Author or Vendor

Okay, I consider myself an Author, not a vendor. However, without an agent or marketer, I guess in some ways I am a vendor too. This is so not easy. I want to increase my following as well as get my book as much exposure as I can. The road to get there is not the smoothest or the easiest.
As a self-published Author, the road is not nearly as rough as it once was. There are so many ways to publish your own work, the downside it getting the exposure. Having a publisher makes everything easier as far as getting the exposure, but then you have the creative difficulties and the pressure of what someone else thinks your work should be. Now I am not saying all publishers are like this, but there is always a box they want everything to fit into. So the task is to find the right publisher to fit into your own box rather than having to fit into someone else's box.
So, I guess as a self-publishing Author, you fill all the shoes a publisher would fill including the main one as Author.
I keep in mind anything worth having is worth working your hardest to achieve. Never giving up on anything just because it is too hard.

Vision Update

I haven't given an update recently on my vision. Well, the last visit with the eye doctor went well in comparison to previous visits. Not as though any were bad, just disappointing. Of course, I go through the normal vision reading test every time I go in, but it was not as good as the last visit. They said it just gives them an idea of where my vision is from my point of view.
Had more eye pictures done to see how the swelling was doing since the last shot. Well, to give you a little background, previous pictures had lots of red and yellow, which I can tell you are not good colors to see when looking at pictures of the inside of your eye. Well, this last set of pictures had no red or yellow, just lots of blue and green.
The swelling is not completely gone, but there has been a dramatic decrease since this last steroid injection. Now it is just a waiting game. We have decided to see how the injection and previous laser procedure continue to progress. At the next appointment, we will either discuss another steroid injection or the possibility or proceed with cataract correction surgery.
Now, I will not get negative, but going off the past events of this long trip there is always the possibility the swelling will come back and I will have to continue to deal with this. I will still see the silver lining of even if I can only see with one eye, I can still see. I can still write. I can still function and live my life. I may have limitations I didn't have before, but I will overcome as I always have in the past and continue to live my life to the best of my abilities and to its fullest.
I will never let the limitations keep me from living my life or enjoying my life. It may limit certain aspects of my life, but it will not stop me!

Snippet #6

As she entered her apartment she had not actually lived in for several years, it had just been a getaway when Daniel would go on his weekend family trips to the estate. She looked around the room as she walked towards the couch when she felt him. She turned quickly and demanded, "Why do you do that?"

He laughed wickedly as he replied, "Your senses are getting better, but you still have a lot to learn. But I am not sure if it is actually your senses or just a behavioral thing because of what you do for a living."

Shannon flopped down on the couch as she admitted, "My second sense has always served me well and obviously has kept me alive thus far. What are you doing here?"

He moved out of the shadows and walked to the chair which sat to the right of the couch. He voiced, "I thought you could use a distraction since you have moved back here."

She looked over at him as she inquired, "How did you know?"

Victor smiled as he retorted, "I didn't get where I am in life not knowing what I needed to know when I needed to know it. Come now, tell me what would you like to learn tonight?"

She cut her eyes at him when the idea hit her. She demanded, "Teach me how to control water."

He looked a little surprised as he nodded. He said, "It is an easy task; why would you want to learn it?"

She smirked at him as she retorted, "Because it will suit me."

He raised his eyebrow at her but said nothing as he nodded. He began to chant as the water in the bowl of candles started to bubble and splash. She sat up, she started to pay attention. She listened to the words he was chanting and how the water was reacting. She looked up at him as she asked, "Can you make the candles sink and not allow them to rise back to the surface?"

Victor smiled wickedly at her as he inquired, "Are you really asking me that question? You know what I am teaching you, right?"

She nodded at him but did not respond verbally. She thought back to when she was in the hospital the day Cyrus's daughter was born. She recalled the anger she felt as well as the resentment because he looked at the baby the way he used to look at her. She knew she could not touch the child. However, she could go after the mother because she was also her block to Daniel’s heart.

She recalled the night she had entered Christine’s room under the nose of the guard, and since the room was empty, she pulled the syringe from her pocket. She set the liquid and started to poke the needle into the feeding tube when a woman she recognized as part of Cyrus’s house staff entered. She continued to insert the needle until the woman spoke and stopped her. When the woman demanded, “What she was doing? What it was she was giving to her?”

She thought quickly, looked down at Christine then back at the woman questioning her as she lied, “I’m administering a sedative for the surgery prep.”

The woman looked shocked as she informed, “What do you mean surgery? My mistress just gave birth. She isn’t here for any surgery.”

Shannon faked her surprise and apologized, “Oh, my! I am sorry. Isn’t this room 312?”

The woman shook her head as she argued, “No, you are in the wrong room. Please leave, my mistress needs her sleep.”

She nodded, quickly turned, and left the room. As she walked down the hallway, she scorned herself for being stopped yet again from getting this woman out of her life completely and for good. There was no telling if she would get another chance.

She flashed back to earlier in the day to her meeting with Cyrus where she had actually begged him to help her and he refused. How could he turn on her? She recalled the conversation. She hoped maybe she had missed something.

As she sat across from Cyrus, she watched him as he spoke to her telling her he would never kill his wife or put out an order to have her killed. Shannon would just have to deal with the flashes. As she left, she made her unhappiness with his decision clear, but all he did was dismiss her. He had never dismissed her. How, the hell, had this woman gotten under his skin like this? Now, she had lost two men to Christine. This was just not going to do.

She heard her name, and it brought her back to the present. She looked up at Victor and saw he was not happy with her loss of concentration. She apologized, "Sorry, just something you did, took me back was all."

He looked at her and just shook his head. He reminded, "You cannot let your mind wonder when you are learning something. You have to concentrate since you are not of the magical world; you have to get it right. It won't just happen because you want it until you have mastered the spell. Now, are you ready to begin this lesson you have requested?"

She smiled wickedly back at him as she answered, "Oh yes!"

He nodded his head as he continued, "All right," he handed her a piece of paper with the spell she would have to recite. "Say these words and focus on the candle."

She did as he instructed and began to chant the words on the paper as she stared at the candle. Slowly the candle started to sink, as the flame got closer to the water, she watched as it struggled to stay lit. She smiled and began to chant faster forcing the candle below the water suffocating the flame. Once the candle was sitting on the bottom of the bowl, she looked up at him waiting for him to praise her. None came; he just told her to do it again and to do it more slowly this time as she did it.

After he was sure she had mastered it, he told her to think of something which wasn't in front of her and to focus all her attention on it. He was going to see how far her power would reach. She had been a quick study so he had no doubt she could do it.

She closed her eyes as he had instructed and focused. She gained the visual of what she was focused on and she began to chant slowly. She controlled her breathing. She chanted more forcefully. Her body began to shake slightly. He could feel the power starting to emanate from her. As her body began to relax, he knew she had completed her task.

As her eyes opened, he noticed the color had gone to black. By the time, she regained herself, they were back to the original color of dark green. He smiled at her as he asked, "So what did you focus on?"

She shook her head as she replied, "I am going to keep it to myself for now. When I know if it worked out, then I will tell you."

Victor just looked at her as he demanded, "What did you do?"

She looked at him, her eyes starting to go black again as she clenched her teeth, and spat, "I told you I would tell you when I know it actually worked and not before!"

He backed away from her. He shook his head as he informed, "It looks as though you have mastered everything I have put in front of you. So, there is no doubt in my mind whatever you just did, worked. But if you doubt yourself then you aren't the witch I thought you were." He got up and moved towards the door to leave. He looked back at her and advised, "When you are ready to stop working alone, just let me know. You know where to find me." He left closed the door behind him.

She looked at the door which had just closed. She sat back with a huff sinking lower into the couch. She smiled to herself with the knowledge she had mastered what she needed to get what she wanted.

Snippet #5

As she sat there trembling, he watched her with a wicked smile crossed his face. He said, "You have been lucky over the last month, but I told you if I want something I always get my way. You will be back before she even knows you are gone, and I am telling you, she is not to ever know. Do you understand me?"

As he moved closer to her, she slid closer to the door away from him. She hated him. When her father died, he came to her and told her since there was no one else to take her she was his. Knowing he was right, she had no choice but to suffer at his hand. Her father owed him, and now his debt was hers.

With no way to escape, he reached and pulled her to him kissing her roughly. The driver rolled the separation window up, and she was left to his whims. She closed her eyes and found a quiet place in her mind to escape mentally since she could not escape physically. She felt his hands moving roughly over her body as he removed her clothing. He slid her into a lying position, he moved on top of her, continuing to kiss her neck he moved down her body when there was a sudden jerk snapping her back.

At the driver, he yelled, "What the hell are you doing?"

As the window lowered, the side door opened, and Jack stood holding his hand out to Amber to help her out of the car. Unable to comprehend what was happening, she froze unable to move. Cyrus was yelling at Jack when she saw Christine move into her line of sight. She began to cry and reached for her.

Christine grabbed her clothing and her hand. Christine wrapped Amber in her arms and led her to the car waiting. Cyrus was out of the car and moved towards them as Christine opened the door. Christine told her it would be all right and told her to get into the car.

Cyrus was seething, as he spoke, "What are you doing? She is my property as you are, and if I want her, I will have her."

She closed the door, Christine turned towards him, as she reminded, "No, Cyrus you won't. She is my employee, your words, not mine, so she is my property, if it is how you want to look at it, and you will not lay a hand on her ever again."

He stepped up closer to her, as he seethed and spoke through gritted teeth, "What you own I own so she is still my property. You will not interfere again. Now get her back in my car!"

She closed the space between them, as she replied, "No, and you will not intimidate me the way you do everyone else. I may be here as your property, but remember I am here of my own choice not because I owe you anything, not even my life. But I tell you this much, do not cross me or you will find out just what I am capable of in the end."

He raised his hand. He felt someone move up behind him, he turned and saw Jack. He turned back towards Christine, and smiled wickedly as he informed, "You are safe only because you carry my child in your belly, but know once the child is born, your life will be at my whim." He turned back to Jack and instructed, "Take them home, and they are not to leave the property. If any shopping needs to be done, send others to do it."

Nodding his head, Jack replied, "Yes Sir."

Without another word, he turned and headed back to his car as he yelled at the driver to get them to the airport.

Christine smiled at Jack then got into the car to find Amber crying uncontrollably. She pulled her into a hug as she consoled, "It is all right; I am sorry I allowed you out of my sight long enough for him to get you away from me. You are safe now." Christine looked up at Jack in the mirror, as she requested, "Take us home please."

Jack nodded, as he agreed, "Yes Ma’am."

For the first time, Amber felt loved, as she sat being held by Christine. She had lost her mother when she was young, and her father had tried to be as loving as he could be, but he wanted her to be strong, so he was never affectionate with her. She felt she needed, to be honest with Christine, she pulled out of her hold and looked into her eyes and what she saw made her relax. She knew Christine cared about her.

Snippet #4

He and Joe had been pulled back into the company and were working on a new case involving a local in Boston, their old friend Cyrus who had recently reappeared with a wife and child. Daniel sat in the office and looked over the paperwork Joe had just handed him. In the paperwork were several photos of the wife and child. Daniel could not put his finger, on it but it just did not make any sense to him after all this time Cyrus would reappear.

The photos of the child caught his eye; she resembled someone he thought he remembered, but yet he could not remember. She was a beautiful child and could not have been more than five or six years of age. She was dark haired with the palest of blue eyes almost a clear color. Her eyes captured him almost as though she could see him right through the picture. The photo so entranced him. He had not heard anyone enter the office.

Shannon cleared her throat to get his attention. He jumped at the sound. Looking up at her, as he apologized, “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you come in.” He got up and moved around the desk to her. She turned her head as he kissed her. He asked, “What can I do for you?”

She glanced at her watch then back up at him, as she scolded, “Well, seems you got so busy with your pictures there you forgot about dinner. I have been waiting for you for almost an hour now.”

When he looked at her face, she was glaring at him. He reached for her, but she pulled back. She was clearly upset with him. He reached for her again, as he explained, “I am really sorry. It is this new case. It has me very busy. We are supposed to move on this any day now. I am just waiting for the go ahead. You know I wouldn’t forget about you. Come on let's get some dinner. I am sorry I kept you waiting. I will make it up to you.”

She huffed at him, “Fine, let’s go. Just try not to do this again. You know there are times when I am on call and can’t wait until you are ready.”

Daniel stuffed the picture of the girl into his pocket. He and Shannon left for the hotel restaurant. He had been dating Shannon since his sister-n-law Lyric had his niece. He could not remember a time when he was not with Shannon, but yet he felt empty like something was missing. He cared about Shannon, at least he thought he did, but he was not in love with her, and he knew he never would.

She had mentioned on several occasions about getting married and having a family with him, but he just did not feel it not with her. He wanted a family. He knew it, especially after seeing that picture of Cyrus’s child. He would have to talk to Joe in the morning about this case again. Something about it just was not adding up in his mind. Why now? They had been watching him for years. Why were they putting a rush on this now? None of it made any sense to him.

When he and Shannon were back in their suite, she had gone to change for bed. She had an early morning shift at the hospital. Daniel went to the bar and fixed himself a drink. He did not use to drink, but here as of late, it was the only way he could sleep. The dreams he had been having were making it tough to sleep anymore. Those eyes haunted him, and the voice made him long for the face he could not place.

Standing in front of the large windows looking over the city, he pulled his phone to call Joe. As always, it never even rang, and Joe was there. Joe answered, “Hey man, what’s up?”

Daniel shook his head, as he advised, “You never let it ring. How do you always do that?”

Joe laughed, as he informed, “It’s a gift.”

Daniel laughed back, as he inquired, “I guess it will have to do. Have you found out why we are being pushed so hard in this case?”

Joe replied, “Nope, they are saying it is above my pay grade. Like it is possible! But from the chatter I have heard, it sounds as though Cyrus is getting his hands a little too dirty for his own good. So, they want us to take him out before he can do any more damage.”

Daniel sighed, as he commented, “It is just too generic. They have never withheld information when they have put us on a mission of hostile removal. None of this is making any sense to me.”

Joe replied, “I know it all seems really weird, but every time I ask, they shoot me down. We have no real choice you know so we might as well do what we got to do and move on.”

Without another word, Daniel hung up the phone. He heard Shannon come into the room. He looked back at her, as she asked, “Who was that?”

Daniel shook his head, as he replied, “Just Joe, he was checking to see when I would be in tomorrow. He says he has something to talk to me about.”

Shannon looked at him as she walked across the room to stand next to him, “What time are you going in? What is so important he needs to talk to you about? You know I don’t trust him.”

He regarded her and nodded, as he admitted, “Yes, I know you don’t trust him, but I am telling you, there is no man more trustworthy than Joe. He has always had my back. He didn’t say. I will be leaving to head in when you leave in the morning.  Since you won’t be home, I might as well go to work myself.”

She took his glass and set it on the table. She then turned and wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him. Moving her hand down his arm, she grabbed his hand and led him into the bedroom.

He looked down at the map and instructed team A to sweep the north side of the house. He instructed team B to sweep the south and report back. When both teams radioed back, he gave the go-ahead to enter the house. He and the other two teams waited in silence. Team A radioed they had located the woman and child together but no sign of Cyrus. Daniel instructed them to hold their spot until they heard from him. Team B radioed they had done their sweep, and Cyrus was not in the house or on the grounds.

Daniel radioed team A asked their location and gave the go ahead to secure the woman and child so he could question the woman once he arrived at their location. When he entered the library, the child looked up at him. As soon as he looked at her, he stopped cold. Those eyes reminded him of the ones that haunted him. He forced himself to look away from her, he spoke to the woman.

She never looked at him, so he never got a really good look at her face when she passed him. She spoke calmly and soothingly to the child. Her voice was like a song he wanted to hear over and over again.

Once he had her alone, she looked up at him. He froze, locked in place he stared at her. He could not find his voice. All he knew was he had to have her. He felt a low rumble and realized he had growled.

“Mine!”

He moved towards her, grabbed her, and kissed her. She returned the kiss as though she knew she was his as well. Without breaking the kiss, he began to remove her clothing. Sweeping his arm across the desk, he pushed everything to the floor laying her back across the desk. Quickly removed his own clothing, he moved towards her as she reached for him. He locked eyes with her, moved over her, and she called out his name, “Daniel.”

Marketer & Agent...UGH

I tell you what, being writer, co-editor, marketer and my own agent is very exhausting. I am really not trying to run a one-man operation here. However, with just starting out and no actual income, one-man show it is for now.

I have some very wonderful friends and family who get the word out as they can, but there again if it isn't the right audience it defeats the whole purpose. I truly appreciate the support they are giving, it always makes the work worth it, knowing the support is there.

Finding the target audience is the hard part without a real marketer and agent, but who knows me better than myself to know what will work best for me to get started anyway. Who knows I just might be the best marketer and agent for myself, don't know what you can do until you try, but I still stand by it is very exhausting. No pain, No gain as they say!!

Snippet #3

Christine pulled out of Daniel's hold and moved from the bed. She had packed everything the night before, so it just had to be moved downstairs for the taxi. She took one last look at him sleeping and left the room and closed the door quietly behind her. She held back the tears; they were not going to do her any good. She had to say goodbye.

She walked into the dining room and sat down to eat. It was usually quiet this early in the morning. She thought it would be easiest to leave without conflict. No conflict would only work if she were gone when everyone got up. Ben was always up, so he brought her, her usual. He smiled as he placed her plate in front of her. As he turned to leave, Lyric and Olivia came through the door. They were both dressed for riding. Christine looked up with surprise, as she stated, “I didn’t think anyone was up.”

Lyric looked at her as she accused, “Thought you would leave without saying goodbye?”

Christine nodded as she admitted, “I’m sorry, but thought it would be easier this way.”

Olivia ran towards her as she begged, “No, you can’t leave. We need you here.”

Christine smiled up at her as she said, “I know you think so Olivia, but you guys will all be just fine without me.”

Olivia and Lyric both shook their heads at her but said nothing further as they sat down to eat. Christine finished eating. Stood up, walked towards Lyric, hugged her and then hugged Olivia. She looked at both women as she confessed, “I love you guys, and I promise I will keep in contact with you. I will be back when the little one arrives. But I have to leave before anyone else wakes up.”

Olivia stayed quiet as she started to cry. Lyric nodded then spoke to her telepathically, “You spent the night with him. Didn’t it change anything?”

Christine hung her head as she replied, “No, he had the chance to mark me and didn’t. Nothing has changed. It is what it is, and it is what I have to accept, but right now, it isn't possible if I stay. Please understand I have to do this. I don’t want to leave; I have to.”

Lyric nodded as she accepted, “I understand. Just know you only need to call out, and I will be there.”

Christine nodded and left the dining room. She was able to make it out to the cab without running into anyone else. When she got into the cab, she sat back closing her eyes recalling the night they had gotten back to the estate.

They originally thought Olivia was the target when the blast came through her room, but it turns out she was the target. When they got to the hospital, she had spoken with the guy who had followed them from the house. She had not gotten much out of him. However, he had put her in touch with the person who hired him. She received a call from him after she returned to the estate. He gave her a choice. She was not sure she had made the right choice until Daniel refused to mark her as his.

Snippet #2

           When Daniel finally made it to Boston, he headed to the hospital to see his baby brother's little girl. He was in the air when she was actually born, so he was unable to be there for Ethan during the birth. He would make up for it now he was home.

As he arrived at the hospital, he saw Wesley and Becca in the waiting room. He headed for Becca and asked, "Can we go back and see Sara and the baby?"

Becca looked up at him as she advised, "Yeah, you can go back Sara, and Ethan are in room 301. The baby is in the nursery right now sleeping and giving Sara a chance to rest a little.

He looked back at Becca as he asked, "Thanks, is there anyone else in there?"

Becca shook her head as she advised, "Nope, everyone else has gone back to the estate."

Daniel nodded and headed off down the hall to Sara's room. When he arrived, he looked through the small window in the door. He saw Sara's eyes were closed, and Ethan was on the phone. He did not want to disturb them, he went to the nurse’s desk and asked how to get to the nursery.

When he arrived at the nursery, he looked through the window but did not see the little Mainwaring anywhere. He went to the door where he had seen a nurse enter just as he walked up to the window. He knocked on the door, the nurse opened the door and greeted, "Yes Sir, can I help you?"

Daniel looked down at her as he asked, "Yes, I am looking for Baby Mainwaring. Is she here?"

The nurse looked back into the room at the other nurse as she asked, "Is the Mainwaring baby still here or has she been taken back up to her mother?"

The other nurse shook her head and stood. Walked towards the door, he noticed she was a very striking woman. One he would be interested in if it were not for his knowledge Christine was his true mate. She smiled at him as she inquired, "Are you, family?"

Daniel nodded and advised, "Yes, I am an uncle."

The nurse smiled as she invited, "Come on in; I will take you to her." As they walked, she asked, "You must be a very close family. I just love it when families are so close with each other."

Daniel just nodded as she continued to talk. It seemed odd to him it was taking so long to get to where his niece was when they rounded the corner, and there she was. Daniel looked down at her. The baby was beautiful. To him, she looked like Sara, but she had Ethan's hair color. Before he could get closer, the nurse stopped him.

Smiling up at him as she instructed, "You will need to put this on first. Have to keep everything sterile."

He nodded as he agreed, "Yes, of course. Thank you."

She handed him the scrubs and turned to leave. She looked back over her shoulder as she said, "You can pick her up, but you can only visit for about 10 minutes. She is due to go back upstairs to her mother for feeding."

Daniel smiled as he lifted the baby up into his arms. He looked over at the nurse as he acknowledged, "All right, thank you. Is there somewhere I can sit down with her?"

The nurse pointed to the corner and left the room. He stared at her. She was tiny in his arms. As he looked down at her, he thought about what it would be like to have a child of his own. His thoughts went to Christine. Right then and there, he made up his mind about what he was going to do to keep Christine here in Boston.

The first nurse came in and told him she needed to take the baby to Sara to be fed. Daniel placed the baby back in the cart to be taken up to Sara's room. After he had removed the scrubs, he followed the nurse back to Sara's room. When they arrived, Sara was awake, and Ethan was off the phone. Ethan smiled wide when he saw Daniel as he asked, "Did you see her? Isn't she just the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?"

Daniel smiled at Ethan as he confirmed, "Yes, little brother you did well."

Sara chimed, "He did well?"

Daniel laughed as he defended, "You did awesomely! He only did well."

Sara smiled wide at him as she acknowledged, "Thank you, Daniel. I am glad to see someone here sees I am awesome."

Ethan moved to her side as he conceded, "I have never doubted your awesomeness." He bent down and kissed her on the cheek. He looked back at Daniel as he inquired, "So, big brother, what are your plans now you are back from London?"

Daniel looked back up at Ethan as he informed, "I will let you know. Right now, I have some business to take care of. Sara, I will see you later. Love you all very much." He turned and left the room.

As he walked down the hall to the exit, he knew he would never be able to live without Christine in his life no matter what. He thought to himself, “I will keep her safe and still be with her. I can't allow old enemies to keep me away from the one person who can make me happy no matter what.”

He rushed back to the family estate and found Christine in her room. Without words, he pulled her to him kissed her deeply. She gave into the feeling, kissed him back, wrapped her arms around his neck allowing the kiss to deepen. She thought to herself, “Even if this is the only time, I will take it and live happy in the knowledge I had him once.”

Gaming

Okay, I am nowhere near what you would call a gamer, but I have spent the last few days watching my kids game. I have to say it is really fascinating to watch. They get so involved in the game and are actually pretty damn good at it. I don't understand it, but it is time with the kids so I am loving it, it is a whole other world from what I am used to.

I can remember back with game cube was the big gaming system, now there are so many out there I couldn't even tell you what the newest one is if the kids hadn't told me. But it also explains why so many kids have no clue about the outside world of imagination. And when I say outside I mean literally the outside. Climbing trees, building forts, playing hide and seek and just exploring.

But the gaming world is very large and has such an outreach to the world. With the fact there are players from all over is pretty cool. I am not sure how much all the players interact with each other, but I know my kids have friends from all over the world whom they talk with and interact with. I think it is a pretty cool way to meet people you might never have met otherwise.

"Christine & Daniel"

Chapter 1 clip

Christine

(Going back six years)

As she launched her attack, her eyes caught his through the window where he stood watching them. Because of the distraction, she gave Lyric the upper hand and found herself and her sister bound by wind, water, and earth. Laughing, Lyric pulled back, and the bonds vanished. She smiled at her, Lyric said, "You stopped, something distracted you. I guess I don't need to ask what."

Lyric looked over her shoulder towards the window where the two men stood watching. Lyric turned back towards her, as she said. "Well, looks like there has been another connection made." Laughing, she put her arm around her cousin as Grandmother pushed them towards the house saying they had practiced enough for today.

As they entered from the back of the house, four others came in from the front of the house. Lyric ran towards the one who seemed to be injured. Christine guessed she was Becca the one who had been in the hospital.

They all moved into the living room. As the group started to sit down, there was a loud boom, and a woman stood in the doorway of the living room. Before anyone could move, the girl was flying like a rag doll across the entryway and up against the far wall. Grandmother chanted as she walked towards the woman. When she was directly in front of the doorway, she flipped her wrist and opened the doors.

Something above to her right caught her eye. Grandmother turned her head and nodded then proceeded to throw the limp body of the woman out and slammed the door behind her. She turned back towards the living room. She walked back in silently with two more individuals at her heels.

Esmeralda saw him first then Christine. They ran towards him, and squealed, "Blaine!" He just stood there as they reached him and wrapped their arms around him. She had a million questions for her brother, but she could tell something was not right. He was tense and almost emotionless. She looked up at him as she pulled back. He nodded at her and then at their sister.

He cleared his throat and started to talk. He spoke of how he had been a spy for the one who was after Lyric now. He said she called him back to the states a couple of days earlier. He looked with agony at the injured woman. He admitted it was when he heard she had been injured he was not going to help assist the woman any longer.

She did not understand everything he was talking about, but he was very sincere. He had been hurt, and she could tell, but he had healed. He told his story; as she looked around the room, she caught eye contact with the man she had seen in the window. She still did not know who he was.

She looked back to her brother. He was so sad. She could see it in his eyes. The woman standing behind him mirrored his sadness. Esmeralda noticed her first and moved towards her. Esmeralda reached out to touch her face but stopped when the woman pulled back a step.

As Christine looked back at the group in the room, she could see the injured woman was in shock and stared at her brother. Becca spoke only a couple words, and Blaine started to slump. She reached out to him, but he told her to stop. She pulled his hand into hers and stood straight and strong next to him. Lyric was on the other side of him standing just as straight and strong. When the injured woman was finished speaking, Blaine bowed his head to her and turned to leave with the security guys and the woman who had been standing behind them.

Lyric said a few things as the group left the room to head for the impromptu meeting which had just been called due to the information Blaine just provided. As the group left the room, she moved to sit next to Grandmother. Emily, Lyric's mother, sat next to her. Grandmother spoke to the group who remained. "I am not yet sure of the full abilities Lyric may have. She is strong and very strong-willed. Her powers will show themselves as they are needed. Right now, we know she is telepathic and can control the wind. She can control what someone launches at her, but I have not seen her control any of the other elements directly."

Emily nodded, as she asked, "So we have to wait to see what else she can do?"

Grandmother nodded, "Yes, Emi, we will. But like I said, they will show themselves as she needs them."

Charlene asked, "Are her powers enhanced as we thought by my son's connection with her?"

Grandmother looked up at her, as she confirmed, "Yes, just as his, are enhanced by the connection with her. We will have to wait to see what powers and how strong. It will all happen in its own time. It cannot be rushed, only as circumstances present themselves with the powers be revealed."

Charlene looked at Emily, as she stated, "So all of this is real?"

Emily nodded her head but said nothing.

Grandmother continued to tell them of the stories which were foretold about the chosen ones. Christine had heard these stories all her life. Until now, she had not given them much creditability. She had taken them for bedtime stories and nothing more.

When the group came back in Lyric headed straight for her. "Chris, I would like to introduce you to Daniel, Michael's brother."

Christine nodded, "Okay."

They walked across the room to where Michael was standing with his brother near the window. They were talking as she and Lyric moved up to them. They both stopped and turned to face them. Michael smiled at her. Lyric moved up next to Daniel and turned to face Christine, as she introduced, "Daniel this is my cousin Christine. She came with Grandmother to help train me in getting control of my powers."

Daniel put out his hand to her, as he greeted, "Very nice to meet you, Christine."

Christine extended her hand taking Daniel’s, as she replied, "Very nice to meet you too, Daniel."

Taking that moment, Lyric grabbed Michael's hand and led him away so the two of them could get to know each other. Michael laughed, as he teased, "Are you trying to play matchmaker?"

She retorted, "Who me? Now, why would I have to do that? You know as well as I do they are already matched. I am just hoping by putting them together will help your brother let go of the regrets and sorrow he carries."

Daniel looked down at Christine, as he confessed, "You have the most beautiful eyes I think I have ever seen. I can't get them out of my head."

Christine blushed, as she accepted, "Thank you. I haven't had anyone ever speak about my eyes before. So, what do you do?"

Daniel looked away for a moment then looked back at her, as he answered, "I am in the security business. I have just opened a business locally."

Christine smiled, "So you plan to stay around the family?"

Daniel nodded but said nothing else. They stood near each other but did not speak. She could feel his need for her growing, as well as her need for him. He never touched her again after their first-hand shake. She looked at Lyric but did not want to add more to her plate. She would wait and see if things would progress between them on their own.

Everything around them was moving so quickly, and in different directions, she wanted to get him talking again but could not think of what to say when he turned to her and said, "I am sorry, would you please excuse me for a moment."

She looked up at him smiled, as she conceded, "Yes, of course, I know you are in charge of the security for all of us right now."

Daniel regarded her in kind, without thought he bent and kissed her on the cheek. When he realized what he had just done, he stumbled back and apologized, "I am so sorry I shouldn't have done that."

He turned and rushed away from her. She stood there in shock and watched him go unsure how to take what had just happened. She brought her hand up and touched her cheek where he had just placed his lips. Her skin was warm to the touch, and she could almost still feel his lips on her skin.

As he walked away from her, he tried to make it look casual, but he was trying to get out of the room as fast as possible before he turned around and went back to her. If he did, there would be no going back because he would take her to his room. It was taking all his willpower to walk away from her and not drag her with him.

Earlier standing at the window with Michael as they watched unable to do anything as the women sparred, he felt the jolt when they locked eyes even at a distance. Her eyes were forever imprinted on his soul. He would never be able to forget those eyes, and he would love to have those eyes looking at him for the rest of his life. Michael told him he knew she was his true mate. The information had completely shocked him since most of the time no one, but the two parties knew until they announced it and were both marked.

He could see himself happy and live a real life, nothing like the life he had been living. He had to get a hold of himself. He could not be with her. Not now, she would be in too much danger. Joe had just let him know Cyrus was spotted in the area, and they needed to lay low until they knew what he was up to and why he was here.

Joe had his suspicions it had something to do with them, but he could not be for sure he was still looking into it. Daniel knew with everything going on with Jessie he could not let his guard down for anything and it meant keeping his distance from Christine to keep her safe.

Before he could reach the door, there was a yell and Sasha came rushing past him. His first instinct was to pull his weapon until he realized Blaine was fast on her heels and they were arguing. He watched with everyone else as she went out the door slamming it preventing him from following her any further. He could have almost found this funny if he did not feel as defeated as Blaine looked.

He watched as Blaine moved up beside Lyric and Grandmother who stood next to her. He listened as Blaine started talking then watched as Christine moved up next to the others as did the youngest sister. He could feel himself getting angrier the more Blaine spoke, but he also knew what it was like to be indebted to someone for your life.

Daniel heard his sister start talking, but he was not listening anymore because he could not get his mind off Christine. He was not sure how long he would be able to keep his distance from her. The only hope he would have is if she left when the rest of her family left. It would not be easy, but it was necessary no matter how he felt or the fact she was his true mate. Her safety was all he could focus on, and she would be in danger if anyone knew what she meant to him.

He was brought back to the present when he heard his brother Michael’s raised voice as he spoke to Blaine. He knew Michael was angry, but as the alpha and would have to deal with this as the pack would see as justice. He would follow the instruction without hesitation no matter what. It was his responsibility to the pack. Plus, if it is accepted, he will be third-ranked, and he will have to do what is best for the pack no matter the personal consequences.

Michael had just turned to him and Ethan calling for a meeting to be held right now. He had also given instruction to have the security team escort Blaine to an upstairs office. Daniel gave the instructions to the team as they moved with Blaine and he led the way to the holding area. As he passed Christine, he caught the scent of sweet caramel & honeysuckle which shot right through him. There was an immediate reaction in his pants. There was no denying the effect she had on him, and when he caught her eye, it was all he could do to move past her without grabbing her hand and pulling her with him.

Without realizing it until they were on the stairs, he had grabbed her hand pulling her with him as they climbed the stairs. She followed without question or hesitation. After showing the security where to take Blaine, Daniel looked at Christine, as he informed, "We need to talk now."

She lowered her eyes and smiled as she looked back up at his face and agreed, "All right."

Daniel kept a hold of her hand pulled her towards his room. Opening the door, he pulled her in closing the door quickly because they did not have much time. He was expected in the meeting. He spun towards her and kissed her. He pressed her against the door and moved in as close as he could get to her.

She did not hesitate and returned the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck as Daniel's hands moved around her waist. Her pulse started to race, and her blood hummed as her need increased. She wrapped her legs around his waist when he stopped suddenly, pulled back and put her at arm’s length forcing her to release his neck.

Shaking his head, as he discouraged, "This can't happen. I am so sorry. I shouldn't have brought you up here. My world is way too complicated right now. I know who you are to me, but I can't be with you. I am sorry."

He moved past her and out the door. She tried to understand what was going on, but she was confused with the mixed signals she was getting from him. She could protect herself. Why was he saying things were too complicated? They would be finished with Jessie soon enough. What he said made no sense to her. She turned and left his room and went back to the living room where the rest of the group was.

As she came down the stairs, she watched as Lyric and Sasha came back into the house. Sasha moved past her up the stairs as Lyric looked up at her. All she could do was shake her head at Lyric. There were no words she could find to tell Lyric what had just happened, but one look at her face and she knew Lyric already knew.

After the meeting, Daniel moved about the house checking with the security teams. He went over all the needs and where each team should be as well as the individual guards who were specific to each couple. He then assigned a two-man team for Christine, Esmeralda, and Grandmother.

He watched from afar as Christine moved about doing little things for her grandmother. She was so graceful in her movements. He could watch her with ease all day. Whenever they would make eye contact, he would feel a surge and the whining of his wolf. He would have to have her at least once before she left his life. Caught up in his own thoughts of her, he did not hear his brother return until Esmeralda squealed and ran past him.

Turning, he saw his brother's face and knew he was not pleased. There was a stranger with Lyric and it was who Esmeralda had rushed towards and embraced. Walking towards Michael quickly, he inquired, "Is there a problem which needs to be taken care of? Who is the newcomer?"

Michael let out a low growl, as he barked "No! Just another magical cousin."

He looked over to where Lyric stood with the newcomer and now Christine, he looked back at Michael, as he inquired, "You don't seem pleased. What happened?"

Michael looked back over his shoulder then back at Daniel, as he admitted, "He was brought here by Grandmother to test Lyric and push her to see if another power would emerge."

Daniel encouraged, "And?"

Michael glared at him, as he spat, "He shot a fireball at Lyric's head; there was nothing I could do but watch. I couldn't protect her."

Daniel put his hand on Michael's shoulder, as he consoled, "I know it has to be very frustrating for you, but you know she really doesn't need you to protect her."

Michael cut his eyes, as he retorted, "It doesn't mean I have to like it. Besides, what about you," He looked past Daniel to Christine, as he continued, "You seem to be ignoring your own advice."

Without looking, Daniel replied, "Different case and you know it. You know I have to stay away from her to keep her safe. You know what I did for a living. So, the evil I have to protect her from, she can't protect herself. The evil I face is not of the supernatural kind and can’t be dealt with supernatural powers. Besides mine isn't the chosen one nor am I the chosen one. So, I can protect mine only by not being with her. It is the only way no one will try to harm her to get to me."

They made it through the next few days without any interruptions from Cyrus. The trip to London to help out Becca and get the security set up for that office done was the next adventure. He kept his distance from Christine so he would not be tempted to mark her as his. It is not as though the humans would have known what those marks meant, but others of their kind would, and it would keep her from finding a mate and being happy. He did not like the thought of it, but to keep her safe he knew it was all he could do, and he would have to live with the choice.

While they were in London, he was too close to taking her the night they had both been unable to sleep. That next morning, Wesley told him she would be leaving when they arrived back from London.

He tried to keep his mouth shut and not say anything to her, but it was a complete failure. With true purpose, he stormed towards the car. He opened the door to the car and pulled her out. He set her down inside the door of the lobby. He grabbed her by the arm and moved her to the other side of the lobby to the couch. He looked down at her, as he asked, "Why are you going to leave when we get back to Boston? Lyric needs you."

She looked him straight in the face, as she informed, "I can't stay around you with you acting like you are. We are mates, but you act like I will bite you or something. I know you want me, but you refuse to give in to it and allow yourself to be with me. I can't remain around you and not be with you anymore. It hurts way too much."

Unable to argue with her, frustration set in, and all he could do was walk away because he knew she was right. He could not be with her. He could not explain it to her to where she would understand and agree with why he was keeping his distance.

When they arrived back in Boston, they all headed straight for the hospital. Christine watched Lyric as they road through the busy streets of Boston to the hospital, where Sara was about to have the first of the next generation of their family.  Christine thought about how much she wanted to have a child with Daniel but did not see how it would ever happen. He was being just too stubborn and would not let go of the past to move forward to the future.

Weekend "Home"

As I have previously said, my kids are all grown and gone from home and I have gone through multiple trips of empty nest emotions. When my kids lived at home my life literally revolved around them, their activities, their needs, wants, just normal mother's life when kids are growing up and live at home.

So, when they leave there is this moment when you look around and wonder "now what?" You get sad, then a little lonely, even if your spouse is there. Every waking moment is dedicated to your kids when you are a mom, they are your world. So, when they leave to live their lives you find yourself with nothing to do and you truly learn what it means when people say they feel empty.

Then you put your big girl panties on and start doing things for yourself and your spouse. Life starts to become normal again, but then the kids come home to visit and you go right back into mom mode and then they leave to go back to the lives they live away from you and you are once again back in the spin of empty nest.

Well, I can honestly say it gets easier to say goodbye when they head out after the visit. I love when my kids come home and I do hate when they have to leave, but I am so very proud of them all and the men they are becoming, it really does make it easier to say goodbye and see you next time. Give the same mom comment, "text me when you get home!" as I get the rolled eyes and the "sure, mom" response.

Keep your chins up out there empty nest moms, cause it gets easier!!

St. Valentine's Day

To all out there, I hope today is full of love and time with those you love. Even if it is time via a phone call, video chat, text message or in person. This day may not have started out in history as a positive thing, but in my point of view telling those you love, you love them is the most positive thing you can do for them and yourself.

Yes, today is the day we remember to tell them we love them, hug them a little tighter, kiss a little longer or stare a little more. But we should always be sure to remind those we love, not just special days of the year marked for reminding them.

The people we love are the ones who make our worlds go round. Yes, the world is vast and large and the saying goes love is what makes the world go round, but it starts small with each of our own little worlds of the people who are closest to us who we care the deepest for.

Don't let today be the only day you remember to tell the ones you love how you feel about them. Tell them every chance you get, tell them when you think about them, tell them when something happens which reminds you of a time you spent with them and keep telling them in every way you can.

Our hearts are big and our love is vast, share it! It is meant to be shared, not hoarded. Share it and watch the world around you become more beautiful.

I say this with love to you all - Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo