Date: Fri, 31 May 2013 13:11:32 +0100 (BST) From: kelvinvictor@yahoo.com Subject: Lord Aquamaine - Chapter 15 Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental and no slanderous intent is implied. This is a story about a son of Duke from a fictious kingdom and the life and experiences that he has when he ends up in America. During this story we discover two fictious nations and principalities and their royal families ... These are completely the product of my imagination and bear no resemblance to anyone living or dead. Lord Aquamaine and Moonside Manor are separate storeies and both will continue when inspiration strikes again. Currently I am writing about a lad from the mines that makes good in the 1880s ... Currently editing it and will post in near future. This work is copyrighted and I ask that you do not copy, post or electronically download without my express permission. If you are too young to be here or it is illegal in your state then please leave; finally if you are looking for hot sex scenes then look again as you'll not find any here. Email me - Kev (UK) with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In an effort to help you follow what is happening the characters are listed below, but in addition since Lord Aquamaine is a very rich young man other things are listed as well, such as his businesses to help you follow. Characters ----------- Lord Lancelot Jefferson Bravender VI - Lord Aquamaine Charles Edward Bravender - LJ's adopted son - Lord Lyonaisse Troy Jordan Bravender (TJ)- LJ's adopted son Jame Ross Bravender (JR)- LJ's adopted son Ezekiel DeLuca Nelson Bravender - LJ's adopted son Annabelle Margaret Bravender - LJ's adopted daughter - Lady Ravenswood Colt Nelson Vravender - LJ's adopted son - Lord Caderis Baron - LJ's Horse Anna Hemmings - Nanny Mr Jake - Master of the Prince's stables Dotty Walters - Mr Jakes wife - Main housekeeper Johan - Dotty's son - Caretaker of LJ's estates. Ryan Crow - LJs PA Andrew Collins - TJ special friend. Rupert Devereaux - LJ's Interior Designer Brodie Reid McGregor - Clothes Designer Nicole DuBois - Opera singer Josh Connors - Country Singer King David – Heir to the throne of Aquamaine. Queen Christine - Wife of King David. King Myles - King of Lizondia Prince Steven - Prince of Lizondia Princess Zorina - Daughter of Myles. Governor Walt Simms - Texas rancher / Belle's husband (x Governor) Belinda Tremaine Davison - LJ's guardian (x Vice President) William Tremaine - Belle's father (retired) Arnold Tremaine - Attorney / Belle's brother Peter Tremaine - Belle's oldest son Bobby Tremaine - Belle's son Richard Tremaine - Belle's twin son Barnaby Tremaine - Belle's twin son Nonna DeLuca - Wife of the Prime Minister Carl Masterson - Foster son on Nonna Ian Masters - CEO of Aquamaine LLC and former President Professor Phillip Masters - President Masters father and LJs mentor Professor Bryan Masters -President Masters brother and LJs tutor Dean Reynolds - Dean of university and LJs mentor Judge Reynolds - The deans brother Professor Absom - Class tutor Martin Japp - PI Cornell Anderson Sr - President of USA Cornell Anderson Jr - Son Maria Gonzalez - Spanish speaking - Colt's mother Lincoln Struthers - LJ's friend - Partner in law firm Colt Nelson - Cace's Pa Thomas – LJ's Major-Domo Edward - LJ's security guard Mickael Russo - Mike's nephew Dave - LJ's security guard Gunny Wilks - LJ's security guard Todd Wilks - LJs Friend and Security guard General Nathaniel Wilks - LJs chief of Security ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Titles ------- Lord Ravenswood - 14th Duke of Ravenswood and Aeden Viscount Ravenswood Earl of Lizonby Earl of Aylsgart Baron Rooksfeld Viscount Aeden Viscount of Kingsmere Viscount of Reymire Viscount of Rooksfeld Marquess of Reymire Earl of Kirkowen Lord Mallamtap Baron of Crogdun Lord Aquamaine Duke of Rookfort Marquess of Conroy Baron of Kingsmere 17th Duke of Valkland Marquess of Reyesford Baron of Lizonby Viscount of Iddlesworth 12th Duke of Vauxland Prince Of Bowland Countess of Aylsgart Marquis of Vauxland 8th Duke of Caderis 15th Earl of Perisand 19th Marquis of Ironsea 5th Duke of Shadehaven 12th Duke of Lyonaisse 16th Marquis of Stoneacre ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Locations ---------- Chrysland (Nation) Lizondia (Neighbouring nation) Towns and areas in Chrysland ----------------------------- Lizonby Aylsgart Valtland Jusland Sifton Park - Aquamaine Aquamaine Properties ----------- Rooksfeld Manor (Near Lizonby) Aquamaine Palace (Home to the kings of Chrysland) Aquamaine House Florida Ocean Front House Oklahoma Ranch Stoneacre Estate - Boston Thousand Oaks Estate - California Texas Ranch (Main Home) Aquamaine Mansion - Washington DC Penrise Hall Iddlesworth Hall Ironbay Hall Stoneacre Castle Blackswale Castle Grande Vista Palazzo - Ezekiel and Colt's inherited home Italy Giardino di Fiore - Ezekiel and Colt's inherited home Italy All businesses controlled by "The office of the Prince" Aquamaine LLC ------------- Aquamaine Fruit and Vegetables - Florida Aquamaine Horse and Cattle Company - Oklahoma and Texas Aquamaine Wineries - Califormia and Texas Aquamaine Hotel Several Shopping Malls in differnet States Two Theme Parks Aquamaine Men (Menswear) Aquamaine Retail (departmental stores) Aquamaine Real Estate - Various Rental properties Aquamaine Dude Ranch - Montana Bravender LLC -------------------- Bravender Gallery Bravender Art Bravender, Struthers and Tremaine - Aquamaine Law Roksfeld Accounting and Auditing Co. Bravender - Freedom Bank Bravender - Florris Investments Bravender - Lazy T Mall Bravender - Boston Properties At Home with Aquamaine LLC - Company created by the Bravender kids. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lord Aquamaine -------------- Chapter 15 – Life is good... ---------------------------- We stood waiting for the applause to die down when suddenly Carl walked on to stage dressed as Santa's helper, an Elf. "Ladies and Gentlemen Lord Aquamaine - Prince of Bowland and lifelong protector of children as we his children can testify. We dedicate this evening to him and his guests King David of Chrysland and King Myles of Lizondia and their families." There was more applause then he continued. "Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome also President Cornell Anderson and his family, President of the United States of America and defender of Children's rights" again more applause. "Please welcome Madam Nicole DuBois on to the stage for the national anthem." Once the anthem had been sung the whole audience erupted and were on their feet. I turned and as I did saw little Cornell Jr sat behind me. He was sat there and he was sobbing. Instinctively I knelt down, "Hey you, no sadness today we are fighting now in every child's corner. Your father and I make a good team. No more tears for they are not allowed at this time of year. Mommy's and ..." In his sobs had whispered, "Everybody has a mommy. I never did. I only have meemaw and daddy." I scooped him up and held him to me, "I never knew my mommy either as she died when I was born. Then my twin died when we were ten and my daddy was murdered. I know how you feel little one, but you have a loving daddy and a beautiful meemaw." He looked at me, then looked at them and smiled nodding, "Hey I have to sing later maybe you will sing with me, yes?" His grin lit up the room and as I stood and took my seat. Carl was smiling at me. It was then that I realised he was waiting for me. As I sat Cornell Jr stepped up and sat on my knee. I looked back to the President and he smiled and nodded mouthing a "Thank you." Carl looked at the audience, "Do you want to get started?" The whole audience got behind him and shouted "YES!" He laughed and said, "Please welcome on to stage Lady Annabelle Bravender and Prince Charming aided and abetted by the Bravender school choir and orchestra." I was shocked. There was my little girl dressed in a 1940s outfit and Prince Richard was there at the pretend bar dressed in American World War II army uniform. As the music started it was the old favourite `Santa Claus is coming to Town'. Richard started to click his fingers and then walked up to Annabelle. It was so corny they actually used the old... "Hi doll, are you dancing?" "Are you asking?" "I'm asking." "Well I'm dancing." With that the choir started to sing and to my surprise my daughter wowed the audience with a very perfectly performed Jive. As the music changed it was to `Santa Baby' and a curtain rose and there standing in a glittering red gown was Nicole DuBois bedecked with jewellery. Yet again my daughter wowed us all with the Foxtrot and as it closed they waltzed off the stage. The audience was going wild, but Charlie stepped up the microphone dressed like a young Frank Sinatra in a dinner suit with a white shirt and open tie and waited for silence. Once he had it he started singing... City sidewalks busy sidewalks. Dressed in holiday style In the air there's a feeling of Christmas Children laughing People passing Meeting smile after smile And on ev'ry street corner you'll hear Silver bells silver bells It's Christmas time in the city Ring a ling hear them sing Soon it will be Christmas day He deliberately sang the chorus twice and as he started the song a second time his whole year waltzed on to stage dressed in classical Ballroom evening gowns and all the men in tail suits. Real Fred and Ginger outfits. The girl's dresses were all the same colour, but in different variants of shade. The men's tie, hanky and lining of each suit matched the dress of the girl that the man was dancing with. The overall effect was stunning and I knew who had created the wardrobe for the show. I was stunned by the beauty of what TJ and Andy had done. As the song changed the guys danced off the stage and on Walked Nicole putting her coat on with Josh ambling on after her with a cocktail in his hand seemingly drunk. As they acted out the classic `Baby it's Cold Outside' on came Annabelle in a stunning velvet crimson evening gown trimmed with white fur. She was closely followed by Prince Richard, but this time in full military regalia that he would wear for an official engagement. As they came on to the stage they broke out into a wonderfully polished American Smooth dance. Both Kings were up on their feet cheering and wolf whistling with delight as they watched and with them the whole audience erupted in approval. I was almost sad as it stopped us from hearing the singing. As the song progressed the ensemble of dancers came on and joined them in the Fred and Ginger style dance. This was the first time that they left the dancing for as the song finished and the dancers and Nicole and Josh left the stage. Charlie came back on and this time he was accompanied by JR on the piano. Charlie stunned the audience with `Beyond the Sea', `Darling Clementine' and finished his swing set with `Mack the Knife'. As the audience died down and took their seats Carl came back of stage. As Carl was about to address the audience on saunters Colt with his hands in his pockets copying Carl in every way, "What do you think you are doing?" Colt looked at him turned to the side of the stage and said, "What do you think you're doing." He waited, turned to Carl and said, "I don't know he won't tell me." The audience burst with laughter. "Get off the stage it's not your turn yet." "Yes it is." "Colt Jr, no it's not." "Carl Sr, yes it is..." "Oh no it's not!" This time Colt looked at the audience and encouraged them to join him. "Oh yes it is..." "Oh no it's not." This time just the audience shouted at which Colt looked at Carl and said, "See, even they think it's my turn." "What are you going to do then?" "A Christmas poem by `A nony mouse', but I need them to sing." He pointed to the choir. "Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen Lord Colt Nelson Bravender accompanied by the Bravender schools choir and orchestra; with Lord James Ross Bravender at the piano." They broke out into the Twelve days of Christmas and Colt simply sat at a desk on the corner of the stage. At the end of the first verse he started writing something and as he did he spoke what he was writing... "My Darling ... I went to the door today and the postman delivered a Partridge in a pear tree. What a thoroughly delightful gift. I couldn't have been more surprised. You're an angel...With all my love and devotion, Colt." The Choir then sang the second verse and Colt followed it with, "Darling... Today, the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine two turtle doves. I'm delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are adorable and I love you for them. All my love, Colt." After the third verse he continued, "Dearest... Oh! Aren't you the extravagant one, but I really must protest. I don't deserve such generosity as three French hens. They are just darling, but I must insist, you've been too kind... Love Colt" The audience were in stitches by now but it got worse. After the fourth verse he looked at us, "Dear what was your name? Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really, they are beautiful but don't you think enough is enough? You're being too romantic. Affectionately..." After each verse he continued ... Dear, oh dear... What a surprise! The postman just delivered the five golden rings, one for each finger. You're just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, all those ruddy birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves. All my love." Half way through the sixth verse he got up and went as if to open the door. Stormed back to the desk by the end of the verse and ... "Hi... I couldn't believe my eyes this morning as I walked out onto the front porch and there were six geese a laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again - huh?" He walked over to the door, opened and pretended to peek out and ran back to the desk, "Those geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbours are complaining and I can't sleep through the racket that they make. I love your thoughtfulness, but - Please Stop! Cordially, a friend." As the seventh verse ended we were in stitches when Colt sat at the desk took his pen and said as he wrote ... "Hello... What's with you and those flipping birds??? Today I received seven swans a swimming. Though god only knows what they are swimming in! What kind of a goddamn nightmare is this? These birds shit all over the house and they never stop with that awful noise. I can't sleep at night. I'm a nervous wreck." He looked at the audience and paused, "Stop your laughing damn you! It's not funny. Just knock it off with those blasted birds, OK????? ... Sincerely an acquaintance." That was it the audience were in stitches. Then when this followed, it only got worse ... "OK Buster... I think I prefer the blasted birds. What the hell am I going to do with eight maids a milking?? It's not enough with all those birds and the eight maids milking, but they had to bring their flipping cows! There's shit all over the lawn and I can't even move in my own house. Just lay off smartass!! Colt." After verse nine the audience was quiet waiting for the next instalment. "Hey Shithead... What are you some kind of sadist??? Now I've got nine pipers playing and Christ do they play! They haven't stopped chasing those maids since they've arrived this morning. The cows are getting upset and they're stepping all over the screeching birds. What the hell am I going to do?? The neighbours have already started a petition to get me evicted... You'll get yours, you bastard... Colt." As the singing for verse ten concluded the audience went quiet again... "You Rotten Git... Who in hell needs ten ladies dancing?? I can't imagine why I call these sluts "ladies." They've been balling the pipers all night long. Now the cows can't sleep and all the goddamn racket around here has given them diarrhoea. My living room is a river of shit! The Commissioner of Buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why the building should not be condemned! I'm sticking the police on you, asshole! One who means it!!!" Next the police arrived, who were all Colts friends, at the side of the stage as the choir sang and JR played. Colt ran to the desk and, "Listen Mister ... What's with the "Eleven lords a leaping" on those maids and ladies??? Some of these poor broads will never walk again. The pipers ravaged the maids, gang-banged the ladies, and now are committing sodomy on the cows. All 23 birds are dead. They were trampled to death in the orgy. I hope you're satisfied, you rotten vicious git! I hate your guts... Colt." As the twelfth verse finished and the choir sat down Colt stood up, put on an old man's slippers and dressing gown and walked over to an armchair and just looked off into space. Linc walked on to stage dressed in his best attorney's suit. Picked up a letter and stepping forward read, "Dear Sir: This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve fiddlers fiddling which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Mr Colt Bravender. As you no doubt have guessed, the destruction of his property was total. You are thus advised that all future correspondence with our client should be cleared through this office. I feel compelled to warn you that if you should attempt to reach Mr Bravender at the Happy Dale Sanatorium, the attendants of that institution have instructions to shoot on sight. With this letter please find attached a warrant for your arrest...Season's Greetings - Lincoln Struthers Attorney at Law." Linc walked off, but that left Colt on stage with this eerily vacant look as he stared out at the audience. That was it the audience was on their feet cheering and cheering. Colt just sat there with tears rolling down his face. Charlie and Annabelle walked on totally in character and shuffled him off the stage. That was not enough for the audience though and he had to take two curtain calls. As he left the stage JR continued to play and this time it was Rhapsody in Blue and he had the whole audience spell bound by his playing ability. It seemed that he took after me as I had taught them all to play. I had totally lost track of the time and was bought out of my reverie when Josh stepped on stage and looked down and turned to the audience in a stage whisper, "I think he's asleep should we wake him?" That was it I was on my way up to the stage with the guards in tow and Mick sat with the Kings and watched his new family. "My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen I had nothing to do with any of this and have felt like a spare cog in a cog factory. Hence my recent concert for raising funds for the Bradley Patterson Foundation at Trinity Church. Before Josh and I have a little fun please aren't these kids fantastic?" With that there was more cheering and the President and Kings were up on their feet. Josh and I were now in character and two stools had been placed on the stage. "This will be a surprise for Lord Aquamaine. He thinks that our show has been cancelled because of the season. Well sir this concert is being filmed and is our Christmas special and will be televised across the world on Christmas Day. Here's the sales pitch all profits from the sale of the DVD again are going to the Bradley Patterson Foundation." We loved our country music that we made together and sang `Santa looked a lot like Daddy', `Angels we have heard on high.' Next Josh and JR played the piano while I sang, `O holy night'. When we sat down again and Josh was playing we sang, `Grandma got run over by a reindeer'. The audience erupted and cheered. With that Josh looked at me, "I've been busy all night so I'm going now you need to find someone to sing with mate. There's a little lad me and Nicole know that I think will enjoy helping you. Corney come onboard son we need you" and he left the stage as the applause erupted for Cornell Jr. JR and the orchestra just started playing Pie Jesu and we had a wonderful time singing together. It was then that Corney took over and we sang with the audience `We need a little Christmas', `O little town of Bethlehem', `Joy to the world'. I simply sat and let him enjoy himself. "Lord Aquamaine, can I sing one for my family?" I nodded and he broke out into `I saw daddy kissing Santa Claus'. The whole audience erupted and I wondered if his daddy had a special friend. To close we sang `It's the most wonderful time of the year' and we walked off stage and back to our seats. Yet again the audience were on their feet. As I sat and Corney sat on my knee I suddenly realised what we had missed by not being allowed to just lead a normal life. My children were almost grown and I hardly knew them. Corney was dropping so the President leaned over and picked him up. As he reached over he simply said, "You two were amazing." "Ladies and Gentlemen there will now be a fifteen minute interval. Refreshments are available in the foyer. Please be back in your seats as soon as the first bell goes as we need to continue. Thank you" Mick looked at me, "I never knew how amazing you all are. You do know the TV channels have already asked the kids to produce a DVD and CD of tonight. I fell so inadequate." I looked at him. "Don't because you complete me like no one else ever has. I love you more than words can say young man and I know you feel the same because of everything you do and say." I hugged him, at that time Corney tugged on his sleeve. "Thank you Mr Mick for loaning Lord Aquamaine to me I had a lot of fun. You can have him back now as I have my daddy." Mick bend down took him in his arms and hugged him. "You were spectacular young man. I think I enjoyed you the most." "Nu uh. Miss Annabelle and Mr Colt are the best." Mick looked at me, "Well they have to be because they are our children, but I think you have the voice of an angel. My man there records songs you know. I think you ought to do one with him just like Mr Josh does." "Mr Josh... You mean the man that was singing with Madam Nicole. I love Madam Nicole she has always been good to me. She is a friend of my meemaw." I looked at him, "You know Nicole DuBois?" "I sang with her when I was in my choir, I was six years old." I smiled remembering my childhood. "I played piano for her in Chrysland when I was six years old." Suddenly there was a voice that made us both smile... "Yes and you are both my beautiful boys. We both hugged her and cried realising that she was like a catalyst in both of our lives. Nicole looked at him, "So are you going to make an album for me?" The President was listening, "We will have to see. This young man has been through hell in his life, you know more than most Nicole. Once we feel he is strong enough then maybe." Little Corney looked at me and whispered, "I was kidnapped when I was four. Daddy only just got me back as a result of all of the stuff you have been doing." I looked at the President and he was in tears. I walked up to him and just hugged him. "I am here if you need me sir." I looked at him and Corney, "You know if you ever need to just get away let me know and we can organise a place for you to stay. I have property that your family can use or we have the Aquamaine hotels as well. Maybe you would all like a holiday. You could also stay in Bowland if you prefer." "Thank you will have to see." With that the bell went and every one took their seats. The curtains opened and there was Charlie. "Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome on to the stage the children of the Bravender schools." With that we were entertained by all of the schools doing their skits and songs and dances ... There was even a nativity narrated by Ezekiel with the children from the nursery school. Just as I was beginning to think that I had not seen Zeke in anything all of the other boys came on stage and joined him. He picked up a guitar, JR sat at the piano, TJ took to the drums and Charlie picked up the Saxophone and they entertained the audience with a selection of Scottish songs. "Change!" shouted TJ and as they did Charlie ended up with the bagpipes. Suddenly Zeke was at the piano, Charlie in the guitar, JR on the drums and TJ on the accordion or squeeze box as it is often called. They then went into a selection of folk songs from Chrysland as Annabelle and Colt joined them on stage. "Change!" Charlie shouted. Now Annabelle was on drums, Colt on the piano with Zeke and JR and TJ with acoustic guitars. Charlie this time led the audience in a selection of American folk songs and songs from the musicals. "Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome back on stage Lord Aquamaine and Madam Nicole DuBois" shouted Colt as they left the stage. This surprised me, but I never gave up a chance to sing with mom. I sat at the piano and started to play the famous aria from Madam Butterfly. This was totally unrehearsed. As she started to sing the audience were up on their feet. JR then took the piano and I sang the drinking song from `The Student Prince'. As it finished Nicole surprised us and said, "I need my other boy on stage please," so Corney come and join me on stage. As he came on stage he started singing another Student Prince aria `I'll walk with God' so I joined him. I even knelt on my knees so that I was his height. I was having fun and let Corney choose the next knowing that if Jr didn't know it that I most likely would do. Corney smiled at JR and nodded and they went into `To Dream the impossible dream.' Nicole sang a couple of songs from Carmen and then Corney and I sang the duet form the Pearl Fishers. I could tell Corney was beginning to flag so we closed with Nessun Dorma. I was totally stunned when Corney joined me and it was stunning. As we walked back to our seats Nicole stood on the stage and led the audience in cheering and whistling us. As the noise died down on to the stage Carl walked on, "Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome back on stage Lord Lyonaisse, Lords and Lady Bravender with the cast and choirs of the schools. With the special guest star Prince Richard of Aquamaine." As the applause died down Carl continued, "Ladies and Gentlemen, be up standing and show your appreciation for the orchestra with the guest pianist JR Bravender." As the applause died down he continued, "As Lord Lyonaisse leads us all in the traditional carols of Christmas please let your eyes wonder over the catwalk as the official launch of the new TJ of Aquamaine season takes place. Brodie Reid McGregor will talk us through the season's styles. Also please note that all costumes were designed and made by TJ, Andy and the seniors of Bravender high." As we sang I was totally stunned to tears by the beauty of the fashions that TJ had designed. He had everything from evening wear for the parties over Christmas to winter and spring fashion. It was stunning. As the music came to an end Carl simple stated, "The new season catalogues are available in the foyer and please if you order anything from tonight state CONCERT and all profits will be donated to the Bradley Patterson foundation." The rest of Christmas was a little mellow compared to the concert. Nicole, Josh Connors, Kings David and Myles and families and President Anderson and Corney stayed overnight. The President and his family had to travel back to Washington DC to be there for Christmas, but everyone else was with us. Looking back it was the best Christmas that we had as a family. We even had snow on Christmas day. Prince Richard and Annabelle asked if anyone wanted to join them on Christmas Eve as they wanted to serve the meals at the food kitchen. King Myles went one step further and purchased the food needed for the season so that no one had to go without. When I look at this it looks like all there has ever been is bust up or crisis after crisis, but it was not like that at all. There were happy times. There were holidays when I was able to be just a boy. Shame is that there were more times when I had to be grown up before my time. Now with Charlie sixteen, the boys twelve, Annabelle ten and colt six I felt at twenty eight that I had missed life and it had flown right past me. I had found happiness however, but at twenty eight and Mick thirty one we were just starting out on a life together. The kids accepted Mick into their lives and we were normal. I was twenty eight and I should have been happy as I had a wonderful man and wonderful children and our lives seemed to have settled down compared to the life that we had previously, but I still felt as if something was missing. It was love I was yearning for, to be truly loved. I still felt that I needed to do something. That maybe we were in the wrong place or my life was just wrong. I kept quiet and just got on with things. The kids had proven that they didn't need me and I felt lost. I felt alone. Even Mick settled into his job for the kids and was more and more involved and less and less in my room with me. With the kids concentrating on their schooling they approached me to see if I approved of their idea about Aquamaine at Home. I felt good about it, so it was that Mick accepted the role of C.E.O for the kids company. He proved to be a life safer and fitted into the role perfectly. I still walked with a stick as a result of the shooting at the Battle of Stoneacre. No matter how I try there was just a weakness in the muscle and I faltered if I walked on it or stood too long. One night I was disturbed by knocking on my door. I answered and I saw Colt there in tears. I held him to me and went to go back into my rooms when he pulled me over to Mick's room. He never said anything, but I could hear noises coming from the room and it was obvious what it was. It was then he left me and went to lay on my bed sobbing. I waited outside the room. I had done it again. I had fallen for someone who didn't love me, someone who had tricked me. I opened the door slowly and saw Mickael there with Pete my new guard. I stepped back and knocked on Nonna's door and asked the General to join me. "General I need your backup, it involves one of your men." We returned to the door and when he saw Pete he growled and shouted, "Attention!" Pete literally fell of the bed. "You will pack your things soldier you are dismissed and you will leave without reference." I looked at Mick, "Pack your things I want you out of anything that is owned by Aquamaine." "You're dismissed without reference from your position of C.E.O of our company." I turned and there was Charlie, who simply reached out and held my hand. Colt was holding my other. He looked at me, "I did love you Lance. For years I have, but I have never met anyone like Pete." "Pack your stuff and leave we hold you no malice, but you're not welcome." Charlie moved me away from the door and with the General called Chrysland to arrange for an extended tour. Was I just a klutz? Would I ever find love? I was twenty eight and I elt like sixty. I hated life. I just did not want to be seen. Charlie arranged to move the family to Aquamaine house and I buried myself in being the Prince and Duke that I was supposed to be. Maybe that was it. I never really did know who I was. Was I a noble man from Chrysland with a history that went back to medieval days or was I a billionaire business man that had built the empire that he owns from scratch when he was just the age of ten? Just who was I? Who was I? I know at the moment I felt like that lost ten year old, whose grandfather had just come over to collect him and save his life. That lost ten year old who not only suffered the loss of his father and brother, but also the loss of his grandfather all in one year. That ten year old who became a billionaire in his own right with the purchase of the Aquamaine hotels. I was so miserable that I just retired to my suite when we returned home and I just sank into a deeper and deeper depression. The kids were going to school and Nonna and the General with Colt Snr were making sure their lives were as normal as possible, but no one could reach me. I was sinking and sinking fast and I hated it. I was so tired of being there for everyone and never anyone for me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- That's all for now folks ... Chapter 16 is the last one for the foreseeable future, but we will meet them all again. The character list has been reduced by those that do not appear again... If you enjoy reading the stories on nifty consider donating to the site to help with costs - http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html I would like to thank all of those that have written to me to say how much they are enjoying the story. Many of you have already read my other story Moonside Manor (that one is in Beginnings as well). Continue to let me know what you think it really helps to inspire ... Write me with your feedback and comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com ... For those of you that do contact me I will always try to reply. If there are any editors out there let me know. I have reviewed it, but a second pair of eyes never hurts. A little about myself ... I'm Kev, from the UK and born in Yorkshire... Ancestors were miners. Me I'm and accountant looking for a job. So now I write. I have always loved writing and hope you enjoy...Let me know!!