#ellie rys x m!oc

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[tessa-liam]

Smoke and Mirrors  

10- This I Promise You 

Book: The Royal Romance Finale+, AU

Series Premise: Hidden in the shadows, poised to challenge the status quo are enemies of the state. The loyalties and honesty of family and friends will be tested. ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer’. 

Smoke and Mirrors Masterlist 

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi’ 

2nd Pairings: Leo Rys x Amalas, Drake Walker x F!OC Delaney Leigh, Olivia Nevrakis x M!OC Alex Cossoy 

*Most characters belong to Pixelberry 

*Not Beta’d, please excuse all errors 

Rating: M🔞*Series Warnings:  NSFW material, sexual innuendo, adult language/swearing/drinking/gun violence. Not recommended for anyone under 18 years of age. 

Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff 

Words: 2465 

Chapter Summary: Liam and Riley welcome their twin boys to the world. The Interpol/black ledger revelations are discussed with the Royal Council.

Music & Title Inspiration:

This I Promise You, Anthem Lights 

Slow Down, Nichole Nordeman 

A/N2: My submission for @choicesoctober2023, Relationships: Favorite Ship – Liam & Riley, OTP, Family, My MC, Riley Brooks; Other – Childbirth 

A/N1: My submission for @choicesflashfics Week #56, Prompt 3- “I’m afraid I may have made a mistake.” 

A/N3: My submission for @choicesprompts, Flufftober 2023, Festival of Fears Prompt Event – Prompt 28 – Hurt/Comfort/Forehead Kiss 

Royal chambers, palace

As the due date of the twins’ birth drew near, Princess Eleanor could not contain her excitement. Every night at bedtime, she whispered to her mother’s round belly, speaking to her unborn brothers. 

“Hey, there … I can’t wait to meet you both,” Princess Eleanor softly spoke to her mother’s round belly, her voice filled with warmth and affection. 

“I have so much to show you … we can play together and explore the palace, and I’ll protect you, as your big sister. I’ll teach you all the secrets. I love you both, already, so much!” 

Riley, witnessing her daughter’s heartfelt confessions to her unborn babies, couldn’t help but smile. The tenderness and love in her voice were touching, and it warmed her heart to see her princess already forming such a strong bond with her soon to arrive siblings. Ellie will make an incredible older sister, already showering her brothers with affection, guidance, and promising endless adventures. 

Liam walked into the room, stealthily wrapping his arms around Riley. “Princess, its bedtime. Your Mom and brothers need to get some sleep, and so do you,” he murmured authoritatively.  

Ellie smiled up at him, “but Daddy, with this smile, I can get away with anything. Five more minutes...please, Daddy?” Smiling sweetly at her father, Liam quickly lost the battle. 

Liam guffawed with faux disapproval, “Cheeky, just like your mother.” 

Riley leaned into Liam’s embrace, feeling the warmth and comfort of his presence. She nodded with a soft smile, acknowledging his gentle reminder. 

“You’re right, Liam,” she whispered, her eyes still on Ellie as she continued to speak to her mother’s belly. “They do need their rest. Thank you for looking out for all of us, Liam.” 

Closing the door behind him, he nodded to the guard standing vigil outside her room and turned to a waiting Riley in the hallway. “I think these two,” Liam reached for Riley’s very pregnant belly, “are going to be just like their sister.” Liam mischievously smirked as Riley laughed. 

With a kiss on her cheek, Riley gently pulled away from Ellie’s embrace and pulled the covers up and around her. Liam bent down to kiss Ellie’s forehead, “good night, my princess.” 

“You mean just like me?” Riley snickered, batting her eyelashes playfully. “She has you wrapped around her little finger, Li.” 

“Come on, woman,” Liam roguishly teased. “I have a surprise for you.” Riley giggled as Liam placed his hand on the small of her lower back, leading her to the moonlit terrace adjacent to the dining room. 

Interpol Headquarters, Lyon, France 

Imprisoned by Interpol, Bastien found himself in a dark place. He was questioned relentlessly about his ties to Lena, a woman he had vowed to protect, earlier in his life.  Vallenheim’s secrets loomed over both of them like a sinister cloud. 

Bastien’s connection to Lena ran deeper than anyone could fathom. It all started when King Constantine demanded the loyal Kings head guard to protect his daughter; to take a vow of lifelong protection for a hidden princess outlawed to a foreign kingdom, hidden away from his realm. 

No one could have predicted that this secret princess, sequestered in Vallenheim would be groomed to destroy Constantine’s legacy. His beloved Cordonia. 

Director Ryerson and his team delved into the depths of a mysterious black ledger discovered at the Vallenheim estate, seeking to unearth the hidden truths it held. 

Within those pages lie the dark secrets of the attacks on the Cordonian palace; secrets that entangle Godfrey, the Duke of Karlington. A figure that held an alliance with the nefarious Liberation Corps. As the truth unfurled, Director Ryerson announced to his team that Lena would be formally charged with conspiracy to commit murder; the murder of the King of Cordonia. 

Lena held many secrets hidden behind her mask of steely resolve. She feared unveiling the truth about Bastien would be a death sentence; a revelation that could shatter the delicate balance of power within the Liberation Corps. 

In the heart of this tangled web of intrigue and allegiance, the Kingdom of Cordonia awaited the arrival of its’ future heirs. The shadows of the past looming larger than ever. Each revelation threatened to unravel the very fabric of Cordonia. Leaving its rulers to grapple with the weight of their responsibilities and the ghosts that lurked in the corners of their realm. 

Director Ryerson snapped his briefcase closed after placing the well-worn ledger along with his laptop inside. A quick check to ensure his wallet and passport were in the inside pocket of his suit jacket, he left his office to board an overnight flight to Cordonia. A pivotal meeting with the King of Cordonia was scheduled in the early morning hours at the Cordonian palace.  

Dining Room Terrace, Royal Chambers 

The sun began its descent, casting a warm glow over the gardens. Liam had a mischievous glint in his eye as he presented an elaborate ice cream sundae to his heavily pregnant queen.  

Riley grinned, her eyes widening at the sight of the extravagant dessert. “Liam, this is too much!” 

Liam shrugged playfully. “Nonsense, my love. It’s a small treat for my queen. After all, you’re eating for three now!” 

Riley chuckled, shaking her head; her spoon poised to dig into the mountain of ice cream and toppings. “But, hey … where is your bowl?” 

“I’m afraid I may have made a mistake,” Liam sighed. “I thought I wouldn't want dessert, but now I do.” 

“Your majesty,” the butler appeared. “The chef has also prepared this dish for you.” 

Riley laughed when under the silver lid of the serving platter, a plate of baklava was revealed. 

“The chef knows me all too well,” Liam shook his head, grinning. “Thank you, Elena.” 

They continued to share a few more lighthearted quips as they indulged in their sweet treats, reminiscing about past adventures. Their laughter echoed through the terrace as they enjoyed each other’s company. 

“I still can’t get over that tango dance in Auvernal with Bradshaw and Isabella,” Liam remarked, a smirk tugging at his lips. 

Riley rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. “Oh, don’t remind me. Isabella got so flustered and stormed out of the ballroom.” 

Liam laughed. “That was one for the history books. But you, my love, you were a tango sensation.” 

Riley blushed, her cheeks rosy. “Well, you were the perfect partner, Liam.” 

Their banter was interrupted by a sudden, unexpected event. Riley’s expression changed, and her eyes widened as she felt something she wasn’t expecting. 

“Liam, I think … Oh, my … my water just broke!” 

Liam’s playful demeanor instantly shifted to concern. Setting aside his plate, he stood up, extending his hand to her. 

“Love, come on, we need to get you to the birthing room.”

Instead of delivering at the hospital, for comfort and security, an ultramodern birthing room was recently installed within the Royal chambers. The memory of Eleanor’s chaotic birth serves as inspiration. 

Riley nodded, gripping his hand tightly as she stood up from her chair. Taking a step forward, she buckled over as a contraction swept through her body. 

“Oomph … ohhhh …" Riley’s face contorted with pain. 

Moving instantly with the strength and agility that came from years of training as a king, Liam scooped up his queen into his arms and carried her down the hallway. His heart raced, and he was fully focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of Riley and his unborn sons. 

“Your Majesties, Dr. Ramirez and her team have been notified; their e.t.a. is 10 minutes.,” Mara announced, closely following.

“Thank you,” Mara. “We need her up here, quickly.” Even though he kept up a stoic expression, inside, he was concerned with the level of pain and hurt) that Riley would undergo to bring their sons into the world. Her comfort was paramount.  

The birthing room was a sanctuary of calm, the soft glow of candlelight casting a serene ambiance. The doors were held open as Liam strode in, his presence commanding yet tender. He carefully placed Riley on the bed ensuring she was comfortable. Nurses, well trained and efficient, moved swiftly preparing for the imminent arrival of the royal twins. 

Liam took his place at Riley's side, his strong hand enveloping hers. He looked into her eyes; his gaze filled with unwavering support. “You're doing amazingly, my love. Just a little longer and our boys will be here.” Riley nodded, her face contorted in a mixture of pain and determination. She squeezed Liam’s hand tightly, finding strength in their connection. “I can do this, Liam. We can do this.” 

Throughout the hours of labor, the nurses moved with practiced precision, offering gentle words of encouragement and ensuring everything was in place. Dr. Ramirez stood calmly at the ready.  

As another wave of pain surged through Riley, she took a deep breath, her knuckles turning white from her grip on Liam's hand. “I can feel them, Liam. They're coming.” 

Liam's heart swelled with pride and awe for the woman before him. “You're incredible, Riley. I am so proud of you.”  

With one final push, the room seemed to hold its breath. Then, in an instant, cries filled the air, harmonizing with the joy that radiated from the faces of the new parents. 

Doctor Ramirez gently placed the first baby in Riley's arms, a tiny bundle wrapped in a soft blanket. Tears glistened in both of their eyes as they gazed down at their son. Their hearts overflowing with love. 

“He's perfect, Riley,” Liam whispered, his voice choked with emotion. 

Riley smiled, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. “He’s absolutely perfect, Liam.” 

As the first baby settled into Riley's arms, the nurses continued their careful work. Preparing for the arrival of the second prince. 

King’s boardroom, Royal offices 

Director Ryerson’s arrival at the palace was met with heightened security and discreet professionalism of undercover Interpol officers. The matter at hand was delicate, and Cordonia’s Royal family and council was well aware of the implications of discussing the black ledger. With King Liam indisposed due to the birth of his twin sons, it fell upon his trusted brother, Prince Leo, to chair the meeting.  

Dressed in a sharp suit, Leo took the central seat at the ornate boardroom table. His expression was serious, and he exuded an air of authority as he began the discussion. 

“Director Ryerson, thank you for your time. In my brother’s absence, I will be chairing this meeting.” 

Seated to his right, Queen Amalas, the espionage expert, sits in support of King Liam. On his left was Officer Alex Cossoy, the newly appointed head of intelligence and security for Cordonia. 

Olivia sat next to Alex, representing the royal guard, observed the meeting with a watchful eye. 

Director Ryerson stood, his demeanor poised and his gaze unwavering as he began his prepared statement. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, on review of the black ledger by Interpol’s analysts, I stand before you today to address a matter of utmost importance. At this time, we will move ahead to lay charges against two benefactors and one terrorist organization.

One. The ledger has confirmed that the Liberation Core was funded to commit the assassination of King Constantine of Cordonia by the Kingdom of Vallenheim.” 

Two. Duke Godfrey, formerly the Duke of Karlington; currently incarcerated for the murder of Queen Eleanor Rys was funded by the Kingdom of Vallenheim. 

Three. Lena Rys, a member of the Via Imperii cult in Vallenheim, daughter of King Constantine Rys; currently incarcerated at Interpol headquarters for treason. 

Records within the black ledger, along with intelligence sources have indicated and uncovered a plot to coordinate and commit the assassination of King Liam Rys, funded by the Kingdom of Vallenheim, to be orchestrated by Lena Rys.  

Lena Runarsdottir Rys is to be formally charged with conspiracy to commit murder. 

As Director Ryerson concluded his address, a profound silence settled over the room. The gravity of the situation, the weight of the black ledger, and the responsibility that lay on their shoulders of those in attendance hung heavy in the air. Liam’s absence added an additional layer of tension to the group. 

Leo broke the silence with a determined nod. “Thank you, Director. We understand the significance of this matter and appreciate the expertise of your team."  

Taking a staggered breath, Leo stood up to escort the Director from the boardroom, and subsequently, the palace. His training in stoicism, being tested. 

Birthing room, Royal chambers 

...everything is so peaceful, so quiet. Liam smiled to himself as he laid William down in the bassinet next to his little brother, Stefan. He marveled at the two baby boys, his sons; so taken with emotion. The pride he felt overwhelmed him. 

‘And I will take you in my arms 

Climbing into the bed with Riley, Liam kissed her forehead, as she slept, resting from her ordeal. 

and hold you right where you belong 

‘Til the day my life is through 

This I promise you 

This I promise you’ 

Thanks for reading!

📌All fics & edits: @ao719 @txemrn @queenmiarys @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @harleybeaumont @busywoman @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @imjusthereforliam @lovingchoices14 @kyra75 @tinkie1973 @emkay512 @malblk21 @kristinamae093 @charlotteg234

📌TRR/TRF Liam & Riley: @jared2612 @irisk12 @thesvnsins @walkerdrakewalker @emersyn-in-cordonia @mainstreetreader @belencha77 @iluaaa @mysticalfangirl @queenwalton @bascmve01 @umccall71 @choicesfrog @amandablink

📌Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @choicesflashfics @choicesmonthlychallenge @choicesprompts

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Sunday six #4

Six Sentence Sunday 03.13.22 / Mood Music Monday

Now that I’m getting back into Posting Six Sentence Sundays again, I had to break out these banners again courtesy of @purpleyin​​​

First, thank you to everyone who have been true blue to me, and have stuck by me while I’ve hit this struggling part in my life.  

I feel like writing is finally coming easier to me again, that the writer’s block of my emotions is starting to clear up some, and I feel more motivated to write some things. So here’s what I’m working on this week.  

Also here’s what I’ve posted in the last week, in case you missed it: 

A Piece of Heaven on Earth:  Part 1

Original Post 03/13/22 at 10:15AM  EST

Keep reading

[angelasscribbles]

Bad Parenting Chapter 2: Chaos for Breakfast

Series: Bad Parenting

Fandom: The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir

Pairings for series: (Riley x Liam x Max) + Riley x Drake

Featuring: Leo, Oliva, M!OC Hudson Rys and F!OC Lilith Nevrakis

Rating: PG

Warnings for this chapter: mild language

Word Count: 2,867

A/N: This chapter indulges my HC of Max as the domestic one of the group!

My other stuff: Master List.

Original series this spun off from: Bad Romance. More specifically Bad Romance Disney Adventure.

After the events in Disney Adventure, Leo finds himself in possession of his thirteen-year-old son Hudson for the summer. Unfortunately for him, Hudson isn’t that impressed with Leo’s newfound desire to be a father.

Being back in Cordonia stirs up old feelings for Leo and ignites new ones for Hudson. Leos strives to reignite an old flame, but Olivia is busy with her own parenting struggles as her aunt��s imprisonment made her the legal guardian to Lucretia’s daughter Lilith, who has plenty of Nevrakis attitude of her own.

Lilith Nevrakis is borrowed, and retrofitted as Olivia’s cousin rather than sibling, with loving permission from @harleybeaumont. She is also much younger here.

Leo woke to the smell of coffee and bacon and the sounds of dishes clattering, children laughing and people talking. He climbed out of bed, hurried through teeth brushing and the relieving of his bladder then wandered down the hallway and into the great room where the open floor plan meant that the living room, dining room and kitchen basically faded into each other.

Max was standing in the kitchen, pulling homemade muffins out of the oven. “Good morning, Leo! Want a muffin? I made blueberry, cranberry, chocolate chip and banana nut. You can have one of each if you want!”

The muffin tin in Max’s oven mitted hand clattered to one of the stone countertops as he lowered it onto a cooling rack.

The kitchen had exploded with activity. It was alive with noise and activity.

Liam walked calmly out of the master bedroom and into the chaos completely unphased. He was immaculate, as always, perfectly pressed suit, every hair in place, briefcase firmly in hand.

Max thrust a coffee mug into his hands, “Just the way you like it, babe. Your plate is ready, it’s on the table, next to Ellie.”

Liam gave Max a smile and quick peck on the lips as thanks before setting his briefcase down and taking his seat at the table with a smile. “Good morning, everyone!” He said brightly.

“Good morning, my love.” Riley was seated on the other side of Ellie, between her and Xander. She leaned around their daughter to kiss Liam good morning then gave both Ellie and Xander a flurry of kisses as she got up from the table, scooping the last of her food into her mouth as she walked to the sink to deposit her plate in it. She then hurried to both highchairs to kiss her little one’s goodbye before grabbing her glass off the table and walking back toward the sink.

She nodded at Leo from across the room, “Good morning!”

“Riley, I made you a lunch, don’t forget to take it!” Max thrust a paper bag in front of her face. “You can’t keep skipping meals!”

“I don’t skip meals!” She protested as she tipped her glass of orange juice up and drained it. She took the bag and sat it down on the counter as she rummaged around in her attaché case, “Do you have a copy of my itinerary for the day?”

Max produced a laminated, bullet pointed list with face to face meetings highlighted in blue, zoom meetings in green and time sensitive tasks in yellow.

“Thank you love bug!” Riley rewarded him with a kiss as she pulled the itinerary out of his hands.

“I wanted waffles!” Xander started to wail from his seat at the table.

“Right here!” Max slid a plateful of waffles in front of him, complete with a smattering of blueberries and a dollop of whipped cream on top.

“Waffles are gross! I want-“

A plateful of chocolate chip pancakes cut Ellie off mid-sentence. Her face lit up, “Thank you Poppa!”

“Drink your milk, Ellie!” Max said, then turned back to the adults as Drake stumbled into the room looking rushed because he’d woken up late, “Drake, you want breakfast?”

“No thanks.”

“I have bacon-“

“No time, Max, I have to go!” Drake said as he filled his travel mug with coffee.

Max immediately threw together a bacon, lettuce and cheddar sandwich with mayo as he asked, “Tomorrow’s your mom’s birthday, have you called her lately?”

“Max, stop trying to mother me!” Drake scolded, but he took the proffered sandwich as he kissed Riley goodbye. “Love you, babe.”

“Love you, cuddle bear.” She pulled away to shove papers into her attaché case.

Drake grabbed a muffin and balanced it on top of his sandwich.

“Don’t forget about your mom’s birthday!” Max called as Drake headed out the door.

“I’ll call her!” He promised as he stepped out into the palace hallway.

“Leo, grab a plate, there’s plenty of food!” Max said as he spooned yogurt into Jace’s opened mouth. 

“I’m not sure there’s room.” Leo protested.

“Here, take my seat!” Liam said as he rose, “I have to get going.”

Liam made the rounds, kissing children and Max and Riley before retrieving his briefcase.

“Max, can you call down to housekeeping today and tell them to use just a tad less starch in my casual business shirts? I felt like a fucking statue they were so stiff this last time! Oh, and could you order me some more socks? I swear, every pair I pulled out of the drawer today had holes in them!” Liam said as he leaned over to kiss him goodbye.

“Yes, and here, take some coffee with you!” Max shoved a thermos at him.

Riley was right behind Liam as he opened the door when Max caught up with them, “Riley! You forgot your lunch!”

“Sorry, and thank you!” She told him.

“I’m going to call you at one o’clock to make sure you remembered to eat!” Max said.

“Okay, okay! Love you, bye!”

Hudson wandered into the kitchen rubbing his eyes, “What’s for breakfast?”

“What do you like kid?” Max asked as he cut up more French toast for Jax.

Jace was banging his sippy cup on his highchair tray as he babbled loudly. The corgis ran around the bottom of the hair chair, yipping and begging for more sausage to be dropped.

Xander was singing at the top of his lungs about four little speckled frogs, Jax was making car noises as he pushed apple slices around his highchair tray and Ellie was yelling at Xander to shut up.

“Uh…” Hudson’s eyes widened as he took in all the food. There were waffles, pancakes and French toast, bacon, sausage and ham, fried and scrambled eggs, toast and muffins, cereal boxes stood open next to the sink, milk, coffee, and carafes of both apple and orange juice littered the counter.

“If there’s nothing you like, I can make you something.” Max offered as he gave Jace more scrambled eggs, which the toddler immediately tossed to the floor and squealed in delight as the dogs went crazy racing around to get to them.

“No, that’s cool uncle Max, there’s plenty here, I can get it myself.” Hudson replied as he started loading food onto a plate.

Max started clearing away the dishes. He rinsed them in the sink then loaded them into the dishwasher.

“Ellie, if you’re done, wash your hands and put your plate in the sink. Your tutor will be here shortly.” Max said.

Ellie grumbled as she put her plate in the sink. She washed her hands.

“You too, Xan.”

Xander followed Ellie to the sink and placed his plate in it. Max supervised his hand washing and drying then he sat about cleaning up the little boys. He wiped hands and faces, removed highchair trays and placed them on the counter to be cleaned before removing bibs and pulling each boy out his respective highchair. Max then wiped down the highchair seats.

“Max, have you eaten anything?” Leo asked.

“Oh, I eat plenty while I’m cooking and getting it ready.”

“You know the palace has a kitchen, and a dining room, you could all eat in there, or have whatever you want sent up…”

“I know.” Max replied, “But it’s not the same. These muffins are made with love, Leo! Plus, most of that was sent up from the kitchen. I just plate it up and add the finishing touches, like Xander’s whipped cream and Ellie’s chocolate chip smiley face.”

“I just watched you make Drake a fucking breakfast sandwich!”

Max shrugged, “I just assembled it.”

“You had the bacon sent up just for Drake.” Leo sounded vaguely accusatory.

Max’s eyes flicked to him as he responded, “Yeah. So?”

“So what? You….like each other now?”

Max looked up at Leo in surprise, “We’ve always liked each other! He’s my best friend roomie!”

“I….” Leo’s eyes met Hudson’s and they both suppressed a smile. Hudson might be new to everyone, but a day had been long enough for him to recognize just how unlike Drake that statement sounded.

It did sound just like Max though. Leo widened his eyes at Hudson as he hid his smile behind a coffee cup. He was gratified by the conspiratorial grin he got in return. Maybe the kid was warming up to him after all.

Max whipped out his phone and tapped furiously away, “There! Socks are ordered, housekeeping has been advised about the starch issue and Martha has been told to remind Riley to eat lunch!”

“Who’s Martha?”

“Riley’s office manager.”

“Damn, Max! You’re on top of everything!”

“Thanks, Leo! My organizational skills are second to none. Why do you think Riley hired me as her personal assistant and top advisor in the first place?”

“Uh…” Leo’s eyes flitted over to Hudson then back to Max as he tried to water down his response, “To give you a valid reason to always be around without the press having a field day?”

Max gave him a wounded look, “Wow, really? I mean, yes, that was part of it, but I have always had superior organizational skills and Riley needs that, she’s total chaos most days.”

“Yeah, I get that.” Leo chuckled fondly, “But I never pegged you as the organized type.”

“Really?” Max huffed, “Did you think that those epic, days long Beaumont bashes just threw themselves?”

“Uh…”

“DJ’s just knew to show up? Caterers? All that fucking alcohol? People to assemble the champagne towers? Staff to clean up after the horses? The invitations put themselves in the mail? Customized placards on the doors?”

Leo was stunned, “I just assumed Bert did all that!”

“Ha!” Max barked out, “My brother? Mr. Stick in the mud himself? You thought Bertrand made sure the swords were sharpened for the champagne sabering? You thought Bertrand knows where the strobe lights are stored? You thought Bertrand-“

“Ok, ok!” Leo laughed, throwing his hands up in the air, “I get it!

“Personal assistant is still my job. I just work from home now so I can be here for the kids.”

Leo raised an eyebrow, “Don’t you guys have nannies for that?”

Max scoffed, “Nannies can’t replace a loving parent, Leo. We prefer to be hands on.”

“Yeah,” Hudson interrupted with his mouth full of bacon and waffles, “That sounds like something good parents do!”

“I…” Leo’s eyes cut sidewise to Hudson. There went what little progress he’d made. “I’m just saying, Max seems to be doing all the heavy lifting in that department!”

“Nah.” Max replied as he threw a piece of chocolate chip muffin in the air then caught it in his mouth, “Liam and Riley have a whole country to run, and Drake has the queen’s guard. My job provides the most flexibility. I can run Riley’s staff and juggle her schedule in my sleep at this point. Besides, I like being home with the kids!”

“Of course, you do!” Leo chortled, “You’re a big child yourself!”

“Oh, so real men don’t fuck with their kids, is that what you’re saying?” Hudson had dropped his fork onto his plate to glare across the table at Leo.

“What? No! I didn’t mean….I just meant….” Leo’s head swung around to take in Max, the kids running amuck, the food still strewn across the counters, “You know what? I can admit when I’m wrong. Max had to have been up before everyone else to get all this food ready and make sure everyone else’s day got off to a good start. It’s not a frivolous thing. It’s work. I’m sorry, Max.”

“It’s ok, Leo. You haven’t been around in a while. Things change. People change, they grow and mature and move into different stages of life.” Max said as he put the cereal away in the pantry and the milk and juice back into the fridge.

“I see that.” Leo admitted.

“Uncle, Max?”

“Yeah, Hudson?” Max answered.

“Can you show me around the palace today? I want to see everything!”

Max’s eyes went to Leo, “Uh…sure, but your dad would be even better at that. He grew up here, you know.”

Hudson’s shoulders slumped, “Fine. I’ll go get dressed.”

The two men watched him leave. Leo turned to Max and asked, “Maybe you could help me out with this parenting thing? You seem to have it down.”

“We’ll all help you, Leo. We’re family.”

“You really consider me family, Max?”

“Of course, I do! You’re Liam’s brother! Listen, I know you make fun of all of…this.” Max gestured around vaguely at everything. “But Liam is my husband in every way that matters. We’ve been together for over a decade now. We’re not just playing around and even though the official, legal marriage is between Riley and Liam, we all love each other, deeply! I’m not just a plaything to them, Leo. They both love me as much as I love them, and we are a family!”

“How the fuck does she do it?” Leo asked.

“Do what?” He didn’t have to ask who she was; Leo was talking about Riley.

“Bringing everyone together like that. Never in my life have I been able to maintain one real relationship! You and Liam juggle two each and Riley….” He trailed off, unsure exactly how many relationships Riley had in addition to Liam and Max. Drake, of course. But over the years he’d had his suspicions about Rashad.

“Well, she’s just fucking amazing, that’s how!” Max responded. He knew he and Liam would never have become a thing without her intervention. He was as grateful for that as he was for the woman herself. His life was perfect. Close to eleven years in and he was still just as stupidly in love with both of them as he had ever been. Not that it had been smooth sailing in the beginning. Anything but, actually.

“Speaking of relationships that didn’t work out…” Leo said.

Max blinked, “Were we?”

“What’s Liv up to these days?” Leo asked carefully.

Max laughed, “You’re not subtle dude. Liv is fine. You know Lucretia went to prison in Hidar?”

“What?”

“Something about being in a group that tried to overthrow the government. I don’t know. But anyway, turns out Lucretia had a teenage daughter named Lilith. Liv is her guardian now.”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait!” Leo exclaimed, “Miss I’m never having children because they’re evil little crotch goblins is raising a child?”

“Yep. For about a year now.” Max confirmed.

“I should call her!”

“Are you telling me you haven’t spoken to her in a year?”

“Well….see…last time I saw her, there was a…ah….disagreement and she…well, things were said, accusations were made, furniture was broken….I thought it was best to let her cool down for a while.”

“A while? It’s been a year! Jesus Leo! No wonder you can’t maintain a relationship!”

“Liv and I….we go all the way back, to like the age of six, ok? And things between us are…complicated.”

Max snorted, “I’ll say! Remember the time you crashed that party on the Prime Minster of Japan’s yacht because you thought Liv was there with his cousin and-“

“I don’t want to talk about that Max! It almost caused an international incident!”

“Yeah, I remember. Constantine was sooooo pissed!” Max chortled.

“It wasn’t funny! She lied to me about where she was that night, she wasn’t even on the damn yacht!”

“Yeah, well, you chose to date a crazy woman.”

Leo lifted a surprised eyebrow at that, “And you didn’t?”

“Ok, fair enough. No wonder those two are BFF’s.”

Xander and Jax ran through the room shrieking with laughter as Hudson chased them. Max laughed out loud, “Look at them bonding!”

Leo sighed heavily, “Now if I could only get him to bond with me.”

“Have you tried apologizing to the kid?”

“What?” Leo blinked at him.

“For not being around? He’s mad, Leo and he has a right to be.”

“I didn’t know how to be a dad, Max. My own dad was a piece of shit. I thought the kid would be better off without me.”

“You should tell him that.”

“Why? It doesn’t excuse a goddamn thing.”

“No. But it helps explain it a little. Hudson’s a good kid. Talk to him.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

There was a knock on the door. “Okay, that’s the tutor for Ellie and Xander. I usually give Jax and Jace a bath while the big kids are occupied. Do you want to have lunch later? I was thinking we could meet in the private family dining room and have lunch with Regina, so she can meet Hudson.”

“Sure, Max. That actually sounds good.”

“Oh, one more thing.” Max told him as he let the tutor in, “We’re having a dinner party tomorrow night and Liv will be there.”

Leo felt both dread and excitement shoot through him. If Leo Rys, the playboy prince, had ever truly loved a woman in his life, there was no doubt that woman had been Oliva Nevrakis. He just seemed incapable of making it stick, no matter how many times he’d tried.

But he was nothing if not persistent.

[choicesjanuarychallenge2022]

Edits

Open Heart

Summer Vibes | Sienna Trinh x M!OC (Max Valentine) - @liaromancewriter​

Edit + Fanfiction

Red Carpet Diaries

The Bogart Diaries #25 : Life of the Pawty | Thomas Hunt x MC (Alex Hunt) - @theartoflovingthomashunt​

Fanfiction

Open Heart

Cure For A Bad Day | Sienna Trinh x M!OC (Max Valentine) - @liaromancewriter​

Evidence | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Genevieve McClure) - @genevievemd

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year) | Bryce Lahela, Keiki Lahela - @storyofmychoices​

Hope In The Storm | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kate Oppenheimer) - @starfurylord​

Just like the First Time | Bryce Lahela x F!OC (Olivia Hadley) - @storyofmychoices​

New Year's Banter | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kate Oppenheimer) - @starfurylord​

Trivial Troubles | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kate Oppenheimer) - @starfurylord​

Working Late | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Ellie Shepherd) - @storyofmychoices​

Headcanons

Open Heart

Kate's Fabulous Medical Career | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kate Oppenheimer) - @starfurylord​

Moodboard

The Royal Heir

(Domestic) Liam Rys - @lorirwritesfanfic​

[lorirwritesfanfic]

CFWC Kinktober (@lorirwritesfanfic's masterlist)

Welcome to the filthiest list of my blog (2020 edition) 😁 Okay, maybe it's not as filthy and it's smaller than last year's, but I had a lot of fun writing.

Much like last year, my muse went on hibernation before I could finish all stories, but if you're over 18 and like an occasional smut, I hope you enjoy them.

Day 1. Mutual Gratifications - Part 3 | Colt Kaneko x MC (Ellie Wheeler)

Day 8. Try | Ernest Sinclaire x F!OC (Alisha Hastings-Sinclaire)

Day 10.

Warming Up | Ernest Sinclaire x F!OC (Alisha Hastings-Sinclaire)

Crave | Rafael Aveiro x F!MC (Evelyn Bennington)

Day 14. Surprise | M!Hayden Young x F!MC (Natasha Park)

Day 17. Ways To Solve A Conflict - Part 2 | Thomas Mendez x MC (Ayla Day)

Day 23. Annabelle Parsons x F!OC (Veronica Dantas)

Day 28. A Matter Of Loyalty | Raydan Lykel x Kenna Rys

Day 31. When It’s Meant To Be | Prince Hamid x MC (Daphne Wang)

[yosaerif-archive-blog]

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n,d  ki  wtth,,h tthe;e  ootth,,he e.r,,  .hee waass ,,la `ppp,piin,,g.. mmee!

-- O , hh,,  m.m,,y!! ,-II  ne;;nve vr;; rrTTHoou..u  ghh tII''d ,,k nnock  h,,h,,i;;m   juusst.t  oou,ut.ptj

 , ,WWhaa  wwre, yyo;uy   do,o nigd ruuinnggt    His?'S

TTy..ring gm. tt o;oaaler,rtt ht,,e  aa.utth,,hooriitIIeess.. ,

II   can auuT,oTgrr,,a Phh thta,at..

,,   ,, A litiittl,lee,, ggusttYY,   ouut  t.t,,Her,e   toodwya,,

wwmassN',,'t ,, tt,, ccommrAAidde..ess??

;  ,,

Y.YedAAh.hh ; ;Gus,ts,,y.;;

,,    WWem',,'rre  hh  itittnG aa ss,nfl;;owlee.r   pAttch

sixx mmi;iL LEEns  sf rno  omm hehhree  tto moor,r'rrwoo.

-- .. gS;i]xx  mile,,es,  hhuu h??,, -- BBraary. ,,! .  

AA p,,duud,,le,,e jju..mpp f;for,,r   usu;,, bbutt ,, mma..ayybee yoou',,r''e   nntO  u;;up.p for i , t,,t.. ,

; b-;; aM..Myyb,b  ii a m, ; -  YYoou  u . ,;;e  ennooTT!

s

Wee''rree  ggioonng,, 0990000;t,  JJ.-G;;aG,Gt,t.e e ;  ,, .. WWhhha,,at ft;;tdodd,, byo, uuttH;ik,nnk bbuzzz  z..y-bb;o;  yy? d?A,,Are yyoouu bb;ee e,, en,o..ouug..g'hh. ? ..  p i  ;;mgiih ht fbe.  Itt  aalll .dde,,eppends/ o,,obnn  whhaat ,, 009  90,,  0mmaeeansa..

p  

HH  e,y  HooNNeex;;xv!!

;  

,Daad,, ay;;yO,,u ssvurr.pi.rsesdd  em....

 YYou   dece.Iddee  whw;waat,,y o ;u ''r  e  i,,iwtteerreess,,te e;d   i?nn

 , --,, W,,Wexlll  tehhrre'ss,,a   loot o,,f   cch\;;oicieesh.. --.. Buu tt,you;u, on ,, lyy , gg et fone..

Doo, yo;oue  jvveerrg   e  t   b,orEE..d

vddooviin; ggtht  e  ssammeee ;;jo.b eveeee ryy  .dda,,ay?

,,SooN\, llet  me  t,,Ell ; y yo;ouu a obuutt,,ts.si..irrk..rin,,ng.g.v

, ; YOu ggrAA  b  tthhat;;s  titc,kk andd yo u ju..s,,ts ,moovve i; tta  r..r,,o u..nd,,  aan,d ,, k you  si,irr  i;;ittv .. a,around.

b

YY;ouu geet,,t..y  oourr]s.essllff hi,intoo .a r hh;;yt  thhmm.

tI''s, aa  b;ea  auut;;ti if;;ull  thhniig.

YoYuu kn,o,w DDA  Ad;d,, tt.hee..m , orooee  IItthi.nnkk atbbo;;ouut t i;it,,

mmaybyyE,E tthhe hho;n,oEEyy; ffiie,e,,d

jjs..tt iis;snn''t , igh,ht,f ,or;;r , mm..e..

o,,Yoou w..weeree  thhci i..n;;kinngg OfOO wwhh.at mm,aki,,ing g ,, baloolnn  a,animm  jjuustlass??

 . Thha,a;t's,, aa;; 'bda jjobb

fo,,o,r a  guuY ,,woiti, haa, stIInnggree.

anJ,,Jeet,,t,  yoy,,y ur; soon'p..s  nnoott  ..sue;;r; hhe  W  Waan nttss , t/o,, ggoo  iint oohho  onn,,Eyy,, !

-.- BBxar  r,,y,e  yo.. uu,exA;;A so s;;fu.un;nnyy  ssoomemtmi m  jjuusst;;te  sv.

-,, II''m,,m  ntot. ttrryying g ;; tto  ,,bee  ff,unny.

.p   oYYu''rre  nntt;; ffunneny,,y!!    Ypo,,ou''rrEE goinng ,, i  n,it,,tooh  o;;e,,nyy.;. Oruu  ssooNNt,, t..th.he sss.t,irrrree.!rr ;; ;;

  - Yoo,u'r'e',,'  ggnoonnab[  e  a  a s  ti,,ir,,rrreer??

;-  Noo o  nnee' 's LiLste,tnnnI  Igg;; .oo e;e! ,, ;; WWai itt,t il l  yyo.u s;;eey thee,, ssttickccss  I,,I h avvE. .  

,, II c;c;;ou,uul.ld s a..ay , aaan,,nty'h,,nIgg .. rr;igghhttw n..on n;w.. ;; I''m  ggon;;nsn,na ggeet ann  anntt ta  tt;;t ooo!!j

;;   L etE.E'ss ooppEn. ssOOmee  hon,neeyy  aandn,n eC..Clleb..ratee;;!

,, pMMo ayyb,eyb b  iil'l 'p  iieercEm;my ythhoraxx.n S h,,aev,,v m . ..y  ane.tna..ae....

 ,, SS ,,a;ck  k  ..upp  w,iw,w.thh  aa g r;gaassshop,,pppre e .  Gett ra  a ggolld  ttoohootth;h nd ,,cAAllll eev;v,,er,ry,,o..od;;ydd  ""dawwGG"";!,,

  ;

I''.m  so,,o , prrOOuu.D

. ..   . --  Weer'ee.. starrt,,tii..Ngg  wowwrKK  TTooday!;;!

-,-  T.Tgo aDY'..sx '  tthhee  ddaa y.

,, ..  . OoOmmee Ocnn,,,, AAll t..theh .goooo..d  ;obs ,,willl b,eb  ggo  oNee.. t

e,,ahha,,  riigghhtt. . q ,,  

Pololleen  couunt,,tinggg, , ;; stuuNtNb  e,,ee..e,,  p;po,our  rnng,, s st;tirrrr,r,, , ..fr,ro.on.ntt DepD  Ds  ks, bh;ahhi;r   emr,ovaal;l.;.

-,-  sI  iit,t,, s;;st.lill;a vaaiillab,be,,e? - -.-aHHngg , onn. T,Twoo llte ef;;ft! ,,

  ;; Onne o  ff tthh..emm'js  yyo  ourss!!;;O onn,n.gratteuullattionss!! , S S,,tep  p ; tto  ;thhe  ssiidde. ..

--;; WWhh,ha't;td you ggett??

.. --PPIIcckkiing.g  cc,,ru,u;;  Ouutt.   mSStttel..llraa,,!

oWWw !;;!

 x

Ooduu,pee ; ;oF   Fn,neew,wbiie]ss??

YYe;s, s;;ir,,!. OOuurr    fir,,rst ,,daayy!!  WWe a,,aree rkeiaaddy y.!

 M a;k;e y/ourr  cch,,hooicee..  

- YoUU  wwann,,t  gTTo g voo ff,iR,st,,t? a;;-  N..,oo yyooUU, gg  .oo

   e OOhh, myy.   WWha;t's aavaaiilabblel?

R,Rsettrro.oo,ommj  att.tne;;eddaatn's,,  ooeppnn,,w.. o ntt  ,fforr,, tvhhme    rreaasO;n  yoo;u tthhink..

;  -

Ayy . cchhaancie of  ggeett,ti;;inggth,,eh K,, Re,Rxll,A,n??

-SSurue,,,,.   youo'',,err oon.nn

II'm .. s,o  ssorr;r\Y,   th..Te  K,Krrellmm..ann  jjuussttc,lc,co  oseedd. outq,u,,.

,

WWa,x  mmoo,,,,nkyee's' a;alw..wayss ;; o,opeppinq..

Thhee  KKree.l;maan;;n , xoppeegennd,,d ;p;;l  uaagaain..

, W;Wh;;at  aapp,pneed??

]   A;A  Be.e..e   d]iie  edm. ,,.aMMe e,s  ann,, o,opp,enni;ing., ..ssee?ee.. ,He''ss , ddreadd....yA ndo,ott.hher,, dea D onnee;;.

;;     D ea,,dy,y  .  e,,Da,addi fi,,e;;edd...TTwyo ,, mm  orr.e, d.d,eead.

 ,,DaeD . rfofm ;; tHe .. n  neeccK ; uup.p.. ,, Deeaad  ;f.r,om mt,h,,e  Nece  ek  ;dooncww .T.;.haTs  life!

d Oh, t,,t,,ihhss  i,,s  ssoo hhaarrd!!

Heeatting,G  c,,ctooolling,

s  tUUmnnt  ibbee, epooureerr, ,,  stirrrer  r , ,,   hu;;ummni,i,g..,   in  ps,,seCCttorn  umb  be,err seevve,eN,NN;; LLi..iun t  c o..ordInatyo,,o,, ..st rripp,E s,usps.servvi,isoo,r,

.m,, it;tee  wrwaw.wnng  gll;e,,r..B ,, aar.rrryy;;,  wha attk

o, ddyou  ..thhinnk . II   sshhooUldlg.... Ba.arrj ryy??

 ,,   aBBr..rdyy!!

w

A.AllL rirgrrhtt,,y  wwee'v.v. eeg..goo,,t  thhe..e  s,,ussfnlloower  ppaattch .. inn .. qquaddra.at,,n n i ,n   .ee...

,,  

hW,,Waat ,,h , aappppen.ed  tto;o  yo,ou? W h`eree a  arre ,,you..u?n

-- II''mm  g..giinngg o oUUt.;;. ,, - -O-uut??  O,,utt   w..whhelree?? ,  ; -  fu;;ut t;tehre.. . .- , ;;Oh,,h,,  n,noo!a

c     I haa,,veh. j too,,  bbe eFor,oe fII og,g t,,too WW,o..r,, .fk,or;; r.httee  ,reesstt, o,,o  mYY lliffee..

yyou''.re ioonnnaa .. ddi,iee  l;;Youl'r..ree t  crrazyzz!!s  HHe;e..Lllo o?

AAnno t..ehrh   ;hcalllc  oo,mingg ,,inn/.  

If,,f naayyone's ssffeeelingg ;; ybbra  aVVee, theree',,s .. aa  Kovreeann  d;eoill noo 883,3 rdd

tt,,haatgi e;; Ts  tjhh,,eir . ,roossees   ssTTooDayy..

HH.eeyy,, `;;guyuus.ss,

t ;  

--LLooOOkk    ,,At  \..thhaatt. -  IIssn't';;t hAA,, t h,h, Ekeeidiis  w,,we ssaw.. yyjeiStee,,rdd;ay,,y?,?     ,  HoHHk.ldd , i  ,tt.. soon,, flIIg,,gh,, tdde.ec;ckk''s re;;rsstri;;i,ctteeD.

,

d

ItI;'s OOKK,  LLo,,ou;u.,.,, We,e  'rre..e    ,,g;noonnaa  patbkkeej  hh.im js,utt u,,p .,.

RReeal,ly?yy FFeeLinnG Gl;luucc,k,yy, aree y  ou?

,, SSiggn h,,here,,e, h,h;;erre. JJsuut  niijtiiiaa lth.h.attg.

; ,   .. -  -   hna;;a  k  yo,,ou. -. O.Ol

Y

oou;;g ot aa  r,,ain,n   ,,a,,dviisobrtyy  ttoodaayy,

    , aand a  s yy,o;u aall  kknow; , ,beess , c  ca..nnnoot ffllyy, i,,inn  rra..i;;n.,. ;;

oS beo  .creaffully;;.  A ..s;;  a,, llwAAYss,h

watch  y.yoau,r bbr  oooms,  

hhoocckkey   ssttiiCCkks,  ddoggss,

b,btiR  ds,,,  bbea  a,rrss , ,a.dd ;; bbtaS...

Allssoo,,. II gogt a ,, ; ucp;;plle  oof fr..re..ep;poorrtts,s ;; o f  roooott ,be,,ede;e rbeeii;;ngg  ppo,,o;ur..re,,eD  oonn  u;s.

MMu,urrpphhyy''s iin,n,,,a ;;hmo;oe bc,,Eaausse,,e  oof.f i;;t,,b

abbbllii,g.nl i,iee  ,,a  .icada!

;   -- , ThTTatt''vs; a,,wful.. -g

; A;Anndd  aa  rrm.iinnde;rfi; o;r  youO; .Orro.ookiie es,s,,,

,, b,,beee;;e  l,law..w , num;;mbre e..eon,n.e, ,,aabbsso ol lu'teeysl n,,noo talckki,inngg a,,ott   hh  u  Mas..,!!

;

A

llll ,,riighht,  l,,laauu..nCh,,  ppo,,ozs  siit;;tIo;;noss!,! ,,   .

..Buzzz,  ,buuzz,, bbkuuzcz,,  bb  uzzzz! , BBUUzz,., bbuuz;;zz,z, zbU,zUUzz,b,, uzuzuu!,! Bzzz,, ,,bbuZ,Zzz,,, ,, b,buz.zz,,z,,  buzzz!

BBlackk .. and     YYeel[l,o.w !

 ; ; Hell;;l! o

 Yoou   reaadyy ;; fo fr  t,,httii.s,,,, HHo,ot shhOt?,? ,,   .   ;;Ye,ea..ah..h.  Y;;eahh  , r,bIIngg  iitton..

u   W. inn.d,  , , rcHHe.eckk. .

 - -kAnteyt,,tn nnna,,ae,, c  chech;;h.k..\.- N e  ctaraa  ppack,, ccehmc. ,

--Wi,in..nggss,,a,, cc\..heecck. -  Sing  eer,  cch,,ec c,k.

,,

qS  Sacrrede . oou  u   ,of ,, mmy . sshhyoorrts,, , c;ch,,hoec,ckk.,.

KO, la..lddi,,iees,,

..  .. .l  ett' 's;s  mmo,ovvE,,E, ji,itt ,uo,ot  !

,   , P.. Ound  thooSeS..S pettunniiaass,

 yo;ou sl   tirrped  Steemm--suc..ckkeer  s!  

;;  j, Al,AL fo,,y ,,ouuu,  dRi  ip,nth  hose,,e f  lowweerrss.! ;   W ,,oow!!..II''m O,,uOO,t!;!;;

I,I, can..n't  eellevie e,I'mm o ut!a

So o  obluuEE..

,     II , ff  e  el ls,so  f  aastSS  a;;ndd frf;;fe,e! !

,, Box k  kiittEE!

oWw! !!

FFllowe,,wurrs..!

,  

hT,hi  sii  is  i  BBl,,luu e  LLeavddeerr.. eWW h  havvee ,, rrosess  vvsii,,ua al,,l... ]

Brriin,ng it,,t, aaroun  ud 330 ;;Dee  GRe,,eef sand ddhhooldd;;.

RRoosees s! !!

3

,, .deegr,eeSS,, rrloger..  Bri  inn,Ginngg  hiit aarouo;nd.

  . ,, Stand  dtoo th;;eh, ;siiDe,e kiidd,,. ; IIt''ss gott  a  bbi;;i,,t o;offc  Akiicck k.

,, That ;I,s  no..e. ;;neca  t;r, ccolllepCCtto;or!! ;;

,   , --Eve. se..sep  o  oLLliianntin,o , upp; clccokse?;; -;;-NNo,;;, si,r.

,, I . picckk pp sso;;m eppolllle  nn,, hh,eree  ,  .sppr.rinkkll it, oo..verr ,,HEErree.  . M a/  yb,,bea   ,daashh o v  err  TTheree,;e

u ..

..a  pp,,i,nch oo..n TTha,,att oo..ne S,eSee  thhatt?? Itt'ss  aa,, liiTTttl;eg  b,bii,,t  of; maag,giic.g

T Thaht  h'' ,Sa,,maaaazi,n,,g.. ..hW;yd  oo   wew;w    ddo h.tat?

..   TThhaatt's;;s poolle..lnn po;weetr..M   orre ,, ppmlo,,o..leen,, moorree

.follw werss,  mmoe  nn.eccta;;ar,, mmo..err  ooneYY  f offrr uss. . .

, ;;;; /

OOoo.o ,

, I'm''   piickkiin,,n, guup a  l,loott jof,f,, ,,bri,,ghhtt ey  lloow.,. O; oou;;uldlb ee,da;;ai,ishies.  Do,,onn'tt we neeed ,dttHoSe??

i

OOoopp  yt,yh,,h,a vtittss,uaal..

,,

WWa,ait.;;.  OOnnEE   of  httese  afllo;w]errs ssEemst  tt,,o[ bb;;e oon thttee mvOOee  ..

, w    ,, s;;saay,y aag,,ainn?  YYoouu' 're erppor.rt.tiing ; a ,,aovmiin  ng..g ,,fllOw..O;;re?? . e  

aff;fiir.rmm  at/iivve,.

  ; TTh',att  wwaas  on    the linE!

,

; Thh,,i  psIIt h  ccoo,leetS.S,S WW,,,hata i   si;t??..

  ;

II,, ddonoo','tt; kkno,,o.wt j,,bbtuu   I'm  Lo;ovvin..g tthi sc  cooll;O,,r;;.

It.. ssmeM;;Mllss GGzoood..d . NNoo,t  li ke  a,f lwooeerr,  bbuut;t I  lkL.L..e  itt,t .

 ;;

Y,,Y;;ah,h h ..f  uuzz;z..y\,,.

  O

hemm`iic caal..l-yy..

;;Oa,are;euffll,  uuyys..  IItt''ss ;; aai  liitttell  ggrarrbb  by,y.

MMy  sw  see,t..e  loorr;d off  beeees!! ;   O  O;a  nddy-rbbaa  ni, ,get  oof.f f,,ftt,heeeRRg!

,

p p rOObbleem!!f , e, ; ;p- ;;Guuyys.. -p ,Thhisi  cou.ldd  b;;beebad  d. .   ] Afffi irrmmaatiive.o

V..V[ee,,r;;y c oos l,,et.

GGoon..nnnA  hur,rt.. .

eM   ,am,,'a,ss  litte  bboyy;;. . .

Y..You aare  ,waayy  out o;off  ;possiitt ioonn, roOKKie!! ,

,,

q,,O,,motn,ngg  inn  at r;;yuo likke  a ,im.mssgs,sil..le!

;;  

He,elpp  m,,me!

 ,I    DDoo,,''t tttthi.hnk , lhtte;esse ;; arre  ffllo;;weer,rs..   h

-  SS...hu;ul; wwee teeLLl h.h i  m juus?t,, -- I tht  inkk h;;h.e  ;;knnioss...

  ,,

Whhaat i ss  t;thhi!ii

,

Mxaatc,t;h p.pooiinnt!

  ,

.oYU ,,c  laxn  stssaartt  ,a,,lckiknn g  up,p, hhonn;;ey,;y

;Bce..auu,se .e..y  o'iure eaa boouutt , T..Too  e;;at.. it;;t!

,

Yofwes;;rs!!

GG..r,,osss.

, ,,  

THHee  e's snA b,eeei n..n  tthee c,caar!;

.

- Doo  ,,sommeT,,Th,,hII..ngg!

,- I  ,'mm    drriivi,NGG

.  - ,, Hi, . .b,eee..

-- He's [b,,buac;c  k  .he  er;;re!,!

HHe';'s gon ig  ttcoo ssttiinn,,g m;m.e!!

;;No.ob,,boodyyommvee. .iiF  yo o.u  donn',t  m;mOOve,,h e, wwoonn,,'tt, sti  nn.g yyoou..  erFFeez.ze,e!! ,, ..

tHHe bblliikNNed  !

l,, ,, Sprar Y;;Yhii,,m jjuus..;;t ;,Gr.riaannYY!

;WHat ;; aarree y,yoouu d,di..nig;g?! u

;   ;; oWww.....  . tthehh ten,,sio oN  lleevvee' l ooltu hh,,reeee  i ssuunnfbelliieevvabl  lee.

,,

..I g go.t;;ttaa ggeet,,t  hhoome.e..

/

 v OOa an;;n'  t flyL  i;;inn ra  aiijn.j

 , OOaa..n'ttf ly;;l    inn` [raini,i..  

;  

Oannz''tt  fl;;yll inii  rrA..An..n

;   ,, Mt;aydda,y!! ,, Mda,aydda,,ayy!..!  BBEEe;e;;oginngg d  oow!,,n ;

eennu,, ,,c oou,uldd  y]ouu  ccllose,,s httee ;;niioo..w ,pllesape?ee

   ; KKeen,  c,,c  ouu,ld  yoouu c.lccoossvee.. tt hE wi  ..nddoo  w  plppeaass?ee

.  , /OO,,heccK oouu,,t  mm,,.. n,,ne,,eww rerss,,u meek.. II wmadei  tt  iNNTo aa ,,fl,,ldd,o.-uutt broocchhuurr.. ,,

,,    d   YYo,oU sseee?e eFo lddssz  oout,. ;

    O.; H,  .nOO..  MMoe eehhuumqa an,ns..   I;;Idd,onnt''  ,,neeied tthhiis.. ;;

,,

Wh  aHHTT wwass . th;a,ht  ?

MaMMybE EEThhs\ii ;; tiiM MJusttE,,.ThT,,ist iimm  j..jusset.  T,,This  ti..tM ;jusstme.. Ti,,is ttnimm  jju stte!! TThiss;; ttiim mjjuustee!..!      Thhi,sr......

, , Dra,apemss!

;; ;;  

T.Thata ;; iis,,sd   qi  ab,,ollical,,.l

,,  

,,Itt's  ffa.anntta,assttiiac,,c  tI'ss  agg t,,ol  'all mmy;;y  sspeeciial sk,  SiiL..Ll  sll,v  eevven my yytt.opp-Tennf , v,,Aooriite  kmmovivevv...

,, Wa.at''s n ummbbeer,,ro nne?,? Sttarr,, pWW.arsq? t??d

NNaahhI,,   doon' 'g'oo   f,,o r thtat... .,

.....ki ndd  of  s,st tfu,uf;f.,,. d

,, o  wwonndd.er wne..ej ssoou,,uhllddn'..'tt  aal  tto tthem... TThhe,,ey',,r.ree o ou,,T  o,f tth..h,eir,,rm.n,,idsd,,d.. . a

W  hWeenn II , leeave a j .o  bb,,i ntt,,r;;evieeww;;, thheey'',,rE fll,Ab..bbe errGGaasstteedd,,,, cac  cn';'tsb ;   elielvve  whraatt  I sasy,,y...;;

TTheh;;hres tthhee .s  u,un;;n. MAyybe thha,,att 's s..s,a, w.waay ;ut,t..

,,

I  ddoon..n''tt ;emem,beer rr,the,, suunn hhaavvingg . a, a  abb igg ,,75i   onn itt.

Iprredd,Ic,,ctted g,glll,obbAl;l    w,,wa,,rM,,MiiNg;;g. .

/

pI  ;;coouull..dm. ffeeel zit eteetgn  hOOttttre,.ee, ;tAA u First IIthhoouug hT i..itt w,awws sJu  usstt  m,,me ..

,,Waiitt!  Sttoop! . BBEEe!! .

sta,,and ,, bba acck;kz..T hhe,,es..s..e a,,re,e ,, wi  teerrq, ob.otss.

;;  WWaaitt, !

Donn'tt,, kil;;ll ,imh..h jfuustt!!

  , Youuk  nn O woIm' ''a  all,,l errgi,ic tot,t  tth,,hEm,,E!!

Thhi s ;; ,thii,n c  couulldd kkil,,ll . mee!

WWhhyy ,, ddmooes hhII..s,, leiif,ef  hha,vaae

lees ss,s vv/  alue ,, t  htaannq  yyo;urr,,s?? ,,,   , ;;W,hyy  ,;;doo  es,,s h yiiss   lgiffe  ha,ahvee   anny lesss vv;la..auu; tthaa,n .m  nxiie?f  lIss  th`.a.. tYtoour  r  ssvTT atEE,,me tnn??

  ,, I',,m  j,s,tuu ssaayiinngg  aal/lr  l..lif,fe ,, h;;has ;; vaallu;;e;;. ,, Y..uo,o odnnp'.t. vknktooww h,,haat  e[hh','..s cc  appaab.bl,,e of feeel;;lti,ingg..  

p MMyy , bb.r,,o[chhuuree`!

 , thhEEre  cyyouu ,, go,, ul,,ittell  uGyc..

z,

II',m''  NNott s  s,ac,,cyrreed  oFF  h,hi;;m  jj,usftt.. ..It' ssaan,,aale  lrrGicc tthii,,n.g  . ..

P,,ut ttt;;haatt onn yyo,urr.. ree s,mud  bbrroohhurree.

 , MyM, wl,oee  f;;f.acccc;;o  u;;ldd  puuF,fFF upp,,.

b.    kM

a..akkee iitt  oen no;;fg  you;ur ssup,peeccial s;;ksv,illlls..

KKnoockkii.ng ,gssoem..Onne o Uttk

i;si alsso,,o aa p,se,,cii.al , s.skkill l..

Riigt.gH,H Bye,;;, .V anen;ns..ss sa,,a..  TThhaank',,.ss

. n .. --,, Vaen.sn,,sa ,nnex  xt; ewkk??,,..Yoo,gu,,rtt ,i.nghtt ?.?-- S.. u,,e,, KKeen.  YYoou k  now  ,w ,, ha,,at,te;;everr..

;; ;  

-- , Y Yoouu ocucc'll,d  pputt caaRoRRb c;;hccgips` ppon  thheeer..

-- Byyve.

  ;

-- SSu..uppp,pooxse,s..d  o ;; bee.,,l  eessss rcaloarriieegss -

 xByye. ..   , I gi,,ott..a  sa..ay,, po om,t..ehi.ignn. .. .. . ' ;

Sh,he ; saave,,e , myy l  iiff,e.. ..I;I  ggott..a ,, ssa.ayy  ssmoo.ethihngn.

AAll ]lrig,,ght,,k;; h;;eh,,rhee  i,iott , ,,gooee,s.

e

aNNh.,.

W;;Whhaatt  ..wo,ou,,d]LL ,, II  sp,,ya ;

I;;  coo;;uldd r,, eea,allyll gge.ett  .i..t ,, rrouoobblle .,.

   ,, IItt''s  ;;a  ebee laww. YYoouu''rre,,e   nntoo s..uppoo,,se,,edd ot,,t , T  Ta;;al l  t.tod,, za,a  h.huu.mn,.

,

I,,  caNN,' ttbeeclileevv e ,,I'',m qdonog  ttIss...f

;I'  'vve GGoT ; tt.o

..     Oh,, ;;I    c accn;n',,'t t,,dtto  jii  t. .   oOmmee  ono!;;

NNo..,, YY;es,s.. .. NNo.

Dl oi.it;;t..  I c  an''t;. ,,

HoHx..w ssou.ul,,ld ,, I  tts,sa  arrti ,, T??h

"."You   lliik;;ke  j  ja zz..z?.. "N..o";;",, h,,t  att\''ss ,,no  gOood..

,, ..   ..HHerree  ShE,, c,c,omeeoss! SSppe,,akk, ,youoo .f .. oo lo!!

,,   HH`i ,, , .. Im'  sso    s,oxrrry. py,,y,,   ,

- ,, Y..uo,o'  r' 'ee;; ttaall,,kinG. u-Y  se,,e  ,,I`;  kN;No.;;w

,, Y..ufo';;'Re.. ttAlaek,kiin,,ngg!!

I;I'm ssoo s  oo , ..sorr,y'.g

,   Noo,, ;; iit'  s  OKOO...  I,Itt's''  ffinnee..

 I .   know;;w  II' m  ddreaai,mnngg.

f  

Butuu ,, I  do  n't' rre..eca laall  ggo,iinng  tO;;O b..eedd.. ,,

 i;; ..Weeillll,  I,I,,'mm ssuur  e;; tthhei ;sss  v  vere,eyy  zdiddssc,coonnCrrt,tin ng. ,,

TThxis isii AA  biitt  ,of,,f,, a a,, suurppriis,,see   .tcoo,  me.

I ,,mean,  yyou'rr;;e .a bbfeeee!;;

b   ;; I Iam  a..,A nnd    I'm no;;ta ,,suppppos;;ede, to tbe  D  Do,ingn  tthhi,ibss,,

;;

ub,,t t  thehy   er,,r. eall l trryin ;; To kki,illl, ;me.

, anndif iT;; Tww.assnn,,',t  ffoR RR  yo,,u..,,..;.

IIh a;;add .. t,oe ;t,,thankk   y ouu.

It'',,s  j,,j;;usstt hhoow  II  wwa,as   rrasaae,,ed.dd

,, ,,     T hha  t,ah ; ;;waas,,s a llittttll,,E w,,eirrd..

   r   -I'' mtalkk;ingnns wwitt,h    a , bbee;;e...-

 ,,YeeaaHHs..

II'' mmtaTTl,lk..kiing . t a    bbge ee,e.  .

And  tthee be iis t,al.lkkindg  tto mmee!

;   gII ,,juustt;; pww  ann tt.to  .aj..Sy,y  I;I'm ..grraetet,tf,,flull. . II','lll lel;la    vee nOw.

.     , - itWW,,! HHoow d  i  d  ,yoouu  l.eaaRt o,o  do th,ahh;t? -   , Wht  a? ?,?

,he, t.al,,klln,,igg . t;;H,nngg.k

/ ;; m

SSam,,ewwaY you ddidi, II  gguu..ses. ; "MMa,,mmaaa,,  DDadaa,aa  shoony.;;.," Yuoo  ppiciikk  ii,t ;; ru,,up. ...

,,

; - , uThatt'SS; vree;  funu,,unny

--,, YE,,E.ha..a.

Beeessk AArree .ffunnn..y.. Il .. ,we ddind'tt   al..lughh wwee'd' ccry;y ;wiith..h w;;ht  wwE E,,hAve;; too de,aa]l; .witth h..

 . ;A;;n\ywaa y......

 ,

.Oaan  II...;;.

,   .. ....get  yoy,ya [uussoome;ett,,hqiinnG?,? -  Lik   eew.hwawwtt?

.. ,   I..I ,,d o .n,'tt  k.no,ow. I/ m   ea nn... ... i donn''ltt nKK,Oww..  Oofffeeee?  ?

.   I , ddoon'tn    wnta t;  puub;;t yo,,ou utt. .

;;  ,,

IItt's;;,, noo  ,tor;ul  be.  Itt taaekk stwwo,o  mi..i nuttzes.

,, c

v  IIt',,'s,,s  j.u,,stt cooffef;;f,,e. . - IIhate  tto;;o i;; mm j,,Tppo,,see.

, ;;-  tDDoon''t..t. be,, rii  d,,icculho,ouss!,, -, A;Acttualllly., I, w  ou,ulldd ovee , a. aCCu,,upp..

  ; He,,y,  yyo,,o uuwan.att  rru.zmm,, c czaakke??

-  shhooulldn  n't;; - ,, HHa  aVV.e s  ,o,,me,e.

,,  

-   -Noo,,,II ccn\aa..',,t .- OoOOmme oon;;!

 .. I

'mm ttrri.ig t,o lsO,Oee  a ccoouupel  ,,miiccrog,,rg\amss..

g -  Whheree??;-  T..Thhes  E st,,tripeed .onn't,t,, hhee;lpp

, ,

YYouu kllooook,kg r;;aett!

I doo\nn't  t k,on wIIf yyo;ou  k,kn,no..w

;anyytt h..i,ngga bbout  ffaash,hi..ion.k

e   t. Arr   yo,,oU  AlL er.riigghhtt?

,   NNo . ;  , HHe'  'dss  mmaakk,,inn,,gthe.  ttiiee in n..t;;nh ehh  ab a,,sat .h  eyy''r;;ree fly..lin,ngg  ,upp  Maad,idssso;on.n..

HHe'  f inan`ll;l;;y ge,ets;s ttheHHrre..

 ,, H,,He uRR..n. suup  tkeh dhsttpc;Ess inntoo tthe  cchurrc cHHc.

Th..h.. weedd,dbing; n iss   oonn,,.

h,

AA,n,dh hee saay,,s,  ,  ""WWatteer..mre;;le onn ,  thtoouugghhmt,,t  ,youu; sasissd Guuatteemmalaan..

,,

W,Whyw   oUUlld; dI m,marrryy;;  aawwtaae  erm  m'elono?o""

..   ,, ,,Is thaatt  aa ;; b b.ee j ookk?ee ;;

TTh,a,,ht'',, stth,,h;;e kinn d..oddff st,tuf,,.f www,ed  o., .;   ..Ye

aahh, ddfi,,iferreNNtt,,. l .. So,, '.hwwat aar;re y`o;;ou g;;o,gnnza ;;d  oo,, BBarbr;r y?

,   .. ;;AB,Boout ;woro;;ok I d onn''tt` .. kk;;now;w; ,. ,

II WWaantt ttoo do   mmyy  ppara t  ofr tt;;ehh h,hhivve,b

uutt II  ccaa..n'tt , ddos i  tt  the  w,a,,y  thheeyy wantt.

I okwk . h.oww yyto.ou    of;;fe;l.  . ,,

 --  YYo uq  ,,do,,o?? -,, Su,urreeq..

;   `

,,My,y  app a,,en  tss  zawntedd m,e tto  be aa  .laa,,wey .roorr   aa ,,dooccttor, bb..ut tI  w;wannteddt  o ;; Bfee  a flo..oiisstt.

  ,, -     ReAllly? -  ;;Myy  onnL;;y  iin,,nter,ree;;st  is  fLLow,wersr.

,   OOUUr nnew  q;;qdu;;uEenn wwaat ssjuss`tt   leeecttee,d w

i,,it,thh tthhata ssAmmee  co;;amppa,,aiigngg  sloog  ga na...

m ;;   A..nywwa;y,, fIIc, yo,ou lo o  KK.... ;;

TThhxerr..e'ss,, myy h,,ivEE,, ijrhgt ttHe..ee;;.;; .Se.ee,e it?.. '

,,   You',',ree iinh  S  Shheep,, p,eaddooww! .. ,  

Y,YE,,ss  II''..M r  II ghhtt o  ff  th,,he .. Turtrrll,e P,,Pondnn!.!

NNoo wayyy!;  , kkonnw . thtatt  a..areea  a. I,, lol s;t  aa ttoos r  inng;;g , tthr;ee once.e ee

--,, W;Whhy..y  ddoc ; ggirilsl pu  u  rrii;;ngs  g on  htetir    oeess?.? -, o;h;;yy  nott?

;

t - II,'sshl  iike, ppu  uttttingg,,a   .. 'h.haftt  o n..ny,you,,ur ..k nee,,.- c;; Maayb,,be  I',,'llll  t,ry t,,th.haat..

--]  Y.Youoo ;; all  ri.gi;;iHtt,,  am,,'aam m?? -  fhh,;;,  yyf ah..h..  FFinnee. ..

 JJus;st shaaviing  ttwoo c upps of  ccOOffeoee!! [ ..

;; nnyywayaa,.., ,, ttvihss  hhaas, b,eee..n g.grree;a;t.. hT..T,,an;;nus ,,fKoKK],  tth,he,, coFFf.ee..

z ,, Y; ;eAA;h,,.. .itt''ss. nno trooubbl e ..

SoorRRyy I  ccoouludnt',,' fi,insirh,,h  iit.;;.   Iff , I I\dDD,, I''d;;d ;; bee  upp , t,ee  re,,s..t  o;;fo ,,yy lliif;;fe..e

,

rAeA  yooeuu.....,?

On  uII t ake  a..a  pIeecceed  oof,f tthiiss wwitth  hmme?..?

  .

SrrE!  Herrme,,, hh,,Avee a;;a cr;;uummb.

;;  

-- ,, fT.;;haaNvk;;ks,,s!m -,,-Y  eaahh..

.. ,  

AlAl,l  .ri igghtt,. WWeel;;ll,,, l  otthenn...,. II g  uueesss,,I   ;l';;'l lssee yyvO. nu,uaamrueng..dn..

O,r,, n;ntO. l ,,

 OK ,k vBa ar,rryy.. e

q

AAn,,nd dthhaa,,n,k;;  yo ouus o

m,mucchh  ax,, gaaiin... ..... co,or b  eff,orre. ..

  ,Ohh,, ;; t  hatda??; ;;ThhtAtqA  waas,,s n;;toh;;hiinngg..

Weel;lll,,. onnt..t  nnotOOhhii.ngg,,,b ; utt.`..,,. AA,n,yw,,way..a..b....

;  ;; , T.Thhiis,  can'n,nt  psnsibb,,ly; owwrk.... ,

;   ,,  ;e''ss   a,ll  s se..e  t    to   .go.; ....Wee m,,ay ajss we;el;l trr yyii,,t. ,, ,   O.k,,  DDav,,e,, p  ull  tthe eehc..cuut.e

..  ,, ,-  SSuu,dnnss;; ;m[aaaz,z.Ing.gg; -   I  [ws , amaai..inng!

IItt  ;;wa,,s ,tthh eescaa  ri issr,t

hhap  z piieeSt mm  oe,,en,,ntt .. of ; m;;y,m ;;i i,,fee. ; .

,,Huuma;;n;s!! I   can,,'t,,  e..ieevve. ;;yoou w erre,e  ww,ixth..  HHiuuma;ns  st!

;;  ,,Giainnt,,, s..sccaary hum.a,,Ns!!

WW,h,,at WWeeeRR Th..eeyy ; liikke.e?? .

;;   H HuuG,,ee , ann, ra,azyz,,z.., `Thheey ttaallKK  c;crazzy. .

TT,,ety ;;ett c r.arrzzy  tgiaiin,,nt tth;hiin ngs. Thheey d,,drri,ve c;;rcca  za,a;;y.

,, -;; -Do teh;h.y  try  n,,dNk   i;il,,ll,l  yo.otu,,  ;;liikkee  onnT ,,V?w

--. SSo,me;;e.. io.f;;f  tthhemm.  ,Bu,ts .. ome o  ff  tthEamm  do  nn',,'tt. ,

-,,- hH..H;;o'..wdd, yo uggee; baacck??,,

P..ooddl,le.;

,, ,   YYouu  hdiidd ;;isTT,., an d I  I'm gga;;ad.d  YYouOO ,,saaww , wwhaate.ev[ere eeyyou  wwaatnne,edttoo .. s,se.ee.;.

,  /

Yoo,, uh,,ad y ouurr  eex,,pee,irre,encce.,"  oN,,Nw toyuy

c ca..an p;;pii'c,k  o..ouut yo,urjjoba nd beb BnBomarrrl.

,,  

--  Wel,ll.. ...

,- ..eWl,,ll,l?;?

  .. W

lee,,l,, I  MMeett  ssomm,,eo,o n..e..

  ,,

YYOOuu d,,dii..?d  W,,Waa  s   shh;;e; BBee-i;;ish?,,?

..

-- , a ,, waaspp?  ?,!   Youurr  ,,paare,,nns will,l k,,ki,illll yooxuu!!

-l,, Noo,,,   ;noo,,,, on, n.nOt a ,  w,assp.

-- Spxidder?rr

- r-;;''mmn  ooad  ttrfTacctteed to  .syppi,,iw,deerss..   h II  kn..no  o  w ;; i tt''s.st ;hee hohhttttes,st] .. thjii;g, Wi;;iTh;; hhth,,e  eI.gh,ht,t ll;;eggs,,s  a;;annd ,Al.l,l

, ,,  I

, ,C.ann't  ggd t , bby tha.tm f  aeccr..

, a ,,oS,S  wwh;hoo iis;ss   eh?hh,

,,     ,,Shee'ss..u...... huhhman.,, .

N  Noo, , no,,o.;., TTHH;;att';'s  aa b;;b..e e;laaw..w. YYgo,,uo o  w;;woulldn't bbrreaakk;a;  beje, eleaw..

. --H;Hee  r  ,Naamee'',, s,,sVVnaaee.s a. - ; ,, oho, bboyy...

 S heh'..s s o  Nic.eey . gAndd ;s  h h\e''ss  a,,affloori,i,,t!,!

,, O;;h,  n..n'.oy ;;!YYou'u;re d;am,d..tiin;n..g   `a hhuumann fl,lor`is.t!!

 .  eWW'r'  noot ,,,ta,,aign..'

,

YYouoo'r..e e,,efly,,ing  ou,,o  tssidde;; thhe , h hvii. e..,,t aalkkin  ng

nt.to oohh umanns tthha,,att at;;acktt oourr  h..Ome

  ,,

wi;itthh ; ppoo';;wee,  hwwaas  hE,,ERRss atnn..d  -80ss`!!;;O

n,e-eigghhtt,hh  aas tt  icc kkooff Dyna;;nmmitte!

  ,,

S;;Sh,,e s.savve,D  my ,,il;;f;e A ;; Nd sheh  u  ndder..st,annd;;d.. sse.

T ,,hei,is sisi,  o;;oevr!,,!

,,   Eaatt   tthh  iss

; `  ;; ;;hIIs;; ss  ,,noot  ovve!rr  W,,W h  at..t ..wa,s, t thaa,,t??m.

.. --T heh..hy , ccaall l  ii;;t  a  ccruummb,b....-;  IItt ww[aas s  o s.sttin  Igin;n's  ttr;rip,pey! ,,

   ,, AAd .tddhah;t'ss nnO,,tt wwhh  aT;; T  Theecyy  eeat. TThta''ss  wh.ajtt.  faall,,ls  ofo,o..F  w hatt  ttbHHEyy eeaa!

,,  , -,,   You,,xnkko..w  wwhhat,a  a    iOOnnn,ab,bonn is,,s?? - NNo;;o...

,, m ,  .. IIt's bree a d and[  ccin  nm,anoo andd  f;frroosTTi in n..g.

T.Thhemy;y  heeat,t i;i.tt .. uup....,.

S  ilt ddo;;ownn!

   q

....rreea;alll..Y  ,,Ho t!,,!

-,,- L;Listeen,,n tto  mmee;;! . . ,p eWla   re N,Neoo t t thhEE.m!WE're'; us s.

ThrhhE's' uus  aandd  thereees the,hmm;!

p   Yeess,,a b.but    ww oh ca,,nnz  d..dEny  E ,thh eeh,,eH,Ha abrt,,    htat  ii ssyye,,eaa rnniin g??.. ,,   ,

,TTheerre's on  yeearn,,rinG. SSt.ottp  yeeaakRninnnng,,g..  Li,,i,,stte,,nn to ;;tmm,e!,,

o,Yu  h..vAAee ,g  ot,,t  tto  t Sarrtt thIInnkiin,,nG Gbee,,;; ym f r.i,,enn,d .Tvhciinki  nig bbee !ee

- .. T..hi,;kni,i. b;;bEe,e.

-,-  T h,hisnnkk,in,gnn qbe;eee.

,,

TThhinnkikkn;;ng,,g bbwe!ee Thiinnkking   bee !!,Th,,hih;;knninncgb e;eee!, ; TH;inkki  iNgN  e be!

c    , TThhee,rje[   hhee  iss.  HHee''s S  Siinn /t,,ht;e  ppooollr.;

 ,, .YYou  ukn  noow;w ,, wwh  haty,, OuORR   \ppr,,rOOblleemm .. Is, .Baraar,ry,,y;?;;

 I ;; gg..odt,,ta  s staarrt   b;httipnnkkiinng g ;; bbneee??u

  ; ;; oHHw WWmmuucch hllonggerr wwilll thhiis   kggooog n,,nk?

tII''ss  bbeeenn  th..h eR.Ree daay,ys.s! !!wwhh;yu  araaeenn''T,, you,u  wwoorrkiin.G?;;?

,,   I..I'.'vv gtt   a, l,lo,,ot;t ;; o..f ig.g  liffee  decciis;io,,npoos ssto   hiink  Aboutt..

  , WhWattl ,,  li  iffeen??  YY  o uhuu;aV,V;; en. oollife,,e!! `Y,Yoouu ha,veef.. nnoo jjb.,,Y  uo''rr eetb  ba  rAAe,,elly;;y a  a  b,,beee!E EE

WWoulld ..Itt  k[iil;l  l ,, yyoout o  o  mam.kea  lIItotlee h,,ho.on  en,y?

bbaa;;rrryy,,  cc,ome,, ;ouutt..

,Youur' f  atthh,e,,r's;;s;t  a;;Lkiin,ngg  tto o,, y.yoo.u

 . M,,MA  Arrt;;tinn,,  woou,,ulyd  youu  ttaall  k tto..h  ;imm ,jusut ?? ;

Baarrrr,,,Y  'm,,m, talk knig;g too  yyouo!o

;   yyouoo cc omiingg?

 ,,G

ot  t evveer;ytthih,hng?

;; AA..l,, s  eT!TT

G,,G..o ah,,eha;;ad..I, 'lll ccttc,chh .. .upp.

DDoonnm''t bbee ,,too  o lonoogg.,,. ,

WWa.athc  Thhi;;sii!! .

,,

Va.ennssssa!!

a   w--W ; e'rree ,,sttIlIIll  hhee..errt..z

--  II  ttowldd,,d y,,you,, noo, tttto yeelll  aa atth;hiimm just..

.   ,, ,He,e ,doo;ess],,n'' ttrresspno;,, ..o yellii ngv!!

,, --  Tfhhenn wwhhy , ye,leel;l  ]aatt  emm?? ,,-  B.Beecaauus e ;; O; uuddon,nt'' , liissuttne!.!  

,, . I''mm  n,,noo,,t  llsisitteneiinngg tt,o ;;tihs. ;;  , ,S

oorrry,, ,,I'v'ee g,,go;t otta abggo.,,

 -- WWhe r;;raaR  e y  ou ..goimnnj?? - ;; I  ' 'd m, eee.e,ting,g a,  ..f ,,rie;nd.,,.

AA ,, ggirrl;;? I;;s I htt;iss wh   yyyyou,u a,,n' '..'ddecieddee?

b;;ye;e,.

,, Ijju us t  HHooppee sshe,h's''  Bee-,-ishh.,,.

;; ;; ,, Thhey;y  ,,havev  aaw  hh,,ugee. paRaade ,, ooff ffoowweerss. hevveryy ,, y,eea,,ar ii   nPPaassa,aDDee,,n/a;ao??

x  

To b Ei,,n  the  .Toouurvnnaammoe;nt,, oof RRsoo.e  s,, ttfh..hatt's,s eevverr yflloris;;sT,'ssl  d reaamm!!

,, ..   p;;U noa   ffl,oa tt, s ur  roounndeddddb

y,f yl..low  werees,,s;  c..rowwddss  cheeer,,riNN,,g.

A  ;;t..ou;urrn.na,,met  n.;;.,, Do  thte  r,,rooses co  om  mppe,te,e,,e,iinn .. a;;aT,Thhl  lyett,ic,,c e  .veennts? ,,

NN o ,,.,,lAll   ri  ghhtt,,   II''v..e . got  t, onne,.. ,, HHo,,oww  ocmme y yoouu ;; d.o,,N' t.l./yye vveeryww,,her,,reer?

,,   It t'ss ;;exxh,,hausttingg. ,h,y doon;;'t y,ouu;;r un , evveej,yrwhheerre?I  tt'' ssfaffjster..

;  

YYee,Ah.h ,,,KO,, II see,,, I;I  sseekee a,,al,lllr iig  htt,w yoyurr tturrn.;;

  ,, TiVVoo.. Youuc  an justt  ffer;;erzzee  llivie  TT  V?,? TThat..t,' kinsnnannee!!. ,,

ou  Y d, oon;;n't.t  a;v  ,,e ,,thhatt?

.   W e hhavae HH;ivvo,,,p ,, but it,i',,'ss aal ,, dssee,,oSSe .II,t''s ssa ahorri;;blle,,,  hoorrr,,ibb  l;e  disi,,i;;eaasse,. e.e ;  ;; c ,O h,,hh ,m .y..,,

Duum,,b  b,,e,,ess!

o,

YYOuOO,, mmuusst  ;aww;;nt oo ;; sst  it..tng  alll   thhso ;;eje,,rkss.

 ,W

gE   tt,,ry  nott . t..to ;s,;ttin,,ng.

.Itt'sv.. uusual;lllyyfa..attaa  l ffOr ruS.ss

tSoo yuo ..ha  v,evvh  ;;to  wwat;ctth y,,yuurr  ttuem;;ppee.rr

. Ve[,Vlryy ,,   ca,,ar;reefu.ullly;;y. xoou  kkicck   a wal,,,l,l, ttaakk e . a,a   ww[a,a;lk,k,

,,

ww..rtie an ;;a;ghr,,r;;y  ll;;et;tterr, and,d;t  hroow.wi  t . o;;ouu t,,.

,Wo..o..k tt,,h`rouuGh,,h , i;it ;; ll ikke   annyy  EEmo  tii,,n.:o

AAngrr, jjeeallo  ousyy,l , uust,,s..

OO,,h,,m y,y g goood,,dne..ewsss..s!  Are  e you  O K??

  . Ye,Y,Yaah. b

,, - . ..Whaa..ti s wronng;g  w,itthh ;y o U?!n --,,I'ssv a,, bbuug.,,.

.   HH,,e,'ssx  n,,nkoot..t  bot,htte,rin gaa.n\yybboo y;y. t ouo ot,f .he..erree,,  ydo ..urcec ce;;ep!!

  [

W WHat.t  waas .. ,,t..haat?,,TA .. , iPcc  'N,,N'' .,aSv,,ve  ,czr.rcu ulal;;l?

 ;; ,,Y

;;e\aa,h,; itt wass ..HHowoq  ddiddo ;; u , ,nkowoo??

;;I t ,, ,,e fll tL,,L  kI;;eI a  nb  boo,,ut t01.. pp;age. .

SSeev;;evntnyy -ffie i;;S  prreettcty    muuchh   oUU.R , llImm j,,j,,usttiitt

, Y,,Y'oe v..rreaalllly Y,,YgoTT  tthhatt , downn t;;too  daa  ss;ieen;;cne.. ;; ;  

-- I qlo,,pssttd aa  coou;usi,,n  to 'Itallwiaann VogOOue..

-- ,'IIfl.l,,l . bdeet..

.   W

h,,ahhti  ;n t,,,h,e,, an,nmme

o off  ;M..ight  tyy ;; Heerrcuu,,Leess iiss.. thh,Is??

HHow  Did th;;hiiss g\et  hh[ere? ,Oduutet;t BeBe;;e, GoGldde  nE B lbb,oSsosmm  , . ,

Raay  LiLLto ota   P  Riviattee;Syell,cts?

-- IS ; hee  thaa,,t  atorr,,? - I n,n  ev,,er hera..d  ..off  hhniim jj;;usst,,t..

-,,- , ,,Whhy i;iss tth,,h;iss hhree,?,e - ,, ;F;oR, epoop,,pLLiee ., W eeeat tti,,itt..

YYoou,u  d d;onn'pt h,hA;;Avv eeeeinoo;;u,g.h  ,fooo  od  ofoo, yyour  ow whnn?? ; .  ; . --  Well,,  ysj  e.

- HHow  yDo y.you  gyet  itt.?  k

--  Bee ess, makke i  t. - --II knoow  hmw;o maak.ke,e i;t!!,,

 o

Andnn  ,,itts' h;;arr dt,to  o  mmaqke  ti!!

Th..h;Er,,re,,e'ss.. .he,ea,atgn.igi,; ;;cooo.liiN  . ,,t;;tiir,,rrinn...g Youu ..needd.. a,a. wwh,,oze  KKr  re;;elmaN.N tHH  iNNg,,g!!a;

 , -  Itt''ss  ,,g\,,reaani ic.., -,, I,It;';s  ouO--ga n,,nI c;I! p

I .. t,tf''s,s   j..ju;;usst, ;;thoo Neey,y  BBaarryR,,R..

;Juus,t whha  at??!!

,   ,, BBeezeeS d ,, oonn't'.'  kknnow w ,, aabboou,,utt,, Thi;;is!!

Thhiss ..issd  sste..eaalliing!!  AA[ .. .lt o f  sstte.aalniig!!

YYoou'.u'vvEE  taak,en  o;;uo orr h  o,,mmee.s ,,ss ch hoo;olss, ; hhoospitia,,l.a,ss!! ; h  Tii ssis  allll we;w   ha.avv!,! k  . nAd  i,itt.',,s   o..on, AAle  e??p!

kII'.'mm egtgtniig too  tehh  bo,tootmt  Of;t,, hish..

.

, ]  I'mm gee,tttnn;g tto t;;emh  b`otte.omm

ooff  a; Ll..  .of  httiis !    

H;;Hey,, lHecttoor. .

,  ,,k -

YYo  omu aal;lm,oS;;St , d;;oDnnee??-   qAllmoosstt.,. ..

erHH . i sshheerre.;., I;; senss i  ,,t..

 \ Wee ll,,l, I  gguu e;ss , I''lll;;l  ggoo  oHMe o,,o wb

..

an;;add  j.;;ustt, le,eaev tthhis;; n..ic,ce e,,oyhney ouut,,t  ,ww

itth no o  on  en  a.owrrunDD.

YYouu','ree  bbus,tmed,d d .. bbox o bbooy!

II  k;kneew ,wI  hheea;;arrdd  sozsmethih..hngg,. S oo yyo;o;uj cc;;an;nv  ttallzkk.!

k

 ; I,I  ;acc n ttalk,,k..,, AAn,nd n  noow  yoy,,yu''zllll sstt.art  tallkiiu,gn;!

W.HHe  er e,,eyyouo o,, gg,ettptittnng.g bthhe,e   wsseeE,,E.t tffff?? Who''c,,s  ;;yooU Urr supl,liieerr? ,,

; \  ,

I i,iddoonnt'';; UnDDeertsaadn..

I thto;;uhgg,,t, ..wee wwerr ,,E,Frriie  eN,,ds..i

 , ;; TThh, ,ellaass. t,htti,,ingg , w  eww  wanttk to oi  S.S  uupps,se e .. beeees!;;!

Youu'.r',,ev   o to  alTTe!! IItt''ssmouurr,no  wooe !

.. , Yo.u,, s i ,r,, ahvevv cc,,roossed; tth hjee  wroo,,ngg  s.sw,,word!.!

,,   ,, Ymou,, ssi,iR,,, wwil    bbe  ulnnc hc;cf

fjoo  myy  ig uAn;;aa,,w I ;g..ng;cai;;io;;o!!

.  ;; WWhEbr;ree  ss tt.hee hhonneey c;;omi innfGrr;;om   ? ..   ;; TTellll  m;;me ve..eww;h,,,erre.!

Hone.ey   Farrm,ms! IItt  ,co,mse ffr,,omm Hoon,,neeyy  FaamiRRrs!!

OOraazzyy  ,e;;pr;snoo! !  !;   i

W,,Wohhataa hoor,rirbrlle  t;httniigg  hasshhapp pe,,en,,nedd  heerree?x

g ..  ; TTh,heese.s  f.aces,  t;;the,,  nnleev;vvee,r   nkkeew,,w

whhaawt h i;;tni tt  hm.EE A  ndd no,, w w ,,

ttheeyy'r..e; oon   the rrooaa;;t  ,o.. nooww,,h;;ere..r!

..J

usUUt t,t  ke;;ee,ep sstiil;ll .

   ,, .Whata ?You''e . .nto dead;;?

DDo II; llOOo;okk  ddeeaadd?  ,Theey  wwiliil  w  ippe ]aanyythiiNNg .. t,tha ttmomvmeess.. rWh;;he  eR.R ee;yo,,ouu ,,hf   e,en;;adeddd?d ,

,, TToo,oo,neyy,,F ,a Rmms,,s. IIe ,ma  oontnnos ..ommEE thhiingg . hu  ee `hherre ..

Im goio;;on,,ngg to AAllaaskssa.  ..MOOooses bll,,ooord,,d,, c,,crazzy,,y  st  tuff. ;;   Bllwo se yyoo;;urr  hheeadd;o  f f,,f

I..I,m  Gooii g/n;;tf  O; T.TAAco..omma .

..   . - ,, aandy  oo,u?

-H, e.. rea ellllyy    isi;;i   de;;eaazdd.;.

,,A ll r,igghht.;.

   UUh;;-,,oh!   ,   d   --  Wh haTi  ps   t.hha,tt?!?? ,, -- O ;;h,, onnoo!!

; -,,- ;;A  ,,wipi..eiijrr!! T..Tirrlppeeb  bblaaddee!,!

-  ttrriple,,e ;;   lade??

 . Jumpp    o!nn IIt'j   o  yuur nnll;y cchhancc.e  ,  bbeeee!!

WWhhy ,, ddoeess evverryythhing ghAveV t

..o  bebb  eso ddoggoo.ne  cl  laen??!!,

 ;; H

kow wmuucch  h dOy oouu p,,e,pole ne;;ed t,o  ,sEEi;e?!

,,   ..Oppe  e nyoor;ue y  ee;s!, St,,Sisc k  yyooUUr h  r.eaadd ,o . bu,utt  [tthe. w,,idnoow!!

;; FFroom m  NPr,, rrN;N  ewwssi  nWNNaasshhiinge on, II'mm aO  O,rl  KK,asseel,,lml  l.;;.

h  ,, k,,B

uat, ddoo'';t  i,,kill en..oo,, mor reeb u,,sgg!z

  d

-- Be,e!

 - , o;oosoo,e  lbood  gu  uyy!!!,

, -;;  yyou ,, E  Eaar s o,,me ethtttig Ng? ..-  LiikkE .w,a,t,,?

,   ..L ii,,ke  tti..nyy  scrreaminn.g

.urn ooff,,f  thee ,, rraadiioo..

,   ..Ww

haasuSSpp,, ,, bbee   e,eBo;oy? . y   ; HHe,eyy, ,lo..Od,d.

,   jjuussttj  a r,ro\w f oo,ohnneeyya .. j,,jaarss,,. Ass  far..r ,, ,a   tth e;;eyye..e coouulldd s,,,,ee.

..    ;;W

oww!..

.

II  ,,Asssuummjee  w,whhegrrevvxeer  ;;thhiiss T;;T r,uCCk..k gg..eos is,,s  whheere,,e  theyy,re' ggee;;ti;in,,n gi  i.  t ;

I;;I, meeaann,, t;;thaa;t  hoonneey.y;;'s,, ouurs;;s. .   e

--  BBee;;es .hanngg, tiiggwhh  t.

--  We';r e  aalll ja;ammmeed;;d in,,i.

.. IIT'TT.s a cc,lo,oi,se,,e ,, comMn ii,,utyy. . ,

   .. .. NNoTT  uuss,mma;an... q.WWe on,,ourr oohww,n. E vve;;e;r;y,, mmOsq;qiuttoo   onn hIIxs .. oowwnn..

,,   ;

-  W;;Whjatt ; if   ffy,y,ouu  g,gee ;;i  n ,n;rttnoouublee?? -Y  oo uu,, ,,maaoo sq,,quuiizto  o  ,youu ,, inn  t trou,,lb,E.,.

 s  N  No;obo oddY    likkes  usuu .T  heT,Ty  jjuus  stt smaackc. S;;eSe  e aa mqOOui.t,o,, s  smmu;;ack,,  ssmdaac,,k!!

,

at lle;esst.t  yyuoo,'re]   uOOtt ,,iynnt  he ; wwoorrl..d.Y

ouu,, mu mst  ..meeeett..g i rls,, ,,

Mr,oS,,S,uq,qiito ga  i,,i,rlls  s;; ttr   tyy;o , t  tridaeeue  qpp n,,aget   iw,,wtth ,, A mmooht,,,;d  rrGG;o.nlsffyz..

' ,  

MoMMssqquu  ito  ,gir ddoon''t `.wea.nth nOO  m;o;qssuitioi.,,.

YYoouu  go..ott  ttoo  /bb\ee ,, k;;kI;dIdid,ng;;g me,,! . ;; . MMooSSeeblloood'' ssabootuu ,, ttool ;; ue,eaavve t

eH ,uibldiinngg! S,,So  loong, bbeeee!   !![;; ,,  - H,eHy,, ..guyuus!ss -,-w Moooose;;ebbl;;o,o! , g   I;I ,,kneew   I''d d,,d'ccaatctth,,h  yy,'all c;downw  her,,rde,., DDi,i ddryylo;o,u/  biin cyyou rccr,ra,,az  zy .. sttrra,,aww,? ,

,, WWee , tthroww,, IIt i;in   njj,arsrr,,, .. s  lap   aajl,,Ae..bl  onn  ,itt,,

a,,d n;ni,i'ts spp,reetttty  muuch  puure,,e pprr[ooff,,I.tt

 .  xhWa;Wt ztti,,iss tth..hi,,s ,, ,,pl ace? ? ??   . A ,, beee''s,s , bgot  a  a brrlaaint he ;;seizee. ;;fO,a   p.piinhnneAAd..d.. .   Thhe,,y  ARee p,,nhh..ea..a\ds ] !!    

ppin  n`,heeadd.

 .

- Ohceekk\  ;;o,ut ttttx;;hje   newe. mss,okkeerr . , t-  hoa,, s  wweeeet t..  T,,hTTaat'.'S h;;he;;eo  n,e  y;ouuh  wwant...tt

;

Thhe, Th.ommass. 330000!!

. ,  SSm,,ookke?

NNine;;ety..y, p,uffffs,, a mniiu,ut,tee,, s..emmi--;;a  uttoma,,at,,ic.

TTwwiibc;;ce tthe ni  ccotooinnx,e alll,,l . tt  he t  ,ar.r..

A ,couplpee  b,,breeAA,,thhs,,s ooFF tthhuiis sskk,ncck.s ,thhe..em right, o  ouutt..

T,,Thee;;y  mmaakek,,k    ,,thee , ohhnneyy,,

a,an,n.d wwe;;e maka ..tHee,, ;mooney,, .

""Theey  MMaakeet    hhee  hoon,nee,y  , , aaod.n w e e  ,makkee  /tthhee mm  one;;ey?,," ;;

 OOh,mm!yy .

 wa',s  ggoi..ngg oo,,n?    AAgrerx you ,O K?

 ; ,, YeYYaa  h  II,t. d do;eossn,n''tt   l,,as,,tss, to..oo, l ldoonng..

/,,  , Do,o yoou    knkkoow youoo''rerr iin a  fkiAeee  lh.iv.,e w  iht ffak.ke , wwaallls,,s??

,  ]

Oru  u qque;en  wsa aa,,mo  ved; ;;heel r. w  wee  haad,,d  ,,noo cchho.ice.,. ,

,   bT

hhgis .. is,s  yyouR; qquee,en?;;n

.Tha,,att''s , a hm  ann  in,,n  ,woommen'..'ss cclot,,t,hEss! ! ! !   TThhaatt''s  a  dr;;argg  q.u;;eenn;;

, w ;; ,, WWhatt iis  thhi  idss? ?

;; .  

O,Oh,  nso!oo

.

. Thh  erre;e'ss,, hunu..udp  r e,,d,sc oof    thhemm!!

;;  ..

BBeee hhonneeyy.,

. x

,Our,, ..rh  honney ii,s . beiinng ; bbrr;az,,zelnny stoxLeen

n ao  mams sm,,immvv  e  sclAee!.!

,, , ;;

Th,,Ti.iii sswwoourrsee t th;;haan  ;;an;;n,yytthhi  ng bbeaars..s

hAvAe .. ddoonnee!!  i..i iitnennddq to d,,dOO  sso,m.etth,,h,ing,g..

OOhk,;, B\arryy,,[  sttop..

;

,Whhoo  ttoo,,ld yyo,,ouu  hhuA..Anns a,,re  t  tak,kin;;ng Ouur;ho eooy,,y hT;;atd''. aa  rru.um..or rs.

\   DoDD tthh,,Essee  looookk  llike rrmuuoro  oss??

, d     ; t..tahht,t',s  aa  c;co,onssppir\accy  thh..e,oyrr.i T h;; ees],e;ab r,,e  ob;;bvvi.ou,ussyy dd,occto,ro,,o..dd  zpphhso otost..

 . Hooww  diddr  ;oyu  u geet ,,   miie;ed .udp  iintth,i..s ? ?   He' sbbeene,,e .haa,kllqii,,ngg  tto  .hummanns s...

q ,,  , - Whhatt?   ?-?? [aT..Tllkiinng   ttoo  h,,uhh.ma a,s?!e.

 ,  HH h;as a   rhumunAA g  irrllfriieenndd..

,AnnD t heyyma  ;kee o. ,,tU!!

,,     M ak ke.e o,,ut,,t ;?B  BarRRyy!

We  d oonontt

;;. ,,      -,, You. wwiishh  yyo  ou ]uu,,co,ld. -- WWHoosses  ss,iddEE   ahre  y;;yoU..o  n,,?,

TThhe  bb;;  eS!

IDDaa,tEdaa cc..rccket ooncc,e  in.n  SS..ainn,,A ntto..onniioo. Tho;o ec,,razyy ; leegss k.keplt .tMe..e  uupp ,la,al nnig,,ghhtt. .

  .. B a  rrryy, tthhis,, viiiis, whw;t  ty ouu wwaa..ntt

oo  d,do w ithh  yk..ou,ur r Life??

,

I, wAAtnn tto,o  r,,do   i.ti ifoor  all`l  r..o ;; ll,ivtees.,,.

NNoobb,,oyd,, woorrk kwss h    a,rld,de,er  tha;hn ,,b  eeeess! .. ..

,,Da.add;;,;;  i ; rreemeembber..r    you cc.MMinng hhom;em.m  ssoo o;ovvE.Ezr  rwrooekd  dt ; ; ,,

, y;y.oo  ru uhku,,ua,,ndd s.. we\rr ests si,illL sst,,ti;;rrin..n.gg , YYoou ccookulDn'ttj  sst;toopp .

II [r;re,emeeM,ber t  a..h.t tb

,   Wh[;at rgii;;h  t  do, t,,thhe;;ey  y  hah  e  to  ouu.r shhooney? ;;

 W

ee  llii[ve.e  ono two;o    bcuupps  A yeeaayr.  Thhey;;y  pput;; ;i,t iin ],,nllaiip,pb  allm ffroo n,,n;;o r,reasoon  wwHHgAAtts;sOO,evveerh,!

hEvvene\ if,f iiTT';;s' t rrU  Uee, . wwhha  taa  ycann  onp..e.  bee;eq  d..do?

,,

SSttngii  tv,,ef..m  ..whee,,r  ,,t;; rr;;aE,Elly,,y huurrtts.s;;s

  ; In theej  facee!  TThe eyye,!e  e,

--  TTh,,at,, t;;w;;ou,ull;;d hUrt.. - --...oo

,, Uh,, p t..thhee o ossee?  hTTaat..t'sa   ki,ll  leerr..

,,  ;; , Tuhherre'',,s. oonn,,ly ot nn ppllaacce , .yo;;ouu  acnn sstti,in,ng

ttw..h;;e,, hhumma.NNs,, onne ;PLLa..acee, hW erre  iit m;mataatteerr`s..

f h  

H,,ivee aat.  FFi;i v,e,  tthhe HHiv;i'ss oonllyy .ful,l-,h..oourr    aacctioi,nn e`n.nww. ssssuoorrce.,,

oNN  morr,,e  b;bee  bberrdds!!

Witt  h  ,,Boob ; qB;Bu.u bmmLe/ aat ttt;thhfe .acn;nh.hoorr  d,,esk .S ;;

, ,,   WWeaatthe.. RRwwiit,thh SyttoorSmmttiingdeeRR.;;.

,, ;

Sppor,,rtt ss;;wiitth/ Bu,,uZz ..L;;ar..rvvii.

AndJ JeejaaNettte O  hhuun ng,g..

  -

 G,,Goodd , ev,ve;;enninng.g g..i''m BBob ;; BBumbe.ll

-  a,,andl  II' 'J  eanaeettt.e  OHHunng.

A  ttir  r-  -CCoounnt,,y b..bee.ey,   BBaar;;ry  BeennS;;Soon,n,n ;;

,,   iin,,tenddss ,too  ssu ue thet, huuammnn  rraacE  E

foor s tte,a]lliig.g  ouur;r h  hoo,,neeyy,,

  , p pckkggngn iit  anndd  p;porrf..ilttting   frro,,omm  iit. jilllleegg  lllly!!j

,, T..ommoorreoorwwn fiig,ght ,, onn  rBee,,e  La,,ar..YY ,,Ki..i.ng,

`

 ,

w,e'lli hh,,Avv  e ;; t,th h..rEe foormemm r; qqueee;;en h,err,,e. in n n..ouur s\,tu.udi  io,,,, ddi,,sIIc usSSiinGG  thT T..ei,irr  nn;ev booook,k ,,

v ; Ollas,sy y  L;adidde  ess,

ouut,,t `ht..ti.s ew,weeakk onH    exxaaxgonn..

 ; [.. TTo..nooiighgtt  wee' ' rEE;t[allKiin;ngg 't,,t;;o  BaBBrrryy  B,Bxnnss  onn.

,DIdd y;;yoouu evee rT;;Thiinkk, "I'mm  a   kk..id ffrr,mo thee ,, hieve;;e. I  ..cnAA'dt d oa ,, thII,s"?

BBeeeess  ,,h.aVe,,e nn efvveer bbeeee  na orfai,,ad..d

too CharnggEE t  thhee  worlld.,,. ;

j    f aWhhata;;ao;; ,ab,obbut  B,Bee e  eOpolu;ujMbbu.suu?..? eBB,eu GGA,nAdAA,,hii?? b  bej,,je,esus??

;; WWhrree   I''m,,m  ff,,romm,,  w  e.'d.. nee; . s.su,,e  humlaannss.

, We   wweemrr,e  httiinknn,g

o..of ,  sttic,,c  kBallll  oorr, ccca..nndyy S,,oSre....  

,Hwo  oolldd aarre ,yoo,,?..u

fTThh;e b eee  c,,coommut,,niithy ,,i

ss    s;;su`,,pppOOrrt`i  i,ng   y,youu IIn n, t,H s;;cassee, ,

wwh ci h . wwIIll  bbe  hhe trriiaal

ofoo  tHHee   B,,Bee ccennctuurryy.;;

,,  oYYou  knnoow;w ; tt,,h  eyy a;;ave    ra..arry..y   Kiinng gi.nn  th eeh;;humnaaa w  oraldd ttomo.o

.. ,,It's  a  ccooMMmmoonn, namae;;e. NExtx ,,xw weeek... ..

n  k  H eelooos[kk liikee ,, You ; ;;An;d  ,,has/ aa;; sshoo,w a,nd  nssuu,spnp;pd  derrs aan,dh coo,l,,o,,reedd  ooq..ttss..,,...

;; . e Nc,xt;tb    we  eeek. ....  

G.Glaa,,s;se;s,  Quotoje,,e,,s o.nti ..hee  b,bf,ttto,m F F.rm,,o t,,theh, guess.. ;Te,,vee;;  t,,thhouug;h , yy,ou ju s.stt  heeraad '.eem.mm

BBeearr WWeee.ek,k  nneext/ weeeek ! ThTeyy'mrr;;e  s;;scca..raay,,c hhaairiy 'asn;d hh\r..re .lii,,Ve.e

.  a

Alwa ys Sleeans o..Fr,,rwwa,,ard   ..ph;;i.not y ; shhouldderees,sqquuin.naT,,Tn  eyyse,,e,,  ven,vry yJee;;wiiS..hh , n

IINh .. ;t.nee nis, .y .ou at.tttAck k,, l,,az,,t  tt.he,, ppOi;t;;   f. wabeekknnesss!!

 e   tI ,, qahss  mhyy ; g..gR,anddm;oxtther  ,    Kyeen.n Sh;he;;e''ss  8811 .

  ,

o,,noeeyy,  hher r  ba;;acckkhhaaN,,Nhd..d;'s A,, .jokee, !II''mm  noot gjoon,,naa ttaek..k  adv;a.dn,ta  ag,ge,,e ofoo t  hataa??

QQ uie,,T,, [,,p,le eas  s.ee. AcAAttuua,la. wwoork ggooiing , o,,n    h er;;ree..

,,

--  Is sstthh,t t,thah,t, ,s,,sammee  b..eee??

- ;Yeess, it.ti,,is!!

,, . I.mII  fhhe,,lpipnng .gvhhii; m  mjus.uTT  suss e  tteh. hhmUaU.Unn    RRa.cce..

h  

- HHel..eo..l.;;.

 Hee;l,,lO,O, bee,e.

TT;;hiiss is KKen..

\   ,,YeY;;Yeah,.., I.I reemeb beerr  y y.ou,.  iTm  jjuuSSt btteRRllandd,,   siizee

TTeen  andd  aa hval,,f. .. V;;ibr..amm s ,, oollee;,  iibeellie,,e;ve..

 ,, Wh hy dyy,,oesee hh telk ,, aaaiN??

,,     . LListen.., yoo;  ubetttee. rgoo

ca..aussee. w'rre,e rexAAgllly..y, bbo,us;;syy;;w  oro;;k;ing...g

 ,Bu.tu.. uutii'' suR;;R  y,ogurrtt nig ga  htt! !!t

,   B;yBBe e--b,,b,,ye,,e.. ,

WhhYY iiss y..gurrt;; ,nigiht so ddiff;;fii/ccuumLt?,, ?? ,, ,, YYoouu  wPPoo.orr  tthiinngg,. Y,,o..u  ttw;;woo h,,havee  beeeen.n a;at ,, th,,i,s f  o,ro  hv..o,urs!

Y;Yyess,, taannd.d  AAdd,am  m  heerre; h;hyaass bbneeEEnr  ho hhu,ugeg,, gghhepln,., ;;

- .Frro  osst,tiiN;;g....;.

--n,, H  o, mywxaann yy,usg`ssara as,,s??

    J,u..usstto  nnee.   It  try.y; nnooTh

tt  o  ..Usne,e t..t  heee co,ometItIiioonn..

 ,, SSo o; whw;;wY  a,,raaee  yyo..uo. oohelpp[ ingnn  mm?eb.

BBeeEs  h,h,avee,, gOO.odd Qalli  itinttesee. ..

,  

AA,ndd  IItt, ttakcees simmyy mmin, ddo,offsff   t,httE;;E s ,, hoo;;p,, ; ,

Innsstee,,a..d; off lwl  leerss,,,';p  eooppllme ..are..r  G;Gvingg Baallloon,n . bobqu,,eutss    noo.w

,  

Thhoo\see AAerr, grreat  t,, iff y.ou  u'ree ,, t htReee.

A

n,,d  ;rti.if,,ii,ic.all, floowree,s

- -;;-;;Oh,r tthho;so..e j  suT  geeT TmTe p sy  ycchotiicc!  ! -- . YYe..aeeh,,g m.. ee  ttojo..,,

, BeBBtn;;n  tsi  inng;gerrss,,  pooiintgllesszs p,loo,linna;;t,ioon..nn ,,

  ,, z

BBe.es,,s  ,,musst t  thaattee tH;Hoossee    ;;faakethiiN,Ng;gs!

NNotohz ing  wowrwsey

thaan  al dda;;fafOOddil,l t..a ths h a,add kw;;ooRk;;Ro  dnde.. ,,

, e MayMMbee  thhsi ,, coou,ld dmake ; up p,p.foo rrittal ti.tlee ,bit,,. T ;   w

--  TThhIs. l a w  wsuiitt' 'aa  ,prrettTTyy  ,,bi.igg  deaal..

;- ,I   g uu\essSS..

; kYYouu susr,see yoouu waannttt o  g ,, o, oxtthhRoouguuh wwiitth it?  ?

A;A.m I  ,uRRe??  Whhen,n   I.I'..',,m ddwo onhe;wiithatt the  hh;;uma;nabss,,theYY won't,t bbEE  ab  le e ;;    , . to .. ssAAy,,a ""H;;Hcoone.y,,,I '' hoomeg,,; "witthh outt  payying,,g    a  rr,ya,,l ltt;;y!!

I,,Itt''s ; a/N  iinnccr,de,eib,ble s,,cene h,ere e.. i [nd,d;owno,wnn MMan nhatt,taann,, . ,,   whherr[ee t he  ww,,orrl,,l.d  annxiuooe.sL,,yy  .w[aittss,,

b;blc.aius;se,,e Ff  or , thhee f.f.ir stq iti,,im  jj usste  in nnh;;isst to.roo,y

w e w;;wil;ll   heea;arr  ffo,roo ouusrrelvvesee if ]faak h oennby  yee  c,ann . a..accttua,,ll yysspaak;;k..

WWhat hhavvee w  w eg;go;otttteenn  ii  nto ,,herr.,ee B , arrr,,r?y;y

Itt\''ss  rpeett..y, big,,i,  iisnss'rt itt??

;; ..Ica''t,,t bbee.lIIeve. eehhoww  mmannyy\h ,, uum;mann

ddoo n't.. ttwo;orrkk  d]urrInIIgg tthhe d,a;y..m

    p ,, Yaoou tthin   kkib;;b,,liioonn-ddo..o,lllaar r,rmmu,,lr,,uti;natitoonal

ffooood,,dccommpi.ess  hhaavei g,, ooood l  aawwy;;ers?

;  

EverybodBBy d;Need,S tOO  st ay

b;;bEhin  t,thhee , babrrrrca;ade.;d

- -Whaht 'bss th  hee  m,maat,,ttteerr? -  I . /do.n''t KKn.nooww,, ii . jjsuttg o,,too a  chhill  .

WWelll..l,, iif  iit isi ni';'t t ,, tth..he beee ttefam..

..  , uY , o o/u  b.bioyy s;;swooR  K,, on,n thhsii?,?i ;;

;; ;; AAlll.. rris;s e;;!  TThehh  HHoon,,orrab;bl lE

Juuddgee B,BubMM  lxE,Ettaonn , ppresi,,iidvnn.g..

 Alll ri,,ighgtgg.;.;; O,Oase ,n]uu;bb;;Er,, ;444775,

;;

S;u,,erriior  rrO,Oouo  rrt o f,,fN eewYoozrk,kk B;Bar.rrr. BBee BmeefNNson,,nv\ .. thhee Honey  y; I  Inn.dustssrry yy . v  

iis  ,,onw;w .. iini  sseesssioonn..

,   ,,r.e  MMontgoojM,,emmyr  r, ,, y,yo,oe.u',,'rr;;e r,,ep;;p.reesn,,ti gn

..th  hee.. ff,iv,e foooo..d ccomppa  an niEEs, oc,cool,,l,,ec,,ti..i,vely??

,, A  ..pR;ivillegee,.

Mr.B  eennss,,oNN..., ..y,,oayy,,'uurree[r ee.pr`eesenettii  ngg alltllehh  bbe..ee;esso   , t,eh,, wreollDD?

,, ,I,, '.'m m  kkiiddinn..g[. ..YYes,,  ,Your Hon,,noor,, .. we''re,  rr,ea addy tto , pprco oC;;eeedd.;.

;;  Mr . , bMoonttggoomm Er,ry,,

yy,or,, ..u poeennin g.sgttaemtteenn t ,,plle;ae  S..

.. Laddie ssa,anndd gge,,nl.emq en;;n  oof,  ttHe ,juur.ryy,,,

 ;

mY\ g,,rgannddmoovtthherr w ,As a  ssiim  lj  juspttllee  woommaann.. ;

BBo..orrn  Onn a  ffa,,rm,  shee  BBelieevevdd

It   ww[sa m nA;;A'ss  diiv;;viinE r,ri..iGGhhTT

t to benFFit..t  .foiM  ,thhe  buon,,n  tyy

ooff  n;nAttuur,e eGo.Gdu  Piut  bef,foorre uk.l

I;;I, .w]ee  lliigvveedd ; ino  t;thhE,c ytot,tPsP,y-,,t-R  Rvyy , w..woor;ld, dMrr.,.   eB,,nsson..n im JJuustt,gaaiineeS,,  

jjnuss dtthtittnKK, ooff  whhaat  w;woulld  iti i im..eman.;;.

 , I  wwouldd  haavvee ;; o t negoot;;t..iat;;te

wiit,h  t,th,e  islkww..orrmm

foorr .. ht..et    eeAs,stticc  iin m  y.y  brrittch;;hess!

.. ..Taalk,,ki;;in n,,g ;bee, !

 qHHoow  ddoo ,, WWe  KKNoowwt   ]hiiss iiss..n'tt. SSooeM Ms.so,,rt o,,f

,, ,,  ,

hhooll,,ogrra,,pAAhhjiic ommttio;onn,-pppiic..ctuurre  -cca,,pturre;e HHrOOl  ll lywoo  odd wiz,,rd,drry??..

,, ,, tTT..hEy ccoouulbddee  UUsiingg llia;;sAer ..b  e  eamm s!,!,

 .

;Roob;;bootit;tc;c  s!!  Ve enntriileooquuiism! OOloonni..in,,ng,,!gg oFFr..r  aa Ll Lwwe    knnow, ,,,,;; ,,   hee  ,c oUUl.d bee  ;on;; n ns  stteeroi i,,ds..s!!

,, ; ,

MMrr  . Be enoSSn?,,?

, ,

L  La,,digees .. a.andd    eggn,tlemmeen,nn

t;;hree'e;es,, nn o trooiicck;keery  he;;ree.;.

I',,'; jujsst AAnno  rr,,,innaraayy bee.ee Honeny,,y''ssp r  etttyyii;m  jjuu,,Stpporpo  att.n;;t t. oo .. ee. ;; n ;;  . jIt'ss iimj uu,sttpp.ortaan,n;;tk tt oa,,ll , bbeee e,,sz..

W[e;;i..in;nenntEEdd  ii,,!;

W;;e    mak;;e[,,k . iti i.  Andd; we e p.prootect  i w,witttH,,H  ousor   livv]eess. ,,

.

UU,.,foorrttuu.natell,yy  tthehheRar ;; e. ssomboo,em pe;eoop,,plle..e in;t  H..Hiss, ;; r..roOOm  w h;;hOO tth/  nikk   hteey cja   ,ntt;ake,k  fit;t  fr room  u..u; ss;;

'causEE wwee'  'rrE,E thee jllittllee gguu..yss!! I,,';m  hhocppinng,,g  ttaatt,, ; aaf,,f,t;;err , t  thhsi, is aalll ol;;lvve,orr,,

;; . k   y,oyyuu'l;;lll  ss,,eoeeh oow,, ; bby  tkAAinngg  u;o  oh;;hnneey,,, ,Youu nnoott  onnl,ltyz;ak,,ek  evee rYhTTinGG  wwee \havvee  

 l   buu..t.. e,,,verrtyyHin,,n,gwwe.e  [aar  ree!!

; ,, I..wis,h , he,,d ddrreeswss  LLikkee ,,that

a,aLl,,l  te;; hh tii,m jju,uss.tee   ...SSo; n;n;icee !

Ollll  y,yooU  Urr afifwsrrt.t w in.Tes,s.,,.

 S yo,    MMrr.  KlK..Koaausss   Vanndehaa..dde,n

of  H,,onn.e,yF  a,arm,ms,,  biigg.. ccooMMePn,ay  y,,yoou.u ,,h ,, av..ve

sI..IuupPPsooee SoSS.. ,,

;;I;;s, ee,e you  lss;O.  o,,wn. H..Honoeeyb y..uRtro,,on .nanaadd Honrnonn!! , y , YYe..es,  tthheye, p,prOvieD  bbeeekkee;ep..per.ssf

,,o oo'ur  ffrsmm. . ; ;  

b.beee,,kee  e,epeerr.  t   Iqind,t ,,h a,, t,,t O,,O e  aa    ver ry  disturbbi.inngg utteerm. , ..  .I  ddon''t.t im  ju;stta,,a[ giieN you  eemmp,loy..yz;; ana  a;;y  bbeye;;-Fr,erre-,,-EEr  r,s.s    ;;dOO  yyoou??

--  NNoo. .-  I c,,cu,,uLddn..n''tt hheaeer yyou.

;;  p

- NN.O -- ;;Noo..,,

, ,,Bevca;;suue eeyu, o.ddonn'.'t FFR  Re,,e/e rbe;;es..

,Y,,o,u  keeep p.pbbe;;e.ssN ;ot o..on,nLL,y  ht,,tata a,

k ;;  , ]I;;t. seem,m ssyyou thhkoo,ughg,,.ta  ,,be,,ear wow,,wu;ulld  .b,e,,aann,apa..proopp.Riiaate..i;;im..mju ssttaa..eg c;for] a jaarr;o f; h h.onneyy.; ;;

. Tkh,,hey''ree v..very l  ;;o vaaBBle;;l  ccreeaattur es].

YYoggi ,,BBeea,,raa, g ,FFoozzie eBdeetarr,, ,,B;;Bu  u.I,,l,d-A----Beeaarr..

   ,, Y,,Yo,u   mmeeaaN llkbie th,hIIss,,?

,,  

BBE,,Eaars,,s kkkillll  b   zeess!,,

, Ho oew,w''d yy  O,,ux lliikkee hhlsi  h;;heeadd [c,,rashs;;inGG  tHrroouug ,, yoyuur ;; l,liiv,viinngg  ro;oomo??!!n ,, ,,  

B ittIIgn innh.Toy  oou,urr  coocuh;;h!!z p..S ittttiinng g;;ouut  yoou,,r th,horhww tppil;;l  lo;;os!

  ,, ,, ..OvK,,   thhaaut,,ts'';; enn,oug.HH , tak  ket. hiMM  jju,,uS..tS aawway.,.

  S oo, ,,MM;r.  'S ti.inng;;g,  /ttah,hnk,,k  ,yo  ouuz affookrrb eeiingg;;hierree.; YYo,ou urr  ;n,amE ; .innyTTrii,gees se e\..

  , --  whherqe zheaavve I.. ;;hheeA i,,r,,t  b  effo,o,rEE?..? - -I . wwaa s  wwti hhaa bAAnd , alcleed  dT he P,Poolliic  ce..

.  . , BuBt  yyoouu'kve neeev;;ve.er r b,,eee.e,,n

a,p]  o,licee  ooff.fi,,c,,e,r,, hhaV;Vef you ?;;?

 ; ,, Noo,, , I ,,IhfaavvEEn'tt`.. .

oNN,,  yyo.ouu  h..hAv vseennt.. .;A.nndd\  ssoo hee;;e,,e ;;eww hhaavve , eet   otta..annother  e;exx..amppell

,,  ..   ooff beeee ;;u s tLLuur,r eeccas,,sUUal,llly

ssttolo,,oEnn b yayy  hu..uaMMnn ..

.. f orn,,noto;oHi,,Hg  m..moore. tthhagnn a,, pprraancecc--a,ab;;bo,,ouu    s,,tagee  namm;;et  .

OOhh,    lpeeas  .ee

,

H A,Ag,,Vde  yy..ou eveer  eeen n  ,,sttuu,gz Mr.   Sti,,inng??

,Beec,,canuu se I','  ffeeeeLinng a;a w;;liitttll .sst  tuui,,ng,,   ,,Stnig;.

,, ,,   OrO,, shooul;l dI , sska  ay......  Mnr.  Godreoonn MM,,. SSummnner!

! ! .. . ;;Thhatt's,,s  n  tt hihs rreeal n  aa,,me?!! ,,  youu Idi;;dots!ss

;

MMrr \..L;;Lioo,tt.,; ,fiir tt; ,,,,b,,be,,ellAtteed  ccoonrgg.attmuulaai,,to onnss,, ono

 y  ou,urr .. E  Emmmm]yw  i;;ihn  n  ffo..orr  a .. guueseemt ,,tsppo ott .. onoo ..ERR Inn, 2,,20,005..

,,   ,, Th;haannkkc    yyoouu,, .Thank y,yOO,,u..

,,  ,,

II se,,ee frsffoo;m , yoourr rreessumet HaHt t,ytOu;;',ee  d,,deeivills.shhlyy  hhan  doomyee

,   widht AA cchur,,niin,ngg ,,innnerr ttu,,rmomiil t;;htttaa'',S re;addyy   t blllOww...

I,, eenjo oyy ..whaht  I   d.od.. I..Iss tHaa' ut;;taa  crr  im jjustSS,e,,?ee

;

N..Not yyeet  ,t ; iisnn'..t.. Butt  is t.thihhs

w,,w;att ,it  t'ss ccoomue  t,,o f , OOrr yyoouu? ,

E..Es;;p..ooiittiiNgg , ttiNNy, ;; h..heellplpepss s;; bbeees.s SSo,,/ Yo  o.u .. ddooenn't..t

hhavve .. ..to ;ewr;;;;heeaa.rsessn

yyoouurr p , aat,t a;nd  leaarr..n yyo ouur l.liinees,,  s isr.r?

,  

,,waattch iitt;; tBEn  n.soo,n!.. I  ;cuoollbd;d , BBlow..w rqi igh\t  nnoW;W !

TThis  ,iSSn;;n'.t a gg,,ood,dffllLLaa.. T

,,hi,s  is,saaw bab;b,df..fell;;lxa!,a

Why y  d..d  oessrn'nn ttssooemmeo.o,ne \j,,jsst s;t  te  epp  o;; n,,n

tth;;hiss c rep,;;,  and. w]e..e  caa  nn,alll; go h,,om;m?ee!!

.  ,

--  OOr.rd;;de;r]ee   iinn t;thi,,is  C;Couur..t!,!

-yoyyuu''rre, e eaal;l tthiink;nmig,i T!,!z

.  Orddedrr O!rrDDeer;r.. b,.I ,ssayy

!    

-- aay It!  - MMr... LLito,oaft,,  ppllea e;; ssi.itt ; DDoo,,w;;n!!

. .

I Ih..h..ink, iit;; w,,ws   aaafw,,u]llyy. niice..e ofo ,,ott;ahhtt  .bee.a rto  ppitcch,h, i.in   li,ik,,keg  tthhA,At..

,, II  tt ini,kk ttHHee j  urry's;;s ,,nO Ooouruu  siwDee .. ,, ,,  A;Ar,ew .  we dd;oi;ngg ,,e vver ryytthiinng. rriigght t, leeaG,,Glyll??

  I. ,'m a.  tfflorriiss,t.

R

iught,,t..  ww.el;lll, , eh.ree''s dtt.o a  ;;re  tt t,teeama a..;;

 ,, TT ooa..a ,,geraatt  tee..am,!

,,   ..  Well,,  hhe le,,lo..o.,.

,,   - ;Keen;!

--  HlElo. . .

is ,di,d..d'NNtt  t,,tHi,,in;k  y,y,ouu , wweer  rE. EEccoioongn.

NNo o,, II w`aass jju  ustt ;latett,.

ttrrie,,d,d toos.. ;caall;,  B,,uBtt..  .;. t th,hee  ,,atttER,yRR..

  j,, II  d,,idd'nntt  wwa;nt..t  ,,al,,ll l  thisii t, o..o  GGo T,,o awStte, s os,s I    c.a.jlled BBaRrR  R,,y.. LLucckik,ly,b . hhe w,,w,,sa.a . freeee..

;h,, tt,,hatt  waas l.luucc,ky..y

k .

The eree's;;s  aa l  ,ijtt..tleevllfft;;t. .,, II c ou`ldd ,, hea;;at titt  ,u,,p..

,  ,, yEaaHH,  hehhaat.. i;i;t,uudP ,,, suur e,,,, wh;;wa..aT;;eve,er;;r.

; oS  I,hewar,,r  you''reeq  uite e;;ea,,a t  e  en nn,,nsi,,i , ,plallyce,r, ..

I'MM,nny.too  mummch hhfforr t,,hee  gga amek   my..ys,,elf. ,Thhee  bbaLLl'..s,' ,, aa,, ,,litttllee ; grabby..

 ..

tthaatt''ss  whwwer EI u;;ucss;;uaallllyy s;;siitt.

RRi,ght.....  tthr..e'e  e..

l

,,   Ken,,  .Barrrryy..w  ass loo  oking ggaa.t y uor, reessjuummee,,,

aqnd;; d..dhe h,,haaggered wi;;th,,h ,, mme e   t;thaatt  eeaatti,,niig w,wi,itth c

h.hgoop  pstiic;ck]si, ssn'tt rreeaallyy, ..a ssp..pecci iall sifklkgll.

YYouu    thinknn  IId  ;on'ntnn  seEE  whhaat ttyouu','rre d oiins?GG

rI I,k;;I,,on; w,,hoo,w  h;;haarrdd  iitt ,, i,iss  t,to  ,,Fi..innd,d t,, hhee  rrighhttjob.    ee   h,hiaav,,ve,e ,,thhaat t ii;;n cc  Ommmo on,,.

;; ,, Doo  ww.e?l

] ,, BEes` ha;av,,vEE   00 00  Perrcee,,Ntt. eem,,mppl..loyomment,,

bbU.U,,t we  ddo    jjoo,bs liike  t,tka,aiign],, t thE ,cr ud ddoouutt.;;.

;; TThata,a's juu..st..t whhaat ,tI ,, w,,waas ssthhiinkkingn,, aaboutu ; ddoonig.. ;

,, d   K e..en,,  II lle tBArryy bocrrxroow wyy.our r..z ;; o orr,, FF..orr  ,hiiss  ..ufzz.. , I ..hoop,,pee  t h  aat waas; ;;laa.l ri  g,,ihh,,t.

.   yII,' mmg;go;ion. t;;O  d  d]r,,ra,anII t,,thh.e o lld,, sttinnGGer,.rr;

YYaehh, yyo uDo t haat.tt

Loook  aat thhAA  t

,Y

OOu;;u  knoo,,,, II'vve j  us,,tss abboout  hhad i TT

wwiithh  ,,yoourllittt le,,e mindd ,, g,,ameess..,

..  

- Whhaatt''s   thaa,,t  ? - ,,I  tal  l,,iaann  V,Vooguee

;   MMaammmm Am;miia,,a,,  htt  ats' aal   ot ,o;;f ,, page,se;e.

AA ollt  Off  adAAs,.u

;;Reeme,,ebm[er wHatt, a..vn;; ..aSid,dd whhy, iss ,oyy,ur .rli..i,eF,F dmmo,rfooe;e  xvaallpuabbLL;;e  t;;tha an   mmi,in ne?;?

Fsunnyn   ,II justt ccAAn..'t  sseeemm .. t  o .r;;eccaaLllt;;shhatt;;!

  n, I  tt,hii;knn som;metth..hnIIg  sttiinw ksin  mhe  erre!

I I l lovev ,, thheEE sMe  leel  oof  ;;fllw,,errs.. .. c

,     H..Ow.w .do    Yo;;ou iikt ;; h    s;;sm..eLl f;f fla;;meess?;;!..!

NNoT,, Tah sMMuch..

; ca,atteer.. bbuuggq!!  NNott;; ;t.alkk,,inng siidde s!w

.  K

eenn,,,,    I'mm w\e,eaaii  g;;g    a a O haappstiick k,,khat! TThi,isw . Iss p.t,A..h,ecc!,,!,,

  , II'vvee  goot; is sseu,s!!

 ..

WW/eleel,, , wweelll, weeLl;;l,a   rrooya,, lf,,fluush!!e

.   . -,,- Y.ou''r;ree b..lu,,ff  nfg. ..-- A,, II?,

  eSuu,rf..f','s  u;upp, DDu;uedd !

Po;;o   watt e;!

 , . THa..a,,t bb,ow,wl  ;iss/   gann rl;;y.

. ;; . ExCCeetp,,For..rf  t;;t,,hoos eeddii,rty  yyeelllow WWrriinG!ss

kK Ke,,ennn.n.te;;h!! ; WWaht   aar re E Eyou,u  d,,dooi,in,ng..g??!

YYo,u; k;;kn  no,w ;fii  d..dOnn'ft  eevee,,n ,ilk,ke hho,,nyee! I,, Id..on;;T  e..at,,t itte!

;; Wee  nneedd tto  aakl!ll

. .he'  's s .. jjuustt , aa Liitttlee  bb;eee!;;!

An;A,d  hee ahhpppe.enns    t,,o, bfe tth  eenncesst b,,beeee  I''..ve,e;; mmeTT . in.n a  llo,on  tim,m  ju;ust  

u   , ,oLNgg ti,,im ,m,,ju,,us,,sttee?,, Wdhh.ta  aarre ey oyy, u,tal  lk,,niG aaboo,,uTT??!! A;;Arre  th,,her;ree ..   othher kbbuugsi     n yyoourr  lliiffe e,,? .. b.. ,  ;;

nnoo, b uut tthhee..re farre ,   otheHR  t;;thiingnnss  ubGg..g  ng, me , in;;n.. l lieff..A ,,nd y o,o.u',,'grees noe.e of t  ,heeM! !!

F,,Fii\Ne!!,, ,,Tal lkkiinng b ees;s,,, noy Oggu,urrtt nniigh;gtt.....

;; ..

Myya  ner..rEss ;; aarre e . irreb dd frrmoo rIddiing..g oonn  tthhisi eemottioonnalnrr;olle..err , coo.a,,st;tsE.Er!

,G;;o\o,,o'dzbbyy.e,,, Kfeen.n..,

; A;;Anndd ; ff.r,r  y yu ri  nif,,oefrrm ma,a tionn,,,

I pprrle,,ef;;feer ssuugga.ar..--fre eEE,., ..a  rtifficiall.. sswdeet tqe..enje;errss m..maadd e,eBy  mmaann;!g

I'mms O, Ossoorrrr;y,, abo..buutt allL ; thtaatt.. ..

,

I  kn;;oow itt';'s ,, g,,g,,o,ta  n;naftt.rttlss  te;!! I IIlli;;kee iT.T!!,,

.. I .al.lwways;, .. sffelt .thherre e wwas ss,,oo me k  nid;d

oo.f bmaril,,rerr  bbe.tt[,,we;;epeeN ,,K enee ; a  naa,d  mm.E.,.

;;I ccmoouulld,dzn,,n'  t ,, o;;veerrc c,,ommee iit. OO,,h,,  wwweelll..

AArre,,e  yoyu , O, rfoor' tjh,,e  etrr,aill?

   e ..  I bllive MMr,,r.. M,Mo;;onnttgomOO,er r,, yyi is,,sh ab,bouuTT o  ,utt oof ,,iddeeaass..

w,we,e wwooulld.. likke toocaalll mm.r   Baarr,ry,y,B ,nson  BeeE E .. TT , tthce , ssttanndd.

;Good  i..ideea!p   aaYoYYuu cann  reeaalllly;y , ssne;eeew HHy eh'res

c,,onsiidegrred  o,on;n e . oof  t,,hpe  eb  bssttx ,la,awyyErss.....

YY epa  ha....

;

LL,,yat,ton n,, o.yuu'v,, oggtt. aawe,,avvee  ,soomm,ez  m,ma..aGGi ci

witthh, thiHHss ; jujrY ,,oo;r  itii's  s,, gon;.na beb.. alaal [l;;lo  ve,,er.. ] ;;

onn''tt ,, woo.rr,,rY Y.. TThe  oonnllyy ;;t  hiinnggI;  havee t,to ddo,o  too t,,tuuRnn t.th.i;;s  ]juryy    arounnd

,,  

sto;o r,r,,em;;m,ind the  meeo  fwwhta ,,t h  kee   y,,y,donoot,'v ; l..like a ; bouu t.. .b[,es.

y

. , -YYdo..ouu ggoott th,,te t,,twe,,eeeizzeerrs,;;?

- ,,-ArAe,, ee,,yoou alller  rg gIcc??

.

nl,,.y..y tto lloos;sinngg, ..son,,n. .,,.OOn,,nllwy , tto ollosi,,n g.

d

 Mr. Beensson BBeee, .,I',lll  aas.sk ,, yo;;oue ,, hWWa\,t  I thhii nK we'de . aa,l,l ,LIIkke   to..o k,,nkoww..

; [.. . w.wahtt  eaXXtccl,l,yw i,,iss Yhouur rr;;leeaatittoounns,sh ip,

tto,o thhat,t w,,wOOmmaan?nn

  , W;We,,'reeo rFFieinn,s,,..

.

; -- ohG,,od..d, ffrru;ieennd,,s ?

;  Yee,,s..,,

,hHoow . gooodd   ??DDo y..yO Ou  ..l..i,,e  ttoogt;hhe  r??a

Waaiitt aa ,,i,mnnuuttee. ...w.

,

AArrh ; yyoouu,, hhe  tltl.le....

x .....beedbbugU?

.  

II',,'vv;e  ws  s,ee a;; , ,b;e,,e  d,do;;c ueoomeenntaarryy  poor rrtoww.,,.

Frroomm,w,,h a  t  i unded;drrstta;;a..n,;;

;;

d,deess\nn,,'t  y;;you;ur , q..quuEEen nghn,Vee ;;bi tr.h \to  alll tthhee .b ,ec  h,,ilddrrenn??

,YY;ea,h,, .ubt.... ,,- SSto tthoossee aa renee'tt   yyoourr   eeaanl,l pa;eeNNt..ss!

 ,

-;;- Oh,,,;Brar;ryy... .  YYe es,  t..th ey a,,ar,,re!!

,,

.. HHool d;me  ,eback,k!..!

,    . Yoou','ree a  nn  l;;i..el;;lGi,,it,tli m,,mj,jusatte .b.ee,e arreen''  t yyoU..U,,,,, Bennso;no,o??

,,   He,'s  ,ednoouunnccignn Beeess  !

Don''t;; y..y'wal,l.. d,,,tt,e ..yur ccouosi;;niiss?

 ;

-- , ,ObbjjecttiionO!!

-  II''MM ,gOinng, t ooppiinn;cussi,,hoN tthiiss g;uggyy! ..

AAdaam,,m,, .. ;do..onn'd!tt  I;tI''s ,hwawt; hee  wwaannst! ! !  ; Owh..h,   qII'me H,HiT!TT!!

,  k ,   OO;h, ,  llorr,,dY,Y,  ,I,,I.. am  hiit..t!!

OO,rddeer!;!, Ord.derr!,,!

T;;Thhee   vEnEEoomm!! TTg,hee v,ve,nommd  i ; sscourrsIInng  thhroogu..u;h  mm  y  sevv,,ni s!!

,,  

I;;I h a`vee,, bbeeenn  l eelll.lee ,dbby y  a  w  wiinngge  bb/;;e\,sat o;;o.. f..fddee,,sTrruucct;ti;o.N

!   .. y..uo;;  seee??  rYouu c aan.t,,'  ttre,rta  ,themee,, hl lIke euq,qa,,aqs..l! ,, TThe,ey'..'rrte  Sttr ip..pd  saavva,a,,g.eess!;;!

StSigNNl,inng'  gs  thee/  ooNll tY.Yhhing .they k  noow!!  ITT'ss tthh,eei;irr ,, wwaay!y,y ,,

-  AA;daa..M], s ytt W hi  mee.., --  i i ..ac'ntt ffeegE llmmyy;; le,,eg;;s..

,  .. p

Whh.at    a  an;gunnell. o. merccyy

wiLll, co,,om.mee  ,forrwa  arrDc ttoos uc,k  tthhb ee pooisoon ;;

 fr,,r;;mo ..m , yhhe,eVVing guuttTToocks?s  s ,

 ,, ,, , IIw.i,ll  HHavEE  ordr reer; r.isn tt..hi  iS  S  ccoou,,rt.. OOrrddee!; r

OO,ddr  er;;r,, p pde,lasaaee!!

..   ,Th e  ccaa,see o F t;;thhe e hho,neeybe;e,,s eer..srruss  th e,ehh,u,,m;;An ;; .ra.ac

,

oooka   opiinnteedd    trrn agg,,aintt t , hhye ;;e,bees; ,s

    yee;;stt,erdaayy whenn   onneo  F tthheeii rrlleggaall

teeaam sz,,thunng,,g ,,Laayttoonn ; T;;T.. ,,on.gt ommery,,.

, ..

-,HeH..yHH   ,,,budddyy/

--H e,,y;.,

,  

-- Is heer  ree m mu..u,chh  ;paaiinn?? -;;-  Ye;eaaH.H..w ,,

I...,...v

; `

II zbL;;Leew,,w tH eewh;h,,lOe  cca/sse,ee ,, dd,i;dnn't  t,, ,I  ?

,  

II.t d  doessnn';;'t   maatter;r.  . WWhh.att  mmatttesr. ii; yo;;ou'rree  aivvee  . Y,,Yoou  ccoo ulldd  hhaav E  diie;;ed..d.

 ,, ; I,,I''dd ,, bbe b;;betlteerr offf.f d;de,ad..  Loookk t.a;;m  e.;.

e

,Th;;he eyy ;; Goot;t, iti , froomm  th.he .. cafetteeR.iiAA

dotnw  wst  tai;;r s,  I  Iun  ;; atunna snnd,,dwii ch  . p

,,Looook,,  thheeree''s, aa l itttLe ; g,,eccleerr,y  ;;t,,tillLL oN;N  iit.

Wha.ta Wass  i it  l,,li..iKKe  Tot  stittn.g,, nnssoomm;;eo nee?? ; h     I can..'T   teXpl  a  pii;n   ifTT.. It ,, wawws s  aalLL.... .

Aq;;ll;l addr reenna,li a[nneeh, nndd shtenn....;; a,nad ddttheh;;   c,e..sc,,Taassyy.. !

kAAllllo   ri,ihht,t.

You uthini ik,, itt, wwaaiss.. a  al;llla   taapph??

 ,

O fc ,, ,oUrs se,,e.. I'm os  soo  r,ry y.

I ,fl;eww  u.ussr iiggh,,ht I,I,ntoo  t;;thhi.s  s ..

..  

,whwwa;a..t , ww er   eewe ,eth inkkiniig??  L;;Loook .. a  s.   WW'eREE

sju,ussptt  a ,,co,ouppl  ee ; oofb uggs iinn ,  thhi..issw orlrud.

a,h.. ,twillll; ,,thhee h.huum,anns  DO   tto ,  u,,s iif   tFhFFeyy wwni??

p , . ,II  ,ddon[,o'tt kn  on. .k ,

I h,,h.eaa;r o;;theyee ppu,,ut , th eefRzoac,ohes,,s i  n nnpmotte.l.s. Tha..att  ,eooss'.nqt s  ,,ound ,, so,,o b,,add.

,,  ,   Aa..;;m, tthteyy cchreecck..ko  ini,,,

jbutt , Tvhe yyd,dOOn't occh  cek voouu,,!! ,,

OOhh  , ,,m;myy. ..

..OoUUqld  y,,ou ggeet.t  AA  nnUrree

tto , ccloose e . t;ha[t, Wii  doow?,,?

;

-.. Whhy,,y? -

  TThhe  ss..mookke.ee

,

.Bee.s;; ddonn''T . ,sm mok;;e.

RinGGhf.t BB;eees d oonn' 'tt s , m.okee. . ,,  ;;

BBEE,,es  don'  ttssmmo,,okkee! BBuutv . s..oo;;me ebbe,ess,, a,r;;e   ssmmo,,okkinn..g....

TThaatt's ti!,,! ,T h, ..a,t,t''s o,,u.u]r rrxccasee!

; I;I;;t.. iis?,,?  It,t'css ,,   noot , ovoo er;;r

GGettd .. r.res,,esseedd..z II''vev.v go,,o;tdtat goo ;; so..ommeehwere..

;

GGee; abckk    hto  ehhe   cour rt  and   sta;;lll \...SttalAl aa  ny  y ,wn  aay  yyOOuu cann ..

,,   nndd  A;Ss,sumii;ng yo.u,,u' ve ddOnee ,s ..tep.pc OOrrreec tcclyyx,,,, y y,,ou''re.e r..r,,ea  addy ,,f  or thee ttuub.

,,M],,r..  lFyman. N;;N

Yeeks s?? YYess,, Y  Yoru Hooonnr,r!..!

.   .

WWhhereee.. is s  tth.heejr reestt  Off y....ouurr tteamm?.?

, .. Wle..e;;L,  Y..Y.ouzr Hrronoro,  it..t''S ; inrt;;testtin'g,,.gg

,

B.Be,eess  arre  e ttrrainned  ot  flly h hA;;p;;hiaaz.azzr,,rdlly,,y,

anndd   ass aa  r esru,lrt, ,,w,wE  d,,don' 't  mkAAe  ve,,erryy  g oo.od,,d;; ttii mj..juussttee. ,,, ;  ;; II  cat  tu.u.allnlly  h...ar da fuunnyy s,,stoo;r yyaabouutt.,,... ,

,

  .Yo;;our;;rH  oo  noo, , h,avee,,n'',,T   thessee r  II;di]cculloouss ,, buugg,sb.

ttakee dn up enoouughhz

of.. ftthhii ssccouurtt'ss  val..luuaabbllee  ttImm  jjs  tsE.E?

HOOw,m ,,   ucHH   lo..n;;ngg.er rrw,,wliil  lwe  e  aa;ll looww ,t,,hheeSe .. aabbssrxuud  ;s,,dhheenna,an  ig..g]ans  tto ,g..o  oohn,,?nn

,, mTehyy  hA;Av  ve . pree;;steeed n,oE  co.ommg;pellL;;Liinn,,g e;;ee;;vi,,ideence e etoo s;us..m,,poprr  tt.httmeei ir  cchargg;;se;; ;;

s  

,gaaa,,a insst ,m yy  ciLL..entqs , hh,, /ooruunl gxeti.iaiim jujjsstta;atee  bus;iunnessuse  ess.. ,,

,I moo;ve  e  fory AA ,cooMp,,lette;;e  dd,,siimmbiissssa,allo

f  tiis  e ntti,,,,rnee caas  e!!

M..r. Flajyymm,,an,,  I'm ; af,ad /I' mgo,,ioo..gn

ttO hah,,vee  t  o coohns,sIDDE,r

rMM ...MMOOnttggo..m,oEErry's;; m,,motioin .c r  x,, Butt ,, Youo;;oa  n'tt;! W,Wee h  hv.aee  a  teeri  rffiic   ccaase.

Whhrreeee  iSS y,y,ou,,u,r  prrooooff  ? WWherr,,e.. ,iSSe theT ve,ev vi denncee?

[

n  

iSShhowoo pmme ;;et;;hee   ;smmokkiigg  GGuun!

Hooldd`  i..tii ,vYoY,,Yuruu HoonoR!! YYoouu  ,waaNjt  a;;  bsomkkignn ugn,,?,, ,

,He,e;;ree. iss yooUUrr  smok.k ingg  gguun n. . ..     ; WWh;;haat i .. ss  tthhaat  t?

,   , Iett',,'s  aa,, bbeeee ssmo;ker!R

.  

WaH.Hut,,.; thhiis? ,,Th?  ?,is  s ,, h,h,,arr;;lmme.essss; lIIttt lee  ..cronOOttrap,,tion?nn

..  

Thiiss [ccoouul,lddnn'', tt`urt ,ta;; ffl;;lyy,.

leet ..   alo;en  a,a .. bbe..eex.,,.

 l  Loookw a t;  wwhat ,tH,as  hhappenE,d

t,too  bbeees,s wwho  havh   eee,,nve,err .beeen .. aas..e;k..d,, "S..M,,oKiinng  oorr  n n,,on?

,,

IIss th  hies whha,,at,t nna;a;;uurrei  nt,tnEEdeddfro  uus.s??

To.. bebbb ffo orcc.bili,,y a add;diic  c;teed D,Dtto smokee' meacchinenn.s

a nnd ,, mmaa-nmmaa,,dee  wooOdeenn  sla,,at  ww.rokc aampps?s

,, ;;L ,,i ving oo..utt  ou..r  llvi,ess a as,, sshheNyNN  sslaavves to,, TThhe  Whi' ht;;tee  ma]mm,n??;;

,,-  Whaatt .. a.rae  ,we..e  GGoo.n.na  Dod.d? ??- ;-H,,H'ess,, ,laayyiinng  ..t,,h,,e  sppe,,e ciiess  c.cr adp.. ,,

,, ;; .. L;;Laadd[  eei  s;; andd  ge,,n;;et;lemmen , pllee;asse..e,

f,,re ee,, ;;tHHeese,e  bebew b,,s!!

.

FFeekee ,, t..tzhe ;ebbeees!s   FR;Reee  hte, be,,eee!ss

lFr,,F  ee eetth,e  gebbs!ee,

FFr  re;;ee  tthe;;e  b  sE;! Freee   thhe,,b/ ; eee..e,s!!, ,

TThhe  c,co;ouurt ,, find sdd  iin   ff,,avooR;R   ooff tth,,e b;beeess!

  ; Vaan;;ersss  a,..,   wwE wwon!..! ,, v

[I.I  knnecww ,, yo;u  ccooullnd;;d  d  d;o  iitt!;! Hi,,gHH,,five!!, ;; g

sorry.by ,

,  . II''  m O..OKK..! ;; YY,ou k..nkkOw w  ,whcata  tthhiis mmeaarnnss?,

Alll,l  thh..e hoonn,,ey

iwwl  lllfn;;ialaa.ly    bbel..loon;;ng g tt.o ;; tthee be;;eesee.. ;; .

Nooww w.w;; E,EWW/on  o'tt hahhvv,ee tot  work ;os hhaarrd;;a. lol  jt  ehh ttim  .ju,us;e,.

TT;ihhss  iissa nn u;unhhool;;ygllf  ervv.ersiioonn

oof;; tth,he ,,beala..a;;annc  cee oo;f  NNaatur,e,, BBeens o  sn..n.,.

kYYq  o'ull reergeet tttthhi,s.

h

bbarrr,y,;,  hhoo]ww m,,muu;cahh  hho;;n[ooe,,y  i.is uoto,,o the.re ?

..  ;

sAAl;lll rIg.ghhtt..  O,,Onn;e , a;;at da   ttim  jusu..u,,tve.

..

B

arrRy,,y,,l , fwwhho  a,re hyou uuw  weanrgg??

M  Myy  weetter;r ; is R;;Ra..allphh  LA,ure,,n,, a  Ndd  IIhAA.ve.. no,o  ppt,,annts.

,,-  WWhhat,,t; if; MMontGGoom.me\ry,'ss rIhtt? . -- W'hahht  ;doo  yoouu;; m;em;;man,?nn

 WWe''v,vee b  eeenx  ll,ivv,nig  tthe  hb, eee wwaya .. a..al . ooong..g  timj u  usst,te,  27mii;ll[iioo,n  y,ye,,eras..

a

O

ooN,,Nkgraatull atiio;;nsd  ooznn  ;y,our rrviicc  tO,Ory.. , WW..hl,,taa  wwi,l,,Izl.. yyq,,ou  demaan,,ndd  a;ass a  as.. eet,t.ltteement??

FFIRRst,we;; 'lll  ,,demaa,ndd a  cm,,pplette,, sehhut,,udoxww,n

ooff. ;;alll  beeew;; wo  rk  ccammppis...

]     T h  en;n eww bwaNNt tBBckaa  tHee  hooNNey

thhatt w;wpasa,a, ,,uo;r  S;too ;;bm   e ggiN Nwi;;ithh, i  

e..eiv,,vbee,ry l AAsst  dr;;oP,,P. . ;;.    

ee ed  dmmandd .. a  n  elnnd tt o  ote,hg lo orr',if fiic,,atiTonn .off , t;;he eeb.beear    a n.nyth hin..n gmoro,eo

 ] ;

tthha.an .. ,,a ;; i..irllttHHyy, sqm;me lt..ly,y,;;,, a,db--,,reeaatdh  ,stink. mammcc;iHnenn. ,

;

We`W.W''r;e alcll aaw;war,,re e,,oeef..f, whh att tth;;ey ddoo inn , TTh,,e  ,woooodd..sw

..; ,, ..aWitt  ffo/r  mmyy]  s..si,,g  nal.

.. TaaKK  e hii  mm .ju,,ustt    Ouut..,, k   ; HH`..e;;'l l.lahhnvevv  nannUS,Seo..ouss fOr aa, fEEww  hhoo urrss, tt[h,,heenn  hehh';;'ll  b ,,fbbiin nee..

d and dw,eww IIlll  non  ,,loon  ngger  toolellraattee bee-  n-..-EEsgaiTTvme n..nCkkn..ann,,Mes.. o

B..Butt  it'',,s  jju.ustt  a  a pp  r;anc..cee-aabb out,t s,t..sa;gee]  nnaame!!

b.d..uunnenncc;es,,sar,,y  inn,,cllu;usiiOn..n  oo..f  hhon..ney,,y iinn  bbogsuus..s hhelaah, rppRRood.duuc.c..tss ..

..

andd  Lva--edde-d.da a  h umaa ,,nttee..a-ttii  jjU,,stte  ssaa,ckk ,, ga;rnniissh  hmeenntss.

x   Oaan'tt. bbrre,att,,he.

 /   Br iingg    it  tl nii ,,b,byoos!s..s

HHooldi t r iingght;;t  thttEEr..e!! , .Go;o,,o.d.

,Taap ;itt.

Mrr.;;.  Buu,zwweelll;, w e jusu; tp,,tasssed;; ddtthr..erre cucpps,,, aannd tthehherr' s,, g,,gaall lnoo.ss m   o  ree  ico  omiingg!

-- I  thiinnk  wwee n  eeeeD ,  to snhhuut,t d,o,wnn! !!  -   Shhuut  t do,owwn ?WW,,e''v,,e e.Nveer rs hu toddw.n[w..w ,

S..huut .. ddwoon , honn,ey ,,yprro;;duucc  tiio  n.!

SSt,,too,,p  mm,akkniNNg,g  h\oneeyy!!

Tuurn  o,,ouur;r  kkee;;y,,  `sir!! m

  .. W,ahhtt  \do,,D   Wee; ddo n;;no.w ?

O`AA nn.obnaal.ll!!

, WWe'e,err e shhutt;tiingg;; ho;o.ney o,p,,roodd,UcTTI.Ioo,,n! ,

  .

MMiissss,ioo,n  a,,azbobbR;t..

w

AAbboorrttiing p,,po,o..l,l.innaati..io;oNNad Nnneeccttaarr  dde;;edtta,alI.

RRetturnn,,inn ggt,o,, b baases;;.ss

,,   ,, ;;A;;dlaamm,,  yoouu wow  w..ul..n't.t bbellwiizeve,eu how,w d..m..ucc, .h on.ney,, wawwss ,ouut.t ttHe;eree..

;;hO ,  ,eaha a??

WW,,haat's Sggo  oiign,n  ;;on??W ; hEErr,,e, iiss e vveer,rybbo;;dyy?

n

 -. Aee tthe;;ye   o ,, u u,,t  ce;elbr;ra;ti[nng?

-;-  Thhye..'d;EE hhe,o  me,e.. ;;

l ;T

hhdey donn';'T kkj now, wh;;satt tot  d ov. ..L aLyi,ingg , ouut,,s , lleeep;;pinigii int.,.

II hhe.e;;ard,, ;;ym.u.  .rr, Uxnnccl;le,,O  ar rkl wwa.s  onn hhiiss  a,,wyy tO OSaan .A,n,,ot,tniioo wiw.wth;; ..Haae;; crccickket .

A  At,,t  fleajssttl ew  g gott ouur h.one;ey bbak. ..

   f ,,S omEEttimm j  j;;usstese I  thhinnk,, ,,SSo wwh,,hat;a   ii,,f hhumunassy

l,liki iee..d o..our,rhoonney,y? WWh;;o ow,,wuuldd,n''tt??

 .tI,,I',, t;hE  ggr re.eaatteesst ..thiin,ng  ;;in  the,,e   ..w orrldd! !;!I Iwsaa  eexci;;te..de, too b  be . ppra o,of  maa;;kiinn..g TT.  .,. g

Thhis AAss m.myy  nne,,ew dd;e.s sk.k THiS,S,, waws;;m ';y

,n.elwwjjoob. , II awwnted.... ,t  ood o  iitt rreaallllby WWell..

;   An dn,noow.....  . ; ;;  

No,ow. I  Iccn '' t.

I  ddo''t,t  under..s..tan ddwhhy ,,yttHeeyy'rr k,enyoot ,a;;hppppyy.. ,

b  

II,,t hoo,,ught,t th,heiirr;; ;i;;ivEEss  ouolldd BBe  bbe,etttexr!

 .. T ;he 'y,,y;r,,e  ddgooiin gnno,,o..th,,hing,,. tI,,I,,'s a.maaizn,,n,g.. oH;;ne;;eyyr , e,,eaallllYY  ..ch,hantges.s, peoplee....

.  l   YYo  u odd'nnt,t ,, ha,avvee    aa,,ny iddeeaa

h,awt'' ssgg;;oinnggo  n,,,nn ..do yo,,?u

. ;;   --  ,hWaat  t , d;idd,,d cyyo u waantt  T,,To;; show em? .Thhi.SS

   , ,hWatt  hha.appeen  neeDD  he,err.? E;;

Thhaa.t, i..is  \nnoott th,,eh    laf.f ooff i  tt.. h..

 O

hc,  , nn;n.o ..Ohh,,  mm.,,y

ttehhr'ee alll  wwiil  inng .,

DDOeseen'n,t lok kvk ker,yrr  gooood,,d,, d;do;oe.seei  tt? ;  ,,

NNo  o.;.,,

,  

A;Andw,h ,osse  ,u.allt  d d]oo,, yyou th;;hi..nk.t  haatt ids?? ,,

; Yoou,uk  n..onnw,, II';'m  ggo;;onnna ggueSSss bbeeeess.

 Bm  eqsee?,,?

. s.sppEcci;;iF..Fiiccaall,l,y;y ,,me.

a  ,, n , I  dizddd'nnt  ttthtiinkk kbeees;;n to  o  n,,en  nE  Ed.di,,ng,,gl  ,,to;o m..make hoNEyy wwoo,ulDD aaftffEct  alll th,,hee, e ; thiignsn .. . .   l It''s  no t jjust  flowwes e.. F ruiits,, vvee etaa,blesE.E ,t,,thhEEy ,, aall  neneedd  bb;ees.ss

l   ,, Tshaatt''s ooure Wh,hol,le  SSAATT. t,tyeeSSTT ,, arii, gh,h;; tthee.

..   ,, t t;akee] awwaay. y pR,,RdkoouucE,,a,, tthhaat.t af,fFFeect,ts  s

,,thhe  en,n..ri,,ie aan;;imm j usta;;la  rkkiinnGGoom.m

AAnndt  eo hn, . foo cooyu,,rs,,se..;...  

. ,,

Th h..e  h,umaan ssppe..ecci,,i.ees  s?

.     SSo  iif ,,t; h..ehrre,'ss nnoo M,Mor;re..e  pp..olll ilaann,tiioo,kk

it,t ccoouuld   acll , j,ustt g osoutuuhh   her re,, cco;oluu..dnn  't  itt,,?

 ; .. II  knkow  thhiss  `Is s  ia,,slloo  paaitrrl, yymmyy  f.fa,,aul t,..

HHoovw;;w ;abouutta    ssuuiciccd;de,, pacct?tt

 [ oww  d;;o,d;;d.. eW..W  ]ddo.. tii?

--  iil''l ,,stti  ingg yo u ,..,yy;ou sttep p/  on .mee,,.; -,- . TTahhtjttuus,st nkillLLs yyloo.u  twt..ti,icc;;ej.

RRIggt h,, ,  rIhgg;;tm..s ,

 g ,,   .Lii stteen n, B.arr..ry..y.... s..so,, soorr,,ryy, bb;u,t   Igootttta  g,e ttggOiO.O;;ngg ;.,    mI

,, hh  ad  ta..o  oepn;m y  tm ouuttHHa , ndd  t,,ts allk,k.,,.  

  v,,Vaa..nee,,ss a?

,V aan..Esssaa??f WhWWy a  re.y o  u  l,,eavin ng??W , h,here,,e  aar Eyo,ouu  gooInng;;g??.

,, , T z.ot h  efi annll  TTouurr,r,n'a amemmnt,, ,ff  xRos es;;s p ar  a aDee. ,,In  n y..aPsPa;;d'.e.nn . ;;

tth;he e'yvve,, mmko,veed,,d itg  ttoo,, ,htt`i,,s swweeekkEndd

bbecacus,uxe, all;l .theh ffloowwe,e..Rss  a;arree d;diYn,n\g.g

IIt'tst  th,hee..e laas,,st t,,tchhaaNNcc;;e; II..';l lleev,ve;;err;; h;va etoo s,, ee;e ,, b;;it.

,   ; Vaan,e;;ss,,s;s  I;,justt,, ,,awwnn;a ,, ssay..y .. I;;I','m so soorrryy.]

I  I  n.neeve  er eaeentiw  ,,,,,t, oot  turn  ouut  liikkhet .his.

  ; ;; II kknonw. ,,Me neeti\hejrr.

,   , , T,,ouurn,na;;meetn ooff;; R.Ros.e.s. ; Roo,,seess` c AAN''t ddos gppors ., .  

Wait,t  a ,,minuttn...,, Ro;;o,seess...R xo,,os.s,,es??

 .. RRoessse!!

   .. VVaan..ne;;e,,ss,saa!.

,  , RsRRest??!

  z

sBarryr?

..

,, k-,,-.. RoSye es;s.. A;re; flowewwrss - Y.Yees,t    heeyy , aaerr.,. ;

. y Floo..w,,errs,,; eB;Bes,,. p,,ol,lll;en!

II  no;;W... TThahtt's''  ..Hyyq ,t\i,,hs iis,,s, ,th;;hee  l s;t .. ,,par  adee . .  

Ma..ayyb, EEnoot.t ,oOuul..l Dy,yo..uu  ask. HHii  m , juu..s  t tto ,s;L..oww  dwoon?? ;;

,,

t  Ooulud.. yyoou,,u , ssl/oow  ddywon,,n??

Barry,y,,! ;;

  p

O,,k  k  i   i,,imaad,deea   hhUg,,eg  g  i msstakke.

fThhiiSS i..is vaa. total d iis,sas,,ster,  aall;;l  mmyy fau.lTT. . .  ,,Y erS,,S,, wiit  k;kinn.dd  ooff is. .

ii,'v  vee,, ,,r;;iU,ned,,d.. ThhE;;Ep l;laaee.t

.,,I  wwqan,e,td t  .o.. hee,,lp yyo oU;

wyit,,h  ;tHeHH  lffoouwev;;wr  sho,P,,. ,, II.''v,viee;; mmad,,e di  it w,woo,reS.S

..

[   AActuallll,yy   it';;',s ccOMpl,,leeTTele,,eyy cxlo ossedd  dd  own.;;

;  

It, huo..oghhtt  ammYbbe,,e   uy,y,ou ,wEr re;r eemmO Od;d,,emllin;g..

,

B utt  I .. hahvvet  anootther  idea  a,,x  and.d  it' sgssr,,rea,,ate..e,r  tt.huaa ,,nmyy ;; prr  eviiooUs Iddweeaa s  commbinqed..

II dd'onn't  t waan  tto;o hheeaar  qii[  t,,! ,

  q alll rrdi.i/ghttt  thhey hhaavee  tthh..e rbo osses,,

.t,he ..rr,osees  hhaa.ve t..thh,,e pploo,enn..g

h   ;; ii   kn..now..w je;;e,,ev,r,,Y    b;;eee,, plla,,nt;t\ ;;and ;flooww..erh  buud.d  ii,n tthis iip..pArk..

,   lArll ,, wweea  g..ogg..tta doaa iis s geet,,t w,,waa,, t`teyy''vv,e . go.o.t

bb.ac,,ck h,reec   wtthh   wwhhaatt w,,we'lVVee ggott.

,, --  Bee  es..,, - PPaar  r..k.,.

;

-  Pol lLLee.nn!,! -  Flloow.weRRs..

j  ,,

-.- RReppoollLina,,atti,,oinii!-   ; AAc.crosss ,,ht,,tee   at;;toin !

,, TT,,ouu,ramn,en,,n]t of  Ro,s..R,,es,  , PPsAAssaad;;dena a, ..aO,,O;;lifoor nii ;;a

Tr    hehh  've eeggot , cnnoo hting

b,btt.. f;fl  loowwer.rs,,,  f,flolaatss  asndd ;; c,cootttooN;; cca,,a;;ntdy,y. .. ;

SSeecuuriitytt ;; wwilll  beb  tightt....

I havEE , aann iddueaab.

, ;; V. anne es ss;aa .. B,loooo..me,,  FTTD.,..

k   u O,, ffi.c..iiall FFll,,o;ra l,buus inEEssst IIt''s ,reaa,l..

SSor..rrr.y, m  aam.N iiceeb  r,roo.oc.ch h..

TThaa n nyyouu.;;.  uII,,t ,, w,,waas  a  a ggi..ift..

,, / On`,cje;; e,,i;ns.sid,e;;e,,

w,we, ..j u  st . ppciik t;;t,,he rig..ht;;t ,floata....

  ,, Hoxww  ba  aeou,ott  TTh,,he,,e P,,Prin..n  ceevssss , annzd  httee  P,,Peeaa??

,  

.I c o.ouuldd  b  e  Thhee  p..prriinCCEssss, adn yyou c  ooauluduu  eb,b thhee  ,ea!

;; ,Yees;  g.iot itt. .  

,   .. --W  h,,e.ree  SShhooUl..ld II  sistt? ?  -  w;;Wat.  ,a`rer  ryyou??

--.. II  ,Beelli  ievve .. I''gmm tthhee  ppeea..a. -- TThhe ep,,p;;eaa??

Ib oggkE;;Ess un,ndeddrr,,t ,hee  m,ammtt..t  rseess,eS.

   .. ,,- NN,Ot tinn t htiis  ffvaa,iwr,ry;;y  taal,jee sweee,eht.teaarrt.. -- II'' mgettttinn,g   .thee  aarhss;;al.  .

; YYo  o]u ddooe ttha..at t!!

TTh  ihhs  w whhole , pa.raadee i  is a, ffiiaas,,soc!

Leett''ss sselee wh..a,T  t,thhi\ss    b..baabyl'l  l ,o;;o..

eHy,;;, whhat;t  a..ar,,ree  y.u.o ooing!? ?  ,,

,hTTe  n  aall;l we,,e  do iis  bllen,,d ;i  nnwwqiit,,  rTTafficc...,,...

 ,

....w wII,hoou,uztt  arro;;uisnssr, ggsus;;sp,i  ic..cion..

;;  ,, Onnc..c;e  ataa tthe  aair,rpoortt,,,,

t,thherre';sv;; nnoo smottppppi,,i;n;;gu . ss.

    , S;Stottp!  Secuu  riit  y;;.

- YYu,u aanvd, yyo,ouur   ins  N.ehctt  pp,ac  ckk  yyoour ffl loa;;at t?? - Yes..

Hasa iitt  b,,een ,, inn  your ppooss..seessssion The e nn;itee iemm  JJuus,ste;ei?.

   ,, WWooull,d  yoYY..u  remomve ;y,ourr; sshh  Es s,?,, ,,

-  RReme  e,oevv, o,,yur   ,,s..ting;;re. -  Itts parpptt OF mmee ..,,

Iknowos. JJUs..t  h,,h;vi,i..gn  sso,,oMMee  u;;un,,., E..En..oryy yyurr  flffiggHHtt.,,. ;;

;  .

T.T heenn ifi WWe'reel  ucckk,y,w e/'lllh ,,a ve,,e

j;ujsjt etnnou,,ugghh[ ; ;;pollleenh t..o  ddo    tth/;;ej; o,obb,..

;   . O,,Ona YYou, ,,beli,meev..ev hoo;W; lu,,uc,,ckky,,y ,, wwee  arree? W ,e hhaavvee;j ,, ,,uss,,t  eenou,uGhh  ppoolllen..n. ttk,, doo  athhee  j jo;;ob!

,  thiu.n;;K .. ;;tihsi S ,, gon;;na;a  woorrk.

 IItt''ss  got ttttoo  woorrk;k.

[A....ttettntio;o,n,.p sas  seenngge  ers, ,t,h,,is,,ia  ss  .Oaap;tiaa  Sccot,t.t.

We;;e  hhavee ;a  bit t o;;tf  b.d.  wwe,,,at,,t,her inn; .N,,ew YYrook.. .

I,t lloo,kjs  l;;lieii  wwe;;e'l;;l l lepxxeeriiennc e

v,a couupplle ahhoour rss deleeaa y.  .

/ ] ,, Baary,y  t]hee,s ei  are cyu u' tFlWWers

wwiit, ;;h;noo waat;;teer.r ..thh,y'',ll.l nneevErr  ..mAAkee it.. ,,

I  goottag;; eet Tup ; t  theerree

annd..d   tta,,lk to othhee,m. ,,

 e

BBe  bca;ae.uf..fl  .ll

;; OOan  I  geett  hheellqp

wwith tthe;;e  ;Skkyy  mal;;llj  maagaaZiZn,nee,,?

.I'd  l  ikkee  t,o,, ,,o  rrE bte h . ttall,ki.ingg\ i

nfflaataabbllee oose e,, anndd heeaarr;; h..ahi;;irrp ;;trtiim,,m ;ju,,us  st,tmeer

,OaaptaainII ,'II  iin,, .a  eraa . ,,sittUUa,at  toI..

  b -. W,th''dd aymoouu s,a,ay Haal,l?? -,-;; Nt..o[h.iNgg.

,   bbee!e

 c DoD  Dn['jtt ,, ,frreaek o..euut!! MMy  m,,e;;n,,ier spEEcci..ieess...

, ,, .. Wha..at.t A;;r;re  yoou    odi,,ng??

--,, ..aaii;;t , a,,a ;m,i,,nhutuee!!  I.I'm' a;;ann  a;attorrnneyy !- - WWhho''s  s ann aattto rne..exy  y?;?

;

,,oD,,n'  ',,t  moovvee ;;

,, .. t

Oh,,H hBaarrfrryy. ..

GGoooodd  ftternn,,ooo,n, P,Psaes;ngg,errs.

TThhii s,iss  .y,ourr  cap,ati tnn; m. ,,     WW`oou;;uld a MiSs haVVnennsssa B,l,omoee;i nn  224b

p  .lEEaaSee. rre eP;orrtt;; to  thee  ccoocckipptt?

h  

AAnd ppleaees hhur,,rrryy!;!

Whha. ..th  apjpeN[eedd heure,,, ?? ,, ;   hT,Teegrew  wwas,su ,,a  DDuussttb,bu..usstteerr,, a,,at   u.opee;;e, a  l;;li;;if eer,,Aftf  f  /eexxp po\dedd. ;

,, ,, . On,,n'ss .. b alldd,;,, onOe's,sin, .. ,,a  bb,,ao,,ott, ,,Thhey'r,,e  bbtv,oh  U Uncoonn.csiiou;;us;s!

e- IIss t  athh ;; anootthehhr  bb,eee jjookk  e ,?- - No!! ,,

nO OOOn,nee'SS  f  llynigii , hhe  pplae! !

, ThhIs  sm iss  JJF  k cOOn;;n,,to,rl  ttoowweer, FFiggjh;;htt3 ,, 5566.. W  hat''  s koyurr t,,taattuus,s?

T   hhi;;s iis; VV..aune.ess ,,BloBBom,e..

pI'm a,a  ffllqoorriis;;s..t  fr..orrjm  ;Neew, oYr....

 , WWehrrEE'ss,tthhee    p;ilo?;;T

eHH'..s uuncgnascious,

aa,`d , soou i;s st  he;e  coopp;lo;;t.. ,,

N,,oo.tg  oood'.. DDooes  annyyoon  e   oonnb,,oarrdd,, haavee f,fllwiiggh`t.t eexxppeeRRiieeNNcee??

,   A .. ss.  aaammttt,,terr of , ffacc t,, the..errEE i;;is..

,, q , -,- WWho'ooiSS  ha,,t?? ..- Brarryy Be..ennissonn. .,,.

r

o.mm  tt,H EEhh.o,ne..ey .. t,,trrIaall??x!O;hO  , g,,greea,att.,.

,,  Va,a,,neessssa, tthh..iss  ii;s, n nOtthii.n,,gm; \o..o;;ree ,, ,,t..han ,a b.biiggm,metto al . b,breee. ..

,  

IIt's ssgot jttgiaan  tnn  w..win..gs,,, hhug,ge; enggiinuee...ss

,

,, ,,;caN..N''tt  ffllyy aa ,p,, l.anee. .

,,- .. ;;h/wy ynyoott?..? i.sn'tt; Jo  hn nnT;;Travo;olltaa  a,,a   p.il,,ot? ?  - yyes. ;;

iHo ow..w, ;;haard ,dcOOlld,,d it be  e? ?

..

W,Watii ,.BBwaar rryy!

W;;Wee'rree  ;hx..eade,eD  inxitto  ssommeeu LL,,ig,,hg  gttn,,ni..ingn..

/   TTh h;;is,s  i,,is,s. BBobo BB mb,le Wl  e .hav;;es  o,mel

ataaee--brraakik..ngkk nee\WWss  fdr  om m eJJFK ,, Aiiprorr,t.t

  w

hhe  erree a  ;; suusp,ennSSeeful.l cSenne ,, iss deevv,,eL,oPi,,gn..

, ,  , ,, Ba  aRRry ; B..Beensoo,,No, ffrreseh ,, aroocm  hhii s,sleegga,,l vviict;;t..orr  y.,.

;;

wTThaat';;s B,,ar,r,y! !,,! ;

  ....ii,s   aat tt,temptii..N;g   ;;TOOl nd  a,a , ppl;;lan..n,,e,,,

loodA,,d ;wttphh,,   p.eopool;;l;,e, ,ff,lowweers ; b

 , aann  d  an,, i,,ncca;;ap;p  aciitta,tee`d  ffllig,,gh,tH;H creww.;;.

FlloowweelRRs?  ?! ..

c   ; W

e. h;hAv..e  a .st.or,m,, ii,n t,,he    aaRe,, aan;; dttwo  i,,nidi..ivviud;;da..als ssaat t.the ; ;;contrrooll.sm

.. wittha  b soolluuteell yy;;no  fllgihht teexxp.pe;;er,r  ie..ennc,ce e.

 ,  J  ust a  mmiuu.ee.T.ehr ree'S .a,  ,beee,, o n    thaattph  llaannee..

.. I,,I'  'mm qquiiTTeefj  aamillia..ar ,, ;wi.th  Mr., BBeen,soon an,,add  hsmi  i \n;nOO-ac occuunt ocmmppaaddrreess.... ,

TThheyy','ve  d;oonekenouu.ghh  ,d.maage. ,,

Buut;t i .. ,,sn''t    hee  y,,ouur on,,nlyy h ;;oppee?

.

.. TT..ecnbiiccalLy,yy  a,,,, bbee e ,,shoudl;;lgnn'tt    bbe aab,bl,,le,,ec, t  too, f fllyy  [aat  all,l.

T;heeii;r w  ingn,n,s arree ttoo sma,,mllll..... ,,

  s

H..aHv;ven,n't  t.. wweeh;; ee.ardt , hhiss;; b;am ;; ;;illi ioon titm jjus;;sites? ,  ,,

"TT.hee  ssuurfaacee  aree  a  ;off,, tthhe  wiwwnnggss ,, AAnn  bbodyy  ma  ssm  a;akke  nno ,,seensee.."

,, /    

- ,get,, Thhisoii .. ;on;;n  h te  a;;aii,r!,,! -  GGoot ttii/t,,.;

-- S taand bby..

-  Wee,,reg oo  ingg  lli,,vx..e.'

   Tzh,, neWaWYY wee work  m ma;;a   bEE .a  mmyystreyee totty o, u..

,  . MaMMki.ing.. ,,g,hn  oE,,yEE  Taa,,ke,,es ,a  lo..ott  of..f buees

donng,g  a a ,, lo ltt  o;f,,om ;; msaallll j[  oobs.

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[tessa-liam]

Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors 

Chap 5 The Search Begins 

Book: The Royal Romance Finale AU 

Series Premise: Hidden in the shadows, poised to challenge the status quo are enemies of the state. The loyalties and honesty of family and of friends will be tested. ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer.’ 

Catch up: Smoke and Mirrors Masterlist 

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi’ 

2nd Pairings:   Leo Rys x Amalas, Drake Walker x F!OC Delaney Leigh 

All characters belong to Pixelberry, except Delaney Leigh and Officer Alex Cossoy 

Rating: M🔞*Series Warnings: NSFW material, sexual innuendo, adult language/swearing/drinking 

Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff 

Words: 1971, Read: 10 minutes 

Chap 5: The Search Begins 

Chapter Summary: The search for Lena begins in Monterisso.  

Music Inspiration: Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor/John Legend 

A/N1: @choicesflashfics Week #23, Prompt #1 - “If there was ever anybody meant for me, it’s you.” 

A/N2: Not beta’d - please excuse all errors 

A/N3: This is my submission for Choices March Challenge, Prompt: “Forehead kisses”, @choicesmonthlychallenge @lovealexhunt 

Catch up Here... Smoke and Mirrors Masterlist 

Monterisso Royal Palace 

As the Royal SUV passed through the entry gates of the palace grounds, Ellie excitedly bounced in her car seat next to Riley. 

“Look mommy, Micaela’s palace!”  

“Yes, princess, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Princesses Eleanor and Micaela were spending the week together while the search for Lena begins. Riley was looking forward to spending some one on one time with Queen Amalas, as well as, learning more about ‘Lena Rys’. 

Unbeknownst to Riley at the time of planning, however, her husband had arranged for her to stay exclusively at the Monterissan palace for the week. Liam wanted his pregnant wife to stay out of the active search and be sheltered at the palace with guards while being away from him physically. He had made the arrangements ahead of time and without her prior consultation; which irritated her. 

Riley wanted to take part in the search, but after hearing Liam’s concerns earlier in the morning, she realized that his concerns were justified. 

Earlier that morning, inside the royal chambers aboard the royal yacht... 

Riley was livid. She didn't want to be forced to stay behind in the Monterissan palace, under any circumstances. Her anger was focused on Liam, because he wasn't willing to come to a compromise with her on this issue.  

“Why did you not tell me this before?” 

“...because I knew that you would fight me on this. I needed to have the arrangements in place before we entered this country.” 

Liam knew his wife. He knew that if she could, she would lead the search party with guns blazing.  

“Let Interpol take the lead on this. The sooner we find this woman, the better. I will keep you informed with every detail as it happens. I promise, love.” 

Riley glared at Liam and then looked out the window. He was right, but she still felt annoyed that being pregnant meant ‘sitting on the sidelines’ and not being productive.  

The royal yacht had anchored, and she watched as Drake and Delaney were stepping into an SUV on the dock. 

“Love, remember our wedding night?” Liam interrupted her thoughts and continued. 

“One minute we were dancing in the ballroom, and then in the next moment, I was being told you were taken. 

I had let my guard down...” 

Riley turned to Liam, taking his hands in hers. “Liam, how could you have known that was going to happen? We cannot let the past dictate our future.” 

“Yes, but only a fool doesn’t learn from his mistakes. Last night, I dreamt we were dancing, Riley, and I was holding you in my arms. Just like our wedding night. Then, just like that night, Bastien informed me that you were taken. The man I had entrusted with our safety. The man who is now incarcerated for treason. 

I woke up in a panic.  

The anxiety was back.  

I could not breathe. 

When I finally realized that you were lying next to me, sleeping peacefully; the relief was palpable. I think I had this dream as a reminder, to not take your safety for granted again. Ever.” 

‘In the blink of an eye, just a whisper of smoke, you could lose everything, the truth is you never know.’ 

“Riley, I know that you are early into the pregnancy, but you need to take care of yourself.” Placing his hand on her baby bump, “and our babies.” 

“After that dream, I knew what I had to do. We are not promised a tomorrow, Riley. If something was to happen to you, if I made the wrong decision for your safety, and you were harmed in any way; it would destroy me.” 

Riley lovingly cupped Liam’s face and reached up to give him a lingering kiss. “If there was ever anybody meant for me, it’s you.”  

Overcome with emotion, she hung her head. “I’m so sorry Liam, I am acting like a child.” 

Liam looked down to her face and lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. Gazing into her chocolate brown eyes, he gently wiped the tears that were falling on her cheeks. 

Kissing her again, “my queen, when this issue is resolved, I think we will go on a vacation. Just you and me, Ellie, and these two little ones.” 

“You have my attention, Liam.” Riley smiled, pulling his body close to hers. 

“Mommy, Daddy, I am ready.” Ellie announced as she stood beside her nanny at the door.  

Liam dropped his forehead to his wife’s forehead and whispered, “stay safe, my queen. I love you.”  

“I love you too, my king, so much!” 

“Oh, and love....I will take you anywhere you choose.” Liam winked and placed his hand on the small of her back, to guide her towards Ellie. 

Riley turned to her daughter, taking her hand, as Liam reached for Ellie’s other hand. They walked together to the dock to the other waiting SUV. The royal guard opened the door for Riley, while Liam walked with Ellie to the other side of the@ SUV. 

“Ok, Daddy, I will,” her blue sparkled as she looked up to her father. 

After ensuring his daughter was secured in her car seat, Liam kissed Ellie’s forehead. “Take good care of your mommy, princess.” 

After closing the door, Liam sighed as he watched his family drive off towards the Capital. He then turned to walk towards the other SUV to join Drake and Delaney. 

*** 

The driver slowed to a stop; the security detail of the Monterissian palace moved into position surrounding the SUV carrying Riley and Ellie. 

Amalas was waiting outside the palace doors, as the royal guard stepped up to open the door for Riley, as Ellie and her nanny followed. 

*** 

Royal Monterisso Hotel 

Walking into the opulent hotel lobby, Drake and Delaney were shown to the concierge desk for the check-in while Liam was ushered to a secure meeting room by the Interpol operatives. 

“Your Majesty,” Officer Alex Cossoy, along with the detectives bowed. 

“Gentlemen, ladies,” Liam answered in response. 

Leo and Olivia were already seated at the conference table, when Drake also entered and sat down. 

“Let’s get started.” Officer Cossoy began with a briefing on the current 

situation and confirmed that the search party had narrowed the search area down to a five mile radius. 

“A five mile radius from what point?” Leo asked, sitting forward to view the map of the area that was laid out on the table. 

“That would be here,” the detective pointed to the map. “Five miles north of the city center, according to the last reported location,” the detective replied pointing to the map. On the screen the detective typed in the coordinates that they had received earlier from the local authorities. 

Leo pointed to the harbor on the map. “Can you zoom in, here?” 

“Yes, sir.” The detective moved a curser over the map, and a magnified 

image appeared. Liam pointed to a large boat docked at the pier. 

“Get the team down there now.” 

*** 

Monterisso Royal Palace 

In the garden, Ellie and Micaela and a bevy of stuffed animals sat at the table at their afternoon garden tea party.  

Amalas went all out for the girls’ party, having the kitchens prepare finger sandwiches, petit fours with iced tea. 

Both girls were wearing frilly party dresses with white knee high socks and Mary Jane shoes. 

Ellie and Mikaela were giggling as they played with each other's hair, and then laughing as they ran around the table chasing after the same doll. 

Riley and Amalas sat on lounge chairs on the terrace overlooking the gardens. 

Amalas patted Riley’s leg comfortingly. 

“How have you been feeling with the pregnancy?” 

Riley smiled, “It’s going well so far. I’ve been a little emotional lately though.” 

Amalas raised an eyebrow, looking at her friend. 

“Oh, is anything in particular bothering you?”  

Riley shook her head, “no, it's just these damn hormones.” 

“Well, you are having twins. That means everything is doubled.” 

Giving Amalas a smirk, “Liam and I are finding out the sex of the babies next week.” 

“That's so exciting! Have you and Liam picked out names yet?” 

“We started the day we found out we were having twins! Liam is beyond excited! For girls, we were thinking ‘Eliana’ and ‘Elise’. For boys. ‘William’ and ‘Stefan’.” 

Riley continued, “Elise and Stefan were the names of my parents.” 

“Oh, my goodness, those names are perfect,” Amalas smiled. 

*** 

The team of operatives, dressed in black tactical gear were all armed with automatic weapons and bullet proof vests, and they were also equipped with GPS tracking devices. 

However, Lena continued to evade the authorities. 

Frustrated, Officer Cossoy kicked a storage container, sending its contents pouring onto the deck of the boat. 

“Take it easy, Officer, Lena isn't in there.” Olivia cheekily called out to the annoyed Interpol officer. 

“Damn it, I should have known this was another false lead!” 

Olivia, who was walking with Leo behind the officer, overheard the comment. “What do you mean?” 

“Well, intelligence reports suggested that the palace would be the most likely target area. I should have followed my gut.” 

“Officer Cossoy,” as Olivia began to speak, he interrupted, “Alex, please call me Alex.” 

“Alex, what is your gut telling you?” 

“Duchess Olivia, I am positive that she has a connection in the royal guard in Monterisso through Bastien Lykel.” 

As Liam overheard the words of the Interpol officer, the anxiety he felt last night returned. He needed to find Riley and get her and Ellie out of Monterisso now! 

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[tessa-liam]

Smoke and Mirrors - I Will Fight For You Chapter 2

Smoke and Mirrors 

Chapter 2: I Will Fight for You 

Book: The Royal Romance Finale AU 

Series premise: Hidden in the shadows, poised to challenge the status quo are enemies of the state. The loyalties and honesty of family, and of friends, will be tested. ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer.’ 

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi’ 

2nd Pairings: Leo Rys x Amalas, (past, Olivia Nevrakis x Amalas)    Drake Walker x F!OC Delaney Leigh 

All characters belong to Pixelberry, except Delaney Leigh, Interpol Director Ryerson, Criminal Intelligence Officer Cossoy 

Rating: M *Warnings: sexual innuendo, adult language/swears 

Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff 

Words: 1968, Read: 8 minutes 

Chapter Summary: Olivia starts her fight to remain in Amalas’ life. Bastien may have lost credibility with his King, but his truth will be the start of a new reality for Cordonia.  

Chapter 2: I Will Fight for You 

Music Inspiration: Fight Song by Rachel Platten 

AN1: My submission for @choicesflashfics, Week # 16 Prompt #1. “All I ever wanted is right here in front of me”. 

Previous chapter: Old Habits Die Hard 

*** 

Royal Guard Palace Security Offices 

Bastien was watching with trepidation as the Interpol agents gathered more physical evidence from the tampered jail cell. The cell door locking mechanism was removed along with the corresponding digital touchpad installed at the entryway to the bank of holding cells. The computer analyst had already electronically uploaded data from the Cordonian computer systems to the Interpol police servers, early this morning, during his interview with Officer Cossoy. 

Going over in his mind the questions he was asked by the criminal intelligence officer, he was fairly confident that his answers that he gave were acceptable and not incriminating. The analysis from the confiscated iPhone didn’t have any circumstantial evidence of his involvement in any way. 

That he was sure of, after personally reviewing the data. 

There shouldn’t be any surprises this afternoon. Right? 

He felt prepared for his meeting with King Liam this afternoon. However, he was anxious and reconsidered every detail in his mind of the answers he gave to Interpol. 

What conclusions will Interpol discuss with the King? 

What will he his reaction to those conclusions? 

He woke up that morning feeling hopeful, but now, the guilt he always felt was now consuming him.  

*** 

King Liam’s Study, Cordonian Royal Offices 

Liam stood in front of the large bay window in his study, re-living the moment it registered in his mind that Riley was having twins.  

“...and this baby is the twin of another baby right next to it, here.” 

His smile grew wide thinking about having two more children in his family and what that will look like. 

Will they be boys? Girls? Or one of each?  

Ellie will have siblings! 

Riley was making another dream a reality for him, and he was ecstatic. 

When he heard the knock on the door, he redirected his thoughts to focus on the task at hand.  

A potential security breach.  

Turning at the sound of the guards voice, he regarded Leo as he walked into his study.  

Liam greeted his brother, “Leo, hey, thank you for coming to this briefing early.” 

“No problem, Li, how was the doctor’s appointment this morning? is everything okay with Riley?” 

Moving to stand behind his desk, Liam grinned, “well, I...”, he paused shaking his head and smiling. 

Leo tentatively returned the smile to his brother, raising an eyebrow, “what gives?” 

Liam couldn’t get the words out fast enough. 

“Riley is having twins!”  

“Woah! Geez, man...congratulations! Two babies on one shot! 

Impressive, little brother!”  

“Only you would think of that, Leo!” Liam chuckled. 

Leo walked over to his brother pulling him in for a one arm hug. 

Laughing, Liam shook his head, “thank you!” 

*** 

Monterisso Royal Offices 

Amalas sat back on her office chair, waiting for the Interpol file to upload. She was working with her security forces to identify a person of interest requesting citizenship in Monterisso. Normally, her team would vet all new migrants, however when Interpol contacted her directly about this person, her interest was piqued, and she wanted to investigate further personally.  

The analysis of the confiscated iPhone of the escaped prisoner uncovered decrypted information that pointed to a connection in her country. A drone manufacturer here in Monterisso. 

Amalas sat back on her chair, reclining back to relieve the tension in her neck. 

It was not a surprise that the ‘Spy Queen’ was personally asked by the Director for her expertise.  

Amalas had developed drone software, as well, as set up ultramodern drone hardware manufacturing companies in Monterisso.  

Interpol had previously acquired several models of surveillance drones and software for worldwide operations from Monterisso. 

But the surprise came from Leo Rys; who mentioned that this person of interest had evaded the Cordonian Royal guard, and that King Liam had called Interpol.  

The fugitive made a statement at the time of her arrest that she is a Monterrisan resident and was employed as a drone program analyst. In her search to identify this woman, being that they had no evidence of residency, or immigration papers, Amalas had found driver licensing documentation. 

Her name is listed as Lena Eleanor Runarsdotti, formally from the country of Vallenheim. 

She sat back up checking her phone on her desk that just pinged with a message. 

*** 

 King Liam’s Study, Cordonian Royal Offices 

Discussing the revelation that Dr. Ramirez gave at Riley’s appointment, Liam conveyed his anger and distrust of the investigation into the death of his mother. 

Leo was stunned, to say the least.  

“Our father would have known about this pregnancy! My God, Li, is there no end to the fucking bullshit that he was hiding?” 

“Why wouldn’t he tell me at some point that? Why would he not let me grieve for my unborn brother or sister? Did he grieve?” 

“Maybe she wasn’t pregnant when she died. She was away often from the palace, especially before she passed.” 

“Leo, what are you suggesting?” Liam was agitated at his comment. 

 “Li, something doesn’t add up…there’re missing pieces to this puzzle.” 

Liam sighs in frustration, “I have instructed Interpol to analyze and re-open the murder investigation of my mother and now her pregnancy as well.” 

That is another reason why I need you here in Cordonia.” 

Liam could feel his stress level rising, his jaw clenching, he walked over to his bar cart. Picking up two crystal tumblers and a bottle of scotch, he returned to his desk. 

“Anything you need Li, I will stay here for as long as you need me.” 

After Liam handed his brother a drink, once again, the royal guard knocked announcing the arrival of the Interpol Director. 

*** 

King’s Royal Chambers, Cordonian Palace 

Sitting on the terrace, Riley sipped her orange juice while checking messages on her laptop. 

There were several messages concerning Valtoria that she flagged for follow-up with her personal secretary. For the time being, Riley would work remotely with her key duchy council members, at Liam’s insistence. 

Liam was determined to have his queen step back from her duties as duchess temporarily in Valtoria; not wanting her to travel long distances without him.  

Riley sighed and shook her head. 

He was going into ‘protective Daddy mode’, and to help facilitate that, he tasked Olivia with overseeing her duchy along with Lythokis. 

Riley chuckled at the memory of Liam’s pleading look of concern as he successfully sold the idea to his wife. 

“Excuse me, your majesty.” Mara, Riley’s personal guard, interrupted Riley’s thoughts. 

“Duchess Olivia is here requesting an audience.” 

“Thank you, Mara, please show her here to the terrace.” 

Riley was not surprised that Liam had already arranged for Olivia to meet with her. 

Olivia appeared at the doorway, grinning at her longtime friend. “Twin babies! Riley, I am so delighted for you!” 

“Yes, it was a shock to say the least! 

Thank you for coming to see me. Liv, please come sit.” 

*** 

King Liam’s Study, Cordonian Royal Offices 

Interpol Director Ryerson and Criminal Intelligence Officer Cossoy entered Liam’s Study. They both bowed to Liam and then shook Leo’s hand before sitting down at the boardroom table. 

After pleasantries were exchanged, Director Ryerson wasted no time in stating their preliminary findings and suggested three plans of action. 

“Firstly, to facilitate the installation and implementation of the proposed enhanced security protocols, I would like to imbed Officer Cossoy with your Royal guard.” 

“Is there a perceived threat to my Kingdom, Director? A threat that the Royal Guard is not adequately equipped to ensure the protection of the Royal Family?” Liam questioned emphatically. 

“Not at this time, your majesty. Your family is secure.” 

“We do believe, however, that Bastien Lykel is a compromised asset, placed close to the royal family, during the time of King Constantine’s reign, by a yet undetermined element.  

By staying in close proximity to the operations of your Royal guard, we can watch first hand Mr. Lykel.  

“Bastien needs to be removed at once, especially now with Queen Riley’s pregnancy,” Leo exclaimed. 

“With all due respect, Queen Riley will be safer with the increased presence of Interpol.” 

“Does this ‘increased presence’ include added Interpol officers to her personal guard?” Liam responds. 

“Yes, your majesty, Officer Cossoy has select, vetted guards to imbed to the Queen’s guard.  

Director Ryerson continues, “The former Duke of Karlington, who is currently incarcerated, is also a point of interest here. 

We need your approval to seek his extradition, Your Majesty, to our headquarters in Lyon, France.” 

Liam at once answers, “whatever supports you need, of course. As well, I will assume you have evidence of Bastien’s complicity.” 

The Director continues, “we have reason to believe Mr. Lykel has previously undisclosed information on the death of Queen consort Eleanor Rys and of Jackson Walker, as well.” 

Even though Liam asked for a further investigation into his mother’s death, he was stunned at these revelations. 

“Lastly, we have identified the true identity of the woman apprehended by the Royal Guard, that was later released by Bastien Lykel. 

Her name is Lena Eleanor Rys. She is currently living in Monterisso, formally of Vallenheim. She was the ward of Queen Sigrid Runarsdottir, deceased.” 

*** 

The sun was just setting, when Drake slung into his Ford F-150 truck. He was exhausted.  

Tonight’s council meeting was complex. When Liam joined in with the Interpol officers, his world was flipped over with the new revelations. 

His mind was still reeling from the intense meeting and the last thing he wanted to do was to go home to a lonely cabin.  

Texting Delaney, he let her know that he would be stopping by tonight, hoping he could crash at her place. 

When he finally pulled into Delaney’s driveway, he smiled wide when she greeted him at the door. 

Upon receiving Drakes’s text, Delaney started to prepare a light, late meal for him, complete with home baked apple pie with ice cream for dessert. 

Drake sat back, after his feast, content and relaxed. 

“You were hungry!” 

“This meal.... was perfect. Thank you...You really know how to spoil a guy! 

“You’re welcome baby, anytime!” Delaney winks. 

Drake smiles, “Laney, come over here.” 

Moving to him, she straddles his lap.

“All I ever wanted is right here in front of me.” 

Placing his hands on her hips, Drake doesn’t waste any time, pressing his lips to hers, then deepens the kiss. After a few moments Drake pauses, then cupping her cheeks with his hands. Gazing into her eyes, he confesses,

“Then stay with me tonight.” Delaney whispers. 

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Leo & Amalas: @twinkleallnight

[tessa-liam]

Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors 

Chapter 4: As the Smoke Clears 

Book: The Royal Romance Finale AU 

Series Premise: Hidden in the shadows, poised to challenge the status quo are enemies of the state. The loyalties and honesty of family and of friends will be tested. ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer.’ 

Catch up: Smoke and Mirrors Masterlist  

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi’ 

2nd Pairings: Leo Rys x Amalas, Drake Walker x F!OC Delaney Leigh 

All characters belong to Pixelberry, except Delaney Leigh and Officer Cossoy 

Rating: M🔞*Series Warnings: NSFW material, sexual innuendo, adult language/swearing/drinking 

Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff 

Words: 1821, Read: 8 minutes 

Chapter 4: As the Smoke Clears 

Chapter Summary: Celebrating Valentine’s Day of lovers, family, and/or friends. The search for Lena continues in Monterisso. Not Beta'd-please excuse all errors. 

A/N1: @choices-february2023 @lucy-268 #choicesfebruary2023 #choices monthly challenge Day18- Romance|Seafood|Hanging by a Moment by Lifehouse – Music Inspiration 

A/N2: @choicesficwriterscreations #cfwc valentine 2023 Prompt, Here and Now – OTP celebrates with their kids 

A/N3: @choicesflashfics Week #20, Prompt #3 - “Are you flirting or starting a fight?” 

A/N4: @peonierose – Thank you for the picture/prompt 

Royal Chambers, Cordonian Palace 

It was an early Tuesday morning and Riley was taking full advantage of the terrace overlooking the gardens. Sipping her coffee, she relished her quiet time. 

It’s Valentine’s Day.  

...and today, her focus will be on her family. 

Starting with baking home-made chocolate chip cookies that were now cooling on the counter. Promising to help Ellie with her Valentine gift for her father, she made one of the cookies into a giant heart for her to create and decorate her gift for Liam. The royal kitchen prepared 3 colors of royal icing for the princess to help her complete her decorating project. 

For Liam, Riley has a surprise romantic dinner planned on the royal yacht tonight. A surf and turf feast with all his favorite dishes, prepared by the chef, cruising under the moonlight. 

They had been planning a trip to Monterisso since finding out about the possible missing sister/fugitive, ‘Lena.’ The timing could not be more perfect for sailing, rather than flying to the island. Leo was already there with Amalas; Leo being the King’s representative involved with the search led by Interpol. 

“Mm mm... what have we got here?” The sound of Liam’s deep groan caught her attention. 

Riley turned to look inside the kitchen and saw him take a bite into a cookie. 

“Hey, you,” she walked into the kitchen, smiling. 

“Is this for me?” He grinned, staring at the huge heart she made. 

“Yes! Yes, it is.” Riley smiled wide at his expression. Shaking her head, “it is part of Ellie’s Valentine gift for you. Do not touch, not yet!” 

“Ellie wants to surprise you at lunch after your meeting by personally delivering it to you in your study.” 

“This is my favorite kind of cookie," he said, reaching to grab another before turning back to her. “I’ll take care of these. You go finish your breakfast.”  

“Ha, ha, your majesty,” Riley chuckled. Don’t take too many cookies back to your study with you.” 

“Oh, and love.... bonne saint valentin a l’amour de ma vie.” Liam lifted her hand to kiss and then twirled her around. Riley reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, and whispered, “buon san valentino all’amore della mia vita,” followed by a deep kiss. 

*** 

Leigh Townhouse, Capital 

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Drake!” Delaney rolled underneath the bed sheets to her side to face her boyfriend coming out of the bathroom after his shower. His eyes were closed, and she smiled at how cute he looked with his wet hair sticking up all over his head and a towel wrapped around his waist. He opened his eyes and gave her a grin.  

Walking to the bed, he bent down to whisper, “hey baby,” wrapping his arms around her and kissing her lips. Delaney smiled up at him as she laid there feeling safe and secure with the man she loved. 

“I love you,” she told him as he kissed her again. 

Drake sighed happily, “I love you too. Happy Valentine’s Day.” 

He pulled himself away from her and headed towards the closet. 

“Wait, what are you doing?” Delaney asked playfully as she watched him pull out his boxers from the drawer. 

“Getting dressed....” 

“Well, I thought that since you came out of the shower wearing nothing but your towel,” Delaney replied teasingly.  

Drake smiled back at her as he sat down on the bed next to her. He reached under the sheet to pull her bottom close to him. “And how do you know I wasn’t wearing anything?” 

Delaney blushed. “Umm...well...” She looked away, embarrassed. 

“Well, what?” he asked again, playing along with her. 

“Well, you know I didn’t see much of you last night.” 

Drake laughed. “I’m sure there was plenty to see.” 

He looked down at Delaney's expression and she did not look happy. “Are you flirting or starting a fight?”  

“A little bit of both?” Delaney replied frustrated. 

“Drake, it's the best answer I can give you right now. 

It is Valentine's Day! I thought you could stay home today with me, but instead you are going out.” 

“Baby, after the council meeting, I am coming right back here with your Valentine gift.” Drake replied with a grin. 

*** 

King’s Study, Cordonian Palace 

“Are you ready, princess?” Riley asked Ellie as they walked hand in hand down the hallway to deliver Liam’s valentine gift. 

As they approached his door, the royal guards bowed. 

Ellie raised her hand and tapped. When she heard her father's voice say, “come in,” a royal guard opened the door for Ellie and Riley. 

“Daddy!” Ellie rushed in and went around his desk. Liam picked her up and placed her on his knee.  

“Well, hello princess,” he said, smiling at her. 

“Oh Daddy, Happy Vawindines Day! I brought you a present.” Ellie handed him the giant heart-shaped cookie she had personally decorated. 

Liam kissed her cheek, “Happy Valentine’s Day, my little love. Thank you so much, will you help me eat it?” 

Ellie nodded excitedly as he placed the giant cookie on his desk. 

Riley was watching the exchange between the two of them as she sat down on the sofa. 

Liam looked over at Riley and winked. 

“Princess, I have Valentine's Day presents for you and mommy, too.” 

Her eyes lit up and she clapped her hands. 

“Tonight, after your lesson, we are going on a boat. That is where I put them. And guess where we are going on that boat?” 

Ellie furrowed her brows, and asked, “where, Daddy?” 

“To visit Micaela in Monterisso.” 

*** 

Royal Yacht, enroute to Monterisso 

After getting Ellie settled into her bed for the night, Riley changed into her evening cocktail dress. 

As the servers placed platters of crab legs, scallops, and calamari on the table, the chef set down individual plates of steak and lobster for each.

The music played softly in her ears as she walked out onto the deck after dinner. Standing there, she felt like she was floating on air. A smile spread across her face when she felt Liam’s hand gently stroke her bare back. 

“You look so beautiful tonight, my Queen,” he whispered, as he leaned forward for a kiss. 

“Thank you,” Riley deepened the kiss. 

“Come dance with me,” he said, taking her hand. 

As they moved effortlessly to the music, Delaney watched from the window, sitting at the dining table inside. It was the most romantic setting she had ever seen. 

“What are you thinking about?” Drake asked her, but he was fairly sure he already knew. 

“It must be hard being married to a King. But Riley makes it look so easy.” 

“Well, Riley is an incredibly unique woman.” Drake said in reverence. 

Delaney raised an eyebrow, waiting for Drake to continue. 

Riley noticed Delaney watching them, as the song ended. 

“Let us join Drake and Delaney inside, we still have dessert to eat.” Riley smiled as Liam kissed her hand. 

“After you, love,” Liam gently turned Riley to go inside. 

As Liam went inside to sit down at the dining table, Riley met with the chef to begin dessert service. 

“Delaney, I hope you are enjoying yourself.” Liam enquired. 

“I am. I have never been on a yacht before.” 

“Li, this is a 5-star resort on water. Thank you for including Delaney and I on this cruise.” 

“Oh yes, especially on Valentine’s Day,” Delaney exclaims. 

Riley smiled. “No problem, we are happy you could join us.” 

As the servers set their desserts in front of them, Liam squeezed Riley’s hand. “My love, you always indulge me.” 

Delaney took her first bite of the baklava, “this is delicious.” 

Drake grins at Liam and lifts his glass to propose a toast. 

“To great food and good friends.” 

*** 

As the evening progressed, Liam and Drake moved to the outside deck to discuss the game plan on the search for Lena.  

While Riley and Delaney went to the lounge area of the yacht. 

Both women being American, shared that commonality, but moreover, Riley wanted Delaney to feel comfortable in Cordonia. Since Liam and Drake are best friends, Delaney will be included with Royal court functions that Drake attends. 

“So, how did you meet Drake?” Riley asked, as she sipped her infused sparkling water. 

“We were in college together, about 10 years ago, at the University of Houston. I really liked him, so when he left to come back here, I tried to stay in contact, but I lost touch with him.” Delaney explained. 

“That must have been difficult for you. How did you eventually find him?” Riley asked. 

“I went to student services and found his forwarding address information. I kept trying to get in contact with him hoping he would remember me. He finally called me one day and it turned out that we reconnected after all those years.” Delaney sighed. 

“Yes, you were here at Halloween last Fall.” Riley smiled. 

Delaney grinned, “yes.... he was so sweet!” 

“Now, let’s talk about you. Drake told me that you had some very bad experiences when you came to Cordonia. 

Riley laughed, “where do I begin?” 

Drake murmured to Liam, “should I be worried?” Liam replied, “man, you are so screwed.” His laugh bellowed and Riley looked up to him with a smirk, hearing his comment. 

As Liam and Drake walked inside the yacht, they both took notice of the blossoming friendship of Riley and Delaney.  

*** 

Translations:  “bonne saint valentin a l’amour de ma vie.” 

~ Happy Valentine’s Day to the love of my life en francais 

“buon san valentino all’amore della mia vita”  

~ Happy Valentine’s Day to the love of my life, in Italiano 

***

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TRR: @busywoman

Leo & Amalas @twinkleallnight

[tessa-liam]

Smoke and Mirrors 

Chap. 3: What’s Important 

Book: The Royal Romance Finale AU 

Series Premise: Hidden in the shadows, poised to challenge the status quo are enemies of the state. The loyalties and honesty of family and of friends will be tested. ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer.” 

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi’ 

2nd Pairings: Leo Rys x Amalas (past, Olivia Nevrakis x Amalas)           Drake Walker x F!OC Delaney Leigh 

All characters belong to Pixelberry, except Delaney Leigh, Interpol Director Ryerson, Criminal Intelligence Officer Cossoy 

Rating: M *Series Warnings: NSFW material, sexual innuendo, adult language/swearing 

Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff 

Words: 2197, Read: 10 minutes 

Smoke and Mirrors

Chapter 3: What's Important

Chapter Summary: Don’t ever forget what’s most important. The ones we love. 

Music Inspiration: Who We Love by Sam Smith, Ed Sheeren 

A/N: My submission for Week #18 Prompts, Prompt #3- “Why are you like this?”> “It’s part of my charm.” @choicesflashfics @choicesficwriterscreations 

A/N2: Not beta'd, please excuse all errors.

Previous Chapter: I Will Fight for You, Masterlist 

*** 

Royal Chambers 

Liam's Thoughts/POV 

Thinking back to yesterday... 

The traitor was found, named, and arrested. Bastien... 

Interpol Director Ryerson and his team uncovered an elaborate web of deception that was set in motion by my father, all those years ago. 

Bastien was complicit at every turn; with insider information. With access to everything. To anyone. 

Once my father was gone, who did he answer to? 

It was supposed to be me, his monarch. But it wasn’t. 

Finally, getting sloppy, he was caught orchestrating the jailbreak of a prisoner by the royal guard’s second in command, Bastien’s top lieutenant. Who, to his credit, in turn disclosed his concerns to his friend Drake. Drake, loyal to the crown, revealed the breach to the Royal Council. 

Bastien has been charged with treason; now named a criminal being held in confinement in a jail cell in France.  

A criminal, that past Kings would have executed by their own hand for the crime committed, treason. 

It didn’t stop there. 

After the realization of the betrayal, by a man sworn to protect him, and his family, there was the added bonus of the discovery of a possible sister. 

Tossing and turning, sleep evaded his night.  

As Liam stared into darkness his mind kept replaying the events of the day over and over again. The memories of Director Ryerson’s words, “Her name is Lena Eleanor Rys,” and “apprehended by the Royal Guard, that was later released by Bastien Lykel”, on repeat. 

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. 

Fuck!!! 

His mind would not let his body sleep. 

He looked down at his wife, his queen, curled into his side, peacefully asleep. 

A woman that took the revelations in stride. Sure, she was livid about Bastien’s treachery...but, she wasn’t surprised.  

Riley knew, all too well, that Bastien followed the command of his monarch, without question.  

So instead of getting emotional, she turned her anger into resolve; determined to find answers. 

She is my inspiration. My partner in everything. 

Kissing the top of her head, he carefully moved her arm as he sat up. 

Liam left his chambers with plans of going down to the gym to work out and de-stress. Moving down the hall, he passed by Ellie’s chamber. Peering through the small opening of her door, he saw Chance sleeping at the foot of her bed. Her guard, stationed outside her door, bowed to Liam as he continued down the hall. 

*** 

Across from the Royal east wing, Leo sat on his terrace in the west wing of the palace, long into the night, also unable to sleep. He’d spent most of it watching the stars and thinking about what he and his brother had learned from the Interpol director. 

...and thought about how much he wanted to personally punish Bastien for his duplicity and deception.  

It was strange to think that they had a possible sister. It felt like some kind of twisted fairy tale. One thing was for sure...his father was a selfish and cruel man. How could he do something like this? Why did he knowingly want to hurt Liam with deception?  

What did his father do to make life so miserable for his own mother to leave him behind? Sure, the court members were vipers. But his father had all the power to protect and shield her. 

He thought back to when he first met Queen Eleanor, his stepmother. 

She was so sweet and kind. She was always smiling and happy even though she was married to my bastard father. She genuinely made me feel wanted and part of the family. True to form, Constantine didn’t protect Liam’s mother either.

lost my mother and my stepmother. 

Leo raised his glass, finishing the last of the scotch, when his laptop chimed signaling an incoming video chat.   

“Hey baby!” Leo said as soon as the video came up. 

“Hello there handsome,” Queen Amalas smiled at him. 

Leo returned the smile, “I have missed you.” 

Amalas sighed, “I have missed you too. When are you coming home to me?” 

“Soon. I need to be here a while longer. Once my brother has everything in place with the new head of the Royal guard, I will join in the search for our half-sister in Monterisso.” 

“...and then, you are all mine. No more distractions will separate us?” 

Amalas somberly asked. 

"Why are you like this?", Leo asked pointedly. “I am not used to you being so ‘clingy’.” 

Amalas looked into the camera and sighed. “I don’t know. After everything I have gone through with Olivia, I don’t want to be a secret, or an afterthought anymore.”  

“Baby, I promise you that you are in my thoughts constantly. I would give anything to be with you right now in person.” Leo smiled genuinely. 

“I miss you terribly,” Amalas confessed. “How do you always know the right things to say?” 

“It’s part of my charm.” Leo winks and suggestively says, “get lots of rest baby, because when I get to your palace, I will wear you out in the best way possible.” 

*** 

It was 5:30 am, when Liam returned to his chambers after completing an intense workout. Moving into the bathroom, he stripped out of his shorts and turned on the shower. 

Standing underneath the shower stream of hot water, Liam felt his body begin to relax as a sense of relief washed over him. His eyes closed and he let out a sigh, feeling like all the tension had now been released from his muscles.  

Not hearing Riley enter the shower behind him, he was pleasantly surprised to feel a pair of hands move over his back, massaging in slow soothing strokes. She moved her hands down to his ass squeezing and kneading with firm pressure before moving around to his front brushing against his hardening shaft. 

Liam groaned, “Riley, love...this water is too hot for you and the babieser.” He gently grasped her hands and turned to face her, blocking the flow of water. 

Riley reached up to stroke his cheek, resting her head on his chest. 

“I love you Liam, so much.” She felt him smile against her palm and then his kiss pressed her palm. 

“...and I love you,” he whispered in her ear. 

“We need to get out of this steam.” Liam gently turned Riley around to leave the shower. Taking his hand, she led him into the bedroom. 

“You know,” she said as they walked, “I don’t think we have time for a morning sex session.” 

“No?” he feigned surprise. “Are you sure about that?” Liam teased. 

Riley smirked, shaking her head as she pulled him down to sit on the edge of the bed. Stepping between his legs, Riley knelt down in front of him. Looking up at him through her lashes, "this Is a little something to tide you over till after the meeting, Your Majesty.” 

Liam quirked his brow, “oh, really?” 

“Yes, I want you all to myself this evening so that we can really enjoy each other when everyone is gone, uninterrupted,” she purred. 

*** 

King’s Study, Royal Council 

Drake was the second member to arrive at the Royal council meeting. He walked in with a smile and took his seat next to Hana at the boardroom table. He noticed that she seemed to be nervous and was curious to find out why. 

“Good morning, Hana. It’s great to see you here.” 

“Hello Drake, thank you.  Can I ask you something?”  

“Sure, what’s up?”  

“Is Neville a part of this council?” 

Drake grinned, “Do you really think that Riley would give him any voice and make him a member? Why do you ask?” 

Before she could answer, Director Ryerson and Officer Cossoy entered followed by Leo and Rashad. As the remaining council members took their seats, Hana whispered, “Neville found out that I am back in Cordonia, and wants to meet with me.” 

“Oh, what a desperate motherfu...,” Drake chuckled. “Give me the word and I’ll kick his ass for you.” 

Hana grinned, “thank you. I hope it doesn’t come to that.” 

Riley entered next, followed by Liam, each taking their seats at the head of the long table. 

As the royal guard closed the doors, The Interpol officers began the meeting to present the status of the investigations, and to answer any questions. 

After the long 3 hour presentation ended, Liam stood to formally thank the Interpol officers for the update and asked the council members to remain. 

Liam continued, “we need to plan a trip to Monterisso.” 

*** 

Sitting at the dining table, Ellie waited patiently for her nanny to spread butter on her brioche roll. The wait staff bowed to Riley as she entered the room. “Mmmm...something smells so good,” Riley said as she took her place alongside her daughter, unfolding a cloth napkin on her lap. 

“I do not know what it is, but I would like some please,” Ellie asked excitedly. 

“Daddy will be here soon, sweetheart.” Riley said with a smile and kissed her little girl’s forehead. “Tell me about your day, what were your lessons about?”  

Before she could answer, she heard Liam greet the chef in the hall. 

“Daddy! Ellie exclaims. 

“Well, hello, my princess.” Liam bent down to kiss her cheek. 

“I learned about spelling words, and we read stories today.” 

Liam kissed Riley on the lips next and moved to his chair, 

“Ewww, Daddy!” Liam let out a deep laugh. 

“When you are married one day, you will like kisses.” Riley laughed at Liam’s expression to that comment. 

“That won’t happen for a long, long time, princess.” Liam shot Riley a look, and she chuckled. 

Under the table, Riley ran her foot up Liam’s leg. He sat back smiling at his wife.  

“You are in so much trouble Ri...just wait till later." His voice barely a whisper.  

“Ellie, what would you say to going on a trip to visit Micaela?” Riley asked, changing the subject.  

“Oh yes, mommy!” Ellie happily clapped her hands.  

*** 

Riley sat at her dressing table, brushing her long chestnut hair. Anticipating Liam to join her soon, she felt her heartbeat quicken when she heard his voice speaking to the guard posted outside their chambers. 

She rose from her stool, to check her reflection one more time and walked out onto the balcony. The night air was crisp, and she shivered as a cool breeze blew her hair. She leaned against the railing overlooking the garden below. 

“There you are.... You are so beautiful.” He pulled her into his arms for a kiss that left her breathless. Liam pressed himself closer against her body, feeling her curves beneath the thin silk of her chemise. He could feel his desire rising as he looked down at her, admiring the softness of her skin and the peaks of her nipples under the silk. He moved her straps down her shoulders, and lowered his head slowly and took one of her breasts in his mouth, sucking on it gently. Riley moaned softly as his warm tongue brushed over her sensitive nipple.  

“Oh God!” she cried out in surprise when she felt him slip his hand between her legs and yank her chemise down between her legs. Riley gripped Liam’s biceps as he slid his fingers along her wet pussy lips. He slipped two fingers into her and began to pump them in and out. Riley whimpered in pleasure, grinding her hips against his hand as she succumbed to her orgasm. 

Liam was now rock hard and throbbing as he spun Riley around to take her from behind. It didn’t take long for Liam to find his release. 

Climbing into bed, both sated, they fell into a deep, restful slumber wrapped together. 

⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️

Please let me know if you want to be added or removed ⚘️

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[choicesficwriterscreations]

Throwback Fics #140

Open Heart

Distance | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @jerzwriter

For You | Bryce Lahela x F!OC @storyofmychoices

Warm Comfort | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @potionsprefect

The Royal Romance

Drake of My Dreams | Drake Walker and all the Ladies - @twinkleallnight

University Student Ellie; Going Away Bash: Beaumont Style | Liam Rys x MC; Eleanor Rys x M!OC; Maxwell Beaumont x F!OC - @bebepac

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Throwback Fics #146

Open Heart

Better Days | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @coffeeheartaddict2

Handful | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @liaromancewriter

Hekili (Thunder) | Bryce Lahela; Keiki Lahela - @storyofmychoices

One Last Talk | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @potionsprefect

The Perfect Gift | Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

The Royal Romance

University Student Ellie; Skipping Across the Pond | Liam Rys x MC; Eleanor Rys x M!OC - @bebepac

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Throwback Fics #136

Desire and Decorum

Second Chances; Chapter Twenty Three, Racing Hearts | Hamid x F!OC - @missameliep

It Lives in the Woods

Darker than Night; Prologue | Dan Pierce x f!MC - @aallotarenunelma

Open Heart

Acts of Kindness - Valentine's Day - Intern Year | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @jerzwriter

Four Valentines | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @starrystarrytrouble

Memory Lane | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @potionsprefect

You Weren't Meant for Me | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC; F!MC x M!OC - @liaromancewriter

The Royal Romance

University Student Ellie; Falling With Style | Liam Rys x MC; Eleanor Rys - @bebepac

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Sunday six #1

Six Sentence Sunday 02.27.22  / Mood Music Monday

So I’m double dipping.  I know,  I’m trying to cover some bases, and slowly and surely start back writing on what I currently feel comfortable to.   Like I said when I feel up to it, I’ll start back writing my stories where Cheslie is the face claim.   I was doing so good today, and just writing that,  I’m back to it’s been zero days since i’ve cried about what happened.  I’ll get there guys I promise.   I’m trying.  Her mother posts about her almost every day sharing things about Cheslie, and it’s really scary ironic, how accurate I have portrayed her in some of the small characteristics I gave to my Riley MC.  

Original Post 02/27/22 at 2:16PM EST.

Keep reading

[tessa-liam]

Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors 

The Royal Romance Finale AU 

Series premise: Hidden in the shadows, poised to challenge the status quo are enemies of the state. Loyalties and honesty of family, and of friends, will be tested. ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer’. 

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi’ 

Secondary Pairings: Leo Rys x Amalas, (past, Olivia Nevrakis x Amalas) 

Drake Walker x F!OC Delaney Leigh 

All characters belong to Pixelberry, except Delaney Leigh 

Rating: M *Warnings: brief description of firearms, sexual innuendo. 

Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff 

Words: 1811, Read: 8 minutes 

Chapter 1: Old Habits Die Hard 

Chapter Summary: The joys of family are celebrated; the exhilaration of new relationships is explored. The sorrows of fading love and betrayal. 

Music Inspiration: Bad Habits by Ed Sheeren. 

AN1: My submission for @choicesflashfics Week #14 Prompt #3, “You promised you wouldn’t do this anymore.” 

King’s Royal Chambers, Cordonian Palace 

January 2nd 

Crown Princess Eleanor was sitting at the breakfast table, gazing at the blue skies of a beautiful January morning in the Capital. Patiently waiting for her nanny to escort her to her lesson, she looked up as her father bent down to kiss her cheek. 

“Good morning, my princess,” King Liam smiled. 

Ellie giggled, “daddy, that tickles!” 

“Are you excited for your lessons today?” 

“Yes, daddy...but?” Liam frowned, instantly concerned. 

“Mommy says that her favorite part of school was recess. Will I get recess too?” 

“Well...umm...mommy went to a different type of school.” 

He knew that the different childhood that he had as a child as compared to his wife would present unique questions. Liam was grateful that his queen was nearby for the assist. 

“Yes, sweetheart, I went to school in America.” Riley joined the conversation, walking over to the table carrying a mug of coffee for her husband. 

Sitting beside Ellie, with one leg tucked underneath, Riley continued. 

“In America, the children learn their lessons in a group...like a big playdate. To give the teacher a break, they would take the children outside to play in-between lessons. That is called ‘recess’.” 

“I like playdates, mommy. Will I get to go to school there like you?” 

“Well, how about we plan a trip to visit there instead? Ellie, ask your tutor today to show you where America is on a map so that we can plan a visit.” 

“OK, mommy, I am so excited!” After kissing her parents good-bye, Ellie got up to join her nanny to be escorted to her class. 

Once alone, Riley sat back on her chair and smiled, “Are you ready for today?” 

Liam and Riley were meeting with the Royal obstetrician, Dr. Ramirez for Riley's 10-week prenatal check-up. 

Liam could not stop the wide grin from forming. Smiling, “Oh yes!” 

Chuckling, Riley stood up, grasping his hand, “Let’s go Mr. Rys.” 

*** 

Royal Guard Palace Security Offices 

Along with his team, Bastien Lykel was reviewing drone security footage taken the evening of the New Year’s Gala at the palace. 

They watched as a figure moving along the exterior gate of the side entrance of the palace grounds was apprehended by gate guards. 

“This is the woman that is currently being held for trespass?” Bastien asks his lieutenant.  

“Yes, sir. In her possession we found a SIG Sauer P226 handgun, a TASER X26P and an iPhone, which has been analyzed.” 

“I need a copy of the data results from that phone as soon as possible.” 

“Sir, another copy?”  

“Yes, as soon as possible. Is that a problem lieutenant?” 

Bastien needed to be prepared with all the details about this woman before his meeting with King Liam this afternoon. 

*** 

Dr. Ramirez’s office 

Liam’s POV  

As Riley and I enter the doctor’s office, my mind goes back in time, to when we were first here, all those years ago. I was so happy...no, way beyond happy, ecstatic! 

...and then, BOOM!  

During Riley’s consultation about her first pregnancy, the doctor revealed, previously unbeknownst to me, that she had treated my mother in a pregnancy. A pregnancy that I had no knowledge of; I had discovered my mother’s secret. A secret she took to her grave. 

I made a mental note to follow up with this mystery with Interpol. Since the royal guard at that time did not investigate thoroughly, there was a possibility that evidence was not fully disclosed. Obviously, my father did not deem it necessary to inform me. When returning to the palace later that day, I started the enquiry into the murder of my mother.  

So many questions left unanswered, still, to this day. But, enough of that. Now is not the time.  

“Liam? Earth to Liam?” Riley squeezed my hand in concern. Coming back to the present, I apologized for zoning out. 

Riley cupped my cheek, “where did you go just now?” 

Before, I could reply, Dr Ramirez entered the office with a nurse, both bowing to Riley and me. 

“It is a great honor to once again be entrusted with your care and pregnancy.” 

As they prepared Riley for her scan, I watched in reverence of my wife. She looked so happy, so content, and was taking everything in stride. 

The memory of seeing Ellie on that monitor that first time flooded my thoughts. Then hearing her heartbeat; taking my breath away. 

Watching the monitor today, I held Riley’s hand as the doctor moved the doppler wand over her abdomen. When the baby appeared, my heart felt like it would beat out of my chest. Just like the first time, I was in awe of our little creation. Looking down at Riley, she was in tears as she looked up at me. 

...and then, we both heard the heartbeats. 

Both of us turned to the screen. 

“Well, this explains a few things,” the doctor grinned.  

...and then as the doctor moved the wand to the other side of her bump, my jaw dropped. 

“...and this baby is the twin of another baby right next to it, here. 

Congratulations, your babies are perfect fraternal twins.” 

Through her tears, Riley was trying her best to speak. 

“L.. L.. L....Liam!!! Oh, my goodness!!! 

As for me, I could not stop smiling. 

*** 

Royal Council Meeting 

Olivia sat scowling watching Leo enter the boardroom with Drake. 

“Well, well, well.... Look who decided to do some work around here. Where is your girlfriend? Is she tired of you already?” 

“Olivia, can we get through this meeting without you making a fool of yourself.” Drake wasn’t even in the room for a minute before Olivia started her attack. 

“You promised you wouldn’t do this anymore.” Drake replied to Olivia. “I thought we had an agreement.” 

“You are mad at me, Livvie, not Drake.” Leo calmly stated 

Olivia was about to respond, but Rashad called the meeting to an order. 

“Good morning council. Let's start by welcoming Hana Lee and Leo Rys to our team,” Rashad begins.  

Hana returned to Cordonia at Riley’s suggestion to be an arts and culture advisor and Leo was personally asked by Liam to be his proxy whenever he could not attend a meeting. Leo was charged to periodically be present in support of the crown.  

“We need to discuss a security concern that occurred and came to light over the holidays. King Liam has arranged Interpol agents to oversee the investigation.” 

“Interpol, to oversee the Royal guard?” Olivia questioned with a raised eyebrow at Bastien. 

Leo knew better not to react to that question, taking a long sip of his coffee. He almost could not stop his gasp when he saw the picture Amalas sent on his phone.

*** 

Delaney Leigh’s townhouse  

Dance like no-one is watching. This is Delaney’s mantra today. 

Breathing in the fragrant scent of the long stemmed roses sitting in a vase on her kitchen counter, her mind goes back to last night.  

Delaney was waiting for Drake to come over for a home cooked dinner. Making baby back ribs, Caesar salad and slow roasted baked potatoes, she wanted everything to be perfect for her new love. Checking her reflection one more time, she heard the knock on her front door. 

Just before turning the doorknob, Delaney took a breath, the butterflies going wild. Opening the door to see a smiling Drake holding a bouquet of red roses. 

“There she is, hello Laney!”  

“Drake, hello!” 

Feeling weak in the knees, Delaney grasped the door frame and moved forward to place a hand on his arm. 

“These are so beautiful.” Reaching up to place a tender kiss on his lips, she groaned when Drake deepened the kiss. 

Sighing, Delaney re-read the message that Drake had just sent.  

'Hey babe, I need to stay late at the palace tonight, but I have all day booked off tomorrow for you and me.' 💞😘TTYL

Sliding her phone into her pocket, she poured herself a glass of wine, moved to the sofa and picked up her tablet to continue reading her book on kindle. 

*** 

Arriving back at the palace, Liam and Riley went directly to their private wing and upon reaching the ornate double doors of their chambers, Liam turned to his courtier instructing him for the afternoon. 

Once inside, Riley made lunch arrangements and then moved into her walk in closet to get changed. 

Slipping off her shoes first, she let her dress fall to the floor and went to select some loungewear in her closet. Liam was adamant that she would cut down her time spent on her queen duties, now that she was pregnant. So, for the rest of the day, she could relax in comfortable attire at home. 

She found Liam stretched out on their bed when she went back to the bedroom.  

Grinning, Riley approached the bed, shaking her head at her husband. Liam decided to get comfortable as well and decided on wearing just his boxers. 

Liam chuckled at his wife’s expression as she moved closer to him. 

“Come here, my queen.” Holding up his arms, he wrapped them around Riley snuggly as she sunk down into his embrace. 

“Are you skipping your duties this afternoon, your majesty,” Teasing her husband by running her hands over his chest. 

“Keep touching me like that, love. I won’t go anywhere, I promise.” Cupping her cheek, Liam kissed her deeply, gently pushing her onto her back. 

Moving his other hand down her body, he stopped moving down once he felt her baby bump. 

“Our babies!” The look of adoration he gave her took Riley’s breath away. 

“I love you Riley, so much.” 

Riley wrapped her arms around his neck, “I love you, too. 

Her lips trembled as she started to cry, feeling overwhelmed over her new reality and her husband’s devotion. 

***

Down in the holding cells of the palace, a jail cell door is found left open by Interpol.

***

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Please let me know if you want to be added or removed. 🌹