Title: Twists of Fate (9/?)
Chapter 9
Pairing: Jo/Blair
Rating: T
Disclaimer: This is Facts of Life Fan Fiction. I don't own Jo, Blair, or their counterparts from the TV shows…I only wish. I am going to be adding a few of my own characters however.
Summary: What happens over the next few days after the Gala and our favorite couple's first kiss? The spend time together and Zayne has a private meeting with David Warner. What is that all about and what comes of it? Please read on to find out.
Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed my story and to all of those who have contacted me to ask when the next chapter was coming out. Your encouragement has helped me stay on task as much as I possibly can at the moment. Also a thanks to those who are now following or added me to their favorites. Now finally on to the next chapter. Enjoy your reading.
Previously…"Let's clean up and curl up around the twins and get some rest. I doubt they let us sleep in too much in the morning." Blair took Zayne's hand and led her to the bedroom. Soon the twins were going to have to move back to their own room, because she was going to want alone time in bed with Zayne.
Blair washed up in the in-suite bathroom. Zayne grabbed her things and headed to the one in the hall. They met at the end of the large bed after both dressed for sleep. They shared a few passionate goodnight kisses guaranteed to give them pleasant dreams. They fell asleep with their fingers linked as their arms lay across the backs of the two precious girls they cared so much for.
FoL FoL FoL FoL FoL
Chapter 9
The next few days were spent in the city shopping, exploring, going to plays, and museums. Zayne's old friends decided to spend one more week in the Hampton's before going back to their lives. Their leaves from work were about up. Blair and Beverly Anne had the most lenient schedules.
The day before they left for the Hampton's David Warner called Zayne. He wished to see her privately about some business. Zayne agreed to meet him early the next day before they left. As soon as she was off the phone she got to work setting up searches to find out just how well Warner Enterprises was doing and what its future looked like. The business woman set her computer to working while she enjoyed the rest of her day with her family and friends. That night before bed Zayne spent some time going over everything. The doctor wasn't sure what David Warner wanted, but she wanted to be prepared. Zayne decided to wait to talk with Blair until after the meeting, not wanting to worry the other woman for nothing.
FoL FoL FoL FoL FoL
Zayne was up early telling Blair she had a meeting to go to and would tell her all about it when she got back. They kissed deeply before Zayne reluctantly pulled away heading out the door with her electronics case on her shoulder.
Warner Enterprises was as fancy as the dark haired woman remembered from her one trip with Blair to her father's office when she was younger. He didn't keep her waiting once Zayne spoke to his admin. His office hadn't changed a whole lot, it still had the feel of old money to it.
They shook hands and Zayne turned down refreshment and took the seat offered as he settled back down behind his ornate desk. She was going to be patient and continue to make him come to her. Zayne sat quietly waiting for him to speak.
"I suppose you're wondering why I called you here?"
Zayne only nodded.
"It was quite obvious how you felt about my daughter the other night and from the papers you have been seen together all over town, some even say you're staying in Blair's penthouse." He paused for her to respond, but again the woman said nothing. The man was getting frustrated.
"I've decided to give you the opportunity to invest in Warner Enterprises. Something that I don't often do. We have been owned only by family for generations, but I feel that you will probably soon be family. I saw the way you and my daughter are together. You have a special bond with one another. One I can't fight. So I am offering to bring you into the company." He finished looking very satisfied with himself.
Zayne sat back silently for a moment. "Why would I want or need to own part of your company?"
The man sputtered, he thought the woman would jump at the chance to be a part of such an old company and show Blair she was accepted by him. "We are a very old and distinguished operation and by becoming a part of it you would prove to Blair that you and your relationship were accepted by me."
"I don't need any of that. Blair doesn't either." The billionaire leaned over pulling a stack of reports out from her case. "You, however are in a great deal of need. Warner Enterprises will be forced to declare bankruptcy in no more than a month's time by my calculations and from the calmness and easy going manner of those in your office you have somehow managed to keep the fact quiet."
David Warner looked furious. "We have two very lucrative contracts coming up that will help us in addition to your investment, and we will survive this storm as we have others."
Zayne simply shook her head fanning the papers across his desk. "Your company has been on the edge for years. Nipping and tucking here and there to keep your head above water. You've even employed some creative accounting to not alert anyone of your pending doom. And doom is what you have created. The hole is too deep now. An investment won't help you and your managers are blowing smoke up your ass. I looked into it." She separated two sheets from the fan. "You aren't getting those contracts, your proposals were ridiculous." The woman watched as he looked over what she found, his pallor paling as he read.
"Warner Enterprises is done. You have driven the company so far down it can't be saved without selling the whole thing so you can pay off your debts or declare bankruptcy and watch it be sold off piece by piece. Overall I could care less. The thing that really pisses me off is the way you let it all go without even once giving the one person who could have saved this place long ago a chance to do so."
Zayne stood then and began pointing at different sheets of paper. "You have given important jobs to men whose only qualification is they were men of the Warner family. They had no need or want to succeed. All they had to do was show up and play the part and collect their paycheck. Yet you had one Warner that I know of who could have turned this place around and you never thought once to give her a try."
He scoffed. "Blair is just like her mother. A society lady only interested in social affairs and shopping."
The doctor stared at him in disbelief. "I knew you weren't close, but I had no idea you were this clueless to who your daughter really was." She backed from the desk and walked around stopping behind her chair, her hands resting against the back as she faced him again. The distance was needed, if she was any closer she thought the temptation to strangle the man might grow too strong.
"You know, I think you and Monica's neglect of your daughter was just about the greatest thing you two ever did for her. You gave her into Mrs. Garret's care. The care of a woman who loved her and taught her what the real world was and how people ought to treat each other. She had friends like Nat and Tootie who are like sisters to her and showed her different views of the world through their lives and experiences. I know she had another close friend who also helped her see the world around her beyond the society pages." Zayne took a breath to calm her anger. "You know I came from a very poor upbringing and worked hard to make something of myself only to have it all taken away in moments. I had nothing, no family, no friends, no money, and was barely hanging on to life itself. It was one of the most difficult struggles I ever had to make to pick myself back up and start over again. As you see I did it. I worked my ass off to become the woman I am today. I love being a surgeon and doing what I can to save lives. I love hacking away on my computer creating new ways to do things. I married a woman I loved very much and had two wonderful children. I lost my wife in an accident three years ago, but I kept going for my children at first, but for me too as time went by. I never thought to feel that kind of love and connection again. However, I do. I feel it for your daughter. I feel it for a woman I know that if she had been dropped into the same situation I had, that she would have worked her ass off as well and made a wonderful and fulfilling life for herself as I did." She stepped around the chair and sat.
"It is a shame you don't see it. If your child had a dick in their pants instead of boobs in her shirt you would have given them the chance to run this company. Hell, you would have expected it and given them no other choice. But your daughter, who craved the chance to show you what she was capable of, was refused and pushed to the side to take care of you charitable donations. A department you really care nothing for and if you look at the reports, the one department in your company that is thriving. Her outside donation rate is phenomenal. Doesn't look like she's costing you much." The dark haired woman relaxed back in her chair staring at the man she would love to smack around at the moment. "You know what I'm gonna do? I'm going to give her that chance. I will buy Warner Enterprises, paying you enough to pay off your debts and retire comfortably. Blair will step into your place and we shall work together to turn this place around. I think Warner & Masters Enterprises has a nice ring to it. Don't you?" She smiled.
"I hope all those trust fund brats you hired over the years have plump savings accounts built up and haven't depleted their trust funds, because if they aren't productive and competent they are out of here. The job market is flooded with eager and hungry qualified people who would work their asses off to make this place a success again and I am wealthy enough to keep it afloat until that happens. That is my offer to you. Sell out to me and generally keep your business in the family or I walk and you can settle up in bankruptcy court." The tall woman stood pulling out her phone. "I will contact my lawyer and accountant and they will work out the proposal. I will review it and you should have it on your desk in the morning. You have one week to decide and then the deal is off. I can't say it's been a pleasure." With that the exasperated woman picked up her bag and left the office.
David Warner sat staring at the empty doorway wondering how his full proof plan had went so utterly wrong.
FoL FoL FoL FoL FoL
Zayne made her calls to her lawyer and accountant and got the ball rolling on her ride back to the penthouse. Everyone was ready to go when she got there and she didn't get the chance to talk with Blair about her meeting. The trip out to Long Island was a fun one. They took two limos and two SUV's. The SUV's were needed for luggage transport as well as security. A two man security team was in each vehicle as well as one security member riding shot gun in each limo. The members of the press had become more prominent as Zayne came out in public more. Pictures and videos of her and Blair's dance together at the Gala was a favorite in many papers and a video of it was even on You Tube. Someone had even gotten a shot of them kissing. Zayne had known that coming back to the states and finishing her business with Pavel Nicholaevich would ultimately end what little anonymity she had left, but she wasn't enjoying it much. The woman also knew she just had to be patient, once the novelty wore off the interest in her would drop off considerably. Zayne looked forward to that time.
The staff at the estate had lunch ready for them when they arrived. Everyone felt more relaxed the moment the security gates closed behind them and the press was forced to stay outside. After lunch everyone separated making themselves at home in the large house. Most everyone ended up in the large game room or entertainment room. Nat and Tootie were playing billiards with Teddy and Martin. Mrs. Garret and Marie were going over menu plans for the next week while Fiona and Beverly Ann discussed working together on a project of a coffee table book with pictures from around the Hamptons.
The twins were up in their room playing and Zayne had retreated to her study after helping her girls build a tent in their room. Blair joined Zayne with a book in hand planning to curl up in a chair and read while she worked. However, her phone rang as she walked in the study and the blonde stepped back into the hallway to talk without disturbing the dark haired woman.
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Zayne and David Warner had not realized that Tad had seen Zayne's arrival and had waited long moments for David's admin to leave her desk. Once she did with folders in hand he rushed over to listen not long before the meeting was over. He couldn't understand or hear much, but thought he got the gist of it. The man planned to call Blair and congratulate her on what a wonderful girlfriend she had. Tad would get even with that dark haired bitch, but he had his own meetings to go to so it would have to wait till after lunch.
FoL FoL FoL FoL FoL
Blair answered. "What do you want Tad, more ice for your injured manhood?"
"Real funny Blair. You've got a real sweetheart there. I saw her going in your daddy's office today. Seems your brought the lion in that will finally topple the family business. Your precious girlfriend is going to buy it out from under your Dad and sell it off piece by piece until there is no more Warner Enterprises. Thought I would let you know before the press got a hold of it. We used to care for each other Blair. I didn't want you to be left in the dark." Tad used his most sincere voice.
Blair was stunned. Zayne wouldn't do that to her and her family. She hung up on Tad turning back into Zayne's study and closing the door.
"Hey Blair. I'm glad you're here I wanted to talk with you about the meeting I had this morning."
Blair held up her phone. "You had a meeting with my Dad. Is it true you are planning on buying him out?"
Zayne nodded. "I have offered to do so. I just got the first draft of the proposal sent to me from my lawyer." She pulled a stack of papers from her printer and showed Blair.
The blonde felt cold chills race up her spine. "It's true! You're really going to break up my Father's company and sell it off piece by piece to other people for profit. How could you do this to me? I thought I knew you, that I could trust you."
"But, Blair I'm not." However, the upset blonde wasn't listening.
"You are not who I thought you were if you could do this." With that Blair stormed out of the room not caring where she went. She ended up in the game room falling into Mrs. Garret's arms before bursting into tears.
FoL FoL FoL FoL FoL
Zayne sat stunned as the blonde stormed out and then was instantly pissed off. She quickly dialed Blair's father. "Warner who have you told about our deal?"
"No one."
"Then you are the one who called Blair and filled her head with a pack of lies. If this is how you do business then you can sink for all I care. The deal is off. Good luck in bankruptcy court." Zayne tossed her phone on her desk leaving her study to go to the only place she knew to find solace. Moments later she climbed into the makeshift tent with her girls.
FoL FoL FoL FoL FoL
Slowly Mrs. Garret and Fiona got the reason for upset out of Blair. Teddy ran off to Zayne's study. She wasn't there, but the proposal was. He knew his daughter would never do what she had been accused of.
Fiona said much the same as did everyone else in the room.
"But she admitted offering to buy him out."
"Did she admit to the rest of it?" Mrs. Garrett asked.
"No, I didn't really give her the chance. She did say I didn't understand, but you know how I am when I get into a rant. I usually don't listen very well." She wiped her eyes. "I told myself I didn't believe what Tad told me, but when she said she had offered to buy him out and she wanted me to look over the proposal I saw red."
Her phone began ringing, but she ignored it. However, whoever it was kept calling. Seeing it was her father she answered.
"Blair what the hell is going on? I just got my ass reamed again by that girlfriend of yours and she withdrew her offer to buy me out. Can you tell me why? She accused me of telling you lies about her. I haven't even talked to you about her. How the hell did you know about the sell? I haven't told anyone."
"Tad called and told me she was buying the company out from under you and planning on selling it off in pieces."
David Warner groaned. "Tad doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. He probably heard a little of our meeting with his ear to the door. I have always regretted pushing you to marry that boy. You have no idea what you have in Zayne Masters if you believed him. Do you have access to a computer?"
Blair turned to Teddy as he came back in. "Do you have a computer I can borrow?"
He nodded and gave the papers he found to Martin. He picked up his laptop from a nearby shelf and booted it up.
"I have the computer."
"You know I always video record my meeting. I think the best way for you to fully understand is for you to watch the entire meeting. I hope afterwards you are able to work things out for all of our sakes. Especially yours. Zayne cares for you more than you apparently realize." The Father and CEO ended the call.
Blair logged on and opened up the video. It began as Zayne stepped through the door to David Warner's office. Zayne had controlled the meeting from the moment she stepped into the room. She was magnificent. None of them had ever gotten to see the powerful woman in action in a business meeting before. It was a lot more than just being good at computers that made her so successful.
Blair became more and more sick to her stomach as the true extent of her screw up came home to her. More tears fell as she watched her knight defend her once again and worked out a way to give Blair her dream and share it with her.
The room was silent, but for the crying woman with her head in her hands. "God, what have I done? Why did I fly off the handle, not even letting her explain? Do I have to expect everyone to do me wrong as my mother, father, and husband did? Deep down I knew Zayne didn't, but when she said she had made the offer I got scared that it was happening all over again. How could I be so dumb?" The blond stood drying her eyes. "I've got to make this right."
Fiona standing in the door with her arms crossed stopped her. "Blair I like you and I know you have demons of your own as we all do. As Zayne does. Nonetheless, I am not letting you go seek her out unless I know you are all in. I have talked with Martin and Teddy about this a lot. You have no idea how hard it was for Zayne to become Zayne. She fought through the depression of losing everything when she woke up from her coma. Her whole life was gone and her body was a shell of its former self. She worked hard and made it, but sadness still lingered in her eyes until she met Faith. They had five wonderful years together. Zayne was my baby's life and I have no doubt that if Faith had lived you would never have gotten your second chance, but my baby is gone. I still have Zayne, the daughter of my heart. Faith would have wanted her to move on. When Faith died Zayne stayed connected by holding onto her girls, a physical part of her wife left behind. That upheaval in their lives created a very special and strong bond between the three of them, one that no one else has ever been allowed to be a part of since. Not even me or her Fathers. That is until you. They have been letting you into their own private world. That was something I thought I would never see. I have wondered if Zayne would have grown such a vast fortune so quickly if Faith would have lived. Don't get me wrong, she was already quite well off when they married although Faith didn't know that till their honeymoon. Zayne kept growing her fortune as she developed new programs and her name grew in the world of surgery as well. However, her biggest passion at that time was her wife and kids. Once Faith was gone all that passion and desire she had for my daughter was channeled into her computer and financial endeavors. Being a doctor had always been a strong passion of hers, but all that she had for her wife was now put elsewhere and she took what she had and made it into something even larger than she ever expected and Zayne had done it in such a way that it will continue to grow with only a little nurturing from her."
"Can you imagine having the passion and desire that built an empire in just a few years turned and focused directly on you, because if you truly love Zayne as much as I know she loves you, that is how it will be? She will fully give herself to you. I don't want you to leave this room to find her unless you are prepared to fully give yourself to her. That means you trust her completely, not believe some rumor your ex feeds you about her. Zayne was trying to be honest with you and she always will be if you let her. Your life, love, and loyalty must be hers as I know hers will be yours. You must be prepared to be a mother to her daughters because that is what Zayne and the girls need and desire. If you go out that door you are making that promise to me and her fathers, witnessed by Marie and those you hold dear to your heart. You're also making that promise to yourself, Zayne, and the twins. So what will it be Blair? All or nothing, those are your only two choices." The older woman stared directly into the younger's shining eyes.
Blair stepped up to Fiona and kissed her on the cheek. "You're a really great lady and a super mom. You know that?" She moved back from the shorter woman. "I'm going for all." With that she swept past Fiona and out of the room.
"I sure hope this works out." Tootie said.
"Me too." Natalie agreed.
"Have faith, Blair won't give up now and Zayne won't either. I do believe that after today their relationship will move up to a new level." Fiona stated and Mrs. Garret agreed.
FoL FoL FoL FoL FoL
Blair stopped in the doorway of the twins' bedroom smiling at the sight of large socked feet sticking out of a tent made of bed sheets and chairs in the middle of the girls' room. She entered room kneeling down at the entrance of the tent. "May I come in girls? I need to say I'm sorry to your Mom. I messed up pretty bad and need to make it up to her."
Two small heads poked out of the opening. They wore serious expressions. "Are you really sorry you messed up and you promise not to make Mom sad anymore?" Zoe asked.
"I am sorrier than you know and I promise to do my best not to make your Mom sad anymore. I love her more than I have ever loved anyone in my life and I want to share my life with her and with you too if you will have me. I have grown to love the two of you as well. I hope you will let me back into your life." Blair let her emotions show on her face and in her voice. She wanted them to know how sincere she truly was.
The girls nodded to each other. "We say it's okay. Mom what do you think?" Abby's head popped into the tent to consult with her Mom. Her little head popped back out and the girls held the sheets open for Blair to crawl in. It was surprisingly comfy inside with comforters and pillows everywhere. Zayne lay propped up on pillows in the middle of the tent.
Blair crawled up beside her. "Zayne, I am sorry I flew off the handle. I didn't realize how insecure I was until that moment. It wasn't Dad that steered me wrong, but Tad. He set out to put a wedge between us and I let him. What he told me I didn't believe, but when you said you were buying the company my insecurities flew out in full force and I didn't even let you explain. I spoke to my Dad. He told me not to throw away something as special as we have and he showed me the video of your meeting. You were wonderful by the way. Whether you want me involved now or not I hope you reinstate your offer. I would hate to see all those people who don't have a trust fund lose their jobs."
"Blair I understand about insecurities more than you know. I can assure you that I will never deliberately hurt you. I only want to make you happy. I love you Blair. I loved you as a girl and now I love you as a woman. I want you to trust me as I trust you."
"I do, Zayne. I truly do. I have never had anyone love me the way you do. I will do my best to deserve it and I do return it in full measure."
The two were now laying against the pillows facing one another. "Okay this is about to get really mushy. You two can only kiss like Buttercup and the Dread Pirate Roberts." Zoe said.
"Yeah, none of that kind of kissing Mom makes us leave the room for." Abby added. The girls were perched on either side of the couple watching the grown-ups make-up.
Blair looked quizzically at Zayne, not catching the reference.
"The Princess Bride. And just so you know you're Princess Buttercup and I'm the Pirate." Zayne pulled Blair into a kiss that would do the Dread Pirate's reputation some good.
"Okay Mom that's enough. We are about to have to leave the tent." Abby groaned.
The women parted laughing.
Come on Mom the pirates were almost upon us. We must fight back now we have a Princess to protect." Zoe picked their eye patches and caps back up handing her sister hers.
Blair looked at Zayne. "What's going on?"
"You have entered the imagination tent. Anything is possible here. We are currently privateers hired by the Queen of England herself to supply goods to her soldiers overseas. We disguise ourselves as pirates so other pirates leave us alone, but Black Beard is suspicious of us and if he catches us with the Queen's gold and now a Royal Princess on board he will find out who we really are. We must defend our ship and protect the Princess."
Abby handed Blair a plastic crown and Zayne put her own eye patch back on and the four continued to play together for the rest of the night. Their dinner was even brought up to the room and they picnicked in the tent before climbing out to lay across the girls' bed to watch The Princess Bride together. Blair had never seen it. That night the women helped the girls get ready for bed and tucked them into the twins bed. The grown-ups needed alone time that night.
The girls snuggled together after the door closed behind their Mom and Blair. "They are gonna kiss a lot aren't they?" Zoe yawned.
"Yeah, we probably won't get to sleep with them much anymore." Abby yawned as well.
"That's okay because I think we get to keep Blair now." Zoe's eyes closed.
"I sure hope so. I like having her around a lot and she makes Mom happy." Abby's voice was sleepy.
The girls fell asleep hoping that they would be able to adopt Blair soon.
FoL FoL FoL FoL FoL
Blair made a quick stop by her room to clean-up and get ready for bed before joining Zayne in the master's suite of rooms. Zayne opened the door with a dark blue satin robe on. She let the woman dressed in a silky light pink robe into her room. They stood staring at one another behind the now closed and locked door.
"You are so beautiful, Blair." Zayne closed the distance between them unable to fight her need to kiss the woman she loved. The kiss was long, deep, and consuming.
Blair's body was on fire as strong arms came around her holding her close. Her arms circled the taller woman as they became lost in each other.
The kiss grew, Zayne pinned Blair to the door. The blonde's legs coming up around the dark haired woman's waist. She soon found herself being carried through the suite into the bedroom.
With care Zayne laid her love on the large bed following her down. Her lips trailing down a soft neck to a partially exposed collarbone.
"That feels so good." Blair clutched at blue satin.
Zayne eased back to look into brown eyes that had gone almost black with passion. "I'm glad and it's only the beginning. I am going to spend all night giving you as much pleasure as you can stand."
The first hint of nerves rose in Blair. "Zayne, hmmm, what if Tad was right and I'm frigid. I've never had what they call a social orgasm. What if I can't please you. I'm not very experienced. I saved myself for marriage and as you know our relationship wasn't very successful in that area. He has been my only lover."
Looking down into worried eyes Zayne wanted nothing more than to prove to the woman just how passionate she really was. "You are not frigid Blair. You just had a poor partner. I will prove that to you by morning. As for experience I wouldn't worry about it. Do what feels natural to you, comfortable to you. We will learn each other, but to start try things you know you like and I will probably like it too. I didn't wait till marriage, but I did wait till I fell in love. Faith was my only lover before you. You and I will learn each other's bodies more than we know our own and it will be glorious. Simply tell me if there is something I do you don't want or like and if there is something you really like that I don't do or do enough. I will do the same. I am wide open to you here. I want to be able to someday explore any fantasies we may have together. I give my love, passion, desire, and body to you freely and completely. Please give me all of that in return. That is my wish."
"Oh God Zayne, you have it. You have every bit of me." The smaller woman pulled her love down upon her again. Both of them groaning into the kiss.
Soon robes and sexy lingerie were gone, tossed haphazardly around the room.
Zayne spent plenty of time worshiping her loves glorious body with her hands, lips, tongue, and teeth. However, she avoided Blair's lovely breasts, her luscious backside, and the haven between her thighs wanting to prove how passionate her love was without even touching those main areas.
Blair's body was in turmoil. She had never felt this way before. Her body felt on the brink of a massive explosion and Zayne hadn't even needed to touch her in the obvious erogenous zones. However her breasts felt swollen and ached for Zayne's touch as did her sex. The blonde had never been so wet and swollen before. "Zayne I can't take much more please. I need. I need too much." She begged. That was what Zayne had been waiting for. She engulfed one soft breast in her mouth and the other in a warm hand and gloried in the sound of her lover chanting her name as she instantly shot into the heavens. Zayne kept her worshiping of her princess's body up for long hours bringing them both to climax repeatedly. Zayne's body had always reacted to the giving of pleasure to her lover. She loved Blair until the woman finally passed out from the glory of it. She retrieved warm wash cloths from the bathroom and a towel cleaning her well pleased lover and herself, to make them both more comfortable before climbing into bed beside her love holding her close skin to skin and pulling the bedding up and over them. She quickly followed her woman into slumber.
FoL FoL FoL FoL FoL
I hope this chapter was okay for you all. I know you had to wait for it, but RL has been very busy for me lately and I have practically no time to slip away to my computer although I do carry a notebook with me to write in when I get the chance wherever I am. That has helped me in keeping up with the story a bit and I type in what I can when I can. Life doesn't look to be slowing down for the next month but I will try not to make you all wait so long for the next chapter. But please be patient with me. I am not giving up on my stories just having a hard time finding the time to write and post. Anyway thanks to everyone for reading and I hope to hear from you. Until next time…
