Obviously the trigger for the original story was a scene in a canon episode plus the idle thought that if Robert Goren was that good as a competitor, what would he be like as a creator? Add the concept that the characters are now older, and that things might have changed in their lives. Otherwise I woke one morning with "Requited" hammering my brain demanding to be born. And before it was ever finished, other stories started clamoring as well.

Warning—post-series 'ship ahoy! When the characters start talking to me, I can only do what they say.

I'm one of those people who read liner notes (remember those?), and appendices and notes, so I've included "liner notes." No obligation to read is tendered. Spoilers if you read the notes first, though!

(Is this a name for this series, you might ask? I dunno. I call them "Milbury stories" because of their location, the small fictional Connecticut town of Milbury, just down the road from Southbury, starting in October 2021...)

 
Current Goren and Eames  

"Requited"
Alexandra Eames is now retired and has taken refuge in a small town in Connecticut.
One Saturday evening she accepts a cousin's invitation to go out to dinner with him
and his friends, only to find an old friend has appeared in a very unexpected place...
"Requited" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

"Gifted"
or "Requited," part 2
Alexandra Eames and Robert Goren have been reunited, but it's left her with mixed emotions.
As she works out what to do, there's something he hasn't told her.
The secret in the basement may prove his undoing...
(Warning: Sexual encounter [minor references], so NSFW, plus adult language.)
"Gifted" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

A favorite author of mine does brief stories he calls "moments" featuring characters from his novels.
I loved this idea and did two short "POV" tales that take place on the opening date of "Requited."
Please read after "Gifted" or it gives away plot points!

A "Requited" POV: Shard and TJ

A "Requited" POV: Bobby

* * * * * * * * * *

"Matrimonial"
directly follows "Gifted":
There's still some unfinished business with Alex's family,
and what happens when you let your friends plan your wedding...
(While this story has its serious moments, it was originally intended to be humorous.)
"Matrimonial" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

"Sister-Time"
A drabble (story of 100 words only).
Came to me while I was walking the dog; takes place during "Matrimonial"
NSFW; My mind was in the gutter that night...

* * * * * * * * * *

"Inn"
follows "Matrimonial":
This is a Christmas story, and nearly 23,000 words, so find some cocoa,
some gingerbread, and a cozy place to sit.
"Among the many legends that have to do with Christmas Eve, there is one that says on
that night lost things are found again..."
*
Who knew not honeymooning could make such a busy month...
"Inn" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

"Past Time"
set after "Inn":
It was meant to be a romantic New Year's Eve at the Waterbury Inn—
who knew there was a real mystery waiting there, too?
Originally intended as short, romantic fluff. Now long romantic fluff.
"Past Time" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

"Spring Interlude"
set after "Past Time":
This is another "short" like the two "POV" stories.
Another surprise for Alex is in the offing—
in fact two surprises, as an old friend from New York City visits.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Legacy"
follows "Spring Interlude":
Only one thing has marred their long-belated honeymoon,
until an unexpected meeting during a final picnic sparks
an even more unexpected encounter.
NSFW: Strong language including words beginning with "F" and "C"
"Legacy" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

"Disclosure"
set after "Legacy":
May appears to be a month for surprises—
but an unexpected visit to the Goren home may not be as surprising
as who shows up at Robert Goren's debriefing.
"Disclosure" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

"Fearless"
follows "Disclosure":
Alex must face past fears during an unexpected excursion.
This is just flat our sentimental;
wanted to address Alex's relationship with her mother.

"Fearless" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

"Survival"
follows "Fearless":
While attending a writer's convention in Pennsylvania,
Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames go out for a Saturday night dinner...
and never return to their hotel.
"Survival" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

"Anniversary"
follows "Fearless":
A Facebook post prompts memories.
Yes, this is sheer short fluff.
The diner mentioned is fictional,
but the Book Barn and its annexes are there for the exploration!

* * * * * * * * * *

"Choice"
follows "Anniversary":
Alexandra Eames and Robert Goren have returned to the Bed & Breakfast they first stayed at in March,
where a mystery from Goren's past will be solved.
Warning: Sexual abuse reference (not graphic); character(s) who use bigoted terms
"Choice" Liner Notes

* * * * * * * * * *

"Blessings"
follows "Choice":
Thanksgiving at the Dark Crystal.
Yes, this is sheer sentiment.
But I love Thanksgiving nearly as much as I do Christmas.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Bookmarks"
follows "Blessings":
It's, thankfully, a quiet December in the Goren household,
but with the arrival of both Bobby's and Alex's books, they know times are changing...
"Bookmarks" Liner Notes
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Synthesis"
follows "Bookmarks":
At 5:37 a.m. one April morning, Robert Goren's pager will go off,
and a summons from an unusual source will change his life and that of Alexandra Eames forever.
This is a multi-chapter story.
"Synthesis" Liner Notes
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"First Light"
follows "Synthesis":
What happens when you've suddenly the parents of a precocious but grieving child?
If you're Alexandra Eames and Robert Goren, you carry on in your own fashion.
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Dear Irené"
a companion piece to "First Light":
Donna Hogarth's e-mail answer to her best friend Irené Fournier's query "Where are you and what's up?"
"Dear Irené" Liner Notes
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Wayfarers"
follows "First Light" and "Dear Irené":
Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames, along with their adopted daughter, Olivia,
have left on a book signing tour via tour bus, accompanied by Olivia's tutor Donna Hogarth.
On the open road come new friends, old foes, fresh experiences, overdue amends,
and always...possibilities.
"Wayfarers" Liner Notes
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Served"
follows "Wayfarers":
A persnickety senior inspector for the Department of Children's Services
is scheduled to interview Olivia Pepin and check out her new home.
Her prospective parents Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames tell her to "be herself."
And so she is.
"Served" Liner Notes
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Family"
follows "Served":
Alexandra Eames and Robert Goren's ward Olivia worries about acceptance on
a Thanksgiving journey.
Fluff I wrote over Thanksgiving.
"Family" Liner Notes
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Destined"
follows "Family":
Will an ambitious woman's greed derail Olivia Pepin's adoption by Robert Goren
and Alexandra Eames? Sometimes things work out through unexpected means...
"Destined" Liner Notes
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Eve"
follows "Destined":
Who can sleep on Christmas Eve? Christmas fluff for those who need a lift.
A companion piece to "Destined."
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Lecture"
follows "Eve":
A new year, a new gig for Robert Goren. How to begin?
Perhaps some family members will help him to make a memorable first impact.
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Show and Tell"
takes place concurrently with "Served," "Family," "Destined, and "Eve"
then a third of the way through follows "Lecture":
An innocent request made for a school project turns up an unexpected discovery
that takes the Goren family into a hidden history of betrayal.
NOTE: posted on AO3/Fanfiction.net in three parts; it's long. Mature themes; no sex.
"Show and Tell" Liner Notes
 

* * * * * * * * * *

"Painless"
a flashback companion to "Show and Tell":
Nicole Wallace began whispering to me (yes, that was disconcerting) when I was writing "Show and Tell":
"Tell my part of the story..." So I have
Mature themes; no sex.
"Show and Tell" Liner Notes
 

 

 

 

* from Elizabeth Yates' On That Night


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