As some of you may know, this morning's earthquake was actually somewhat close to where Ellie's parents live. I just wanted to let everyone know that they're all right, and that nothing was severely damaged at their farm. A few things apparently got knocked over, but that was the worst they had to deal with.

I honestly slept through it, myself.

There's a big basket waiting for Ellie today. It's labeled "Kitten Treats." Only these are definitely treats for a Kitten, rather than a kitten.

Because the feline variety of kitten would have no idea what to do with, say, a book on ancient art and artifacts... or a bunch of scented toiletries... and probably wouldn't consider most of the gourmet items to be edible. It might have some fun batting around the little jewelry box in there, but that's better opened.

The box contains a new lock for Ellie's collar, heart-shaped and engraved with the monogram MSA on one side, and EKMA on the other side. When it's unlocked, it also opens to reveal a locket, and inside is a tiny picture of Simon and Ellie on their wedding day.

There's also a card in the basket. The cover reads "One Year Down..." and inside, when opened, it says "...Eternity To Go!" Under that, he's scrawled this:

You make my life pure joy. Happy Anniversary, Kitten.

Your devoted Master.

Okay, and there might be a few kinky toys in the basket, too, but we're going to leave those to your imagination. ;)

To all of our friends, in Chicago, around the world, and in the Nexus, we wish you a happy New Year and a wonderful 2008 (or whatever year you may inhabit).

It's been a very good year for us. Ellie and I got married in the spring, and have had a wonderful time growing closer to each other. In spite of some of the setbacks we experienced, the practice has actually been flourishing, to the point where we're planning on merging with the offices of another psychiatrist and taking on additional staff members. My book -- which is on adolescent development, not anything risque -- will be out later in 2008. We've been extremely blessed and hope that you've had a wonderful year, too.

Cheers to all!

This is going to be a wonderful weekend.

In about half an hour, Ellie and I will be attending a private party in Vivian's suite. It should be a great deal of fun. Vivian's parties are usually pretty hilarious. Ryan and Anne will be there, and I think Viv said Desiree was coming by. So Ellie should feel very comfortable among friends. If she decides she wants to get tipsy, I'll let her.

Tomorrow we're visiting Claudia and her family, and then going riding at the Stables. And then tomorrow night is my mother's big charity event. We've arranged for a Tower limousine to take us there and back.

Sunday, weather permitting, I'm going to take Ellie sailing after lunch with my parents.

This is going to be a wonderful and busy weekend. And I'm going to enjoy spending every moment of it with her.

( And these are the reasons, apparently... )

I guess that's what our evil clones will have to pay that cat if they want him to nuke us.

...for Ellie's Big Surprise.

Last night was hilarious.

( Some NSFW stuff. )

( Images I've made for Simon, and Simon/Ellie )

Ryan and I spent several hours downtown pulling old police reports and consulting with Child Protective Services. "Geoff" is the same Geoff every time. We've verified it, and we've put together a very disturbing trail. There are at least three accidental deaths that he may have been involved in -- or at least, they were presumed to be accidents until now -- so Homicide has gotten involved.

The fortunate thing is that none of my confidential information has had to enter into this. We were able to assemble the trail entirely from public record materials; I just put the pattern together because of the confidences I've been receiving, but none of them will be compromised.

Poor Ellie and Anne. I know they were hoping for a very different Saturday than this. We're going to make it up to them, though, tonight and tomorrow. Since we've turned over the evidence to CPS and Homicide, there's nothing further they'll need us to do, until or unless we need to give a deposition explaining why we discovered this information.

Now it's time to get home to our ladies and make it up to them.

I was afraid of this.

I have a would-be serial killer, and definitely a serial abuser, on my hands. Thank God he isn't actually a client.

What Zach said to me about his mother's boyfriend rang a very strange bell, and I asked Ellie to pull some of my older files. In every single case, I was dealing with a child recovering from abuse. In every single case, they mentioned a boyfriend who was the primary abuser. In every single case, the courts assumed that the mother knew or participated in the abuse, until my work with the children proved that it always occurred when she wasn't around.

And in every single case, his name was Geoff.

And I have almost a dozen of these cases.

I'm going to have to talk to Ryan about this. Zach almost died. Others may have died at this man's hands.