Philippe

I enjoy when the authors shared the character list, characteristics, relationships and abilities. As the story progresses the expanded traits should have chapter relevant spoiler alerts or perhaps the list and abilities can be expanded periodically within the chapter timeline by posting as an interlude ; of characters, back stories, or emphasis on relationships, or powers, that better support that character without bogging down the main storyline. Huh 🤔 mind vomit ... pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Hahaha

I enjoyed your shared thought processes and explanations. Likewise, I’m enjoying the Syndicate and look forward to seeing how you craft this universe of mutants.

I wonderful chapter of establishing relationships as they should appear and learning them as they truly exists. The return of Kas to Silver Shore with the familiar “life saving” Consort should be smoother than most merged families. Hopefully, the Emperor and the prince will identity the threats before they become a problem.

Hmmm, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but perhaps when youthful tossing puts the apple under another tree the seedlings may confuse even those responsible for their placement. So if a fallen apple is moved beneath another tree, and no one is there to witness, did it fall not far from the tree? Sid knows more, as does Tom, how many possibilities are there for the emotions Tom holds for “do right by that child” when he doesn’t explain himself or his perspective; did he do right for himself or did he do right for someone else? In doing the right thing in his mind did Tom deny himself his destiny, yet he now wants Jett to do the same? Or is the bigger twist remaining veiled, as Tom is known to be Jett’s father. Tom’s emotions say Jett has to be with Carina as the mom is the traditional and natural place Jay should be; was Jett just as Jay, history repeated, requiring a man to do the right thing for that child, as a child needs a mom and a dad? I say some of this from my own knowledge of my father checking on and supporting a single mom and child, as a friend had been separated from his wife and fathered a child. My mom didn’t know the full story as dad wouldn’t talk bad about people, but mom knew there was some reason why the friend was no longer within dad’s circle. The friend had rejoined his family, my father tried to steer him to do right, but he refused any responsibility to the pregnant mother of his “taking a break” child. That resulted in my father of limited means trying to help the mother and basically no longer associating with a man previously known as a close friend. Ironically, after the passing of my father, the mother of that child paid respects to my mother and my father lying in wake. She explained the full story and thanked mom and dad for helping her keep her child when the father abandoned her. The lady’s son was then being encouraged by mom to make contact with his half siblings and their mother. He has now become part of the extended family that knew not of his existence until well after the passing of his absentee father. So my question to Tom is were you “Yourself” trying to “do the right thing” by that child, Jett, or for someone else that failed to step up as a man should? Are you now afraid the history repeats? The thinking is flawed by traditional thinking but is understandable from a historical perspective.

Major, Attention! About, face. Double time, MARCH! Farewell, SIR!

Nothing rebalances the equations like a brash little old lady 👵 speaking and commanding in words others are too afraid to speak and few are willing to challenge! 😂

Hmmm, tall, slim, dark hair, dyed streak, born of hippie parents,...does young mister (Green) Sage West sound somewhat like the introduction of a young college kid known as Mr. Blu Waters. Sage also appears to have a double meaning here; though sage and thyme implies green herbs, the sage that seems to impress upon Lincoln is the sage of a Wise Mr West. Ahem, anyway, should we venture to the West-Waters it would appear we’ll find the forecast to be for calmer waters; unless a storm reveals the Jock baby daddy is the prepetrator of Levi’s traumatic Injuries. Then family ties will never allow such breaches of morals or allegiance to an imprisoned attempted murderer.

What a great chapter. You capture the many varied emotions and motivations of the characters so well. We feel humiliation and frustration born of the Imperial Queen’s deceitful manipulation of Jihan’s parents. Their lust for royal titles and noble recognition outweigh the values of love and the lives of their family, to collect generational debts from the very children they trade as pawns for their titles. While the end results of this union are yet to be revealed, the promises of their pledges and the blessings of the ancients would seem to promise rewards for the combined forces of the warrior and the merchant. Thank you for this intriguing and power hungry story.

So on one hand the situation is building for Grant and Rhett seemingly building and/or expanding the medical practice; becoming the future, perhaps even being mentored into future supervisory or eventual ownership of the practice. Commitments are being made by the practice building a team of matched multipliers; Rhett is an asset to Grant and Grant is the anchor Rhett needed to weather his own rough waters. Together they are unmatched even though they are the newest players. This growing work commitment and the expanded family Grant now has with Troy’s already established network of friends speaks heavily of that becoming a true home of chosen family and love for Grant too. On the other hand, Sandra and William will be challenged as her health demands more of the both of them. The Vineyard is of strong family history and Sandra is not likely to till her own roots from the family soil. As her illness mellows the Iron Lady, forcing the loosening grip of control, her concession will likewise include more of William’s acceptance of burden of caretaker. The pull towards the vineyard also seems to be building towards a future of expected family and blood history obligations. One that Sandra has shown an unforgiving commitment to. Is the light in the tunnel one of acceptance of being gay? Of his independence and his profession? Of his boyfriend, Troy? Or is it just a distance warning of a fast approaching head-on hazard?

Yes, I suspect the fecal fan has switched from low to high. Protective outer garments and safety glasses are highly recommended! I’m not sure if it was my dad’s one military tour or just the old country upbringing my father had growing up, but I remember the more strict days from parents of yesteryear. As an example, I remember the days of my youth when friends would come over to visit; dad would make them tuck in their shirts into their pants and then warn them to wear a belt next visit or don’t come back! My brothers and I were not allowed to wear blue jeans or tennis shoes to school; it had to be slacks, and leather shoes. One time as a teen I got other than a military style haircut, when dad got home, I was loaded In the car immediately to rectify the situation at the expense of public humiliation; the guy in the chair luckily volunteered to vacate the chair for my return to military blueing, even he felt sorry and showed mercy at mine and the barbers dilemma.

As baby Jay bounces with glee, claps, and raises his hands while calling..Te-O-Pa! As @droughtquake also forgot to say, もと, もと, 早く! More, more, quickly now! The corona quarantines are exhausting...all our reading materials. 😆 Oh, and thank you @Laura S. Fox for posting early with these entertaining corona virus motivational treatments!

Oh lord, with the return of Jett’s father, along with Theopril’s father, we could have an All in the Family senior generation with a combination of Three’s Company meets Two and a Half Men; Jett’s partnership of Me, my boyfriend, my son and his mom, and the lingering memories of my first love ❤️ Theo. So as Jett would think 🤔 , “I’m finally ok, can’t you guys be ok too.”

Well, if that ain’t the blue balls of suspense! Thank you Mam, may I have another! Damn...SMH

Ironically, Grant is giving Troy his journal back, but he can never unsee those most private thoughts. So Grant is also now an entrusted partner that shares the journal memories by proxy. This new intimacy of those shared memories with Troy, memories Grant didn’t disclose otherwise, of Troy’s former lover John, of his inter-thoughts, now become an even stronger bond for intimacy and respect between the two.

I thought Troy would have had to regret the loss of the journal, even it was destroyed by his own hand in an emotional rage of resignation, he would be so happy to recover such a treasure once he was in a better place. The way you back filled those regretful nights as Troy’s admission, but yet it was conditional as “many, many times” that he felt that way; it’s now in full recognition of it was a terribly foolish trashing of his own life and memories. As painful as it may have been to get to this point in the story, the slow march of Troy’s return was a necessary journey. Ironically, the same time Troy needed to heal was aligned with the emotional growth and sexual confidence that Grant so disparately needed too.. I think the timing and the emotions were so perfectly done, that any variations to earlier or later in the story would lessen the connection. Cheers to an emotional but necessary milestone for your characters and to you, @Wayne Gray, for bringing such characters to life so vividly! And for sharing them with us!

Wayne, Punish? No, he’ll just play with it; think of it more like the kitten playing with yarn 🧶, but the kitten does have really long and sharp claws!

Oh come on...poetic justice? Troy could help Grant by pretending it’s John’s family coming to steal his life away again! Say, maybe a wet welcome mat connected to the MiG?? Mwah hahaha 😂 All this in jest, but I really do hate families lording over adult children while they are really just imposing their own wishes and values over those children.

Geez, it was his first time, and he was so very excited! It’s a private moment, between them, to satisfy themselves and their partner, you perverted lurches are gonna give April all kinds of performance anxiety! Now back behind the curtain from which you’ve lurched with your own perverted desires! Leave the boys to discover their own give and take of their own relationship. 😀 mwah haha 🤣 More seriously, wow, what more could Jett do to convince April that he is so seriously in love with him! No matter how quickly said, the words mean the same. As always @Laura S. Fox, you bring out the suspense, the thrill, and the compassion of budding relationships so well; all embedded with the larger plot of your stories, bravo, and thank you ☺️!

But is he thinking of another man? Ahhh yeah, Theopril, love love me do!

True statements, but unfortunately we’re only to breakfast time on Christmas Day. So I’ll say a awesome Christmas morning...are those storm clouds in the distance there? Guess who’s coming to dinner?? Can a Mig welder be modified to function as an coronary defibrillator? CLEAR!

I’m going to go out on another limb and suggest a far different approach for Grant and Troy to work through this challenging period and the issues of the journal they face together; Counseling! Troy has now reached a healthier point in his recovery but is still very dependent on Grant’s continued support, understanding, respect, and growing love. Grant admits to family, sexuality, and relationship issues that remain a point of distress and disfunction. Grant recognizes the journal for more than just the letter from John, it may also be the only remaining record of Troy and John’s daily life together, which should be every bit as cherished as the letters now removed by John’s family. Through written and recorded by Troy, it will still quote conversations and emotions shared in daily events. But again, Troy needs to be able to process this from a healthy and supported position; one that Grant is probably incapable of supporting as he presents the journal; as he too becomes overwhelmed by his own emotions. Therefore, Grant too needs some support while Troy may be compromised by his own emotions; so both will possibly be spike emotionally from one extreme to another. Hmmm 🤔, It’s not a time for the friends to work through their opinions and emotions either, this is a time for a facilitator that is truly not personally involved or attached to this couple. Grant, as a healthcare professional can easily find value in requesting this for their continued mental health and growth from trauma and stresses they’re negotiating.

Another great chapter; new relationships, new family ties, strengthening bonds of love. I was hoping for a more in depth interaction of the French family but at least it’s enough detail to know it’s rewarding. I also appreciated the pseudo Tour de France 🇫🇷, a 350’ sand dune is impressive; for scenery and recreation!

It’s surprising whenever I see the mentality of people. It seems that often people inconvenienced by higher authorities trying to protect the public interests come under fire for denial of their rights, yet then flip side is they scream bloody murder when they were not protected from their own foolishness. It’s ridiculous when people try to break quarantines, road closures, and areas mundergoing disaster search and rescues; in many cases just for their own curiosity. Just this week an accident on I-75 south resulted in a 6 car pileup on the north lanes because of the morbid curiosity of those rubbernecking to see the misfortune of others; ironically the 6 car pileup in the northbound lanes was worst than the original accident in the southbound lanes. 🤦‍♂️ So damn the snow, the ice, the flooded roads, my big SUV will get me there safely!

Ok, this chapter for me was so raw and powerful. The personal emotions reflected, the experiences bringing forth the raw pain, yet truthfully. But then, the exposed and overbearing love remaining between them, through it all, was tremendously powerful; the tissues weren’t handy, so the hands and cheeks were well moisturized. An excellent chapter with great tempo to reflect the strong emotions of their story; Bravo 👏!

Wow, I’ve been calling the journal a treasure of Troy’s first true love ❤️ and now you throw in the love letter addendum; it’s a priceless sentimental treasure! The fact that Grant sees and respects that relationship, without insecurities, without jealousy, without possessive animosities, is a cherished statement of sincerity and respect; that’s a huge credit to Grant! I cannot foresee a lasting riff between our favorite pair; especially when Troy knows Grant as he does now. Initial reactions may cause some disbelief and feelings of betrayal but that should pass without much of a challenge to their true feelings. As to mommy dearest..., I envision a very interesting interaction with another women of similar mental awareness; one cares not what the victims may feel, the other lacks sensitivity to what the others may feel. Hmmm 🤔, could they be a perfect match to the benefit of parties of interest?