I enjoyed watching CJ at work, advancing his idea, and working his contacts to make it happen. Hopefully, his supervisor is only minimally miffed. Thanks for a lovely outing to the rugger pitch, too. Calum is a fun character. He'll catch up with Austin sooner or later. And CJ doing as instructed? Oh, my.
I love tales of reconciliation. That there is a gate is a sign of hope. If only grandfather had named someone outside the family as executor of his will. I’d be interested in know how or if Evie’s relationship with her parents has changed. Thanks for this.
I was moved by Loris’ devotion to his Dante. There was nothing that kept him from his course, to love Dante through his grief. This was beautiful. Thank you.
That’s a lovely, sweet story! I love the explanation and the budding friendships. I know I shall have the Twelve Days of Christmas stuck in my head for a while.
I agree with @Headstall; this sounds like my travails in writing. Or perhaps differential equations. You capture the frustration of tackling unknowns with more unknowns remarkably well.
It’s a good thing CJ is practicing self-defense. Northam is likely to attack in frustration someday, or perhaps arrange something unpleasant for his magnetic underling. Great chapter! I’m sure after Liebe’s bedtime they will have some playtime of their own.
This is one of those chapters when I wish I could have been present - perhaps at an adjacent table - to watch Eric eat ice cream, and to observe Andy and Adam together with him. Then again, you do a lovely job of including us in their conversations, it feels like eavesdropping, nosey Parker that I am.
Can I hang out with these people? They have more fun in a chapter than I do in a year. Seriously, it’s good to see CJ and Owen settling in and establishing a community around themselves. And the tech room gift? That’s going to make a difference in a lot of lives.
A very interesting and informative chapter. So the Russian spy has some embarrassing bones rattling in his own closet. It’s surprising that he might try that kind of move on CJ; or maybe he likes to play for high stakes. Linc and Calum? You love to play matchmaker, it seems.
CJ will have to conciliate his supervisor at some point: he’s the man who can torpedo his career, no matter how enthusiastic the Ambassador may be. Nice to know there’s friendly help on the Russian front too. Great chapter!
Though all this clearly takes place in town and at home, Eric ends the chapter all a-sea. Slowly, so slowly, he’s learning the arts of human interaction.
You paint a picture of happy domesticity. Liebe has charmed Trixie and Simmone quite as much as CJ and Owen have done in their inward and outward lives. If only they could be allowed more time like this, rather than the cocktail party circuit. It seems as if the fast lane is actively seeking CJ and Owen out.
You’re as kind as ever. It makes me smile to know you enjoyed and connected with these. I know it’s not officially celebrated across the Atlantic, but I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving, nonetheless.