Wildflower (Chapter 9)

Chapter 9

 

            Tonight was all about strategy. Nicolas watched while Wildflower was getting dressed. He loved to just watch her sometimes. Dinner with his parents was going to be a nightmare and there was no way around that. At least Martha wasn’t coming, he hated having her around. After his mother’s scene last night he was making a point to be as cold to her as possible, she wouldn’t be able to stand it. Rosa could never stand for her “baby” to be mad at her. And she wondered why he didn’t call her more often.

            By the time they came back from dinner Carmen and her kids would be there. At least he could count on Carmen to be a normal human being. He anticipated that Carmen and Wildflower would get along easily, unlike with the rest of the family. Especially since he knew his parents would bring up prenuptial agreement negotiations at dinner, they were predictable like that. But he would stand his ground; he was not going to put a price on the woman he loved. It was amusing to him that his mother thought Wildflower could be bought. No doubt his parents had both dug into her background and found out things about her family, he already knew everything. He was no fool, he always did his homework. But not only that he’d been with Wildflower long enough to know what type of person she was. So as long as they stood united, nobody could come between them.

            “Ok, I’m ready,” Wildflower said.

She looked at herself again in the mirror. A simple black handkerchief dress and black knee books and she had her hair up. In her opinion she was hot, but she wasn’t sure if Nicolas’ parents would think of her as appropriate. At least she was wearing a dress, she could have worn cutoffs and a tank top and they would think the same of her. The way Nicolas was looking at her she might as well had been naked, he always had a look like he could see right through her clothes.

“You look sexy,” he told her. That only proved her point.

“Nick, when was the last time you had sex, I mean before we started?”

“I don’t know maybe six months before I met you. Why?”

“Just curious, you’ve become such an addict lately,” she said and he smiled.

“Well I did have to be close to you for three months and not touch you, that was torture. But I thought it would be best, that way we could know each other without the complication of sex,” he said. It made sense what he was saying. “So how long had it been for you?”

“Over a year at least, that’s why I was so willing to leave with you that night, I was so horny and easy. You could have had your way with me,” she said. His response was to get up from the bed and warp his arms around her waist.

“I have my way with you now, that’s good enough for me,” he whispered in her ear. “It’s a good thing you haven’t been with a man in a long time; I wouldn’t want to have to kill anybody.” Something in his tone made her wonder if he was serious, but it was just a joke right?

“Think I should dress more conservative for your parents?” She asked to change the subject; they were standing in front of the mirror.

“Don’t bother, you look fine, better than fine really,” he said.

“Let’s go then, before you get any ideas,” she said slipping away from him.

“Is it wrong to be addicted to you?” He asked.

“No, but we can’t have sex every second of the day.  I do have a life.”

“Take a week off of work and I’ll take you somewhere nice,” he suggested.

“A vacation with just the two of us while your family is trying to drive me out? I should take the summer off just to make sure they aren’t hiring hit men to kill me,” she replied and he laughed.

“They might want to go that far after dinner,” he said. “But don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe. Remember this is your house and you have to establish authority.”

“Technically it’s your house and I live here,” she corrected.

“Then maybe I should call my lawyer and have your name put on the deed to the house, that will stir up trouble,” he said thoughtfully.

“Why would you do that? If I left you I could take the house if you did that.”

“I know, but I’m willing to put all my faith in the fact that you will never leave me. If I’m willing to fight my family for you I think that proves how committed I am to you. And I seriously doubt you’re going to find someone else that’s willing to do that and to love you as much as I do,” he said.

“Maybe you are right,” she agreed. “Besides it would just be too much trouble to look for someone.” He shook his head as they headed out of their bedroom.

Before they left Sammie and Sugar assured Wildflower that they were on her side. Of course they were, they were her girls before she met Nicolas. The drive over to the restaurant was mostly in silence; even if she didn’t act like it she was nervous. These people were going to be her in-laws and she would prefer getting along with them. If not she could be a b***h too and she would make her presence in their family known. Being a good sweet girl only got you so far and she wasn’t going to let these people think she was weak. One thing Wildflower never was was weak and she would never be weak. Having to be strong for her family and basically raise her brothers did that to her.

Emilio and Rosa were already seated when they arrived, they were talking. It was weird to be meeting Nicolas’ father, the man was a little intimidating as he stared at her. He was a bit shorted than Nicolas with black hair streaked with grey, he had piercing brown eyes and a no nonsense type of look. She could tell he was trying to assess what type of threat she was; it was all in his eyes. There was something else when he looked at his son, it looked like pride. He was worried about his son and she couldn’t blame him for that. Rosa was glaring at her, like she stole something from her. If she would quit looking so disgusted then maybe she might have been a nice looking woman. Looking at the parents who both had brown eyes she wondered how Nicolas’ eyes were blue.

“Father, this is Wildflower Laiez,” Nicolas said formally. “Wildflower, this if my father Emilio.” After that they sat down.

“Miss Laiez, how did you come to meet my son?” Emilio asked her.

“We met in a bar on my birthday,” she said casually.

“Nicky, what were you doing hanging around a bar?” Rosa asked him.

“Well Mother I am an adult and I went out to have a drink,” Nicolas said.

“And while you were having a drink, she threw herself at you right?”

“That would be incorrect,” he said coolly. Apparently he wasn’t going to let up on being cold to his mother.

“What is it you do for a living, Miss Laiez?” Emilio asked.

“I’m a translator; I speak three languages other than English fluently.”

“Which languages?” Rosa asked, she sounded like she didn’t believe her.

“Spanish, Portuguese and French,” she answered.

“That is impressive,” Emilio nodded. “Has Nicolas tried to recruit you? You could be very valuable in our company.”

“See, you didn’t believe me,” Nicolas said to her. “She is content with her job.”

“If you intend to be a part of our family maybe you should consider it,” Emilio told her. She wasn’t sure who was most surprised by those word out of the three of them.

“You want her to work in important business affairs?” Rosa asked completely shocked, she wasn’t the only one.

“Why not? If our son is in love with her enough to marry her, I think it would be a good thing. It is improper to judge someone we have just met by appearances and things that Nicolas saw fit to do.”

“Nicky, if you intend to get married we need to call the lawyers and set up a proper agreement,” Rosa said.

“There’s no need for that,” Nicolas said.

“You’ve already talked with the lawyers?” She asked looking hopeful.

“No,” he said looking his mother straight in the eyes. “We have decided that we do not need an agreement.”

“Of course this was her idea; you cannot marry her without protecting yourself. This is what she wants, I’ve seen too many of these girls and I know how they work.”

“Nicolas, are you sure this is wise?” Emilio asked looking very concerned.

“Yes, I am quite certain that this is the right thing,” he said. Something passed between him and his father as they looked each other in the eyes.

“I trust your decisions in business so I will have to trust your decisions for your life. I just hope you know what you are doing,” Emilio told his son.

“I do,” he nodded.

“Have you two discussed a wedding date?”

“That’s it? Emilio how can you let him do this? He is going to ruin his life and our family over some girl he picked up in a bar! What will you do when she’s decided to divorce him and take everything?” Rosa asked she was livid.

“Nicolas would never make a mistake like that; he understands more than anyone else the importance of family and business. After I spoke with him last night I realized that we are all behaving as though he is a child, he is not a child and I have faith in him. If he believes this is the best course of action then I will support him. This woman has done nothing but love our son and I have seen a change in him recently for the better,” he paused. “I would rather not divide this family for no reason. She has not given us a cause to worry over.”

“This is a mistake Emilio,” Rosa shook her head. “I cannot support this marriage; this girl is going to ruin our family.” At that she got up from the table and walked away.

The rest of dinner was peaceful and Emilio actually seemed to want to get to know her. Wildflower was shocked, but she could also tell Nicolas was more surprised by this than she was. She had a feeling that Emilio was playing a game. Maybe he expected her to slip up and show herself as a gold-digging w***e. She wondered what had happened in the past to make these people so suspicious. Obviously something happened that nobody was telling her about. Whatever it was she was going to try to prove that it had nothing to do with her.

********************

 

“I never expected him to ok this,” Nicolas said. They were heading back home and he was still in shock by his father’s actions.

“Isn’t it a good thing that he did?” Wildflower asked.

“If he fought it then at least I know where he stands, agreeing doesn’t mean he’s going to let it happen. He’s a sneaky old man, I know he’s up to something,” he shook his head. What was his father up to?

The moment his father offered Wildflower job he knew something was up. For one thing Emilio Capriani believed women should be housewives, at least the women in their family. He was fine with women doing any kind of job as long as they weren’t in his family. And he considered Carmen’s fashion business a hobby. Nicolas hated being in the dark about things but he was certain his father was plotting. The old man thought he was sneaky but Nicolas was going to figure this out, this was what he was good at.

“You know we shouldn’t have to worry about things like this, love should be simple,” she told him.

“Are you backing down? This is only the beginning, are you willing to see this through till the end? Don’t let them fool you, aside from the kids the only one that would support us is Carmen. Maybe Jose, but nobody ever cares what he has to say. Delanoz is amused by us and only wants to cause chaos, but you can’t trust him,” he paused. “In fact if he come to stay in the house, don’t ever be alone with him.”

“Why? You think I would cheat on you with your man-w***e brother?”

“No, but trust me when I say he can’t control himself when it comes to women. And I won’t let him hurt you; I would do anything to protect you.”

“Alright,” she said. “So you know I’m still in, and I can see that your father is still suspicious of me. And I would like to know why, I’m not stupid Nick I know there’s a reason they are so worried about me.”

“I should have known,” he laughed. His woman was definitely not stupid.

“Start talking Mr. Capriani, don’t make me have to threaten you with no sex for a month,” she said.

“Now that I’ve had you I can’t risk that happening,” he said. “Ok, we can start with how D likes women and does things a lot without thinking. Eleven kids and nine mothers, some of these women got pregnant on purpose. They know he’s easy and if they have a kid then they get a lot of money. Which of course you know since you know Angel, and lucky her she had twins. He decided to marry a few of them but the relationships never lasted beyond a year. One of them was smart enough to go after a lot of money; the court battle was pretty brutal. She would have won and a piece of the company, if only her baby hadn’t been fathered by somebody else. That saved his a*s and she got nothing.

“Then a thing happened with one of Katrina’s husbands that could have been costly, it was handled. Jose had a near miss with one of his lovers and even Carmen has had issues. So naturally they think I will too, but as you see so far my record is clean. Though I am a careful person and I’m not stupid like my siblings, I can’t be manipulated,” he explained.

“Are you sure about that? I think I could manipulate you,” she said with a wicked look in her eyes.

“No you couldn’t and you would never need to, I have no reason not to give you everything you ever want,” he said and squeezed her thigh. “If you keep looking at me the way you are I’m really going to tie you to the bed.”

“Hush, so when do we want to get married. Shouldn’t we be thinking about that?”

“We could take a flight to Vegas and get married tonight,” he suggested and she glared at him. “Do you want to do the big wedding thing? My family would want that, to make it a big social event. But it’s whatever you want; I’ll do whatever you want to.”

“Daisy was the one with the wedding dreams, I never thought I would get married,” she said. “But since I am I don’t know something small with just friends and family, well it wouldn’t be small with our family.”

“That’s fine, uh any idea which season?”

“Definitely summer, I love summer, well maybe not this summer but I usually love summer. Mostly I love being able to spend more time with the boys,” she said.

“Shall we shoot for next summer or the following one? I’m even fine with this current summer,” he said.

“Not this summer, its too crazy already, we can go for next summer.”

“When we get home we can look at a calendar. Carmen will want to help you plan everything, it’s her thing.”

            “Good cause I know zero about planning a wedding.”

            Talking about this and making plans felt normal. Nothing was going to be normal again until the end of August when it would just be the two of them. Nicolas was proud of himself, he found the girl of his dreams and he would be married to her in a year or so. It was funny because he’d only decided he was going to find a wife the day he met her. That just proved that he could have anything he wanted.

 

 

            “Wow look at you,” Carmen said. “You are so gorgeous; no wonder Nicky is so crazy about you.”

            “Yeah,” Wildflower just kind of looked at her. She was in her bedroom when Carmen came bursting in.

            “Honey this family is beyond superficial so I’m just saying beautiful people make beautiful babies,” she said and flopped down on the bed. “So I hear you had dinner with the parents, and Nicky decided he wants to marry you without the proper legal protection. What did you do to my little brother?”

            “Apparently I seduced him or something,” Wildflower shrugged.

            “One thing everybody knows is nobody can get over on Nicky. Which means I have to believe that you must genuine and so I have to like you. You have no idea how much he loves you, he is ready to put this whole family and his life on the line for you. And I’m sure he didn’t tell you but he already revised his will, if anything happens to him everything he owns is yours,” Carmen informed.

            “What? Why the hell would he do that?” This was news to her, she never even thought about these things. Nicolas was really invested in their relationship if he did something like that.

            “Because he believes that you two will be together forever,” she shook her head. “I believed that about Alex, my first husband, that turned out bad. But I’m not Nicky; he always gets what he wants. That’s why everybody envies him and after tomorrow night every woman in the world will envy you.”

            “What do you mean tomorrow night?”

            “Right, I forgot to tell you we are going to a charity thing. We donate to so many charities I can never keep up with them, Nicky does though. But I guess you know that he is a giver, he told me what he did for your family,” she said.

            “I didn’t ask him to do anything, actually I told him not to,” Wildflower said. She wasn’t stupid Carmen was trying to investigate her. “You don’t have to trust me or like me, at this point it doesn’t matter to me. I love Nick and you don’t have to believe that either and I’m not going anywhere.”

            “Good, I do want us to be friends, well more because you are marrying my brother. We are just naturally cynical people and it’s so weird that he’s getting married. I swear I am your ally, I think its great he finally found someone. And I can make you the wedding dress of your dreams,” Carmen said excitedly.

            “What’s the charity thing you mentioned?”

            “Oh it’s a party, charities and such are an excuse for rich people to get together. If you are going to marry Nicky then you will be required to at least pretend like you like these parties. Since he’s been with you he’s been skipping them, it’s understandable but someone like him needs to be out mingling with the wealthy and networking. You are a scandal, there is no way around that at this point. By that I mean you are his secret fiancé that nobody outside of the family knows about. Everyone will be talking about you and everyone will be in your business. That is why it’s best I’m there with you to guide you through the women. Katrina should have done this, but let’s face it my sister is a b***h.”

            “Sounds like one of those things I don’t get a choice in.”

            “Oh it is, don’t worry I’ve got everything covered and I brought you some dresses and such from my new line,” she said smiling.

            Carmen had a fashion line called LAO named for her daughters Lexy, Anna-Maria and Olivia. She was famous and very successful. And it didn’t hurt that she was a beauty with her layered dark chocolate hair, her brown eyes, flawless tan skin and bone structure women would kill for. Nicolas collected all the articles and magazines Carmen was in, Wildflower wasn’t supposed to know that but she found out by accident. He really loved his sister and she understood that. And she got why he wanted her to spend time with Carmen.

            “We need to have a party,” Carmen said suddenly. “A sort of coming out party for you, an engagement party that is perfect. I am going to get started on planning something for maybe next week or something. Oh first we need to have a get together with both families so we can all get to know each other. That can happen the end of the week or something,” she paused. “Oh you work, don’t you?”

            “Yeah, Monday through Friday, eight to five,” Wildflower said.

            “Why do you work if Nicky is marrying you? Being with him is going to become a full time job,” Carmen said. “And planning a wedding, this wedding is so going to be huge! I might need to relocate for awhile to be here for you.”

            “Nick and I don’t want a big wedding,” Wildflower told her.

            “Honey you are marrying Nicolas Capriani, the most sought out man in the world. Women try to get him worse than they do athletes; he is the catch of a lifetime. There is no small wedding in your future, politicians, famous people, rich people; all kinds of people are going to want to be at this wedding,” Carmen said. “Now I’m going to go call the best wedding planner in the area so that we can meet with her. I guess we can work around your work schedule. Really consider quitting, being a wife in this family is a lot of work and I mean you’ll probably get started on children. Clearly I don’t think every woman should you know stay home mother wife whatever, but its different for Nicky’s wife. You’ll have a lot of responsibilities. Anyway, I’m going to make some calls and I left the dresses in your closet. We are going to have so much fun.”

            Wildflower just laid in bed after Carmen left; she had a lot to think about. Her and Nick just picked a random date for the wedding, July 14^th. There was a day set but everything else was still left to be decided. She did not want some big circus of a wedding, but it appeared that she didn’t get a choice. Carmen was nice, a little crazy, but she was pretty sure she was going to like her. Eventually she got up to look at the dresses, there were ten of them. They were very nice dresses and she picked one to wear the following night, then she returned to bed. Nicolas was locked in his office doing business so she was enjoying a peaceful moment. The door opened and Evan peeked his head in.

            “Are you busy?” He asked and she gestured for him to come in.

            “Come lay with me Evy, like when you were little,” she said. It surprised her that he actually did and she wrapped her arms around him. “How are you liking it here?”

            “I think I need to live with you,” he said. “Can I stay with you?”

            “Why? Don’t like the new house?”

            “Don’t like the lack of you there. Mom has been weird lately and I would rather stay with you, she has the others to look after her. I have to look after you.”

            “Everything will be fine soon, hopefully,” she paused and kissed his forehead. “Stay as long as you like, I might need you when Rosa and Katrina start trying to have me murdered.”

            “What is wrong with these people? Why can’t they see how lucky they are just to know you?” Evan asked. “You are my hero.”

            “How? What have I ever done that was hero worthy?”

            “Let’s see you took care of us forever and even after Daisy died and you could barely get out of bed, you took care of our family. Who do I remember taking me to school when I was little and helping me with my homework? Not mom, she’s been checked out of life since I was 6. And what she came back to semi-human six months ago? You’re the glue that holds us together.”

            “I love you Evy, I’m always going to take care of you. Mom just has had a lot happen to her, raising 12 kids on her own was hard. She’s still trying even if it doesn’t seem like it,” she assured him.

            “You think it’s going to be better for us to go to this school?”

            “Yes I do and I want my brothers to have the best.”

            “Do you love Nick?”

            “Yes, why else would I marry him?”

            “Because you feel bad that he spent all that money on us and bought the house.”

            “I’m marrying him because I love him Evan; I’m over the money thing. If Nick wants to spend a bunch of money he’s going to do it rather I like it or not, but he does it because he cares.”

            “Ivan thinks Nick just wants you to be his arm candy. He says that we shouldn’t trust him and that he’s going to hurt you.”

            “I am going to hurt Ivan for saying that to you. Everything with Nick and I is good, he just wants to make it through the summer with these crazy a*s people. Why can’t they get that I can take care of myself and I don’t need him? Guess we have to get use to them if I’m going to marry him.”

            “Rosa asked me how much it would take to get you to leave. I told her she didn’t have enough money. So she said she was willing to take out a loan,” he told her and they both laughed.

            “This whole situation is tempting me to go back to the dark side; do you remember how I use to be?”

            “Yeah, I think that’s appropriate with this situation.”

            “Nick thinks so too and he didn’t even know me then.”

            “My sister would never let anyone mess with her.”

            “I won’t,” she assured him.

            “Its stupid, but I keep wondering if you’re going to ditch us once you have your own kids and once you marry him.”

            “Are you crazy? You mean the world to me and I could never stay away from any of you. And I’m so not thinking of having any kids, Nick and I have never even talked about it.”

            “Bet he wants like a thousand of them.”

            “Then he’s going to have to find him someone else, I couldn’t handle too many. And I have you and Sammie and Sugar and Tony and Corey, I don’t think I can take on more kids. Oh and let’s not forget Ariela, Isabel and Jeremiah, I’m booked.”

            “Good,” he said. She could tell he was ready to drift off to sleep, she knew her brothers very well. Especially Evan, he was about to turn 16 so she knew he wasn’t going to want to snuggle with her anymore. So she enjoyed spending time with him while he still let her baby him a little.

 

            Nicolas was surprised when he peeked into his bedroom to find Wildflower asleep holding her little brother. It was cute, but he was shocked that Evan would let her hold him like that. Since his bed was occupied he decided to go downstairs. To his surprise he found both of his parents in the kitchen. They were having a conversation about him of course. And since he wasn’t above eavesdropping he listened in.

            “You can’t let him go through with marrying this girl,” his mother was saying.

            “How do you propose we stop him? Once he decides what he wants there is no stopping him, you know that,” his father said.

            “There has to be something we can do, I don’t trust that girl.”

            “I don’t think we can get a choice in this, he will marry her. And it would be wrong to tell him that he can’t be happy with the woman he loves. We have tolerated the string of women Delanoz and Jose have around and the men our daughters have married. Nicolas is different, he would never do anything this reckless without knowing for sure that she will never leave him,” he sighed. “I’ve looked into the girl, she isn’t like the women Delanoz attracts. She works very hard actually and apparently she pays her mother’s bills. The girl has had a job since she was 14 and it seems like she’s been taking care of her brothers. Maybe Nicolas is right to trust her; she appears to be a good person.”

            “Are you sure she’s not out turning tricks?”

            “There is no reason to be so concerned Rosa, if you keep pushing Nicolas will push back. And I need him; he’s more driven and harder working since she came into his life. He is happy and we can’t really say that about the others can we? If she makes him happy we just have to deal with it, I don’t think it is wise what he plans but stopping him would cost us too much. Did it occur to you that he is willing to choose this girl over our family? If he is forced to make a decision we will lose him forever. Isn’t it bad enough that Marcus is gone? I won’t lose my son over this,” he said firmly.

            “I do not except this or this girl and her Cinderella story. That is what people will say when they find out, and Carmen is going to take her out tomorrow night. Everybody will know about her and once again our family will be shamed,” she said.

            “Leave it alone Rosa, she is Nicolas’ fiancée and that’s it. I’m warning you to just leave it, you will regret it if you don’t.”

            At that Nicolas walked away, he didn’t feel like actually talking to them and he was sick of his mother. On his way back to the stairs he spotted Sugar creeping towards the front door. She was dressed in a mini skirt like she was going to a party or worse meeting a boy. Katrina let her run wild but it was the summer and she was in his house and he wasn’t going to let his niece run the streets.

            “Get your a*s back upstairs,” he told her.

            “Uncle Nick,” she said smiling. “I was just going to meet up with some friends.”

            “Now,” he said. She pouted and went back upstairs, she knew better.

            “Nobody ever told me I couldn’t go out when I was 16,” Carmen said. She came out the TV room with a smile on her face.

            “And that’s why you got pregnant when you were 16,” he said and she flinched.

            “Don’t say that aloud, Lexy doesn’t know that and I would like to keep it that way. Though I don’t think I’ll have to worry about her having sex,” Carmen said.

            “What you think because she’s the good book smart girl that she can’t get in trouble? She’ll meet a boy and everything will change,” he shook his head.

            “My daughter isn’t me,” she said. “So I had a talk with your woman and I like her, I can tell we are going to have fun.”

            “Good,” he nodded. “Your parents are in the kitchen discussing my relationship, surprisingly they don’t agree.”

            “Well you did tell them you want to get married without a prenup, I am your sister and I would take you for all you’re worth.”

            “That’s why you are a Capriani,” he said. He sat down on the stairs and she sat beside him.

            “How come you haven’t told her that she ought to quit working?”

            “Because I’m not going to ask her to do that, she likes working.”

            “Whatever, are you ready for tomorrow? You get to be the talk of the town.”

            “I don’t know how nobody knows, it’s not like we don’t go out,” he shrugged.

            “Do you really love her?”

            “Yes, I do and I’m sick of everybody questioning my judgment. I know what I am doing, and I have my life under complete control. Nobody else can say that.”

            “True, you do always know what you want and you do always get your way,” she paused. “You should be honest with her, I think she deserves that.”

            “I am honest,” he said looking at her troubled expression.

            “Nicolas you are lying to me right now! That girl has no idea what she has gotten herself into. I feel like I should go tell her, it isn’t right to marry her when she has no idea who you are. And she has no clue what it is that you do at work,” Carmen said staring him in the eyes. It would be Carmen to challenge him, it was a good thing she was his favorite sister.

            “What? I have a bit of an anger problem, not a big deal and not something I advertise,” he said staring her down. She always blinked first and always gave in.

            “Blue-eyed devil,” she said.

            “Not the first time you called me that and I’m sure it won’t be the last,” he said. His siblings always picked on him because he was the only member of their family with blue eyes.

            “Just do me a favor Nicky and don’t hurt her. I talked to Sammie and I think the girl has been through enough.”

            “I’m sure she would appreciate your concern, but you don’t have to worry. She’s mine and I would never hurt her, I want to keep her happy,” he told his sister. Of course she looked skeptical, but he meant what he said. And he would do anything to ensure that she stayed happy.

Reviews

[MarkGMelvin]

Very well done ahh meeting the parents theres always a focker around:)
To critique you,
this is excellent work your character building is brilliant and wildflower is adoreable.
well done
very good work,absolutely professional,you are a "writers writer"
I appreciate the tedious and meticulous effort you put into your work.

peace
wmmelvin

[Katie]

So well written and you just want to know what is really going on with this family

[Maram157]

Have you ever tried publishing it....because it would be great as a book. It's really amazing, see I knew there was a secret somewhere.
I was going to ask what does Nick work as, but the chapter just answered my question. I'm going to have to read and find out for my self.....(but I wonder: why hasn't Wildflower ever asked him about his job(since he's away on business?????) Hmmmmmm. ;-)

[deeps]

This is one amazing chapter here.
The detail and Imagery is quite wonderful as well.
I like this chpater alot.