#zane fyres-munch
Text
The night before Winterfest, we were cuddled up on the couch. We had spent all day decorating and preparing for my parents coming the next day. Freya had finally fallen asleep, the excitement keeping her up much too late. I had been trying to figure out for weeks how I should propose. I was getting desperate.
Dinner at a restaurant? I didn’t have the nerve. This all seemed too good to be true. What if she said no? Or felt pressured to say yes against her will? I couldn’t do a grand public proposal.
But then what? Just get down on one knee in the middle of the backyard? Set up an elaborate scene involving rose petals in the bedroom? Find a private area in a park? Nothing felt right. I wanted something honest. Something sincere.
I was still immersed in my thoughts when Cecilia sat up, and sighed happily in my arms.
“I can’t wait to see Freya’s face when she opens her presents tomorrow.”
Without thinking, I took her hands in mine, facing her.
“Marry me.”
“… what?”
There was no going back now. I took a deep breath and got down on one knee.
“Cecilia, I meant to do something more elaborate. But I can’t wait any longer. Will you marry me?”
I heard her gasp as I fumbled in my pocket for the ring.
“Yes! Eric… yes! Of course!”
I carefully put the ring on her finger.
When she kissed me, we both had tears in our eyes.
“You know what my parents are going to ask when we tell them tomorrow, right?”
She laughed.
“Then I guess we better agree on the answer, darling. Do you want to try for a baby now or wait until we’re married?”
“I was actually referring to picking a wedding date, but I love the way you think.”
My parents were thrilled for us when they arrived the next day. They immediately pulled Cecilia into a big hug.
“What a lovely surprise, Cecilia! We totally never saw it coming!”, my mother said, winking at me.
I cheerfully flipped her off. She just laughed.
“Dad – tell me the truth. Was this what you hoped for when you told Cecilia that she should visit me back in the spring?”
He sent me a conspiratorial smile.
“I just wanted you to be happy, son.”
I hugged him tight, his lean frame feeling almost fragile against my chest. When had he become smaller than me?
“I love you, dad.”
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen3#eric duchelli#cecilia bell#freya duchelli#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch
38 notes
·
View notes
Text
We will now leave Cora and Zane behind to focus on Eric's journey as he leaves home for Foxbury and immediately gets himself into all sorts of trouble.
If you've read this far, thank you. This started as me documenting a legacy challenge, and I slowly started nudging my characters into specific situations, and deliberately shooting scenes to make everything come together. I hope you've enjoyed my attempt to weave together these people's shenanigans into something resembling a story.
This is where all of that changes, though.
We have now reached the point where Free Will gets turned off for good and I take full control of the narrative. From now on, the story will be told in first person, and we are leaving the fourth wall intact.
Be warned that we'll be dealing with some mature themes along the way, such as addiction, mental health, flawed coping mechanisms, and rather questionable life choices in general. I use community tags for spice, but if you need a specific warning/tag, please let me know.
Thank you so much for reading, and as always, feel free to comment or send me a message, nothing makes me happier ❤️
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen2#duchelligen3#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#it's gonna get bumpy#duchelliextras
43 notes
·
View notes
Text
The next few years fly by. Daniel starts school, and with two workaholic parents, he becomes especially close to his grandfather.
Grandpa Don always has time to help with homework, although Daniel is a smart kid and barely needs help.
Don is also good for a hug and a confidence boost if the other kids are mean. Most of the other kids at school have gotten used to the way Daniel looks by now, but it was a tough start.
Eric has started walking, and to Zane’s utter delight, he has inherited both his red hair and green eyes, although Don jokes that the green eyes are his, and just skipped a generation.
Don is always ready with milk and a cookie after school so the boys have someone to spend time with, even if their parents are rarely home until dinner time.
“Easy there, Daniel. I’m not as strong as I once was.”
“But you were the strongest in the whole world!”
“Come on, Eric, get into bed. We can read or we can dance, but we can’t do both. Look at Daniel, he’s already in bed.”
“Boof! Boof boof!”
“No, no dog book, it’s the dino book today. We read the dog book yesterday. And the day before.”
“Boof…”
And so the boys sleep, blissfully unaware of what is about to happen.
In the early morning hours, Don stumbles out of bed. She was there, in his dream, kissing him the way she used to do, taking his breath away. He can still feel her lips on his.
“Alex”, he whispers breathlessly as he collapses on the floor.
And then he’s gone.
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen2#zane fyres-munch#don lothario#eric duchelli#daniel duchelli#excuse me i'm just gonna go cry now 😭
38 notes
·
View notes
Text
Insurrection - Part 2
While my parents were obviously very upset at the time, my brother was excited and wanted to go. The strangers, his uncle and grandmother, would take him with them when they returned to Sixam. Until then, my mother would teach them about her new technology.
The next few days, before they left, the rest of us tried to spend as much time with my brother as possible.
I admit that I was angry with him at first. I felt that he was abandoning me. Who was now going to help me with homework and make me laugh when I had a rough day at school?
Luckily, we managed to make up before he left. And I could see why he wanted to go – it was both an obligation and an adventure to him.
My father also had a heart-to-heart with my brother, the last night before he left for Sixam. It was a warm night and I could hear them outside my open window.
I know my father and brother both consider themselves true father and son, despite my brother’s origins. I hope spending time with his biological father on Sixam hasn’t changed that.
When the Sixams left, my dear brother left with them. I knew that it could take years before he would be able to travel back and visit us, especially if the wormhole technology never worked.
Trying to overcome the sadness of my brother leaving, my mother threw herself into her work. Sometimes I would barely see her for days, because she would stay late at the lab every day.
We now know that it was worth it, that she finally managed to secure a communication link, so we can get updates from my brother every few months, but she still hasn’t succeeded in establishing travel, and my brother is too busy to leave Sixam for a year or two just to visit.
My father tried to compensate for my mother’s constant working by spending more time with me.
But my father’s job was also very demanding, and I often spent my afternoons alone.
Most days, I only had Maggie for company.
But she was more than enough.
It’s not that I didn’t have friends, I had good friends at school, but I couldn’t exactly schedule playdates every single day.
One day, when I was alone at the playground, I saw a stray cat. She was limping and very dirty, and would not let me get near her, but I wanted to help her.
I spent the entire day trying to befriend her, and she finally let me pick her up so we could take her to the vet.
The cat had no chip or ear tattoo, and when no one came forward to claim her, my parents decided that I could keep her. I named her Winky.
Seeing how the veterinarian expertly diagnosed her problems and treated her while being kind and respectful made me realise that this is what I want to do with my life as well.
My parents tell me that I would play vet constantly, and bring home any animal I found. I was allowed to keep smaller birds and a couple of mice while nursing them back to health, but my parents helped me take any stray cats and dogs to the shelter, or I would have had an entire zoo.
A few years later, one of our neighbours had to move into a retirement home, and had to find a new home for her old dog, Milo. I had often been walking him for her, and she wanted me to have him. This time, my parents did not object.
Animals are what keeps me going, my reason to be courageous, kind, and disciplined. These are the qualities I will bring to Foxbury.
Thank youoooo99999ggggrrrrr;;;;;;;;33333333333
“Winky, seriously? Thanks for helping, but this is a very important letter.”
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope this essay gives you a better idea of the passion I bring to everything I do, and that I will bring to the field of veterinary medicine.
I look forward to speaking with you again in the future – hopefully as a student at your esteemed institution.
Sincerely,
Eric Fyres-Munch Duchelli
Asphalt Abode
Newcrest
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen3#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#daniel duchelli#eric duchelli#totally worth it mom i'm fine#for real though imagine living in a city where each house had a name
32 notes
·
View notes
Text
Chapter 19
Insurrection - Part 1
Re: Application letter to Foxbury – Biology with elective in Veterinary Science
Dear Dr. Gilscarbo, PhD.
It is with great pleasure that I submit my application for the distinguished degree in Biology at Foxbury University.
At present, I am finishing my studies at Newcrest High, and I have already secured several scholarships. My dream is to become a veterinarian and open my very own vet clinic. I feel that this would be the best way to combine my love for animals and my need to do good.
As you may be aware, my mother and father also both attended Foxbury in their youth. My mother went on to become a great astrophysicist, responsible for recently reestablishing direct contact with our neighbours on Sixam.
My father became a renowned lawyer. It is my firm belief that attending Foxbury will also put me on the path to greatness.
For this essay, I have chosen to illustrate how animals have made a great difference in my life. I do not believe that I would be who I am today without my beloved childhood dog, Maggie, and the other pets in my life.
To understand what Maggie meant to me, let me first take you back to my early childhood. When my grandfather died, my entire family was understandably distraught, and my parents decided to adopt a young pitbull from a shelter. The dog immediately sensed that I, a toddler at the time, needed her protection, and she was always by my side.
Maggie and I grew up together, and she became my trusty companion, sleeping next to my bed every night, and waiting for me when I came home from school.
She was also by my side on the night that changed both my life and Sixam relations forever.
I had gone to bed while my older brother was out with some friends, but I wasn’t asleep yet when I heard him come home. I also heard unfamiliar voices and my mother’s excited screams of disbelief.
I climbed out of bed, and went out in the hall, where I saw my parents and my brother – with two people I didn’t yet know.
Of course, my mother had told me about her adventures on Sixam, but this was their first visit back in over a decade.
After a brief introduction, my father tried to put me back to bed, but I couldn’t sleep.
I was scared because I knew that these people, who looked like my brother, could only have come to take him away.
My father tried to explain everything to me. He and my mother had been anticipating this for years.
He told me that Daniel’s biological father on Sixam was very ill and never had any other children.
It was important for my brother to go to Sixam and learn whatever he could while his father still lived, so he could take over his seat on the council.
As the first hybrid in a position of power at Sixam, my parents were worried for his safety, but his uncle, Tomnu, promised to keep him safe.
My mother, who had recently made the first breakthroughs in wormhole technology, suggested that she could go with them, to set up matching technology on Sixam, so direct communication, and perhaps later even travel, might become possible.
My father immediately asked to talk to her in private. He would not allow her to leave, and this was the first time I ever heard my parents have a serious fight.
I heard their loud voices through the wall, my father arguing that my mother couldn’t leave us, that he couldn’t lose her, and my mother crying, afraid to let her oldest son go alone. Again, Maggie comforted me.
I am happy that my mother decided to stay, and instead teach the Sixams as much as possible, so that they could set up the other portal on Sixam. If she had left, she might not have come back. My brother still has not.
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen3#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#daniel duchelli#eric duchelli#aliens#just trauma dump in your application eric its fine
28 notes
·
View notes
Text
“… it was really funny when Eric asked my father why he was always so grumpy, though.”
“Yeah, poor Wolfgang did not like that. Eric’s getting sassy. Before we know it, he starts school and then we blink and he’s getting married.”
“Cora, you’re doing it again. He’s only three years old. Relax.”
“Sorry, honey. I don’t know why I’m so worried. It just feels like the last few years flew by so quickly.”
“Cora! Are you saying I’m boring and forgettable?”
“No, you’re a huge dork.”
“Well, you’re a huge nerd!”
“Oh yeah? Would a nerd do this?”
“Mmmmguess not.”
“Stop worrying so much, Cora. We have all the time in the world.”
“I hope you’re right, honey.”
“Everything will be fine, my love.”
“So then I told her what the teacher said, and then -“
“Boys, there are three bathrooms in this house. Do you really have to wait for this one?”
“But, dad, the others are all the way upstairs!”
“The horror. Hurry up, or you’ll be late for school.”
“Yes, dad. Anyways, then she said…”
Daniel has grown into a charismatic young man, who has somehow managed to make being smart a cool thing in his school.
At first glance, Eric is growing up to look very similar to his father, but on closer inspection he does have mainly Cora’s features. The nose, however, is clearly Zane’s.
Daniel, always the popular guy, often hangs out with his friends after school, and tonight is no different.
The close-knit group of friends from school consists of three guys and three girls and they often go out for coffee and hot chocolate.
The beefcake is Colten, a self-assured guy with a tendency to brag. He and Daniel are best friends and work out together. Behind him is the equally blonde Lydia, who just so happens to be the daughter of Cora’s colleague Elsa. Lydia refuses to talk about her mother after she left to live with Payton, though.
There’s also Deon, the closeted environmentalist, and Maliyah, who spends most of her time sending Deon longing looks while pretending she’s not interested at all.
Finally, there’s Kailani. She’s very cool and confident, and would be the obvious leader of the group if it wasn’t for Daniel’s magnetic personality.
Daniel and Kailani always joke around in a somewhat flirty way, but both insist there’s nothing between them.
Especially when Lydia is around, because she has a huge crush on Daniel, which is very much a secret, and so of course everyone knows.
The evening is winding down, and the teenagers are debating whether to go home or stay a little longer.
Suddenly, Daniel gets up and stares across the café, looking confused.
“Hey, Danny? What’s up, you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
“Danny? Are you OK?”
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen2#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#daniel duchelli#eric duchelli#kailani ward#colten smith#aliens
28 notes
·
View notes
Text
Chapter 22
A Million Dreams
The university found out, of course. They gave me my diploma, but I wasn’t allowed to attend the graduation ceremony, and I was told to move off campus immediately. I had nowhere to go but home.
My father, always the responsible one, was angry and disappointed.
No surprise there.
My mother seemed more worried about the age difference. She said that we were at very different stages in life. Katherine being 38 had never bothered me before, but maybe my mother was right. I was only 23, so it was a pretty big gap.
“We’ve given you everything, Eric. Always. Everything you wanted – and you almost threw away your entire future because you were thinking with the wrong head! I thought we raised you better than this.”
“I know, dad. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. And we… I thought we were being careful.”
I hid my face in my hands.
“Just… not careful enough, I guess.”
My father, of course, was thinking like a lawyer. He insisted that I should also get a paternity test.
That hit me hard. I hadn’t even considered the fact that I might not be the father either.
“Seriously, Eric, for all you know, the father could be any student on campus.”
“That’s out of line, dad! Yes, we were stupid, but Katherine is not… she’s not like that.”
My father looked at me, stone-faced.
“How certain are you, son?”
I understood what he meant. The amount of cheating and lying he’d seen as a divorce lawyer for over three decades was staggering.
“I… I guess I can’t be sure.”
Finally, my mother spoke up.
“Zane, honey, you’re being too hard on him. And her. We all make mistakes, remember? And this family wouldn’t even exist if my life – or yours – had turned out the way we originally planned.”
My father briefly glanced at the pictures behind us. I remembered hearing he’d once been engaged to someone else.
“No amount of arguing can change what happened. What we need to do is find out how we can best help our son.”
She put her hand on mine.
“And our possible grandchild.”
I let out a sob, and my mother pulled me to her, hugging me tightly.
As my mother held me, I wished I could go back to being the carefree teenager who had his life all figured out.
Was it really only a few years ago?
My room had been left untouched while I was away. It was almost like travelling back in time – almost. I could hear my parents’ voices downstairs. It reminded me of the night the Sixams came for my brother.
I wondered what Daniel would be doing now if he hadn’t gone with them. We never heard from him anymore.
My perfect brother definitely wouldn’t be going around knocking up married women, that’s for sure. But I had plenty of problems without worrying about him. How could I be so stupid? I had no idea what to do.
I used to have my entire future planned out. I had a million dreams. Some people have a 5 year plan, I had a 25 year plan. Now I felt lost and uncertain.
My father came in and sat on my bed. I quickly wiped away my tears.
He apologised for being so hard on me. He told me that he had discussed things with my mother, and they had decided to do their best to make some of my dreams come true despite everything.
Daniel was unlikely to ever return, so I was their only heir. My parents were going to cash in some of their assets and help me and Katherine get set up. He called it an early inheritance.
The numbers he mentioned were intimidating. I always knew we were pretty well off, but I had no idea how much money my parents had accumulated in investments and savings over the years.
I accepted. It wasn't like I had any other options.
beginning / previous / next
25 notes
·
View notes
Text
Being a dad gave me a new appreciation for things. I loved the raw beauty of Brindleton Bay, which was much more interesting than the suburbs of Newcrest where I grew up, but it excited me even more to see it through Freya’s eyes.
The night before Winterfest, I took her out for a little walk, bundled up in warm clothes. We looked at the snow falling quietly in the dark. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
This was the first winter Freya had been old enough to really appreciate snow, and her excitement was infectious. I felt like I had been taking snow for granted until now.
She giggled and tried to catch the falling snowflakes with her little hands, and I hugged her tight.
I didn’t know it was possible to love someone this much.
Winterfest morning was beautiful. Everything was covered in fresh snow and Brindleton Bay looked like a postcard.
My parents had come all the way from Newcrest to spend Winterfest with us, and I was excited to see them. It had been a few months since their last visit and they weren’t getting any younger. I wanted Freya to spend as much time with her grandparents as possible.
Katherine and I played our roles perfectly. I didn’t want my parents to worry, so I never discussed our relationship with them, but I think they suspected that things weren’t great. They were always very kind towards Katherine, but never seemed especially fond of her.
They adored Freya, though. My father didn’t even take off his coat before tossing her into the air to make her laugh.
My mother wanted a family portrait. Katherine immediately volunteered to take one.
Months later, when it was all too late, I would think back to this day and wonder if she had kept herself out of the picture on purpose.
But during Winterfest, I thought nothing of it. I was busy spending time with my family.
Dinner went well. I updated my parents on the clinic, but Katherine and I mostly told them about Freya. How many words she knew by now, all the funny things she had said and done since their last visit.
Katherine and I both had a lot of practice putting on a performance to make things seem normal by now, but I wondered if my parents sensed that we were trying a little too hard.
It made me happy and a little bit envious to see the obvious love between my parents, even after over 25 years of marriage. I hoped they would set a better example for Freya than Katherine and I did.
My father was entertaining us with some of the most outrageous divorce lawsuits he’d seen in his career.
Katherine and I weren’t married, and I had often wondered if it would be better if we simply broke up, stopped pretending. But I knew exactly what would happen.
She would take Freya with her, and I would at best get to see my daughter half the time – if I was extremely lucky. I couldn’t risk that.
I had considered asking my father what rights I would have, but I knew there was no good solution except staying with Katherine. Even if I could somehow keep Freya to myself, she would just lose her mother instead. I couldn’t do that to either of them.
Once more, I pushed away any thoughts of leaving Katherine. I had to keep going. For my daughter.
For Freya.
A few weeks after Winterfest, I woke up in the middle of the night. At first I wasn’t sure what woke me up, but then I heard Katherine in the bathroom.
It sounded like she was crying, trying to be quiet. I put my arm on her pillow. Still warm, she couldn’t have been gone for long.
Then I noticed that she’d left her phone behind. The screen was still on, and my curiosity got the better of me.
She had been chatting to Kailani. I only had time to read Katherine’s last message as I heard her blowing her nose in the bathroom. It simply said:
“Thank you both, but I can’t do this anymore. I’m leaving him.“
Shit.
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen3#eric duchelli#katherine gilscarbo#freya duchelli#zane fyres-munch#cora duchelli
25 notes
·
View notes
Text
Chapter 17
All Good Things…
Luckily for Cora and Zane, the very first IVF treatment is a success.
Zane is thrilled with the news, scoops Cora into his arms and swings her around the kitchen when he comes home from work, almost knocking over the fruit bowl.
“This is it, honey. There’s no backing out – or changing your mind again.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Cora. But I have been thinking about something…”
He gently puts her down.
“So, since you got to name Daniel on your own, it’s my turn this time, right? So I say Sue if it’s a girl and Lou Paul if it’s a boy.”
“Wait, like loophole? I love you honey, but I will literally kill you if you name our child a lawyer pun.”
“Understandable. We’ll workshop it some more. What about Misty Meanor?”
“Guess what, Daniel! You’re going to be a big brother! And you have no idea what that means, do you?”
“Bowwah!”
“Yeah, I thought so.”
“Good morning, my lean, mean, baby-making machine.”
“First of all, good morning. Second of all, ew.”
“Yeah, that didn’t sound right. Sorry, honey.”
“Just kiss me and get to work, you big dork.”
Meanwhile, Daniel is oblivious to the fact that in 6 months he’ll have to share his family (and his room) with someone else.
“Goodbye son, take care of your mom while I’m at work.”
“Zane…”
“Shhhh, honey, I can’t hear if he responds.”
“Zane!”
“Zane, have I ever told you that you’re a huge dork?”
“Often, my love. See you tonight.”
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen2#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#don lothario#daniel duchelli
28 notes
·
View notes
Text
Chapter 16
Second Chances
Cora and Zane waste no time in getting married. The wedding is planned in a matter of weeks.
It seems to Don that it isn’t that long ago he stood in this church with Alex. It’s hard to believe that both his little girls are married now.
“Don’t you dare grow up too quickly”, he whispers and hugs Daniel tight.
Brie is also emotional. Both of her parents are now gone, with Johnny dying only a few months ago. At least Alex got to see Cora return, even if she won’t see her married.
In the back of the church, on Zane’s side of the isle, Layla and Aidan are showing their support. Layla is expecting their second child and is happily chatting to their old university friend Conor, who was on Cora’s football team. Conor is seated next to Zane’s sister Isabelle.
Zane’s father, Wolfgang, is struggling with some mixed emotions. He wants his son to be happy, but marrying into Don’s family wouldn’t have been his first choice for Zane.
As the ceremony finishes, Daniel squirms out of his seat and runs to his parents.
Zane and Cora scoop him into a hug.
Even grumpy Wolfgang can’t help but smile at the happiness radiating from the trio.
Outside the church, Morgan finds Don.
“Don, have you ever met my daughter, Isabelle?”
“Isabelle. You are certainly the spitting image of your mother. Just as beautiful”, Don replies, and gallantly kisses her hand.
“Mom, you didn’t tell me Don was such a gentleman.”
“There are many things I have’t told you, dear.”
“Mom, Isa, I see you have managed to corner my new father-in-law but I need you all to join us for a few speeches.”
During the speeches and toasts, Isabelle gets tipsy and starts trying to grill Don about his personal life. Morgan barely manages to steer the conversation away from her and Don’s past.
As Wolfgang passes the table where Don is talking to his wife and daughter, he shoots Don an angry glare.
Zane also joins the table. Wolfgang is so focused on Don that he even ignores Payton’s attempts at congratulating him on his son’s wedding. After a while, Don retreats to a quiet corner to get away from the awkward situation.
It doesn’t take long before Isabelle finds him.
“Heeeey Don… mom didn’t tell me how handsome you were, you know…”
“Isabelle, please. I think you’ve had enough champagne.”
“No no, I’m fine. C’mon, gimme a kiss…”
“DON!”
A furious Wolfgang storms up to them as Isabelle quickly climbs off Don’s lap.
“I knew it! Keep your hands off her, you sleazy bastard!”
“Wolfgang, I haven’t done anything to Isabelle, and I’m not going to…”
“Do you think I’m blind? I know your tricks! I know what kind of man you are!”
“And what kind of man am I, Wolfgang?”
“Dad – no!”
The punch barely fazes Don. Wolfgang himself actually seems surprised at what he just did.
“Don… I didn’t mean… I just…”
Luckily for Wolfgang, Don, former world champion bodybuilder, simply walks away.
Zane pulls his father aside.
“Dad… how could you? I asked you not to make a scene.”
“Son, you don’t understand. That man has no morals. I know him. Something happened years ago… your mother…”
“Dad, if I recall correctly, you had walked out on us. According to mom, Don was the one encouraging her to give you another chance when you came back.”
“She was still my wife! I… he… he had no right…”
“Dad, you need to get it together. I know you don’t like Don, but he’s my father-in-law and you can’t just go around punching people in the face.”
“Take mom and Isa home. And find a way to deal with your issues that doesn’t involve hitting anyone.”
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen2#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#don lothario#wolfgang munch#morgan fyres#aidan martin#layla brown
25 notes
·
View notes
Text
At the lab, the rocket project has been abandoned. There are certain physical limits to the speed of a rocket, and Cora is investigating other options.
“Hey, honey, it’s me. Yeah, I need to stay late. Yes, again. I know, I’m sorry… I promise it’ll be the last time this week. Love you too. Kiss the boys goodnight for me.”
Several of Cora’s colleagues have joined her new project. They all want to help, not just because they care about Cora, but because it’ll be a huge technological breakthrough if they succeed.
Cora is working like a maniac, staying late at least every other day. Her colleagues are getting a little worried about her.
“Payton and I are leaving now, Cora. You’re the last one left.”
“Thanks, Elsa. Have a good night.”
“You too. Remember to go home, Cora.”
“I will.”
“Just… not yet. I need to finish this.”
At home, poor Zane falls asleep on the couch while waiting for Cora to come home. Caring for both of their sons and a dog while trying to become partner at the law firm is exhausting. And he needs the sleep, because tomorrow is a big day.
Grandma Morgan and grandpa Wolfgang are the first to arrive for Eric’s birthday, followed shortly by aunt Isabelle and her husband Conor.
Isabelle is pregnant with their second child. Their first son, Caiphus, was born less than a year after Cora and Zane’s wedding. Luckily, Conor’s parents has agreed to babysit him for the day.
“Anyway, Caiphus got such a unique name that I’m not sure we can do it again. Conor likes the name Jordon, but I’m not sure it’s really special enough for my taste.”
Morgan is extremely proud of her son and his little family. But then again, Zane was always the more responsible of her children.
Isabelle is happy for her brother, if slightly jealous of his obvious happiness. Her marriage with Conor is fine, but she might have preferred someone a bit more… exciting, if he hadn’t gotten her pregnant shortly after Cora and Zane’s wedding.
Wolfgang, of course, is mostly preoccupied with complaining about the dog.
Brie and Shawn has also left their kids, Jaxen and Alyson, at home. They claim it’s just for the convenience, but Zane suspects that they’re a bit worried about the dog.
“Happy birthday, Eric! Can you blow out the candles? Okay, let mommy help.”
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen2#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#daniel duchelli#morgan fyres#wolfgang munch#eric duchelli#i swear the game came up with the name caiphus i had nothing to do with that
25 notes
·
View notes
Text
Chapter 18
First Contact
The death of Don was a hard blow for the family. The house feels empty and quiet without his broad shoulders and booming laugh.
Daniel in particular is struggling. Grandpa Don was his best friend.
Daniel was allowed to choose whether to stay in his old bedroom or move into Don’s room, and he chose Don’s. Zane often finds his oldest son crying under the covers when he comes to tuck him in at night.
Zane is also grieving, he was very close to his father-in-law, and his heart hurts for his family.
Eric is too young to fully understand, so he just cries and asks for his grandpa.
One night, after tucking in the boys, Zane finds Cora crying quietly in the living room.
“You okay, honey?”
Cora wipes her tears away.
“Yeah, it’s just… Everything.”
“I miss him too, Cora.”
“It’s not just dad. It’s… I feel old. And like I’m running out of time. I need to find a way to get to Sixam, and we’re not getting any younger. By the time Eric goes to university, we’ll be close to retirement.”
“Honey, we’re not that ancient. And you’re making progress at work, right? I don’t understand half of it, but even I have heard of wormholes. And if you can’t solve it, no one can.”
“Sorry, honey, I know I’m being too pessimistic. It’s just hard dealing with my own feelings and trying to cheer up the kids… I don’t know, maybe we should get that dog they keep begging for.”
“Another brilliant idea from my brilliant wife. We’ll go check out the local animal shelters tomorrow. Now come to bed.”
“DAD, IS THAT A DOG? Is that the surprise? Can we keep it?”
“That’s the plan, buddy! This is Maggie, she’s going to live with us now!”
“Doggie?”
“Yes, Eric. She’s our dog now.”
“Doggie!”
“And she’s a good doggie, Eric! Look, she can shake! The rest we will have to teach her.”
“Can I help teach her, dad? This is the best day ever!”
Maggie quickly becomes a beloved part of the family and Eric in particular is very attached to her.
Maggie seems to understand that he’s just a toddler and she is very gentle and patient with him. He is allowed to do anything to her, and she usually stays close and protects him.
She is also happy to watch a movie with Daniel, especially because he allows her to get on the couch.
Zane starts running again, something that he had stopped doing without Don, and takes Maggie out every morning – even when it rains.
Cora prefers evening runs. Maggie is just happy to be included.
Everyone is happier than they have been for a long time, and the wounds left behind by Don’s death are slowly healing.
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen2#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#daniel duchelli#eric duchelli
24 notes
·
View notes
Text
Years passed, and by the time Freya was in school, I found myself picking her up from basket or football practice several times a week just to spend a few hours with her.
She could never sit still. Impulsive and energetic, she was always climbing or running or getting into trouble.
Katherine still refused to let Freya stay the night with me. She was afraid that I’d get drunk and not wake up in an emergency. But when my parents wanted to take Freya and me on a weekend trip to Mt. Komorebi to celebrate my 30th birthday, Katherine allowed it.
My parents had rented a cabin for the four of us, right next to the ski lift.
Freya was thrilled. To no one’s surprise, she insisted on snowboarding instead of skiing. And she was a natural.
I wondered how I’d managed to have a daughter that was good at everything she did. She certainly didn’t get that from me, it had to be from Katherine.
It was nice with a change of scenery, and I loved being able to spend more than just a few hours with my daughter.
After dinner, Freya talked my mother into teaching her some new card games, so my father and I decided to try out the hot springs.
We chatted for a bit, but then he turned serious.
“Son… you have a way with the ladies, much like your grandpa Don. Unlike him, though, you don’t seem to be able to hold on to any of them.”
“I really don’t want to have this conversation, dad. I’m fine. I’m not trying to hold on to any of them, anyway.”
“How many nurses have you been through in the last five years? Ten?”
I felt my cheeks burning. “… Eleven.”
My father sighed. “I just want you to be happy, son.”
“Tell me then, how can I be happy, dad? Katherine took my daughter away from me. All I do now is work and wait for my next chance to see Freya.”
“I have neither the time nor the energy to date seriously. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother being alive.”
Shit. I shouldn’t have said that. I could see the worry in his face.
“Eric…”
“I didn’t mean that, dad. It just feels hopeless sometimes, you know? I’m going to go out for a drink before bed.”
“Eric, you can’t leave like this.”
“Don’t worry, dad. It’ll just be one drink, I promise.”
“I’m not going to… do anything stupid.”
“Eric, please…”
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen3#eric duchelli#freya duchelli#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#dont panic
22 notes
·
View notes
Text
Sandy Run Bowling is pretty full by the time they arrive, but luckily most people flock to the bar.
“I didn’t even know blacklight bowling was a thing. And it’s so weird not to have to constantly make sure Daniel isn’t getting into trouble.”
“Cora, you’re ahead by like 20 points, I thought you said you’d never bowled!”
“Thank you for not being a sore loser, Zane. Let’s get a drink before we leave.”
“I’m glad you invited me out, Zane. I really needed this. I had fun.”
“Always a pleasure.”
Before he can change his mind, Zane steps forward and kisses her.
Cora kisses him back for the briefest of seconds before suddenly pushing him away.
“Zane, no, I.. no. We can’t. I should go.”
“Cora, please… I’m sorry…”
“I’ll get a taxi. Goodnight, Zane.”
“Goodnight.”
For a few days, Cora ignores Zane’s texts and calls.
Don is annoyed with her.
“Cora, I see you two all the time. You’re perfect together, why don’t you give it a chance?”
“It wouldn’t work, dad. Please stay out of this.”
“I just want you to be happy, baby girl.”
A few days after the bowling fiasco, Zane is at the door.
“Cora, we need to talk about this. You haven’t been answering my calls. Or my texts.”
“Why did you kiss me? Do you have any idea how much pain you’re causing me? How dare you!”
“Pain? I would never want to cause you pain. What are you talking about?”
“Because I love you, Zane. But it would never work. I want more children. And you famously don’t.”
For a moment, Zane simply stares at Cora as tears well up in her eyes.
“Cora, I… why didn’t you talk to me about this? I do want kids. Every time I see Daniel I wish he was mine.”
“What? But – but you don’t want kids! You and Layla broke up over this! You never wanted kids!”
“I changed my mind.”
“But you can’t even have kids, you told me yourself…”
“Cora, you’re a scientist. Surely you know there are ways around that. We’ll figure it out.”
“We?”
“If you want me.”
For a moment, Cora looks into Zane’s eyes, as if trying to find a trace of doubt – or deceit.
Then she kisses him.
beginning / previous / next
25 notes
·
View notes
Text
Chapter 20
Get the Party Started
I clearly remember how I felt when I got my acceptance letter from Foxbury. I knew that this would mark the true beginning of my life. I would get my dream career, everything was going according to plan.
Even though I had assumed, perhaps a bit arrogantly, that I would get in, I still did a little happy dance in front of the mailbox.
My parents were proud and happy for me, but I suspect they were also looking forward to finally spending some more time alone.
After all, they started dating when my brother was a baby and had never lived alone together.
My own love life was less happy. My girlfriend, Cecilia, who I had been dating for almost a year, told me we needed to talk. I knew what was coming.
She had also been accepted into her dream university, and wanted us to break up before we left.
I knew she was right. We were too young for long distance, and we would both be better off being free while meeting so many new people. Neither of us wanted a messy breakup later in case one of us found someone new.
I knew it was for the best, but it still hurt. Cecilia was my first long-term girlfriend, and I really did love her.
We hung out for a few hours, just enjoying each other’s company one last time. Neither of us wanted her to leave and make it final.
I’m not ashamed to admit that there were some tears when we said goodbye, but I still wished her all the best at her university.
Even harder was saying goodbye to Maggie. She was very old, much older than we ever expected a pitbull to get, and I knew she didn’t have much time left. My parents promised to spoil her completely.
Despite the pain of saying goodbye to everyone, I still felt great when I arrived at Foxbury. I knew that this was where I belonged, my destiny. I had dreamed of this for years.
I immediately started preparing for my first classes, I knew I wanted to be in the top as always.
I also walked around campus, familiarising myself with the new surroundings, especially the common area, Larry’s Lagoon, where the canteen was, as well as a gym, a robotics lab, and a study area.
The very first week, I met Jamie. She just walked over and started talking to me during lunch. At first I wasn’t sure what to make of her. Surely, no one could be that outgoing? The next day, she came over and asked to join me for my morning workout.
She was pretty fit, and it was nice with some company. She could even give me some tips.
I managed a new personal record with her guidance.
At first, I was a little worried that maybe she was interested in me, but it was quickly apparent that she wasn’t into guys at all. We even ended up discussing ex-girlfriends, and I told her all about Cecilia.
Cecilia and I knew each other from school, and had been flirting for a while before meeting up at a coffee shop near the park. I was surprised when she kissed me as a greeting. She then insisted we found a more private place.
We sat in a nearby picnic area. I was a bit shy, and a little startled by her taking the initiative like that, so I nervously messed around on my phone, but Cecilia wasn’t having it.
She demanded my attention. It was honestly refreshing. The few girls I had briefly dated before her were the quiet types, and since I also tend to be quiet until I get to know people, the dates had been pretty lame.
But Cecilia challenged me. She didn’t take no for an answer and she was smart and witty.
Flirting with her was like fencing, both of us taking turns attacking and parrying, throwing smart-ass comebacks at each other.
I don’t believe in soulmates, but if I did, I might have said that she was mine. We matched so well.
When we got tired of bantering, she simply pulled me in for a kiss. No mind games, no insisting that I take the initiative just because I’m the guy.
It was one of the things I loved about her. The simplicity. Everything was so easy with her.
Well, it also didn’t hurt that she was a great kisser.
Talking about Cecilia made me a little sad, but Jamie managed to cheer me up with a few anecdotes of terrible dates she had been on, and just like that, we were friends.
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen3#cora duchelli#zane fyres-munch#eric duchelli#cecilia bell#first person pov is here to stay#the curse of being hot is thinking everyone is into you#bonus info cecilia is the granddaughter of michael bell and speaks in a slight henford accent
22 notes
·
View notes
Text
Chapter 15
The Perfect Mate
A few weeks after her return, Cora goes into labour.
The family welcomes little Daniel. Everyone but Cora is slightly surprised about the way he looks – despite being warned. But they get used to it quickly.
Alex, who has (supposedly) retired from her life of crime, has embraced being a full-time grandmother, and spends her evenings knitting stuff for baby Daniel and for Brie’s son Jaxen.
Grandpa Don is ecstatic about having a baby in the house again, and dotes on little Daniel.
Aunt Brie stops by to meet Daniel as well, and announces that her and Shawn are already considering a second child.
Zane also comes to meet the new family member. Alex shoots Don a meaningful look when he sits back down after letting a slightly flustered Zane in.
“Nice young man, that Zane. And handsome.”
“Zane… I don’t want you to be too shocked, but… he looks a bit special – like his father.”
Zane looks a the little blue baby, unsure of what to do or say. He was never good with children, always felt uncomfortable around them. But this is Cora’s child. What is he so afraid of?
“Do you want to hold him?”
“I… uh, better not. I don’t want to drop him”, Zane mumbles. Cora can’t quite read the emotion in his face. Shortly after he excuses himself with an important case he needs to work on and leaves.
With Don and Alex at home, it doesn’t take long for Cora to return to work. Luckily, her old job is excited to have her back, and she is excited to share everything she learned from the Sixams.
Of course, things are slightly awkward in the beginning, as not everyone quite believes her story, but it’s hard to argue with the results that her new knowledge provides.
Cora also gets updated on the office drama. Her colleague Elsa thought she was too old to have more kids, but suddenly found herself pregnant and gave birth to a little girl – with black hair. Her very blonde husband Lucas was not impressed. A paternity test and two divorces later, Elsa and Cora’s supervisor Payton now live in a San Myshuno apartment with their baby daughter.
A few weeks later Zane drops by again, and this time Cora convinces him to hold the baby.
“Hi Daniel… Cora, are you sure? He’s so small… What if I hurt him somehow?”
Cora laughs.
“You won’t hurt him. Because if you do, I’ll have to sue you, and I promise to use your competitor.”
“I told you, I don’t do that kind of law, Cora.” Zane smiles as he gingerly picks up the baby.
Zane looks into Daniel’s dark eyes, so unlike Cora’s and yet so similar, and is struck by an entirely new feeling. As he marvels at the little fingers trying to grab his tie, Zane feels a sense of protectiveness wash over him, like he would do anything for this child. Cora’s child.
“See, I told you it would be fine!” Cora says, and Zane snaps back to reality.
“Yeah… fine.” Zane puts Daniel down gently, surprised at how empty his arms suddenly feel.
beginning / previous / next
#duchellilegacy#duchellichapters#duchelligen2#cora duchelli#alexandra duchelli#don lothario#zane fyres-munch#daniel duchelli
23 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
venom2celyfilmceska
Venom 2: Carnage přichází (2021) celý film online CZ dabing
aliinbdt
Hey Cutie
smokeshopfontana
SmokeShopFontanaCa
hebe
foxclubs