Mancunian

Welcome to the world of authorship, that's how we all feel when we post a new story. Your first one will give you the worst nerves, but when you receive your first comments it will start to calm down.

Just keep an eye on your author profile, and you should see when it's posted, it usually only takes one or two days at the most. I'm looking forward to seeing it posted.

Steve, that's the nurse's name, is a nice guy with gorgeous 'come to bed' eyes and does a great job. But I'm not sorry to say that if I manage to get a number I'll be keeping it and guarding it closely. 😜

G'day Nick.

I like your thinking. 😃

He was good, but not as good as I would liked. 😜 But this morning, he broke the news that he is an agency nurse, not permanent staff and tonight will be his last night. 😒

Hiya Gary. I'm feeling a bit better, thank you. How are things with you today? Every comment and review is deserved, I love reading your stories and there are still more for me to read.

Good morning, afternoon, and evening all (depending on where you are).

Hiya @clochette

Hiya @Bucket1

Hiya Page

Aloha Albert.

Don't go reading this story thinking it is about boats or life on the water because it isn't. The title, and this is repeated in the chapter titles, is a metaphor. Our main characters, Craig and Jared, have experienced life-changing, shattering experiences that have left their lives in limbo, almost like treading water, hence the metaphorical title. In this glimpse into their lives, you will experience anger, sadness and joy all natural emotions for most of us to experience. Read this and follow them on their journey of discovery, bonding and healing that sets them on a better path to a future with love and hope. I will give two warnings: 1) Keep the tissues handy, and 2) This story does not have the traditional HEA, but better than that it has the promise of one and will leave you wanting more. Read, be entertained and enjoy, I did, and I promise you will not be disappointed.

I've loved reading this story; it's not a complete story, I see it as an episode in the story of Craig and Jared's lives. The ending is not the traditional HEA; it's the promise of a future that could lead to a HEA, and it is fitting and better than tying pretty bows on everything. It gives us, the readers, the opportunity to use our imaginations for their future and you, the author, the opportunity to decide if you want to revisit them in the future. Like the true master that you are, you have written a story that is complete but leaves us wanting more and the opportunity to take another peek into their lives. Thank you.

A great chapter that shows how well Craig and Jared gel together. After minimal prompting, Craig dives straight in and supports Jared on this important project. His unique insight and thought are well received and encouraged. This new dynamic in their relationship will push Jared's business into the future.

Yes, dad, lol.

He's the night nurse, too. I dare not say what thoughts I've had about him, and I blame Gary for putting those thoughts in my head after reading a couple of chapters in Treading Water. I'm going to get some sleep now, it's late, and I don't want to upset the hunk. 😜

I loved this chapter in the way they both showed their love for each other, but also when they each showed their insecurities, yes, I know that may sound strange. But what they both need to remember is that while they both bring a lot of positives to their new relationship, they also bring their baggage. For different reasons, they both have some insecurities that will surface in these early days. They are nothing but hiccups, but if they don't deal with them, they could grow out of proportion. Talking to each other and, just as importantly, listening to each other is the only way to deal with it. It was good to see they are both mature enough and love each other enough to talk things through and listen to each other. This is an important step in building trust and a relationship; if they keep doing this, their relationship will only grow stronger. I think I'll read another chapter before sleep; it can't hurt.

I've got a nurse telling me off, saying I should be sleeping. One more chapter first, then I'll go to sleep.

The confrontation with the dragon went well, all things considered, she tried to push but backed down when she knew she needed to. 'The talk' was important, Jared needs to be reassured that Craig is 'all in' with this relationship, if he wants Craig to accept that it is their house that they are turning into a home, then he also has to take what Craig brings to the table. One brings the house with land, and the other has the means to renovate and improve, that's equal parity, making it all theirs. Now, it's onward and upward to creating a better future. Jared's idea of asking Craig to give creative ideas to his clients could be a good one and give Jared's business the boost it needs to succeed again.

The love coming through in this chapter is beautiful to see. It was there in the conversation about renovating the house, and it was there in the conversation and events in the restaurant. But just as important for me was including Bailey in their plans and what would be good for her, too. These are not just any plans; they are the best plans, why? Simple, they are plans made with thought for each other, and they are made with love, which makes them the best plans for their joint future. Now, they are about to face the dragon again, I suggest they keep one hand ready for any attack, but if Carly has any sense, she will suck it up and get used to it, or does she need another lesson in learning her place? I'm sure Craig will happily give her a reminder.

Phew, that was hot, sexy and steamy, it was also sweet and loving. On a scale of one to ten, it was off the scale! I don't know how I managed it, but luckily, I managed to keep my blood pressure down, it would have been awkward to explain to the nurse why the alarm on my blood pressure monitor was going off. This is a great example of when a lovemaking scene belongs in a story, brilliantly written.

I can't see this; maybe it's not viewable in the UK.

Well, you had to do it, didn't you? After writing those chapters full of emotion and unveiling Carly's lies and deception to get what she wants no matter who it hurt, you did it; you wrote a chapter that grabs us right there in the feels and shows us how much love there is between these guys. I love the way they have their minor disagreement over the washing up and chat about how to renovate the kitchen. This is what we do when we are looking to our future, and that's what Craig and Jared are doing. Then you take it a step further when Craig tells Jared about Bailey's true biological parentage; some readers are surprised about Jared's reaction, but I'm not. Yes, blood is thicker than water, but then there is a more powerful bond, the bond of love, and Jared has a relationship with Bailey that is full of love, that bond that is stronger than any blood connection. Nicely done, that is the excellent writing and storytelling skills that I have come to admire and respect from you.

As the saying goes, 'what goes around comes around,' and karma has certainly landed in Carly's lap. Craig has come in like the proverbial knight in shining armour and slain the dragon, meaning Carly and only figuratively speaking (I'll apologise to the dragons later). The trouble is remember another saying, 'hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned.' I hope Craig is prepared if Carly tries to fight back later, if she does, this will only get uglier. I sympathise with their mother for having to find out the truth and the ugly secrets the way she did, but being a loving mother, I don't think she will abandon her daughter, I think it will make her more determined to help her daughter be a better person if that is still possible.