Elsie&Ethan's new adventures :)

Dear readers,

Hope you're all OK?!

I hope you're still enjoying like I do whilst writing their stories, Elsie&Ethan's adventures....? :)

Last time, we left Elsie dealing with the unexpected arrival of her mum, who had decided to leave her husband...
So let's see what happens next :)

And now...

Something was still...not the same. Yet, Ethan knew it couldn't be possible. After all, everything seemed to be the same as ever. Everything was running smoothly. His professional life as well as his personal was fine.  He had run over in his head every possibilties, every scenario as to why something would be off. It wasn't. OK, Sarah had also noticed something when she'd stopped by to yell at him. But even that didn't prove it was or wasn't the same. Oh, damn it! He sighed. Stop driving yourself crazy! Everything's fine! Stop seeing things that aren't there!

Ethan went back to work. Without too much interference from the rest of his staff. Towards the end of the day, as most of the employees had already left, he turned his computer off, took his jacket and briefcase, closed his office door, making his way towards the elevator. His phone buzzed as the doors opened. Ethan took it out as he went in.

Friends were inviting him from a drink. Drinks more like. The same bunch he often hang out with. They were fun and not too complicated, which Ethan needed right now. Although a part of him wished they could take things more seriously from time to time. Stop making silly jokes (OK, some were still funny) but...some were less fun even though he laughed, just to fit in. Or would give sound advice. Listen. Would be there in case of emergency. Because at the end of the day, these friends weren't going to be around if anything happened such as losing his compagny or if he had a car accident. Fun,yes, they were there a hundred per cent. Serious stuff? Ah, are you kidding me? No way. Not like Paul, his brother was. Or....well, Sarah was. If that was possible. He may have tried to seduce her but that was all pretend. She never took shit from him. She was always straight with him. Never afraid of telling him what she thought of him. And, not that he'd admit it, but he considered Sarah a friend.

The elevator's doors pinged indicating he had arrived at the ground floor, interrupting his thoughts. Maybe for the best or he'd turned into one of...his ex-girlfriends? No. Nope. No. That's not me. He shook his head. What just happened? Ethan glanced at his phone, buzzing again. OK, maybe just a drink. A few at the most. Ethan texted back before he could change his mind.

A few miles away, Elsie was trying NOT to go crazy, such as losing her mind. Living with your parents or one of your parents was one thing when you were growing-up but living with them when you were an adult...not so much! Elsie took a deep breath. Give me strengh...give me strengh not to-

'Elsie!' His mum's voice interrupted her. Barely two days and- 'What kind of food is this? You're pregnant! You should eat healthy! Not that...junk! Who is-' she drove her crazy! 'You won't even know I'm here....she'd said. Well, guess what? I know you're here! 'Oh, that's remind me, we need to-'

OK, kill me now...Elsie sighed, going out of her safe heaven that was her bedroom and see what her mum wanted...

To be continued...:) Take care and see you soon for another article :) xxx

And...8 years! :)

Dear readers,
Hope you are all OK?
Just a short article today to wish my blog a happy birthday! Can't believe it has  been eight years already!
Thank you again for (still) reading my articles, hope you're having a great time and are not too bored (rire).
Anyway thanks again and see you soon for another article, take care.  Xxx

Elsie&Ethan-temporary title

Dear readers,

Hope you're all OK and that the start of the new year has started off well :)

In the meantime, sorry I haven't been writing much lalely. I've had a lot on my mind. Anyway, let's go back to Elsie&Ethan's adventure, shall we?

What happened previously? Elsie, heavily pregnant, is put on bed rest by her doctor. She's a bit worried about her work but knows it's best for the baby. After a small misunderstanding concerning her maternity leave, Elsie has to come to the office to sort it out. At the same time, her boss, Ethan is starting to feel something is different but can't put his finger on it....

And now...? Well, let's find out! :) 

Bored. Bored. Bored...Elsie sighed. She knew she was supposed to be 'putting her feet up' and enjoying her maternity leave and she was...in a way. There was no paper pushing, no phone calls, no messages, nothing urgent. Peace and quiet. Just her. So, why wasn't she feeling happy? relaxed? 

Probably because she had had time to catch-up on her reading, her T.V shows, movies she hadn't seen yet, read every magazine she posessed, cleaned every inch of her flat she could without exhausting herself, separating winter and summer clothes, starting to build her babies coat, make a list of things she missed and Ned could get for her later, paying her bills (trying to no think about her salay decreasing every time...) these past few weeks. She hadn't even known she could do all of this. I guess when you have a lot of free time, you can do a lot...

Friends and close relatives had also visited at first but after a while, they had to return to their own lives. Elsie couldn't held them hostage. Shame...we might have had some fun. She laughed, what a crazy idea. See what nothing to do all day, does to my brain? The baby moved, interrupted her train of thoughts. Yeah, I know...Elsie patted  absently, her pregnant belly and soon had to go to the bathroom. 
As she went back to the living room, the door bell rang. Elsie went to open.


'Mum!' She exclaimed. 'What are you-'
'Can't I just visit my daugther?' 
'Of course, you can. i just...wasn't expecting you today, that's all. And-Mum?'
'Yes, honey?' She asked, innocently.Elsie frowned. What was she up to?
'If you're only visiting for a day, why do you have a suitcase?'
'Oh, that...it's, um, a few things I wanted to give-'
'Mum...you're a bad liar, your ears are red..now, why are you really here?' Elsie crossed her arms.
'You know, you look a lot like your father when you do that...'
'I-Mum!'
'What?'
'Stop it! Why are you here?'
'I just thought...I could spend some quality time with you and the baby'
'The baby isn't born yet..'
'And? I can still...' Elsie kept her arms crossed. 'visit for...a few days'
Why had she paused? Why had she paused before finishing her sentence? 
'Besides, you said Ned was...a bit busy lately; so...I won't be in the way' She continued. 
Not in the way? Elsie thought Are you kidding me?
'Mum...you don't vist, remember? Most of the times, I have to come and see you...spill the beans!'
'OK, fine. I have left your father, finally'
'Wait, what?' 'But...I don't understand'
'There is nothing to understand. I was married. I won't be soon. End of story'
'Mum! You threatened to leave him every day but you don't follow through. Why would it be any different? You love Dad...don't you?'
'I do but honey...he won't change. I've cooked and cleaned and...kept a tidy house, paying the bills on time, raised his children, made sure we had rooof over your head. Although apparently that's not enough for him! It's never enough. He takes me for granted you know! Well, not this time! This time I'm taking back my life and I intend to make up for the lost time'
'I...can't you guys talk about it first before doing something...shall we say, irrevocably stupid?'
'Elsie, when you are married, for as long as we have, then you'll undertand. In the meantime, don't judge'
'I'm not, I'm trying to understand'
'Understand what?'
'I don't know...for example, why after more than  35 years of marriage, you suddenly drop a bombshell on us-'
'Your sister doesn't know and I'd like to stay it that way...'
'Even better' Elsie mumbled. 'Mum, this is ridiculous. You can't-'
'I can actually and I did...I won't change my mind...'
'I know' Elsie sighed again. When she got an idea into her head, it was hard to let go. 
'Listen, I'm not planning on staying forever, just a few days, to get back on my feet...' 
'I...no, you-'
'Please, please...you won't even know I'm here' Yes, I will! 
'Mum...' Elsie wanted to be firm, to tell her mum to stop being stupid and talk with her dad like adults. To sort things out. Except...that wasn't how her mum worked. Oh no...quite the opposite in fact. She avoided any sort of conflict, mostly when it didn't serve her own interest. She loved to be right. Hated when she was wrong. However, Elsie made the mistake of looking into her mum's imploring eyes (not really, but she was a good actress whenever she wanted). 'You can't...I mean I-fine, you can stay...but only a few days like you said'
'Thank you, thank you' She hugged her, which she rarely did. 'A week at the most. You won't regret it' I already do...

Suddenly, as Elsie watched her mum making herself right at home, she had a feeling it would be more than a few days or even a week. Great...

Wilst Elsie was trying to figure out a way to cohabitate with her mum and not jumping out of the window (kidding of course), her mobile vibrated. The ID on her screen indicated it was her office calling...but Elsie didn't notice. Maybe that was for the best...at least for now. 

To be continued...
Hope you still like the story! :) Take care and see you soon for another article. xxx

Untitled

Dear readers,

Hope you're all OK and had a nice start in this New Year! :) All the best once again ;-)

So, as promised, here is another extract of my story. I'm not completely sure about the title yet but will let you know. :)

Previously, we left Elsie,  one of our main character, in the doctor's office, being made to take her maternity leave and having to stay on bed rest...:) despite the fact that she has a very demanding boss...

Read what happens next! ;-)

Meanwhile...

Ethan knew something was different. He just couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly. It had been a week. A week of people telling him there was nothing out of the ordinary. Yet, somewhow, it did seem different. 
Not his personal life. No, that part was going fine. Better than fine. Women were always interested in him. He had no problem getting regular dates. Whether or not it was serious was another matter. Ethan liked his life the way it was. Maybe one day, like his older brother Paul, who had recently gotten married, he would think about tying the knot. Just not right this moment. He didn't feel ready to settle down. 
It was more of his professional life that looked...not the same. At first, Ethan hadn't noticed. Why would he? Everything was always ready when he came to work. Everything was neat and tidy. Everything was working like clockwork. Usually. 
Not this time apparently.  Although he did appear to be the only one noticing something was out of place. Everyone else was focusing on their work. Well, Ethan thought, good for them. After all, that what I'm paying them for. However, there is something going on...I just don't what that is! 

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. 'Come in' Ethan said.

'Ethan Martin! If you don't stop right this minute, I'm going to strangle you or personally ruin every future date you're going to have!'

'Sarah!' Ethan's face, lightened-up. Finally something normal. He'd missed it for the past week. 

'Erase that smile of your face! How many times do I have to say I'm not interested!'

'Well, if you aren't, why are you here? Yelling at me in my office?'

'Oh please! Do be serious for a minute! You know as well as I do, that...this' Sarah pointed out at both of them. '....won't work! Besides, I already have an...overbearing mum who can't wait to marry me off and a...well, never mind...um...so, please...stop sending me flowers and such because I-'

'I-flowers?'

'Yes! Flowers...why?' Sarah frowned.

'I do send flowers sometimes, although not that often, I'm more a jewellery kind of guy, but...I, um, haven't send you flowers recently'

'Y-you didn't?'

Ethan shook his head. 'Sorry'

'Oh my...God! How...embarassing!' Sarah put her head between her hands. She groaned before raising her head. 

'Maybe but it got you to come to my office'

'Not helping!' 

Ethan chuckled. 'So, what made you think I had...?'

'...sent me flowers?'

He nodded. 'Oh, er...there was a card attached and...' Sarah took it out of her jacket. 'I...it's silly really' 

'May I?'

'Sure...' Sarah gave it to him. 

'Oh my, this guy is really...cheesy! He even signed 'Your secret admirer'!'

'No need to-'

'And...how could think it was from me?

'i don't know! OK! I just-' Sarah exclaimed 'I'm sorry...I-'

'It's alright' Ethan assured her 'It could have been from me...if I was seventeen and very-aouch!' Sarah had punched him on the shoulder. 

'That's for making fun of me!' 

'I wasn't-'

'You were going to!'

'OK, OK...just please, don't punch me again'

'Fine. I'll let you go back to work'

'Thanks' 'So, any clue as to who it could be?'

'No...' Sarah said softly 'maybe...I-I'm not sure...anyway, it doesn't matter...probably just a prank from...someone'

'Mm...' 

'OK, I'm off...and could we keep that between us?'

'I don't know...what do you offer in exchange for my silence?'

'Ethan! I'm not in the mood to-'

'I was kidding! Your secret's safe with me'

'It better be...' Sarah glanced around, frowning.

'What?'

'Er...nothing, it's just...um, nothing'

'No, what?'

'Your...um, office looks...different'

'It does? I haven't noticed any....changes' Didn't he?

'Not that I know, I rarely come to your office...so, I'm probably wrong'

'Yeah...' Ethan wasn't sure either. 

'Anyway, have a good day'

'Mm...thanks' 

And Sarah left. Ethan sat down at his desk, lost in his thoughts. He didn't notice Elsie going in the elevator. She had to come to the office, as there had been a misunderstanding with her maternity leave. Elsie sighed. What a week...

'Could you hold the elevator please?' Came a voice. 

'Oh...' Elsie pushed the button to hold the door just in time.

'Thanks' the woman said, smiling. The elevator door closed just as Ethan risked a quick glance outside his office...

To be continued...hope you still like it!? :) Take care and see you soon for another extract...:) xxx

Work in progress

Dear readers,

Hope you had a nice Christmas and that Santa spoiled you this year...:)

I didn't think I'd write today, but there you go...sometimes inspiration can surprise you and what better way to end this year with a smile :) hopefully you'll like this article as I'm listening to a few christmassy songs and enjoying a little fire in the cheminey...;-) can't help it, probably am still in the Christmas spirit! :) Never hurt anyone, did it?

Anyway, as the end of the year approaches, my head is still full of questions but no answers just yet...hopefully I'll figure it out soon...I don't know exactly...I do like my current job, it's quite interesting and I'm learning a lot but the enthusiasm (if you could say that) isn't there anymore...my head is full of dream of writing and going back to England if possible (bloody Brexit though!)....in one word, I quite apprehend the next year...but enough about me-at least for now (rire) let's enjoy the rest of the day and prepare ourselves to go into 2018 peacefully...:)

So to do just that...here is a little surprise for you...please bear with me...no I haven't met anyone special yet, nor am I getting married (rire), OK, I know that was silly! I'm sure you weren't assuming lol :) I meant I wanted to share a story with you and as it is just coming out my head (not literally), you have guessed, I'm writing it as I go along...that's why! :) this story (like others) has been in my mind for while and I don't know...just taking a leap of faith and hope you'll like it as much as I do enjoyed writing it...:) although, this will only be a (short) extract as I decided to write the other extract over the next few weeks or at least soon...if that's OK with you?! :) let's hope so! ;-)

Here it is then....
But before I start, I will just add that one of the character will appear in another one of my stories...don't worry, you won't be lost, he only makes a few brief appearances.  So it won't be too difficult.

'So, that's why I decided to put on-' the doctor was saying but Elsie wasn't listening. Her gaze on the poster, on the wall behind. '...rest. I think it's best for now and-' What is it how it happens exactly? Could you actually feel it? Actually, how were you suppose to feel? Happy? Estatic? Overwhelmed? And more importantly: Did it hurt? Did you need so many painkillers you couldn't remember what had happened whilst giving birth to your first child?  Oh boy...'take it from here...I'll see you in a few weeks to check-up on...Mrs Fitzpatrick? Are you...listening to-' her doctor paused, following her gaze. '....Oh, I see. This is just to show how...the baby grows inside of your womb and...how it changed position before-'

'I know' Elsie replied, trying not to panic. She really did love her baby. No doubt about that. Since the first scan actually. She could never forget seeing her baby for the first time, nor could she forget hearing its heartbeat. It was simply magical.Yet it was also...going all so fast. Everyone seemed to expect something of her and Elsie was trying to make everyone happy. It wasn't easy though. This baby hadn't been exactly planned, nor had she planned to meet the dashing and handsome (in his own way) Ned. A friend-well more of an acquaintance- had introduced them (well, it had been more a happy accident) at the Christmas office party. He was actually trying to avoid Alice, consequently bumping into her. A wirlwind romance had ensued and the rest as they say is history...

Not long after, as they were only suggesting they might go on a holiday together for more than a week-end, the unexpected had happened. Elsie had find herself pregnant. Despite assuring him he didn't have to be involved as she certainly didn't want to tie Ned up, especially as they were still learning to get to know each other, Ned had surprised her. He actually didn't run in the opposite direction. He stuck around, making sure she and the baby had everything. Which was more than great as Elsie certainly hadn't expected it. They hadn't been dating for long. She sighed.

'....I read all the...pregnancy books and stuff...' She continued. 'And I went to the...lamaze classes'
'That's great...see, there is nothing to worry about...you'll be fine as long as you stay on bed rest, keep your feet-up and relax'

Keep your feet-up, relax...um, maybe. Elsie wasn't sure. Her work as an executive assistant did keep her busy or she was just a bit...too perfectionnist sometimes, as her mum would always say 'you don't need to make everything perfect, Elsie' Yep, story of my life. Stay in-wait!
'Did-did you say...bed rest?'
'Yes, why? Is there a problem?'
'Er...well, no...but-'
'Mrs Fitzpatrick...that's not negociable. It's bed rest or you going on labor earlier than planned..and personally I'd like to avoid it if I can...so, your boss will have to'
'It's Miss...I'm not married or Elsie, but-'
'No but...I'm not taking the risk...I'm sorry'
'Sorry? You're not the one who has to stay on bed rest...and deal with your...boss' Well, OK, not directly. As Elsie hadn't dealt with him personally. He had his own assistant for that. She was just a small fish in a bigger pond. No doubt he'd never even heard of her anyway. He had many people working under him (no sexual connotation intended), answering to his every whim...twenty four seven...
Nevertheless, Elsie still needed her job. Ned might make enough money for the both of them but Elsie had insisted she wanted to give her share too. No way she was letting Ned pay for everything.
Also why, she kept pushing back her maternity leave date, telling herself, she was mostly sitting at her desk anyway. Yet, it didn't seem enough. Her doctor was insisting she stopped working right now and enjoy the rest of her pregnancy. Barely two months anyway...Oh bugger!
'Fine...' Elsie reluctantly agreed. 'I'll do as you say...but if my boss fires me, that's on you'
Her doctor smiled. 'If you want but I'm sure it won't come to that'
'You certainly haven't met my boss, doc...' Elsie sighed again. Her hand slowly patting her belly. I'll be lucky if I have a job...but hey, at least, I'll have you...

To be continued...:) Take care and see you soon for another article! And of course, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! All the best! ;) xxx

P.s: As you can see...this article has been published in 2018...:) as it took me a little while longer to write it. Anyway, happy new year again! ;-)

'You'll never walk alone'

Dear readers,

Hope you're all OK in this festive period as Christmas approches...:)

Just a short article today-sorry I haven't been writing much lately....

And a song that makes me feel hopeful and look foward to new things despite everything and a lot of questions that I'm asking myself recently...or whenever you're doubting yourself or feel alone...;-)

'You'll never walk alone' by Josh Groban, from the 'Stages' album. Source: Youtube
 
a VERY SPECIAL thought to someone I'll miss very much...:)

Take care and see you soon for another article...and if I don't have time to write another article before hand, happy holidays in advance, have a merry little christmas (like the song says-if I remember correctly) and best wishes for the new year! ;) xxx

In need of a holiday...:)

Hello dear readers,

Hope you're all OK ;)

Just a short article today...I'll let this picture (and the title) speak for itself. I do indeed need some proper rest and to recharge my batteries...:)

Somewhere in the south of France...;)

Take care and see you soon for another article! :) xxx