isn't done by any means. But for Peter being beaten almost to death, I wonder if Erin would be so heartless - and by that I mean, she would probably sit Peter down and smack some sense into him. Here, well she is scared, angry and without anyone to lash out at. When she hears about what happens between the two, she over reacts, at least until Amanda sets things straight. As for Peter - well I can't say more just yet. . Thanks for taking the time to comment, I appreciate all the feed back. [Awesome screen name by the way ] Andy

Twenty five was actually the first chapter I wrote - everything built around this one, don't ask me why this is the point from which the story grew, but it was the focus of the entire story - the rest of it sort of took shape to fill out this part. Hopefully by the end it will all fit nicely together. Thanks for all the encouragement, you are as I said before, a wonderful person, dark lady or not

Oh mom isn't done by a long shot - not yet at least. Just wait a few chapters for the next act.

remind when I am finished with this story to tell you about my mom and me - not saying she was like Barbara - I only wish she had that much money , but just remind me - otherwise I might give away too much. and I need to keep people close to the cliffs or else I might not be in contention to be crown queen

Thanks Mike, I was hoping Peter's mentor being his Martial Arts Instructor didn't come off as cheesy but given how non-existent dad has been, his teacher sort of filled in the gaps. Can't say what will happen, that would be giving away too much but, I can say it will more than a few chapters until we find out what happens to peter - sorry, won't be waking up in the next chapter or three.

Thanks Anyta, not just for reading but for helping me - you are an amazing friend for all the help you have given me - As for whether Peter will pull through hmmm, only two people know what happens to the end - and hopefully my beta reader won't tell anyone

Chapter 25 is posted - sorry folks but I think a few of you are going to be disappointed when you find out what happened to Peter and what the status of their relationship is. I would also suggest a bit of listen music - Unforgiven Here's a link: Chapter 25: Cause and Affect

Jason barely noticed the nurses and orderlies as he searched for Peter. With every room he passed, his stomach tightened. Room 313, Peter’s room, was nearly dark when he arrived. Inside, a nurse stood at the foot of the bed looking at something. Sitting beside the bed, near Peter’s head, Jason could see the arm of someone he assumed was Mrs. Gregory. “Son, you are not permitted in here.” Old enough to be his mother, the nurse stopped what she was doing to direct Jason away. “Family only

So I ignored your suggestion I skip the chapter, but it's okay, my ears only burned a little. Couple points - there is no way they can 'french kiss' just no way. That would be like eating Boston Creme pie. While they can say a lot of the say expressions we have , France doesn't exist to them so they can't french kiss. Kiss deeply, passionately etc, but not french kiss. Sorry, there have to be some rules when you create your own world and one of them is keep this one out of it LOL Second, what happens if Kian is separated from Dylan or the other Valion knights?? Will he go insane with lust?? Seems crazy that the gods would make an Omega a rarity AND in danger of being f**ked to death. I mean given how things are, the life expectancy of an Omega has got to be rather short. Short but OH so memoriable I guess Reading Chapter 9 now, so soon to be caught up -whew.

Thanks Paige, I appreciate hearing that people enjoy it, I have to say - all modesty aside - I really didn't expect so many people would like it. My partner said it was good, but he loves me so I kept that in mind when he said it. Anyway, I think folks are going to be disappointed with Chapter 25. Oh well it's written, beta'ed and edited so it stays as it is LOLThanks again for taking the time to comment, it is always nice to hear.Andy