Anton_Cloche

Another great David C. McLavic chapter from @CLJobe. Shows even more insight into this young man, who in addition to his interest in archaeology, apparently has a knack for design and construction, conceiving a front porch for his Uncle Harry's cabin in the woods. IMHO, A cabin without a front porch to welcome you, is just a house. (Actually if you think about it, studying ancient structures and how they came to be, gives him insight into architecture). Thank you Cal. ! 🫂

@JJ Quinn am I "diving too deep" in parsing parts of this chapter? 'Tanner wiped his eyes as he looked at me. “You weren’t kidding. You put a ring on me.” “Yes, we did. You belong to us now until the end of our days.” Not "you are now a part of us", (equal), but "owned". At the end of the chapter, Tanner relates this: "I had told Quinn I wasn’t happy. He must have told Orion ... Being pinned on the bed is nice, being pinned on the hard tabletop is rougher and shows my uselessness". I bet a lawyer would love to get their hands on the "agreement" Orion and Quinn had Tanner sign. Why do I sense something coming, (theme music from Jaws)?

OMG @quokka, just when Cooper really needs a break after a hectic couple of years, and becomes a savior of sorts for young Kristian; he finds and buys a "Settler's Cottage" as a 'bolt hole' (a 1/2 hour between Uni and home, and 1 hour away from his Estate and 'Watch Tower' where Kristian is his guest). After feeling unwell at his parents, his Mum checks up on him, calls '000' for paramedics, and Cooper winds up in hospital for two weeks with spinal meningitis? This could explain some of Cooper's symptoms including headaches and sensitivity to light. The downside is that meningitis usually results from close contact with another person who may have been sick earlier, recovered, but remains an unknowing infected carrier. Cooper needs to have Kristian tested straight away and get a vaccine shot, as well as testing all other workers on the estate who may have contracted it from campers. Let's hope and 🙏 that Cooper has a full recovery and that Kristian recovers and with Cooper's help, finishes his education and perhaps becomes a personal chef and good mate to his benefactor.

And now Ken's life really becomes a challenge. The timeframe of this story (2008), meant that only Maternity Leave existed in the Corps, with no Paternal Leave. However, depending on how long Ken his served (4 years if I parsed details in the story correctly), he would accrue 2.5 days paid leave per month. IF Ken has 4 years of service, and hasn't used any 'Leave' before going to MD, he should have approximately 120 days of 'Paid Leave' available. In 2008, Marines could apply for 60 days uninterrupted Leave at one time and spend undivided time helping HIS daughters Jessica and Julie begin to get settled. It's not a lot, but it's a start. And hopefully he has his 'Corps' family to help. Oorah ! 👩‍❤️‍👩 👨‍👧‍👧

A very interesting chapter @quokka with so much going on. Cooper having some remote interaction with his mystery guest 'K', but still no face-to-face meeting (so close but so far apart during the roast beef dinner). Lots of planning for expansion of the estate, the grounds and facilities for the next (and following) Avon Descent, plus expansion and improvements to the Tower, including more provisions for Cooper and 'K' so no one goes hungry. Canadian cousins Reuben & Roderick are settling in, but is no news about the investigation into their parents murder a good thing or are there clouds on the horizon? Finally, the entire family gathers one last time to clear out their grandfather's original homestead in Esperance which has been sold. The Station that began with his arrival from the UK, became the cornerstone for his holdings in Australia and the nexus for generations of the Hudson family and expansion of the family's lands, holdings and wealth, and ultimately led the position young Cooper now finds himself in: "It was the only chance that our cousins would have of seeing the Station that our Grandfather had worked on for most of his life, and where our family had spent nearly every school and Christmas holiday; so it was a very sad event when the plane left the Station runway and we saw the Station by air for the last time".

A traditional (wood or composite) 'in-water' kayak, are for 1 or 2 people only. There are 'on-water' inflatable watercraft they sell as 'kayak' but they are essentially SUP (built on 'Stand Up Paddleboard' concept). They are IMHO, and based on experience, not built to handle rough open water (rivers, lakes or ocean) and are limited to 250 lbs ave and while called "3-person" they would be 2 ave size adults and a child or large dog. T, O & Q would need a large rigid canoe (not a blow-up made by CH.Ina Inc., that is a cheap knock off, not ideal for dive tanks). A reliable inflatable canoe / kayak, with good built and solid warranty, the best, IMHO, is Sea Eagle out of NY. Remembering that "You get what you pay for" should not come to mind when you're sinking.

That 'phrase' leaves some wondering about whether @P. E. Knapp is drifting away from the anchoring points of this story, or is this just another kind of diving deep and plunging the depths of hidden treasures. (Anyone counting bad puns, double entendres etc.?😉 ) As for Orion, Quinn and Tanner being 'legally' married just because they signed an 'Agreement'? This is fiction after all, but Texas does not recognize and explicitly forbids 'conjoint' or group marriage aka Polygamy in any form. Can the three guys form a legal partnership, whether assets are shared equally or not? Yes. Can they do so were one partner is explicitly only providing 'services' to majority shareholders? Prenup? Nope! NDA? Definitely. Reading between the lines? 🤔

“Hello, I am Roderick Mitchell Hudson, but we have been using our mother’s maiden name more recently,” Roderick said to me, “Which is?” I asked, “Butterworth… Hello I am Reuben Xavier Hudson,” my other cousin said as he stepped towards me and shook my hand, before taking a step back and frowning at his brother who was still hugging me, and I bent down to break the hold and smiled at Roderick..." Preston @quokka I was going to make a 'sweet' comment about CDN cousins use of their Mom's 'Butterworth' maiden name, but held off when Reuben and Roderick heard Cooper's Dad (their Uncle Ethan) say their parents death (in British Columbia, Canada) was not a car accident, but they were killed when the brake lines were cut, making it a murder. So they could be targets, given the nature of the positions their parents held in Police Intelligence services in Canada (CSIS or RCMP), similar to AFP. Whatever reason Reuben may have for seeming to be homophobic, will be discovered in time. As for the 'intruder' at the Watch Tower? We see yet again Cooper's empathy in his note: “Dear Guest, you are welcome to stay, I will only be here for the weekend before returning to the city. Your washing is in the machine in the laundry, I have gone into town to buy some more food for us to eat. Regards Cooper Hudson (Owner). That and Cooper's instructions to his Estate manager Davies, show his concern for this unknown person: "I think he is homeless and down on his luck at the moment. I will come back next weekend and if he is still here, I will see if I can have a chat with him...” Thank you for this story.

Unfortunately children (normally) don't get to chose parents. At least in David and Beth Ann's case they have a really good father. Can't wait to see what happens next, but I'm pretty sure young David will follow in his father's footsteps, while Beth Ann pursues a career in medicine.

YES! @kbois is back and I can't wait to see what magic she has brought for "The Last Unicorns". As John and Rick Reynolds trot off into an early retirement at only 56 years of age; just 6 years into the second half of a century, what challenges lie before them? 3 decades of successful business careers with the same firm, gives a strong impression there's nothing they can't handle. But is there a challenge waiting for them down the path of life? As "John inhaled the familiar aroma of bergamot, sandalwood, and the unique scent that belonged only to Rick", can they harness their strengths and ride off on a new trail, together?

Hmm? Throbbing Throuples possibly derail the long planned and awaiting marriage of Orion and Quinn? No matter how compliant (and understanding) everyone 'claims' to be, at some point someone can have a change of heart. Or feel the proverbial "3rd wheel". Tanner appears to be shaved smooth all over 😉 like a slave when he assumed the position, 'presenting' his body, hence Orion's 'instruction': “OK Tanner. Let your armpits regrow and the pubic hair around your dick. I’ll trim that the way I would like it. We’ll keep your ass smooth.” Is this heading for disaster?

Another great chapter, but I swear Orion is walking (cautiously) with a dark cloud over his head. * Joe Btfsplk – from cartoon L'il Abner Quinn is doing his best to care for his fiancé. Love (and fully appreciate) Orion's comment about his "Physical Torturist". 😉 * Anyone wondering how to pronounce Joe's last name? Cartoonist creator Al Capp once demonstrated by sticking his tongue out of his mouth and made a sound known as 'blowing a raspberry' AKA 'Bronx Cheer'.

Kids spending time with parents and 'Grands' is as important as the other way around. Love 💘 can flow in all directions, if encouraged. 😀

As Dorothy said: " We're not in Kansas anymore", certainly applies to Albin. His good friend George would guide him better than Cody. I'm not saying Cody is a "bad" person, but he certainly is the other side of a coin in terms of his experiences. We'll never know what Albin's father Lars would say. And Lars' parents certainly have left the door open for Albin to assume the rightful 'scion' position with their international engineering firm. However Albin is hesitant / reluctant to go to Sweden without his mother Marie. Decisions, decisions, and he still has at least another year at university. Hmm.

Marvellously written chapter @CasualWanderer82. One that reveals so much more of the tortured Omar / King, and his affects not just on his former military comrades, but on his son Patrick that he couldn't, or dared not to get to close to. Perhaps because of Omar's sexual past with Bishop, and fearful he might harm Patrick. Patrick's fleeting moments of a father / son relationship possibility that vanishes like a fog lifting. Then Patrick / Pawn's discovery of Omar moments after his suicide. And the scenes in the forest with the black stallion? Is Omar's spirit now infused in this steed who can and does save Patrick and takes him "home". As to the "limitless possibilities of Patrick / Pawn, can he be the basis of a Book II?

In my earlier comment I forgot to thank you again for this wonderful story @chris191070, especially as we watch Doug and Michael not only overcome travails in their way repeatedly, but go on to marriage and the loving adoption of 12-year old twins Peter and Paul. Older children face so many unfair challenges to being adopted, and even more so for siblings. Heaven was indeed watching over all 4 of them. Any yes, Peter and Paul will have mounds of 💘 heaped on them.

Another good chapter @quokka. Cooper and his team making great strides with the estate property. Glad to see Coop's cousins Reuben and Roderick now safe and secure on the estate, with Cooper and his friend Jasper, (the Canadian High Commissioner's son), visiting on weekends. There's still some investigative work needed to discover what truly happened to Reuben and Roderick's parents and their supposed fatal car 'accident'.

I was about to ask you if there's an HEA coming, but I'm sure it's part of the Epilogue, (especially if you wrote it as "Ten years later ...") Hmm, does that preclude a Book II? The possibilities are there. If you were another author (name withheld to protect the ?) with a penchant for throwing more than a "spanner in the works", or having more cliff hangers than should be allowed, I can imagine all sorts of different outcomes.

As to @drsawzall "Doublemint" reference, the 'suits' in Wall St advertising (straitlaced and leering at 'babes' by day, and in the Meatpacking District's Mineshaft Ramrods by night), were busy with ads featuring buxom beauties talking about loving 'Mounds' or (female) Twins saying "Double your pleasure, Double your fun with "Doublemint" gum.

Oops

Between the (not "Good Dr"😉 ) and @Tonyr , I'm guessing Science, Biology and Med were not courses 'aced'? No matter how hard & how often they try... their results will be pregNOT. 😅 🤣(unless one of them is Pope Innocent XIV from Conclave). Ps: sorry, not sorry for any possibly perceived 'rude' puns, but it's Hump Day in my part of the world and -4°C (or "really damn C🥶LD" for those on Fahrenheit) 😉

Wonderful chapter Q, and lightly hidden 'between the lines' are potential new stories that will require the appearance of not only Cooper, but also Giles, Davis, Jasper and others integral to this story. One of these new stories catching up on the 'Canadian' cousins? Cooper's 'handling' of media intruders: "While they were distracted by listening to Dad’s response, I removed the memory card from the camera that I was holding, and as I knelt down on the ground, and placed it in the camera bag, I felt around and located a second camera, where I removed that memory card as well, and slipped them both into the side of my shoe, before standing again, as I now held onto the camera bag with a tight grip", missed something important. Most experienced Media, especially photogs, knowing they might be discovered, usually swap out film and SD Cards, just in case they are seized. The media may still have what they wanted. Q? After the next / last chapter, there will be a separate Epilogue? 🫰

With a dogs hyper sensitive noses Bailey knows something is different about Bear. Great chapter Bill. Devin is still very mercurial regarding his health and the horrendous things that could be done to him, Mac and both their families should they be found out. I foresee his attitude being a potential issue to their long-term relationship, especially if they have children, either through surrogacy or adoption. If they adopt, depending on the age of the children, they may be sensitive to arguments, heated discussions etc between Devin and Mac. And NO child should have to suffer from that! As for his long overdue swipe at Louella deVile? Couldn't happen to a more deserving ...

And a good time was had by (almost) all. As for the politicos (WA Guv'nor)? Sometimes they are "hoisted on their own petard". (For readers unfamiliar with that saying / quote, it essentially means that a person, (usually self-centered and self-serving), has been messed up by their own actions. Synonymous with "Karma". 🤣 🤪