Anton_Cloche

Awww YOU @Mrsgnomie try to lull us into accepting that a HEA is happening for Loe, Jay and the 'beans' (what no tater tot titles for their 2 princesses? Only thing smaller than 'tater tots' are small pieces of skillet grilled potatoes you get in diners. Wait, it's perfect ... 'Home Fries'). Then you treat precious important readers like 'whack-a-mole' and drop a Stone on us. Every time a stone gets turned over you're going to find more than just dirt, like creepy crawlies. Hmm...

“Good things come to those who wait” is perhaps what Jay his been thinking since he met Loren. Years of dating / not dating, having / not having a relationship, Jay wanting marriage, house (picket fence?) and children, while Loe runs away at the thought. Jay (and we) learn about Loren's 'back story' and what he's hiding from and fearful of. Loe reconnects with his twin brother and life gets better for both of them and everyone. (Except Loe's evil 'parents'). Finally Jay's patience is rewarded, and a child is in their future. (Maybe twins they're not aware of). Jay was willing to work hard, be patient with Loe and wait for the outcome he desired and deserved! Thank you @Mrsgnomie. Will be looking forward to the next installment(s) of 'Living the Loe life'. (Perhaps a few years down the road, but NO epilogue anytime soon, please).

If Absence makes the heart grow fonder (for those you are missing), abstinence just makes you feel blue 🔵🔵. And forget 'hangry' because you're horngry.

Switched emoji from 'sad' to ' 'angry' because far too many earnest people get screwed over by self-serving, self-indulgent, self-important people like Loren (influencers et al?) only to be tossed aside.

Please, Go Full Steam!

Andre, you've taken time to create a simply marvelous chapter. You start with a wonderful wedding of Claude and François, with great 'princess' flower girls Elizabeth and Fi 👨‍❤️‍👨 accompanied by ring bearers Cameron and Jamie. 👨‍❤️‍👨 Then your attention to detail, especially those at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Great Gallery and the actual ceremony with Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, are presented as if we are actually in attendance. The conversation between Her Majesty and Beth and Nicky's children actually captures her true spirit (that I had the honour of seeing in person years ago). Speaking to Jamie Jnr, the Queen said: "I present this medal on behalf of a proud nation ... then whispered, Don't lose it now". To which Jamie, his eyes wide, shook his head vigorously. "No I won't. Thank you Mrs. Queen", he replied. I can see her brief grin and hear her quiet giggle as she holds Jamie Jnr's hand and says: "That's good. Well done" (while giving her well-known glare at bystanders, not family, giggling nearby). The children going with their Dads to Achnacarry to visit and spend time with their Mothers at their graves, brought tears to my eyes. A fitting tribute Andre. "Well done", indeed! Thank you. Now it's on to new adventures for the Devlin-Major family. Let's see what is in store?

An interesting and well-written chapter, but one that pulls me in a number of directions. First, I am pleased to see Tante Marie has become an integral part of the extended family, and it appears Jean may be interested in her. Second, the decision to sell Richie's family home. When Armand and Colin sought to adopt Richie, the judge disclosed that Richie had inherited his deceased parents entire estate and was quite wealthy, in addition to the house. Although at his young age it would have happy and sad memories for Richie (losing his parents and big brother), IMO They should keep it for his future use, while leasing it out (to the doctor) for some trust fund income and to maintain the property (which usually only increases in value, especially in CT). Third - "Desolation and Desperation" on display in The Louvre was a surprise and shock. We know how hard it was for Armand to paint it, and the emotional toll it takes on him. But his mother was absolutely right when she said: “Armand, the world needs to see this. They need to know that there are children that need help. Young mothers who get trapped and can’t raise a child and can’t leave them to die. Most of those girls have the child without any one being present, in an alley or an abandoned building. This painting needs to be seen. The world needs to see it.” Eager to see where the vacation takes us next. Cal.

"... knock on his door and say, ‘Hey, are you hiding two half-human, half-wolf twins?’” Alarms and claxons ⚠️are going off all over the place. This is a huge bad idea Elijah. Especially when Texas is a 'Stand your ground' (aka Shoot First ask questions later) State, where an unexpected "knock on the door" can be answered with a shotgun or semi-auto blast. Better to shift into a local bird, like a crow, found throughout Texas that won't raise Corbin's attention if it sits high in a tree observing for a day or two. Then, maybe the approach, but since Corbin works from remote home, why would strangers Eli & Ty even be there. Better if Eli 'crow' can fly in a window and drop one of Mom Becca's snickerdoodles near Ashton & Austin. Her fresh 'scent' on the cookies would tell them to trust Eli and Tyler.

Armand can bring in snooty-nosed art professors who state it is "art", (not the smut pics and videos posted online by accusing opponents who thought they deleted their accounts). Ooh

Career politicians (def): 'person' who can't find arse without pork chop in back pocket and 2 hungry dogs, but easily find $ trough to feed at. (see also: Corrupt, Gluttony, Malfeasance) On the bright side Marie showed up for dinner and went home with Ritchie and Tommy (just for the night). A good time was had by all (except for one grumbling grandpa). Colin has to make quick trip home to stop corrupt politicians from (1) stealing the city orphanage, and (2) ensure the new "home" on the farm isn't also subject to being seized by "any" means. Perhaps a charitable OR private trust* designation will work🤞🏼and he can get back to France. Or will politicians dragging their heels delay him? Stay tuned... Thank you Cal @CLJobe for writing! * Private 'Legacy Trusts' can survive almost indefinitely, or until the last beneficiary (generations later) is gone. It need not be family related by blood, so 'ownership' of assets is handed down to successive generations. It can be set up so 'beneficiary' is any child (in this case in the "Home").

An anaconda shifter hugging them until they pass out, then letting them revive, only to do it over and over before squeezing true info out of them. Only then throw them to the wolves. 6 years is a terribly long time for twins Ashton and Austin to be gone. Hopefully they're alive and not so feral that they don't recognize help when Eli and Ty show up. @weinerdog has a great idea that Elijah 'shifts' before them to show they are not going to be harmed. Perhaps Eli should shift into an animal larger than them just so they don't harm him.

Another wonderful vacation chapter Cal. With over 20 different 'galleries' at the Louvre, it is entirely possible some Arrow artwork may be 'on loan' for display. Possibly in the: 'Great Britain & The United States Gallerie'; the 'Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania & Americas Gallerie'; or possibly the 'Paintings / France (Sully and Richelieu wings)'. It will be a surprise to see if his 'nude' of Colin is there. Madam Lavigne has become La nouvelle grand-mère honorifique pour les quatre jeunes Roberts-Rowe garçons : Thomas, Ronald, Richard et Ivan. (the new honorary Grandmother for the four young Roberts-Rowe boys: Tommy, Ronnie, Richie and Ivan). The 12th guest for the dinner boat on the Seine will be Marie, who worked as nanny for the two Lasare boys including Ritchie who was the sole survivor of the tragic accident that took the lives of his parents and older brother. I think this will become a very memorable trip for everyone, and lots of inspiration for Armand.

Devlin is made uneasy by more than just the luxury of the yacht. Devlin is uneasy at the control Marc is attempting to put on him. It may have to do with the control his older brother and sister exerted to illegally throw underage Devlin out of his parent's home after their tragic 'accidental' death, on the basis of his being gay. To improperly (perhaps illegally) sell the house without Devlin receiving his equal share (as would be in his parent's 'Last Will'), hide or not make Devlin aware of the 'Will', as well as any money resulting from his parent's life insurance policies AND whatever settlement occured from the accident. There is much more at play here than meets the eye. Not to mention health issues that (IMHO) may be in play.

Thankfully Karl spoke up and it least one member of the 'Freedom Resistance' group - Augustin - understands just enough English to let the rest know Karl is a Danish fighter pilot with the RAF. Maybe now they'll let him be.

Karl should have said in his limited English, "I am Danish flying with RAF and I don't know French", then repeated "Jeg flyver dansk inden for RAF, og jeg kan ikke fransk". Many French Resistance officers / fighters must understand English? Plus, my late Uncle who fought in WWII said all British Army, Navy and RAF were instructed: "Give only Name, Rank and Serial Number' if captured".

Great 'wake up' for sleepy children is name of play to want to see. (most times). Lots to see, do and explore in the 'City of Light(s)'* and everyone should have a good time... after lunch at Little Ivan will need time to 'be' part of the family. The too recent loss of "Grandfather" and the love, caring and protection he gave to Ivan (even at the dump) was so great. Being looked after by 'Guardians' is one thing, but as Armand says to Colin: “When we go home, we should adopt him. Being his guardian isn’t the same. He needs to feel he is part of the family.” @CLJobe for another great visit with the family.

We had Sister Agnes Yardstick* (*which she used too damn often). Oops, swearing gets you sent straight to H, E, double hockey sticks, AFTER penance prayers were said. Or you cheat and say you were talking about Hell Michigan which is a real place. Yeah, sure. Ps: patiently awaiting Book 3 🐺

A wonderfully holiday for all, also provides some healing for young Ivan after grandfather's death and helps him settle into new family. Lots of things to see and do while in France, including opportunity for Richie to rendezvous with his former nanny. His fluency 'en français' (and teaching his brothers to 'parle') will help during the trip. Liked GG's 'Home of God's Angels' (maison des anges de Dieu). Armand's version 'Home of God's Children' sounds a little too religious?. Perhaps a tribute to GG would work: 'Guardian Angel's Home' (Maison L'anges gardiens)? I am glad to see Pat will not be turning away orphanage children when they turn 18, but help them, like James' friend, with additional education, training or work placement, even though government funding support ends. Thanks in no small part to ARROW grants.

As opposed to a more genteel "Awe shucks" of perhaps her youth? As for "10 more chapters"; presumes (foreSHADOWing) 'Hybrid 3 - Bound for Home' and its' 20 chapters are getting a final beta going over (combing out matted fur?) before publication? Glad to see @kbois, family, friends and neighbors recovering from Ian. My uncle (an engineer) realised the potential for 'mobile home' storm damage when they bought a double-wide in Fla. He retrofitted his with 20-foot augers inserted on a 45° angle at each corner and filled with concrete. When 'set' he then used high tensile tie-downs crisscrossed over the unit to secure to the rebar 'shackles' atop each auger. His neighbors laughed until 'Andrew' hit. His unit remained in place and intact (save a broken patio screen, generator cover and some siding) where others did not.

A good chapter Cal, but it reminded me of the saying: "Into every life some rain must fall". (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow), which was his reference to tears and what causes them. In this case the death of Ivan's beloved Grandfather Ivan, the only family he has left. "Ivan’s grandfather left to go and visit friends and relatives in Bosnia... Colin said after he talked with his relative he had tears in his eyes. We all went to see him off. I had tears in my eyes as Ivan said goodbye to his grandfather. GG whispered, “His grandfather will not be returning. Be prepared.” Now as I looked at them saying goodbye, I had tears in my eyes". Knowing he was dying, Ivan's Grandfather wanted to spare the boy any more trauma, so he arranged his final trip 'home' to Bosnia to coincide with young Ivan's trip to France. The pain of losing his Grandfather is offset by being welcomed into a new 'family' of Armand, Colin and the boys. The adjustment is hard, but GG gives Ivan the ultimate gift of seeing his Grandfather in a dream, giving him a chance to say "Goodbye, Thank You and I love you". 🫂💕

"War is Hell". If ever that statement was true, it is now reinforced by Karl's latest mission being as dangerous as his first, causing him mental anguish over bombing Paris and the innocent civilians his bombs will harm and kill. Trying to fly back to Britain his plane is shot down, crashing in a farmer's field in German occupied France, with its own dangers. Although injured, he is found by the farmer's twin teens Clément and Joséphine, who realize Karl is RAF (and Danish) and not their enemy and try to help him, but before he can safely get away, Nazi forces and dogs close in. Oh oh!

Unless 'BRADY' is a pilot, then the number of people aware of the destination became 5 when your include the pilot and co-pilot. Oh wait, in Australia, and virtually ALL other FBO (since Marc has private jet) and public airports they must file a flight plan and be cleared by ATC, which means at least 4 more knowing, plus radar operators both civilian and military which means at least a dozen. The reason being that "someone will be looking for you if you become overdue at your destination". This gets extremely important when flying "over water". (MH370). Then there are thousands of aircraft "enthusiasts" who track planes globally. And yes, destinations can be changed once airborne, but 'someone' will be aware, UNLESS, someone turns off transponders and ACARS by pulling a circuit breaker. In aviation there is a "due regard" regulation, generally restricted to military aircraft, meaning depending on what pilots are doing they can either keep the transponder on and operate under ATC control or if they have their own radar and have an "express need" to, they could turn off their transponder and do their own separation from other aircraft. Just saying.

"broody?" As a police Detective, Brady should be a damn bit more than broody or a little concerned, he should be in contact with InterPol and MoD. I'm beginning to think he's: 1. So incompetent he couldn't find his arse without a pork chop in his pants and two hungry dogs; 2. Involved with the stepsister's criminal husband who wants her dead; 3. Working with InterPol to build case against Marc Stalder. Huge bloody yachts turning off their Inmarsat transponders so they can "disappear" while at sea? Especially when they have (will have) children onboard. (We know for a fact that military satellites can pinpoint just about anything). Plus ships use satellites (and GPS) for navigation (unless they're using charts). Relying on Marc to call them on SatPhone to say where he and MY Blue Seas are? Unless he has a large quantity of new SimCards that he's swapping out on every call, his SatPhone is pinging his location instantly, giving away his location. Is Devlin going to be a hero (saving kids ?); have a major melt down / panic attack amidst a real attack or a major medical neurological crisis with whatever has been going on with his brain (aneurysm, tumor, ischemic episode)? BTW, i-Pads also have SimCards. Brady and Devlin should bulk buy replacement SimCards in Oz that can be used in other Oceania nation. Plus a SatPhone or Iridium before leaving. Totally unprepared, IMHO.

Just call them the A-F's. (Everybody gets your minds "polite". There are kids around. Liebe may have an expansive vocabulary (CJ?) but at 4 years old Jeffer and Roo should be "normal".

Another really good chapter Calvin with a wonderful solution to bad politicians trying to shut down orphanage. I suspect Colin and his dad (grandpa) will continue to go after those nefarious arses. When I lived in the Tri-State area (Connecticut, New York, New Jersey) I saw many large barns. When family farms gave way to corporate mega-farms, many barns were available for sale. “It’s an old barn.” “What if I told you it is hiding a secret. Let’s go and find out what that secret is.” Most people don't know how huge and open 'Post & Beam' barns are inside. Often 3-stories tall with a tall, large concrete cellar. Ideal for conversion and readily made fire-safe during conversion. What a wonderful Christmas present to the children at the city orphanage. And, as a private entity, children need not be put out automatically when they turn 18. They could help run the 'Home', which needs a weather vane on top, with an ARROW. 💘 As for 'hand-me-down' clothing, footwear etc., if well looked after that shouldn't be a problem, although every child, at least on Christmas and their birthday should get new clothes just for them. Ivan, I am sure would accept them, especially if cleaned, pressed and gift boxed. Top bunk still open? Ivan or Tony & Marie's son Bobby if he wants to finish school in U.S. vs Italy? 🫂