centexhairysub

All really good choices, but I really loved California by Rufus Wainright...

Well, this was a really nice chapter and a great way to end my night. I thought the scene with Will and Kai was really sweet and endearing. They both realize that they are just not ready for a long distance relationship and they really don't know what will happen but you can tell that they truly care about each other. I don't know that I could see them going much further than they have; but I hope they do stay in touch and keep up with each other. Kai is good for Will; I think he helps keep him grounded to reality to some extent. Kai and his families struggle and happiness is hard fought and it was nice for Will to see and experience that. I thought that the scene on the plane between JP, Stef, and Will was really well written and I really felt I was there spying on them while it was going on. Will has forgiven Stef and given absolution; and they seem to be back on a more even keel. Will knows something is up with JP but I think he is going to be really suprised and worried that his behaviour started the ball rolling when he finds out. Will did the right thing with both Isidore and Claire but they responed just perfectly to his actions. Claire has always been really important to Will and before this had backed him up more than almost anyone except JP and Stef. The relationship between Will and Isidore has been more implied than shown; but it always seemed really important to Will, glad to see it moving back to where it was in the past. I hope that Claire and Jack both stick to their guns about Marie. The quicker and earlier she learns that the world doesn't revolve around her and that her actions have consequences; the better off everyone will be in her life. I was also glad to see that Will and John seem to be moving back into a tighter relationship. I do think it will be good for both of them to have each others back. I can see any battle between Will and Marie being messy, tearful, and noisy but I have to say my money will be on Will; even though Marie has an early inside track. I don't think the battle will be over quickly or without casualties however; family battles rarely are. Glad to see that Will took the high rode with Erik and let him know that he was truly sorry for his action; it was the move of a big man to admit the way Will got played by Tony and how it made him realize what Erik was going through. Sunday dinner is going to be explosive; I can't wait to see everyone's reactions. Who will blame themselves, who will blame others, and who are just going to be in shock... Can't wait...

This was a sweet and sort of quite chapter. The goodbye between Will and Kai was very sweet but they both realize that neither of them are ready for a long distance relationship so it was bittersweet as well. I really like the talk that JP, Stef, and Will had on the plane. I thought that Will and Isidore and Claire all handled themselves really well. I am glad that Will and John seem to be pretty tight still, and glad to find out what Marie has been up to. I really do hope that Claire and Jack stick to their guns. The quicker she learns that the world doesn't revolve around her, the better eveyone will be. I have a feeling that even thought Marie is established at Menlo that Will may come out on top in the end; there maybe blood, tears, and a lot of screaming before that though. Glad to see that Will made his peace with Erik as well; after Tony he has a better idea of what he was going through. I do wonder how everyone will handle JP and Isidore's news; some of the reactions are bound to be priceless...

Well, I can see where Westie is coming from; being on Leander would fit the title of the story quite well, but I sort of want Granger to get back to England. I do agree that the issue with Maidstone will probably be resolved or in process before he arrives but George does have other matters to deal with. He has a new child that he is going to take care of, even though he isn't the parent; a new nephew, that might be his son; and his wife may have some health issues as well. While I do love Granger on a ship, and I think Westie is right here as well; he will get a bigger one, I do enjoy him equally on land. Well, whichever way Mark takes us; I will be there glued like a barnacle to the side riding the waves with everyone else...

Well, this was truly an interesting chapter. I loved the apperance of Jardines. You know that Nelson will praise him in his post to London and that along with a push from Granger should be able to get him somwhere more to his liking. I do think in some ways that he and Granger compliment each other as lovers but they could never really be more than that to each other. Granger knows just what to say to Nelson and how to praise him without appearing to be brown-nosing him. I thought it was unusual and a mark of just how much Nelson would have thought of Granger to have him explain his decisions and some of the choices that he would make. Unless this is going to be one of the longer stories any either of the sagas that Mark has written; Granger can simply not be on the Leander. It was captured by one of the ships of the line that escaped from the battle and headed north. The officers were held without medical treatment or decent conditions for months before they were exchanged, almost into the new year. The French actually looted the personal belongings of both the British officers and men. Berry and the Captain of the Leander, Thompson, were actually lauded in Britian after the defeat for putting up such a great fight against a ship with almost four times the firepower. I really can't see Mark delaying Granger's travels to the extent that he would have to if Granger boards the Leander. Not sure what is going to happen, but I think something will. Maybe Berry will do something to keep Granger off the ship, if so serves him right to get captured... Can't wait to see what comes next, great job Mr. Arbour...

Well, unless this story is going to be much longer than any you have ever written; Granger will have to be kept off the Leander. That ship was captured by the French in a battle with a much larger ship off of Crete and the officers did not reach London for an additional several months. They were actually lauded for the defeat as the ship that defeated them had almost four times the firepower. The French captain and officers and men were noted to have looted the belongings of the British officers and sailors... Interesting sidebar with Jardines; I am sure Nelson would make comment and that along with Granger's push should get him somewhere more to his liking...

For good or bad, it is almost impossible to escape your past and upbringing... With Jeff, it was what might have been with some love and encouragement earlier in life; and with Sam, it was the fact that he had that same encouragement...

I just cried for a whole day after reading this chapter... I was sad for the loss of potential and sad for the lost time.

I have hated this chapter since I read the story the first time years ago... Jeff had so much promise but drugs and perhaps mental issues took it away... The writing was great for this chapter but it just made me so sad... I kept listening to a " A Whiter Shade of Pale" for hours after reading this chapter... It just fit my mood...

I love how JP has his family to fall back on when he needs an extra hundred thousand or so. LOL... The way that youth has a way of smoothing out the sorrow. Brad and Ace bonded over their biological fathers and formed a fast friendship... It is amazing how far JP's parents have come. From fighting about where Andre was to be buried to accepting Sam as their son's partner.

I think this was the chapter that made me realize how this story was going to end. I was sad from this point on really. Calling a French police officer a Nazi; would be just about the worst possible thing JP could have said. He did not even really call him one but his statement made it sound like it... Sam to the rescue...

For, JP, his word is his bond. He would never not continue to support Sammy by paying for his school. Jeff has started to change. It doesn't make it any less painful but you can sort of understand why JP made the decision he made.

I love how JP finally made a decision and decided to actually stick to it. Jeff just doesn't seem to know what he really wants. From his actions, I have to wonder if Jeff wasn't possibly manic depressive or bi-polar. His mood swings and the fact he was in his early 20's when this started to be a problem might be signs...

Sometimes love just sucks...

JP is always trying to do what it takes to make everyone happy and see that they get what they want and need. The problem in this case is that no one is really sure what they truly want and need. I loved how JP handled the car salesman, and yes, his mother would have been horrified.

It is so hard to love someone that is in love with someone else. Mark has been able to make me feel like I am there with Stef and JP as they try to navigate this dangerous time. I hoped that Jeff would be able to overcome his issues and this made you feel like maybe he had and that made what is coming so much harder.

This was the chapter when I realized that Stef was more into Jeff than anyone realized. You could tell by his reaction to JP that Stef was really worried about Jeff as much as JP. I love how Isidore handled the situation with Sam. It was so French... Vietnam was such a waste of so many good men. It should have never lasted as long as it did.

It just takes that one thing to push someone back into that life of drugs. Stef should have known better but in the end it is Jeff's problem. How JP handled the crowd was perfect. He understands what so many did not back then or even today; that violence never really works in the end...

An interesting way to meet your future boss. I am not sure that I would recommend it but it worked out well this time. Stef and JP just mesh and although the tension is there with Jeff, he seems to be moving back into the family.

We get to see the struggle of not only dealing with coming off of drugs but having to deal with the blatant homophobia at that time. It was good to see JP's life with his family. How they bolster his reserves and help keep him centered. A woman running a construction office in the 60's would have been almost unheard of.

Drugs can be so insidious. Once they have you in their grip; it is a fight for the rest of your life to keep them at bay. Great work with the scenes between JP and Jeff. I can feel JP's anguish and his resolve. Colleges at that time were such a hot bed of change and often those in the best position to help were forced out because of their beliefs. Northwestern's loss will be Stanford's gain.

This was such a sweet chapter; like the calm before a storm that we all know is just around the corner. It is so easy to forget that sometimes it is the little things and moments in life that make it so worth while... I find myself looking at the date on each chapter and getting physically ill. I just cannot image how Mark is handling writing and re-lliving that day. No one viewed the world the same way after the events of that day. Even if no one in the extended CAP family is hurt or killed; those over a certain age will have their lives altered in ways no one could have been ready for. I know that Mark will handle this with dignity and honesty but I can say it will be really hard for me to read and re-live those events again. Will has learned a great deal from his family. Unlike Marie, he understands that with great wealth and power comes great responsibility. Everyone should always strive to make life better not only for themselves and their family but others around them and the world as a whole; but those with the resources to do the most have a great responsibility then the average person. JP and his family have done what they can to help others. Sometimes it is personal and no one but the person they help really knows and other times it is helping to revitalize a whole town or setting up centers for homeless teens. You can do what you can behind the scenes or out front to try and encourage others, but the most important thing is to make a change for the better in the world around you... What Will did for Kai's family cannot be underestimated. Just making it easier for someone with a disability to get around in their own homes is such a major deal. The physical limitations that one faces with a disability can drain not just the person with the disability but all those around them. This was truly the act of a good soul. Will and Kai are at an age that makes it almost impossible for a long distance relationship to work. It is hard at any age but when you are that young, it is next to impossible. I do hope they stay friends and stay in contact with each other because I think it benefits both of them to be in each others lives. I really loved how Will handled the situation with Stef and his and JP coming to see him. I thought the scene when Stef and Malcom were discussing the locked steel door was just hilarious, JP was perfect there as well. The steel door isn't just a physical instrument to keep everyone out; but a powerful non-verbal communication to others about Will's feelings. It is amazing how much JP understands Will and how in tune they are in so many ways. Wade maybe more like JP than anyone else, but I think in some ways Will is what JP wishes he had been as a young man growing up... Robbie seems to be more in tune with Will right now than Brad. I hope that Robbie is able to keep Brad on an even keel with this situation. I don't think Will really wants to hurt his father but he understands that what he will face in leaving Kai will be emotional enough that he can't handle any other drama on top of it. Will is going to need his family around him and their support when he gets back to Escorial because I think he cares about Kai a lot more than even he has admitted to himself. Will doesn't want to get hurt again so he is trying to prepare himself but no one is ever ready for that... I can't wait but am terrified but what is coming...

WOW, great picks for the last two chapter... I especially loved the Mama Cass song, I am very partial to the 60's and early 70's... Make Your Own Kind of Music was also used the movie Beautiful Things in just a perfect place as well... Beautiful Day was perfect for that moment as well, it fit the tone of the chapter just perfectly... Great Job on these picks....

This was such a sweet chapter. It showed how much Will has grown and how well he was raised. Unlike Marie, Will understands that giving back to others is one of the hallmarks of behaviour that everyone in this family has been raised with. Sometimes it is helping a town revitalize itself, establishing a center for homeless teens, or giving one person the ability to get around better in their own home. Some people never learn the lesson but with great wealth or power comes greater responsibility... I really like the way that Will has put up the steel door. It is a physical message but also a non-verbal one as well. Strange that JP seems to understand the message better than the others involved, or maybe not so strange. I do hope that Will and Kai stay in touch. I think at their ages a long distance romance is almost impossible but staying friends and keeping in touch would be good for both of them. This was that sweet oasis of calm before the storm; not just the dinner at Escorial but the coming tragedy. I find myself looking at the dates on each chapter and feeling a little bit ill as we get closer to that horrible day. Even if no one in the extended CAP family is actually hurt or killed; no one over a certain age ever viewed the world the same... Thanks for this sweet reminder of how to enjoy each day as it comes... Great job, Mark.

Well, he does but I picture him much shorter than George...