A/N… Sunday won the vote by one. ONE. ;) There were also a few "either day works" votes. So…since I'm off today, we'll update Sunday. Depending on how fast Chapter 19 comes, we may go back to Tuesday.

I'll stop babbling and let you get to it.

~oOo~

Chapter 18

BELLA

From the bedroom window, I could see the two agents now watching the house. I felt a little like a prisoner, but I knew for a fact, things could be worse. They could've packed us all up and sent us somewhere unknown.

And they would've cut off all contact with Edward, Garrett, and Emmett. No one wanted that. On either side of the situation.

It had been a little over a week since the whole Mike, Felix, and shocking truths about Edward's father being connected to Aro Volturi thing. Edward and Garrett had arranged for the FBI to guard us, which resulted in a few men dressed as lawn care workers, deliverymen, or joggers. There was constant movement around the house. At night, which was an hour or so away, they paced the yard or sat in the living room watching TV.

Edward and Garrett had also been working their asses off trying to find James. My dad had finally been released from the hospital, and he was now residing in Carlisle's office downstairs. We'd even gotten a chance to have a video chat with Jasper, who looked healthier than I'd seen in a very long time – maybe when we were kids. He seemed happier, more at ease in his own skin, and this time, he grinned at the sight of Alice's big belly.

However, the downside of all of it was that I hadn't really seen Edward since that night. He barely got in and slept for a few hours before he needed to be back out. Once or twice, he crashed on Garrett's sofa because it was just easier that way.

And I found that I missed him. I missed kisses and Edward calling me beautiful. I missed making him smile. I even missed the way he'd spoil Sid. A part of me knew that I was probably sporting a deep, ugly case of cabin fever, but nevertheless, I still missed seeing him. I wasn't sure cabin fever was the cause, because something else was stirring in my heart. I was scared to voice it or think about it because we were barely a thing. Edward and I were something we hadn't even given a title to yet.

Sid hopped up onto the desk, rubbing against me as I continued to watch the world outside. I ran my hand over his head as I studied the neighborhood – if it could be called that. Carlisle and Esme's house sat back a little from the street. Their closest neighbor was a few city-blocks away. Beneficial, really, when needing to see someone who didn't belong.

There was a light tap on the door, and I opened it to see Tanya on the other side.

"I promised Edward I'd check on you," she stated, rolling her eyes and waving a hand around. "Like you can't deal…but I promised."

Chuckling, I nodded and let her in. "I'm pretty sure it's habit for him to worry at this point."

She grinned, plopping down in his desk chair as I closed the door. "Maybe," she allowed. "Though being trapped inside all the time must suck. He's sorry for that too."

I liked her. Actually, I liked everyone in Edward's life. But Tanya was very real, loyal, and honest. The first time she'd shown up at the house, we'd gotten along instantly. We'd all gotten along. At first, I'd expected anger at having brought this all onto their doorstep, even though Carlisle had suggested it, but they treated us like family.

"I know, but me being here allows him to finish it," I replied, sitting on the bed. "The guy he's trying to catch is just… James has always been an asshole, but I didn't realize how dark it truly was until he killed my brother's ex. And my former roommate. And then there's another layer of just…bullshit because they know about Edward's father. Now it's mob stuff, and I can't wrap my head around that because it's movie shit, you know?"

Tanya gasped softly. "He finally told you about his parents?" I nodded, and she smiled, but it wavered as her eyes watered. "Good. He needed to tell you. He's held it in for too damn long," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Her reaction reminded me of Esme's, and I could see she loved him. Not in a romantic way, because I'd seen their interactions, but she cared about him.

"I told him he needed to tell you, because he liked you. He was keeping you at arm's length," she said, sitting forward. "Oh my God, Bella… Don't let him frustrate you to death, and don't take his tone seriously. That's…" She trailed off, sighing deeply. "That's the remnants of Ed Sr. He can't seem to shake it, and it comes out when he's anxious."

I grimaced. "Yeah, I know. He's gotten better, but I see what you're saying."

"Good. Esme's the fucking champ at dealing with it."

Laughing, my head fell back. "No shit!" I agreed. "I saw that the first time I met her."

Tanya chuckled, nodding a little. "I wanted to tell you… There's nothing between us. He's dated girls who thought we were doing shit on the side… Or that there were unresolved issues. There aren't. We're not a thing, I promise. I just didn't want you to think that. I love him, but I love him like a brother."

Smiling, I tilted my head her way. "I appreciate it, but I could tell. And he told me you're his best friend, a family friend. He said you used to date in high school."

Tanya nodded. "We did." She wrinkled her nose, tucking her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear. "It wasn't necessarily a failed experiment, but we found that we made better friends than a couple. After the deaths of his parents, he retreated into himself. He'd only interact with his aunt and uncle, Rose, Emmett, and me."

"Because you knew the truth."

"Yes! Exactly. We were comfortable for him, like a favorite pair of pajamas. That led to more with us, but it wasn't the real deal. We never really broke up; we just stopped being a couple. It kinda ended after we graduated."

I chuckled because I loved her honesty and snark and sarcasm. "I get that. I had a boyfriend in high school like that. Tyler. Once we separated for college, it just…poofed out. No big deal."

She nodded and smiled in understanding. "Then you do get it. He's like family to me."

"And you're seeing someone, aren't you?"

She laughed deeply and evilly. "No, not anymore. Liam decided the legal aide at his law office was way more interesting and probably young enough to be manipulated." I opened my mouth to say something, but she held up her hand. "Don't tell Edward just yet. He has a tendency to show up wearing his badge, gun, and two tons of attitude when a guy gets stupid. He's dealing with enough right now. When it's over? Sure. But not now. You…this… This is way more important than an asshole with an over-active libido and low self-esteem."

I snorted into a laugh, groaning at the same time. Because I could well imagine how nasty Edward could probably get if someone hurt his family and friends.

"And honestly, I'm not sure it's necessary. We only went out a few times," she tacked on at the end, and we glanced up when there was a tap on the door.

"Come in," I said, still chuckling at Tanya.

Edward peeked in, muttering, "Jesus help me if you two team up on my ass."

I grinned his way, shrugging a shoulder. Aside from the fact that he looked tired and tense, he truly seemed terrified of the prospect that we would gang up on him.

"Not today, Edward," I told him, and he grinned, shaking his head.

Tanya cracked the hell up. "Shut up, bestie. Why are you here? You specifically sent me here to check on her!" she pointed out, waving a hand around.

"I know. I didn't know until about an hour ago," he argued. "We were going to be later, but Banner was needed for some home invasion involving a custody thing… Not my department."

Sid ran to him, using Edward's torso to stretch languidly, and Edward never even stopped talking as he ran a hand down Sid's whole being over and over.

"Well, you're awfully early," I pointed out.

"Yeah, I'm off until tomorrow night. Felix is trying to narrow down James for us. He hasn't shown up at the usual places, because they're all being watched. So he's going to try to set up a place for us to finally catch him," Edward said, sighing deeply. "So I'm off for like twenty-four hours."

"Esme will be stoked that you'll actually be here for dinner," I teased him.

He grinned. "She knows."

I stood up. "I'd better go see if she needs help."

"You don't have to, Bella," he countered a little gruffly.

I narrowed my eyes on him. "You've brought like three extra mouths to feed into this house; four, if you count the bottomless pit inside Alice. If anything tells me that's my brother's kid, it's her appetite. Not to mention, the constant pots of coffee for the guys outside. And all four of her 'kids' who are constantly around now." I gestured to him and Tanya, but that included Emmett and Rose. "I'm helping because of all of us, I have experience feeding that many people."

Tanya laughed at Edward's grimace. "She's not wrong, bestie."

"I know. I'll be glad when this shit is over so everything can go back to fucking normal," he muttered, shrugging once. "For everyone involved."

"No shit," I told him, pointing to Sid and kissing his lips. "Don't let him out. He'll sharpen his claws on that leather sofa or try to explore the top cabinets in the kitchen, or he'll get outside. There are bears out there and bigger, meaner cats than him."

Edward grinned, scratching Sid's ears and chin. "Heard, Bella."

~oOo~

Dinner was a loud affair because there were so many of us. And Edward's family simply wrapped Alice, Dad, and me up in their conversations and comfort.

Once Emmett, Rose, and Tanya had left, I helped Dad to his room. He was still sore, specifically his ribs and his fractured arm. He seemed to be healing okay, though. He was happy he didn't have a plaster cast but a Velcro one. He could remove it to bathe and dress.

As I waited to help him after a shower, I felt his eyes on me when he stepped back into the room. "What?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. I just… You like Edward now?"

Grinning, I raised an eyebrow his way. "You want to have this chat? Birds, bees, and boys? You couldn't even have this chat when I turned thirteen."

He chuckled. "Your mother did a fine job with that conversation. I was there to teach you how to enforce 'no means no.'"

"Which has come in handy way more than the birds and the bees talk, I'll have you know," I admitted to him, grinning at his pride and smugness. I picked up his cast and slipped it on over his arm, adjusting the straps. "But yeah, I do. He's not what I thought, but some of his personality comes from trauma, I think."

"His parents?"

My eyebrows shot up. "How'd you—"

"I ran his background check for the apartment, Bells. I'd forgotten the junior on his name when I did the first search, and it brought up his father," Dad explained, grimacing a little. "Some fathers don't deserve the children they've been gifted."

I hummed with a frown. I knew he'd felt that way about Jasper's father, Phil, but Ed Sr. was just as bad, maybe worse. I wasn't sure. However, Charlie Swan had always been an amazing dad. He was smart and calm, protective and encouraging. I was lucky; some people weren't.

"That's probably true, Daddy," I whispered, leaning in to kiss his forehead. "Was that why you defended him when he first moved into Common Ground?"

Dad nodded. "Kid owns a house free and clear, not far from here if I'm guessing, but he rents apartments. After reading his dad's history and meeting Edward, I thought he'd make a good tenant."

"And now we're living with him…or his family, whichever you prefer."

Charlie grinned. "Yeah, well, I have a feeling that we'll stay in touch when this is all over."

Smirking at his trying to urge me toward Edward, I nodded. "Probably." I helped him gently sit on the side of the bed. "Get some rest, Dad."

Before I could shut the door behind me, he called my name.

"He's not Jake, baby girl. He's the opposite, actually. Just…don't let your history cloud your future, Bells," Dad said softly.

I nodded, whispering, "Good night, Dad," as I closed his door.

The house was quiet except for the ticking clock in the living room, the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen, and the muffled sound of whatever Alice was watching on TV behind her closed door.

The door to the guest room was open when I passed by, and Edward was sitting on the edge of the bed, flipping through channels on the TV. He was in a T-shirt and basketball shorts.

I leaned in the door, and he smiled my way, asking, "How's Charlie feeling?"

"Happy to be anywhere but the hospital," I replied immediately. "And your biggest fan, it would seem."

Edward's brow furrowed, and the look of confusion shouldn't be so damned alluring, but it was. It was the innocently curious expression along with a lick of his lips and a roll of his jaw.

He shook his head. "I don't know why. I only did what he asked."

Chuckling a little, I walked to him as he set the remote control down. "Maybe that's part of it. He asked me if I liked you, though everyone in my life has asked me that."

He grinned, glancing down at his lap before reaching out to gently pull me closer by my waist. "I understand. Everyone asked me the same about you."

I laughed lightly as I reached up to brush a lock of hair from his forehead. I wondered briefly if things had been different, had we been able to stay at Common Ground, would we still have found this honesty? Would Edward have still told me about his parents? Would I still have considered him an ass?

"You okay, beautiful?" he asked, cupping my chin a little to look me in the eye.

Nodding, I waved a hand in front of my face. "It's just me…" I trailed off, not sure how to voice those inner questions.

"You breaking up with me again?"

I couldn't stop the giggle if I tried. It was such a stupid thing we said, but deep down, I loved it so much. Even better was the mock seriousness he put on when he'd ask. He was ridiculously handsome, but he was shy due to his past and his intelligence and the walls he fought to maintain. But holy shit, when those walls were down, he was just about impossible to resist.

"No," I whispered. "No more breaking up." I hoped I said that in a way that meant more than the joke we always threw out there.

"Yeah?" he whispered back, his eyes holding my gaze, and they were a dark green and filled with heat and a touch of nerves. "Are you sure? Even with all this…this bullshit surrounding us?"

"Even with that," I answered with a laugh. I leaned in to kiss his lips briefly. "Do you think about when this is over?"

He sighed deeply. "Yes."

I smirked at what I now understood was his habitual short answers. Now that I knew why he answered that way, it ceased to be annoying and became just…him. His father was an abusive asshole, but Edward had learned to navigate the abuse in the best way he could. Yes or no. Black or white. No need for long explanations when he truly didn't want to talk to the man at all. And it served him well when keeping people back.

"Me, too," I agreed softly. "I try not to think about my coffee shop, just sitting there. And I worry about my tenants – Mr. Saunders and Carmen and Eleazar. But the guy in 3B, he's doing fine."

Edward's smile was embarrassed and shy. "Common Ground will be okay. Mr. Saunders is still in Phoenix, and Carmen and Eleazar are staying with her sister in Alaska. When this is over, I'll help you—" Before I could interrupt him, he added, "I want to help you, beautiful. Please let me."

I kissed him softly. "I'd like that." The door to my bedroom rattled, and I met Edward's amused gaze with a wry one. "Someone's hungry."

He grinned. "Or lost his toy again."

I glanced up at the TV. "What are you watching?"

"A British version of Sherlock Holmes. It's old. Like mid-eighties, but the guy is kinda perfect," he explained softly.

I tugged his hand. "C'mon. We'll feed the gremlin and you can introduce me to this show. I've kinda missed you the last few days."

Edward paused for a moment but reached for his remote and shut the TV off. He nodded, stood, and grabbed his phone and gun from the nightstand.

We left the room, turning toward the end of the hall. A sleek, black cat paw was sticking out from beneath the door of his old bedroom. And that damned fish of Sid's was in the middle of the hall.

"Toy," we both stated softly.

It made me chuckle, but I picked up Sid's toy as Edward carefully opened the door so not to bash my cat in the face.

"Not so fast," Edward said, scooping Sid up with one large hand when he tried to dart out of the room. "You need longer arms or bigger toys."

Sid glared at him judgingly but seemed resigned to being manhandled. Edward set him down on the bed, and I poured some food into his bowl, which made him forget we existed completely. Even the toy was abandoned and ignored when I tossed it back onto the open space of the floor.

Edward set his gun and phone down on the other nightstand and grabbed the remote for the TV, finding the channel he wanted, and he sat down on the bed with his back against the pillows.

"You ready?" he asked as I plopped down next to him, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders so we could settle into the show.

~oOo~

EDWARD

"Okay, I get it. He's kinda badass," Bella said after her second episode of Sherlock Holmes.

Chuckling, I paused the TV. "Truly."

"And a hot mess at the same time. Like addictions and antisocial behavior," she tacked on. "But I see the appeal."

Smiling, I leaned over to kiss her temple. "He beats your Benedict Cumberbatch any day."

She laughed, shrugging a little. "I don't know," she sang, shaking her head a little. "Benedict has some charming shit going in his favor. And his Watson is pretty awesome too."

I grinned, allowing that one. I didn't care. It was nice to share this with someone who could appreciate it. I'd never thought Bella would care. Maggie hadn't any patience for it, and Tanya had read the books, but no one would really talk much about it.

"How'd you discover Sherlock Holmes?" Bella asked, scooting closer to set her head on my chest.

"My mother," I told her, wrapping an arm around her and reclining farther down into the bed. "She gave me those copies of the books." I pointed to the shelf above the TV. "She liked mysteries and classic literature. She noticed I liked puzzles and riddles, and she'd watch me play video games for hours. She said it was like watching a movie."

Bella smiled softly. "I know you miss her. I miss mine, too."

I nodded. "What do you miss?"

"Talking to her," she answered simply. "She'd be so happy about Jasper's baby on the way."

"Are you?"

"Oh yeah. I'm going to spoil them so bad."

Chuckling, I kissed her forehead. "Do you want kids?"

She tilted her head so she could see my face. "Sure. Eventually. You?"

Wrinkling my nose, I shook my head, but that wasn't my answer. "I don't know. Maybe. I used to say no. I didn't want to screw up an entire human being. I'm aware of how I am, Bella."

"You were pretty vocal when Alice was keeping her pregnancy a secret from Jasper, so there must be something in there," she whispered, tapping my chest.

Nodding, I sighed. "Maggie had a pregnancy scare once – my ex. She was a nurse at Uncle Carlisle's hospital. She didn't really know me, and suddenly we're talking about the possibility of bringing a child into it." I looked to Bella. "I never told her about my parents. And I never brought her here to meet my family. We dated for a year. Well…year-ish."

"What happened?"

"Nothing dramatic. Just a late period. But my reaction and the fact that I held back everything… She decided to move on." I paused, gazing unseeingly at the frozen image on the TV screen. "Tanya found out she's getting married. I'm glad. We would've made each other miserable, I think. She hated my job, my long hours."

Bella tsked. "A nurse had issues with your work schedule?"

I laughed because Tanya had basically said the same thing. "Yeah, well, that was what she focused her resentment on, Bella."

She sat up a little to loom over me. "Did you love her?"

My brow furrowed. "I don't think so. I cared about her, but when she broke up with me, I let her go."

"Versus when I break up with you?" she asked in the sweetest, most adorable giggle.

"Devastated. Every time." I was teasing, but I wasn't. I'd repeatedly told her she'd become important to me, but it had blown way beyond "important." I was afraid to voice it because so much surrounded us. However, I found that the more we were together, the easier it was to let her in. "It happened so fast," I whispered randomly, reaching for her face with both hands.

Bella's eyes locked with mine as she nodded slowly. "I know," she whispered back, leaning in.

Something in the room shifted. It made it hard to breathe because we seemed to be on the same page yet again. I swallowed nervously. She was too beautiful on a normal daily basis, but right then, she looked like she was about to take what she wanted.

And I had zero fucking problem with it.

Bella's lips met mine, top lip, bottom lip, and a slight turn to taste the bottom one again. Slowly, my hands slid into her hair on either side of her head, holding it away from her face so I could see her, search her eyes for any hesitation. There wasn't any – not even when I pulled her lips back to mine to really kiss her.

There was a strange and inane part of my mind that seemed to focus on the fact that we were in my old teen bedroom, but I let it go. I also couldn't stop kissing her, and I let out a low moan when I found myself pinned beneath her, with strong thighs on either side of my hips and the heat.

"Fuck, Bella," I breathed against her mouth. "You feel…"

"So do you," she said through a soft groan, her hips pressing down, seeking friction.

My whole body reacted, one hand leaving her hair to guide her hip, to help her grind against my now very hard cock. My legs lifted as she shifted down, and I sat up, keeping her on my lap. She grabbed the bottom of my shirt, and we pulled away just enough to tug it off and drop it blindly off the side of the bed. My fingers gripped her hair, turning her head to taste her – deep swirls of tongues together, a rake across bottom lips, and finally, that sweet neck down to her pulse and then back to her ear.

She was in a simple tank top and shorts, but it felt like she was in a damn snow suit. I wanted skin. But more than anything, I wanted to see her. As if she could read my mind, she guided my hands to her shirt.

"Bella, wait," I ground out through gritted teeth, squeezing my eyes closed as her heat rolled languidly over my erection. When I opened them, I saw so much flashing across her face. Want, need, desire. Something warm behind those deep, brown eyes. "Are you sure? Do we need… I don't…"

Once again, she made me feel awkward and unstable, but her expression made me feel wanted. Things were gathering speed, and I didn't want to stop, but I would if she wasn't ready.

She paused just enough to look me in the eye. "I'm clean. I'm on the pill. And I've been sure since the first time you kissed me."

A half smile curled up on my face. "Yeah?"

She nodded, cupping my face lightly to kiss me once more before raising her hands above her head. I reached for the hem of her shirt, lifting it off her and dropping it somewhere on the bed.

"Christ," I hissed, my eyes closing briefly as my forehead fell to hers, trying like hell not to moan at the feel of skin on skin. "My imagination is for shit, beautiful."

Her laugh was breathy and nervous. "You imagined me naked?"

"Oh, fuck, yes."

Wrapping an arm around her, I rolled us so she was beneath me. Bracing an arm by her head, I finally took in the beauty underneath me. She was smooth skin and peaked, rosy nipples. She had a flat stomach without being bony. There was this one small freckle at the top of her left breast that was now my new favorite sight on the planet, and that needed attention as soon as fucking possible.

Leaning down, I pressed my lips to it, locking eyes with hers as my free hand reached out to touch her other breast, to tease its nipple, to finally toy with the waist of her shorts. "Fuck, baby, I want you. I need to know if you're ready. I want to… Jesus, I'm gonna eat you alive."

She swallowed nervously but nodded. "I don't want to stop, Edward."

Bella reached for my own shorts, which were tented by how hard I was for her. However, I gently took her wrist, saying, "Wait, beautiful. You touch me now, and this is all over. Please let me…" I trailed off as she nodded again, and I sat back on my knees to reach for the last remaining article of clothing.

More smooth skin met my eyes as I tossed her shorts away. Instantly, I fell over her, kissing her deeply before I dragged lips and tongue down her neck, over each breast, and her sweet stomach that flinched under my tongue as it swirled in her belly button.

"Ticklish?"

She grinned, her huffy laugh hitting the air. "Yes."

Swirling my tongue one more time just to see her entire body roll in a beautiful wave, I said, "Food for thought," as I finally pressed my lips to her mound.

Bella was smooth and bare aside from a sweet triangle of hair. And my eyes rolled back when I discovered that she smelled fucking amazing. She smelled like want and need, but she also smelled like that flowery and fruity scent she always carried, that saturated her apartment back at Common Ground.

And that shit had me ravenous to taste her. With swift movements, I skimmed up her thighs, spreading her legs before me, and I licked my lips. Locking my eyes with hers, I raked my tongue from one end of her to the other, ending with her sweet clit that was already swollen.

Dragging my teeth over the inside of her thigh, I asked, "How long has it been since someone took care of this gorgeous pussy?"

She shivered, her hands reaching for my hair. "Longer than I'd like to admit, so I promise that won't take long."

Grinning, I nipped at the skin of her thigh before finally giving in and feasting on her. I honestly didn't know what the best part was – her taste, her sounds, or the writhing against my face. Maybe it was the fingers in my hair. However, the complete and utter explosion of an orgasm beat all of that, because her head fell back but her sweet pussy pressed against my face as she came on my tongue.

All of it combined almost made me come simply watching her.

One more full-body shiver, and she reached for my shorts. She licked her lips, and I said, "If that mouth comes anywhere near my dick, this night will be over. I want it, but not now. I want…you."

She smirked at me like she was about to test that theory but nodded instead, holding her arms out for me. I braced over her, kissing her as I guided myself to her entrance. My mouth hung open as I slipped deep inside her.

"Christ," I hissed, squeezing my eyes closed. "You okay?"

She nodded, bringing my forehead to hers. "Yes. Better than okay."

I nodded, finally opening my eyes to see my own emotions reflected back to me as I started to move. There were no words said because she felt so damned good. I wasn't a stranger to sex, but this seemed different, more. Maybe it was because I'd been attracted to her since the beginning, even when I first met her – with her temper and fire and defense of her brother. But even more since I'd truly gotten to know her, how she cared for those around her – those that meant something to her, at least.

And I realized as I picked up the pace, her leg in the crook of my arm, that I was now one of those precious people she'd wrapped up in her loyalty and care.

"Can you come again?" I panted as I took her harder and harder, but it was a rhetorical question because I could feel her start to flutter around me, her body start to quiver, and her breathing stopped momentarily as she fell completely apart.

I wanted more, but I knew I wouldn't last. My spine started to tingle, and I knew I was going to explode. Burying my face into her neck, I lost my shit completely.

"Fuck," I growled out through gritted teeth to keep the noise down.

Gentle hands soothed down my back as I tried to catch my breath. Bella lifted her head a little to press open-mouthed kisses to my shoulder, my neck, my Adam's apple.

"Holy shit," she whispered against my cheek.

Nodding, I pulled back a little. "No kidding."

She raked a hand through my now sweaty hair. "Will you stay with me in here?"

Kissing her forehead, her nose, and her lips, I whispered, "Yes."

"Good," she said, pulling at me until my head was on her chest. "I kinda like having you right here."

Smiling, I kissed the side of her breast and lifted my head. "C'mere," I whispered, finally slipping out of her, but I shifted us until her back was to my chest. She pulled the covers up over us as I wrapped an arm around her waist. "How about right here?"

I could hear her smile in her voice when she said, "Even better."

~oOo~

A/N… That was a long time coming – pun totally intended here. ;)

The show Edward was watching was The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett, who really is an amazing Sherlock. Just saying. I love Benedict, but this guy kind of epitomizes the character.

I want to thank all of you for your hugs and support. It's been a rough few weeks. Some days, it feels like I'm treading water.

I'm working on the next chapter as I post this, so the next update will be probably be Sunday again. That's what I'm aiming for anyway. Until next time… Mooches, Deb ;)