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Post by sniper69 on Aug 5, 2020 14:09:41 GMT -6
Thank you for the Awesome chapter!
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Post by NCWEBNUT on Aug 5, 2020 15:05:37 GMT -6
Well now that put a smile on my face, wasn't expecting this.
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Post by texican on Aug 5, 2020 17:37:07 GMT -6
A,
The NG took care of the enemy convoy. Maybe weapons left to be scavenged.
Thanks for the story.
Texican....
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Post by arkansascob on Aug 7, 2020 9:09:47 GMT -6
Man that was great A. What a very pleasant surprise.
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Post by mattman on Aug 13, 2020 9:28:58 GMT -6
thanks man good stuff so far
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Post by accountant on Aug 14, 2020 10:41:25 GMT -6
Thanks mattman and welcome to the board.
You'll find plenty of interesting stories to keep you reading for weeks on end.
There are a lot of terrific writers here so don't feel shy about letting them know if you like their stories. We all appreciate the comments and likes. It gives our muses a bit of an ego boost too.
A.
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Post by accountant on Aug 14, 2020 10:44:24 GMT -6
Chapter 61
Boomer’s news
“Boomer?”, asked Darren.
“Hey Flower. Good to see you.”, replied Boomer with a smile while releasing Laura from his arms.
“How? What..”, came Darren’s next words.
“Hang on a sec.”, said Boomer before yelling out behind him, “Beechum, get those men out of the back. I want the perimeter secured. Donnelly, get the stove out and the grub on. I need some coffee. Now!”
“Yes sir, captain.”, said two of the soldiers.
“Captain?”, asked Laura.
“Battlefield promotion for saving a colonel’s ass. I’ll tell you later. First things first, where is everyone?”, asked Boomer.
Darren explained the events surrounding the families leaving through the caves and was finishing up when the Canadians came out of the trees.
“It’s good to see you Boomer.”, said Claude, shaking his hand.
“Nice to see you boys too.”, said Boomer, “I want to tell you how sorry I am to hear about Bill and Benji. They were good people. Now, I’m hope you three can do me a big favor.”
“Sure, whatever you need.”, replied Don.
“That’s what I expected.”, said Boomer.
“Hutchinson! To me.”, he yelled.
A young soldier came running up to the group and sharply saluted Boomer which Boomer returned. “Hutchinson, I want you to take these men and the truck and head towards Asheville. You’re to pick up a group of civilians headed that way and bring them back. These men know roughly where to search for them. They’ll be tired and wet so get a move on.”, ordered Boomer.
The soldier and the Canadians climbed into the deuce and a half and left to pick up the families. Laura began giggling which brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
“Come on, let’s get out of this rain.”, said Boomer with a chuckle as he led Laura and Darren to the closest house, which happened to be Magnum’s.
Climbing up the steps, Boomer sat down on one of the chairs on the porch and Laura and Darren did the same next to each other.
“I’d say let’s go inside, but you two are just too damn dirty, even for Magnum’s place.”, said Boomer.
“Yeah.”, said Darren, chuckling, “Now are you going to explain what’s going on?”
“Yep, just as soon as I get my coffee.”, said Boomer, pointing to a soldier with a large thermos and three paper cups.
“Here you go, captain.”, said the soldier, handing the items to Boomer.
“Thank you, Donnelly. I appreciate it. Now, in terms of food, go ahead into this house. The propane stove in the kitchen should be working. If you head down to the basement, you’ll see a set of coat hangers on the wall. Twist the middle one sideways. That’ll open a compartment. Inside you should find a pantry with more than enough to make a few meals out of. Just make sure you knock the mud off your boots before you go in.”, said Boomer.
“Sir, yes sir!”, replied the soldier with a salute before he headed into the house.
“Good kid.”, said Boomer between sips of his coffee, “Had his own breakfast burrito food truck before everything went to crap.”
“Dammit Boomer! Just tell us!”, yelled Laura.
Boomer’s eyes smiled from above his coffee cup and he chuckled. “It’s over.”, he said, putting down his cup, “It’s all over. We survived. Since the Venezuelan armed forces were mostly all here, yesterday, the Columbians just waltzed in and took over. In fact, the Venezuelan people were so happy to see them, they were dancing in the streets. Once they had control, they forced the minister of defense to order a cessation of hostilities against us. Once Chinese and Russians found out, they were so pissed and blamed each other for what happened. Next thing you know there were nuclear warheads flying from both sides. Not sure who started it, but both Beijing and Moscow were wiped out, not to mention a few other large cities. The enemy troops here and in the oceans just surrendered. It’s over. We’re safe.”
“So the convoy that was headed this way..”, asked Darren.
“They had a white flag out when we came up behind them.”, said Boomer.
“Seems almost anti-climatic after all we’ve been through.”, said Darren, holding Laura’s hand.
“Don’t look a gift miracle in the mouth, handsome. Not having to kill anyone…I’ll take it.”, said Laura, smiling.
“Hey Chet, any coffee left?”, asked one of the soldiers as he walked onto the porch, holding a cup.
“There might be some left at the bottom. Help yourself, Ryan.”, said Boomer, handing the thermos to the soldier.
“Spider, Flower. This is Sargent Ryan Douglas.”, introduced Boomer, blushing a bit.
“Hi Ryan, everyone calls me Spider or Cassie.”, said Laura, shaking Ryan’s hand.
“Then I guess I’m Flower or Chad, Ryan. Nice to meet you.”, said Darren, also shaking Ryan’s hand.
Ryan pulled up a chair and sat next to Boomer.
“Ryan and I met when I first got in with the 230th in Chattanooga. We’ve just sorta kinda been together eve since.”, said Boomer, turning beet red.
Laura looked Ryan up and down, smiled and said, “Welcome to Safehaven, Ryan. Anyone who can put a smile on that big jerk’s face is more than welcome. Just no moonlight skinny-dips in the pond.”
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 14, 2020 20:09:31 GMT -6
Okay, accountant, this is so good that I can't wait for the other seventy-five percent. ;^)
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Post by texican on Aug 14, 2020 20:16:36 GMT -6
A,
War is over. A final chapters or chapters to wrap up?
Thanks.
Texican....
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Post by accountant on Aug 28, 2020 9:06:17 GMT -6
Chapter 62
Church
It had been more than a month since Boomer had returned. In that time there had been quite a bit of activity at Safehaven thanks mainly to help from the National Guard unit and ex-Mexican soldiers who were looking for work now that Mexico had become part of the country. The tunnels under the main building had been shored up and the rubble removed, the firefight damage at all the homes had been repaired, the crops harvested, and the livestock brought back to the farm.
Some of the other projects which Laura had planned on getting started on were completed including getting solar panels installed on all the homes, a windmill set up to provide further electricity, and a small lumber mill prepared to deal with the dead trees from the fire.
The Fosters were able to move out of the cave system and back into their home in town when the Guard set up a small garrison at Townsend. Chandler and his family also moved into one of the empty houses in town where he became the interim federal Marshall.
It was early one morning when Darren woke up to the sounds of giggling.
“Hey, what’s all the noise?”, he moaned with his eyes still closed.
“Get up Dad.”, said Chelsea, “It’s Sunday. We have to go to church, remember?”
“Mmm…Yeah, I remember.”, groaned Darren, “Where’s your mom?”
“She’s in the kitchen making breakfast.”, replied Simon, “Remember?...Sunday?..Church??”
“Yeah, Sunday.”, said Darren, when his eyes suddenly opened, “It’s Sunday! Oh, it’s Sunday! Are you guys ready? What time is it?”
Chelsea giggled and said, “Yes, we’re ready, but you’re not, now go take a shower. Hurry!”
Darren jumped out of bed and ran to the ensuite to get ready.
When he finally came downstairs, the kids were already at the table munching on scrambled eggs and biscuits.
“Morning handsome. You’re looking bright eyed and bushy-tailed this morning.”, said Laura with a smile as she set a plate for her husband.
“Why not? It’s Sunday!”, said Darren, with a wink to the children.
Laura chuckled and said, “Just because it’s a rest day doesn’t mean that you can just goof off all day. I’m thinking we should make some plans today. It’s gong to be fall soon so we need to think about the corn that’s going to need harvesting. I want to make sure all the buildings are properly winterized. The last think we need is a bunch of mice deciding to spend the winter with us. We also need to see if we can find some warmer clothes and boots for the kids. It’s going to start getting nippy soon. I was also thinking we should figure out a way to get some education into these kids. I know Ellie used to be a teacher. Maybe we can find some textbooks in town and get Ellie to help with some lesson plans. And then there’s..”
“Yes, there’s a lot to think about, but first we have to go to church.”, said Darren, cutting Laura off.
Simon and Chelsea put their hands over their mouths to keep from laughing out loud.
Laura looked at her family at the table and couldn’t figure out what was so funny but decided to leave it be.
“I’ve never seen you three so excited to go to church, but I’ll take it.”, she said with a smile.
The meal was quickly finished and the kitchen cleaned before the family went back to their rooms to get ready.
As Laura was picking out a dress to wear, Darren said, “Why don’t you wear the cream one with the flowers today? You always look so pretty in that one.”
Laura looked at Darren and said, “You think I look pretty in all of them.”
“Or nothing at all.”, whispered Darren, hugging her from behind and giving her a kiss on the back of her neck.”
“You’re going to make us late for church”, moaned Laura.
“Not today.”, replied Darren as he went back to getting ready.
Soon the family was ready and walked out of the house. Laura was headed towards the main building when Simon ran to open the garage door.
“This way, hun. We’re taking the Chevelle.”, said Darren, “I forgot to tell you that Jeb is holding a service at the Tuckaleechee United Methodist church and we were all invited.”
“I wish you had told me earlier, handsome. We could have taken something with us.”, said Laura.
“I know. I’m sorry. Brain fart.”, said Darren.
He started the engine and the family was soon on their way down Dry Valley Road towards the church. When they arrived, Laura noticed that there were more than a few vehicles already in the parking lot, including several from Safehaven.
“I think we might be late.”, said Laura, “Let’s sneak in quietly.”
Simon and Chelsea were giggling as they headed to the front door and Darren had a smile on his face when he opened the door wide for his family.
Laura was dumbstruck looking into the church. There standing in the pews were all her family and friends and Jeb was standing at the alter, waiting.
“I’ll take it from here.”, said Magnum, taking Laura’s arm, “You know were you need to be, Flower, so go on, git.”
Darren and Simon walked down the aisle and stood beside Jeb.
Clarice put a bouquet of wildflowers in Laura’s hands and gave her a teary-eyed hug, before walking down the aisle and standing in the first pew next to Rattler.
With a nod from Magnum, Missy began to play “Here Comes the Bride” on the church piano.
Magnum nodded to Chelsea and she began walking down the aisle with a small bouquet that Clarice had given here.
“Everybody wanted to walk you down the aisle, but I called dibbs.”, whispered Magnum, “You ready?”
Laura was a little shaky but nodded.
Slowly they made their way down the aisle and Laura saw the smiling faces of all her friends and family in the rows. She had to hold back a happy sob as her tears began to well.
When they reached the end of the aisle, Missy stopped playing the piano and Jeb asked, “Who gives this woman to this man in marriage?”
The entire congregation as one said, “We do.”
Darren shook Magnum’s hand and led Laura to stand before Jeb, where Chelsea took Laura’s bouquet.
“Friends,” started Jeb, “I can think of no more fitting place to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony than in this here United church. A united church, such a perfect place for today’s celebration. I know that many of y’all are from different denominations, but we are all united in our love for Almighty God and for our love for this man and this woman. United means joined together and that is an excellent word to describe what has happened to these two before me. Through strange circumstances, God has joined them together to fulfill His will and to face the trials and tribulations we have all faced, together. Joined together along with the rest of their friends, they helped protect their homes and one of their own from a band of renegades. Joined together, they helped to save some of our younger congregation here today. Joined together, they protected their families from the onslaught of enemy soldiers more than once and joined together, they stand here today that y’all may bear witness to their love and commitment to each other.
Let us begin.
Dear friends, we are gathered here today to witness the beginning of what is to be, but rather what already is. We do not create this marriage, because marriage is created in the hearts of two loving people and by our Holy Father. We come together today to celebrate union of this man, Darren Sommers aka Chad Smith aka Flower, and this woman, Cindy James aka Laura Springfield aka Cassie Smith aka Spider in holy matrimony. Let this union be a shining example for others. Let it show that by committing to each other with God’s help, you bring out the best in each other through the golden principles of respect, kindness, understanding, and love.
Chad, do you take Cassie to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish till death do you part, according to God’s holy ordinance?”
Never letting his eyes fall fromLaura’s, Darren said, “I do.”
“And do you, Cassie, take Chad to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish till death do you part, according to God’s holy ordinance?”, asked Jeb.
Laura just nodded.
“You kinda have to say the words, Miss Cassie.”, whispered Jeb.
“Ye..yes, I do.”, said Laura, blushing.
Jeb smiled and said, “This is the part where y’all exchange rings but I see that you folks are already wearin’ ring, so we’ll just move on past that. By the power invested in my by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and witnessed by this congregation, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Darren took Laura’s face into his hands and tenderly kissed her before hugging her deeply.
With the backdrop clapping, whistles, and hollering, Laura whispered in Darren’s ear, “I love you so much, Mr. Smith.”
With the ceremony over, there were hugs and handshakes all around before the group moved to another room where a light brunch had been set up. Laura and Darren were sitting at a table when Don, Claude, and Phil walked up to them.
“Chad, Cassie, we’re all so happy for you. Congratulations.”, said Don.
“Thanks guys. I honestly had no idea that all of you had set this up.”, said Laura, smiling.
“We’re just glad that it all worked out.”, said Claude, “But, there’s something we wanted to talk to you about.”
“Sure, what’s up?’, asked Darren.
“Well, it’s like this, we’ve been talking. Now that things seem to be stabilized here, we’re kinda thinking that it’s time for us to leave. Don’t get me wrong, we really appreciate everything you folks have done for us, but we just think it’s time for us to head home. We need to know what happened to our families. If they’re still alive, they’re probably worried about us. And, we need to let Bill and Benji’s families know what happened to them. I..We hope you understand.”, explained Don.
Laura stood and softly said, “Of course we understand. We can’t thank you enough for all you have done for us and the sacrifices you have made to help keep us alive. Family is family and as far as we’re concerned, you three will always be family to us, no matter what. When are you planning on leaving?”
“We were thinking first thing tomorrow. We’d like to be home before the snow flies. We were hoping to take some horses with us. We’re not sure if we’ll be able to find fuel for a vehicle along the way and riding will sure beat walking.”, said Phil.
“I’ll do you one better. Why don’t you take a wagon and four horses? You can stock it with provision. That way you won’t have to forage too much for food along the way and it’ll be better than sleeping on the ground.”, replied Laura.
“That would be greatly appreciated.”, said Don, “We’ll leave you to it then and go tell some of the others about our plan.”
The Canadians walked away, leaving the newlyweds to themselves.
Darren looked at his bride, smiled, and said, “Well Mrs. Smith, this new life seems to be turning out okay after all.”
The End
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Post by gipsy on Aug 28, 2020 11:34:06 GMT -6
A fitting ending
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 28, 2020 21:10:59 GMT -6
You couldn't have ended it any better. Thanks for the time you've put into this over the years.
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Post by texican on Aug 29, 2020 0:05:48 GMT -6
A,
A year and 7 months of a great story.
A great way to end the story.
Thank you for bringing your tale.
Regards,
Texican....
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Post by cavsgt on Aug 29, 2020 13:54:12 GMT -6
Thank You for a fine story and going ahead and finishing it. We do not always take the time to tell just how much we appreciate all of the hard work. So once again Thank You
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Post by arkansascob on Sept 1, 2020 9:22:47 GMT -6
Thank You A for this story. Enjoyed it from beginning to end. The highs and the lows and everything from tender emotions and evil revenge in between. Thank you for your time and effort you put into this for our reading pleasure.
If I'm not mistaking this is your second story and just as good as your first. Sure hope your muse is feeding you more ideas.
Thanks again COB
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Post by philipkarlevans on Nov 21, 2020 9:08:47 GMT -6
great story, thanks.
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dannab1
New Member
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Posts: 21
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A New Life
Nov 22, 2020 10:43:43 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by dannab1 on Nov 22, 2020 10:43:43 GMT -6
So glad you finished it! And what a perfect ending, thanks for a great read!
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