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Ewwwww! You poor guy. I’m happy to say that I have managed to avoid that god-awful 1940s temple of faux-Polynesian kitsch - and the inevitable subsequent gastronomic PTSD - my entire life. ;-). An aunt and uncle from Idaho loved to come celebrate anniversaries there because it was so “exotic and romantic” . I think that says it all.

Dollywood?! Oh, I don’t think you would need to go quite to THAT extreme! ;-)

Wonderful chapter. Loved their visit to the city. Speaking of which, I believe droughtquake was thinking of the St. Francis, which faces Union Square. The Fairmont sits atop Nob Hill, which is several very steep, large blocks up from Union Square. The Fairmont does have amazing views, however - especially from the bay side. I admit that, in a world-class food destination, I was pained that these two ate so many room service meals. I mean, they’re OK at the Fairmont, but I kept hoping they’d do something like walk down the hill on California St. to the Tadich Grill, the oldest restaurant in San Francisco. Classic, old San Francisco seafood preparations (the best cioppino I know), and very unpretentious (they even make Presidents wait in line). It’s a trek, but not for Will and Liam. Back up the hill is another story. I also agree that they shouldn’t have missed the Castro (which has become alarmingly tame in recent years), and it was kind of too bad they spent any time at all at tacky Fisherman‘s Wharf. Though lots of locals would roast you alive for calling cable cars “street cars”, I love your stories, so... ;-) P.S. Baseball is sports Ambien, but I loooooooooooooooooooooooooove soccer. If you’ve ever seen it played in Brazil, it’s like ballet on the field. Amazing, and those skimpy shorts...

So damn hot and meaningful! Worth the wait.

Grrrrrrr. Don continues to dig a hole for himself so deep he may never be able to self-extricate. This conversation actually bothered me more than the prior shouting match; the constrained Don revealed even more of his pathetic double standard and hateful ignorance, as his retrogressive pronouncements couldn't be "excused" by surprise or inflamed emotions. I rather enjoyed the way Robbie and Nathan double-teamed him; Robbie stood up for himself and Nathan showed real loyalty and resolve. Sure, they're young and a bit impulsive, but to me they're light years ahead of Don in many ways. They had every right to show physical affection in front of him. Don's discomfort is his problem. I understand Redwood's reaction to witnessing a Canadian homophobic prick living in an upscale remote suburb of Toronto. As Americans, we sometimes expect better of our northern neighbors. I guess this story illustrates that there are assholes everywhere. I'm pleased that Sue seems to have found her spine but, at the end of the day, I'm not sure her core attitudes are significantly more enlightened than Don's. Daniel is a coward who, through his passive-aggressive simmering tantrum, seems to be hiding an unresolved issue with Nathan. So what if his cousin is in a relationship with Nathan! Daniel is almost behaving as though Robbie swooped in and stole Daniel's boyfriend away from him. Like Cher said to Nicholas Cage in "Moonstruck"... droughtquake is right: Robbie needs to contact that social worker ASAP. Barring some miraculous epiphany in Don and Sue, Robbie should rethink the adoption and explore other options. Amy and Nicola are the only rays of light in that family. I love this thoroughly captivating, maddening story!

Powerful, moving chapter. Well done!

This has all the makings of a fun story. It sounds like Cam REALLY should have taken Ian to prom! I mean...he could have tried to get Ian pregnant all night. The sex would have been so much better, and without the life-changing side effects.

High School is hard for kids, and Teddy's insecurities keep getting the better of him. I see him as a good kid who has become more introspective and is trying to change. Still, sometimes I want Ryder to pull a Cher/Nicholas Cage move on Teddy and yell, "Snap out of it!". Maybe without the slap. Physical violence within a relationship is never OK.

Excellent chapter. I just double checked to make sure my cardiologist is in my current contacts list on my iPhone. I feel like just imagining that burger puts me at risk. ;-)

Always happy to see update notifications for this story! I'm relieved that Robbie is out of Alex's house (even if it took a commando raid to do it), and reunited with Nathan, Amy, and Nicola. I loved the Nathan and Robbie moments. It's also gratifying that Sue at least acknowledges her culpability. Don is still on my caca list (or merde list...it IS Canada, after all) and had better engage in some fast and sincere redemption. If not, Robbie could petition a court to have Don removed as guardian because of his abusive behavior. Retrograde bastard. The humiliation would serve him right. I'd love nothing more than to see Don demoted from a self-appointed Brahmin wannabe to an untouchable. The problem, of course, is where Robbie would go. OK, yes, I admit it. Don has struck a raw nerve. ;-\ Then there is the birthday/funeral conundrum. It would break Amy's heart if Robbie weren't there, and she has been the most consistently loyal and loving member of the family. Somehow, given his loving and forgiving nature, I think Nathan would understand. If not, then you've created yet another point of conflict to feed the plot.

My experience was different. The complete and unstinting love I felt for my daughter the moment she was born is something that is hard to describe and explain. It was far more than protectiveness or attachment. I felt it the moment I saw her birth, and it grew exponentially when I first held her in my arms. In all my life experience, there is simply nothing else to compare - not even my love for my younger brothers and sisters. My ex-wife's (gawd, don't ask; I'm a Kinsey 6...it was hell) experience, however, was closer to what you describe. She took a while to warm up. Awhile. My husband is much more maternal. I digress. The bedwetting issue cracked me up. Too bad no one told them about GoodNites in advance. Even if Dane didn't normally have this problem, sudden emotional upheaval for a young child can certainly trigger the occurrence. Gabe and Derrick have definitely taken on a project, I suspect, however that, even with all the inevitable challenges and issues, they will find themselves falling in love with the little boy more quickly and completely than they realize. Still, It won't be a bed of plumeria.

Absolutely more Seb and Beau!! That's like asking if one would like fresh shaved truffles warmed in butter on sautéed diver scallops, with a glass of chilled grand cru white Burgundy (without the premium charge). Duh. And I am unanimous in that. ;-). Damn, I must be hungry. What a shame that Liam's injuries from the haters are forcing him to compromise his dreams. On the other hand, learning to deal with that kind of loss is a critical life lesson best learned early.

Heady stuff. Definitely not a cookie-cutter Gay Authors romance. You're keeping it painfully real, which makes it that much more powerful. And difficult Bravo.

Terrific chapter, again. I'm a bit curious about something, though. Between "Ian's Heart" and this story, you present Adam as a bit of a hard ass with a notable attitude problem. Is that intentional, or am I simply reading him through my own filters? Benny always warms my heart, and Will's and Liam's generosity and love (for each other, and almost everyone else) are absolutely transformational. Love the overdone Aussie slang!

One of the sweetest chapters I've read anywhere in awhile. Following the shattering events and appalling words further south over the last several days, I really needed this. It was just what an injured American soul craved. Not only are these two so lucky to have found each other, they are incredibly fortunate to have such a wise extended support system. Lovely, evocative writing. Their emotions and thoughts and body language were beautifully conveyed through your words.

I've loved this story and I'm so sorry to see it end, but what a wonderful, sweet conclusion. I can hardly wait for the sparkly fireworks that are inevitable in the upcoming Nathan and Bryce story! Hope it includes Elena and Marty, as well. Beautiful job.

Oh myyyyyyy. Your stories are like crack (not that I have any experience with that, but still...). Great chapter!

Love the plot twist. I just hope there are no nasty, unforeseen surprises with poor little Dane. Or his family.

I dictate, rather than type, everything on my iPad just after I finish a chapter, so my review was purely stream of consciousness stuff from the heart. And, it was before my evening cocktail. PS... thanks for the future storyline hints. I could kind of sense that coming. ;-)

This is such a great story and I get so engrossed in each chapter that I am caught off guard and disappointed when it suddenly comes to an end. I'm truly enjoying the way in which these relationships are developing and deepening. With all the talk about security, and with Paul's almost premonition about problems in Chicago, you also seem to be leaving open the possibility of future drama. Artful plot development.

Thank you for all the care and attention you have lavished on this site that has come to mean so much to so many readers.

I feel so badly for Ian, even though in the overall plot it had to have been a misunderstanding or an emergency. Still, putting oneself back out there after such a loss is so hard. I've also missed these guys and, if it were possible, we would employ you full time to simply write to entertain us!

What was I thinking? Don did assault Robbie; it was the battery he didn't get to.

Yeah, $2000 is insulting, but it's even worse than that. Those are Canadian dollars. At this afternoon's exchange rate, that's $1578 USD. I've known people to offer more than that as a reward to recover a lost or stolen family dog. While it's true that Robbie will eventually have to return home, redemption for Don (if it happens) will be a long and hard-fought journey. For Don. I, too, am extremely proud of Robbie for staying loyal to Nathan. I'm also relieved because I want that relationship to go the distance (hint, hint Dodger) and it likely couldn't if Robbie had violated Nathan's trust and given it to Alex. I agree with other readers who have called out Robbie for his immaturity and poor choices, but two adults are responsible for this particular mess: Don for being an unevolved homophobic prick who emotionally abused Robbie and very nearly physically assaulted him, and Sue who sent Robbie into Don's office alone - knowing full well what his attitude was. I still don't know what the hell she was thinking. Great chapter and excellent story, Dodger.

What a story I stumbled onto just days ago! I've blindly binge read without noticing that I was approaching a brick wall. Now I'm forced to join the rest of your loyal readers to wait for the next chapter. This is such a treat and I've grown so fond of these characters.