Fathers Day

In honor of fathers every where. My own father played a very important role in my life. He is still always so positive and encouraging. He believed in me and knew I could do anything I wanted. He taught me many things and supported all of my endeavors.

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Happy Fathers Day, Dad.

In Rebel Heart, Advisor DeMontville, played a very big part in the twins life, particularly Victoria's.

Here is short excerpt:

The legislation concerning and banning the genetic allele transplant surgery was his to sign. It had been voted on in the senate as well as the house, passing both bodies of laws each by just one vote. He could veto this but he knew in the end his veto would be futile. Perhaps not...

Perhaps if he vetoed the bill, the next time through it would pass.

How many years had passed since the first surgery? Ten, perhaps twenty...

Desperation had forced the painful surgeries that killed and maimed more than they had saved. There was still no serum that would kill all of the mutating viruses...

New research had brought genetic surgery back into debate. New techniques and new instruments made the operation more plausible than before. Setting that one aside, he pulled the next document from it's folder--mandatory viral insurance. He couldn't help but give a frustrated laugh. Most of the city people couldn't afford the insurance, and the serums this was supposed to pay for rarely worked. The coalition was all about stuffing money in their pockets.

"Daddy, is it all right?" Tori's hushed voice followed a soft knock. Her head peaked around the corner.

"Come in." She was obviously forcing a smile. But she didn't have to do that for his sake.

The girls entered the room, both with heads held high. He grinned inside at that. Even Nessa, taking a leaf from her sister’s book was showing signs of rebellion.

"You wanted to see us?" Tori knew the answer, but DeMontville understood she wouldn't make this easy for him.

"I remember when the two of you were born."

"I do as well," Lady DeMontville stepped into the room.

A wave of displeasure swept through him. "I did not except you." Yet the disapproval was only because Kaitlyn would make this all the harder. He had asked her to stay at home. Dealing with another set of tears was not part of his plan.

"And you thought I would allow you to send the girls away while I sat at home doing nothing."

"I've signed the papers. There is no other way." DeMontville rose, pushing his chair back with his legs. An already bad day had just grown that much worse.

"There are always options," she told him. "I will take them to the mountains. They would not need to be purified." Her voice was stiff, her eyes red and that determined tilt to her chin meant an argument she knew she couldn't win but she meant to go down fighting.

"That would not do. There are people, even friends and family who are calling for punishment. We have indulged the girls and news of their exploits reaches all places--even the mountains."

"They have my blood and they are immune. The laws are foolish and should be reexamined."

Sunlight caught her golden hair and danced around her. She was the most beautiful lady he'd ever seen. She had stolen his heart that long ago day and she still held it fast. If he had the power to grant her this wish, he would. He motioned to his desk. Her gaze followed and she nodded, seeming to understand without the words that those were all laws that were being reexamined.

"They have been changed. Just this past month. If anything the laws are harsher. The people of the cities fear the diseases that can wipe out entire populations in a blink. I cannot..."

"Will not." She defiantly crossed her arms in front of her chest. She looked at the girls then back to him. "They are only children."

"Please, I do not want to argue. The gliders will be here within the hour. I assume their bags are packed."

"We are ready, father," Tori said her head held high, a look of defiance in her beautiful grey eyes. Her mother's eyes.

"Yes, I see that." DeMontville stroked his chin. Sudden admiration for his girls filled him. "You are determined then to be brave."

"We are both brave," Nessa said, stepping up to her sister to put her arm through Tori's. "We will do this with no complaints."

"Where are they taking them?" Lady DeMontville asked. "I have a mother's right to know."

"Despite your god given rights, I cannot tell you. But I chose each of their destinations carefully. If they follow the laws, listen and respect their elders, they will develop into adults everyone will be proud of.