Thanks for your support and patience!

Sorry and thanks ahead for the understanding/patience.

Tsung Yu is content with his life, but worried about his business. Lilith enjoys prodding at all things supernatural while her eldest son, Zhou, denies he’s related to such a crazy person. Poor Fou-Lu is just finding his way in his bizarre family.

Zhou: River,

Things have been crazy here. Zhou was a toddler, now he’s a kid. But he was an insane toddler. I blame mom, because anything involving her is insane. Dad says I shouldn’t say that, because I act just like her… which is total crap. I’m sane!

It all started when dad got his big promotion. He’s in charge of a bunch of big building projects down in Aperture and that’s apparently something to write home about. Whatever. Anyway, with the new influx of money, he had this brilliant idea. Why don’t we go visit the ‘home country’. What the hell? Home country? Apparently his dad was all up in his culture and it was our turn.

The only culture I need is music television!

All it did when we got there was rain. I’m telling you, it poured for DAYS! It seemed like everything we did revolved around drinking really strong tea and pretending to enjoy it while our knees cramped. What the hell kind of birthday present is that, seriously? I was heavily disappointed. Fou-lu was a bit more into it, but he’s a fruitcake. Little brothers, I mean seriously. You know all about that, though.

Mom is all into that weird and creepy stuff, as you know. She was reading some book she has about ancient secrets of the whatever place we’re at. Something to do with a ritual and a shrine and some sage guy. Whatever. Anyway, she tells me to go throw a coin in the shrine and see what happens. You know where this is going, don’t you? Why do I have to be her lab monkey? I swear, that’s the only reason she gave birth to me…

BEES, RIVER! FRICKIN’ BEES EVERYWHERE! THERE WAS NO END! And while I was running away from the KILLER BEES my mum just shrugged and tossed the book into the garbage. NEVERMIND THE FACT I WAS BEING TERRORIZED BY HUGE BEES! I hate my family. Seriously.

The trip wasn’t a total bust. I learned how to gamble! Of course, my parents weren’t intending that. It was dad who did it, actually. There’s this game with tablets and symbols drawn on them. You can win a lot of money if you’ve got an eye for the game and boy do I ever. I even kicked dad’s butt. I waited around and swindled some stupid tourists out of their goods, too. Awesome stuff, seriously. Who needs a job?

I can totally relate about the whole ’staying with the younger bro’. The place we’re staying is real swank and fancy, but the rooms are set up funny. We have a little condo split into an upper and lower floor. Bro and I on top, parents on bottom. It’s cool to have the freedom, but with Fou-Lu, yeah. It sucks. How can a man breathe with a little boy watching his every move?

Dad decided to teach me a lesson when mom caught me gambling. She ratted me out! I’ve seen her do worse. Anyway, dad thought that raking through gravel would do something for me. Seriously, what? That’s like the most useless task I can think of! Who does that?! Our culture sucks.

It wasn’t all bad, though. Hot springs are fantastic! I mean, I’m not all into that relaxing stuff, but wow. Seriously. Everyone should get in one at least once in their life. Lucky for me, mom stayed home a lot towards the end of the trip. She was feelin’ bad. Who knows, maybe she has something against hot springs. It wasn’t so bad spending more time with dad, even if he is totally boring.

For the last stretch, we mostly hung around the condo and swam in the pool. Dad sucks at Marco Polo, but I think he cheats! I totally wouldn’t put it past him. Mom lounged around the pool. She wasn’t much into the swimming. She looked a bit green. Maybe she’s sick after all. Probably some funky tropical virus! That’ll teach her to stick her nose where it don’t belong.

See you soon,

Zhou

———-

Note from Mao: Lilith’s needs were acting funky towards the end. She shouldn’t be pregnant, but who knows! Sorry if things are slow right now… I am in PA with DSL… but I am just. I don’t know. In a funk, fed up, RL is kind of crazy right now. Don’t mean to act rude/etc, just bleed-through from stuff. No offense to anyone intended. Things might be slow, who knows.

Damien’s idea of family differs from Aiyana’s, but so far, they’re making it work. River, now a teenager, finds herself facing more problems than just scientific road blocks. Basil is a curious child, but his likeness to Damien’s dead twin, Chuck, is uncanny.

River: Zhou,

It sucks being grounded, but I should have known better than to try and make a more impressive volcano with household cleaning products. Since I’m banned from everything, the only way we can communicate is through letters. Old school, I know. You wouldn’t recognize Basil now. He’s a big kid, or so he thinks, but I swear, he still acts like he’s three.

You’ve probably noticed by now, but dad is the new principal of the public school us kids in Boreal Springs are forced to endure. That’s why you haven’t seen me around school. I didn’t get a chance to tell you beforehand… sorry. It was a ‘conflict of interest’ that dad have his own kids under his tuteledge, so we were moved to that prep academy. It isn’t so bad, I like the classes… but the kids? It sucks, Zhou. You need to go with me, seriously. They’re so stuck up in the clouds, a jet liner is going to take them out one of these days.

I got the present you sent me–thanks! It sucks that my grounding went all the way through my fifteenth birthday, but what can you do? Dad claims it was lenient. I tried to “blow up the house”… I did not! Besides, who doesn’t childproof their kitchen? Seriously.

Anyway, with the new lense I can see even further! How awesome is that? I know you think it’s nerdy, but planets are cool.

Anyway, back to the academy junk. You know that Roman Anderson actually followed me home one day? I swear, it was just to put down my family. I tore into him. That’s right, I actually went off! You would have been so proud. I didn’t use any of those words you do, though, I’m still a lady, you know? But he didn’t even seem shocked. In fact, he just smiled.

I have to admit, it wasn’t my first altercation with him. We’ve met a few times at the Academy. He’s graduated by now, I’m sure, off to some prissy college. Good riddance. Stuffy rich guys think they’ve got the world in their hands…

Dad had the brilliant idea to use up the week break from school to haul us all out into the wilderness. Seriously, do I looke like a girl who enjoys the great out doors? I’m not into that organic stuff. We went and stayed in this cabin and there were lumberjacks and wood and axes EVERYWHERE! It was cold, too. Really cold.

 Thomas Anderson’s days are coming to an end; will he rest in peace or pieces?  Alyssa’s guilt over her affair is causing more trouble than it’s worth, but Ryu is still oblivious.  Nevio is the heir, but Roman is looking like a better choice.  Will the Anderson name and fortune go to someone unworthy?

With the case involving Janine Anderson, Derek O`Hanlon, and Katy Saunders over, Ryu found that he had spent entirely too much time focusing on it.  He was still concerned with removing the criminal element from Boreal Springs, but he had plenty of help now.  It was time to find out what was wrong with Alyssa–she’d been acting extremely odd lately.  She gave up on arguing and kept to herself.  Something was definitely up.

Anytime he tried to talk to her, though, she just ignored him.  She didn’t start arguing, she didn’t say anything–she just sat there and pretended he wasn’t there.  That, or she got up and went somewhere else.

Meanwhile, Thomas was having his own problems.  Late into the night, he sat on a chair in his office, waiting patiently.  Soon enough, Gordon Saunders appeared via rather unconvential means.  Thomas knew he would come eventually.  In this business, the student always rid of the teacher.  That was the natural way of things.

“I hope this means you’re going to go peacefully,” Gordon said, completely confident in his own abilities.

“You’ve wove a very tangled web, Gordon.  You’re doing the same thing Janine did and you will fail, just as she did.  Only there won’t be anyone to help you stand.  I will be gone, by your hands or by the world’s.  What will you do then?”

Gordon became angry, “am I supposed to be touched?  You helped Janine to help yourself, Thomas.  Everything you’ve done your whole life has been for your own benefit.”

“And you, Gordon?  How are you any different?”

“You’re good, but not that good.  I’m better.  Your manipulation won’t work on me.  Enjoy your last days, Thomas.  Enjoy knowing that you’re going to die and nothing you can do will stop it.”

Thomas Anderson laid his head down on his pillow, content to go to sleep.  Perhaps he’d wake in the morning and sign the entire fortune over to Roman.  He’d be a much more suitable heir than Nevio.  That boy was such a flake.

Unfortunately for Thomas, it wasn’t to be.  His last hour was spent thinking back on Janine.  His thoughts always came back to her.  Would she be waiting for him in Hell or did some benevolent thing take pity on her situation?

In the wake of his grandfather’s death and the realization that he was heir, Nevio’s head was muddled.  Worse yet was the blonde girl with dollar signs in her eyes following him around.  Laci Enriquez was truly a beauty at the tender age of seventeen.  She scarcely did her own homework and she survived on the ‘generosity’ of horny young males without rewarding their efforts.

Of course, that was all cast aside in her campaign at getting Nevio and his money.  She followed him home from school and the poor boy was unable to resist her extremely well-tuned charms.

With her father gone, Alyssa felt the weight of everything on her shoulders.  Not only was she forced to deal with her own guilt and Ryu’s persistent questions, but she had also found her father dead in his bed.  She was incredibly frazzled and so it was no surprise she burned her lunch.  The fire marshall was quite surprised to get called to the mayor’s own house.

Alyssa really needed to get her act together before the tabloids had a field day.

Meanwhile, girls tried to spur Roman’s interest only to be met with cold rebuffs.  Roman wasn’t anywhere near as gullible as his brother, nor was he as starved love.  Roman knew exactly what he wanted and he certainly wasn’t some loose girl looking for a free ride.  He wasn’t in any hurry–as long as he was amassing a fortune, he was happy.  As a teen he had won several scholarships related to his business endeavors–he even had a financial consulting business going which he did online.

Heir or not, Roman would be rich.  That much was certain.

Nevio, unfortunately, did not have any of Roman’s common sense or decency.  Laci had him in a chokehold of epic proportions.  She was even going to Boreal Summit University with him.  Of course, Nevio hadn’t really much experience with females outside of their prep school, so University would be an eye-opening experience.  One that Laci wasn’t likely to enjoy.

——–

Note from Mao: Thomas finally dies, after 15 rounds!  Whew.  He’s one of the longest-living old people I’ve had, I think.  Geesh.  As for Laci, she did follow Nevio home and she did flirt with him.  Roman also had girls following him home much to my surprise and amusement.  Thomas actually died on the sidewalk, but what fun is that?  See:

Mary O`Hanlon is relieved that the trial involving her husband, Derek, is finally over and that it was revealed he wasn’t the murderer at all.  In fact, there was no murder, Katy had spooked herself to death.  Gina Saunders isn’t completely convinced, but she knows her brother didn’t do it.  Julie and Asia are joining the family and Julie has something to tell her parents.

“I’m sorry for doubting you,” Mary said, feeling incredibly guilty.  “It wasn’t that I didn’t want to believe, but my job and the evidence–”

“It’s all right,” Derek assured her, happy to have his name cleared and the tension gone from the house.  “I can’t blame anyone for not believing me… it all pointed at me.”

“Sara did,” Mary frowned.

Derek smiled, “that’s because she’s stubborn as a bull, like me.”

Julie was happy the house was back to normal with the trial over and done with, but she knew her news would turn everything upside down.  When she arrived home with her bags and Asia, she told Asia to wait a moment while she spoke to her mother alone.  It wasn’t easy, but Julie told her everything.  Mary was suitably flabbergasted.

“Asia… is–you’re… engaged?” She blinked, several times, unable to recooperate from the shock of it all.  “I think, I think I need to sit down.”

“I know you’re probably upset that I didn’t tell you, but I thought you’d disown me or something.  If you’re worried about the name, there’s this–”

“No, no,” Mary said, raising her hands up.  “Just… let me have some time.  Let it sink in…”

Julie wasn’t sure what to think about her mother’s reaction.  Derek had been a lot more understanding, but then again, Aunt Shaniqua was also a lesbian and in a relationship with a mutual child.  She just wished her mother didn’t have such a stigma.  She wanted to tell Mary that she couldn’t give it away–the name, the house–to Marla, because she was an alcoholic.  But Julie couldn’t throw her twin under the bus like that.

She’d just have to wait it out and hope her mother came to terms with it on her own time.

Meanwhile, Julie and Asia were joined in matrimony.  They wore contrasting suits instead of traditional dresses and even did away with the traditional arch.  Nothing about them was rigid and traditional, so why maintain the guise?  They were happy with one another and their differences from everyone else.  It was certainly easier because Shaniqua Saunders and Florence Anderson had paved the way.

The entire family showed up with their respective spouses.  Sara was especially pleased, as now that someone had gotten legally wed Mary would stop breathing down her neck about her unsuitable relationship with Nathaniel.  How Mary could be so rigid was anyone’s guess, it likely had to do with her own background and the whole mess with Derek.  She likely didn’t want her children to suffer the same way.

Mary did her best to go along with the idea that she was getting a daughter-in-law instead of a son, but it wasn’t easy.  She still couldn’t understand how they’d have children.

Marla was there to support her twin, but her beau was not accompanying her.  Julie asked and Marla simply said that he was busy finalizing his divorce.  She assured her that she’d meet him soon enough.  Julie was skeptical, but Marla seemed happy–and significantly less buzzed–than usual, so she wasn’t going to push it.  She was just happy to see her again.  Aperture seemed like it was too far away–they’d never been so far apart before.

After all the wedding hubbub died down, life resumed as usual.  Asia got a job as a G.P. at the newly built Aperture Hospital and Julie still hadn’t decided on a career.  Gina and Derek had a quiet breakfast one morning where Gina finally decided to confront him.

“I want to know what really happened, Derek,” she began, not unsympathetically, “I know you didn’t do it, but I know you were involved.  I don’t know what happened at the trial and I don’t want to.  I just want to know your involvement.  We’re getting old, brother, and the time for the truth is waning.  Don’t you want to get it off your mind and ease your soul?”

He sighed, thinking about it for a moment.  She was right–as always.  Gina had this uncanny ability to read people with such precision it was startling.

“All right, Gina.  I’ll tell you the truth of it.  It all began when Katy and I arrived back from University…”

————

Note from Mao: Uneventful round.  You have no idea how long I’ve waited to use the contrasting suits!  And now you know a bit about what happened at the trial.  Yay.

Julie O`Hanlon and Asia Ternynck are in love; Julie’s parents are oblivious. Marla O`Hanlon has her own vices and Katarina Anderson is more than ready to indulge her friend.

Julie sighed, listening to her Aunt Gina on the other end. Gina knew the circumstances between Julie and Asia the second they visited for dinner and was intent on getting Julie to fess up to her parents. Unfortunately, Julie wasn’t so easily swayed. She was the heir to the O`Hanlon name and being a lesbian could jeopardize that.

She didn’t want to give up her birthright, but she also didn’t want to give up Asia. She hoped that Gina was right and that her parents would love her no matter what, but who could say? Julie wasn’t ready to risk it.

Meanwhile, Marla and Katarina were indulging themselves. The new connection to Aperture gave them a bevy of options. They could often be found skipping out on class in favor of getting toasted and singing really bad 70s hits in a karaoke bar.

They enjoyed themselves so much that they decided they would surely move to Aperture upon graduation. Who could deny the pull of the city life? The sleepy burb, with its white picket fences and perfect lawns, was hardly their style.

Marla had always had her own problems and shortcomings. They were both thanks to Katarina dragging her through trouble and also her own issues with being second fiddle to Julie. She loved her twin dearly, but she was jealous. Julie was in love–even if it was a girl–and she got to take the house their grandmother Eileen had founded Boreal Springs. What did Marla get? Failing grades, as far as Boreal Springs Summit University was concerned.

She spent a lot of time milling the bars of Aperture. It was there that she met her own kind of special friend.

She spoke to him secretly on the phone in the house back on campus. They would meet downtown, but he never came back with her. Marla was afraid he’d see the place and realize she wasn’t as wealthy as she seemed. Hanging out with the mayor’s daughter and Thomas Anderson’s granddaughter, Katarina Anderson, had given Marla the appearance of being wealthy. The O`Hanlons were comfortable, but hardly wealthy.

So she kept her true life a secret and enjoyed the thrill of meeting her beau in the hot spots downtown, being wined and dined. He was a little older than her and was going through a divorce. Her parents would be livid if they found out.

Julie decided that there was no way she could ever leave Asia behind, no matter what her parents might think. So she proposed. Asia was overjoyed and hoped this meant they could finally be open about their relationship. She had been concerned, too, but she was a teen and silly. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Julie was the one for her. She just hoped Julie was as secure as she was when it came time to face her parents.

——–

Note from Mao: Very boring Uni turn. At least it’s over, yay! Any clue as to who Marla’s mystery beau is? You’ll find out eventually, no worries. Marla really does enjoy booze, too. Anytime Katarina drug her downtown, she headed straight for the bar! Lush.

Formerly known as ‘Katy Saunders’, Lauren is given a new name and records, thanks to Ryu Anderson and the government for her help in the trial. Unfortunately, they failed to realize their witness had been tampered with.

“So… what now?” Katy asked, visibly saddened. “I’m here in this ‘new’ house with a new name… but what am I supposed to do now?”

“It isn’t completely done yet, Ka–er, Lauren,” Ryu corrected himself. He had spent a lot of time with Katy over the past few months and so the name change was jarring to him, as well. “Your appearance–you look exactly the same. We need to modify that.”

“You don’t mean… plastic surgery?”

“Nothing that drastic… just different hair and clothing–you’ve been dead a long while. The only one to remember you would be your son and former husband, both of which you are never to see.”

“See? That isn’t so bad, is it? A fresh look for a fresh start.” Ryu attempted to be comforting, but it wasn’t easy. This was the last time he would see her. To say he had grown attached would have been an understatement. “How… do you feel?”

“The same,” Lauren frowned, looking at herself in the mirror. “I’m sorry, Ryu. I mean, about the trial. I know… how disappointed you must be.”

He shook his head, letting the unspoken words pass by, “no, it’s fine. You did your best… I’m just glad the mystery is over.”

Lauren found herself in a very difficult place. She could feel Ryu staring at her and while she wanted desperately to ask him to stay, she knew he couldn’t. He was married, he had a family, and he had to go home. “Goodbye, Ryu. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He said with considerable difficulty.

Lauren gave birth to a healthy baby girl with her hair and her grandfather Henry’s eyes. Little Elena was definitely a Saunders by all appearances, but Lauren would have to keep that fact a secret, even to the little baby nestled in her arms. She was Lauren Davis and this was Elena Davis, their former lives no longer mattered.

Besides, things were going to look up soon. Lauren felt awful for lying to Ryu, for lying to everyone in court… but she didn’t know what else to do. He had offered her something none of them could. What was one little lie? Janine was dead, there was no reason to get revenge on her innocent family.

He visited her after the birth of Elena, to make sure she was all right and adjusting well. He was sure to time his visits so not to run into Lilith, who still insisted on visiting. Lauren didn’t mind, but she didn’t want Gordon getting busted. That would have them both in jail–her for purgery and him for witness tampering.

Lauren hardly remembered Gordon, but he certainly looked like Janine. It didn’t make her angry. It was almost as if he was Janine’s offering for peace and forgiveness. He came offering her money and a better life for her daughter. Lauren had a job as a teacher, but she’d be stuck in this tiny house with that salary. Gordon had plenty of hidden funds to throw around.

Not to mention the fact that she had somehow managed to become romantically involved with him. It was bizarre and wrong, he was her children’s techncial uncle… but then again, so was Ryu and she had nearly fallen for him, too. Lauren definitely had a soft spot for taken Saunders men. Gordon was easier, though. His marriage was mostly a facade and he would definitely make sure she was well taken care of.

Being the mistress of a criminal hasn’t always ended well, but it definitely came with its perks. Besides, the police had to leave her alone now that everything was over. They’d never suspect she’d been on Gordon’s side all along.

As Elena’s third birthday came and went, Lauren was secure in her decision. She wanted the best for her child to make up for the fact that she could never do anything for Damien and Chuck. Chuck had died early because she wasn’t there to save him and Damien had grown up. She could never contact him, but she could take care of and provide for Elena.

“Don’t worry, baby girl,” Lauren cooed, cuddling Elena. “Mommy isn’t going anywhere. I’ll make sure you have the best life I possibly can.”

———-

Note from Mao: Bahaha, did you see this coming? Neither did I until Gordon walked by the damn house three times. I finally had Katy greet him and viola, two bolts instantly. She had the same with Ryu, but she flirted with Gordon. Hilarious. This is seriously a Soap opera now. There’s just no sense in denying it, I am defeated…

Gordon Saunders is secure in his position as the new master of criminals… but will he be able to keep the heat off now that Katy is back?  Tracey has her own news to share with her husband, as well.

Tracey Saunders awoke with an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach.  She ran for the bathroom as quick as her legs could carry her and found herself paying homage to the porcelian throne.  She had always been extremely healthy–one of the perks of living on the tropical island–so it wasn’t that she was sick.  No, it was something Tracey had been hoping would happen for some time now.  She was pregnant.

The only issue would be telling Gordon the news.  They really hadn’t discussed children, not that there was ever a chance.  He was busier than ever now and gone most of the time she was home.

One morning, she tried to sweeten him up with breakfast, but her newfound condition caused her to forget any culinary skills she previously had.  It was then, over charred pancakes, that she informed Gordon that she thought she was pregnant and would be visiting the doctor to make certain her claims.

“That explains this, then,” was his only reply, his eyes cautiously falling on the burnt pancake hardly concealed beneath syrup. 

Tracey wasn’t quite sure how to gauge his reaction and decided that she would just be happy enough for the both of them.

It wasn’t that Gordon wasn’t happy.  Having an heir was very important to him.  It was just that bigger things had arisen and they needed his immediate attention.  Most troubling of all was the fact that Katy Saunders had returned.  Gordon knew what his mother, Janine, had done and he also knew Katy.  He had only been small when she died, but he remembered her.  She wouldn’t hesitate to pin it all on Janine and that would lead to Gordon.  He couldn’t let that happen.

Rousing his contacts in the city of Aperture, Gordon tried to find the freshly risen Katy Saunders.  He glanced idly at his wedding ring as his contact rattled off on the other end of the receiver.  In order to ensure that Katy Saunders didn’t point Janine as her murderer, Gordon would have to make his life very, very complicated.

In preperation for this, he made sure to pay plenty of attention to his pregnant wife.  The less suspicious she was, the better.  He had no intention of disrupting his home life.  He wasn’t necessarily in love with Tracey, but she was about to be the mother of his child and that put her at a higher place in his mind.  He wouldn’t have her worrying about affairs or criminal activity.  He wanted his child to grow up well-adjusted, unlike Nevio Anderson, who was already known for his mental shortcomings.

Thankfully for Gordon, Tracey still spent a lot of time with her good friend Aiyana Saunders.  Tracey was overjoyed to share her news with her friend, though Aiyana was skeptical.

“Are you going to be able to work after it’s born?”

“Sure,” Tracey replied, smiling.  “In fact, I’m set for a promotion!  Big things are working and they really need me now.”

Aiyana couldn’t hide her jealous, “you certainly are lucky, Tracey.  Don’t mess it up.”

Tracey had an effortless birthing with Michael.  He came out easily and caused his mother little trouble.  Already he had endeared himself to his father, who spent a considerable amount of time with him.  Michael had Henry’s eyes and Gordon found that whenever he looked into them, he felt guilty.  He had found Katy and the plan was in action.  Thomas would soon be gone, too.  Everything he had done was necessary, but under the scrutinizing and altrusitic eyes of Henry Saunders, it seemed to be for naught.

Gordon muttered a silent apology to little Michael and set him back down in his crib.  He left Michael with the nanny and headed off to Aperture once again.

———

Note from Mao: I am loving Gordon so much it isn’t even funny.  How IRONIC is it that Michael has Henry’s eyes?  I LOVE IT!  Poor Gordon.  He’s all over the place now, heh heh.  Internet is still crappy as hell, but I managed to get this one up.  Yay me.

Nathaniel Anderson and Sara O`Hanlon have their first child who also bears the alien skin tone that Nathaniel inherited from his otherworldly father. Can little Patrick grow up happy and healthy?

For a long time, Sara had desired a pet. It had been difficult to convince Nathaniel that a pet was worth it; all he saw was puddles on the floor and destroyed furniture. With the arrival of Patrick, however, Nathaniel’s resolve softened and Sara was able to adopt a little puppy she named Starbuck*.

Starbuck was meant to be an outdoor dog, but the winter chill hadn’t ended and so Starbuck remained inside until spring finally sprung.

The arrival of spring was a happy occasion for both Nathaniel and Sara. Most of their favorite things in life required them to be outside and the snow only served to hamper them. Spring meant they could once again get into silly shouting matches over games of shootout–where Sara insisted that Nathaniel was obviously cheating.

It also meant that Patrick’s birthday was drawing near and soon he’d be a fully-functional toddler, ready to cause chaos where ever he roamed.

Nathaniel was incredibly pleased to see that his small son had also inherited his unique, pointed ears. Lilith had always been jealous of Nathaniel because hers were normal. It served to make Patrick stand out even more as the unique little guy he truly was.

Of course, he was spoiled. Sara and Nathaniel doted on him and anything he wanted, he received. It likely wasn’t good planning for the future; Patrick was already showing signs of thinking he was overly entitled and he refused to share with anything or anyone. But he always put on an angel face for his parents, so they really didn’t see it.

He adored Starbuck and would spend more time playing with her than his toys. His interest seemed to be science and at a young age, he showed a startling amount of aptitude. Nathaniel attributed it to the alien part of him. Poor Nathaniel never claimed to be incredibly intelligent, but he did know what he knew to a startling degree. Lilith was the same way, though her stubbornness definitely got in the way of her intelligence.

Patrick seemed to be without both of those faults and his intelligence shone through.

After spending a month away from Sara and Patrick, Nathaniel returned happy and fulfilled. He couldn’t exactly explain what he did or what he had saw, all he could say was he answered to nature now and his job was more important than ever. He wanted to relocate near the beach, but Sara didn’t want to move poor little Patrick. So they remained, but Nathaniel did not abandon his plans.

Tracey Saunders stopped by now and again to visit with Sara. She was incredibly thankful for the introduction to Aiyana Saunders, who had quickly become her best friend. Sara had done it only to quiet her husband, but she was finding her vast connections to everyone throughout the neighborhood was an alarmingly good resource. She knew everyone and was good friends with most.

Nathaniel was busy talking over his awards appearance for his work on cleaning up the local ocean.

Time progressed and soon, little Patrick wasn’t so little anymore. He stilled enjoyed Starbuck, but he spent a lot of time on his little ‘experiments’, too. Sara wasn’t as sure about them as Nathaniel. He encouraged Patrick’s curious mind while Sara worried he was going to blow something up.

Note from Mao: Patrick is acting like my fiance as a child. Scary. Oh, and updates may be sporadic or nonexistent for I’m not sure how long. My fiance’s connection is satellite (we’re out in the BOONIES) and we went over our dl/ul limit, so they cut our connection back hardcore. It’s impossible for me to upload ANYTHING, I’m glad I had these uploaded before hand. It’ll expire and we’ll go back to normal speed… just not sure when. Gah.

*Starbuck is a character from Battlestar Galatica.