Just Another Midnight at the Chapel
By Sabrina G. Langton

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Author's Note: Mmm, New Year's Eve in New York City. If you never experienced it, um, consider yourself lucky, ha.

Two people meet, and change each other's lives, whether they really had something to do with it or not... I hope YOU like it...

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"Which way is Times Square?"

I smiled, I would point.

What if you could get past that urge?

   Aunt Frances is Dad’s aunt and according to him, she runs a tight ship at her house. She has some rules that need to be obeyed and won’t hesitate to enforce them. What’s more no matter how long it’s been, whatever conditions she decides to enforce them with will be in effect going forward forever.

   What kind of rules??? And just how does she enforce them? And how long is forever? Surely not forever, forever.

”My New Year Resolution is to the win the school beauty pageant this year!”

That came at the end of several days of not so subtle pressure on me. Not to participate in the pageant but to “man up” and be more assertive and competitive. My family is very competitive. No matter what, they always competed. Sports, academics, work … you name it. My big brother was the school quarterback, my big sister was the girls’ athletics team leader. Since they were twins and seniors they also competed to be the valedictorian. That fight was vicious.

Mark - recently widowed, must face his new life, can he find his joy?

Hey girls! It's been a while since I've posted anything here lol. After writing my last story I felt burnt out and life caught up with me quickly. I've been meaning to write more but have been putting it off.

As I sat in front of the bathroom mirror, I couldn't help but study the reflection staring back at me. My long, dark blonde hair flowed down my back like a cascade of silk, reaching well past my shoulders. The makeup palette before me held the power to enhance my deep blue eyes, making them pop with an almost mesmerizing intensity. My fingers delicately painted a subtle smoky eye, accentuating the already feminine features of my face.

After we both cleaned up, we went to bed. Phil held me gently all through the night. My mind was in turmoil. Was he serious about wanting me to be a wife? If he was, could I do it? This was a life-changing decision. As I lay awake I could hear him breathing closely behind me.

I was acutely aware of the silky white baby doll I was wearing. The knickers had three rows of thick lace on the back. I couldn't resist brushing my hand over them as I turned onto my left side.

I kept thinking about what he said. "You're mine now Sarah. I am never letting you go."

Man of the House
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

My parents were very keen to meet Manuel, my sister’s new boyfriend, and it seemed like she was toying with them … my father in particular.

“Are you worried that I might embarrass you? Or that we will clash, Chrissy?” Dad asked her.

A Sister 'til Christmas 6
By Sabrina G. Langton

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Author's Note: We have made it through the snow to the final chapter. Of course, it is the most festive... filled with parties and songs, filled with Christmas cocktails and friends, filled with backstories, histories and a little magic... ha...

I hope YOU like it...

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I don’t have a lot of time before the contents of this bottle causes me to fall onto the floor. I may have to ask you to call me an Uber. Anyway, here I am, a few days before Christmas and I’m sitting in the middle of a bar with a complete stranger sitting in front of me.

I’m Rhiannon, by the way, so we’re kind of not strangers anymore, yeah?

Hideout
A Short Western Story
By Maryanne Peters

“I’m trying to be serious. I have the perfect resolution for you.”

A Sissy Christmas
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

I suppose a lot of families have a weird uncle who is not really an uncle but who turns up for Christmas – right? I mean he might have been married to my aunt’s cousin at one time – so family but only slightly. It was just that Uncle Bart lived alone and has nobody, but he is rich and he gives good presents so he was always invited. Nobody really understood much about him or even tried to, but he has always seemed to join in, and then he just disappears for a year.

A Sister 'til Christmas 3
By Sabrina G. Langton

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Author's Note: Okay, here we are easing into the holidays, another big date and a little backstory... Just a little time shifting, nothing too major.... I hope YOU like it...

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I was looking at my phone, I had three texts from Sara, I didn't want to be rude and answer them.

The Plaintiff
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Peter Halsey answered the phone and Brian Teach wasted no time. “Pete, it’s BT. I have a quick professional question to ask of you. You can bill me for it, but I suggest that you hold back as there may be more work in this for you if things proceed. Can you spare me five minutes?”

Pete smiled. He knew Brian, or BT as he was known, well. They played squash sometimes. Nothing ever took five minutes with BT. But still he said – “Talk to me and I will tell you when time is up.”

The Owl Estate, Boston, Massachusetts:
Nick looks at the email Nancy sent to him. She informs him about a DOJ agent named Ada Franklin and how she came across an old den map. She had included everything she had gathered about Mrs. Franklin and how recruiting her might be a good idea.

Saturday morning, before my shower, I put on Eve’s underwear and I was changed into Eve. It took at a maximum four days between changes. I suppose I had to experiment to find out the minimum time between changes. Robert was awake as I came out of the bathroom.

“Eve?” He said. “I thought you would wait to change closer to when Marc was coming by to pick you up?”

“I figured I should get reuse to this body before I saw him. Everything is so big again.”

“You are so lucky.”

“I am?” I wasn’t sure what he was referring to.

“I think he sought his bride-to-be; and awaited her return after her day was over. I believe.”