Independence day



Myles sat in his huge study in his antique brown and gold leather wing chair as the glow of the sunset washed the oak panelled room with it’s soft lighting. He swirled the brown nectar around the cut crystal whiskey glass. The heady aroma making his taste buds crave more while his stomach heaved with an emptiness that went far beyond food. Dry tears speckled his ashen face as his blonde hair was ruffled into a boyish mop. Bringing the glass to his narrow lips he drank down a fair quantity of the brewed stuff, hoping to drown out the memories of the day.


Today had been his 38th birthday. Not a remarkable day or indeed a remarkable age but nevertheless it was his birthday. For most people a day of celebration and joy, for Myles instead it was a day of sadness and pain. As always he had received his annual summon to the Leland estate to celebrate the day he entered into the world and became the third Myles ever to bestow the family. Sometimes he thought the later was more important to his parents than his actual birth. Every year he went along and quietly suffered thru the torture. It was never orientated towards him but it was always about his parents and their achievements to which there deemed him as one of them, maybe not the most successful one but still one. He would sit and listen to them talk to their friends that their had invited. He had never been allowed to not even as a boy to ask anyone to join him. The men and women his parents would ask would be deemed the only ones suitable for his company. His parent’s friends would always be wealthy and well connected and downright boring. He would be forced to listen to how much this yacht cost or how much this second home in the country was worth. As he grew up he would admit to being fascinated about all this. Such money always intrigued him despite the fact he was from money himself. His upbringing had been so strict and regimented that he never counted himself as being amongst the happy rich people and for a long time he equated money with happiness and for so long he was desperate for happiness. And this year ‘celebration’ was no way different from the past ones. He had mingled respectively and smiled and made the standard small talk while wishing the ground to swallow him up whole. He had escaped as soon as possible just before the yearly attack on his choice of career started.



Here he was today at the ripe old age of 38 and still alone and still sad. He still longed for that sense of belonging and to truly experience unconditional love. His parents always gave love with a price and without meaning to he had fallen into that same trap. As a child he had a succession of nannies. Some where fun others plain scary, but none stayed more then a term. His parents would eventually drive them all away with their incredulous demands and behaviour. By the age of twelve he could remember 20 nannies that had passed thru his residence and at this age he was ready to be sent to a prestige’s boarding school for boys. Even at this school he was a loner due to his early childhood of being alone with adults for company and his baby sister. He suffered high school with only a few friends but no true friends. At that school he was taught that he got nothing for free, friendships came with a price. His outer exterior was hardened there and was only further hardened at Harvard. Even now he knew he was as hard as nails on the surface despite having people he felt close too, well as close to anyone he had ever felt before. There meant the world to him. Secretly he admired each one of the team. And he thought of them as his family, his own brothers and sisters. They never treated him differently which so many had done so in the past due to his riches. They were honest and forthright with him and that earned them his respect even if he had no way of showing it. He did not know how to show love or respect, this was something he had never been taught. In fact in his family it was seen as a sign of weakness.



So here he was aged 38 sitting in a gorgeous room in a stunning house in a fancy neighbour. Surrounded by beautiful stuff and fancy books and all he felt inside was nothing, he had nothing of importance here, he himself no longer felt important. Everything he had ever known and treasured would fade away and one day turn into dust. His precious books and treasured flowers did not make him feel whole. His heart felt empty and void of life’s goodness and love. The tears that had dried up replenished themselves on his dapped cheeks as he swallowed some more of the hot liquid.

ANother ICKleails story YEAH!!!!!!!!

“Okay men and women and canines” shouted Tara in her best impression of her father sergeant voice as she strutted in front of the motley crew.

“We have a mission and failure is not an option. Do you understand?” she shouted digging a finger into Bobby chest.

Stifling a giggle he replied.

“YES MAM”

“Are you mocking me?” she asked in a false serious voice.

“No Mam never” he replied with a smile spreading across his face.

“Down and give me 20” she yelled pointing at the floor.

“What?” he asked turning for the first time to face her.

“20 push-ups NOW!”

Rolling his eyes he fell to his knees and started to do push-ups. Tara really was enjoying the view, the way the soft material of his t-shirt rode on his shoulder blades and was only brought back to reality when Levi wet nose nudged her hand. Swallowing hard she turned to face the other sniggering faces.

“We have a friends birthday to celebrate and rumour has it his birthday’s in the past have stank like yesterday dishwater. So lets make this years memorable. Sue” she said stepping directly in front of blonde woman. “Do we have a cake?”

“Yes mam we do” she answered with a mock salute.

“Jackson”

“YES mam”

“Music organised”

“Yes mam” and with another mock salute she moved on.

“Lucy, do you bake goodies ready?”

“Yes I do”

“Good, you did make your lemon slice?”

“Of course”

A Cough from Bobby as he stood up made Tara move on

“So that was 20 then?”

“Yes mam”

“Do we have the snack food?”

“Of course mam, I would never let the team down”

“You better not” she said poking him in the washboard of a stomach and enjoying it a little bit too much.

“Dimitrius do we have games sorted?”

“We have a fine selection mam”

“Good, good, good and finally Levi do we have decorations?”

Levi ran off and grabbed a paper bag with its handles and dragged it back and sat down. Tara peeked inside the bag and smiled.

“Good Boy”

and with that Levi raised a paw to his ear and barked.

“So we are all sorted. Please go and get your stuff and be back here in 20minutes pronto and don’t forget the gifts. Dismissed.”

Great job organizing the troops Tara. I am i am with you, i'd watch Bobby do push ups any day

How heartwarming to think of Myles being given a party like the team is planning, espcially when given the horrendous one he just had to suffer through.

Wonderful start! I felt so sorry for Myles in the first post, but I'm happy to see the team is planning a great party for him! Love Tara's take charge attitude! And I love how even Levi saluted!

Looking forward to more!

This is me bouncing in ecstacy. I LOVE Myles (can you tell) and you just about broke my heart in the first post. but now Tara has a plan (though it appears she has eyes for only Bobby stlll, who can blame her) and I sure hope Myles isn't sloshed by the time they get to his house -- or wherever the party is going to be. I love that Tara is organizing the troops. I think she'd do that kind of quiet thing behind the scenes. Go team go! (and Levi with the party decorations :bdayboy: who else could do a better job?

kav

Ails, this is great so far!! I always love a good Myles story!! I can just see Myles sitting alone in his house thinking back over his overbearing parents and their silly parties!!!

It looks like Tara has organized a Birthday Party to die for!!! Can't wait!!!

Joy

Myles staggered to the drinks cabinet, his bleary eyes searching for some more malted whiskey. Finding none he slammed his cut crystal glass on the smooth wood and cursed under his breath.



“Why can’t I have what other’s have? A loving family. Good friends, someone to love. WHY ME?” he said slamming his fist against the stonewall.

Depression was ripping him apart and add into that mixture a vast quantity of alcohol he was nearly at his maximum. Tears that stung started to bit his raw skin as their rolled there way down wards. He angrily wiped them, tears where a sign of weakness and failure. He was a Leland, a man of strength and courage and no love.

He managed to manoeuvre himself back to his leather coach and toppled onto it. He pulled the cream cashmere throw from the back of the couch and shrouded himself in it. The evening was still young but he was ready to retire and to sleep until it was no longer his birthday. Burying his face into one of the plush cushions he feel into a ragged sleep.

i'm so sad myles doesn't deserve this.....maybe i can chear him up....wanna come and have some fun in the netherlands.... i will make it worth wile hahaha

Yeah, another ickleails story!!!!!! I'm feeling so sorry for Myles right now, you got into his head so well!!!! Please post more soon!!!

Jenny

Poor Myles!!

Is the team planning on surprising him at his home?? Maybe not a good plan!!!

Joy

Glad to see a new story from you Ails!!

Poor Myles! But he DOES have good friends - the team! And I love how Tara organized the troops. Are they gonna surprise him at home while he's kinda drunk and depressed? I loved how Levi "saluted" too!

A short time later he awoke to a pounding within his head and a pounding on the front door. He could hear faint sniggering from outside as he heaved his lanky sturdy frame of the couch and headed towards the front door, swaying slightly as he went. Leaning against the door frame he opened the door a crack and instantly regretted it as several voices shouted,

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY”

“Do you think he’s okay?” asked Lucy as the door bounced on its hinges.

“Did you smell the brewery? Said Booby wafting his hand in front of his face. “Phew”

Sue stepped forward clutching her cake tin and rapped her knuckles on the door.

“Myles. Please open up”

Myles stood there in shock his back leaning against the cold wall as he stared into the emptiness of his home. ‘What are they doing here?’ he asked himself over and over again. ‘Don’t there have some place better to be.’ ‘Why?’

“Myles, come on,” shouted Lucy,

“Myles, I need to use your powder room,” yelled a cross-legged Tara much to the amusement of Bobby. “Like NOW!” she shouted dancing on the spot.

“Drip, drip, drip” whispered Bobby into her ear as the door opened. “Ouch” he yelped as her fist collided with his stomach as she rushed pass the others, thanking Myles profusely as she went.

“What are you doing here?” asked Myles blocking the entranceway.

“To celebrate your birthday,” said D smiling.

“My birthday!” he said in astonishment.

“Myles, it is your birthday isn’t it?” asked Jack

“Yeah but why?”

“Because we are your friends” replied Sue with a big grin on her face, “ and friends celebrate birthdays together… so are you going to let us in”

“I think you have been partying a little bit too much by yourself” said Bobby, “I think it is time to let us join in. so come on mate open up!”

Myles felt all choked up; as he looked down on those he secretly called his friends and family. He suddenly didn’t feel so alone. Shrugging his shoulders he waved them on.

See Myles I told you that you had friends!

Good for you, Myles!! You are finally starting to realize who really loves you!!!

Joy

Sue went straight into the kitchen with Bobby and Lucy in tow and started to create the spread of delicious mouth watering foods that Myles couldn’t refuse. The others stumbled into the grand living room and deposited their bags.

“That’s better,” said Tara coming down the stairs straightening her skirt. She skipped over to Levi and recovered the decorations from him. Passing the bag of balloons around the room the guys started to blow them up. Walking over to a Stunned Myles she nudged him as she held a balloon between her teeth. Tying it off she smiled at him, “You okay champ.”

Numbly he nodded. “I just don’t get it.” He said to no one in particular. Tara watched him walk away and fit his pain. Walking into the kitchen she walked over to the fridge and filled a large glass with ice-cold water and then found some alka selters from the cupboard. Walking back over to a stunned Myles she handed them to him and gave him the command to drink.

D spread out a collection of silly childish games on the coffee table much to the joy of Jack and Bobby who had finished blowing up the balloons.

“Twister” squealed Bobby in a much too high-pitched voice much to his embarrassment. “Loved this when I was a child” he said in a gruff voice.

“Never heard of it,” said Myles walking over to them shaking his head.

“What!” exclaimed Bobby? “That will be rectified tonight,” he said with a nod.

“Myles, why don’t you go and take a shower” suggested Sue as she walked out from the kitchen and by the time you come back down your party will be ready.


“But…”

“Shoo” she said waving the wooden spoon that was coated with frosting.

Myles for once obeyed and headed upstairs.

Myles, your house has officially been invaded and captured by loving friends about to throw the best birthday party you've ever had!





Hmmm, Twister huh? Love that game. Will Jack and Sue/Bobby and Tara play at the same time???

That was a very funny comment JF!!!




I lu-urve Twister!!! This is going to be ssooo good!!! Geez a girl goes to eat her dinner for like 20 minutes and come back to two more posts and a couple of funny replies!!!! If only every story worked like this. I would be going for dinner all the time!!! He he he!!

Great posts!!

Jenny

I'm with JF!! This will definitely be the best party he has ever had to will ever have!!!

Joy

IckleAils, I can see you down there!! PLease post!!! Soon preferably!!

Jenny

As the steaming water cascaded down his tense muscles he washed his face furiously with a rough flannel, hoping to wash away his inner demons. He was shocked and surprised at his friends and secretly overjoyed. As the hot soapy water ran down his lean body and swirled at his feet something other than fear was riding within his heart. Excitement was bubbling beneath his surface. Never before in his 38 years had he ever had a party, just for him. As a child he used to dream of a simple shindig, with cake and silly games, not fancy gatherings with cavalier and goose eggs. He roughly towel dried himself and flung on some informal relaxed pants and a polo shirt. Pulling a comb thru his mop he stared at his reflection. Earlier on he saw an old tired man, now he saw a young man with life experience. His eyes sparkled and a smile tugged at his lips. He drowned the rest of his water and felt better; his head no longer felt fuzzy and his mouth no longer felt dry. He felt revitalised and ready to party.


“I think that’s us,” said Tara wiping her hands and admiring the handiwork of the team.

The once formal sophiscated room was now decked out in banners, streamers and balloons. Food was laid out on a table in the corner and a large carrot cake held pride of place in the centre with cream cheese frosting and Myles spelt out in chocolate flakes.

“mmmmm” Bobby murmured as he attempted to swipe some frosting. His hand was slapped away by Tara who glared at him.

“Spoil sport” he said cheeky with a grin.

Footsteps on the stairs had Tara announcing, “The party is about to start”

I think it would be absolutely amazing to have a party with the team!! They're all so fun loving!!! Myles, you will not forget this anytime soon!!!

Joy

Myles, get ready to have some fun! I sense there's going to be some change in Myles too. After all he's now realizing that he does have people who love him and he can just have some good informal fun with them!

Let the party begin! :bdayboy:



Oh and Ails I love the frequent posts today - thanks so much!

Just got caught up on all the posts I missed throughout the day -- all wonderful! I really love this story!

Let the fun begin!! I have a feeling this is a birthday party that Myles will never forget! Can't wait to read more Ails!

Myles walked into a brightly jolly room and couldn’t help but smile as poppers went off and many voices gave out a riotous roar. Bobby slapped a cone party hat on his head and slapped him on the back. For once Myles didn’t feel foolish but excited with a sense of belonging.

“Presents” bounced Tara as she dragged a stunned Myles to a table laid with shiny presents in all different shapes and sizes. He just stood there in silence staring at the beautiful array before him. He had no idea where to start all he felt was overwhelmed.

“Here you go,” said Sue picking up a present and handing it to Myles while D gently pushed him down into the chair.

Turning it over he saw the tag and read it out loud and laughed. “It’s from Levi.”

“Yip, go on open it” encouraged Sue.

As he peeled the paper off he felt like a small boy. He smiled at the gift certificate for a local garden centre.

“Thank you Levi,” he said ruffling the blonde’s head.

And with that start he consumed the rest of the gifts, enjoying each new exciting unpeeling of wrapping paper and each new gift that was revealed. A broad smile had consumed his normally drab face and his eyes sparkled like jewels.

“Thank you” he said sincerely to the guys standing around him. “Thank you so much”

“You welcome” spoke and signed Sue on behalf of everyone.

“Food time” cheered Bobby as Jack shouted “Games”

“As this is Myles day. Let Myles pick” said Lucy

Myles shrugged and finally said “Games”

“Yeah” shouted Jack punching the air and sticking his tongue out at Bobby.

“So twister then?” asked Lucy holding up the board game and waving

“Bring it on,” said Bobby to Jack.

“I don’t know how to play,” said Myles.

“No problem you soon pick it up,” answered Lucy grinning as she spread out the sheet.

The game was soon in full swing. Bobby was contorted around Tara who was regretting the whole skirt wearing idea she had. Jack was nuzzled up to Sue and Myles was revealing just how flexible he was.

“Myles Right foot to green” shouted Lucy from the safety of the chair where D sat beside her.

“You have got to be kidding me,” he said with humour in his voice. He went to move but alas in all good games of twister his foot slid and down he went bringing each and every other member to the ground, into a heap of tangled limbs they went. Laughter erupted from the core of the stack.

“Again” said Myles pushing his hair back off his face.

“Patience young Jedi” said Tara in her star wars voice. “There are other games to be played. How about a food break first of all”

“Why not” he said grinning, bouncing over to the table.

“He so happy” commented Sue to Lucy and Tara.

“It’s good to see him really smile” said Lucy walking after him and Tara agreed with a nod.

What a great gift the team has given Myles - the gift of friendship!! I'm jealous - I want to go to the party too!!!

Joy

It is nice to see Myles smile. IckleAils, I love how you portray his childhod and all these emotions!!! Absolutely fantastic posts!!!

Jenny

Yeah it is good to see Myles really smile. Oh I just love this sweet story Ails! But should I be looking out for some of your trademark angst?

i was really sad when i read the first post but i love seeing how the team have given myles a birthday to savour and remember

cath

The finger food went down a treat. Myles was enjoying the tastes and textures of standard party food as well as being able to eat as much as he liked with his fingers. Never before had ‘simple foods’ tasted so good. He had to laugh at Tara firing peanuts into Bobby open mouth and how Lucy and D were having a breadstick fight. He swallowed down some cheese and pickles on a cocktail stick.

“Game time” shouted Jack. “What’s the next game D?”

“Well we need two teams. Team one- Myles your team. You have Lucy and Jack and Team Two, Tara’s team has Bobby and Sue. Each team leader will get an oversized shirt to wear and it will be stuffed with balloons. Six balloons in total and the object of the game is for the other team members to burst the balloons by hugging only. First team to succeed wins.”

“What?” proclaimed Myles as a faint blush crept across his face?

“Myles you can do this. You survived Quantico you can survive this.” Said Jack nervously.

“On your marks, get set Go!”

Furiously hugging erupted. Jack nervously hugged Myles while Lucy went onto full attack mode. Bobby delighted in being able to get up close and personal with Tara. Tara team won by Bobby squeezes.

“Moving on,” said D picking up two oranges. “Lucy could you swap with sue please.”

“Sure” she said as she swapped teams.

“This game involves the passing off an orange up and down the line using the neck area only. The orange is placed between chin and neck and is passed that way only. No hands are allowed. Got it?”

Myles feeling brave nodded his head and the game began. Laughing echoed around the house as the oranges got squished and friends got close. D especially enjoyed watching the exchanges between Sue and Jack and Bobby and Tara. This time Myles team won.

“I’ve never had so much fun,” laughed Myles.

“Glad to be of service” chirped in Bobby.

“So what’s next?” asked Myles.

“ Truth or Dare pass the parcel” answered D with a knowing grin.

Truth or Dare?? Oh oh, now the real fun starts!!!

Joy

Game time! Truth or Dare...I am so ready for that!

And Myles, dontcha know that food always tastes better when you eat it with your fingers?!

What a great :bdayboy: .
The game sounded like a riot.
Truth or Dare has some interesting possitiblities.

i love this, can't wait for truth or dare

cath

Great posts! Loving this! Can't wait for more!

Raucous explosions of laughter echoed around the mansion while red faces beamed at one another. The game was playing out exceptionally well thought D as he watched one red face Sue give Jack a kiss on the cheek. Oh a little further to the right, thought D to himself with a snigger. With only one layer left he was aiming for Myles to get it. His finger hovered above the pause button.
Myles jumped as the music stopped and he nearly tossed the parcel across the room at Bobby. As he unwrapped the last layer of glitzy paper he felt his nerves kick in for some unexplained reason. He however had to smile when he saw the book of survival tips for every circumstance called the worst-case scenario.

“So truth or dare?” asked D.

Shrugging his shoulders he answered “Truth”

“Okay then….Myles tell us one of your biggest regrets and don’t say you don’t have any because we all do?”

“Well that’s easy I regret being so attached to my parents and their lifestyle.” He said bluntly with a heavy tinge of sadness.

Everyone sat there in silence as Myles read the back sleeve of the book.

“Mate, you have done so much against your parents wishes. I mean you are an agent I guess that was not in their plan for you.”

“Yeah I suppose, it is just that I still feel trapped by them.”

“Well you know what today is?” asked Tara

“My birthday”

“Nope, not anymore, it is July the 4th- independence day”

He checked out the time and saw that it was indeed just after midnight. He had no idea where the time had gone, the old saying of time flies when you are having fun could definitely be applied to this night he thought.

“So” he finally said.

“Let today be your independence day. Be yourself and be all you can be.” Said Tara flinging her arms up into the air.

“You are a wonderful man and friend, start believing it,” added Sue patting his arm.

He allowed it to sink in for a moment, he knew their made sense. Finally he looked up at them and with a smile that spoke volumes said,

“No more Myles Leland the third, it is just Myles Leland from Boston. I am not going to let my heritage and family dictate to me anymore.”

“Woo hoo,” cheered Bobby and the ladies hugged Myles making him blush profusely.

“Hey we seem to have forgotten the cake,” said Jack licking his lips just to ease the emotional web that had sprung up.

“Well we can’t let good cake go to waste,” said Myles getting up to his feet. The others followed his lead. He felt loved, no longer an outcast in every societies but accepted.

As the others walked over to the table chatting, as there went Lucy walked over to a happily silent Myles and standing up on her tiptoes she kissed him on the cheek and whispered, “Happy Birthday Myles.”

He knew his life was going to be better than it had been every before. He had a family and friends who loved him and appreciated him for whom he truly was.




FIN

What a sweet little story! Bravo!

wow thx ickleails that was amazing, the inside you give us on myles is very strong, he has a family around him and those are the ones who will stick by him true the good and the bad times

law

i loved this story, it was over too soon

cath

WOW, so emotional. Ickleails, is it really over???? I think Truth or Dare was a GREAT idea!!!

Jenny

Ails, that was just great. I love how you helped Myles realize he does not have to be bound to acting just like his wealthy, aristocratic, snobby family. Thanks!

Great story!

Ails, this is wonderful!! You brought us all the way through Myles' depressed state to his more than happy feelings - truly believing that he is respected, accepted, liked, loved and part of a family!!!

Thank you for sharing with us!!!

Joy

I enjoyed this story about Myles. It was so uplifting.

Wonderful story! Sorry to see it end! Glad Myles realized how loved he is!
Thanks so much for sharing!

It was a gorgeous little tale, Ails, you know I have such a soft spot for Myles and I loved it that you made him so happy!

Oh ails, I lost this one somehow in the flurry of my crazy life. Thank goodness I have catch up time. It's wonderful. I love how the team cajoled Myles into having a good time -- almost in spite of himself at first. At the ending -- the connection to Independence day. Now he's just plain old Myles Leland from Boston. Brilliant.

kav