Disclaimer: All Twilight characters belong to Stephanie Meyers, while I'm just teasing and bending them for a bit. No profit is being collected from the fiction contained within.
The storyline and non-Twilight characters are my creative fault and mine alone.
This storyline has women loving women. If this kind of love scares you, well darling turn around and go back the other way. There are plenty of splendid writers who delve into straight couple relationships; for the most part, I'm just not one of them.
The rating is M just to be on the safe side, do to the language and the possibility of the sex scenes becoming a bit graphic but no promises in that area. Oh, there will also be mention of threesomes and 'gasp horror' vampires and other supernatural creatures getting it on with each other.
All boo boos, snafus and misdeeds within the story are all mine and mine alone.
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(Monday early afternoon)
"Wow, sounds like we all had an interesting night," Jake said after Bella finished telling everything that had occurred after he and the others left.
"Yeah, so far you're the only one who has readily accepted Alice and my choice. Well, that's not true, Sara and Conrad didn't have a problem, but Dani was a bit upset."
"So tiny bit decided to take her shopping instead of spending time with me."
"Yeah, Dani loves to shop as much as Alice, they truly are like sisters in that regard." She said as she handed him the large sandwich she had been making for him. "Apparently, shopping is like Prozac for those two, it'll help her deal with Alice and I leaving."
His stomach growled in appreciation as he took a large bite of the meatball sandwich. As Jake chewed, he sighed in content. One thing was for sure Bella had not lost her touch in the kitchen when she became a vampire.
"You know, I can't say I'm fond of the idea of you two going," he mumbled out as he finished chewing. "But hell we're not the kids we were two years ago. I mean, sure a part of me wants tell you no, you can't do it just because I'm going to worry about you. I'm sure you felt the same thing when I took off but you didn't stop me cause you knew I had to do it, just like I know you have to."
Smiling at her friend as she ran her fingers through her hair, "yeah, I was worried but having lived with you for two years I knew you could handle yourself." Seeing him nod as he tore off another bite of the sandwich, "also with Gabi watching your butt I knew she'd keep you out of trouble."
Unable to respond to the light jibe Jacob gave her a mock glare of disbelief, before twisting his lips into a smile and shrugged his shoulders in acknowledgment.
"So tell me about your night?" Bella asked with a tiny chuckle.
"Well, let's see," he began after swallowing and reaching for a liter of cherry soda. "Conrad and I went to see Quil Sr. and basically offered our services to patrol the area until the others are released, which you know except for Paul happened this morning." Pausing he gulped down a quarter of the soda, "Anyway, Quil Sr. just like junior was easy going, appreciative and apologetic for what happened at the Cineplex."
Bella nodded her head, "Charlie's fond of Quil Sr."
"He took up on the offer, not because he thinks the Cullens are a threat but for everyone else who thinks so." Tearing off another bite he chewed quickly before continuing, "saw my dad at Sue's place."
"What was he doing there?"
"Knowing my dad, he was going to tell Sue to get Leah to not press charges against Paul, but Sue didn't give him a chance to say anything." He tiny grin graced his lips; "she tore into him, before he could even get out of his truck. Christ, Bella, she was ferocious, talk about protecting her cubs, whew! She'd make a damn fine wolf herself. Maybe that's why both her children became wolves, the only family to have more then one."
Tilting her head, Bella thought about that revelation. It was true out of the whole pack Leah and Seth were the only siblings in it. She knew that Embry had two younger brothers and one sister and that Paul had a younger brother as well. Jake had two sisters but they lived with their mother off the reservation, so she wasn't sure if they could be affected or not by the wolf gene.
"Course some of her anger was probably fueled by everything she learned," Jake added before he plopped the last portion of the sandwich into his mouth.
"So what did Billy do?" Bella asked while Jake drank down nearly half of soda that was left. "I can't image he'd just sit there and not say something."
"At first I think he was just blown away by Sue's attack, you know, I mean he was hoping to date her once but that went to pot because Sue really likes your dad."
"Yeah, Charlie likes her a lot too."
"Then he finally saw Conrad and me and well, he just went all stiff, started up the truck and left. Didn't say a word," Jake replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
His nonchalant attitude didn't fool Bella; she knew Billy's rejection of Jacob was hurting her friend. Ever since his parents divorce nearly seven years ago, Jacob had always been there for his dad. Moving from her chair, Bella went best friend's side and wrapped into a bone-crushing hug.
"I'm so sorry Jake," Bella whispered in his ear.
Sighing softly, he turned to stare into her compassion filled amber eyes, "his rejection does hurt. I won't deny it but it's funny in some ways it's also okay, ya know? If things had turned different, like if Victoria hadn't attacked you and we weren't gone for those two years, I know I would've become just like him."
Thinking on what he said Bella saw he was right, "yeah I could see that. You could be pretty demanding especially when it came to the Cullens."
"Yeah and the whole wolf thing didn't help either, but you know my dad's philosophy has always been my way or the highway, it's why mom finally left him. It's pretty fucked up when I think about it, if the red bitch hadn't come along and things didn't happen who knows what would've happened to us, to our relationship."
Shaking her head and snorting. "It is rather ironic that in some sick perverted way Victoria was the means of us finding out the truth and ourselves."
"Yuck, I hate the idea but yeah, I think if the bitch hadn't chosen to come along then we'd be different people and I'm not sure if I'd like who I would've become."
"Ah," kissing his cheek lightly. "I still would've loved you, even if you became a jackass, because you're my best friend." Releasing him from her hug Bella stood up, "you've always been there for me Jake and even if we disagree, argue, in the end we've always supported each other."
"True," smiling at her. "And that's not going to change. Sooo now that we've done our purple dinosaur moment, when does Gabi think you'll be leaving?"
"In a couple of days," Bella responded. "She's waiting on some information."
"Well, that gives everyone time to get things settled, you with Charlie and Leah with her mom," He remarked with a small smile. "Personally, I think you've got the easier task, I mean I know Charlie is going to be upset but I think in a small way he's probably been expecting you to go after the bastard."
"Yeah, I did kind of mention tracking him down a couple of times when we learned what he did to Alice," Bella acknowledged. "And then a few more afterwards."
"I was there for those so I think, he's kind of waiting for you to do it, mind you also dreading it. Knowing your dad he'll grumble, he might even in yell but in the end he'll accept your decision because he loves you."
Bella nodded but she wasn't sure if it was in complete agreement, oh she knew her dad loved her; she just wasn't to sure about that whole accepting thing. Her father had suffered so much with her disappearance. They were closer now then they had ever been when she was human. She didn't want to break that bond they had formed and a part of her worried it might just tear, because no matter what he would say, Bella wasn't going to turn back from her decision.
(The Hungry Moose Café)
Even though she eaten a huge breakfast, prepared for by Esme, thanks to the wolf metabolism Leah had no problem digging into the triple patty burger with everything on it and the basket of onion rings and fries she had ordered. It was one of the nicer pluses she had found since becoming a shape shifter; she could pack in food and not worry about packing on weight. The only difficulty she had with eating at the moment was sitting across from her, which was her mother who was just having coffee. Sue unlike her kids or even her husband always ate sparingly and it showed in her slight frame.
The going out to lunch had been Leah's idea; she just wasn't ready to venture back to the reservation. It didn't feel like home to her anymore, in fact it hadn't for a long while but being a part of the pack kind of forced her to stay. Taking a sip of her cola, she glanced into her mother's dark eyes and inwardly sighed. They had placed a patch on their relationship but it had a long ways to go to be healed and now, well now Leah was pretty damn sure the patch was going to be ripped right on off.
"So," Sue began drawing the word out quietly. "Sam and everyone but Paul are back."
This was so not the way Leah wanted this conversation between them to start but she couldn't stop herself from nodding her head giving her mother encouragement to continue on. 'Old habits,' she smirked in her brain.
Taking the cue Sue also nodded, "of course Charlie wasn't thrilled, especially about Paul but I explained to him about the pack thing how locking him up would be cruel punishment to the wolf in that boy. I also explained that the boys would be restricted to the res and they all were going to be disciplined." A tiny smile touched the older woman's lips, "Quil and Conrad came up with the punishment, I must say Dani's father had quite a present."
'As does her grandmother,' Leah thought silently as she took a bite of her burger. In the past nothing would've of happened to the boys they were always given a free rein by the tribal elders, it was always left to Sam to mete out any kind of discipline. "Er…what kind of punishment?"
"Oh a lot of manual labor, no more just wandering acting like prima donnas as Conrad put it. Quil and the rest of the council were thrilled by the idea; all the boys are going to be putting their brawn to work fixing up homes and stuff like that. As part of his punishment Paul is gong to be further restricted, he'll be under house arrest for two month only being allowed to leave under the supervision of the Tribal Police."
Leah actually allowed a smile to touch her lips as her mother described what was going to happen to the others. To most people it might not seem a very harsh sentence, but she knew differently. For Paul and his wolf not to have the freedom to roam, to run was perhaps as mentally painful as when Gabriella kicked him in the nuts.
"I'm surprised the elders approve such severe treatment," Leah remarked as the waiter refilled her water glass.
"Will there be anything else, ladies?" The young man asked as his hazel eyes roamed up and down Leah's well-sculpted form.
"Hmmm, what? No we're both fine," Leah answered barely giving the man notice.
"Are you sure? The apple pie is quite wonderful." He said giving her a toothy smile.
"Thanks but no," glancing at him for a second but returned her attention back to her mother. "Just the check in a bit." Leah added after a few seconds noticing the young man hadn't left yet.
"Yeah sure, of course," he nodded with another brilliant smile before leaving.
"So why did they okay it, the elders?" Leah steering the conversation back to where they were before the waiter interrupted them.
"They were upset by what happened," Sue said softly. "And the only one objecting was Billy," her dark eyes sparkled slightly, "and right now he's not exactly in a good light with the others. Throwing his weight around a bit too much for them, as Quil Sr. put it."
Nodding her head, Leah could only agree with that sentiment. Billy had always been the one who had endorsed giving the pack carte blanche in their behavior. He had used intimidation when anyone would object to some of the behaviors always pointing out that without the wolves the tribe would be fodder to the cold ones. It was a reminder, a veiled threat that if the tribe didn't placate the wolves, things could be different and it worked especially after the redhead bitch.
"That young man liked you," Sue said bluntly.
The change of topic threw Leah; she blinked several times, "what?"
"The waiter, he liked you. I know it's been hard for you and I certainly didn't help but Leah it's time for you to let Sam go and allow yourself to have fun." Seeing the startled look on her daughter's face Sue shook her head, "honey, you're a beautiful young woman. I know you don't see it but you could have any man you want."
Inwardly Leah was opening and closing her mouth like a fish struggling for air but outwardly, she just swallowed and stared at her mom. 'Yeah, okay this is the talk you wanted with her, now what?' Leaning back in her chair, Leah still couldn't find the words to say, 'rather ironic for me,' she snorted silently.
Feeling her mother's hand touch her hand Leah looked down, it was an out of place gesture from Sue. The two weren't touchy feely types; the only one in the family who was that way was Seth. Where he got it from Leah never knew, because her dad wasn't a hugger either.
"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, but I…you've been through so much, I just don't want you to hurt anymore because of Sam. We can talk more about this when you come home."
Summoning her nerve, "mom, I'm not going to be coming home right away."
"Of course you are. You're getting around Leah, you don't need to stay with them any longer," Sue stated. She was grateful to the Cullens for taking care of her children but she was still very uncomfortable with them.
"I'm going to be taking Jake's place."
"Why? I mean Jake did it because of Bella, but you barely know her."
"It's complicated," Leah, answered not looking at her mother.
"Complicated? Is this because of what happened, look we can figure something out. What about the your connection to the pack?"
"It was broken the night I disobeyed Sam. There's no way I can go back and I'm not sure even Seth can go back."
"Okay, I can understand that but there's Jake, Conrad is training him to be pack leader. Sure there will be some things that we'll need to resolve but that doesn't mean you need to leave." There was a panicked look in Sue's expression, "is it me? I know we've a long ways to go repair what happened between us…"
"Mom," sighing, "I…uh oh crap there's no easy way to say this, mom, I've imprinted."
Seconds passed as Sue processed that as she studied not only her daughter but the entire café before she responded, "honey, I understand how that could scare you but running away from your imprint, isn't wise, you know this."
"That's just it, I'm not running away," the rest of words stalled in her mouth. Taking a large sip of water Leah found the liquid did nothing to soothe the dryness developing in her throat. "I going with my imprints," she whispered out quickly.
Confusion dominates Sue's expression as she tried to decipher what her daughter just said and then a slowly, very slowly comprehension started to win wiggling it's way into her brain. Yet, the idea of it causes her mouth to drop open and her eyes widen in disbelief.
"Yeah, that was kind of my reaction except with a bit of cussing," Leah chuckled out at the face her mom was wearing.
"But you don't like women," Sue stumbled out as she shook her head. "You really don't like women, I mean except for Emily you didn't even have any girlfriends." Her voice drops down to a whisper, "my god! I can believe this is happening to you. Maybe you're wrong, maybe it's not an imprint, maybe it's admiration for a strong woman or some such thing. I mean that's possible." Leaning forward in her chair, Sue grabbed the hand she had been touching earlier, "Leah you're not a lesbian, but this Sian, she was like all over and possessive with, with that cold, I mean Gabriella, when they came to get Charlie and I at the restaurant."
During her mom's babbling discourse Leah tried several times to interrupt but Sue wouldn't stop until she ran out of air. Finally, when the older woman paused to suck in some much needed air Leah dove into the conversation.
"Mom, I imprinted on both of them and no my feelings aren't just simple admiration. When I look at them, solitarily or together it's like they are the beats in my heart and I can't even fathom them not being near me." Shaking her head, "Christ I hate to sound like some soppy dipshit but it's true."
"B…b…both of them, but…" Sue couldn't continue. She stared at her daughter as if she had grown another head or two to be exact and moved her hand away.
Taking a deep breath Leah pushed forward, "I know hearing this might fuck up everything we just began to fix but I had to tell you."
The noise from the café became louder as Leah studied her mother, who was now staring at her fingers that were fiddling with her napkin. Leah knew she had laid a bomb at her mom's feet but the only one who could disarm was the older woman. Hell, Leah wasn't sure what to expect from her mom, she herself was still wrapping her head around the whole thing. It wasn't easy for her, she had imprinted on two women, one was the enemy of her people and the other well from her understanding weres and shape shifters weren't exactly kissing cousins either. The wolf accepted the idea of being with women; it was the human part of Leah that was scared by it.
"Leah," her mother began breaking the silence between them. "I…I'm not going to reject you. I know it's something you can't control." Sue said softly and then sighed. "Leah, we'll both keep moving forward. I don't want to lose you again, but I can't say I'm pleased or that I can accept the idea of Gabriella. I just don't know."
Leah nodded and sighed inwardly with relief. Her mother's response was better then she thought it was going to be. "I understand mom. It's a bit hard for me to get a hold of why I also bonded with her."
"And what is their response?"
"Mixed. Sian feels the bond and is welcoming of it, though it goes against the nature of her tiger. Gabi doesn't feel the bond." Leah answered gazing at her mother.
"Well perhaps that's for the best. You can focus your attention on Sian and I don't know maybe the draw for Gabriella will go away. One imprint, even if it is a woman is enough, I don't even understand how two could occur."
The wolf in Leah silently howled in dismay at her mother's suggestion. It didn't like the idea one little bit. To not have both bonds was like losing a heartbeat and for her wolf that was unacceptable. There was no way Leah could explain this concept to her mother. It's one thing to know about imprints but it was a whole different thing to physically experience it, so the younger woman kept those thoughts to herself.
"Hell, being a female wolf wasn't thought possible and yet here I am, so why not add another oddity to my life," Leah responded with more aplomb then she really felt.
"You always did have a talent for doing things your way," Sue replied with a sigh. "So when do the three of you leave?"
"In a couple of days and it's not just the three of us Alice and Bella will becoming as well."
"Does Charlie know?"
Shrugging her shoulders Leah answered, "I don't know if Bella has told him yet, but I know Gabi was adamant we all had to tell our family what was happening."
(Time Shift-Charlie's house)
The smell of savory spices lingered in the air from the simmering stew Bella was making for Charlie. It was more then he could eat in one sitting but she knew how much he loved eating leftovers. She wanted him to have one of his favorite dishes before springing on him her decision to join Gabriella.
As Bella stirred the stew, she thought about Jake and the changes happening between them and smiled. Jacob had left shortly after their discussion to help Conrad in the construction of a yurt on the Cullen's property, next to a small cottage already on the land. It had been Carlisle who with Esme's enthusiastic consent had broached the couple about living there instead of looking for a home in Port Townsend. Even though the cottage was plenty big for the three Goodwins, Conrad suggested building the yurt for Jacob and possible for others like Seth who in all likelihood would be breaking away from Sam's pack. Carlisle was fine with the idea and Esme was over the moon not only because she would be cooking for others but because of the architectural planning involved.
Thinking about Jacob and the excitement he felt at building something he would be leaving in, made Bella's smile widen for her friend. When the two lived in Canada they had stayed first in an old bear cave and then found an old cabin. The cabin was in need of desperate repair, which the two had done, well mostly Jacob in the beginning because Bella was still adjusting to her newfound strength. Jake had always enjoyed working on cars but out there in the wilderness he found out, he also enjoyed working on the cabin.
He also wasn't alone Bella had come to enjoy, once she was able to get a handle on her strength, creating with her hands and made a lot of the furniture the two used in the cabin. In fact when they left she was rather heartsick about leaving her creations behind but there just wasn't anyway to bring them back with her.
'Wow, I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed doing that. Perhaps once things have settled down, Alice and I can go back and retrieve some of the nicer ones for our own home,' she thought happily at the idea and an unexpected giggle escaped from her lips as she dwelled on the idea of a home for her and Alice.
"Whoa and here I use to cringe at the idea of such an suggestion. I mean, I never ever thought I would want to settle down until I was at least in my twenties and marriage was not something I even wanted to think about, that is until my little pixie came back to me." She explained to the stew that just plopped a bubble in response. "Ooh great, I'm talking to food."
Giggling and shaking her head as she rested the lid back on the pot, Bella glided away from the kitchen and went back into the living room. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was nearing five-thirty and Charlie would be coming home soon. The thought immediately suppressed her laughter and brought her back to the here and now.
"Okay Alice, it'd be really great if you got your amazing ass home right now," she said aloud. "Because I'm anxious and apparently it's making me talk to food and well nothing." Letting out a frustrated growl, "come on Bella, your Ali will be home in plenty of time, she's never let you down."
As if on cue she heard the subtle purr of Alice's Porsche pull into the driveway and within seconds Alice was in her arms hugging and kissing her as if she had been gone days instead of hours.
"I'm sorry sweetie, I meant to be earlier but Dani took the news pretty hard," she mumbled into Bella's neck. "Of course, if you had picked up your cell phone, instead of talking to Charlie's dinner throughout the day you would've seen my messages to you."
Old Bella would've blushed profusely new Bella just muttered, "it wasn't the whole day."
"Uh huh," the smaller vampire giggled with skepticism. "I'm not sure the carrots and potatoes would agree with you."
Closing her eyes, Bella thought back and realized she probably had been rehearsing aloud what she was going to say to Charlie without even knowing she had been doing it.
"Hmmm, okay, I probably was," she admitted. "I guess I'm nervous about talking to dad and didn't even think to check my cell phone, though you could of called the house phone."
"True, but I guess I wasn't thinking to clearly either," Alice replied with a shy smile as she released her hold on her lover and stepped back. "Even though I know in the end Charlie will come to terms with our decision, I guess I'm worried about the in between stuff as well."
Bella tilted her head up and groaned slightly, "there's going to be yelling, isn't there?"
"Well, to be honest I can't say yes or no since there are so many possible outcomes, I've seen at least three and one did have raised voices but two others didn't." Hugging the girl tight to her, "Bella, we both know it's going to upset him no matter what we do or say, though I do know he's going to enjoy the meal you made for him."
"Really?"
"Oh yes, in fact, the way he digs into you'd think you were feeding Jake."
"Okay that's one good thing," Bella remarked as she kissed the top of Alice's head. "Maybe he'll be too stuffed to work up a good yell."
"Let's not worry about the in between stuff and focus on the ending my sweet," Alice crooned out as she felt her lover's arms tighten around her at the sound of Charlie's car pulling into the drive way.
Bella nodded but still swallowed out of habit more then need as she waited for her dad to enter the house.
(Time shift)
Charlie's response to the dinner was as Alice predicted, he had tucked into the stew as if he hadn't eaten for days and had even gone back for seconds, something he rarely did. Afterwards the three of them settled in the living room, Charlie in his easy chair, a beer in one hand and the TV remote in the other. The habitual action soothed Bella slightly until she perceived that the TV had yet to be turned on. In fact, her father's soft brown eyes weren't focused on the TV at all, oh no, those penetrating eyes were studying Alice and her as they sat down on the couch.
"So you girls have something you want to discuss?" He asked his eyes following their every movement.
Feeling Alice's hand gently squeeze her, Bella took in an unnecessary breath, "uh yeah," Meeting his gaze; Bella felt her brain freeze, 'he knows!' Kept repeating over and over in her mind as she starred at him.
Suddenly having vampire-enhanced powers meant nothing, nothing at all they certainly weren't helping her at this point. Those two years away just disappeared. She was back to being an eighteen year old girl, who was about to tell her father, not ask but tell him she was going to be leaving. Yet, she couldn't articulate the words, they just turned to mush in her mouth as she imaged how he would respond.
Feeling Bella's hand stiffen in her own, Alice didn't even need to glance over at her to know her lover had frozen. It was rather startling to have Charlie cue the conversation even if she had, had a vision of it going this way. He was even after all that had happened more of an observer waiting for others to begin, 'but then again,' she mused silently. 'He was probably surreptitiously studying us during dinner.'
Knowing her lover was stuck Alice decided to get the ball rolling, "Charlie." Her soft musical voice chimed out gently, "Bella and I feel, after long drawn out conversations, weighing the pros and cons, that we both need join Gabi in searching down Edward."
"The pros and cons," he repeated softly switching his eyes from his daughter over to Alice. "I assume you're being rather loose with those terms because to be honest I doubt I could see to many pros about going after a mad man."
"The pro would be we are taking back control of our lives," Bella whispered out. "Making our own decisions instead of letting others do it for us, because it's what they feel is best for our welfare."
"I see," he replied before taking a sip of beer. "And what does Gabi say, since you'll be would going with her."
"It's our decision," Alice answered. "She understands our reasons and agrees."
"If I was still human, I'd be twenty now," Bella broke in feeling her confidence coming back. "And I by now I could've joined the military and be somewhere getting my ass shot at if I chose that as a career."
Taking a longer draw on his beer, Charlie nodded his head, "that's true Bells, you could be in the Middle East or some such place in grave danger and I would be worrying my heart over you being there." Taking a long deep breath and slowly exhaling he looked deeply at both young women, "I don't like it but I can't stop you, because you're right this is your decision to make."
Bella's mouth plopped open and her eyes nearly popped out and the only thing she could say was, "huh?"
"He said it's our decision," Alice supplied with a tiny smile at her lover's incredulous expression to Charlie's reply.
"That…that's it?"
"Yeah, it is," he nodded. "I doubt me saying you can't go would stop you, so what's the point of arguing. The best thing I can do as your father is support your choice, pray to God you'll stay safe so you two can come home to me once it is all done."
"Oh," Bella breathed out as she sat back into the couch. All the anxiety she had built up deflated out of her.
"Bells you seem rather disappointed," Charlie remarked rather dryly before taking another sip of his beer.
Alice allowed her tiny smile grow into a knowing smile, "I think you took the wind out of her sails Charlie. She was so nervous about how you would respond she even started talking to your dinner."
"Hmmm, really?" He chuckled out even though he wasn't really feeling the humor. "I guess it's good to know I'm not all that predictable."
Then suddenly Bella demonstrated she wasn't all that predictable either, she released Alice's hand and launched herself at her father, making him drop his halfway finished can of beer and the remote. She enveloped him to a hug that could've been bone crushing if Bella didn't have the presence of mind to hold back at the last second.
"I love you dad," she murmured as he recovered enough to return the hug.
"I love you too, Bells."
"And I promise we both will be safe and return to you." She choked out.
Alice bobbed her head up and down in agreement to her lover's statement.
"Get over here," Charlie growled out to the smaller vampire releasing one of his arms to invite Alice into the hug, which she readily accepted but with a bit more delicacy then Bella had.
The beer, the remote, in fact the surrounding world was forgotten for several minutes while Charlie hugged the two women tightly to his chest.
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I always try to respond personally to the reviews, but for those whom I'm able to thank privately, I shall do so publicly thank you kindly for your thoughts.