Anton_Cloche

Thank you @Mancunian and @raven1 for this wonderful chapter. While there were tears with Benjamin and Joseph leaving, especially for Aaron and Asher loosing their 'big brother' Joseph, there are promises of return visits in the future. In the meantime the twins will be happy with Facetime (or Skype) calls from the UK. The same applies to Jacob and his two younger 'brothers' Ben and Joseph. Grandad Ox is pleased with his new 'title' (better than Lt.Col?), while Benjamin and Joseph are proud of having a grandparent (especially Benjamin after his grandmother was murdered). Shamira is partly correct about Ariel staying with her pups (however, dogs from EU countries including Spain, if microchipped, with a current "Pet Passport" and vaccinated for tapeworm and rabies 5 days before entry may avoid 4-month quarantine). Perhaps the additional chapter will be "a few years later" epilogue that reveals the boys in their later teens; Ben 18 passed 'A' levels (Cdn Grade 12 / U.S. Senior) getting ready for Uni, with Joseph 16 taking 'O' level (Cdn Grade 11, U.S. Junior). Both work part-time at Goldstein, Johnson & Cole, and volunteer at The Boot? I mean, you're stilling writing and editing it, so ... 🥺 🤞 (Asking for much? )

Is it hot in here? Oh right, the oven is open. Phew!

Not sure I have, but if I did, where and how to get credit for it! Surely worth a few ₪, £ or $, maybe enough for coffee and a pastry? 😉

The last two chapters have me @drowning in a sea of everchanging currents, threatening to drag me deep. Or as Dave so succinctly said: "SO MANY QUESTIONS! AHHHHHHHH!” Now with most everyone back on 'our' 'plane' of existence (the seat belt sign is on, please stay in your seats), will clarity begin? Resume? Will Chronos be our new temporal guide? Or just overheat Clara / Osiris?

“This is Aaru. This is the end,” I think the Beatles said it better: 'And in the end, the love you get is equal to the love you give.'

Benjamin going to UK with Joseph (son of Manny and Miriam thanks to 🔷 ?) is less "in the lap of the gods", and more in the laptops of Tom, Ben and Israeli "techsperts" (tech + experts). And Ben presenting Manny's new Will, handwritten in Israel, that just needs Ian and Kevin's verification. “Can you confirm if the handwritten will is in Emmanuel Goldstein's handwriting?” Ben asked. Puzzled and curious, wanting to know how this impacted them, Ian and Kevin nodded and answered. “Yes.” “But....” “Kevin, please do not ask questions that I cannot answer. A question that does need an answer or clarification is this: "Jacob led a conversation in which Benjamin confessed, 😕 revealed the truth and explained everything". Confessed to what?

Awww 🥲 some chapter @John Henry. The separation of Bryan from his family will hopefully only be a short term thing. Moving out of the apartment (the "only home" he ever knew with his mom) was hard on him. Being separated from Kenny is hard on him, but it's not forever because Kenny has his back. They still have to be extra cautious as far as Calvin is concerned.

@Mancunian with the aid of @Raven1 has created another revealing chapter. One that doesn't just tug reader's heartstrings, but really pulls hard. Benjamin reveals his heartbreaking 💔 story to Shamira: first his father killed by Hamas while serving in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) when Benjamin was 11 😢; then 2 years later his Mother, brother and grandparents murdered by Hamas in a drive-by shooting, their bodies left in a bullet-riddled car as they were beginning a drive to safety in a town closer to Haifa 😭; leaving 13 year old Benjamin alone, trying to survive on his own for a year, and now at 14 giving up his schooling and a dream to be a doctor someday. 😭 It seems Manny's legacy of helping others in need, is living on . In Jacob who views Benjamin and Joseph as his younger "brothers" 👨‍👦‍👦 for him to protect. In Aaron and Shamira taking Benjamin in temporarily until they can figure the next move, possibly going with Joseph to the UK to live with Ian and Henry 👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 (and Ariel his dog and protector, although she may stay behind to mother her puppies Jed and Zach). Jacob calls his boss John to see if there is any way possible to include Benjamin in Joseph's move to the UK. And the answer is...

Thank You for your service ! 🫂

Thank you for reminder ... DM

In the UK there is, strictly speaking, no Minister of Police. Nor does the power to oversee police reside in either the Minster of Justice or the Solicitor General. The UK 'Home Secretary' (Min of State) oversees police. As to "who is on higher position - PM... or king himself?", Parliamentary Sovereignty is a principle of the UK 'constitution*'. It makes Parliament the supreme legal authority in the UK, which can create or end any law. Generally, the courts cannot overrule its legislation and no Parliament can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot change. Parliamentary sovereignty is the most important part of the UK constitution*. The monarch (currently The King) acts on ministerial advice in all but exceptional cases, it is effectively ministers who exercise the royal prerogative. It is, in reality, the Prime Minister who appoints, accepts the resignations of and dismisses ministers. * Unlike the U.S., Germany and some other nations, the UK does not have a singular written (codified) "constitution" document. Instead it has laws and rules enacted by Parliament, which creates the institutions of the state, and regulates relationships between those institutions, and between institutions and individuals. HOWEVER, (just to hold a spanner that may be thrown into the works), The Monarch has the ultimate Royal Prerogative to appoint or dismiss both the PM and Parliament. Ps: Lest anyone think I am throwing brickbats at UK government for being convoluted, I suggest you look at how 'your' own system "exists". (note I did not say "works". ) Oops. Apologies to @lawfulneutralmage if my contribution steps on any toes. Was not my intent.

And we see how well that's working out, for the common good? A previous SCOTUS "esteemed jurist" wrote: "When a 'Mission Statement' begins with "To Protect and Serve", where does the remainder of that sentence lay"? ⚖️

Gonny nae dae thet! Had to go back in my mind to conversations with older Scots relatives to re-tune my ears, (a "wee dram" or two 🥃 may help), for the convo with the Sgt: “Na polis-boy, it disnae. ... If a body is oot tae get ye, then it’s basic, son, ye will dae anythin’ tae survive, and ah really mean anythin’.” ... “In other cases, it turns oan yer judgement. Is what yer daein' right or wrong, or dis it breach yer humanity? Enough, polis-boy! Just hope ye’ll ne’er hae tae fin’ oot.” Speak "the King's English"? From your lips to God's ears!

First, another great chapter @Paladin I am really enjoying this story. As to noise from neighbours music or gaming, parties, babies, cars in heat etc? ANY type of building can have "sound absorption" and/or "sound attenuation" materials added or built in at little extra cost during initial build or renovation. Doubling up on wall materials (Gyprock or Drywall) not only deaden sounds but increase fire resistance. For existing building, adding 'SoundMat' on walls or floors works. The most common way sound spreads is if you share common HVAC ductwork, but 'sound baffles' are low-cost inserts or add-ons. Or buy earplugs (does your partner snore like a train?). 👂 Zzzz

Hopefully my choice of 'angry' emoticon doesn't discourage you @J92, because the chapter was quite good. The anger is directed at Adam and the rest of Thomas' homophobic 'family'. Thankfully there's plenty of evidence and witnesses to Adam's assault on Thomas, sufficient to get a restraining order. It also seems that family issues may be in play with Zack and his ex-husband Billy. Is Billy is feeling bad for abandoning Zack just because of his cancer, or is he only back to pick up the remainder of his things?

Wonderful chapter @Mancunian, that like ripples a stone makes when tossed in water, had both high and low points. Benjamin, having lost his parents (?), and run out of money, leaves his 2-puppy 'family' in a wooden crate, plus food, water, a note and the last of his money (2,000 Shekels, approx £425, $540 U.S.) on the beach near a nice family with two boys playing; hoping they will adopt the puppies and give them a good home. Twins Aaron and Asher tell Mom Shamira they hear "a baby crying", pointing to the crate. After discovering the puppies, Shamira gives in and they take the puppies (and crate) back to where they are staying. Jacob reads the note and shares it with Shamira, where Benjamin writes: "I no longer have the means to look after my babies (puppies), their mother and myself. Please give them a home. ... May God forgive me" Shamira calls Isaac, who instructs Jacob, Ian and Kevin to find Benjamin (in a sketchy part of Haifa), give him back his money, and find out more details of his situation. As a result of talking with Benjamin, they invite him (and the puppies mama dog) back to the vacation house. I suspect that while Joseph may be leaving soon for UK with his new 'brothers' Ian and Kevin, Aaron and Asher may soon have another 'big brother' figure in their lives with Benjamin. There are many who believe that Jesus of Nazareth (Israel) has 'angels' on earth who do good works quietly without desire for recognition or reward. What many call "paying it forward". Manny was one such 'angel'. Helping Ian and Kevin while living in the UK, and rescuing Joseph while visiting Israel. Benjamin being 'helped' by Isaac, Shamira, Jacob and others is another glowing example of Manny's legacy. Benjamin, God has heard you and you need no forgiveness!

Is "appears" the operative word? Perhaps he just wants to pin RMW to the floor, wall, bar or any flat surface and right royally roger the living daylights out of him, thereby sending his 'spirit' into the 'other' realm. Perhaps one 'evil' entity needs to claim a soul in order to return to the land of the living? (Oh wait, have ... ?) Ps. What's with 'some peoples obsession with a skinny Irishman bordering on 69, who 'played' 007 (yes 4 times but 2nd only to Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton for a tedious portrayal)? 🙄 T@B

Another well written chapter @lawfulneutralmage with interesting pacing. Jamie's winter driving skills were put a minor test, but unlike most of Europe, UK does not mandate winter tyres (tires). Range Rover offers easy to install snowchains that are stowed next to spare. Jamie is yet again tested by naked entity trying to expunge Minister RMW, who now knows what is after him and why, but fails to share that with the one person who saves him. Jamie needs to carry extra 'JHP bullet clips' for his H&K, Sig or SCO semi-auto pistol. Rupert is less "Honourable" and more "Some mothers do 'ave em".

At least they have a sofa in office to sleep in. Zzz

This comment reminded me of the 2010 'A-Team' movie, (and the original 1980's U.S. TV show of same name). A secret group of people working to solve impossible tasks. Their leader, (one Col. John 'Hannibal' Smith), had a saying: "I love it when a plan comes together." It seems that plans are coming together for Joseph, both in Israel and the UK. This chapter by 'the team' of @Mancunian and @raven1, shows how quickly the reaction team of Jacob & Co. spring into action to safeguard those they look after, even in the midst of a pancake mix 'sandstorm'. The suggestion by Jacob to take Joseph, Ian, Kevin and the family for a brief get away to Haifa sounds interesting.

Just because Fred was "real estate lawyer" suggests he knows 'something' about 'Contract Law', but that doesn't make him the sharpest tool in the shed. And certainly not for 'Public Defender'. Which reminds me of a joke: Why do they bury lawyers with their ass sticking out of the ground? So that kids have someplace to park their bike.

Will Liam grow 😉 out of this stage, or will he get stuck in the closet, behind the naughty pine.

Liam is a little young to have a beard? He and Mike are still at that "awkward age". Oh and for the record, Maggie's husband is either a complete numbnuts, or he's cheating on Maggie (and his family). "Family Dynamics" and TNT are both explosive. Eggplant Lasagna?

Oops

Apollo needs to use burner phone (not linked to him and not traceable by Amir) and contact Carey ASAP to warn him. Perhaps send anonymous text threat with Amir's name & contact info). Tell Carey to get someplace safe, alert family, Campus security, Police and Homeland Security about threat from 'Middle Eastern" kidnappers (or just say "terrorists"?). Don't forget these evil body snatchers grease many palms in U.S. (and elsewhere) to get away with trafficking boys and girls. And worse! ( international policing agent said: "You can't easily trap sand, but with intense flame it turns into glass. Easily held and easily shattered".)