Chapter 29
Last time:
I decided to field that question, "Ms. Flanagan, it seems you need to learn what equality between vampires and humans means. Which is kind of amazing since you're out there every day talking about it, but you don't have a clue. Why would a woman already enrolled in her doctoral program just give up her livelihood? Sookie will never be anyone's pet. And she is most definitely not my equal." I looked at Sookie who looked at me questioningly. "Gods, Sookie is so far above me in every possible way, that I wonder sometimes why she would even be with me, let alone agree to be my wife. I only hope that she continues to think that I deserve her. I guess that's the best I can hope for." I sat back in my chair and raised my eyebrows to Nan. Did she get the message, did she understand, will it make a difference? Who knew?
Now:
Nan continued to look confused. Or constipated… But since I knew that the latter was impossible, I was trying to figure out how to solve her stupidity. "Ms. Flanagan, you seem confused. How may I help you understand the situation?"
There was a long pause before she whispered, "doctoral program?"
It pained me to know that the vampire media representative apparently never did any homework. "Yes, Nan, can I call you Nan?" I asked her for the I don't know how many times. " Sookie is working on her doctorate in botany. Or she will be, once she obtains her Masters degree at the end of this semester." I looked at her and shook my head, "Ms. Flanagan, vampires live on the achievements of humans. This includes television, computers, airplanes, and much, much more. My Sookie is going to achieve her doctorate degree. Do you have any idea what her area of interest is? She's creating night-blooming plants that vampires can appreciate! Most amazing of all is that she created this project well before she had ever met her first vampire. She just simply thought about the possibility, the need, and she started working."
Godric chimed in, "Miss Flanagan, it is obvious that you have no respect for humans. And quite frankly this concerns me as you are the public face of vampirism." He moved into the room and tilted his head to the side, speaking as if to an errant child, "however, I am going to give you the chance to learn the error of your ways."
Nan raised an incredulous eyebrow at Godric, "the error of my ways?" she snorted.
"Yes, Ms. Flanagan. For if you cannot learn, then you must be put down." He just smiled at her; I'd seen that smile before. It was so innocent-looking that it could be quite disconcerting. Sookie looked at him with wide eyes.
Nan looked at him, "you have nothing to teach me, Gaul. I am the AVL spokesperson. I am on television."
In a movement too fast for even I to detect, Nan Flanagan – AVL spokesperson – was on the floor of my office with a number two Adirondack pencil hovering over her heart. Godric was holding that pencil in his right hand while his left hand was wrapped around her neck. In my thousand years of roaming this planet I had never seen eyes as wide open as Nan Flanagan's were at this moment. So, I couldn't help the smirk that accompanied that observation. I found that both Sookie and I were leaning forward and craning our necks to watch what Godric would do. The completely disarming little smile never left his lips.
Before Nan could utter her usual 'how dare you', Godric had placed his knee on Nan's torso and had his phone to his ear. "Yes, this is Godric. Could I speak to the Guardian, please?" There was a moment of silence. "Guardian? … yes… it is good to speak with you again as well. I trust all is going well? … Really? … Interesting, I had no idea; when did that happen? … Oh yes, the reason for my call… I have Nan Flanagan under my control. I have found her to be insulting and sadly, severely lacking. Do I have your permission to end her?" There followed another moment of silence. Then Godric broke into a wider smile, "thank you, Guardian." He threw his phone to the side and smirked at Nan. Her eyes got even impossibly wider. "I have his permission, Miss Flanagan. Shall I end you?" he asked very politely. Sookie started to say something, but I put my hand on her shoulder, and she stopped.
Nan made several mewling noises before she uttered, "please…"
Godric tilted his head to the other side and asked, "please, what?"
She replied, "please, not in front of the human…"
"And why not? Did you not just treat her with total disrespect?... Didn't you?"
Nan squeezed her eyes shut and a single blood tear rolled down her cheek, and she nodded. Finally she spoke, "I'm sorry."
Godric wasn't done, "have you learned to treat Eric with respect?" She nodded. "Good, very good. Have you learned to treat humans with respect? Most especially Miss Stackhouse?" She nodded again.
"Very good." He stood up. "Remember this, Miss Flanagan. I have permission to end you. The power you mistakenly think you have? It is a creation of your own delusion. If you should ever treat any of me or mine with disrespect in the future, I will not hesitate to use that permission and end you. Do you understand?" She nodded again. "Say it," Godric demanded quietly.
Nan coughed unnecessarily, "I will never disrespect you or yours."
Godric returned to his place against the wall, "you may go now, Miss Flanagan."
Nan rose and vacated the office at vamp speed, and we sat in silence for a few moments. Finally Sookie spoke, "wow!" She paused before she continued, "would you have really killed her? Just for disrespecting us?"
Godric chuckled, "probably not. But she didn't know that, now did she?"
There was a long silence after that statement, and then we all three were laughing. Sookie was the first to speak, "you are one scary dude when you want to be, Godric. I hope you are never pissed at me."
Godric smiled, "have no fear, little one. You are much too polite to ever incur my wrath."
Sookie chuckled, "well, I'll have to remember to never get pissed." She paused a moment, "so, this Guardian?"
I turned to her, "as you know, Sookie, each state is ruled by a monarch." She nodded. "All monarchs are answerable to The Authority, and the head of The Authority is The Guardian."
She thought for a moment, "so, this Guardian is the ultimate head vampire?"
Godric nodded, "in America, yes."
Sookie continued, "and he's a friend of yours?"
Godric smiled, "we've known each other for a very long time. Yes, I would say he is a friend."
"Where does the AVL fit in?" she asked.
I laughed, "the AVL is a kind of subsidiary of The Authority. They handle public relations and advocacy issues for vampires. But they as well as the monarchs answer to The Authority." I turned to look at her, "however, many monarchs try to circumvent the edicts from The Authority. It's not a perfect system."
Sookie shrugged, "what ruling system is perfect?"
I grin, "true enough." I look at her, "are you ready to go to Bon Temps?"
She let out a big sigh, "I am… indeed."
"Indeed," we said the last word together. Then we both laughed at our like-mindedness. "I have just a few things to tell Pamela. Do you mind waiting here?"
"Of course," she replied. I gave her a kiss before I left the office to seek out Pam. I heard Godric and her start talking followed by giggles and chuckles. I smiled that two of my favorite people so obviously got along well. I found Pamela still sitting with Francois and Rasul. "Everything good to go with Francois?" I asked.
"Yes, Master. All his paperwork is done, and I gave him his green card. He can start tonight if you want."
"Is this agreeable to you, Francois?"
"Absolutely. Let's go!" he said.
"Good, very good. Pamela, make sure you review the house rules with him as well," I said. "If there is nothing more for me, I need to put a plan to 'rescue' Jason in place." Yes, I stooped to use the silly air quotes. Pamela nodded, and I returned to my office.
Sookie looked up when I entered, "are we ready to go to Bon Temps?"
"We are. Do you want to join us, Godric?"
"I would enjoy that very much; let us go," he answered gesturing toward the office door.
We all made our way out to the car and had pleasant conversation all the way. During the drive I also filled Godric in on my plan. According to an email from my day man, everything was in place. We pulled up to Adele's house, and there were a number of news vans parked out front, and the now-familiar army of photographers. Their flashes began as soon as one car door opened. The three of us made it quickly into the house. I asked Sookie to check to make sure that the curtains were drawn over all the windows.
Adele walked up to us, "good evening, Eric, Godric. Come here my Sookie." I thought she was going to hug her, but she grabbed her left hand to look at her ring instead. "Oh my stars, isn't that lovely!" Then she grabbed Sookie and hugged her, "I'm so happy for you, my dear."
"Thanks, Gran. I'm pretty darn happy myself," Sookie chuckled. I couldn't help but smile. I looked over at Godric and noticed that he was smiling as well. Well, I guess we were all gosh darn happy. I felt myself give off a little snort at my internal mental witticism at which Godric raised an eyebrow. I just shook my head and shrugged.
Adele finally broke the hug, turned to me, and asked, "is it time to call Fintan?" I nodded, and she pulled her iphone from her pocket and walked into the kitchen. I didn't understand why, but the kitchen seemed to be Fintan's entry portal into the family and this realm. I resisted the urge for another snort at my internal musings. After she went into the kitchen, I noticed Batanya and Clovache at the bottom of the stairs.
A few minutes later Jason emerged from the kitchen. Sookie ran into his arms and hugged him tightly. The held each other for a long time, and soon I saw Sookie's shoulders shaking. I knew that she was crying. Jason tried to reassure her, "Hey there, Sis. I'm fine. In fact, I'm better than fine. They really take care of you in Fae!"
Sookie pulled back to look at him as she put both of her hands on either side of his face. "If I lost you, I don't know if I could survive it."
"Ah heck, Sook. I love you too," he answered with his lazy grin. He noticed Batanya, "you doin' OK, Batanyer? Last time I saw you, you didn't look so good."
Batanya nodded at him and stepped forward, "I am well, Jason. I must thank you for saving my life. I … am in your debt."
Godric and I looked at each other. We knew what those words meant from a Britlingen, but I was pretty sure that Jason didn't. If he requested it, Batanya would guard Jason for the rest of his life without further fee.
Jason shook his head, "I'm just glad that you're OK. I don't want anyone to die on account of me."
Batanya squinted her eyes for a moment, "even so, the debt is there."
Jason just smiled, "OK. Whatever you say." Batanya nodded at him in return.
Fintan took that opportunity to enter the living room. "Northman, I've heard your plan, and while it has merit, I'm holding you accountable for the safety of my grandchildren. Again."
Before I could say anything, Sookie spoke, "it's a good plan, Grandaddy. I think it will work just fine."
Fintan smiled at her, "I think so as well, Sookie." He paused for a moment, "I understand congratulations are in order? Did your fiancé present you with a ring of engagement?"
Sookie beamed, "he sure did." She held out her hand to her grandfather. He took it, and I would swear he had an imaginary jeweler's loop as he looked at it.
Finally he nodded and turned to me, "I am satisfied; it is a suitable ring."
Godric and I looked at each other. We both knew that fairies placed a lot of value on such things as jewels bestowed upon their relatives. I doubted that Sookie knew that she had just passed a major fairy test. Or rather I had.
Sookie chimed in, "So, Batanya, Clovache, are y'all up on this plan?"
They both nodded and Clovache answered, "yes, we are only awaiting the arrival of the dae attorney."
Adele added, "Desmond is on his way here right now."
"Come with me Batanya. You are going to Roswell, so let's get you looking a little more like an earthling," Sookie chuckled, and Batanya followed her up the stairs, presumably to change into different clothes. Sookie's witticism was totally lost on her.
Once they went up the stairs, I presented Jason with the necessary items for our plan, "here is a driver's license and car title for Tanya Bates, and here are the keys to the car." Jason took the items, and I continued, "here is a description of both the car and where it is located. This map should be what Batanya needs to teleport the two of you right to it. Finally, here is a cell phone. As soon as you get to the car you must call your godfather. This is necessary in case the police do a check of your story. This call is what is supposed to signal Mr. Cataliades to charter a plane to Roswell to meet you. Do you understand?"
Jason nodded, "yeah, Grandaddy explained the plan to me. I think I've got this."
I continued, "Jason, you need to know that the agent from Homeland Security, Mr. Pettigrew, has been told by Sophie Ann that you and Sookie are fairies. So far we've been able to call into question the existence of fairies, but he's like a dog with a bone. He will try to trick you or test you to prove that you are fae. If he comes to question you, you must be on your guard. You must state that you do not wish to be questioned without the presence of your attorney. If he continues to try to question you then, he has violated your constitutional rights, and you have cause for an action against him." Jason nodded taking all the information in. "However, the Department of Homeland Security is not expressly held to the constitution in the case of terrorists. Be very, very careful around him, OK?" He nodded again. "Now tell me your story." He looked perplexed. "The story you're going to tell the Roswell police."
"Oh, well, uhm, I was home, and all these bad men came for me, and I fought as hard as I could, but eventually they knocked me out. When I come to, I was in this car or van or something, and all the men who took me were fighting. I managed to sneak away, but I was real dizzy and such, and I just kind of wandered around for a while. After a day or so, I hooked up with this little lady who give me a ride. Then I kind of started putting the events in order in my head, and she was nice enough to drive me to this here police station." He looked at me, "that good enough?"
"Where did you get food?" I asked.
"I had some money in my pocket, and I bought some food at different gas stations as I was wandering around. It was at one of them stations that I met Miss Tanya. She was driving south, and I just hooked a ride."
Just then Sookie and Batanya descended the stairs, and all of us let out a collective gasp at Batanya's transformation. She was wearing jeans, sneakers, and a pretty peasant blouse. Most startling of all, though, was her hair which she usually wore pulled severely back into a tight bun at the back of her head. However, now her hair was down. She was actually quite pretty with her long curly dark blonde hair. Sookie had apparently also put some makeup on her as well.
Jason was the first to speak, "DAMN… Batanyer. You look real pretty." Batanya simply raised an eyebrow.
Jason handed her the things she needed, and she placed them into the little purse that Sookie had provided for her. Godric took Clovache and her over to the dining table to go over the maps for teleportation. While he did that, Mr. Cataliades came in and was also brought up to speed on everything that was happening.
Jason started to chuckle, and everyone turned to look at him. He shook his head, "kind of feels like a mission brief for some spy movie. Does that make me Jason Bourne?" Even I had to chuckle at that.
Godric and the Britlingens emerged from the dining room to join us all in the living room. I looked around at everyone assembled. "Is everyone clear on what needs to be done?" Everyone nodded. "May I suggest, that Jason and Batanya, or rather Tanya, get your stories together on the drive to Roswell." They both nodded. "Let's go then."
Fintan stood, "one moment please. Jason come here." Jason crossed to his grandfather. With a wave of his hand he made Jason look a little dirty and bedraggled. "You don't want to have to explain how you got so clean, do you?" Jason chuckled and shook his head. That was a very good idea, and I'm briefly concerned that I didn't think of it. Batanya stepped forward, took Jason's hand, and they disappeared. A few moments later Mr. Cataliades phone rang. How about that, Jason was apparently good at following instructions. By my estimation, Jason and Batanya should arrive at the Roswell police station in about an hour and a half. Mr. C would then arrive a half hour or so later, having taken his imaginary charter plane flight immediately after Jason's phone call. By my calculations, even if FBI and Homeland Security were somewhere in the north of New Mexico, it would still take them at least an hour to get to Roswell. Now it was all in the timing.
I had arranged for a chartered a plane from Roswell to bring Jason home. With any luck, he and Mr. C should leave the police station before FBI and Homeland Security arrive in Roswell and be back in Louisiana before dawn. If they couldn't get out of the police station that quickly, then Jason should be home sometime tomorrow. Either way, Mr. C was going to be there with him all the way.
Just then something occurred to me. "Mr. Cataliades, could you call Jason back, please? I need to tell him something." Mr. C dialed the number and handed me the phone.
"Hello?" Jason answered.
"Jason, this is Eric. Make sure that Batanya knows to drive the car back to the starting point after she is let go from the police station. It would be really bad if the police discovered her car abandoned in Roswell."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense. I'll tell her. Anything else?" he asked.
"Whatever happens, if Agents Langford and Pettigrew get there before Mr. Cataliades, don't talk to them without your attorney. OK?"
"OK, got it. See you again soon," he answered and hung up.
I looked around the room. Everyone was a little tense, but they each nodded and gave me a brief smile. This had to work. For a while we just sat around and talked as the clock ticked down the time to zero hour – when Jason would arrive at the Roswell police station. At one point Godric did a perimeter check to make sure we were safe here at the farmhouse. Finally, it was time for Jason's arrival. I wish I had thought to have surveillance cameras secured in Roswell, but I guess those might have been detected.
Sookie asked, "let's turn on the TV and see if anything is reported."
"Actually, I think a little news coverage may help us with the authorities. How do you think we should go about that?" I asked.
Just then the house phone rang. Sookie got up to answer it, "Hello?"
I could hear Jason on the other end, "Sook, it's me."
She played her role perfectly, shrieking, "Jason? Where are you?"
"I'm at the police station in Roswell in New Mexico. I called Uncle Des a while back, but I wanted to make sure I was safe before I called you and Gran."
"Are you OK?" Sookie asked.
"I'm fine. Hitched a ride with a pretty girl," he chuckled. "You know me."
Sookie chuckled in return. "So Uncle Des is going to bring you home?"
"I sure hope so. Anyway, they are asking me to go with them right now. I'll see you soon, Sook. Tell Gran I love her, and I'll be home in a little bit."
"Bye, Jason, see you soon."
"Bye, Sook." And he hung up. Sookie looked up to me and smiled.
"I think this phone call gives us what we need to go public. Sookie, do you feel like talking to the press?"
"I guess I can, Eric, but why do you think this is necessary?" she asked.
"Insurance. In case those agents get there first, or they try to keep Jason. Going public might help prevent an… undesirable outcome."
She thought that over, and said, "OK. Let those people in the vans know that I'll be saying something in a few minutes. I'll be right back." She ran upstairs and about three minutes later she came back down. She had changed her shirt and put on a little light lipstick. In the meantime, Godric had notified the news vans of an upcoming statement from Sookie. I peeked through the curtains and even though he had just announced this impromptu press conference, in the space of just a few minutes, all of the news vans had already put a bank of microphones on the edge of the porch.
I looked at Sookie, "ready?"
She inhaled deeply and then sighed, "sure, why not? Let's get this done. Theoretically, I don't know very much so this shouldn't take long."
As she was checking herself in the mirror, we heard the news broadcast cut in, "we are about to have an impromptu press conference from Miss Sookie Stackhouse in Bon Temps, Louisiana. As a reminder, Miss Stackhouse's brother Jason was abducted last Sunday, and he has not been heard from since. A cortege of vans and SUV's was found in northern New Mexico which had alledgedly contained the kidnapped Mr. Stackhouse, but no other word on his whereabouts has been heard. Since then there have been several related arrests in and around Las Vegas, including the titular vampire monarch of Nevada, Felipe de Castro. The only news from the either Stackhouse since Sunday night has been a press conference held at the Bonne Chance Hotel ballroom, wherein it was discovered that Miss Stackhouse and her vampire beau Eric Northman had become engaged, and that an agent from Homeland Security had been harassing the Stackhouses and those aiding them. We now take you to Bon Temps, where we await a statement from Miss Stackhouse momentarily."
I look at Sookie, "showtime…"
She takes my hand, "come with me?" I smile and nod at her. Hand in hand we walk through the front door and up to the microphones. Suddenly there are very bright lights shining in both of our eyes. I see Sookie throw up a hand to block out the light at first, and then she brings her hand down as her eyes adjust.
She walks up to the microphones. She cleared her throat, "hello, y'all. My name is Sookie Stackhouse." She paused as the press corps chuckled; I guess the self introduction was unnecessary. She smiled back at them, "anyway… I wanted to let you know that we've just heard from Jason. He is safe. Somehow he has ended up in Roswell, New Mexico. He caught a ride to the police station there. Our godfather has gone there to bring him home. We hope to have him here within a few hours. I just thought that since you all have been waiting on word about Jason, just like the rest of us, that I should let you know. I don't really know more than that. Thank you."
The reporters started shouting out questions in cacophony until one question could be heard. "Miss Stackhouse, where has Jason been these last few days?"
"I don't know yet. We just got the phone call, and he told us what I've just told you. I assume we'll learn more directly."
"Now that Felipe de Castro has been captured and Jason is coming home, is this ordeal finally over?"
Sookie looked back at me, so I decided to field that question, "we are very lucky in that it seems that the immediate threat may indeed be over. However, until we learn the reasons why these particular vampires wanted so desperately to have Jason and Sookie, we will remain vigilant."
"Do you think there may be other vampires who may want them as well? What makes them so special?"
"I didn't say that. The fact is, most vampires just want to lead quiet lives, so they are law-abiding citizens. What drove these two particular vampires to conspire to kidnap Jason and Sookie is unknown to us at this time. Until we discover that reason, we will continue to protect the Stackhouses."
"Miss Stackhouse, how did it feel to hear from your brother?"
She laughed, "how do you think? It felt like a miracle! It felt like the answer to our prayers."
"Do you pray, Miss Stackhouse?"
"Of course I do. I know that my Gran, Eric, and I all were praying for Jason's safe return."
"So you pray, Mr. Northman?"
This was a bizarre question for me to answer. I decided to tell the truth, and let them draw their own conclusions. I stepped back up to the microphone, "I do pray. It is a common misconception that all vampires are not religious. Vampire-hating churches such as the Fellowship of the Sun will especially tell you that. The reality is that we bring a lot of the beliefs of our human lives, such as honor, religion, and duty, into this life. You have to remember all vampires were once human. If a good person is changed into a vampire, they will likely be a good vampire, and conversely, if they were bad, chances are they will remain so."
I looked over at Sookie, and she nodded that she was done to me. I turned back to the microphones, "thank you all for your attention. Sookie wants to return to her family inside to await the return of her brother." Sookie smiled as we turned to go back inside. Just before we got to the door, she turned back to the microphones.
"I just want to comment on something Eric just said. I've been saying since this whole ordeal started that just like with humans, there are good vampires and bad vampires. I have always believed this, and the actions of the last few weeks have only confirmed this belief. Just like humans, you have to judge each vampire on their own merits, and not condemn an entire group just because you don't understand everything about them. Please, next time you are thinking about condemning vampires, ask yourself, 'am I doing this out of ignorance, or prejudice, or due to propaganda from hate-mongering, false, so-called churches?' And really be honest with yourself and the answers you come up with. That's all. Good night."
She joined me at the door, and we went inside. Once the door was shut she turned to me, "I meant every word, but that should make Nan happy at least."
I couldn't help it, I cracked up at that declaration. "Indeed," I added. I could hear Godric chuckling across the room. I looked at a clock and realized that Mr. Cataliades and Clovache should be teleporting to Roswell soon.
Fintan stood and embraced Sookie, "you looked wonderful on the television. You sounded very intelligent, and I'm very proud of you." He kissed her forehead.
Sookie blushed at the compliment, "thanks, Grandaddy. That means a lot to me. Do you have to leave now?"
"I'm afraid I must. If these agents of your government come here, I should not be around. I think that Jason should be home soon." He looked at Adele, "call me if there are any problems or complications."
He crossed to Adele and hugged her and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "I will see you soon." And then he was gone.
Before long, Mr. Cataliades rose from the sofa, picked up his satchel, and turned to Clovache, "are you ready, my dear?" Clovache simply nodded. It was at that moment that I had the strange thought – do Britlingens ever engage in long conversations? It seemed to me that they communicated only what they needed – at a bare minimum, and nothing else. Did Clovache and Batanya ever have sessions sharing their deep personal thoughts? Did Britlingens have deep personal thoughts? They were such a mysterious race, who knew?
Just as Mr. Cataliades and Clovache were coming together to teleport, the house phone rang again. Adele answered. We could hear her say yes and uh huh several times. When she hung up she turned to us, "that was Agent Langford of the FBI. He said they'd gotten word of Jason in Roswell. They want to meet with us here at the farmhouse since they are in Shreveport right now. I guess they will wait with us until he gets here."
I thought that was at least better than trying to catch Jason alone in Roswell and question him there. Mr. C nodded to me as he and Clovache teleported out. Now it was just a waiting game. I wished that he and Clovache could just bring Jason back, but we had to be cognizant of some of the bounds of mortals. We would just have to wait for the charter plane to bring them to Shreveport and then to Bon Temps.
We were aware that it was well past midnight, but we were just sitting around the living room of the farmhouse talking when we heard a knock on the door. Since it was her home (and I knew that Thalia was keeping watch from the outside), we all waited for Adele to get up and answer the door. When she returned to the living room, she was accompanied by FBI and the dreaded agent from Homeland Security. I mentally shook my head at how he was still employed by the American government at this point.
I stood, "gentlemen, what can we do for you?" I braced myself because I was genuinely afraid of their answer.
Homeland Security answered, "Northman, good to see you again. I trust all is well?" He smirked at me.
I looked at him, "considering we've just heard from Jason, I would say all is indeed well. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Well, Mr. Northman, Miss Stackhouse, where do you think our wayward boy has been?"
I was just inches, no—centimeters away from removing this schmuck's head from his shoulders, when Adele stood up.
She said, "Mr. Langford, you have always been polite to us, and I appreciate that. I am a God-fearing woman, and I never curse, but could you please remove this asshole from my house?"
AN: Review, review, review. It's my only paycheck.
I know this chapter took a lot longer than usual. I had been neglecting a lot of the rest of my life in order to put these chapters up as fast as I could, and that kind of caught up with me. I had planned to take a week off from writing to get caught up with everything else, but my sister, with whom I share a house, had a stroke and threw both our lives into turmoil. There are times when you just have to define your priorities, and she was definitely mine, as she should be. She's better now, but it happened right in front of me, and I have never been more frightened in my life. I've spent a lot of the last few weeks at the hospital, or chauffeuring her around afterward. I just thank God that I was here, or she would likely not be with us anymore.
Speaking of… I'm heartbroken at the death of Nelsan Ellis! Such an amazing talent! And so young! Rest in Peace, Nelsan. The world is a little less bright with your passing…
Special thanks to all who reviewed since the last posting, in order of receipt, as of 7/15/17: Jfozz, princessspot5, Asami's clown, tanseynz, ljhjelm49, jackie69, VampMad50, Perfecta999, Duckbutt, Guest, Nicolle1977, ericlover69, hummingbirdgrrl, fanfictionfan4444, suzymeinen, The Vikings Succubus, inlovinfanfic, ciasteczko, ashmo2000, Chelle6599, autumnchild25, flowerchild23, tleel
How do I know that I'm late in getting this to you? Usually by the time ashmo2000 reviews, I'm ready to post the new chapter!
