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 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 with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com _______________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER LIST --------------
Jared Exley -- Uncle Leon Exley -- Guardian of 13 year old Jared Davy - Was Jared's partner, Diane's best friend Dirk Tobias Matthews - Jared's partner
Peter Barrington -- Steven's cousin and partner in the law firm
CJ -- Jared's grandson / adopted son Christopher Matthews -- Jared's adopted son Mason -- Jared's grandson -- Myles and Ed's adopted son Myles -- Peter's 19 year old son, Ed -- Myles' lover
Mikey -- CJ's twin
Mary Gibson -- Matriarch of the family Steven Gibson -- Mary's husband Paul Gibson -- Mary's son and chief of police Jake Gibson-- Mary's youngest son and police officer Dr. Darren Cartwright -- Jake's partner and Jared's doctor.
Judge James Haroldson -- Mary's brother Jennie -- Mary's sister Diane Gibson -- Mary's sister -Exley HR Director - Steven's ex-wife. Kathy -- Diane's partner Stacy --Diane and Steven's daughter. Tracy -- Peter's secretary
Sheila Miranda Easby -- Jared's Aunt William Webster -- Jared's Grandfather John McNicolls -- Sheila's adopted son
Mavis Pratt -- Stephen's wife Bryan Patterson -- Exley and Webster Chief Operating Officer Natalie Walters -- Exley and Webster Finance and Controls Director'
Cody James - Overseer and ranch operation manager Ella-Mae James -- Cody's wife -- Davy's friend.
Aunty Barb - President of the United States Uncle Colin Williams -- Barb' own Uncle Leon Tyler Charles (Chuck) -- Barbs adopted son Devon Ray (Ray) - Barbs adopted son Peter Jenkins - Barbs adopted son Nathan Jenkins - Barbs adopted son
Carl Davidson -- Jared's security Sean Pearson -- Jared's security Mike Pearson -- Jared's security Agent Steele -- Barbs security
There are various other ancillary characters, such as the Pratt family that do not play a major part in the story and so are not listed above.
An effort has been made to only hint at the area that it is set in so it allows you to use your imagination... Chicago is mentioned, but then again so is Gary Indiana so we know the area it is based in. Other than that we simply know that it is based in a city and most cities have the basic things in common. _______________________________________________________________________
MOONSIDE MANOR
Chapter 10 -- November Arrives.
Mary worked well with the office of the President and soon everything was organised for the press conference. This was going to take place in the Starlight International Hotel, in one of their conference rooms. The room would be laid out with a dais on which would sit the main table with Madam President and her invited guests.
The room would be laid out so that all of the major networks would have chance to be there and all of the reporters that wanted to attend would have chance as well. I insisted that even though there would be only a few invited guests with the President that the family have a section cordoned off so that they could attend and then we would go on to a private function room within the hotel for lunch with Barb and her family. I also made sure that Cody and Ella-Mae were able to be there.
Barb and her kids all fell in love with Moonside Manor and promised that they would have a longer visit when possible. We had so many rooms available that we arranged with her and Colin to convert the apartment over the garage complex into a Presidential home from home. She now had somewhere to escape when she needed to.
I do not know how he does it, but Judge Haroldson arrived late that evening. "I heard that we have two boys who need a family that love them, and a mom who needs some more kids to torture her. Is that true?" Both Barb and all of the kids nodded wondering what was going to happen.
"Well I have been in touch with my friends in Washington and have the pleasure in presenting the final adoption paperwork for Tyler Charles and Devon Ray. All I need to know is that you want Barbara Jenkins, President of the United States to be your mother. All those in favour say Aye..." All four of Barb's kids shouted.
"Good so that is unanimous. I also need to know if Barbara Jenkins wants to be your mom." With tears in her eye Barbara said yes... "Then Tyler Charles Jenkins and Devon Ray Jenkins have a wonderful life with your new mother and family."
"Jared I don't know how you got the Judge to act so quickly, but thank you," Barb said.
"I simply called him and told him the two boys found during the sting operation or whatever they are calling it needed a mother. I also told him that I had a friend that need two new sons. When he heard who you were he simply called in some favours."
Once all of the conversion work on the apartment was complete and we showed the new family their home from home Barb loved it. The apartment was only three bedrooms, but gave them everything that they would want when they were visiting.
The next day the presidential cavalcade of vehicles arrived and we were able to travel to The Starlight International Hotel in the official vehicles. All eyes of America were on us as we exited the vehicles and were able to pose for photographs as a group. Barb even arranged for the photographer to send the pictures to Chris so that he could do a painting based on the pictures for her.
Barb was a pure showman and as soon as she stepped out of the limo she was all grace and beauty. We both laughed at how they assumed I was her escort, even though Dirk was right next to me. She corrected them stating that today she was being escorted by two wonderful men and then took Dirk in her arms and kissed him followed by myself. Cheers went up and she said "Now ladies and Gentlemen I think the real partners ought to kiss as well." Dirk smiled and kissed me so gently it was beautiful.
We walked forward as a family with all of the members with us and the children clearly protected in the centre of our group. As we neared the doors of the hotel CJ tugged at Barb arm. She bent down and he whispered something to her.
"Ladies and gentlemen silence please." She looked and sure enough there in the background was a child crying and it was clearly coming from the alleyway nearby.
She looked at the FBI and I looked at Jake and it was only when we heard a scream that they took off at a run. Barb looked at Dirk and me and we all said "Blow it this is a kid in need!" All three of us took off running led by Barb and we were hotly followed by the cameras.
What we saw broke the strongest heart. The Lying in a pool of his own blood was a fourteen year old boy. Clearly he was badly beaten and god only knows how he got here as his leg looked broken, if not crushed. Dirk was on the phone before we even stopped and an ambulance was on its way. Darren ever the doctor in his best suit and assisted by Ella-Mae were down on their knees helping the child.
Both Barb and I followed a noise though. It was only just audible. It led us towards the end of the alley and as we left the others the media followed. It was so faint that we thought we had imagined it until we heard it again. Looking at each other Barb screamed "Oh my God noooo...!" We took off running together determined to get there.
The media followed us and the Pulitzer Prize for photography that year was a photograph of the president taking a baby out of my arms as I reached up to her after climbing into a dumpster where it had been abandoned. Jake had followed and was soon examining the child to make sure that she was Ok.
Barbara Jenkins, Junior as the press named the baby was doing just fine. It was with heavy hearts that we entered the hotel though as the youth had not been so lucky and did not make it. He had clearly been beaten to within an inch of his life and he must have escaped with the baby. Not happy though they had followed him and finished the job, but he never revealed where the baby was and he had saved her life. If it had not been for CJ he would have been dead when we got there, which meant that the baby would have dies also.
Gareth as the boy was called had managed to tell Ella that he had taken the baby away from his step father as he had returned home and found him with some friends drunk. He had been afraid they would abuse the child. With his last breath he pleaded with them that she would be looked after and protected.
Plans do not always go as you want them to and as we walked into the conference room we were due to go live in the address to the nation literally straight away.
We were rather the worse for wear with most of us covered in blood, including Barb. We looked at each other and Barb said no better way to get the message over. So we walked up to the front with Barb clinging on to a clearly upset Dirk. We walked on to the dais as a group and chairs were provided for the whole family. Barb stepped up to the podium and started to speak.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow Americans and that include the ladies and gentlemen of the press... Sorry that was a poor joke." She was wrong the press lapped it up. "I would like you to meet Barb Jr." Dirk stepped up and handed the baby to her. "For those of you that know me I'm known as Barb to my friends. To most everyone else you will know me as Madam President and I just happen to be the first female president of the USA." There was applause in the room.
"We came here for a conference on the sting operation that resulted in the arrest of many prominent people throughout this land. Well to begin with, and I hope the press will bear with us, I would like to share with you what happened when we arrived in our very comfortable limo." She stepped forward.
"You know I hate standing behind these things and I want the world to get to know this little lady." She left the podium behind and stepped to the front of the dais. "Can CJ step forward and help his Aunty Barb please." My beautiful boy stepped forward and he too was covered in the blood of the youth that we had just lost.
"As we were walking into the hotel this very brave young man tugged my sleeve and said he thought he had heard something so I asked for silence and sure enough there was a scream followed by an eerie silence. Without thinking we all rushed to a nearby alley and what we found broke the hearts of even the strongest FBI agent.
"There lying in a pool of blood, beaten and only just alive was a young man who said his name was Garth. As Dr Darren Gibson was tending the youth trying in a vain effort to save his life CJ's father and I heard a very faint muffled cry further down the alley. Without thinking we took off and when Jared Exley-Gibson realised where it was coming from he was first to climb in and rescue the baby and you the press christened her Barb Jr... Now for the hardest part..." Barb broke down and sobbed.
I simply stepped forward and allowed her to cry on my shoulder and I spoke for her, "As we returned to the youth, Gareth was his name and he was the older brother of Barb Jr. He'd returned home early to find his step father and his SICK friends drunk and about to abuse little Barb. With his last breath he pleaded that she needed to be looked after and protected. I promise with every breath that I have in me that she will be protected."
Barb looked up, "Oh no, you don't! We can fight over her for years to come, but I intend my daughter to be called Barbara Jenkins Jr and I fully intend to adopt her knowing full well that she will always have a loving family to turn to. Especially her Uncles Jared and CJ who saved her life" with that she handed baby Barb to CJ, "CJ go get Daddy Dirk to look after her for me..." Turning to the press she started, "Right you might wonder why we mention all of that during this conference. Well it's all about how children are our future and how we will lose the greatest minds and hearts if we don't act and act now.
"Gareth and Barb are just one example of abuse that adults think that they are entitled to dish out to the youth day after day after day. Well I'm saying it stops and it stops now! CJ and Chris care to tell the folks about what happened the other day? Then daddy or Uncle Paul the Chief of police can take over with what was found. To complete I will let you have a few statistics that have happened because of one act of kindness. CJ..."
CJ covered in blood stepped forward tears rolling down his face, "Are you all proud of what you allow to happen every day? Come on take a good look people this is the second time in one week that I have been covered in an innocent child's blood and I'm only nine going on ninety." He turned round and held up his hands so all could see.
"Well congratulations you have succeeded because you know what today we lost him and you won. Is that what you the people of America want? Every time a parent rejects a child and throws them out on to the street you have their blood on your hands and you are killers. Murders every one...! I've been there. Hell my dad sold me by the hour and my twin was killed because of it. Murderers...!"
God he was good with his pauses, I could not believe he was just nine. "The first day of school I hated as all kids do. It was worse though I was a Brit living with my Granddad who's adopted me and saved my life. It was so different and yet I soon made friends. I did notice that there was one boy sitting by himself who seemed sad. So I tried to be a friend to him. To cut a long story short it was clear that he was scared. He was scared of the Headmaster and his deputy." He turned, "Chris stand up... He's another my dad saved. He is now my brother and together we called dad and let him know something was seriously wrong. Dad please can you continue as you know more from here on in." I stepped forward, "Ladies and Gentlemen it turned out that not only were the headmaster and his deputy involved in child abduction, child slavery, and paedophilia. They belonged to an organisation and many, many more very high profile people were involved. CJ managed to find out from this child where the place was that they take these kids. I refuse to state where it was because it will be knocked down very soon because of it. The place was a house of a Judge and a Governor that were connected by a tunnel. With the help of a friend we managed to get a warrant and with the FBI and my own security contingent accessed these buildings. What we found was the thing of nightmares."
Barb took over. "People of America they did discover two ledgers that showed accurate records had been kept of every child and what happened to him. The FBI froze all accounts of the organization and swooped into all addresses. So far we have two hundred and three arrests and if they get what we think they will be given that totals over two thousand years in prison." There was an audible gasp in the hall... "Can we call them men? Still to stand are fifty seven. Ok, more importantly ... Children saved so far total over one hundred and fifty seven throughout America, with fifty being here this city alone. We have managed to give closure to thirty four families whose children were listed as those who had passed away and the accounts of the organization are being used to compensate all of the children and families affected." She paused and looked around.
Continuing she said, "Now I would like you to meet my two new sons and their friends who are also Devon and Tyler." They stood up and walked forward. "Devon the little one is the hero of the hour as he was not afraid to talk to someone that he felt he could trust. It is because of him that all of those children's lives have been saved. Tyler here was the one that was sold into slavery. Would you believe the Vice President was the person trying to infiltrate the organization? They realised who he was and shot him. Tyler kept him alive."
Suddenly Dirk screamed and raced forward pushing Barb and the kids over and covering them so that no harm would get to them. We all heard a bullet echo throughout the hall. "You don't know what you've done! Hundreds will die because of you." Another shot, but this time from the FBI who got their shot before he shot again at Dirk and Barb as they covered the kids.
He was still alive when we reached him ... "What do you mean `Hundreds will die'?"
"Because we can't get the children to them they will kill ..."
"Who?" We never got an answer before he died. He was clearly a fanatic of some description. Order was soon established again. Clearly a little flustered by the latest events Barb stood in front of everyone...
She looked and we linked hands, "You all heard that. Let me tell you that the United States of America will use everything in its power to protect its future and we believe that is its youth." She looked at me, still clearly shaken.
My lovely Dirk could tell we were both struggling so gathered the family around us for support as we continued. I spoke out, "You may have heard of the Uncle Leon Foundation, Uncle Leon was the man that saved my life when I became a `Throw away' kid.
Barb looked up and smiled, "Ladies and gentle men the Vice President of the United States of America, Mr Colin Williams ..." He was wheeled onto the stage by Darren, "My Uncle Leon, the man that saved my life when my family threw me out onto the streets of America and I too became a Throw away Kid and nearly just another statistic. Can all of the throw away kids on this stage or in the audience please stand and raise your arms if you are standing."
CJ raised his arms followed by Chris, Marty, Mason, Dirk, ED, Jon, Devon and Tyler with Barb's other sons Nathan and Peter. We all looked around and then we heard fro the back where the other family was sat "I one CJ ... I one!" The reporters broke into laughter as they saw little Bobby running forward and Sheila stepped up with him and said that little Mason was and at the same time Barb also held Barb Jr's arm up as well. Cameras were flashing all over the hall as we noticed about a quarter of the hall were standing as well and clearly sobbing.
CJ looked back and scooped Bobby up and stepped forward. "We are all throw away kids in one degree of another. There is no reason these days why we cannot live in harmony. The Uncle Leon Foundation runs a twenty four hour call centre for kids to call if they are in danger. Use the number today we'll get someone to you. Daddy Dirk what number is it that kids need to remember in order to get help?"
"That's easy Little Cowboy it's 312 312312, but watch this space because Aunty Barb may be turning it into a national number with call centres in all major cities so that all of America can contact someone to help them."
"When my brother was killed by men that tortured him I challenged everyone then to be everyone else's neighbour. I now extend that challenge to America. If we watch what is happening, when we see something is wrong then report it. If we did that then things like what has happened recently will not have the chance to grow like it has. People like Gareth will not have to lose their life. People like Gareth and Connor are heroes and they laid their lives down to save the children. We now need to be each other's guardian!" and with that he he turned and sat down.
The whole room stood up and cheered, as it died down Barb stated "Ladies and Gentlemen, here in this city alone the Guardians have already made a huge difference because they are not afraid to get involved. In the bible, it tells us to love one another. Let's do that in the truest sense and all be Good Samaritans and Guardians. Thank you. You will all be hearing more about this in the near future. There will be hand outs for all press members at the door as you leave."
"Madam President, can you pose with the Exley-Gibson family for an official portrait?"
"Well we are a little messy I'm afraid ... Are there any questions first?" There was silence except the reporter who asked for the portrait.
"That's how we want you, we want the look of truth. `A family that cares'... I'm thinking the heading maybe. I take it that you class yourself as part of Jared's family now?"
"Let's just say that we are brother and sister that never were." We were surprised by the actual heading in the papers the next day `The Brother and Sister that never were'.
The press ran with the story for several days and it was picked up nationally. I was proud of my boys as they were national heroes as far as children were concerned. We started getting word that calls were coming in from all over America to the Uncle Leon Foundation for help. Never did they turn anyone away and soon they had a core of people that could get there no matter what, even if it was calling on Barb for help.
I began to take a back seat and enjoyed family life. I enjoyed watching the boys find the studio for the Art Gallery. It turned out to be not too far away from The Starlight International where the press conference had been and also where the Gala reception was to be held in the very near future.
The boys had seen the site of their gallery on the day of the press conference. It was a few days later and Barb was back with us for the weekend with her kids and Colin and we had all enjoyed a very private lunch at the Starlight. We were just about to head back when Chris asked "Dad can we stop somewhere. CJ and I want to show Aunty Barb a property we saw that might be good for the gallery. We sort of would like her input please." I immediately thought why the hell not it may prove to be fun.
He had actually seen quite a few empty warehouse buildings in a very artsy type area as we drove there. So we were not surprised when the driver pulled in front of them and an entire cavalcade of cars joined us. The building was sat back just off the street with a private courtyard at the front which could be used for running classes or even open up a coffee shop which I think got the thumbs up in the end.
"Chris I must say that you have a good eye for property. This place is beautiful. There are three stories and an absolutely massive ground floor section. I actually think you can only see part of it. A lot is behind that section over there." Barb said and her security was making sure everything was OK. Mary was on her mobile and soon the agent for the property was racing up to us with the keys.
First he was taken aback when Barb was there and then he tried to aim all of the discussion to Dirk and myself. The kids understandably got upset and all together they just turned as a group and headed to the limo. Leaving us adults wondering what was happening.
"I think that you have just lost a sale sir." I said.
"Oh I think not it is obvious that you and Madam President are interested in the property."
Barb looked at him and simply said, "At the moment I am simply Ms Barbara Jenkins, guest of Mr Jared and Dirk Exley-Gibson and their sons. You've lost the sale because it was their sons who wanted the property for a venture that they're planning." With that she too turned and headed away from him.
"OK ... So which of the brats... I mean kids are interested in the property and wish to view it because they surely cannot afford to purchase it." Mary was on the phone to the estate agent and allowed the manager to hear the comments that the man just made. Within minutes there was a car screeching up to the pavement and out climbed a very well dressed gentleman of about fifty.
"Timothy, return to the office and collect your things. I have been listening on the phone to how you have handled this and am totally amazed and disgusted. You are not a nephew of mine and if anyone is a spoilt brat then I fear it's you." As Timothy left he turned ot the family. "Sorry about that folks, can I ask who the interested parties are and who are just here for support or ideas."
CJ stepped up knowing that the man would think that he was just pissing in the wind now, "Sir I maybe only nine soon to be ten and my brother eleven soon to be twelve, but we are the ones who are interesting in purchasing the property for the right price of course. I take it that it has had all of the checks done to make sure that it is safe and that there are certificates to prove this? We are pretty keen to get this moving and do not want to have to undergo major works before we open. Though once you here our ideas thee will be a lot of work that will be needed."
Everyone just looked at him. Mark Rodgers of, Rodgers Property and Finance, was impressed. "Yes young man everything has been checked and completed and we hold all certificates on file."
"Good can we have a look inside please? The main purpose of the building will be to house an up market art gallery with possibly a coffee shop out the front here. It would be just perfect for that. There seems to be plenty of space for what we want, but we want to change what we can see so that it is on different levels. I don't know can you get suspended flooring so there are simple stairs leading to a different section? I also want most of the front to be like a shop window so that people can see the inside it has to be inviting to succeed. What do you think Chris?"
"Yes indeed CJ. There needs to be light and shade so that each artist has his or her own defined area. Yet what you see must not detract from the main viewing area." We walked in to a very welcoming atmosphere indeed. "I'm thinking that at any time there could be up to about fifteen artists work on show. Each artist has an individuality that we will want to encourage. It may be photography it may be painting, It may even be pottery. Whatever it is it will be encouraged."
I looked at Dirk and could see he and the bigger boys were totally awe struck by how the kids were handling themselves. We had told them that it would be theirs and had even transferred money into each of the kid's bank accounts so that they felt they were in control of their own lives. These kids were taking it seriously.
Chris continued, "Is there a warehouse section on that side? It's just that there seems to be a lot of space that we are not seeing from here." Mark walked to the side and pressed a button and a roll up door started to move.
When we looked at what was now before us it was indeed a warehouse with stairs leading to the second and third floors. Chris continued, "Part of this we will need for offices for the gallery and a small storage, come preparation area. Not all of this though it is far too much. What I was thinking was that we could develop this space with the second and third floors into an up market gym with a swimming pool. The only problem that we would have is that we would need someone to run the place for us."
CJ took over it was as if there was some unspoken conversation taking place. "Yes we would want a full size Olympic pool. The place is high and wide enough to even add a diving board and a water flume for the kids. The pool would be open for schools to register to use it free. Plus any children's homes would have allotted times as well for free... all kids should have the opportunity to swim. Other than that there would be dedicated use to the gym and it would be connected to the changing areas and the family area of the gym."
"Can we see upstairs please?" Before we actually moved upstairs CJ turned to us all and added, "We also want that wall separating the gallery from the gym to be a glass wall." We just gazed at the area and could see how spectacular it would be.
We all walked to the next floor and CJ continued. "We need a lift adding at the end of both the gallery and the gym. Gallery side could only be used with a key as it would be private but on the gym side it would have to be where wheelchairs could can easy access to the next floor."
They looked around and talked together for a moment and then Chris continued. "We would want nice stairs added this end and the changing areas would be at that corner, leading into the family section. At that side would also be the female only and family saunas."
We continued to watch him, when CJ shouted from about a third of the floor over, "This is where all of the different type of courts would start. You see there's loads of room. Racquet ball court, basketball courts that type of thing we would need advice. Plus we want a couple of rooms for ladies exercise and aerobics." The ladies tittered at that, though they would all use them.
CJ continued, "The main end though we want a major court with the ability to have an audience around it. We would also have a room dedicated to martial arts if we could find someone to lead and be the sensei. Daddy can we get architects to help us please? We can draw what we want, but need to see what they tell the builders." I nodded.
Chris took over "Yes it looks like there is plenty of space, especially when you factor in the entresol floor that will be added. Again the ceiling is high enough and we might as well make the best use of space. Can we see the next floor up please?"
As we reached the third floor Chris continued. "The lift from the Gallery would come right up to this floor, but only have access to a private apartment that we will set up for the manager of the building. The rest of the area would be totally set up for a male only area. You grownups can decide, but daddy J and D have to approve it."
They both looked at me and then blushed and CJ continued, "We would not be allowed in until at least eighteen. There are too many illegal or dangerous things happening in the world and young men especially often fall into the hands of the wrong type of people. We would want this to be a clean welcoming area with exercise rooms and maybe even a boxing area, but instead of exercise studios like downstairs it would lead into a private area where there would be televisions, rooms to rent and saunas and showers and... Well I am too young to imagine the rest. You will have to do that for me." I just smiled at him.
"SEX would not be on offer! Get that out of your heads. If friends arrived who were consenting then it would be a safe place for them to be." CJ paused and looked at everyone. "What...? ... I maybe almost ten, but I have seen more in that time that most of you. I also listened to what the men DJ sold me to had to say.
CJ had tears in his eyes, "The only thing that I regret is that we cannot open it to youth who are curious with their friends. It may stop them being caught by parents and thrown on to the streets. Or even worse, it might stop them being caught by the police in parks because they have nowhere to go. I don't know maybe there could be something, but that would have to be decided by grownups."
Chris pulled CJ to him and hugged him. Leaving his arm on CJ's shoulder he asked, "Mark, you can tell that we are very young. You should also be able to tell that we also know what we want. How much is the asking price for such a building like this. We want the base asking price. The best price that you can give us. We do not want you to try to bullshit us. If you do we will walk. Be warned though we have looked around at prices of similar buildings so we ask honesty and we will give it back to you. We would also like to know the price of the two units on the corners of the courtyard as well." Mark looked lost for a moment, but I added.
"Believe me they can afford it..." but interested I also asked, "Why are you interested in those units son?"
Chris looked at me, "Simple dad, the gallery will generate interest in art and hopefully make the School kids that come visit it want to get involved. So, one of the units will be an Arts and crafts studio shop maybe with classroom areas that people can book. It will be the largest in the area and will cater from everything from knitting and wools to pottery etc."
CJ continued, "The other unit will be a store dedicated to everything you could ever need for sport and fitness. Even down to selling swimming pools and hot tubs. We just feel that this whole area then would be encouraged to regenerate and people would follow in making these units into an upmarket shopping village in its own right."
Mary spoke next, "Mark, are all of these units for sale and similar to the ones that the kids have indicated they're interested in? Plus are there any restrictions on what they can be used for?"
"Yes ma'am they are and no they can be converted into anything that the new owner desires."
"Very well put me down for two as I'd like to develop a hairdresser's for ladies. The other will be an affordable book shop for college kids. I always wanted to do that. The book shop I'll place next to the craft shop and the hair salon I believe I'd like that small unit as you enter the area at the end of the street."
So it went the price is not important, but everyone in the family had their own project and we had purchased outright the whole section. We even had a name for it `Websters Village", Dirk and I planned on turning three of the larger units at the end into high class accommodation and even though he complained we agreed that we would do it together using Webster money since this was The Webster Village.
I'd set each of the kids up with their own funds as the family had developed so they insisted on using that to purchase what they wanted. Even Barb and Colin got in on the action by agreeing with Myles and Ed that they would open an upmarket restaurant complex together as a joint venture.
As we walked around Webster Village, Barb was drawn to the three smaller yet central buildings. "Mark put the US Government down for these three properties. If they do not then I will personally, as grateful thanks to several people." The media had been following us the whole time you cannot get away from that fact of life when you're with the President of the United States. The only thing they did not do was go around the buildings with us.
She grabbed Dirk and also Darren and walked to the front of the building turned to the media. "Ladies and Gentlemen as grateful thanks for the heroic deeds that so many people have done recently I would like to introduce you to the new Uncle Leon Foundation premises. It is true that we had been renting space until now?" Mary nodded. "I envisage the upper floors... I'll tell you what, let CJ tell you what he sees."
Without any hesitation he stepped in front of the cameras again. "The first and larger of the units will have to be converted in to a medical health centre that the foundation can call upon at any time, but will be owned and run by Dr Darren Gibson. He will organise his staff however he feels fit. It will be his to do with as only he knows best.
"The central unit will be the Uncle Leon foundation itself and will have meeting rooms and conference rooms on this floor. The third and final unit will be dedicated to a hero of a few weeks ago that saved Marty and Bobby's lives. They are my brothers and ... Samson, here boy..." Samson bounded over to him. "This is Samson and he was almost killed saving them from the abuse that they were going through. This will be the Connor Ansom Centre for Veterinary Excellence and will be owned and headed by Dr Dirk Gibson."
"Ladies and Gentlemen I do not think that I could have said it better myself. Judge Haroldson on behalf of the Foundation here are your keys and Darren and Dirk here are yours. All funds for setting these centres of excellence up will be funded by the government."
CJ stepped in, "We would also like to announce that now that the foundation has the space a national help line will take the second floor and will be open twenty four hours a day to take the calls from children in need, to organise the help that they need. The funds that it takes to put that into action will be ..."
Barb interrupted just in time "... also funded by the Government."
As we were walking around the village the whole family was buzzing with the different thing that they were planning on doing. I did notice that Marty was just clinging to Bobby crying looking at the unit that he had said that he wanted to buy. "Marty what's wrong sweetheart?"
"Daddy I know what I want to do but I'm not like CJ, I have no idea what to do with the building. I always loved visiting clothes shops with mom and she always said that everything was the same no matter where you went."
His grandmother Molly walked up as well. "You know what?" he looked at her, "Your mother would have loved to see you running your own clothes world. Think about it you always knew what you wanted when you went shopping and you also knew what would look good on your mom. Why don't we work together on this and call it `Melissa Harper's Clothes World', what do you think?"
"No it's going to be `Melissa Harper's World of Fashion'. I want these two units so that one is for Bobby when he's old enough. In the meantime we can put an exclusive music store on the site and Bobby can decide what he wants to do with it when he's older."
Bobby was in my arms now and he looked up at the building nodded and yelled, "ConCon Music."
Molly laughed. "Gran for the clothes store could we have a designer that we sponsor each year..." He was on a roll now, "and work with so that she's available to design clothes if that is what's wanted by the clientele or to work on her own collection each year that we would sponsor and host the launch of with the standard stock that we would be carrying for the season. I know that I'm still young but would love to design clothes when I am old enough so the designer is only present at our invitation and only while their clothes sell.
"I also want our own buyers that work with me and Bobby so that what we sell in here is what we know will sell. I don't want a kid cringing at the things his parents are buying him because they are so old and out of fashion. Could the buyers even be school kids? We just arrange the meetings with the different makers and designers each year. That way the pay that they get would go into their college funds."
He thought for a few minutes, "It is three stories high so I want the kids on ground floor that way it will pull kids into the store. Ladies wear will be on the second floor and the menswear section on the third floor. Each area will be individual though and one will not cramp any of the other areas into smaller spaces like most shops seem to do with men's clothes."
I handed Bobby to Molly, "Here you're saying that you had no ideas about what you wanted to happen. Look son it may be different, but you certainly have set ideas and I love the ideas that you just covered. I think that with either Molly as your adviser or Aunt Sheila who runs places like this in Europe ... hell why not have both and then get them to organise what you want then just get the builders to give it you. Websters have a construction company I've already rang them and have several teams booked. You will be heading `Team 4'. Let me know if you want anything else. They will not talk any money as all of the family costs are covered by the Webster Estate and the family will benefit."
Molly jumped in at this point. "No Jared you already do too much. Marty had paid for the building and has enough to stock it when it is built, but Grand-dad and I pay for the renovations, especially since it will be called after Melissa." Marty looked at his grand-ma and smiled. "We're going to make this work aren't we son? Now go find your grand-dad as he'll want to hear your ideas as well. Jared we have also put in an offer for that small unit so that the kids can have a pet shop called `Samson's'."
I walked the site with Barb and Mark now and agreed that the construction teams would be ... Team 1 -- Colin and Barb and their grocery store and bed and breakfast, Teams 2 and 3 -- CJ and Chris and their projects, Team 4 -- Mary and Steven's Bookstore and Hairdressers, Team 5 -- Barb government Project, Team 6 -- My British Pub and club, Team 7 Myles and Ed's projects as they had several and had three sites, Team 8 even though they did not know it was Roger Michael Gibson and Jake Edward Gibson and that was who I was going to see now.
I found them with their daddies looking around the three units that I had bought for them. "Grad-dad!" and Ryan came running up to me.
"Hello little one I have a present for you two and your daddy." Seeing everyone excited about what was happening Jake had gone really quiet. We stood there looking at the two largest units for second and I suddenly said, "A little bird tells me that these two sites have been marked for Nana Mandy's Wonderful World of Toys' and Nana Mandy's Antique Shop' I remember she loved pretty things and Grand-dad just thought that you two needed a business to run like everyone else."
We walked on and I looked at the third unit. "Jake the village will need a security team of course, you know that don't you?" He just nodded, "Of course you'll be too busy to actually do that, so will have to hire the team to work for you as part of the new `JG National Security' team. Of course you will have to hire staff to run the store for you. I think you will make a really good boss of your own business, don't you Barb?"
"I certainly do and if we don't use the JG National before we certainly will when my term of office is complete."
CJ looks at Jake and suddenly says, "Dad bought a unit for a British themed old fashioned pub and club, well Chris and me we just bought the last two units for an Alcohol free club where youngster can have fun in a safe environment. We will need your team to man the place to ensure no drug and booze. It has to be a place of safety and fun for kids of all ages."
Chris looked at Jake, "Can you help us we really want a place for kids to hang out safely and a place where if they are in trouble they can meet the Foundation's people without anyone knowing."
Jake looked at the guys, "Of course your place will be safe for kids and that unit alone will be the one that we man free of charge as our attempt to help." We all smiled at them, Jake was becoming my kid's big brother.
Mary and Steven had heard everything and Mary said, "He already has his first customer so I will be the first paying client as I want security in my two stores when we open and also I am hiring them for the Gallery and Gym as well as CJ and Chris will need them." It wasn't long before he had quite a few customers and one of them was possibly the Government.
Steven suddenly said "I wonder I don't need a whole site yet, but does anyone have a second or third floor that they think they'll not need?" Myles offered as his largest site was 3 floors and was going to be a Travel Agency and that would be just the first floor.
"I want to open a satellite office of the law firm out here, but one that will specialise in Accountancy, though we will add an entresol as the kids called it and that will allow a small Divorce Law section to be opened. If Myles has the ground floor then we can occupy the second and convert the top floor together into student flats as a joint venture." Their other unit was going to be an open all hours chemist that sold everything you could want.
My second unit was a dream that I had had since I was a boy. I love shoes. I love Cowboys. So I decided that we could blend the two into a western themed shop that sold all the trapping for cowboys as well, but also shoes. The top floor I decided would also allow the cowboy to buy his blankets, jackets and all of the tack for his horses that he could ever want. I decided I even wanted to call it "Headlands"
Before we moved on that day I had also contacted the marketing company that we used at Exley and Webster and asked them to come and meet with the family later that day so that we could get them thinking about how to market the village from the conception onwards. My architects were also going to attend with the construction boss later that day as well.
Everyone gathered for one of Cilla's wonderful meals and then cleared the library and moved everything around so that there were enough chairs for everyone that would be there that night.
At Seven prompt everyone arrived and we welcomed them into the Manor. We had managed to get blue prints of the layout of each premises and floors. The architects loved the challenge that CJ and Chris set them and loved the whole concept of the Gallery and Gym. Then Chris told them about their other unit and they became so excited that they could hardly contain themselves.
Barb looked at them and just asked "Spill, you obviously feel strongly about this ..."
Robert Masters of `Master Perspectives' just looked down and cried, "I had a little brother. Kev was eleven when I was in college and he was just finding himself. Let's just put it this way he never lived till his twelfth birthday." He shocked CJ and Chris with what he said next, "Because your ideas are mostly for kids or to help those who need a safe place we will design yours totally for free and work with the builders to make sure they happen.
We were totally shocked that the Marketing people gave the same commitment and the construction boss, even though I owned Webster Construction, promised all labour would be donated for the projects that they had as well. All it would cost the boys were the Craft Centre and the sports shop and any material cost for the other units. The costs for the foundation centre would also be covered and Barb just covered the materials.
One by one we went through what we envisioned and one by one the project became alive. At 8:30 Mark arrived with news that I had been hoping for, the land at each end of the village had been acquired by Webster and had planning permission for car dealership to be developed on the property.
By ten that evening the boys were worse for wear and CJ was fast asleep. There were drawings and ideas that we had agreed on all over the place stuck to the wall or laid on the table to view as we worked on the next idea.
The time estimated shocked us all as the construction boss promised that with good weather we could have the `Webster Village Grand Opening' by the beginning to the end of June depending on how quickly we could get the stores stocked and staff in place. That gave a concrete idea to the marketing company and they promised to present their ideas once they had all of the architect drawings and elevations that would then spark their creative juices.
We agreed to meet again in two weeks and Barb agreed that Colin would attend for her as she would be out of the country at that time.
We were still in November and even though we wanted the Gallery by the end of the year we now had a definite plan in place and no a week went by without the boys putting something else into action to ensure that they were ready for the grand opening.
The marketing meeting had been good but the boys felt a little let down until Jon stepped up to the conference pad at the front of the library and started doodling his ideas on them as he told us how he saw the marketing taking place and how he hoped it would go.
I looked at the marketing company that I had always used and just said, "Maybe I should take my account elsewhere. That idea of Jons is simple, elegant and should have been one of your first ideas. So what went wrong?"
One of the younger men there told is that the senior partner of the company had been against what we were doing as he had been planning bidding for those building and was trying to sabotage the whole project. The result was that I asked Stuart, the young man, to work for me as an independent advisor separate from Exley or Webster and that we would even include an office for him and his team in the village, the old marketing company lost its major account and Steven sued them for what they did.
Stuart stood with Jon in the meeting and they just blended together as they sounded of each other and by the end of the meeting we have a sound strategy in place and Jon had met his partner in life.
By the end of the month we were all climbing into the limo again for the Starlight. This time for the Foundations Charity Gala evening that Barb as the President of America would be attending. Tickets had flown out of the door once it had been announced that she'd be there. The tickets were $5000.00 each. All of my boys had tuxedos and Stuart was Jon's escort for the night. Dirk and I had opted for evening suits of midnight blue and he looked stunning.
That's all for now folks ... In the next chapter we are all invited to the Charity Gala Evening ... there will be a few surprises and a few tears but a good time will be had by all.
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