Apparition of Love

Kasidi Prause

Description

It’s been three years since Adam and Chuck left the security and comfort of Aster’s House, to the streets of LA where they trained as undercover cops. Questions are plenty though answers will be hard to explain as the sound of Chuck's Harley Davidson echo’s the thunder of his arrival.
Once more the homestead is full of Life with Annie & Makya along with their kids Tye and Brook, as Darcy, Sophia and Marilyn with her kaleidoscope of baggage arrive unexpectedly. It’s a family reunion of ups and downs as Gabe, Toad, Maya and Louie try and keep their family together as a malevolent crime lord finds his way to Aster’s House. Leaving a gruesome calling card as tempers flare, emotions run high knowing Aster’s House once more falls into chaos leaving Gabe, Toad, Louie and Maya to take their fight to LA as Chuck makes a heartfelt decision.

Sujets

• Love
• Love (disambiguation)
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Xlibris AU
• Date de parution: 23 avril 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9798369491201
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Apparition of Love
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kasidi Prause
 
 
Copyright © 2023 by Kasidi Prause.

Library of Congress Control Number:
2023907379
ISBN:
Hardcover
979-8-3694-9122-5

Softcover
979-8-3694-9121-8

eBook
979-8-3694-9120-1
 
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
 
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
 
 
Rev. date: 04/19/2023
 
 
 
Xlibris
AU TFN: 1 800 844 927 (Toll Free inside Australia)
AU Local: [phone] ([phone] from outside Australia)
www.Xlibris.com.au
 
852928
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: Returning Home
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7: Sally’s Apparition
Chapter 8
Chapter 9: Flashback Undercover
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19: Present
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36: Chuck’s A Vampire
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39: Chucks, Toads & Louie’s Journey
Chapter 40
Chapter 41: Flashback to 1740
Chapter 42: Back Home
Chapter 43: Show Down On The Docks
Chapter 44
Chapter 45: Returning To Aster’s House
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Pexels Free Pictures
Along with their photographer’s
Tobias Bjorkli (Front cover)
Jack Redgale (Biker – insert)
Blended with
Unsal Denirbas (forest background)
 

CHAPTER 1
Returning Home
S HE IS INCREDIBLY stentorian and beautiful whilst cruising down a familiar road riding a Classic blue, 1940’s soft style Heritage Harley-Davidson, Chuck is a little nervous as thoughts of home, he is loved ones the same ones he has not been in contact with for over three years would welcome him with open arms. Wondering, if he’s met with a cold shoulder or two as the wheels roll closer to home as he tries to shake it off and if anything- the last three years in the city has opened his eyes, especially love! Chuck cannot believe he is almost home and for while he believed he would never see such foliage again, as he rides beneath an umbrella of auburn trees with its glossy leaves as a flood of memories from his childhood rise to the surface whilst butterflies flutter their presence within the pit of his stomach. And then a single thought would cross his mind as he dared to dream, hoping, he would see a glimpse of Redhorn? It is crazy he knows, but to see his dad folding his arms as he leans causally against the black iron gates of Aster’s House, sporting a smile whilst his long flowing hair lifts with the afternoon breeze along with his signature red feathers, waving, as he welcomes Chuck home. Only, his dream fades out, for he knows its wishful thinking as Chuck approach’s a slight bend in the road as he rides towards the gate. Noticing worn impressions in the driveway leading to the forest across the road where Adam and at times and his sisters would often escape to, a backyard unlike any other as they casually take walks to unwind. Unfortunately, time never stands still... unless, you’re a Vampire!
Though in the back of Chuck’s mind, there’s only one flaw to being human and that’s time, it’s always something we leave to the last minute - hearing those famous words “Relax, we have plenty of time.” Then regretting one’s decision running around like a child whose lost his way, frantic, hearing that little voice within us as it shouts out “Times up.” unable to turn back. And just like that single moment from his childhood within the darkness of the forest where Chuck stood, angry, frightened, in a small clearing with only the moonlight reflecting on their faces when an impulse causes Chuck to lash out punching Gabe’s face. Chuck’s holding his hand not letting on how much it hurts, thinking it felt like a block of ice forgetting Gabe’s face was not human. And then reality sets in realising what he has just done and then there was silence, as he stood still whilst staring into Gabe’s bright red eyes where he could hear his own heart racing. He trembled, unable to move whilst soiling his pants, cringing of what he might do? As Chuck watched the demon within Gabe surface – he gulped, as he stood so still wishing he could have taken that single slap back. Hearing Toad asking Gabe to calm down worried the demon side would lash out, Chuck closed his eyes so tight fearful of what’s coming next. Then nothing, he opens one eye then the next when suddenly he knew he really did love him. Having pushed him so far and not once did he raise, his voice or swing his hand, Gabe just looked at him with teary eyes and told him everything would be alright. Chuck honestly wondered what they ever saw in him that day, knowing now as he thinks back - their undying love, and patients, only grew strong for him. Chuck was blessed with three incredible dads and to him “Vampires” was merely a label, so, there was only one path he could follow which is why he chose to be an - undercover cop!
Chuck approaches the gate indicating his turning left as he drives through noticing the flower beds flourishing on either side of the driveway featuring Aster’s flowers in an array of spectacular colour. Chucks eyes then gaze up towards the roof hoping he could see someone perched while discussing matters of the day, shaking his head realising no one is there? Chuck looks up and scans the windows hoping to see someone peek out and see who it is, again nothing. Getting a little frustrated hoping someone would rush out and welcome him home, when he makes a sarcastic remark and whispered beneath, his breath, “I’m home, don’t all rush out at once.” Raising an eyebrow wondering where everyone is, questioning himself if he was in the right house. Hoping the sound of he’s bike would alert those inside to come out and see who it is, as he approaches the porch steps and stops turning off the engine as he sits there bewildered, then waits and hopes someone walks out through the front door, anyone as he sighs heavily snapping, “I guess no one is home?” Chuck then heard the screen door open as he takes off, his helmet sliding his hand over his glossy bald head, then places it down in front of him resting it on the fuel tank as he sits back with his arms folded contemplating whether he should shout or not? And then a child strolls out through the front screen door, though he hasn’t seen Annie’s son in over three years noticing he’s wearing a plaid shirt and faded jeans with he’s hands tucked in the front of his pockets, he’s confident! Whilst staring down at Chuck noticing the bike while Chuck looked at the boy then noticed the Red Los-Angeles Angel’s baseball cap he sent as a gift, Chuck can’t believe how much Tye has grown and wonders if the boy remembers him as he smiles hoping he’s tuff exterior doesn’t scare him when in a soft tone he said,
“Hi buddy, glad you’re wearing the cap I bought you.”
“Hi Uncle Chuck, mum’s upstairs with dad.” he smiles.
Chuck dismounts he is bike then stands as Tye slowly makes, his way down the porch steps then onto the front lawn, he causally walks over and stands in front of his uncle noticing he’s rummaging through his saddle bags pulling out items placing them down on the seat. Tye checks out his bike catching the amazing artwork as he runs his fingers over the impression, he’s thinking and knows it’s the same man in the photo sitting on the table his mum and dad’s been telling stories about expressing,
“This is so cool; mum and dad would tell me stories about Red. Is it true what they say about Red? He wanted to be with Gem, and left everyone behind?”
“Yeah, that he did.” Chuck softly replies.
Tye did not understand and that is okay he is only nine years old wishing Tye would never feel the pain of losing a soul mate, Chuck did not have much stashed away in he is saddles bags preferring to travel light. Watching Tye opening he’s hands offering to help as Chuck was impressed, he chuckles then happily replies, “Thanks buddy, so tell me - what have you been doing with yourself? Going for walks with Bugzy catching rabbits?” Chuck could see a change in Tye’s facial expression and wonders what he said they may have upset him, Chuck was finished relieving Tye of he is belongings when he placed a hand on his shoulders and asks,
“What is it Tye, something wrong with Bugzy?”
“No, she is fine, I think. Mum and dad said she left with Stephan and Trent saying they needed to move on, and then you left with Adam to LA and then Sophia left for collage with Marilyn & Darcy