LitLover

Gary, this story never would have happened without your encouragement and support. I can't thank you enough for everything. I'm working on Chapter 2 now so you should get your preview in the next couple of days

Posting this story was a huge leap for me. I am really pleased that you like the first chapter. I have a good start on the next chapter and I hope to post once a week if I can. Jenson does have some bad memories and those will come out over the next several chapters. I really enjoyed writing Merrick as a child I'm happy you like him too

When I was writing Merrick I thought back to my kids and the lack of filter they often had. I thought...who better than an inquisitive child to get a closed off vampire to open up? Thank you for reading and the review.

Thank you Val. It was scary, but I'm happy I did it. I appreciate the review. You'll find out more about Jenson in the coming paragraphs and we'll see Merrick in the next chapter.

Chapter 1 “This way, J. I hear the Oranti coming. Hurry!” A small body darted past Jenson and scampered into the upper branches of the tree. A disembodied giggle drifted down from above as the leaves rustled and the branches shook. “You’re going to get eaten, J!” Jenson smiled and shook his head as he reached for the large branch above him. “I’m coming, sir!” His large body caused some of the branches to groan under him as he ascended the tree, following his young charge into his jungle wor

Crave: Feel a powerful desire for (something). Some cravings you just can't fight.

This chapter had me in tears from the start. I could really relate to Megan. She is a mama bear protecting her child, even from her husband. I don't agree with physical expressions of anger, regardless if its a man or a woman doing the hitting, but I do understand her reaction. This man almost drove her son to suicide... I am happy that Mark called and spoke to Nate. Nate was able to get some things off of his chest and purge some of that hurt in the safety of the family he knows accepts him. I understand his concern about his father really changing, but I truly think realizing how much he hurt Nate will bring about some lasting changes with Mark. He just needs time to prove to Nate that he can be trusted again and that will take time. A chapter full of tears, but also a glimmer of hope.

This was a beautiful chapter about desire tempered with loving care. Greg wants Denny, badly, but he knows how much Denny's head and ghosts from his past are getting in the way. He managed to give Denny some good memories of sex and make him laugh. I would say mission accomplished Ben and Cal are moving a lot quicker than I thought they would. I guess the months they thought their feelings were unrequited exploded in that darkroom.

Memories can be powerful things. It's funny when something sets them off and it's almost like you're there again. I am happy that you are in a better place now than where you were when this memory was fresh.

"Sir Rob" the gallant knight protecting the world from bigots! Haha I loved that I do feel for Nelson. I know he would love to be able to act like any other straight couple at the prom with his handsome date. Although the end of the chapter did leave be worried that Eric could panic and change his mind about going, I do have faith in Eric. I don't think he would back out of going to the prom as Nelson's date, even if any PDA might cause some anxiety for him.

This really made my romantic heart happy Such a beautiful story of love and perseverance. Michael sounds like a very special man. He was able to see past your distrust to your beautiful soul. You both are lucky to have found each other. The vows had me tearing up and thinking back to my own wedding day. Thank you for sharing this with us.

I'm sorry...I completely missed reviewing this chapter. I loved the dedication Gary. Thank you :'( I loved the time spent between Kendall and Michael as they bask in the afterglow. Their connection is beautiful and affirming. I really enjoyed Kendall's prank on Chet. Poor Chet, thinking that he wasn't going to get to stand up with his friend at the wedding. I'm impressed that Michael managed to keep a straight face for that long! I giggled when Arron started getting into the wedding planning. At least someone out of the group got a design gene! haha. I'm also impressed that Michael agreed to invite Candy. I have a funny feeling she might actually show up. What she does while she's there though is anyone's guess...but early labour and her water breaking after the vows comes to mind I wanted to smack Nate's dad. How dare someone do that to their child. I can't see a child of Big Mike and Colleen's being homophobic, but where was she when all of this was happening? I hope she didn't just stand by and let her husband do this to her son.

Poor Nate...to have your dad essentially tell you there is something wrong with you just because you're gay and then have the boy he likes tell him that the kiss that sparked all of this was a mistake? I just want to give the kid a big hug i'm no longer upset with Megan. I am not sure what is going to happen, but she knows her son is safe right now and that is important. That whole family is going to have a tough road ahead, whether Megan leaves Mark or not. Mark is going to have to crawl over a lot of broken glass and maybe do a lot of counselling himself to try to make up for the hurt he has caused. Kendall is a wonderful uncle and he is going to make a great father. He seems to sense what people need...be it space or comfort...and tries his best to give them that. He was just what Nate needed to get what happened off his chest, but still laugh at himself for spilling his juice. The best thing about Kendall is that he can really relate to being rejected by a parent, but knowing that doesn't have to mean the end of the father/son relationship. What Mark did was terrible, but not irreparable. He can make this up to Nate and to Megan if he's willing to try.

This was so funny and sweet. Faris is lucky that James didn't kill him before he had a chance to propose

So much beauty and love in a few lines. I love the idea of this and Michael's ode as wedding vows.

So beautiful Gary. I loved this! It's funny that Michael started out as such a playboy and now I can't ever see him looking at another person the way he looks at Kendall.

I love the conversation between Kendall and Michael about the baby. I was feeling terrible for Michael that he wouldn't be there for the birth of his son but Michael is right, this is not just his son, he is Kendall's son too. With the anger that Michael has towards Candy it's probably best for him not to be there or it could turn into an argument and tears during the birth causing neither M or K being allowed in. About that love scene...I am without words. It was hot (of course) but it was the love and the passion that really turned the whole scene into something special. It was..in a word...beautiful. (Ok so maybe I had a few words )

I do love these two. I thought Julian was going to pass out from the stress . He SAYS he can't do romantic but I think he did a great job with this

Well when Cal and Benny decide to try the REALLY go for it! That was quite a darkroom session. Very hot I love the idea that Mikey had and Jay implemented in the hay loft. It sounds like quite a romantic and secluded place and gives Grey and Denny a private place to explore the physical side of their relationship with less chance of being discovered. Mikey was so cute when he apologized for even the thought of being resentful of his alone time being intruded on. He is such a sweet young man.

Another beautiful and moving poem Gary. You are really coming in to your own with this type of work. I like the idea of reading it aloud, so I tried it. It adds something to the written word when you hear it spoken, even in your own voice.

That was an incredibly moving description of a very moving scene. I am beyond words.

Damn when that vamp decides to get dominant....(fanning myself ) You went for sexier and you definitely succeeded! The neighbour would be really annoying and has the potential to be a problem if she sees something that she shouldn't see.

You really make it tough for other men to measure up to Michael and Kendall, Gary The dinner that Michael arranged was so romantic and the roses were just a nice touch. I loved that the staff and owners were so supportive of their engagement. Maybe they can have their rehearsal dinner their I loved how much thought Michael put in to dates of the wedding and where they were going to get married. Everything about him is in tune with Kendall. I feel so badly for Michael that he is being essentially excluded from the pregnancy, but Kendall did good by recording the sonogram for him Maybe Candy will let him record the birth as well? Although I'm not really sure Michael would want to see that on tape At least one of the Candy wants one of the baby's dad's involved and that is enough for now. I'm happy they now know the sex of the baby..it's feeling more real. Maybe they will have a girl next time? I REALLY want them to raise a baby girl haha. I think she would have her dad's wrapped around her little finger..and pity the boy who wants to date her

I haven't read anything from Andrew but I love Sasha and Gary's work. One of my all time favourite stories is Unexpected Liaisons. He is also the master at redemption and turning men you love to hate (and in the case of Lonely at the Top: a man many just plain hated) into men you are rooting for. I knew Gary's Cards on the Table was going to be special from the first paragraph. There was so much emotion packed in to that first chapter that you just couldn't help but fall in love with the story and the characters. Gary pours so much of himself into each character and each word that you feel like you are getting to know him as you read about these wonderful men. He has now started to branch out into poetry and songs, which have made me laugh and cry. Thank you Dark for this feature. We readers might pose the questions but you take the time to organize them and shine a spotlight on these talented writers.

That perfectly decribed my fear, trepidation and then my joy when I "met" my daughter for the first time. The only difference was I was Mama Bear to your Tigress