Dear Char,

Oh my goodness, I miss you too! It's just totally not the same around here without you!

Things here have been going decently. Alain and I are getting along alright, we don't see each other as often, but we're both busy. I never realized how much work it takes to keep that house so clean! I don't see Lucy much lately, but I'm sure I will. We're still talking about dying her hair, we just haven't gotten around to it yet. It's only been two weeks, but it really feels like it's been forever! I miss the kids too, the house is just far too quiet without them! I definitely want to visit over Christmas, I'll make it happen no matter what's going on around here!

I can't believe she's already holding her head and smiling! She was just so tiny when you left! And it does look like her hair is getting lighter, so maybe you'll get your wish and she'll have pretty blonde hair! And don't worry about what anyone in this place said, they don't have any idea what they're talking about; a lot of them have their heads in the clouds anyway. Aiden is looking so big too! I can't believe they're growing so fast! I'm glad he loves showing her off, he's going to a really good big brother to her. Lucy misses them too, she agrees that it's very quiet at the house without them.

I'm glad you're doing decently, even if it's a bit tight. When you get back I'd love for you to teach me some about healing and magic. I have these abilities that could do really great for me, but I don't know how to control them, and until I can, then I can't truly use them without risk. And if you ever need help, you just let me know and I can send you money. It's absolutely no problem, and since I just have to take care of me, I don't need a whole lot. Just don't ever worry about anything, because I'm here if you need me.

Wow. Well, if you don't love him you definitely shouldn't tell him you do. Giving him false hope wouldn't be right. It might just be the best thing for you to break it off completely, because the longer you guys are together, the more he might get the idea that you'll eventually want more than just sex. You're right, you do need time to mend. You were part of a two-some, and now you need to learn to be yourself, and you can't do that if you've got Olanis trying to push for another two-some. Take some time to find yourself, pick up some new hobbies, try some new things, that sort of thing. Pamper yourself too Char, don't forget to do your nails and wear green face masks to scare the kids! Hehe. Anyway, things will work themselves out well, just wait and see.

So far neither one of us has burned the house down! And I'm even managing to keep it looking decent so that if we have company no one is scared away. I might put some gym equipment in the main room of the basement. It's starting to get cold out and I'm not always going to want to train outside, so it's a good investment, particularly if I get into any scuffles, I'll be more prepared. There's really not a whole lot of gossip at the moment to do with me. A bunch of people have been breaking up in relationships, it seems to be an epidemic or something. Anyway, I should be off. I'll write again soon and you should too!

-Cassie

Cassie,

I?m glad you wrote. Last time we talked I thought you were upset with me. I didn?t write because I didn?t think you?d really want to talk. How are you holding up? Losing Alex (again) was difficult for me. I admit that for a while I clung to the hope that he?d come back like last time. But?when I visited Rhy?Din again and saw Renna, I knew that not only was Alex not coming back, I had also lost a daughter. I truly loved that girl and I?m having a hard time dealing with this loss. I?d come visit you, Cassie, but I just can?t. Renna threatened both me and Elena and I simply cannot deal with that wretched being again. Once was enough for this lifetime.

Honey, I?m so, so sorry to hear about you and Alain. What happened? In your last letter you said things were fine. Let me know if I can help, ok? I happen to know a thing or two about relationships falling apart. Olanis?isn?t in the picture anymore. He still visits every once in a while to see the kids?but the visits are becoming more and more infrequent. I don?t blame him. This was hard on him.

The kids are doing well. Aiden likes kindergarten more and more every day. Cassie, he can already read. My son is a genius. Don?t worry about giving Brian that letter. I talked to him a while ago and explained everything. He even came to visit and was here to see Elena?s first steps. It was very adorable. The day after that she got her first fat lip. She tripped and fell, hitting her mouth against the coffee table. Poor baby cried for hours. I sent pictures of her first steps, some of Elena with Brian (could you give those to him please? I don?t know his address anymore.) El?s fat lip, Aiden and his favorite book, kids playing in the sprinkler and a few of me now that I?m skinny again. Took me forever to get rid of all that weight I gained during my pregnancy. I also think you?ll like the one of Elena trying to eat my face mask.

Well, write to me soon, girlie. I miss you like none other. And hey?since you?re having a rough time, why don?t you come visit us?? You could be here a week and only be gone from Rhy?Din for a day or two. The weather is getting kinda warm over here. You deserve a little vacation! Think about it and write me back. We all miss you and love you!

-Char and the kids

(( To our readers: You?ll have to forgive the mun for not working out the time difference correctly. Its quite difficult to fit 3 years of time in the 6 month real time I agreed to keep Charlotte away. We are nearing the middle of month 4 and I have been putzing around. My fault for lack of enthusiasm to post. For the sake of keeping the s/l on schedule, certain details will not be introduced for the first time in the rest of these letters ? but will be referenced as if Cassandra has already been told. My apologies; it?s poor writing form on my part ,but? c?est la vie. ))

Cassie-

Just a quick note today. Kota and I are taking the kids to the movies.

Well, the kids are finally off for summer vacation; you?d think I?d get some time to relax. Hardly the case. All of Aiden?s friends seem to want to play at our house instead of at their own. Of course?that could be because we go a pool put in the back yard. Yeah, I splurged and dished out the money for an in-ground pool. Both of the kids are little fishies; wanting to spend every waking moment in the water. Elena woke up one morning and toddled into my room wearing her swimming suit (on backwards) and her floaties so that they covered her hands. Yes, I took a picture of that for you. Too bad it was raining that day. She was so sad.

I?m still hoping that you come for a visit, I want you to meet Thomas. He and Aiden are so close and Aiden tells him about you all the time. I?ve heard him making a few things up. I think he is trying to remember?but it?s been so long? (Yeah, Cass? that was a hint!) Dakota wants to see you too. He?s been hanging around a lot more?now that he told me his secret. Can you believe it? All this time and I didn?t know his feelings. I have a feeling he?s gonna be around for a while.

Speaking of secrets?did you know that Dakota had cancer?! He told me that the other day. I?ve been upset the past couple days over it, but I can?t change the past. I just wish he would?ve told me back in Rhy?Din, ya know?

Pray this works out, Cassie. I don?t think I can go through another relationship and not have it work.

They are honking the horn?I guess my little note turned into a letter after all. I?ll write again soon, hon?. Let me know how things are going with you, ok? Love you!

-Char

Dearest Cassandra,

I can?t thank you enough for letting us stay with you during our vacation in Rhydin. We all had a wonderful time and the kids can?t stop talking about you and the gifts you gave them! My goodness, girl...you certainly spoiled them rotten and we all miss you already.

I hope things are going well for you? Are you getting along well with your cousin? Be sure to thank Erin and Sebastian for us as well. We enjoyed getting to meet your family, Cass?. How is everyone else? Do you know if Brian got his gift from Elena, yet?

The kids were so bummed when we got back in town because here it isn?t January...so they didn?t get to celebrate New Years like you all did. So we had our own little party instead and let the kids stay up until midnight. Elena, obviously, zonked out at around 10, but the boys managed to stay awake until midnight. Of course, they didn?t want to go to bed after that, so I made Dakota stay up with them because I was tired.

It was fun, though. The boys want to know what you did for New Years, and if you had fun or not.

Oh! The strangest thing happened yesterday. I think that Elena may have inherited a little bit of mine and Brian?s magical abilities. She was sitting on my lap yesterday morning, counting the buttons on my shirt. When she got to the buttons by my abdomen, she sort of jolted...like she?d been shocked by static electricity, ya know? She actually put her hand on my belly and then looked at me with this big smile on her face. ?Baby!? she said.

Cassie, I don?t know how she knew...because Dakota and I haven?t told the kids yet. Hell, I don?t even show at all. It was amazing! I suppose I?ll have to test her to see what kind of abilities she has. Perhaps...I could test you both together? You did say that you wanted to know, right? Well, write me back soon...I know we just saw you, but the kids still bug me to have you visit here. (Yeah, that was a hint!)

Love,
Charlotte Steele

P.S. I love my new surname.