Chapter 45 – Let the holidays begin…

November 9

"Ladies, gentlemen, patrons and invited guests…welcome to the Washington Warriors Complex. Today we are conducting the Grand Opening for the male veterans dormitory. We are more than a homeless shelter. We're offering veterans a chance to establish themselves physically, emotionally and financially. We have space for 200 men to live in the dormitory. The building cafeteria will feed 250 people three times a day, in addition to laundry facilities, recreational facilities, and a gym." The president of the local VFW addressed the crowd.

"We are pleased to announce that we are also conducting a Grand Opening of our Lambert Supply Depot. The Lambert Supply Depot is named after Frank Lambert, a fallen Marine, who is the biological father of one of our patrons, Anastasia Grey. While our mini-mart for the complex is in a temporary location and in temporary housing, we anticipate a permanent facility by Memorial Day 2013. The official ribbon cutting for the facility will be held at that time. The permanent facility will offer a mini-mart and gas station. The Lambert Supply Depot is giving away red, white or blue balloons, and coffee, tea or hot chocolate with handheld apple pie pastries." Elliot addressed the crowd.

"The Grand Opening for our single female veterans dormitory is March 29, 2013, the Friday before Easter. It will hold 200 women. Our next project is the creation of a track and field facility. It will include a gym, swimming pool, running track and green outdoor recreation space. It will open along with the permanent building for the Lambert Supply Depot, a laundromat, and a Mail-4-U center by Memorial Day Weekend 2013. We have begun refurbishing two industrial buildings as housing units for vets and their families. We want to have a Grand Opening for the housing units by Labor Day 2013. We are pleased to announce the establishment of school bus lines for the complex with the Seattle School District. There will be more information available when the family housing units are nearing completion." The female representative from Washington Warriors greeted the crowd.

"We anticipate the installation of an RV campground where 25 spots will be rented on a daily basis to visiting family and friends of our vets. The other 75 spots will be available to rent on a monthly basis to vets and their families. All the spots will have water, sewer, electric and cable hookups. The RV campground will have a main office with onsite managers and a recreation building." The president of the local American Legion shared the podium.

"The cafeteria in our men's dormitory is open and serving a fundraising BBQ prepared by Rory's Roadkill, which is in the cul-de-sac before the main entrance to our complex. Proceeds from today's BBQ will supply Thanksgiving meals for our vets." The president of the local Vietnam Vets organization addressed the crowd.

"Please feel free to visit our Intake Center. Our staff provides medical, dental, vision and hearing screening for vets and their families. We offer physical therapy to vets who are in need. We provide mental assessments, especially since PTSD is so prevalent among our veterans. We provide knowledge, skills and abilities testing to help our vets find gainful employment. We have an excellent legal team which helps our vets with any questions regarding their benefits, Medicare, and social services." The VFW president spoke again.

"Northwest Hospital is conducting a donations-funded flu shot clinic onsite. Please feel free to patronize them. If you visit our Intake Center, please patronize our Angel Tree. Located in the lobby, the Angel Tree holds 200 angel tags. Each tag represents a single veteran and lists their needs. Many men request a new set of clothes, shoes, or a warm winter coat. We hope all our tags are selected by December first. Wrapped and tagged presents should be delivered to the intake office by December twentieth." The American Legion president urged the crowd to participate.

~X~

"Gentlemen," Elliot addressed Darius and Ben Banfield. "I'm worried about your living accommodations. Seattle isn't like Las Vegas. It's gets cold here. I don't want your pipes freezing. I'm offering both of you the empty temporary warehouse by the Lambert Supply Depot. It's large enough to hold both your trailers and your vehicles. It has running water, electricity and heat. It has skylights so you aren't living in the dark. We housed large machinery in it, but since we've dug the foundations for the gymnasium, supply depot, laundromat and mail center, we moved the machinery back to Grey Construction until spring. I would appreciate if you both relocated there today, after the crowd leaves." He offered both of them garage door openers and keys to access the warehouse. "If you get tired of your own cooking, you can purchase meals at the men's dormitory."

Darius bought BBQ for six and stored it in his refrigerator. He and Morse had things to do for the next couple days. He planned to post a notice on the bulletin board at the dorm announcing he was conducting a thirty-minute PT run at 6:30 M-W-F mornings. After everyone left the complex today, he planned to move his truck and trailer to the warehouse.

November 10

Darius was at the men's dormitory with Morse. He and Banfield greeted the men arriving and settling in. Banfield determined each man's general health before assigning them to a floor. Before three o'clock, Anya called to say she was incoming. They talked about where their relationship was headed at Halloween. Since Anya had time off from the hospital, she was spending the holiday weekend with him. She would bring groceries to make breakfast, lunches and dinners for the next two days. She planned a special meal for them tonight – wine, steaks, butterflied shrimp, Caesar salad, garlic bread and apple pie. Darius gave her directions to the warehouse. If he and Banfield set their trailers to the right and left in the warehouse, there was room for their trucks and Anya's Mini Cooper in the middle of the warehouse.

~X~

"Happy birthday, Marine," Anya gave Darius a package from her duffle. His package contained a chestnut brown short silk robe and a set of six coordinating pairs of silk boxers – plain, plaid, paisley, check, pinstripe, and vertical stripes.

"Do I get eye candy too?" Darius asked. His heart rate jumped when Anya flashed an ivory silk and lace teddy and matching short silk robe at him.

"I have more teddys which coordinate with my robe. I get dibs on changing in the bathroom," Anya carried a stuffed duffle with her.

~X~

Anya slapped at Darius's hand on the crown of her head. When he didn't respond she pinched his right leg very hard.

"What, what…" Darius ceased moaning his enjoyment of her mouth on his penis and opened his eyes. He moved his hand and she quickly moved her head back…releasing the delicate hold she had on his penis.

"Darius," she whimpered. "He's hurting me."

Darius realized Morse was in the bedroom with them. His jaw was wrapped around Anya's right forearm.

"Release," Darius's quiet but firm voice addressed Morse.

Morse growled from his throat…his jaws still wrapped around Anya's arm.

She whimpered again.

"Release," Darius's voice was stronger and louder. He petted Morse on the head.

Morse released Anya's arm, with a bit of a huff and settled himself at Darius's side, setting his head on Darius's knee where he could watch Anya.

"He thought you were hurting me." Darius apologized. "Are you alright?"

"I'd say the only injury is the effect of your dog on my libido." Anya gracefully rose and shut herself in the bathroom.

"That's not how we treat pretty ladies," Darius scolded Morse. I know I've never been in this situation before around you…but we gentlemen must have a conversation." Darius petted Morse one more time, and ditched the robe for cargo pants and a t-shirt.

~X~

"Happy Anniversary," Christian gave Ana a Me and You charm for her charm bracelet.

Ana was about to protest when she realized it was a year since they were together for the first time.

"Why did you wait to have sex?" Christian asked.

"I blamed it on reading Austen and Brontë, but it was more than that. I knew from Kate and Carla about the physicality of sex. I heard sex, love, like and breakup discussions among girlfriends and classmates. You don't want to know the sex tips I heard…"

"Like what?" Christian's curiosity pounced.

"One girl in college did a figure eight thing with her hips. She swore it got the guys off faster. Another girl practiced her Kegel exercises while having sex. She guaranteed it would make the guy get off faster. Another girl swore playing with her boyfriend's nipples was a sure fire way to make the sex go faster. Another said to talk dirty, it turned the guy on. Another girl swore massaging her boyfriend's prostate meant he didn't last very long during oral sex. I thought if you had to employ tricks because you didn't like sex…why bother?" Ana blushed.

Christian smirked.

"Until I met you, I was like Tess – straightforward, concentrating on improving my life, and being close to family. When I shook your hand I felt the current between us and I could not forget it. I tried to dismiss what I felt for you. However, once I stopped thinking about everything happening in my life…once I allowed myself to feel…I realized I wanted to be with you."

"For which I am extremely grateful," Christian kissed her hair.

"I'm glad you still wanted me after it took so long for my brain to shut up and my heart to open up. How do you feel about an online shopping spree with me as your first anniversary gift?" Ana asked.

"Pretty lingerie…good smelling perfume…new sex toys?" He raised his eyebrows lasciviously.

"You read my mind," Ana kissed his jawline. She liked when he had a few days scruff on his face.

November 11

Darius and Morse began at the outer perimeter of WWC and worked their way inward. Darius spent six hours with his metal detector, walking grids. He found two St. Christopher medals, $5.75, a gold wedding ring, three dog tags, and two key rings. He planned to turn everything but the money into lost and found at the Intake Center. He and Morse visited the men's dormitory and ate dinner with them. Tonight's meal was chicken-vegetable-pasta soup, hot biscuits with packets of butter, honey and jelly, baby carrots and cherry tomatoes, and berry Jello. Star shaped cookies decorated with red or blue decorator's sugar or white cake with red and blue star-shaped edible sprinkles was available. Coffee, hot or cold tea, and cold water were offered as beverages.

Several of the men talked to Darius about acquiring a PTSD service dog. He explained the cost to breed, raise and train a service dog was $20K. He explained it might be easier to adopt service dogs who were being retired, like Morse.

In the meantime, Darius thought the men needed combat earmuffs when Seattle and its surrounds set off fireworks. The new year was fast approaching. He would talk to Taylor and Elliot Grey about providing these for the men. He was grateful to have earmuffs for himself and for Morse.

November 12

"Drew…Will," Darius returned from a run with two dozen vets. It was an easy run; he didn't want to wear them out. He hoped more of the men would join them. He advocated physical fitness as a means of helping relieve depression and boredom. He and Morse walked from the dormitory to his trailer. "I have coffee and breakfast pastries if you're hungry."

"We didn't come here coffee klatch," Drew, Anya's biological father Andrew Agate, was a little brusque.

"Gentlemen, I will talk to you. However, for your protection…you might want to tone down the hostile looks, aggressive stances, and unclench your fists and jaws. Morse interprets those as a pre-attack stance. I have enough trouble with him at the moment. I don't want to discipline him for doing what he was taught to do."

"Which is…" Will Wu, Anya's other dad and her sister Amy's biological father, kept his naturally teasing demeanor under control.

"Protect and defend," Darius commented. "Let me crate him. We're going back to the basics this week. I haven't used his crate for a while." Darius ordered Morse into his crate, which sat outside the door to the trailer. He secured the door to the crate. "Watch…wait…silence," he spoke sternly to Morse who laid down in the crate but observed 180 degrees around him.

Inside Darius encouraged Anya's dads to inspect his trailer. He stepped into the bathroom to quickly wash. He was glad the trailer was clean from his efforts to not think about Anya yesterday. He made coffee and set out cups, plates, cutlery, condiments and pastries on the cutting board over the stove.

"It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be. You have real furniture." Will complimented Darius.

"The second owner retrofit the trailer for ease of living," Darius explained. "He ripped out all the built-ins and bulkheads."

"Interesting display," Drew commented, looking at the shelf over the sofa. "Three?" He indicated three flags in oak triangular frames with a gold velour backed shadow box base holding ribbons and medals. Two pictures were interspersed between them.

"Left is my grandfather's flag and medals, middle is my father's and right is Ease's," Darius replied. "Ease…a.k.a. Easter Evans, a fellow dog handler. She was born on Easter Sunday, so her mother named her Easter…Ease for short. She and I met at handler training. She and her dog, Mite, were killed by a sniper almost two years before my unit was attacked. Being female, a Marine and the handler of an explosives detection dog put three targets on her back. Terrorists don't like having a woman derail their plans."

"And the pictures?" Drew asked.

"The left picture is my family. I was sixteen and my brother was fourteen. It was Christmas and Mom wanted a family photo. The right picture is Ease and Mite in their gear. Ease's dog was named Mite because he was compact for a German shepherd, but he was all muscle. He could drag a wounded 200 pound man out of a battle zone. He was the perfect size for a compact, physical woman like Ease to handle."

"What is the dog wearing on its paws?" Drew examined the picture.

"Sand boots. It gets hot in the sandpit in the summer. If it's too hot for a human to go barefoot, then it is too hot for a dog to walk without protection. It's the same principal for sidewalks in Las Vegas, Arizona, and New Mexico in the summer." Darius checked the coffee pot. "Coffee's ready."

The men fixed coffee and pastries, settling into the living room. Darius took the bistro table and left the sofa and ottoman for Anya's dads.

"Is there a reason why you have Miss Evans' flag and medals? Doesn't her family want them?" Will asked.

"Ease was orphaned at 16. Her mother was killed by a boyfriend who was strung out on drugs. She received her emancipation papers early and enlisted in the Marines. She was two years younger than me. We wrote, called, emailed, Skyped and attempted to take R&R with one another when we could. Ease and I discussed mustering out when we had 30 years in. We planned to build a dog breeding and training program somewhere. I was her emergency contact and she was mine. Her death benefit was payable to me, and vice versa." Darius realized he forgot napkins and went to the drawer for three cloth napkins.

"Cloth?" Will asked.

"Washing and drying them are easier on the environment than paper napkins." Darius shrugged. "Can I preference this discussion with a question?" Darius asked to nods from both men. "Is Anya alright?"

"She's favoring her right arm, and wearing long-sleeved t-shirts." Drew sipped his coffee, glaring at Darius over the cup.

"She went back to work this morning," Will interjected. "Since we have the day off…and we know you have the day off…we thought we would have a conversation."

"Anya didn't tell you anything?" Darius asked.

"She said, quoting Gray's Anatomy, it was humiliating on so many levels." Drew set his cup down, and cut his bear claw into squares.

"Anya told her sister Amy what happened. Amy told me. Let's…for the sake of our manly modesty…understand you were engaged in consensual adult activities with one another when the incident occurred." Will opened the discussion.

"I know we talked about my injury. However, we did not discuss it as deeply as Anya and I did. Shrapnel from the IED took one-sixth of the muscle and tissue off my right buttock, my right leg and my right calf. The shrapnel cauterized the wounds. The trauma surgeon was able to take the remaining flesh and skin on my thigh and wrap it completely around the bone, with a scar from the back of my knee to the edge of my ass. He did the same for the flesh and skin on my calf. After physical therapy ended; I worked hard to develop muscle in the leg to compensate for the injury."

"We know you were injured," Drew's voice sounded testy.

"I know we discussed it. We did not discuss the full extent of my injuries." Darius stiffened his spine. "When the shrapnel peeled off my buttock, it made a short incision on my right testicle. After it was surgically repaired, it was bruised and sore. It took about four weeks to heal and for the bruise to fade. It took two months for my butt and leg to heal. Then I had a year of intense physical therapy to be able to walk and run without a limp. However, if I get a leg cramp in the middle of the night, I'm crying like a 15-year-old girl who got a zit the night before a big dance."

"Not funny," Will shook his head. "We've been through a few of the teenage girl dramas. Which is why we're here."

"Because of the injury to my testicle and ass…it hurt physically if I experienced an erection. I asked the doctor to give me something that first year to keep me from experiencing an erection. I was determined not to become a druggie or drunk to cope with my physical impairment. I became addicted to staying physically fit."

"Did you discuss this with Anya?" Will asked.

"We discussed more than this. We both had our sex health tests and physicals. I discussed the situation with the doctor when I had my physical after arriving in Seattle. He ran tests and assured me the equipment works fine and the boys were producing as they should for a man my age. Since my buttock is healed, there should be no pain when my ass tightens up before I ejaculate. I was nervous about being intimate with Anya. She knew why. She said I should just relax and let it happen…which it was…before Morse intervened."

"So you haven't been with…" Drew paused.

"That's part of the issue," Darius admitted. "I haven't been with anyone since Ease died. Neither Morse nor Mite were in the bedroom with us. We crated them when we went to bed. Saturday, Morse and I had been busy helping vets get settled in the dormitory. We also walked security grids around the men's dorm and the mini-mart. When we returned to the trailer, Morse was tired. He was asleep on his bean bag in the living room. Normally his bean bag is in the bedroom under the vanity. I moved it to the living room two days before because I thought some of the vets might visit. Anyway, the bedroom is claustrophobic with the door closed. We opted to leave the door open."

"So then what happened?" Drew demanded to know.

"I'm not reliving the minutiae of our interaction before the incident. Anya and I were concentrating on one another…we were not aware Morse was awake." Darius wondered how to explain their interaction.

"What did you do that made Morse attack my daughter?" Drew's expression was very unfriendly.

"I…ah…moaned. Morse thought Anya was hurting me." Darius's beautiful chocolate complexion was suddenly ruddy. His face was hot and he knew he blushed from his chest to his forehead. "She slapped at my hand…and then pinched my leg…"

"Enough detail," Drew ordered.

"She stopped what she was doing and whimpered that Morse was hurting her. I realized Morse had his jaw wrapped around Anya's right forearm. He was trained to break bones. I don't think he broke her arm, but she should get an X-ray…"

"She did. It's a bone bruise, no hairline fracture or fracture. His teeth did not pierce her skin." Will explained.

"I'm sorry. I was trained a bone bruise is one step before a fracture." Darius apologized. "I could not give Morse a treat for what he perceived as handling a logical threat. I dressed and took him for a run. I thought if I spent quality time with him, it would reassure him I was fine. I told Anya what I was doing before I left. I asked her to stay but she was gone when I returned. She won't answer my calls."

"Imagine that…" Drew muttered.

"Be nice," Will warned his partner. "Remember the night you slept on the floor beside my bed, next to the wall? He didn't want to do the walk of shame in front of a couple of my family members who arrived unexpectedly. Now what do you plan to do?"

"Back to the basics, not just for Morse but for me. Anya and I need date nights where Morse becomes used to her presence in our lives." Darius wondered if Anya's fathers would suggest she not see him, like Claire's family.

"So you like our daughter, and she likes you. Let's discuss the future. Anya has four more years of surgical residency. Do you plan to live in a trailer for the rest of your life, working part-time jobs?" Drew worried.

"I'm 38. I applied to UDub and have been accepted. I can earn a BA and a Master's Degree in Geology under their Earth and Space Science program. I can find a job as a licensed geologist and do mineral exploration or resource extraction, along with geological mapping. The issue is…I don't know if I could have a job where I travel. Morse and I don't travel well lately. I have money set aside. I considered buying some property and creating a dog breeding and training business. Morse deserves sunshine and a place to run. The trailer was great for relocating, but it's a small existence for us."

"Four years for a BA and two more for a Master's Degree," Will observed. "You would be 44…"

"Do you think I would be too old to be a father?" Darius asked.

"It's not a decision to be taken lightly." Drew said. "But I have faith you and Anya will discuss it."

By mutual agreement, the men relocated to the outside with Morse. They threw a Frisbee for him to chase and catch. At lunch time, they went to Rory's Roadkill for bacon cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries. Darius was thrilled he and Morse were no longer on Drew and Will's bad boy list.

November 15

"Thank you, but I'm around hundreds of people a day," Anya shivered. "I have so little free time from the hospital, I just want to spend it with you. Can't we find something to do which is low key and fun?"

"Like?" Darius felt like he just stepped off a tilt-a-whirl at a carnival.

"It's bingo night at the VFW. Chili, chili dogs or chili burgers, chips, nonalcoholic libations. You can take Morse. If we win anything, we buy toys for Toys for Tots. I'm suitably dressed," Anya stared down at her jeans and sweater. "You've been wanting to submit a membership application."

"How did you know?" Darius seemed surprised by her suggestion.

"The events calendar on your refrigerator." Anya looked at the menu plan for November at the men's dormitory posted on Darius's refrigerator. Darius circled the pancake breakfasts, the baked potato and salad bar lunches, the Sunday night soup and sandwich dinners, and any time Mexican food was served. It would give her ideas about what to feed Darius.

December 16-18

Elliot paid for Mitch and José to join him at the 'Green Isn't Just for Landscapes' conference at Kane Hall, at UDub. Friday was half hour presentations by sustainable architects and builders with a networking box breakfast, breaks and lunch. Elliot hoped to learn some tips and tricks for building a tiny house project for vets at the Washington Warriors Complex. Mitch hoped for ideas on retrofitting the family apartment buildings. José hoped to gain ideas on how to create rainwater reclamation areas for watering the community garden and the track and field area.

Saturday and Sunday were seminars for how to design, build and decorate green for a plethora of building types. Breakfasts, breaks and lunches were networking opportunities.

Gia Matteo attended with members of her architect firm. While she said hello to Elliot, she gave Mitch and José a wide berth…like a devious cat skulking away in the shadows. Elliot spoke with her and her partners. They asked when they would do business with Elliot again. He explained Grey Construction's commitment to the Washington Warriors Complex. Their only other projects currently were flipping business buildings into sustainable condos.

Kate cleared her closet and Elliot's closet of good used ski and snow gear. She had the items delivered to the Bellevue Public High School during Thanksgiving week. She managed to take some pictures of the gear and add the event to the events calendar on Kavanagh Media. She planned to quit the Seattle Times before Christmas. She applied for graduate school at UDub. Eamon was paying Kate to get her Master's Degree in Journalism, in addition to her tuition, books and fees. He wanted her to assume the position of Chief of Operations at Kavanagh Media by July 2015.

November 21

Ray and Bee were sorry to miss the Antiques and Collectibles Show, held at WSCC over the Thanksgiving weekend. Three hundred vendors would display furniture, dishware, paintings and small household items. Ray hoped for some ideas on furniture trends; Bee hoped for some ideas on new paint trends. However, they would attend the repeated shows over MLK weekend and Presidents Day weekend.

Bee seemed a little tired when the Grey House jet took off for Aspen. Ray explained they spent two days inventorying and rearranging the food bank at the American Legion after Boo Bash. She had been working with Darius and the governing council at WWC to enlarge the Seattle Second Servings project. Seattle Second Servings collected food left over from banquets and buffets at the hotels and event centers of Seattle. They distributed the food to shelters and hopefully now to the dormitory at WWC.

The Grey House jet headed to Aspen with a full load. Christian and Ana, Elliot and Kate, Mia and Ethan, Eamon and Celeste, Carrick and Grace, Theo and Frannie, Greggory and Gena, Bee and Ray, Jason and Gail and Sophie along with six close protection detail filled the plane. Grace helped Natalia provide snacks and libations for the crowd. Everyone gathered around to play cards, or watch one of the holiday movies which Christian arranged to have shown during the flight.

November 22 – 25

Thanksgiving in Aspen was skiing day for those who skied. Ana, Bee and Grandma Frannie with help from the Aspen house staff created a turkey feast for thirty people. Dinner conversation centered around what to do for Christmas. Christian asked everyone to forgo presents for one another and help buy supplies for the 200 single male vets at WWC. Ana believed all the tags would be taken from the Angel Tree. She asked each person to put $100 in the pot to pay for stuffed backpacks for every man at the dormitory. They needed combat earmuffs to deaden the sound of fireworks and thunder.

Darius and Morse put on their best camo outfits and went to Seattle Children's Hospital. They visited all the children, and allowed them to pet or hug Morse. They joined Anya and her dads in the hospital cafeteria for Thanksgiving lunch. Anya's dads volunteered to be on call so coworkers with children could have the day off. Anya volunteered to work the Emergency Room. Anya's sister Amy joined them for lunch. She was busy studying and catching up on laundry. She enjoyed meeting Darius and Morse. She offered to make soup and sandwiches for dinner for all of them. The cafeteria offered turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, three kinds of vegetables, and pumpkin pie squares with whipped cream. Darius paid for a double portion of turkey for himself and Morse.

~X~

The Northwest Food Bank helped WWC create the menu for Thanksgiving Day at WWC. Thirty 25-lb. turkeys had been donated. Northwest Food Bank donated 100 pounds of potatoes, 100 pounds of carrots, and 20 pounds of onions. Ten bakeries donated twenty dozen rolls. Ten big box stores, with delis, each donated a dozen pumpkin pies. The remainder of needs to feed the men on Thanksgiving was donated by the Seattle American Legion, VFW, and Vietnam Veterans.

Elliot asked Rod and José to please volunteer to help at the dormitory on Thanksgiving day. They left José's condo early in the morning and helped cook, serve and clean up for all three meals. In the meantime, José showed his father the pictures he took and donated for decorating the lobby of the dormitory.

November 30

Anya shrieked and dropped her towel.

Darius looked up from his coffee cup and his eyes widened at Anya's naked body standing in the hall.

She scrambled to retrieve her towel.

"Is there a reason you flashed me?" Darius tried not to sound like a horndog.

"Morse goosed me," Anya wrinkled her nose and disappeared into the bedroom.

"Good boy," Darius rubbed Morse's ears. "Good boy."

Saturday, December 1

"Bless me Father, for I have sinned." Darius sat quietly in the confession booth. It was six a.m. The church slowly filled with people who attended mass either before starting or ending their day. It was difficult to leave Morse with Taylor, but Darius could not bring him. "It has been almost three years since my last confession. I confessed that day Father, because I was on my way to becoming a druggie or a drunk because I was in physical pain. I asked God to led me to a better way of life. He did. I have had a good life since my recovery from the IED which wounded me, wounded friends, and killed friends." Darius took a deep breath. "Father, do I have your guarantee that what I reveal in this confessional will not be shared with anyone?"

"You know the sanctity of the confessional son. Unless you reveal you plan to assassinate someone, I will never share your secrets." Father Finley assured Darius.

"May sixth, as I was working on my gold mining claim in Clark County, Nevada, I found a briefcase full of cash." Darius began telling his story.

"Did you turn it over to the police?" Father Frank Finley asked.

"No…I lived in a motel. When the owner found drug money, she turned it over to the police. It took her a year to get half of it back, and several times she had to provide free housing to a police unit watching the place for other drug dealers. When I opened the briefcase, I realized it wasn't drug money – someone's gambling winnings were on top of the rest of the cash in the briefcase. I thought it was someone's gambling stake. I found out it wasn't. You need to read this." He passed the printout of Elizabeth Morgan to the priest and waited for him to read it.

The priest passed it back to Darius. "How can I be of assistance son?"

"I have seven boxes: twenty inches long by five inches tall by seven and a half inches wide. Each box contains a quarter of a million dollars, wrapped up like a Christmas gift. Per her family's request, I have selected seven non-profit agencies to receive this windfall. Each box is labeled. I need you to deliver the funds to the agencies. I cannot do it; I cannot take the risk of exposure."

"Who are the seven nonprofits?" Father Finley asked.

"Seattle Council of Catholic Women…" Darius began to list them.

"Is that so you know I will distribute the gifts?" Father Finley chuckled.

"Three words – Randolph Family Center." Darius responded.

"Acceptable. Please continue," Father Finley suggested.

"King County Crime Victim and Trauma Services – because of the nature of the lawsuit. Night Lights – a charity to end prostitution. Safe Nest – temporary assistance for domestic violence victims. Northwest Food Bank – feeding homeless and needy families. Washington Warriors – to provide resources for female veterans. Women's Resource Medical Center – health and addiction issues, women's sexual health issues, and rape and domestic violence counseling." Darius slid the card with the list to Father Finley. "I have a Santa sack with the seven labeled boxes. How do I give it to you?"

Father Finley slid a panel open at Darius's feet. "Slide it through the panel. I will close the panel and give you penance for not confessing your sins for three years. We will share a quick prayer. I will bless you for helping those you could help, and I will send you on your way. I will make time this week to deliver the packages."

"Thank you Father Finley." Darius kept a quarter of a million for himself and Morse, but he was sure the priest understood.

~X~

Three weeks since the opening of the men's dormitory, the men were settling into a routine. Each Saturday morning they traded dirty bed and bath linens for a clean set. Before noon, all beds had been remade, the dormitory cleaned, bathrooms cleaned, and the men gathered in the cafeteria for lunch. Many of them clustered in small groups to play cards or board games after lunch. Several of them gathered in groups to address donated packages of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza cards to occupants of the Walter Reed Hospital.

Several men went to the Vets Home and the VA Medical Center to visit hospitalized vets, hoping to keep up their spirits. Several men volunteered for an ex-military suicide hotline. It was the goal of WWC to decrease the numbers of vets who committed suicide. WWC had rules, and gambling, drinking and drugs were the top three reasons for being banned from the dormitory and complex. The next two reasons were theft and conduct non-becoming a vet who served his country.

~X~

Christian and Ana hired the holiday décor company to establish Christmas trees and decorations at both Escala and Grey Sound. Ana started searching for blue or silver-grey Christmas ornaments for both trees in October. She visited eBay for vintage ornaments. She visited Etsy stores for handmade ornaments. She purchased two blue velvet Christmas tree skirts which had hand embroidered silver stars. She found blue velvet Christmas stockings. The woman who purchased her mother's Etsy store created beautiful silver icicles from vintage silver cutlery. Ana purchased a dozen different icicles for each of her trees. She purchased special Christmas ornaments for Kate, Gwen and her coworkers at Grey Publishing.

~X~

The State Department met with the Washington Attorney General's office the week after Thanksgiving. Elena Lincoln was still missing. The Washington Attorney General had orders to liquidate Elena Lincoln's holdings. The funds would be held in Washington State's Unclaimed Assets until Elena was found, or until seven years passed and she could be legally declared dead. Her four salons and spas were purchased by four different entities. Her clothing was donated to charity. Her jewelry was sent to an auction house to be sold. Her household furnishings were sold and estate furniture store or donated to charity. Her cars and home were sold. Her bank accounts were seized. Once the Washington Attorney General's Office was finished, almost eight million dollars lingered in an account which might never be claimed. The IRS waited its turn to claim fifty percent of the funds.

Franco de Luca and four dozen employees of the Esclava Salons and Spas found themselves seeking jobs at the holidays. Franco burned one picture of Elena every night for two weeks before he found gainful employment working at Esclava, Bravern which was now owned by Aveda, Inc.

December 1-2

Jerry Roach arranged for half a dozen editors, including Trisha, and Ana to attend the Small Publishing Festival at WSCC in Seattle. Grey Publishing had four displays in the vendor hall – publishing, e-publishing, graphics and a general information display. The festival showcased book publishers, magazine and comics publishers, graphic artists, proofreading services, and a several e-publishing services. Technical staff displayed the newest in computers, laptops, word processing applications, and applications for writing novels, screenplays, tv scripts, etc.

Gwen attended, with a booth of her own for Drake Designs. Ana enjoyed hanging out with her friend when she wasn't attending e-publishing panels and seminars. Ana applied to UDub to take e-publishing online classes and attend weekend seminars when possible.

December 7

********Seattle Nooz********

Remember Pearl Harbor! Washington Warriors Complex received an anonymous donation of a quarter of a million dollars. They say 'thank you' to their anonymous benefactor. Washington Warriors explained these funds are designated to help stock and open the female veterans dormitory.

Christian and Anastasia Steele donated funds to WWC to open the Lambert Supply Depot in remembrance of Frank Lambert, a fallen Marine, who is Mrs. Grey's biological father. The supply depot is a temporary mini-mart located in a triple wide trailer on the WWC grounds. The depot offers regular mini-mart goods except alcohol and tobacco.

The WWC Intake Center opened Labor Day Weekend. The WWC Men's Dormitory for Veterans opened November 9. The dormitory is full. Veterans are encouraged to utilize the WWC Intake Center. The Center offers medical, legal, and financial advice for veterans in addition to teaching work skills.

If you are feeling charitable…the WWC Intake Center is hosting an Angel Tree in the lobby of the Intake Center. It has names and wish lists for veterans. Tags are available until December 15, with wrapped presents returned to the Intake Center by December 20. Presents will be delivered to veterans (no age limit, no length of service limit, financial situation applies) by December 25. Gift giving limit is $50-75 for clothes, hand-held electronics (MP3 players, games), toiletries, etc.

********Seattle Nooz********

December 8-9

Barney and his head engineer and head tech researcher attended the Gifts for Geeks event at WSCC. Seventy vendors showed gifts for geeks. Eighty vendors displayed literature, games, and clothes for women who were interested in STEM. Fifty vendors exhibited games, comics, cosplay costumes, art, and entertainment. Gwen was present with her Drake Designs booth and several hundred boxes of the STEM science project book she illustrated. She autographed books when requested, and sold the books. She gave a 10% discount to teachers, school administrators, and education students.

December 15

Anya bought Morse (and Darius) tickets to attend the Pioneer Square Howlidays event. The event kicked off with a K9 Candy Crush 5K Fun Run or Fun Walk which began at the park near Pioneer Square. Homemade dog treats, a specially contained dog park, and a costume contest were the highlights. Darius and Morse wore their black tactical gear from Grey Security. He enjoyed putting Morse through his paces at the special exhibition center. He took pamphlets for the Washington Warriors Complex with him to distribute.

December 18

Ana's soft moans and inadvertent wiggles and sighs kept Christian in a state of anticipation as well as Ana. She enjoyed the tiny bite of pain which accompanied more pleasure than she believed possible. He vowed he would never spank her for punishment…she loved when he used the ben wa balls and a slow sensual spanking with lots of massaging and touching. Today when he finished administering thirty swats to her ass and apex…she begged for three more swats and came on the third swat. He quickly removed the ben wa balls and entered her.

Ana was face down on the platform of the sex swing, her arms and legs fastened spread eagle to the corners of the platform. It was a non-stress position which she enjoyed as Christian began moving the platform. Occasionally he spanked or fondled her ass, and occasionally he tugged on her ponytail. It was an extreme session for them…releasing angst and worry. When they were both sated, he carried her to the large soaker tub and enjoyed the jasmine bubbles.

Lying in bed, cuddling his wife…Christian remembered the first time he spanked her. Her long legs stretched out on the couch, her breasts tucked between his legs, her arms were crossed and she laid her head on them. He had a slow and steady rhythm, with gentle spanks followed by fondling her ass. It was an intense experience for her. Ana was surprised to be so turned on by his hands on her ass. He spanked her that night until her ass resembled the rosy color of her lips. Once they were both turned on, he bent her over the arm of the couch for a quick sexual release for both of them.

Christian was loquacious that day…telling her how beautiful her pink ass was…and how it turned him on. He was determined to do that again, only with a bullet or egg vibrator in her to make her squirm even more. He loved washing her body after they had sex. He loved drying her off, applying arnica lotion to her still pink ass, and dressing her in a pretty teddy for bed. Before his nether regions woke to enjoy the charms of his wife again…Christian fell asleep, spooning a soft and sleeping Ana.

~X~

Ana gave Christian three gifts for their six-month anniversary…a new grey cashmere sweater, a set of black silk boxers, pajamas, sleep pants and robe, and a footlocker stored in their walk-in closet at Grey Sound. It contained a Sportsheets neck and wrist restraint. It contained an under-the-bed restraint system, flogger, handcuffs, blindfolds and other fun items.

Christian gave Ana a black and grey diamond and platinum collar only to be worn in the playroom. He gave her a set of three sex pillows – half moon, wedge and ramp, and a red leather curved yoga and chaise lounge for the playroom.

December 19

Darius and Morse looked forward to their Wednesday night date with Anya. He hadn't planned anything special…just a take and bake lasagna, green salad, and two large individual servings of tiramisu. Anya didn't drink very much so he just bought some Italian Roast coffee instead of wine. She had been a good sport about her boyfriend living in a trailer inside an empty warehouse. She understood he was trying to establish himself. He had been accepted as a student at UDub. He planned to take online geology courses the spring semester of 2013.

Anya was working December twenty-first through the thirtieth. She had the thirty-first through January second off. Darius placed a four-foot tree on top of the bistro table – out of the way of Morse's wagging tail. Tonight they would celebrate Christmas with one another. Anya bought Darius a set of red sweats with a Marine Corps seal on the chest and his name across the back. She added a black stocking cap, gloves, socks, t-shirt and boxers. The clothes were wrapped and stored inside a large black leather backpack which Darius might need for class books and supplies.

Darius gave Anya a laminated cheat sheet for reading and writing Mandarin Chinese. He gave her a laminated cheat sheet for reading and writing French. He gave her a Van Gogh almond blossoms toss pillow for her bed (with a wish for sweet dreams) and a bottle of Christian Dior's Hypnotic Poison. She could show those gifts to her family. The best thing he gave her was her own drawer in his bedroom and bathroom.

December 21 and 22

Ana ensured all the tags were taken from the Angel Tree, and all the gifts were returned, wrapped and tagged. The afternoon of December 24 the tree would be disassembled and moved to the cafeteria of the men's dormitory. Presents would be tucked around the tree to be distributed at the breakfast buffet Christmas morning.

December third Ana enlisted Darius's help to determine what to give to the vets. He explained the need for combat earmuffs. He helped Ana bulk order a deck of cards, water bottle, personal toiletries kit, stocking cap, gloves, combat earmuffs, and a backpack for each man. Ana ordered enough supplies for 210 backpacks. She planned to give one to Darius, one to Banfield, in addition to giving eight to Ray and Bee to give to vets in need in Montesano. Kate, Ana and Mia wrote individual last names on name tags to attach to the backpacks.

Ana hosted a stuffing party on December twenty-second. Security set up tables in the family room at the sound. Everyone who could help that night did. Adrian's security teams, Andrea and the executive floor PAs, Trisha and Hannah from Grey Publishing, the Grey and Trevelyan families, Ray and Bee, the Rodriguez men, and Darius and Anya. Ana understood why Grace appreciated Anya. She seemed level headed and kind. However, Ana would never admit how dismayed she was when Claire and Darius stopped seeing one another.

Gail ordered two dozen pizzas, tossed a big seven vegetable salad with Italian dressing, offered cold libations (wine and nonalcoholic drinks) and eight dozen Italian Lemon Ricotta cookies. Adrian's men loaded Grey Security SUVs with Christmas backpacks to deliver to the men's dormitory tomorrow.

Ana's last minute Christmas shopping was done…except for the fixings to bake Christmas cookies. She had a yen to bake about ten dozen cookies and make six different kinds of Christmas bark. Gail helped her assemble menus and grocery lists for their week in Aspen. She offered to make treats with Ana over the Christmas holiday. She suggested they make one kind of cookie and one kind of Christmas bark each day of their vacation.

Christmas

"Merry Christmas," Christian murmured as his lips slowly kissed down Ana's neck. His warm hand spanned her belly and slid across to cup her hip. "You are so pretty when you smile in your sleep. I opened our drapes to look out on the mountains…it snowed last night and everything is a glistening, pristine white." His tender kisses moved from her lips to her cheek, and downward to that hollow beneath her ear to her collarbone to her shoulder. Christian rolled her from a spooning position to her back, his lips capturing hers again.

Ana could see him easily in the light reflected from the moon on the new snow. His hands slid across her cheeks, his thumbs resting before her ears, and his hands wrapping around the nape of her neck. Her sleepy eyes tracked his beautiful face. She closed her eyes as his lips sought hers again. She enjoyed the rasp of his stubbly jaw as he worked his way from her lips to her forehead. His nose sniffed her hair as his cheek caressed her hair. His lips were almost at her ear. "Come on lazybones…we barely have time for a shower and dressing before everyone will be awake for breakfast."

Ana sent up a prayer for Bob who was spending Christmas with his sisters. He mailed Ana an amethyst jewelry set he gave Carla for their first Valentine's Day together. Heart shaped stud earrings, with a heart pendant with platinum settings. She sent a large hamper of Omaha Steaks and two bottles of Sancerre to his youngest sister's home. She sent up a prayer of thanks because the veterans had a warm place to sleep, good food to eat, and a present to open. She hoped the season would not be depressing for them. Ana sent up a prayer of thanks for everyone, especially Gail Jones, who made her life easier.

The Aspen staff decorated a tree in the main room with white lights, gold ornaments and chocolate velvet garland. The tree skirt was crazy quilted satin and velvet pieces in white, gold and chocolate. Low volume Christmas carols were broadcast through the main level. Christmas breakfast was French Toast Casserole, a tossed fruit salad, bacon, and coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Christmas dinner would be standing rib roast with au jus or horseradish relish, baked fingerling potatoes with sour cream and chives, Cesar salad, whole green beans, asparagus, honey wheat rolls with butter, and a sheet cake pan of cherry topped cheesecake.

The rules for gift-giving this year was you could buy for your spouse or significant other. Otherwise, everyone's Christmas funds were to go to making Christmas or life better for someone else. Christian and Ana bought and filled backpacks for the vets at WWC. Elliot and Kate donated to the Mammogram Van. Carrick and Grace, Theo and Frannie, Greggory and Gena, and Celeste and Eamon donated to Catholic Community Services of Western Washington. Mia and Ethan donated to the Food Bank on UDub's campus. Ray and Bee donated to the scholarship program at the American Legion in Montesano.

~X~

José and Rod were invited to the Gonzales family Christmas. Midnight mass was followed by a large breakfast buffet, gag gifts and lots of laughter. José and Rod went to WWC to help serve Christmas meals to the men in the dormitory. Rod kept his counsel, but he thought Sofia Gonzales would be an excellent partner for José. She attended UDub, taking forensics classes. She was an excellent artist. Her interest was recreating pictures of the deceased from a skull. She drew excellent crime scenes and courtroom scenes.

Sophia gave the Rodriguez men beautiful burgundy cashmere sweaters for Christmas. Rod gave her a beautiful etched bangle bracelet. Kate had given Rod several suggestions with pictures in an email before Thanksgiving. José gave her matching hoop earrings. Their gag gifts were ugly Christmas socks. Both Kate and Elliot posted their ugly socks from last year on Facebook…which gave José and Rod the idea.

Sophia's aunt, Mary Margaret (Meg) Montoya acquired everyone's ugly socks. She explained she worked at a drive-through window for Wells Fargo in Portland. With the exception of two weeks in the spring and two weeks in the fall, she alternately froze or roasted in her teller window. She had to wear business clothes, but enjoyed wearing colorful socks and sneakers. Rod enjoyed talking with her at the family festivities. He was sure he would go by on a Saturday before closing and ask her to lunch.

New Year's Eve

'I'm going to be so late!' Ana ran as fast as possible in her high heels. She should have chosen a dress she could run in, not a sheath dress with limited movement. She entered her destination at the last minute…all arms and legs and flying hair. She skidded to stop and quietly walked to the first row of chairs and took a seat.

Ana looked around, searching for Christian. 'Huh uh, buddy, this isn't how it's going to be. It's you and me, remember, there for the big events, the small moments and the long haul.'

Her phone vibrated during the opening prayer. She waited to open it until the prayer concluded.

'On your six, baby," Christian texted.

Before the judge could begin, Christian took the seat next to Ana. He clasped her left hand in his, and laid his right arm along the back of her chair.

'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman,' the judge indicated Ray and Bee. 'And this man and this woman,' he indicated Darius and Anya.

Ana awoke, startled. 'I hope that was foreshadowing…' She lay there for a moment not falling back asleep. Not even Christian's rhythmic breathing put her to sleep. 'Count your blessings,' she sort of hummed from the movie White Christmas.

Christian…Ray and Bee…Bob…Kate and Elliot…Mia and Ethan...Grace and Carrick …Theo and Frannie...Christian's aunt and uncle…Celeste and Eamon…Gwen and Ros… Darius and Morse...Adrian, Andrea and Asher...Hannah...Claire… JoBeth …Mary Jane...Tricia...Jerry...José and Rod… Gail and Taylor... Sawyer…Prescott...Reynolds…Ryan…'

Ana's overthinking brain shut down, and restful sleep carried her into the New Year.

~X~

A/N I am working on an Epilogue which should conclude the story. Education, love, babies…and different paths in life. Thank you for the great reviews and views.