Big Announcements

It's been an amazing few months for me recently.

My biggest news...come January, I will be a PUBLISHED author! Thanks to The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House, my original story Children of Creation: Convergence, the first in what I hope to be a series of novels involving humans, Angels, and another race known as The Guardians and one girl that can see the all where most other humans can't. I finished my first draft two weeks ago, go into hard editing mid November and will be released toward the end of January. I'm so excited about this. This story was originally entered in the TWCS Original Fiction contest winning the Young Adult category.
This was the banner I created for the contest entry


And this is my banner for winning :)


In addition, I entered two Anonymous Contests last month.

My All Hallows Eve entry, Tripping the Veil, didn't win, but was very fun to write.


But my story for the A Picture Says it All Anonymous Contest received the honor of winning Kharizzmatik's Judge's Pick, which is a real honor for me as her story Emancipation Proclamation is one of my favorite all time fanfictions! She made me this banner as my prize!

My Other Brother, Chapter 17 teaser

I was about to move over to the dresser to put on my locket and spray a bit of perfume when a loud knock at my door made me jump. I dashed to the door and opened it to see a distressed looking Edward staring down at me. He gestured for me to let him in; storming past me as his hands flew threw his hair. I closed the door and spun to face him, waiting for him to explain.

Edward’s pacing was almost comical, as he would pause, blush, and circle the room before pausing again. “I…fuck this is so embarrassing. I have a problem. Like a major problem.”

I moved to sit on the bed, my heart pounding a little in my chest. Any problem of Edward’s was my problem as well. “What’s wrong, Edward?” I asked, patting the bed next to me. He tugged his hair again before coming to stand in front of me. My eyes grew wide as he began unbuckling his pants, not sure what was going on, but knowing full well that sex wasn’t what was on his mind.

He pulled down his pants and underwear to mid thigh, revealing the subject of his distress. I drew my lips together and tried hard not to laugh, but it was impossible to hold back. I rolled on the bed, tears running down my face, ruining my make up job.

“Don’t laugh, Isabella Marie Swan! This is all your fault you know!

Update on Sara Aka Callmemrswrite on Twitter TwilightMommyof4Girls on Fanfiction.net

As many of you know, Sara has had a rough few days. Twitterlong is being fail today, so I"m just going to paste the post for today onto here and the note I wrote before it.

Along with the update today, Sara's husband, Jeff, left a personal message to some of us that I gathered he did not want on the global net per se, but he wanted to share with certain people close to her. I guess our Sara is a much tougher cookie that I ever knew. She deals with daily aches and pains the likes of which we can't even really understand and yet she never complains and goes out of her way for people around her. This whole situation has given her husband and family a reminder to cherish our Sara the way she deserves to be cherished. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Okay now for the official Sara Update.

Sara is calling her scar her botched autopsy scar. Karen can't even look at it. They have her frozen with an epidural to keep the pain at bay. It works like a charm but she can't come home on it and if they use it for more than three days there could be complications. She is up and walking but she doesn't move her trunk at all. I don't blame her. She got to eat some solids this evening and they hope that she will be able to eat fully by Tuesday. She tried to send Karen and I home for the night since neither of us have really slept in two days. She got her way with me but not her mom. Karen will go home to sleep tomorrow while I stay. The doctors are thrilled with her progress and hope for all positives. Tomorrow she will be moved off the oncology floor to the post surgical floor until she is ready to go home.


Thanks for all prayers and well wishes
Jeff

Busy Cullen Wannabe

I don't even know if you guys check this often, but I thought I'd update with what's going on now. I'm up to my eyeballs trying to complete my original and have two plot bunnies posting on the side now.

The first, My Other Brother, already has a ton of chapters saved up that I'm updating daily until you are caught up. It's sort of fun college aged E and B who are step siblings who are realizing there's more there between them. I'm having a ton of fun with it
http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/library/viewstory.php?sid=3096
or
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6313064/1/My_Other_Brother



The second is the crime drama I posted the teaser on here for a while ago. It's much slower going for me, but I still posted to whet your appetites. In Return of the King, Bella is the leader of an FBI squad tasked to investigate a murder that appears to point to a Serial Killer that they put behind bars over a year before. They race against time to figure out how it's possible he appears to be killing from prison and also keep his lawyers from using this murder with it's confusion evidence from using the information to get him an appeal.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6312308/1/Return_of_the_King
or
http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/library/viewstory.php?sid=3094



My focus is going to be mainly on my original, but these are going to fill in the gaps when I need to switch focus for a break and/or get past a writer's block...which is why there are so many chapters of MOB saved up. Hope you take some time to check them out.

Breakaway Chapter 25 Teaser

As you're about to find...some BIG things happen in chapter 25...here is your very spoilery teaser

The world moved in slow motion around her as Bella sat in the hospital waiting room, gripping the chair arm with white knuckles, her other hand clenching the necklace around her neck tightly in her fist, not responding to the questions of the loved ones around her. She barely blinked as she stared at the double doors that led to the operating room where the doctors were working tirelessly to heal Edward’s numerous injuries, all the while screaming in her head at herself. No…please, no…please, not him! Just this morning I agreed to be his wife and now…Edward is the love of my life…I can’t lose him…not now…not ever!

Her memories poured forth as she stared nearly comatose at the doors that led to the operating room where the only man she’d ever loved was slowly being pieced back together by surgeons. Could it have just been that morning that she had woken up to Edward’s emerald eyes smiling down at her? It seemed like a lifetime had passed in those few hours.

Breakaway Chapter 24 Teaser

The race was very uneventful as Bella and Edward easily worked their way toward the front of the pack, finishing in seventh and eighth place behind a surprisingly well mannered Daniels. Cosma finished a couple of cars behind them and appeared frustrated as he exited the car without his typical smile and hurried off to his trailer, not even bothering with post race interviews. Edward and Bella watched him with strange fascination before watching a beaming James hop out of his car and happily speak to the waiting reporters. He smiled sweetly at them as he passed, leaving Bella feeling more than a little weirded out.

Edward and Bella walked back to the trailer hand in hand, happy to be reaching the end of the stress of the season. There was so much strain on every driver simply to make the chase, while the chase had its own variety of strain, which Bella had yet to know personally, it was a whole different animal from the pressures that had been pushing them both for the past seven months.
With a happy sigh, Bella and Edward climbed into the RV and shuffled to their room in the back. Bella collapsed on the bed while Edward showered, drifting off listening to the soft fall of the water from the showerhead. Soon Edward woke her to take her turn. The feel of the cool spray was so nice on her skin that Bella didn’t want to get out, but she knew she needed to sooner or later.

By the time she exited and had dried off, she moved into the bedroom to see Edward passed out on the bed, curled on his side and facing her side of the bed. With a giggle, she quickly slid into her jammies before climbing in beside him and curling into the space he left for her. With a small smile, she drifted off to sleep in the warm cocoon of his arms and the fresh smell of his clean body. She felt so content in that moment, she hoped that they would always get to be together, just like that. Life was good, and soon they would be in Richmond, making their last push to be part of the Chase for the Cup the afternoon before her birthday.

Breakaway Info

We're coming to the end folks. I have completed the last official chapter before the epi, which was Chapter 27. Once I have the epi and they have all been betaed, I plan to push the last few posts a few days apart, so you don't have to wait weeks when it's pretty much in the bag. I feel pretty good with where this ended up, hope you do too!

Breakaway Chapter 23 Teaser

Whoops...I totally forgot to post a teaser for the next chapter. Good news...I've got three more chapters put back for this story and am two or three chapters shy of our epi. Bad news...I'm only a few chapters away from our epi. At any rate, we're getting close to the end. I hope you like the teaser.

Bella frowned with a nod as her pen scratched across the top of the paper. She looked up suddenly, her eyes looking worried, which made Ben worry as well.

“Ben, you need to call Angela right now. Tell her to act as causal as possible. Tell her to leave the apartment and take nothing with her. If she has a friend she can stay with, she needs to go there and wait for you. If not, then I will call and make a reservation for a hotel room for tonight.”

Ben looked confused as Bella jumped up and ran for her cell, tossing it in his direction. He looked up at her wondering what the hurry was, still feeling bewildered.

“Ben…they know where you live…where Angela lives right now on her own. If they somehow catch wind…”

She didn’t have to say anymore as Ben snatched up the phone and dialed hastily. He did his best to explain without revealing too much to Angela before closing the phone and hitting the table with his fist.

“What are we going to do? Where will we live? What have I gotten us into?”

Edward ran out at the loud noise, his towel barely hanging from his hips. Bella shook her head at him as she rested a hand on Ben’s shoulders.

“Calm down. I don’t know for sure if she’s in danger, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I want you to stay away from your place for a few days.” Bella crossed to the cabinet where she stowed the petty cash box she and Edward used for extras. She grabbed out a couple of hundred dollars and put it in front of Ben. “This should pay for a place to stay until I get there. After the race, I will fly home and help you guys get settled somewhere that is safer for the time being. I’ll also arrange for your things to be taken care of.”

Bella turned to Edward with a look that screamed her pleas for cooperation. “Edward will you please book the next available flight home for Ben, and then book a flight after the race for me? If there aren’t any until after the race, then put us together on a flight home please, and then book me a round trip ticket to Bristol, or if they don’t have any, then just rent me a car to drive there, please.”

Edward shook his head. “Bella, I don’t know what is going on, but I won’t have you flying back alone if there’s a problem. I won’t let you put yourself in danger.”

Bella walked toward him hastily, grabbing his arm and tugging him into the bedroom. “Edward, please don’t argue with this. There is a pregnant girl out there who might be in danger. I need to get them somewhere safe.” Bella froze, her eyes turning slowly toward Edward as a small, devious smile spread across her face. “Actually, I already have a place for them….that is if you were serious when you said the other night that I might as well move in with you since I spend all my nights in your bed anyway.”

My visions of Nate from Children of Creation!

Before the clean cut in Chicago...except WAY bushier and messier!

Breakaway Chapter 22 Teaser

Bella sighed and nodded just before a loud bang came at their RV door accompanied with some loud yelling. Bella jumped before moving aside and allowing Edward to go answer the door as she tightened her robe around her waist with the cloth belt.

Edward opened the door swiftly with an angry scowl that morphed into a look of confusion as Emmett stood at the door holding one of the newer teen aged road crew members by the collar. He had never seen Emmett as furious as he was in that moment, and worried briefly for the terrified kid’s safety.

Edward stepped aside and allowed Emmett to drag the kid in, a steaming Rose right behind him. Bella watched in confusion as Rose turned to her and started ranting so quickly that nobody could actually understand her. Rose’s expression grew more exasperated before she turned to Emmett with a huff, who then yanked the kids collar again before yelling at a slightly slower pace than Rose had rambled.

“This,” he yelled, yanking the kid’s collar and making him flop around like a rag doll, “would be the reason your car was fucked up, Bella. I caught him this morning sneaking into the garage when I stepped out to take a piss. I walked back in to find him hanging hip deep under your hood tinkering with the pulley system. He was going to rig up another thrown belt!”

Breakaway Chapter 21 Teaser

Edward and Bella sat across from each other at the dining room table in Edward’s house about a week after leaving Chicago, each individual with a cell phone plastered to their ear. Bella took notes while Edward’s brow crinkled in confusion as he asked more questions.
“So you’re saying it would be six million per racer to start, and that doesn’t include HQ, test track, entrance fees, travel expenses, or the extensive staff I intend to keep?”

Bella raised a brow at Edward before shaking her head and replying to the question from the person on the other end of the line. “Yes, Ma’am. Edward Cullen and I are looking into starting our own team. We already have our staff lined up and are looking into buying in for next year. What I am looking into at this point is whether or not your company would be willing to sponsor our new team.”

The lady began to babble on in a monotone voice that reminded Bella of the teacher from Charlie Brown as the glanced back up to see Edward’s face turning bright red. “That’s just to rent a facility? Surely, you could build your own for that price. For fuck sake, Jim, that’s highway robbery.”

Bella’s focus returned to the lady on the line in time to hear the end of her monotonous dialogue. “I’m sorry, but we simply don’t have the liquid assets at this time to invest in such a venture. I am very sorry, Miss Swan. You and Mr. Cullen are wonderful racers and would make a fine PR investment, but we just can’t at this time.”

Bella sighed, shaking her head as Edward’s jade eyes lifted to meet hers, his shoulders slumping. “Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. If the situation with your company changes, please keep us in mind.”

“We will, Miss Swan. Thank you for your interest.”

Bella closed her phone with a frustrated snap and resisted the urge to throw it against the table and watch it shatter into hundreds of tiny pieces. This was so much more difficult than she thought, and from the sound of things, even if they both invested their entire savings and Edward’s trust, they would barely have enough to start off with a bare bones operation, much less start the company they way that they both wanted. Plus, in the current economy, there was no guarantee that they would not be left with nothing when it was all said and done.

Please give my Original Story some love...

My original story The Children of Creation is up to chapter 7 on TWCS. It is doing comparably well in the TWCS Original Story Contest, but it's still not getting as many reviews as I would like. Please check it out and leave me a little feedback. I'd love to hear your thoughts to know I'm on the right track!

Breakaway Chapter 20 Teaser

A few tense seconds later, the green flag was waved and the cars shot forward. Carlisle felt tense as he watched closely as Edward and Bella fell into line with one another, moving smoothly as if they were one entity. There was actually surprisingly little speaking needed for them to find their natural flow. He observed with interest, staying as quiet as possible, as the spotters spoke to the drivers, warning them of things to watch out for and wrecks they would soon encounter.

The race ran smoothly for the first half until the first major pileup of cars had Carlisle standing at attention, watching with baited breath as his kids approached the collision. His hand fisted at his side until they were safely past the smoking collection of cars at the top of the second turn. He hadn’t even realized his fists were clenched until he felt the soft skin of his wife’s hand slide over it and slowly peel it open. He turned to look at her as she looked up with softness into his eyes.

“They do this for a living, sweetheart, and they are very good at what they do. Have a little faith in them, Carlisle.”

Carlisle sighed, running his hand over the back of his neck. “I’m just worried,” he whispered. “I don’t want them hurt.”

Esme nodded, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Neither do I, Carlisle. They are well protected in those cars and they know how to handle themselves. Trust me, I’ve seen Edward pull himself out of some scary situations, and I’ve watched Bella do it a time or two on TV as well. There is a reason why they have made it this far. They truly are among the best of the best in their field.”

Carlisle’s eyes drifted to the blacktop in awe as Edward and Bella’s cars drifted almost gracefully over the top. He felt a sense of pride as he started making connections in his mind. Edward’s job was sort of the equivalent of becoming head of surgery at John’s Hopkins. He was one of the best in his field. Yes, his field might not be the most academic or respected in his circle of friends, but looking at the stands and seeing the copious amounts of money and effort that goes into a race, it became obvious that it was so much more than he had ever imagined.

Breakaway Chapter 19 teaser

Fair warning, this Carlisle is a wee bit of an asswipe.

Carlisle huffed. “Fine, Esme! Fine! I will tell them to take me off call for the night, but you only get one night.”

“Thank you, Carlisle. I have something I desperately need to discuss with you later tonight though, so please set aside some time for a private chat.”

The line went dead and Esme’s heart went cold. With every passing week, Carlisle seemed to distance himself more and more. The truth of the matter was, Edward was not the only one with whom Carlisle had formed a wedge, everyone in his life outside of work had suffered the same fate in the past few years. Esme loved her husband dearly, but she couldn’t help but wonder how much longer she could endure her husband’s obsession with his mistress, the hospital, which saw him twice as often as she did.

Esme looked in the rearview, her heart dropping further as she saw the look in her son’s eyes. While Bella, who did not know her or her husband all that well yet, thought nothing of the exchange they had just witnessed, Edward knew all too well what had transpired. She plastered a fake smile on her face.

“Well, good news kids, Carlisle just got off work and has enough time to grab lunch with us before he has to go get some rest. We’re going to meet him at the Signature room on the 95th floor of Hancock Center, that way, when we finish eating, it will be a short elevator ride home for him, instead of a long drive. I hope that’s okay with the two of you.”

Breakaway Teaser

So this is basically the first eight paragraphs or so of the next chapter. It's 7 pages long and basically six of those are the massive lemon I've been teasing you with for weeks :)

Over a full week had passed since the day of the meeting with the Volturi and Bella’s big surprise. Edward couldn’t get it out of his mind, which wasn’t a very good thing when you’re running qualifying laps on your home turf and screwing the pooch big time, thank goodness he pulled himself together and made good time on his third lap or else he’d have been in the back of the pack for sure. The same was true the next day in the practice laps. No matter what he did, he couldn’t get his mind off of his amazing girl.

The week had passed in a haze of ridiculously vivid memories that he was dying to repeat in a real life setting as soon as they could. If only their promotional schedule wasn’t so intense, he was quite sure that he would have found a way already. The time had passed quickly and before Edward knew it, he was T minus fifty five minutes to race time with Bella pinned against the bedroom door of their RV, kissing the living shit out of her while his hands roamed.

He broke away panting as he trailed kisses down her neck. “Holy Hell, Bella, what did you do to me, Baby? I can’t think of anything by you in those boots and bustier. I’m dying here.”

Bella giggled, tipping her head to the side to allow him better access. “Well that tears it; I am definitely taking the girls shopping soon to get some more things to surprise you with.”

Edward moaned, hitching her leg over his hip and grinding his needfulness into her. Bella whimpered, dropping her head back against the door, her hands gripping Edward’s hair as he trailed kisses across the tops of her breasts.

“Shit! Edward, we have to get ready to race. I can’t focus when I’m all horny! We have to stop!”

Edward moaned into the flesh of her neck. “Or we could have a quickie and get it out of our system now!”

Bella whimpered before moving her hands to his chest and pushing him away with gentle force. When Edward pulled back, he wanted to cry at the determination in Bella’s eyes. She was shutting him down and he knew it. He sighed deeply before settling her foot back to the floor and taking a step back while trying to adjust himself in his pants.

Bella adjusted her shirt, giving Edward an apologetic look. She leaned in and kissed his forehead. “If it’s any consolation, I’ll make it up to you twice once we get home tonight before we have to leave again tomorrow.”

Edward nodded disappointedly before watching Bella walk out of the bedroom to disappear into the light on the other side of the RV door. He fell back against the bed and rubbed his face, trying to figure out a way to block the images, and yet finding himself completely unsuccessful.

Tiny Breakaway Teaser ;)

Teeny Tiny Teaser for Breakaway. I may share a larger one later ;)

Edward froze just before entering the room as he listened to the conversation, taken off guard by Bella’s nervously chuckling voice.

“Sorry girls, I um…am not a big carpet fan. I most definitely prefer hard wood.”

He couldn’t figure out for the life of him why she would feel so self conscious talking about floor coverings until he heard Tanya’s reply.

Breakaway Chapter 15 teaser

I actually got the chapter done fairly early! I'm giving you a super fun part of the chapter for your teaser since I'm a little behind. Hope you like it!

“Felix, I’m asking for a few seconds to give him a little motivation…that’s all. Just give me thirty seconds.”

Felix sighed before agreeing and the line went quiet for a moment before Bella chuckled.
“If anybody is still listening, then it’s your own fault! Edward, I’m upping the ante. You win this race and tonight I’ll put on the outfit that shall not be named for you. I’ve already arranged for nobody to disturb us since some of the crew have family in town and won’t be around tonight. So, what do you say?”

Edward chuckled, moving into second place seamlessly. “You won’t even tell me what it is, so how do I know it’s worth it?”

Bella cleared her throat. “Trust me it is, but if you need inspiration, I can give you a few hints. Think black satin bustier, lace cups, and thigh high, fuck me boots.”

Edward’s hands tightened on the wheel, his pants growing uncomfortable just at the visual as he pushed up behind Gordon, sliding into his draft.

“You’re on, baby…and if I win, the boots stay on!”

Plot Bunny Teaser

When I wrapped up Sovereign Fate, I was determined that I wouldn't work on anything else except Breakaway and the original story I have entered for the tWCS contest. Well, that lasted all of four days before I got a new, dark plot bunny growing in my head. I can't shake it...so I wrote the first chapter and now I'm REALLY excited. I won't start posting until after I finish Breakaway, but I'll be working on it behind the scenes so I'll have a few chapters saved up. In the meantime here's a taste.

Just to fill you in before you start...this first chapter only deals with the Cullen 'Kids' and Bella. We will see Carlisle and Esme later, but at this point, Dr. Cullen is Edward, not Carlisle. Bella is the team leader with the Cullen gang as her team. There's a bit of a backstory to explain how this happens and Edward is the newbie on the team. Just so you're not confused, McCarty is Emmett, Hale is Rosalie, Whitlock is Jasper, and Brandon is Alice. Since they get all mixed up from the time to time in the fandom and i just use last names in this chapter I thought I should clear up the confusion right away.

I'm a huge fan of Bones, Criminal Minds, and The Closer, so this is going to be a very dark, murder/mystery forensic type story with a romance subplot because, well, you guys know I can't seem to write anything that doesn't have romance, but it's not going to be the focus of this story. I'm looking forward to your impressions of my teaser. I want an idea as to whether this is something the fandom in general might enjoy, so please leave me some notes :)

I stood up, moving around the body to examine the things she pointed out. “Good, good, Hale. Thank you. Have they completed processing the scene yet? I would really like to examine the rest of her body and get back to the lab before the storm cell reaches us.”

Lightening illuminated the sky to the west, punctuating my desire to move the body as quickly as possible as I looked up at McCarty.

“Yes, I believe that they are done.” He looked around locking eyes with several workers who nodded back.

I looked back up to see Whitlock and Brandon packing up their supplies, leaving a few things out in case there was more evidence underneath the body to be collected, as Hale repositioned herself in order to examine the body after the move. I glanced over to see Cullen looking at me intently, his brow furrowed deeply. I gestured for him to come talk to me as I moved to ask the photographer to get a close up of something that looked off to me before we repositioned the poor girl's naked form.

I jumped when I turned back around to find Cullen standing next to me. It never ceased to surprise me how stealthily he moved. I shook off my fright as he tried to hide an amused smirk. I rolled my eyes at him before looking him square in the eyes.

“I haven’t known you long, Dr. Cullen, but I can tell something is bothering you. What’s wrong?”

He sighed, glancing around him again before looking back at me solemnly. “Something is off. There’s something I’m missing, something more…”

Just then, McCarty and two other techs he asked to assist shifted the body to expose the victim’s back as the group gasped and Hale let out an uncharacteristic scream. Cullen and I dashed to her side to see what moving the body had uncovered, the sight making my stomach boil with bitter bile.

Sovereign Fate Epilogue Teaser

The children hugged and talked by the door before Anthony and Arabella returned to Bella’s bedside.

“We would like to stay with you until you fall asleep, Mother…if you do not mind.” Arabella said sweetly, taking her mother’s hand and lifting it to her cheek.

Bella smiled, bringing her daughter’s hand jerkily to her lips and kissing the back. “I would love that, my darling. Thank you.”

Arabella took one side of the bed while Anthony took the other, sitting on uncomfortable chairs as they leaned over the side of the bed and grasped their mother’s hand lovingly in their own. They each prayed silently for their mother as she relaxed into the pillow and through labored breaths, finally fell into a deep sleep.

Bella felt the change immediately, as the aches all vanished in a cool wash of freedom. She opened her eyes to see the slumped forms of her children on either side of the bed still holding her hands, and yet she could not feel the contact. She sat up slowly and easily, looking around in confusion until she caught sight of him and her breath caught in her throat, her eyes filling with tears.

Teaser SF chapter 29

Last regular Chapter: We will see King Edward and Queen Isabella in action :)

Edward sighed, moving to sit next to Bella in the rocker and moving it so it faced her a bit more. “It was a better day, but I wanted to ask you to come to session tomorrow. There will be someone there that I think you would like to see. Apparently, you met him before when Father asked you to sit in and he presented the three of you a proposal about a school?”
Bella’s eyes lit up as a wide smile crossed her face. Edward smiled back, pleased that she was at least interested.

“He wasn’t supposed to return for another couple of months, but an opportunity has arisen and he asked to come to request the new annuity slightly sooner. I thought that since this was something you helped begin, that you might like to be involved.”

Bella sighed, looking longingly at the baby on her husband’s shoulder and then the one in her own arms. She felt guilty for leaving them, even for a short while. After all, they would only be babies once. She knew that she had a duty to England, and there was time that she believed that it would come before all others, but now, with the precious little ones in her arms, she couldn’t bear to place anything above them.

Edward smiled, watching her conflicted features before reaching over with a hand and resting it atop hers. “Leaving them with the nurses for a short time does not make you a bad mother, My Bella. You do not even have to stay for the full day, but I know that this education annuity is close to your heart. Please consider at least coming for the morning.”

Bella let out a long sigh before she nodded, a tight smile on her lips. “Education is important for all of the children of England. Educating the young will only make this country that much better when our son steps forward to take on the responsibility of the throne.”

Sovereign Fate finished

Hey guys...I can't believe it, but yesterday I ended up getting the last two chapters, well last chapter and epi, for Sovereign Fate completed.

The last three are all off with my wonderful, but busy beta AgoodWITCH. She's usually really great about getting things back to me quickly, so I'm sure the wait will not be long.

I figure I won't be cruel and hold out to regular update days to post them...I'll just post them a day or two apart after I get them back.

I just want to thank you all in advance for your support of this story. Between fanfiction.net and twcslibrary, Sovereign fate brought in over 2,000 reviews which is totally awesome! Thank you so much for all of your support! Love you all!

Jen

SF Chapter 28 Teaser

Hey guys....this is the teaser for Bella's delivery...Story should end with the epi being chapter 30 unless something changes.

Edward struggled with the sights and sounds of his wife in so much pain as he used cool compresses to try to help her and held her hand as her body curled in upon itself during the ebb and flow of pain that came with each contraction of her womb. It was so hard to see her in this kind of pain, but he was adamant to remain with her.

The head midwife, with doctors hovering nearby, smiled as she looked up at Bella after checking her progress. “You are doing wonderfully, Your Majesty. The first baby’s head is in position and we are ready to begin to push.”

Edward moved himself to support Bella as he held her hand in his, grimacing as she bore down and released a deafening scream. Her grip on his hand was so tight that he began to lose feeling in his fingers. The pushing continued for what seemed an eternity, Bella’s strength waning. Edward quickly became concerned that she would not have the energy to birth the second baby once the first had arrived.

Several more pushes later, Bella screamed one last time before collapsing on the bed, panting and crying moments before Edward heard the most beautiful cry fill the room. He turned to look, his eyes growing wide as he took in the sight of the bloody, slick infant, squirming in the midwife’s grasp as it loosed loud, powerful screams from its healthy lungs. Edward felt his heart ache with joy at the sight.

Breakaway Chapter 11 Teaser

Edward’s eyes pled with Bella to believe him as she blinked owlishly up at him. She seemed confused for a moment before she remembered that she was standing there in a towel and blushed crimson as she held the towel in a white knuckled grip above her breasts. Edward was confused before finally realizing how she was dressed and suddenly understanding. He released her arms and stepped back slightly with apologetic eyes.

“I um…I need to go get on clothes. I…I can’t talk like this.”

With that, Bella disappeared into the spare room. Edward watched in frustrated despair as he heard sounds from behind the door of her shuffling quickly and tossing things around. He was so focused on what Bella was doing, he had nearly forgotten about the blonde behind him who had no business letting herself in without permission. She certainly didn’t live there anymore.

Edward ignored the blonde completely until he heard her voice behind him. “I didn't realize you moved her in already. You guys just admitted to dating, what, a week ago?”
Edward turned on her with a hard glare. “What the FUCK are you doing here?

Sovereign Fate Chapter 27 Teaser

Oh...you guys are going to kill me for this cliffhanger teaser! On the plus side, my surprise writing surge means that you will only have to wait until Sunday night/Monday morning to read the full chapter and find out what happens. Hope you enjoy!

Soon the doctor that had been sent for an hour before burst into the room, forcing everyone to clear but Esme and Bella. He wouldn’t dare order around his new Queen and the lady who was his queen until just a few hours before. He examined Alice with a frown before turning to Bella and Esme with grave eyes.

“That baby is breech and appears to be stuck in transition. We have two options, we can either turn it or deliver the baby through surgery. One places the child in mortal danger, and the other the mother.”

Bella felt her heart stop in her chest. She knew her history and many women, including a former queen of England, had died from complications after a surgical delivery. She couldn’t bear the thought of either loss, for she already loved her niece or nephew dearly, but could not stand the thought of Alice leaving her world even more so.

Esme sobbed before leading the doctor to talk to Jasper in the hallway, while Bella tried to soothe the writhing Alice. When the contraction bringing on her screams relaxed for a moment, Alice grabbed Bella’s arm tightly, looking straight in her eyes.

“I don’t care what Jasper says. I want you to order the surgery.”

Bella’s eyes welled with tears as she sobbed down at the weakening Alice. “I cannot do that, Alice. I cannot order that.”

Breakaway Chapter 10 Teaser

I'm warning you now...Chapter ten will be a cliffie as well.

Edward smiled against Bella’s lips a split second before he flipped them around on the couch, pinning Bella under him. He began trailing his lips down her neck again, his hand inching up the smooth expanse of her stomach at the same rate as his lips moved down the silky column of her neck. Bella’s breathing became more and more labored as Edward’s lips caressed her collarbone before drifting down closer to her cleavage at the same moment that his hand grazed the underside of her breast.

Yeah, I didn't give you much this time...but since you guys have been begging for the physical stuff to get going, I thought I'd treat you with a short snippet...

Fanmade SF Banner

Hey guys...I was sent this last week and forgot to post it. This was a banner made by Connie, who liked my banner, but wanted to see Rob and Kristen represented as my Edward and Bella. I thought it was pretty good, considering I suck at photoshop and couldn't even begin to do this!!! Thanks Connie!



I also had someone send me this picture a couple of months ago that they came across and it made them think of SF. I do not know who made it, and I hope they aren't angry at my posting it, but it's a great visual!

Sovereign Fate and Breakaway Teasers

Sovereign Fate Chapter 25 Teaser

The King spoke up, using her short pause to interrupt her story. “Did anyone else know of this plot besides yourself?”

Tanya frowned, rubbing at a dirty spot on her hand as though she were trying to clean it without the aid of water. “A few, Your Majesty.”

“You must name them if you wish to keep your head, Lady.”

Tanya’s ice blue eyes began to well again as she shifted on the podium, dropping her head to her chest. “I do not think them capable of murder, Your Majesty.”

“That was not what I asked, Lady Tanya. I asked who knew of the conspiracy with this young man?”

Tanya sighed again before glancing up through their lashes. “Anyone who knew will be in trouble as well, won’t they?”

King Carlisle nodded solemnly. Tanya swallowed deeply before the continued. “Some were forced into silence with additional threats. Please take that into consideration when you mete out punishments.”

It was then that the silent Princess Isabella spoke up from her seat. “Lady Kate?”

Tanya turned toward Bella, hearing the softness in her voice and the concern in her question. It was then that she knew that the person she had seen for so long as her enemy might be the only chance to save her favorite, sweetest cousin from a fate not unlike her own.

Tanya nodded as tears of regret rolled down her face. In all her scheming, the only thing she felt badly about was Kate’s role and how her compliance was forced.

“I forced her to spy on you, Princess. I held the greatest of all threats one can make on a female in love. The love of her life is not someone of which her father approves, and thus I threatened to expose them and most certainly put her lover to death in the process if she did not assist me. She did not like it at all. When she discovered the plan with Mr. Newton, she grew even more upset. It was only after threats upon her little sister’s future as well as that of her lover that she reluctantly kept my confidence, but it was under great duress. The threat of personal ruination in addition to the guilt that if I did not succeed our entire estate was destined to fall apart and all of our livelihoods along with it ended up forcing her hand. It is a great stress for a female to have the weight of their entire family’s future resting upon their shoulders. We were not built for such pressure. Please find it in your heart to be gentle with her, she is not of the same mettle as the rest of us.”

Bella blinked back tears as she finally began to see the pressures put upon the Denali cousins. She knew what it meant to feel pressure to look and sound a certain way, what the weight of big decisions upon one’s shoulders felt, but to know your entire family was counting on you to save them was something Bella could not fathom. Her father had always pushed her away from any responsibilities. He didn’t feel that women could handle them, of which Bella had been quite resentful, but to see the antithesis of this attitude made Bella slightly grateful to have grown up as she did.

“I promise to keep that in my own mind, as well as the minds of the others when the time comes to deal with her infraction.”

Tanya closed her eyes with a sigh, her shoulders losing the slightest bit of tension. “Thank you, Princess. At this point, even that is more than I can ask.”

Bella nodded before King Carlisle asked her to continue with the list. Tanya stood, her body shaking visibly as the explained that all of the men of her family at court at the time had known, listing her younger brother and two elder cousins who had come to court, as well as another relative already working within the walls of Whitehall...

Breakaway Chapter 9 Teaser

Once they got home, Edward helped Bella into the house, guiding her to her bedroom door before going to clean up for bed in his own. He wasn’t sure if she would come back out to the couch that night as had become their tradition after the first night, but he checked anyway, ecstatic to see Bella curled up under her blanket on one end of the couch.

Edward smiled as he grabbed his blanket and crossed to the couch, settling in before pulling Bella to curl up beside him on the edge of the couch. Bella sighed, turning toward him to tuck her face into his neck as she had done the past several nights, and resting her arm heavily over his side.

Within moments, she was breathing steadily in her deep sleep as Edward sighed and enjoyed the closeness for yet another night. Edward knew that their peaceful time together was soon coming to an end, and he resented the fact that he was about to lose these nights together so soon after they had begun. In a couple of days they would be leaving for Arizona followed immediately by Talladega, then Richmond and Darlington before two weeks in a row racing at Lowe’s right there in their own town. By the time that they returned home from that month away, the movers would have already packed up and transferred all of Edward’s belongings to the new house before doing the same with Bella’s and bringing them to his old house, and just like that their short time living together would be at an end.

Happy Dance and Double Teasers

First: Happy Dance...I just got an email informing me that I have been nominated for a Best Fanfiction Author Award for FDKK in the Shimmer Awards. I don't get award nominations all that often, so that's super cool. Thanks to any of you responsible for that :D

Teasers: While this week has been busy, I have also managed to whittle some time for writing. I got both SF and Breakaway chapters done. I am also going to enter my original story in the TWCS First Annual Original Story contest, which may result in a contract with the publishing house for me if I win. I'm REALLLY nervous about that one!

Okay...on with the teasers!

Sovereign Fate Chapter 24

Quarter of an hour later, a knock came at the door, to which Bella gave permission to enter. Esme walked in with a knowing smile with Jacob coming in right behind her. Pleasantries were exchanged before Bella turned a serious face to Jacob.
“What have you discovered, my brother? Do you have news for me?”

Jacob smiled winningly, leaning forward to rest his elbows upon his knees. “That I have, sister mine. I received your communication in perfect time. I immediately dispatched a group of guards to search the area your friend suggested that the fugitive Lady Denali might be hiding. They arrived too late and I was greatly angered by the loss of an opportunity.
“I sent my scouts to the other locations your friend provided throughout the countries of Europe. For several weeks, they were in pursuit. She was barely missed in Paris, Rome, and Athens and I was beginning to give up the hope of catching her, but then she made a fatal error. She assumed that after we had missed her in Barcelona that we would move on and she would be safe to return, but I wasn’t willing to give up watching the one place I had true jurisdiction over. She returned a fortnight ago, and I have brought her with me back to your shore in irons.”

Bella blinked blankly at her brother for several long minutes before looking to Esme. Esme smiled sweetly at Jacob. “Might I ask where she is now?”

Jacob smiled. “I have her under guard on a boat just up river from Whitehall. I can have her here to turn in to your prison within the hour.”

Esme smiled brightly before glancing between Bella and Jacob. “We must inform Edward and Carlisle soon, but I was wondering if we might not get a private audience with the Lady before our husbands send her straight to the Tower? There are some things I would like to hear personally.”

Jacob smiled as Bella’s eyes widened at Esme. Esme glanced back at her before reaching over to rest her hand atop Bella’s. “Nobody threatens the livelihood of my new daughter or my unborn grandchild without answering to me directly. I only wish to share a few words.”

Ahhh...the taste of victory, oh so sweet.


Breakaway Chapter 8 (this has not been betaed yet...so if there are errors, please ignore)

Bella smiled, running to the door and throwing it open with a bright smile only to have it drop when it wasn’t Edward standing at the door. A small young woman with blonde hair pulled into a bun atop her head and sharp odd colored eyes that seemed almost violet stood at the door, a cameraman standing behind her as she shoved her microphone into Bella’s face.

“I’m Jane Peterson, channel five news with a few questions for you, Miss Swan.”

Bella’s eyes bugged in shock only a moment before her face morphed into a mask of anger and determination. “I have no comment and you have no right to come into my apartment like this. If you come back, I will call the police.”

With that, she slammed the door in the small girl’s face and ran to her purse to pull out her cell and tell Edward what happened. Edward was livid, telling Bella to call Volturi as well as Emmett and Jasper and to ask Volturi if she should get in touch with the police or a lawyer.
Five minutes and several frantic calls later, a loud knock came at the door followed by Edward’s velvety voice. “Bella, it’s me. Let me in.”

Bella quickly opened the door, before yanking Edward in and slamming it behind her as she leaned against it breathing heavily. Edward’s concern was written all over his face as he approached her, reaching his hand out to cup her shoulder before pulling Bella’s small frame forward into a comforting hug. Bella sighed as she melted into his body.

They stood in silence for a long time as Edward slowly stroked her still slightly damp hair that hung down her back. After a while, Bella finally released him, leaning back to look up at him with tears in her eyes.

“Okay.”

“Okay?” Edward asked, feeling a bit confused.

Bella closed her eyes with a sigh before opening them again. “Okay, I’ll take your house.”

Edward smiled, feeling the stress in his shoulders slowly drain away. “Thank God. I was hoping you would change your mind. I just wish you didn’t have to feel this threatened before you decided to take me up on the offer. I, um…I also think you should pack some things and come stay with me tonight.”

SF will hopefully post sometime Monday if all works as planned. Breakaway will post mid week.

Breakaway Chapter 7 Teaser

Hey guys. Well I got one more chapter done. I had planned for it to be their first date, but when I went to write it, they had other ideas. I'm going to post it sometime either this weekend or next week. It's going to be a crazy busy week, so we'll see. In the meantime, here is your teaser :)

Edward scoffed loudly. “Bella, you’re an amazing racer and unless you run off to another team, you’re going to be here with Volturi for a long time. You should settle some roots and keep yourself safe. Besides, you’re already making enough for a couple of rainy days at least, you should invest some of that into a stable home for yourself. I can help you if you want.”

“Oh really?” Bella asked skeptically making Edward chuckle.

“Yep, matter of fact, I think there are a couple right here in my own neighborhood that will be coming on the market soon. We could be neighbors.”

“Would you like that, Mr. Rogers? I always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.”

Edward tossed back his head and laughed hard. 'God, I adore this woman,' he thought as he turned and looked out of the back widows to the lit house on the other side of his back fence.

“Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you be my neighbor? Matter of fact, the ones that live right behind me are supposed to be moving out of state soon. I don’t know if they found a buyer yet or not, but I know for a fact it’s an amazing place. If I didn’t have my house, I’d be lusting after it myself.”

“Oh really? What’s so great about it?”

Edward smirked, leaning against the counter top in the kitchen and taking a sip of a bottled water he stole out of the fridge before continuing.

SF Chapter 23 Teaser

You're going to get a lot of info at the beginning of the chapter to bridge the time between the last chapter and the end of this one. By the end we will be at Christmas...

Edward smiled down at her as he lifted her hand to his mouth. “The surprise is not over yet, my beautiful wife.”

He took the box from her hands and handed it back to Benjamin. With a nod from Edward, the two arose and departed. They had just left Bella’s sight when the crowd began to gasp. Bella strained to see what the commotion was about only to have her heart stop when a man and woman stepped into the open aisle created by the visitors in the room. They were dressed in fine garments and smiling brightly as they made their way toward the platform, barely visible through Bella’s teary field of vision. When they were about halfway to the platform, Bella stood quickly and rushed to bridge the gap between them.

SF Chapter 22 Teaser

Chapter 22 will post on schedule late Sunday/early Monday my time (US Central).

Edward paused briefly to ask the guards at the far end of the great hall if they had seen Emmett. They informed him that they had seen him stomping toward the west wing looking quite angry. He thanked them before running in the direction they had suggested. The faster he ran, the more concerned he became that Emmett’s anger might make him act rashly and ruin the one chance they had to catch Tanya.

He turned one last corner to find Emmett standing as stone in a doorway, his hands clenched at his sides. Edward yelled for him, running down to his side. Emmett looked at him in shock before looking back at the scene before him.

“I swear to you, Edward, I just got here and found him like this. I didn’t…I was going to force him to confess to the truth, but…”

Breakaway Chapter 6 Teaser

This chapter is only partially done, but I already had enough to give you a taste. Hope you enjoy!

“Edward, Um, I want to tell you something.”

Edward’s heart pounded as he waited, wondering what she was going to say. He was terrified she was going to say that she was still in love with Jake and couldn’t handle what was developing between them or something in that vein of thinking. She paused for a long time, gripping his hand tightly in hers with a furrowed brow. She opened her mouth twice to speak before closing it again. Her eyes shifted slightly before she finally spoke.

“I…um…I think I’m going to be way too sore to race this week. I’m barely able to go the restroom by myself right now, much less get strapped into a harness and blast down the track full speed. I think I’m going to take this week off from driving.”

Edward’s heart fell into his toes. On one hand he was relieved that it wasn’t the brush off he was dreading, but at the same time, he wanted her on the track with him. He had gotten used to racing with her by his side, the two of them keeping an eye out for one another. It seemed…wrong…for her not to be there.

Bella observed the sadness in his eyes before gripping his hand tighter and shaking it slightly. “I’m not saying forever…just for this week. I’m just thinking maybe you should go ahead to Texas so you’re ready for Qualifying. I don’t want you to lose your position on the field for me. Our next race is in Phoenix, which will give me eighteen days to heal before my next big race. I’ll be fine.

Edward wrapped both her hands in his, loving the feeling of her small hand encompassed by hers. “You’re not coming at all?”

Bella blinked up at him slowly before a slow smile spread across her face. “You want me there?”

Edward scoffed shaking his head. “Of course I do. It’s going to be weird enough not having you out there with me on the track, but to not have you there at all would just be really wrong. I…I need you there, even if it’s just as a spectator.”

Bella’s eyes sparkled as she reached her free hand up to push Edward’s hair back from his face. “If it means that much to you, then I’ll be there.”

Edward captured her other hand in his, bringing both of them to his lips. “Thank you, Bella.”

Ooops...forgot to post SF Chapter 21 Teaser

I was in such a rush last night to post SF Chapter 20 with my hubby waiting with Avatar on pause for me, I forgot to post the teaser. Sorry guys...here it is a day late.

They were both excited to get some more time on their own, but once they reached the chambers, they found that it was not going to be possible as Rosalie sat in Bella’s antechamber in tears, Bella’s ladies surrounding her in an attempt to comfort her. Bella gasped, rushing to Rosalie’s side as the ladies cleared out of her way.

“Rosalie? What’s wrong, dearest?”

Rosalie sucked in a shuddering gasp as she patted below her eyes with her soaked handkerchief. “What do you think happened? I don’t know how, but Tanya managed to get her promised rumors started in court even in her absence.”

Edward swore, tugging at his hair as the other ladies watched on sympathetically.

“The worst part is, she leaked it in the worst possible way for the two of you. I know you wanted to keep your condition a secret, but Kate told her yesterday and she’s making it sound like you are keeping it quiet because it isn’t Edward’s baby. She’s even paid some man to claim to have lain with both of us in his absence.”

Bella smiled sweetly at Rosalie as she caressed the top of her head. “We’ll take care of this, Rosalie. One way or another.”

Rosalie sobbed again, dabbing under her eyes uselessly with the cloth. “The w-worst part is, I…I think Lord Emmett believed it all. He…he looked at me with so much…so much ANGER, and then he stormed away. He…he…” She collapsed again in tears as Bella tried fruitlessly to calm her poor, new cousin.

Breakaway Chapter 5 Teaser

“Edward? What’s wrong with your leg?”

He stopped and glanced down with a wince. “Nothing, just a bit bruised from hitting the wheel when I wrecked yesterday.”

Izzy frowned as she watched him walk into the bathroom. By the time Edward came out, she was scowling deeply with her arms crossed.

“Did you get that examined at all?”

Edward rolled his eyes. “The EMT’s looked at it. It’s fine.”

Izzy grumbled loudly, nearly making Edward laugh at the tiny sound that was meant to be fierce but actually just sounded cute. He hid his chuckle behind a cough, keeping his hand in front of his mouth to hide the smirk.

Izzy frowned harder. “Edward, don’t laugh.” Edward bent forward slightly, his chuckles breaking free at her exclamation. “Seriously! Stop! This isn’t funny!”

Edward tossed his head back, tears welling in his eyes as he cackled. Soon Izzy found herself smirking and chuckling between her declarations that it was in fact, not a funny moment. When she finally began to laugh a little harder, it made her gasp and a different set of tears surface. In an instant, Edward was at her bedside, kneeling down and stroking her hair as he apologized for making her laugh. Izzy shook her head as she tried to settle back and make her body relax again.

Once she was able to suck in a calm breath once more, she turned to look at him again. “Edward, please go get an x-ray just to make sure you’re okay?” He started to protest when she looked up at him with wide brown eyes, resting her hand on his arm. “Please, Edward? For me?”

Edward’s heart did a two step in his chest as he looked into those deep brown eyes and absorbed every second of that delicious contact her hand was making with his arm. Thus far he had done most of the touching, so it gave him a thrill for her to be the one initiating the contact. He took a few deep breaths, trying to slow his speeding heart before closing his eyes slowly.
“Okay, but only to put your mind at rest. I’m sure it’s nothing more than just a bruised muscle, but if it means that much to you, then I will go down and have it looked at before we leave.”

Breakaway Chapter 4 Teaser

Alice and Rosalie walked into the hospital the next morning, armed with ‘get well soon’ balloons and teddy bears with various cute little outfits on from nurse hats to patient gowns and slippers. They had spent a small fortune on their booty, but they thought it would be worth it to force a smile out of Izzy. When they walked in they both froze, staring at the sight in the waiting room.

Sitting in the hard plastic chairs, their bodies posed almost identically with heads resting against the wall, mouths hanging open, arms and ankles crossed as they stretched out as best they could, Edward and Charlie were sleeping so hard, they had to wonder if their loud snores were keeping any patients awake. Carefully setting down her armload, Alice pulled out her iphone to snap several pictures of the two to show Izzy when they went back to her room. She glanced at her captures before carefully picking her items up again and tiptoeing alongside Rosalie down the corridor to Izzy’s room.

They knocked quietly on the door before entering to find a frustrated looking Izzy trying to reach the pitcher of water on the bedside table. When she looked up to see them, she smiled brightly.

“Hey guys! Where’s Dad? He sleep in?”

Alice hurriedly sat down the things she had brought for Izzy before running to her side with a giggle, holding her iPhone out for Izzy to see. Izzy took the phone and stared down at the screen, a goofy smile on her face.

“They’re out there right now?”

Alice nodded, “And BOTH are wearing the same clothes they had on last night. They must have slept in those hard ass chairs all night.”

Izzy felt a flutter in her stomach at the thought of Edward caring enough to sleep in a waiting room all night. She felt a little confused and highly disconcerted by the emotions boiling in her gut. It was like a Pavlovian reaction now after what Jake had pulled, every time she felt that soft feeling for Edward, her anxiety always skyrocketed right along with it. Falling in love with a known man-whore was a heartbreak waiting to happen.

Sovereign Fate Chapter 20 Teaser

There were many options I could have teased you with today, but I decided to give you a peek at the introduction of a couple you guys have been itching to see meet....

When they awoke, Bella smiled to see Emmett standing guard outside of her room when she emerged after dressing. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t his job while in England. Bella had seen to it that Emmett was treated with the respect he deserved in this new land while at her side, but Emmett, being the overprotective big cousin he was, often insisted on taking shifts at her door.

They hugged affectionately, talking excitedly about the things that had happened while they were separated. Edward stood behind his bride with a smile, his arms wrapped around her body, his hands resting discretely above the place where their baby safely rested.

Bella and Emmett were so wrapped up in their discussion, that none of them had noticed Lady Rosalie’s approach until she was nearly upon them. When she caught sight of Emmett, she froze for a moment in surprise. At the same time, Emmett halted mid sentence and stared back with equal astonishment. Bella wondered for a brief moment if they had met before, but dismissed it when they both blushed slightly and nodded politely in the other’s direction.

Bella smirked as she greeted her new cousin and invited her into the fold.

“Lady Rosalie, I would like you to meet my cousin, Lord Emmett. Emmett, Lady Rosalie is the cousin of Prince Edward. I’m quite sure the two of you end up meeting again, and frequently.”
Bella smiled as Emmett swallowed hard before bowing to the Lady. Rosalie extended a nervous looking gloved hand as she stared into Emmett’s eyes, smiling when Emmett reached out and took it gingerly, kissing the back of her glove.

Edward and Bella smiled as they watched the exchange, their two normally boisterous family members reduced to shy polite greetings. After they allowed the duo to fumble through a few more niceties, Bella finally saved them from their painfully awkward exchange.

“I’m so pleased that the two of you have finally met. I was looking forward to introducing you, but I’m afraid we’ve lost sight of the reason Lady Rosalie had come to see me. Shall we go back into my quarters and discuss it?”

The reason why Rosalie is acting a bit out of character during her first meeting with Emmett is because she comes bearing some bad news...Keep your eyes peeled next weekend to find out what...Mwahahaha! I know...I'm feeling a teensy bit evil tonight...but I you know you still love me anyway ;D

Breakaway Chapter 3 Teaser

Edward smiled with a knowing nod. “I’m sure you’re right, Swan. Now pick a game and let’s get this going.”

The newly bonded friends were beginning their second hand of WAR when Edward’s driver stepped on with a smile before leaned out the door. “Looks like she’s riding over here this morning, Norm. Go ahead. We’ll be a few seconds behind ya.”

A few seconds later, the RV took off in a lurch, and Edward and Izzy chuckled as they struggled to keep the cards on the table as their ride shuddered over every bump in the road until they finally reached the interstate and the ride finally smoothed out.

Edward and Izzy quickly forgot all else as they fell into a comfortable companionship. For a short time, none of the insanity waiting for them outside the RV existed. There was no stalkarazzi, no pressure from the owners, the fans, or the competition. For that short bit of a ride, they were just two twenty-something’s passing time together in a fun manner.

Unfortunately, their bubble burst far sooner than either could have begun to anticipate. It all came from an excited call from Aro to Edward’s cell. The first few minutes of the conversation, all Izzy heard was Edward asking Aro what the excitement was about and stuttering in confusion until he told Aro to wait while he put him on speaker so he could explain to the both of them at once.

Sovereign Fate Chapter 19 Teaser

Here's your sneak peek for Chapter 19 which will post next week.

As he went about the chores of the morning, Edward’s thoughts kept drifting back to his Bella. He thought for sure he would have seen her in the halls of the court by mid morning at the latest, but time and again, he caught no sight of her. It was not until after the envoys arrived and the group all settled into lunch that Lady Angela arrived looking upset. She took a note to the King after curtsying and quickly rushing out of the room. Carlisle frowned at the note, an air of concern alighting his eyes. When he was done, he passed the note to Edward.

Edward’s heart ran cold as he read the note written in Bella’s elegant, but shaky hand.

I know I was expected for luncheon today with the envoys, but I am feeling unwell and do not have the strength to leave my bedchamber today. I feel horrible for disappointing you, knowing you were counting on me today, but I do not have the countenance to be an engaging conversationalist this morning. I do hope you forgive me. I shall take all of my meals in my room today and rest.
-Sincerely, Bella

Edward’s eyes shot to his father’s who closed them slowly with a pained frown. His eyes scanned the table as though he were looking for the answer atop the lace cloth that covered it before he looked back at his son with regretful eyes. Without Bella, Edward had to be the one to present to the envoy. Nobody understood the strategy better than the two of them. This was an important meeting that could not be delayed, risking offending the Emperor’s ambassadors. As much as it pained Carlisle to deny his son what he knew he desperately needed to do, Europe needed him to be the English Prince even more.

With a tense jaw and clouded eyes, Edward sucked in a deep breath and tried to steel his vibrating body. He needed so desperately to go to his wife, but duty demanded he stay. Part of him wanted to say the hell with it, and just walk away, but a bigger part of him knew he had to take care of business now and personal issues later.

With a nod over his shoulder, he beckoned a servant working along the wall to his side. With whispered word, he commanded the servant to go fetch word from his bride’s ladies as to the precise malady she suffered, and to dispatch the doctor to her quarters to look her over. He further ordered the servant to relay a message that he had written on a piece of parchment informing her that as much as he longed to rush to her side, duty forced him to stay, but his heart was with her always.

Flyboy Ends and Breakaway Begins!

So, I didn't even let Flyboy lay to rest for more than 24 hours before I broke down and posted the first chapter of my new story Breakaway about NASCAR driver (Izzy)Bella. It's gotten a great response so far. In four hours it got 65 reviews between the two sites on which I post, which of course inspired a happy dance in my living room. NO, trust me...you don't want to see it. LOL!

Anyway, I'm so glad you guys seem to have liked the first chapter. Here is a sneak peek of Chapter 2 of Breakaway...and a peek at the banner I made for it :)

Edward was exhausted when he finally broke free of the mob. He was making his way over toward where his RV was waiting just a few feet from Izzy’s when he bumped into a massive dark skinned dude looking around like he was lost. One thing was certain, he was not supposed to be in the driver’s area, and should get his massive ass out.
Edward started to say something to him when the guy stopped him first. “Hey, you’re Bella’s teammate, right? Can you tell me where to find her?”
Edward frowned at him for a moment in confusion. “Bella?” Then realization dawned as he put it together…Isabella…Izzy. “Oh, you mean Izzy? Her trailer is right over here in our section, but only people with special clearance are allowed to be here. Fans aren’t allowed to come find us here.”
The guy scoffed, rolling his eyes. “If I were just a fan, would I be calling her the nickname she went by for the first nineteen years of her life before she got too good to listen to the advice of her loved ones? I’ve known Bella a hell of a lot longer than you have. If you’d just tell her I’m here, I know she’d want to see me.”
Edward growled, clenching his fists as the arrogant prick before turning to stomp toward Izzy’s trailer only to see she was already standing in the doorway, freshly showered, and dressed for the press conference. Edward suddenly felt very protective when he saw the ashen color of her face, and the wild scared look in her eyes. The Izzy he knew was fearless, but the girl staring at the man next to him was anything but courageous, matter of fact, she looked more like a teenage girl who had just been caught making out with her boyfriend in the back seat of her car.

Flyboy Epi Teaser

So it seems that now that I've started writing in the third person, I can't stop...so when the epi came this way..I just left it. I hope you enjoyed the story and the epi!

Chicago, May 1966

“What I don’t understand is why she has to go around protesting the war. Honestly, I’m expecting her to come home any day now referring to herself as Cherry Blossom. Doesn’t she see where I might find this all upsetting?” Edward asked Bella as he fought to straighten the windsor knot in his navy blue silk necktie.

Bella sighed with a small smile as she crossed to stand in front of him, grasping the silk material to straighten it before flipping down the collar of his dress shirt and smoothing the lapels. “It’s just a way of expressing herself, Edward,” she soothed as she stared up into the extremely handsome face of the love of her life. The past twenty years had definitely aged him. Faint lines now stretched across his brow and the corners of his eyes and his bronze mop was now about half gray. He was still the man of her dreams though, and would always continue to be so.

Edward sighed, wrapping his arms around Bella’s waist as he leaned down to kiss her lips, being careful not to smear the lipstick she had just applied in anticipation of attending Cherie’s graduation from Northwestern University. Their daughter was intelligent, graduating with honors, and yet was completely enamored with this new movement.

Flyboy Chapter 26 Teaser

Well guys, it's this and then the epi...hope you enjoy!

The fear and concern melted into pure joy on May 8th, 1945 when the official announcement came through. They were calling it VE day, the day the Allies proclaimed Victory in Europe. Hitler had been backed into a corner and the war on that side of the globe was over. Alice, Rose, and I held one another as we wept in relief. With any luck the boys would soon be coming home.

Our joy was only shortly lived when whispers came through the channels that the troops, and in particular the pilots might be moved to the Pacific Front to bolster the offensive against Japan. The girls were living in terror, as the unbearably long wait for letters had gotten even longer. No word for weeks and weeks had them on the verge of hysteria when one day a knock came at the front door of the Lake Shore house. It was a Saturday and Edward had taken Cherie to his parents place to visit for the day while I spent some time trying to cheer my friends. Alice and Rose were upstairs when I rushed to open the door and froze with my mouth hanging open.

A slow smile spread across my face as I yelled out from the doorway. “Alice and Rosalie, I think you need to get down here RIGHT NOW!”

Flyboy Chapter 25 teaser (Lemons Ahoy)

He cuddled closer, nuzzling my neck with his nose and sighing contentedly. He shifted slightly closer before pausing. He lifted his head and sniffed before crinkling his nose in disgust.

“Ugh. I completely forgot that I am in desperate need of a bath. Why don’t you go relax and maybe look into finding goodies to make a sandwich or something while I go take a bath and shave? I’ll be down in a minute.”

I looked at him a few seconds as he looked back in confusion. When I smirked at him he seemed completely lost and also a little excited. “I have another idea. How about I help you get cleaned up since it can’t be easy to do while having that full leg cast on, and then we’ll think about food once you’re feeling human again?”

He looked slightly disappointed for a moment as he stared down at his cast with annoyance before he looked back at me with a smile. He shifted slightly on his side of the bed and I felt myself chuckle knowing his head had gotten past his frustration at his current disability to the idea of me helping him bathe. His thought processes were not too far from my own. I felt awkward around him, conscious of my own changed form. I was hoping that if I could help him clean up, it would serve to slowly help the both of us adjust to physical intimacy again.
With assistance, Edward rose from the bed and walked with me to our bathroom. I helped him slip out of his pants, leaving him in his boxers, before helping him sit on the lid of the toilet. He shifted sheepishly and I instantly felt bad for the emasculation he must have been feeling at that moment. With any luck, I could help ease that problem quite soon.

Sovereign Fate Teaser..

Here is the SF chapter 18 teaser. Things are going to keep getting sticky for a bit. I hope you enjoy the drama. Sorry, no teaser for Flyboy yet but I will do my best to get the update written before post date Monday after next!

The next morning, the sounds of a gasp from the doorway alerted the newly united lovers that the ladies had awoken and come to help Bella begin her day. Both looked down anxiously, vastly relieved to find that their state of undress was covered by their marital quilt. There was no mistaking that they were without apparel under the blanket, but at least the ladies were not being treated to the view of the Prince’s straining morning stiffness.

With a blush, Edward asked the ladies to give them fifteen minutes, sitting up to comfort Bella as soon as the room was cleared. What he hadn’t expected was the vibrating form of his giggling bride curled up on the bed at his side. He smiled, rolling her onto her back as he slid above her with a look on his face of amusement mixed with confusion.

Bella covered her mouth as she giggled again. “The look on Kate’s face…Tanya’s going to know you were disrobed in my bed this morning before they return, I can guarantee it.”
Edward frowned deeply. “Tanya is here?”

Bella sighed, her face falling into a mask of discomfort. “Yes, she’s been here nearly a week. She is a horrid person, Edward. I would much prefer it if she left, but that is not for me to decide.”

Edward looked taken aback for a moment. “Did you just call me ‘Edward?’”

Bella blinked with a frown of her own a few seconds before she cocked her head in surprise. “I…I guess I did. I didn’t even realize. I guess hearing her call you that and go on and on about the time you’ve spent together and how close you are has stuck.”

Edward opened his mouth to respond when a loud knock came at the doorway.
“Go away. We will come out in due course!” Edward shouted over his shoulder, a look of annoyance dominating his angled features.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but the King is demanding your presence immediately, as well as the Princess. She must begin dressing immediately.” Angela shouted back through the thin wooden door.

Edward sighed, dropping his forehead to rest up on Bella’s chest before looking up in confusion. Bella smiled a tiny smile. “It will be explained by your father shortly, I am sure. I must get started or risk delaying your whole morning.”

Edward nodded slowly before sliding back to sit on his heels, still situated between her spread legs. The view of her spread for him added even more pain to their forced separation.
“Before I go, just know that I will take care of this Tanya situation. She will not inconvenience you at all, my love. I promise.”

Bella looked forlorn as she nodded. Edward simply dismissed it as frustration over the harpy. Little did he know that his response did not belay the Princesses fears in the least. He did not promise not to touch the foul noblewoman or that she would not receive his company…only that she would not inconvenience Bella. So did that mean that she would be staying around, but only kept away from Bella so she wouldn’t be reminded of all that they had shared? She knew she was being far too insecure in her love, but the truth of the matter was, she knew that everything would soon be changing and she hoped that those changes would not drive him into the arms of his past flame.

Teaser

I only have the Flyboy teaser this week. There is a high likelihood that there will be no SF update next week, and the Flyboy update will not post on schedule due to a family mini vacation. In the meantime, here is the teaser for the next chapter, and by popular demand we have a return of a certain hot Flyboy's POV!

The elevator stopped with a shudder and the doors opened to reveal the familiar entryway into the Executive floor. The clean light colors and the crisp scent in the air that used to feel so comforting and familiar now seemed foreign and confining. I braced myself on my crutches and began creeping my way onto the floor and down the hallway toward where I knew her office was now located.

I recognized the girl behind the desk who froze with the phone she was answering hanging midair between the desk and her ear, the client on the other end hearing nothing but a gasp and then silence. I nodded slowly before continuing past her, her hand remaining in limbo as her head tracked me across the floor. Once I was past her and all she could see was my back, I finally heard her greet whoever was waiting on the other end of the line.

It was the same all the way down the long hall. Each face, both familiar and new seemed to become a frozen statue when they caught sight of me. I turned down a hall and was almost to the short hallway that I knew would lead to the offices of Marcus and Bella. I had nearly reached the intersection when I froze in place, just as my employees had and watched what seemed like a beautiful dream pass by me.

A tiny little girl in a red wool coat with little black dogs on the front toddled past the intersection of the hallways with her hands out before her…her tiny bronze ringlets bouncing lightly with each unsteady step. My vision blurred and my heart felt as though it had literally crushed in my chest with the heavy, all encompassing love I felt for that tiny person that I was seeing in person for the very first time.

ACW featured on 20 Questions with...at TWCS

My 'interview' for The Writer's Coffee Shop has posted in the 20 Questions with...section

http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/news.php?readmore=243

Wallflower and the Flyboy Chapter Teaser

I found my words for next week's post! YEEESSSSS! Here's your teaser!

Cherie’s first birthday was quickly approaching and I kept praying he would make it in time. We got a few phone calls from Edward in the weeks that followed. Edward was in a cast and doing quite well. Within a few days, the doctors had managed to rehydrate him, get him fed and healthy again, and fix his leg. I cringed for him as he told me that they had to re-break his leg in order to set it correctly before the put him in a cast that covered his leg all the way up to his hip. Apparently, Jasper and Emmett visited him every day, teasing him by calling him Hopalong Cassidy and goading him about his lazy slacker tendencies buying him a trip home. Of course, they didn’t mean any of it. They didn’t resent his chance to go home a bit; they simply wished they could go back to their girls too.

According to the doctors, Edward could have come home the first week in January, but the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium was taking up far too many resources to bother sending any planes stateside, much less one carrying wounded soldiers who were perfectly safe on British soil. Thus being so, while Edward had a free pass home and was physically capable of doing so, we were still being deprived our long awaited reunion. It was frustrating, but at least he was safe.

Flyboy Chapter 22 Teaser

I'm sorry to say, I haven't gotten much writing done due to family drama. I do, however, have this teaser ready for the next chapter of flyboy. It is brief, but it should help soothe some of the trauma I inflicted with Chapter 21.

As we continued on through the field, we both froze, not even breathing as we listened to the new sound echoing off the trees to our right and the rolling pasture we had just been lounging in. With a painful expression devoid of the verbal cry I knew should have accompanied it, he dropped to the ground, watching for the motor vehicle we could hear approaching us.

Edward leaned as best he could from his place of concealment to get a glimpse of the vehicle, which had stopped only a few dozen yards from our location. With a gasp, he jumped up, not bothering to stifle the cry of pain as he began to wave his arms.

Scary chapter, but will result in events aligning to finally answer some of your pleas. :) Hope you enjoyed the chapter and the teaser!

Flyboy Teaser...you guys are going to want to kill me!

I'm going to go buy a hardhat for when the next chapter posts. I've always known it would be part of the plot and we are drawing to a close...thus I have to get to it eventually...Just remind yourself... "She Always Gives Us An HEA....She ALWAYS gives us an HEA!" Also this has not been betaed yet...in case there are errors...

Everything was going well back home. With the exception of missing Edward and worrying about him while he was away, the clouds had cleared and things were truly looking up. I should have known that the sunshine can only stay for so long before another storm blows through to ruin the peace.

For months and months, I had nothing but good dreams about Edward. Each and every one, even when I was riding with him, were positive. Edward had never told me anything about escorting bombers on raids, because it wasn’t allowed, but I knew because I was there. I was always spared the rough parts though, only getting to ride through the white fluffy clouds, seeing the bright blue sky engulfing the forms of massive bombers dotting the horizon with small fighters like Edward’s hovering throughout to deal with any Nazi fighters who tried to intercept them. I rode through a few exchanges with the Nazi planes, but none of them were nearly as terrifying as the first dream. The fighters would circle just outside of the actual drop zone, staying clear of the flack that filled the air in the distance through which the bombers shuddered and jerked until they reached their targets and dropped their bombs at which point the fighters would rejoin them to escort them home.

In dreams like these, I finally began to think positively about the war, believing we were reaching the end as the bombers went in and leveled production facilities throughout Germany, Romania, and many other surrounding areas. Finally, it seemed like we might just be seeing results, and I think perhaps I started to get too cocky as well, convinced he would be home soon.

That was until the night of December 21, 1944, the night that my blood ran cold in my veins as I watched in horror before I awoke screaming at the top of my lungs.

Sovereign Fate and Flyboy Teasers!

Sovereign Fate Chapter 15 Teaser
Life carried on as usual in the court during the weeks that Edward, Jasper, and Emmett were gone, but their absence was greatly felt by those that loved them the most. Bella found sleeping quite difficult in the cold empty bed. She had grown so accustomed to sleeping with Edward’s arms wrapped around her, that she could scarcely remember a time when they were not. In addition, the absence of Emmett was felt every hour of the day, as Isabella had to go about her duties in the court without his ever comforting presence by her side. In fact, the only comforts to her during those several long weeks were the presence of an also upset Alice and Angela.

It didn’t help matters that the rumor mill in the court hit an all time high as the restless bored aristocrats sat theorizing all sorts of over the top reasons for the Prince’s quick departure without his bride. Alice and Angela worked hard to shield Bella from the worst of the rumors, but as they always do, they eventually found their way to Bella’s ear.
Princess Isabella did her best to stand tall and ignore the ridiculous rumors which she knew for a fact were utterly untrue, but the abject embarrassment at being the focus of such scandalous rumors, be they true or false, still upset her. The rumors she heard, which she knew to probably be some of the tamest, were that she could not please him in the bedchamber, so he left to release his tensions with the King’s concubines in France. Others portrayed her as a cold, withdrawn individual, who would not allow their beloved Prince into her bedchamber after their first witnessed union. Everyone was atwitter that their union would never bear a male heir if the Princess couldn’t even compel the Prince to stay at her side for more than a month.

While the rumors hurt a bit, they also made her smile secretly at how very wrong they were. Nobody but Bella and Edward knew just how much use their marriage bed endured, but one thing was certain, the Prince was most definitely not unsatisfied, and the only way that the Princess would not conceive in the near future was if the Lord himself prevented it considering the sheer volume of time the couple had spent in sexual congress.


The Wallflower and The Flyboy Chapter 20 Teaser

Before I knew it, our anniversary had arrived, and I still had no word from Edward. I found myself pacing the length of the house all morning, waiting for the mailman to deliver our mail. Poor Cherie was just as stressed by everything as I was, as she soaked up my anxiety like a sponge. I hated upsetting her, but I couldn’t let go of the idea that something was wrong. It just had to be for Edward not to send his usual letter this week. It was five days late.

The rational side of me recognized that he had a job to do and that it kept him too busy sometimes to write. Not only that, there had been many occasions where the mail plane had been delayed due to bad weather or other inhibiting factors, but I just couldn’t let it go. I wouldn’t feel at ease until I had another letter in my hand as proof that he was okay. I know my information was always two weeks behind, but to not have the paper meant that two weeks ago he could have been gone and I wouldn’t have known.

I watched anxiously for the mailman, practically attacking him when he walked up the concrete steps to our mail slot. I apologized after yanking the letters out of his hand before quickly rushing into the house, flipping through the envelopes in desperation. When there was once again nothing from him, I tossed the mail on the floor with a frustrated scream, which in turn made Cherie cry, making me feel like a horrible mother.

With tears in my eyes, I ran to her side, lifting her into my arms and caressing her short bronze tinted hair that was only slightly darker than her father’s. I cooed through my tears as I apologized to her for upsetting her. I settled in to nurse her shortly after before putting her down after she fell asleep mid feeding.

I grumbled as I returned to the first floor, resuming my pacing. Esme and Sue finally got me to sit down long enough to eat some soup and bread before I was up pacing once more. I had been up and down the hallways about fifty times in the hour between when I ate and when the knock came at the door. I had been so busy obsessing neurotically that I hadn’t even paid attention to anything else going on around me.

Brady, who was on duty today, came into the doorway from the living room looking worried as I opened the door, wondering if someone dangerous could be on the other side. I pictured James, back to complete the job, or another hired gun come to take me out, but what stood on the other side of the door was something I hadn’t been prepared for at all.

Smiling at me with his brown uniform and oddly shaped hat with the Western Union logo on the front was a teenage boy not more than sixteen at the very most.

(Okay, don't go into total meltdown. Remember, I'm a HEA writer. I will not destroy you all that way, so just go with me on this one...okay?)

Sovereign Fate Ch 14 Teaser

I was beginning to wonder if this chapter was going to get finished. First my son got the flu Saturday, then baby girl started throwing up halfway through this chapter. She got sick every fifteen to twenty minutes between 7 and midnight before finally her body let her rest and I was eventually able to lay her down and get some sleep myself. Both kids are feeling better today, but now hubby is feeling as though he were hit my a train. Keeping my fingers crossed I escape the yuck...but knowing my luck, I'm not holding my breath. At any rate, I was able to wrap it up this morning and get it to my beta. Hope you enjoy!

“As Edward and Jasper are fully aware, things with France are still in disarray. The King’s decisions are making little sense and since we are not personally involved, our allies are looking to England to find a resolution and ensure peace. The attempts at diplomacy so far from Spain have yielded little to no results, the same is true of Italy. It has been suggested that a more official showing in France might bring about a more resolute solution.”

Carlisle watched as Bella’s face crumbled, her quick intellect already deducing the coming announcement, while his poor daughter still sat in anxious ignorance. He paused, casting an apologetic look at Bella, who understood immediately, before looking carefully at Alice as he finished his proclamation.

“I debated for many nights the best course of action, knowing the weight my decision would bear on the spouse of whomever I sent. No option was simple, and all left one or both of my daughters in distress, but what we do what we must. In two days time, I am sending, Edward, Jasper, and Emmett to France to see if they can reach some sort of peaceful accord with King Louis and end this insanity.”

Bella began to nibble on her bottom lip as it began to quiver lightly, while Edward reached to grasp her shoulder comfortingly. She lifted her hand to rest atop his, twining their fingers as best the position could allow. Meanwhile, Alice immediately deteriorated into sobs, shaking her head as she grasped her stomach in a protective manner.

Carlisle wanted badly to soothe his daughter, but knew her husband could do a superior job as he knelt before her, cupping her face in his hands and whispering words of comfort. Carlisle waited for the worst of the upset to pass before he finished what he needed to say.

Announcements and Flyboy chapter 19 teaser

Due to changes in plans and sick kiddos and my lack of inspiration, I was epic fail in getting a chapter lined up for SF so no teaser this week. Keep checking though, because I will post one once I get a chance to work on the chapter. I have an idea what will happen, but haven’t sat down to write it yet. I borrowed the first book of The Black Dagger Brotherhood series and read it last night instead, so I could quickly and easily toss it down if my son started getting sick again. Thankfully, he hasn’t had those issues since late last night. Here’s hoping it stays that way. I’m now addicted to BDB now, fyi. LOL.

Anyway, I do apologize for the SF failure. I did, however, get two chapters of Flyboy done…so the next chapter is below. I will post the full chapter this Thursday and then it too will drop back to once weekly updates.

I wanted to sit there all day with her, just enjoying the feel of her in my arms, but I could feel the exhaustion catching up with me again. If I stayed there, I could easily fall asleep which could be dangerous for the baby. Reluctantly, I carefully laid her down in her white crib, watching her until she stopped shifting and fell back into a deep sleep before creeping out of the room and down the stairs.

Most of the guests had left, understanding that we were tired and both needed to rest. I hugged everyone before climbing back up the stairs to climb back into our bed for the first time in nearly a week. I rolled on my side and immediately drifted from the world around me.

It didn’t seem to take very long at all before I felt the bed dip behind me and Edward curled up with me.

“I missed you,” he sighed reaching around me to massage the baby, only to jump up when my large distended stomach had mostly disappeared, leaving only a flabby lump behind instead. I turned toward him with a smile as he blinked at me with surprised eyes.

“Did? Did you have the baby?”

See you Thursday with Flyboy update and with any luck, both stories posting Monday!