Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.6

Jonas: So glad I caught you before you left.

That made one of us.

Grace: Is there something wrong? Did she over pay me?

That had to be it. I mean I didn't think I'd taken in that much. Mostly grapes and some lettuce, and a few lemons. I was expecting $100 at the most, not the $450 I got.

Jonas: What? No, I'm sure she paid you the correct price. I...I was wondering if you wanted to go for coffee.

Coffee? It was four in the afternoon, why on earth would I drink coffee now? Besides I didn't even like coffee so regardless his question would get the same answer.

Grace: I don't drink coffee and I should be going.

I attempted to keep walking but he stopped me again by lightly grabbing my arm. I flinched and stumbled backwards, but luckily I didn't fall this time. Jonas immediately started apologizing and took a step back to give me some space.

Jonas: I...I just wanted to talk to you.

Grace: About what?

He shrugged and smiled at me again. I wish he'd stop smiling.

Jonas: The weather.

I frowned at his answer. There was something wrong with him. Had to be. Who actually wanted to talk about the weather unless they were a meteorologist?

Jonas: I just thought since we've been texting daily that talking would be...okay.

Grace: I...I have to go.

This time when I walked off he didn't try to stop me. As I got close to my truck I felt my phone buzz.

Drive carefully.

I looked back and saw him watching me. Still smiling.

Thank you. I will.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.6"

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.5

Later that day, while I was out in the yard with Vor, my phone buzzed.

Just checking to make sure you got home okay.

I frowned at the message. He'd sat there with me, in his car until Grams arrived. I'd first called Dad, but he was out of town, and Mom was at at doctor's appointment with Erin. Once Grams arrived, Jonas left, but only after I assured him a tow was on the way for the truck. What was his deal anyway? My grandmother was there, plus other people had started arriving. On the way home, Grams made some passing comment about him seeming like a nice young man. I think she was getting senile in her old age, but I just smiled and made no comment.

Yes. I got home fine.

I stuffed my phone back in my pocket only to have it buzz again moments later.

Did you find out what's wrong with your truck?

Um...something about an alternator.

Oh good. Glad it's nothing major. 

 You should be back on the road in a day or two 

Nothing major? Day or two? The mechanic guy told me it was gonna 

be a few days maybe a week and would cost me about $2500. 

That sounded pretty major to me.

What garage?

Huh?

Where is your truck?

Moe's Auto Care.

I know him. Don't worry.

I stared at the screen of my phone. Don't worry? What did that mean. I decided to just ignore that statement and put my phone back in my pocket. Half hour later, it buzzed again.

All taken care of. Your truck should be ready tomorrow 

and he's only charging you for the part, so $300.

Again I stared at my phone. I didn't understand what he wanted from me. He had to want something. I thought about calling Mom to ask her, but I knew she probably had her hands full with Carter and Erin with Dad out of town. So I called Hope instead.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.5"

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.4

Jonas: I gotcha.

His voice was deep and his smile was friendly. Friendly smiles meant trouble. He was touching me. His hands lingered on my waist. He was too close.

 Grace: Let go!

I pushed him away. I needed to go, this whole thing was a bad idea. I should have never listened to Mom. The guy stepped closer, frowning at me. He was going to hurt me. I put my hands up, backing away only to trip again and this time I landed flat on my butt.

Jonas: Are you ok? I didn't mean to spook you.

Again he stepped closer, putting his hand out towards me. I sat on the ground frozen, people were staring. People...for the first time I was grateful others were around. He couldn't hurt me with people around.

Cora: Grace?

I turned to see Mom running towards me. When she was within reach, I stood grabbing onto her tightly. I felt like that scared teen again when she or Dad would have to comfort me after having a nightmare.

Jonas: I'm sorry, I was only trying to help.

Cora: What happened?

 Jonas: She tripped and was about to fall, I caught her. Then she pushed me and stumbled back in the process.

I kept my face buried in Mom's shoulder, hiding my tears. I was so embarrassed. He was right, he'd only been trying to help and I over reacted.

Grace: Mom I'm going to go home. I...I can't do the meeting. Can you just tell the guy, Mr. Solo that I can't today?

I kept my back to the stranger, too ashamed to face him or to acknowledge any of the stares I'm sure I was getting. Mom smiled and wiped the stray tears from my cheeks.

Cora: You can tell him yourself honey.

She turned me to face the guy.

Jonas: Jonas Solo, it's a pleasure to meet you.

He put his hand out, giving me another friendly smile. I felt my face heat up with renewed embarrassment. When Mom told me I was meeting with the owner, I expected an older guy. The grandfatherly type. The person standing in front of me was anything but that. Not wanting to appear any ruder than I already had, I shook his outstretched hand.

Grace: Um...Gr...Grace Gruber. Uh, nice to meet you and so...sorry about...

He put his hand up to stop me.

Jonas: No harm done.

I was totally embarrassed and just wanted to go home. Mr. Solo was understanding and said we could reschedule, but Mom insisted we should just continue as planned since we were already there. Begrudgingly, I followed Mr. Solo and Mom into the building to his office. Half hour later I was contracted to bring in my harvest and I would be paid by the pound for what I brought in. I didn't really care about pricing, and let Mom do most of the talking. I was just ready to get out of there since he kept smiling at me. I said my goodbyes to Mom and promised to come over later in the week for dinner.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.4"

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.3

My house. It was quiet, secluded, and had an amazing view. Mom and Dad were both very concerned about the location, but I needed this. I didn't want neighbors close to me. Neighbors tended to be friendly, wanted to talk, that sort of thing. This place was perfect. A little beat up, but just needed some love to make it right again. Sorta like me. Once the parents realized I wasn't changing my mind on the place, Dad showed up with a moving day gift. Vormund was a retired police dog.

He'd been wounded in duty and was given an honorable discharge from the force. Dad told me that normally in those cases, the dog's partner kept the animal since they would have bonded, but in Vormund's case, his partner was fatally wounded. The police force was having an adoption day and Dad thought he was the perfect fit for me, and I couldn't agree more. We quickly became best of friends, and that first night alone, I was grateful for the company.

He slept beside me and I felt comforted by his presence. We bonded quickly, Vormund was a loyal animal, never to far off my heels. We went almost everywhere together. Being a police dog, he was already well trained, and I learned he made an excellent guard dog when he scared the crap out of my postman. I felt safe with him around and we settled into a routine.

Wake up, tend to my plants, eat breakfast and maybe go for a walk. He'd go with me to the community garden, it was a great place to fish, plus find new fruits to take for my own garden. Now that the weather was better, more people would show up, I tried to time my visits for the less active times of the day.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.3"

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.2

Two years after graduation and I was still living at home. I kept Carter for Mom and Dad when they had to work or if they wanted a night out.

That little boy and I were growing close. He was sweet and fun to hang around. He'd play outside with me while I worked in my garden. Hope was having a blast at college and when she was home for visits she tried to talk me into coming.

To just try out a semester. Mom and Dad told me they'd support whatever decision I made. I didn't want to go, the thought of being that far from home scared me. I had only recently started leaving the house alone. Mostly I'd take Carter to the park or I'd go the community garden. I loved that place. There was never many people there and the view was amazing. I liked it, especially now in the winter.

The crops were dormant so not many people came. I could sit and read and just enjoy the solitude. I loved living with my parents and I really loved spending time with Carter, but being alone was calming. Not to mention that my parents still hadn't grown out of the 'honeymoon' phase of marriage after all these years. I guess living forever has that affect on them, or they just really REALLY liked each other.

My money was on the latter, so when the public displays of affection become too much to bear I'd go for a walk or come here for a few moments of alone time. I was nearly finished with my degree in Botany. It took me a while to decide on what I wanted to study, but Mom said with my love of plants, that would be the best way to go and she wasn't wrong.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.2"

Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.1

***SENSITIVE ISSUES DISCUSSED***

They say there are moments in life that shape you, define who you will be as a person. Little things like learning to drive or going to prom. The latter I was roped into by Hope who needed me to round out the 'group date' since Dad wouldn't let her go on individual dates still. I loved my sister, she was my twin, how could I not, but we were so different, still are. But, back to what I was saying about moments in life. My parents getting married was one of those moments. Most teens aren't the bridesmaids for their mother, but Hope and I were and it was great. That moment showed me patience really was a virtue.

Mom waited a very long time to get married. It wasn't that Dad didn't love her or us, but he just had a few hangs ups that she was patient enough to wait out. It also showed me that people can really change. From what Grandma Kerri and Grammy Sha would tell us, Dad was quite the ladies man. They particularly like to give us that info when Dad was fussing about Hope and the countless rotation of boys that called her. Most of the moments in my life were fairly basic, but all good. I gardened, I spent lots of time at the library.

I covered for Hope when she would want to go out but Dad would say no. She'd drop me at the library while she went to the movies or whatever she had planned. We were lucky that Mom forbid Dad from using his vamp abilities to pry into our thoughts. She said it would be the ultimate invasion of privacy, so neither of them did that. Instead they attempted to raise us like they were normal human parents. The night 'it' happened I was again covering for Hope. She'd just started dating this new guy and was going to a party at his house. She wanted me to go, but I told her to take me to the library instead.

I called at closing, she didn't answer. She'd done it before so I left her a message and told her to get me from the diner. Nothing I hadn't done before only this time Patrick stopped me. We talked often when I was at the library since he worked there. He was nice and we talked about books and gardening normal stuff.

When he offered to give me a ride, I started to say no, but the weather was changing and it was cold. I should have said no. When he passed by the diner I got scared, but he said he wanted to show me something. There was to be a meteor shower, a bunch of people were going to The Pointe to watch it. No one was there when we arrived.

I knew I was in trouble. When he was finished, he left me there on the cold ground naked, bleeding and crying. Mom and Dad found me by tracking my cell phone thanks to the lost phone app Hope had installed. Life changed after that. Barnacle Bay was a small town so word traveled fast about what happened. Dad was furious. I'd never seen him so angry, but worse than his anger was seeing him so sad. I felt like I let him down. I knew better than to get in that car. The house was tense for a long time. I didn't want to come out of my room and Hope kept apologizing. I just wanted to forget.

I convinced Mom and Dad to let me be home schooled because my first day back at school was met with stares and whispers. I didn't manage to make it the whole day, the crowded halls freaked me out and I hid in the bathroom. I never went anywhere alone and Hope was grounded for a long time. Mom made me go to therapy, that was no fun. Most of the time I just sat with her holding my hand and not talking. I didn't want to so eventually she stopped making me go.

Hope started acting out, getting in trouble more it was bad. She felt like I got all the attention and she could never get anything right in their eyes now. I didn't want to be the center of attention, that's why I left school. Who wanted to be known as the girl that got raped. Every where I went, it felt like people knew and would stare. Dad got arrested and had to spend the night in jail for attacking Patrick when he was brought to the station for the line-up. Then Mom started getting sick but it turned out to be nothing serious.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.1"

Going Solo: Davis Gen 3.24

***Note this last chapter will be pic heavy***

Today was my wedding day. Everything had been planned. I never thought I'd have a day like this, but now that it was here, I understood why Mom and Sha were so damned excited. Cora and the girls got up early to meet Mom and Sha at the spa. Dad was coming over later with Nick so we could get ready. Until then, I spent some rare quiet time doing some uninterrupted gaming. Yes I said gaming. Living with three females left me very little time to do this.

Hope and Grace were always watching some teenage drama show or another, and Cora didn't want to have more than one TV in the house. Once Dad arrived, we headed to the mall to pick up our tuxes. Time seemed to pass slowly as I waited for 5p.m. to arrive. The moment was here, the location she'd picked was perfect. When I first laid eyes on the woman that was about to become my wife, I was rendered speechless. This was a much better choice of dress. The top looked like that sexy lingerie I loved seeing her in.

My mind started to wonder about what she wore under that dress. When our eyes met, she winked at me as if she knew what thoughts I was having. She'd thought it was a good idea for us to abstain for the month leading up to the wedding. Some nonsense about trying to have more special meaning on our wedding night. I thought she was joking until she really told me no one night and every night after. I had to sleep on the couch because sleeping next to her became unbearable.

I leaned close when she made it to the arch.

Davis: Do you think they'd notice if we ran off right now?

Cora: Yes, just a little bit. They are here to see a wedding.

She leaned a little closer to me and lowered her voice more.

Cora: Don't worry, I'm just as eager to get you out of that tux.

Yeah...she was definitely the one. Songs were sang, introduction words were said and then it was time to exchange our vows. Cora wanted us to write our own and threatened me when I jokingly started reciting all the not for public reasons I was happy to be marrying her. She said that if I announced any of that out loud at the wedding I'd be sleeping on the couch for a year.

Davis: Cora, you are everything I didn't know I wanted and more. I was a crazy man for almost letting you slip through my fingers. Thank you for being patient enough to see the potential for more that I didn't know was there. From this day forward I will go to sleep by your side and wake up to those beautiful baby blues in the morning. You have enriched my life in ways I never thought possible. I promise to be a loyal and faithful husband. I promise to cherish you every moment and spend the rest of my life showing you how thankful I am to be your husband.

I slid the ring on her finger and kissed her hand. She smiled at me with tears in her eyes.

Davis: I love you Cora.

She looked at me wide eyed. Grace handed her a tissue to help stop the stream of tears that were running down her face. She took a moment to collect herself before reciting her vows.

Cora: Davis, there is so much I want to say, but have a hard time putting into words. When we first met, part of me thought I should stay far far away from you. You had quite the reputation around campus, but you have this gravitational pull that worked on everyone, including me. I'm glad I didn't resist it. You bring me joy and fulfillment on so many levels. I promise to be a loyal and faithful wife and look forward to sharing many more ups and downs with you til death do we part.

Cora slid the ring on my finger and we sealed everything with a kiss. Rose petals were thrown. Mom and Sha were crying. It was a great feeling to know she was now my wife.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Davis Gen 3.24"

Going Solo: Davis Gen 3.23

The next day was the girls' birthday. Mom, Sha, and Dad all offered congratulations to Cora and I. The girls were very excited when they heard we were getting married.  Cora and I were excited, but didn't want to overshadow the girls' day. I couldn't believe so much time had passed. My little girls, my babies were no longer that. Instead they were now beautiful young women. I was ready to send them off to an all girls school, but Cora vetoed that idea.

The thought my my girls mingling with boys...teenage boys just had me on high alert. I was a teenage boy, I know what they want and what they think about. They weren't going to be allowed to date until they were forty. Mom just laughed when I was fussing about them needing to be at a girl's school. Then she embarrassed me by telling Cora and the girls how she walked in on me and Fawn. I didn't need my girls hearing that.

The party was great, and everyone had a wonderful time. It took a month or so, but I was finally able to move full time to Barnacle Bay. I'd put the condo on the market, and my boss was fine with me working from home mostly since I did it anyway. I still traveled back to Moonlight Falls on occasion for work. My first full week there and I find Hope and some boy out in the garden getting a little too cozy for my liking. She was always on the phone and going out with friends, but this kid came to the house.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Davis Gen 3.23"

Going Solo: Davis Gen 3.22

If someone had told me a year ago I would be playing the role of a somewhat settled down man I would have told them they were out of their mind. However, that was my current life. We didn't want the girls being shuffled back and forth too much so I racked up the frequent flyer miles. I was in Barnacle Bay most weekends. My relationship with Cora was a work in progress. She expressed concerns about my ability to be happy with one woman for long and it was a valid concern. Blythe was my longest and I guess only 'girlfriend' so I could understand why Cora worried. I wouldn't lie to her and say I was ready for marriage and all that stuff, but I did tell her she was the most important woman in my life, aside from the parental women of course, and we would take it one day at a time. The apartment she had found was small, really small, too small for the three of them so we bought a house.

And by we, I mean me since she still had some loans and things she was paying off from getting her undergrad degree. Work was going well. I was thankful that I didn't actually need to be in the office to do my job most of the time. I could negotiate contracts from anywhere. Since I'd successfully done so for five of our top players, the bosses didn't give me a hard time for not coming into the office daily.

As long as I was there for meetings and such, they were happy. That freedom meant I spent more and more time in Barnacle Bay, which was a good thing. It put Cora at ease to know I was there with her and I liked being with all my girls. Mom still gave me a hard time about needing to make an honest woman out of Cora. She and Sha visited often and would spoil the girls rotten while they were here. When Mom wasn't fussing at me about marrying Cora, she was dropping hints about wanting more grankids. I swear that woman was never happy. She wanted one grandchild, I gave her two and she asks for more. Although at times I thought I needed a son to help balance out all the women in my life. Dad would just laugh when I'd say that.

This life I was living was not the one I'd planned for myself, but the years with Cora and our daughters had been the best of my life. Mom and Sha were in town for the girls upcoming birthday. While they were out at the movies, I took Cora out for dinner.

She'd been mentioning wanting to go to the 'new' Old Mill restaurant that hat opened recently. The mood was romantic, the food was great and she enjoyed herself greatly. As we got ready to leave, I decided it was time to give her the final piece she'd been waiting years for. The moment I got down on one knee she started crying.

Davis: Cora, I know you probably thought this moment would never happen, and I admit I wasn't sure either. You have made me into the biggest liar. I said I would never have kids, you gave me two. I said no woman would ever mean more to me than a casual fling, yet you do. And I said that I would never, ever want to get married, but I am hoping you will prove me wrong again. Cora Marie Sidwell will you again make a liar out of me and do me the honor of becoming my wife?

 People at the surrounding tables were watching, Cora stood speechless and I started to worry she was about to say no when she started jumping around crying more and squeaking out a yes.

Applause rang out, the waiter brought champagne and I texted Mom to let her know she needed to keep the girls tonight because my fiancee and I needed the house to ourselves. Her reply: it's about time.

Continue Reading: "Going Solo: Davis Gen 3.22"