Edgar Poe

DENVER WINS!!!!!!!

She looks quite a bit like Maci, although Maci would probably show a little more decorum

Maci 💋 My POV November 1, 2026 Near Tuscany, Italy We thought we were giving an Italian village a Halloween ghost story. Then someone appeared in a castle window while our “ghost” was still walking down the road. Edgar saw it. I saw it. And our little prank wasn't quite so funny. Full story in the post below. - Maci 💋 @enchantedhottie @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

Maci 💋 My POV October 31, 2026 | Halloween 🎃 Our Castle, Italy 🇮🇹 I went for my morning run down into the village today. The air was cool, the countryside was beautiful, and after spending so much time crawling through ancient tunnels, I needed some proper exercise. I stopped at a little café for coffee before heading back up the hill. That's when things got interesting. 😂 "Signorina, you're one of the Americans who bought the castle, aren't you?" I smiled. "Yes, I am." "Did you see her?" "See who?" "The bride! The woman in white!" Before I could answer, another gentleman joined us. "She was in the eastern tower! My wife saw her too!" A woman at the next table turned around. "My grandmother told me about La Sposa when I was a child. They say she's been seen walking near the castle for generations." I tried very hard to keep a straight face. "Did you see her?" the first gentleman asked again. "Not last night," I said. "But Edgar has felt her presence a few times." Well. You should have seen their faces. One gentleman immediately pulled out a chair. "Please, signorina. Sit." Clearly, my run was over. They had questions. Lots of questions. I told them about some of the strange things we'd experienced since arriving. Nothing exaggerated. Nothing invented. By the time I finished my coffee, several more people had joined the conversation. It seems quite a few villagers saw our beautiful bride last night. --- Yesterday was quite a day. Kristin was helping me dress while Edgar sat nearby studying the castle maps. "Are you two going somewhere?" he asked. "Into town." He smiled. "I'm wondering what you're planning." "Nothing you'd disapprove of," I told him. "That's reassuring." I walked over, kissed his cheek, and ran my fingers through his hair. "How's your head?" "Fine, beautiful." "Any dizziness?" "No." "Remember anything else?" "Not yet." I kissed him again. "You're still seeing the doctor." "I know." --- We had Edgar evaluated after finding him in the tunnels Thursday. The initial examination was reassuring, but I want a physician to follow up on those missing hours. Edgar is fascinated by what happened. I'm fascinated too. I'd just prefer that his next archaeological discovery not involve waking up underground. ---- Yesterday morning had started with a FaceTime call from Spencer, @enchantedhottie. She was smiling before anyone said hello. "So," she said. "Isabella." Ava lowered her coffee. I looked at Edgar. Ava moved closer to the phone. We knew about Spencer's plans in New York. We knew she wanted to spend time alone with Isabella at some point. But hearing how their evening unfolded was something else. Spencer took Isabella to a secluded East Village rooftop. For those unfamiliar with NYC, it's a wonderfully wicked neighborhood of dive bars, late-night mischief, and colorful history. In short, a college scene. By the end of the night, Isabella had invited Spencer to her family's private SoHo penthouse. (Isabella also comes from enormous generational wealth.) Spencer didn't tell us everything. She didn't need to. I'll let Spencer tell that story herself. 😘 What struck me wasn't what happened. It was how happy Spencer looked talking about Isabella. We've joked for months about Isabella becoming one of Spencer's girls. Yesterday, it suddenly didn't feel like a joke. Kristin caught my expression and started laughing. "What?" I asked. "Nothing, carino. Just thinking." "That's dangerous." Edgar was smiling too. I know he's happy for Spencer. And he knows Isabella better than any of us. At one point, he simply said, "I'm glad she let you get close." Spencer smiled. "So am I." I found myself thinking about what happens when Isabella joins us again. Another one of Edgar's ex-girlfriends in Spencer's orbit. I mean, seriously. I'm happy for both of them. Truly. But there's a tiny part of me wondering how all these personalities are going to fit around the same breakfast table. People already think our little family is unusual. They have no idea. I watched Edgar while Spencer talked. He seemed genuinely pleased for them. "Isabella doesn't let many people close," he said. Spencer's expression softened. "She let me." ---- Yesterday afternoon, we returned to the tunnels. Jenny compared the old architectural drawings with photographs of the passage leading toward town. The abandoned stone outbuilding is connected to the castle, although we still don't know exactly why that route was built. Edgar wants to revisit the second book he found in the master chambers. Jenny wants to document every stone. Ava wants to use the passage for Halloween. "So we have a secret entrance," she announced. "A historical passage," Jenny corrected. "A historical secret entrance." Edgar nodded. "Technically." "Please don't encourage her," I said. Then came Mia. Kristin did her makeup. Ava helped with the veil. Jenny offered historical advice nobody requested. When Mia stepped in front of the mirror wearing that elaborate bridal gown, we all went quiet. She looked beautiful. Then we activated the subtle lighting woven into the fabric. Her dress began to glow. Ava clasped her hands. "You're gorgeous!" "I'm supposed to be dead." Kristin adjusted the veil. "You can be both, carino." We laughed until Mia threatened to haunt Kristin personally. --- Last night, I watched our little ghost make her debut. The village cafes were busy. People were enjoying a late dinner beneath the outdoor lights. Above us, the castle stood almost completely dark against the moonlit sky. Then a soft white glow appeared in an upper window. A woman moved slowly past the opening. And disappeared. Fifteen minutes later, she appeared somewhere else. Then, finally, in the eastern tower. People started pointing. Conversations stopped. I knew it was Mia. I'd watched her put on the costume. I knew how we'd made the dress glow. But from the village, looking up at that enormous old castle, she looked like someone from another century. Kristin declared Mia the most beautiful dead woman in Italy. So here we are. Halloween morning. I went out for a run and came back with coffee, pastries, and the knowledge that half the village is discussing our castle. Mia is upstairs eating breakfast. We all have the plan for tonight. And somewhere in town, a group of very serious Italians is probably still discussing what I told them about Edgar. Tomorrow is All Saints' Day, and we'll attend Mass together. But first, Halloween. And something tells me our little bride isn't finished making an impression. - Maci 💋❤️ #MyPOV #Halloween #Ghost Video by me and #Grok. I just wish AI could actually think instead of predicting what comes next and confidently getting half of it wrong. @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

Maci 💋 My POV Friday, October 30, 2026 Near Tuscany, Italy Last night, Mia lured Edgar into a dark wing of our castle, whispered something outrageous in his ear, stole his watch, and abandoned him. All under orders from his fiancee. Considering we'd spent several hours searching for him Thursday morning, I have a few questions for our Queen and Mia's timing. But first, Edgar. Remember when I went upstairs yesterday morning to find him? He wasn't there. The tower room was empty. His things were still there, his phone, his jacket, but Edgar was gone. I checked the adjoining rooms before heading downstairs. Within minutes, everyone was looking for him. At first, I figured he'd gotten interested in something and wandered off. That's Edgar. But an hour passed. Then another. We searched the castle, the grounds, and every unfinished room we could safely enter. Nothing. Jenny suggested the tunnels. We gathered flashlights and headed underground. Those passages branch in several directions, and we'd barely explored them. We'd been searching for hours when I finally found him. Asleep. Against a stone wall, deep beneath the castle. I dropped beside him. “Edgar?” He opened his eyes, looked at me, and smiled. “Hey, beautiful.” I wanted to kiss him and strangle him. He had a headache, felt exhausted, and couldn't remember how he'd gotten there. We helped him back upstairs. I wanted him checked out, especially with the headache and missing hours. Edgar agreed, although he kept insisting he felt better. Once we were satisfied he was stable, he went back to bed and slept another four hours. I stayed beside him for a while. Every time I moved, he'd reach for my hand without opening his eyes. That didn't help my determination to be annoyed with him. By afternoon, he was feeling much better, although his memory hadn't returned. He remembered reading in the tower, looking out the window, and thinking about Isabetta's letters. Nothing after that. “Maybe I was sleepwalking,” he suggested. “Since when do you sleepwalk?” “I don't.” “Wonderful. We've discovered a new talent.” He laughed and pulled me closer. “I'm fine, Maci.” I kissed him. “Then please stay somewhere I can find you.” He promised to try. While Edgar rested, Jenny and Ava had been studying the underground passages. They returned with proper lighting, equipment, and a way to mark their route. They followed one branch much farther than before. It eventually opened into a small stone outbuilding on the edge of our property, close to town. The building looked abandoned from outside. Think about that. Someone could enter the castle through those tunnels without ever approaching the main gates. And someone inside the castle could reach the village without being seen. Which brought us back to Teresa's story about the woman who disappeared along the castle road. There were other passages they hadn't explored, including one that branched away from the route to the outbuilding. They marked the intersection and turned back. Edgar wants to investigate those passages today. Of course he does. Thursday evening, we decided to stay in for dinner. We gathered around a big table in the main hall with candles, food, old maps, and enough flashlights to supply a small rescue operation. Ava took a picture. Mia wanted to explore the tunnels at midnight. Jenny was interested. Ava thought it sounded wonderful. Kristin and I suggested that perhaps we could enjoy one evening without searching for missing people. Edgar agreed that wandering through unmapped tunnels at midnight was a terrible idea. “Thank you,” I told him. “We'll go tomorrow with proper equipment.” I should have known. Then Mia received her assignment from Spencer. The Unlit Wing Rendezvous. Our Queen wanted her to lure Edgar into the unfinished West Wing, whisper an outrageously inappropriate secret in his ear, steal his watch or jacket as a castle tax, and leave him in the dark to find his way back. Mia showed me the instructions. I looked at her. “Mia, we spent half the morning looking for Edgar and found him asleep underground. He still doesn't remember how he got there. Can we please not lose him again?” She promised to stay in a section of the West Wing that had already been inspected. No dangerous stairs, locked doors, or underground passages. I agreed to keep watch from the adjoining corridor. Twenty minutes later, Mia appeared beside Edgar carrying a candle. “Edgar, can you help me with something?” He looked at the candle. “Why?” “Because you're tall.” He glanced at me. I smiled. He knows us far too well. But he went with her. The rest of us waited near the entrance. A few minutes later, we heard him laugh. Then Mia came running toward us, holding his watch. She was laughing so hard she could barely speak. “What did you SAY to him?” Ava demanded. Mia shook her head. “I'm not telling!” Kristin held out her hand. “Give me the watch.” “No! It's my castle tax!” Edgar appeared at the far end of the corridor, walking calmly toward us. “Mia.” She hid behind Jenny. “Your Majesty's instructions were very specific,” he said. “Unfortunately, she forgot that I know where the doors are.” Mia surrendered his watch. Then Edgar leaned down and whispered something to her. Her face turned bright red. Now I have TWO conversations I desperately want explained. He kissed my cheek as he passed. “Your Queen is enjoying herself.” “She usually is.” He smiled. And for the first time since we'd found him underground, I felt myself relax. Later, after everyone started heading upstairs, I found Edgar sitting alone at the table, studying the tunnel map. I pulled up a chair. “Still trying to remember?” He nodded. “I remember the tower. The letters. Looking out the window.” “And then?” He hesitated. “I remember hearing someone.” I looked at him. “A voice?” “I think so.” “Male or female?” “I can't remember.” He turned the map toward me. One passage was marked in red. It led to the outbuilding near town. Another branched away from it. They hadn't explored that one. He touched the drawing. “I think I followed someone.” “Into the tunnels?” He nodded. “Why?” “I don't know.” I studied his face. He wasn't frightened. He was trying to make sense of something that didn't fit. “Edgar, we found you asleep down there.” “I know.” He looked at the map again. “I think I was trying to find where she went.” I reached for his hand. “Who?” He looked at me. “That's what I wish I could remember.” We sat there for a while. Eventually, I convinced him to put the maps away and come upstairs. He's sleeping beside me as I write this. And yes, I've checked on him more than once. I keep thinking about that little outbuilding near town. About Teresa seeing a woman disappear along the castle road. About the tunnels nobody has finished exploring. And about Edgar waking up underground with no memory of how he got there. I still don't know how Edgar got into those tunnels. Neither does he. And tomorrow is Halloween. I used to think that was going to be the strangest part of this trip. - Maci 💋 PS – Spencer called us after I finished this post about her time/date with Edgar's ex, Isabella! I'll include it in tomorrow's update. #MyPOV Video by me and #Grok (when it actually cooperates). Grok must think Mia is an adult star or something. It refused to generate the video using her picture, even though she was mostly covered! After burning through 12% of my credits, it finally worked. Ugh!! Mia is just to sexy... @enchantedhottie @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

Maci 💋 My POV Thursday, October 29, 2026 Near Tuscany, Italy Edgar went upstairs last night to sleep in a tower that may or may not be haunted. It's Thursday morning. He hasn't come down. And after what we learned yesterday, I'm beginning to wonder whether that was such a wonderful idea. Let me explain. Wednesday started with the castle full of contractors. Electricians, engineers, restoration specialists, and several Italian gentlemen who seem convinced that speaking louder will improve my Italian. It hasn't. Edgar was having the time of his life. He spent breakfast discussing construction schedules, then disappeared into his temporary office with architectural drawings spread across every available surface. Kristin and I found him there. She leaned over his desk, studying the plans with considerably more enthusiasm than she'd shown for breakfast. “What's this room?” “Structural reinforcement for the east wing.” “And this?” “A load-bearing wall.” She leaned closer. “Are you always this romantic?” Edgar looked up. “Only when discussing masonry.” I nearly spilled my coffee. Spencer gave Kristin an assignment before we left, and she's taking it very seriously. Edgar knows exactly what she's doing. He just refuses to give her the satisfaction of acknowledging it. Watching them has become one of my favorite activities. Later, Mia, Kristin, Ava, and me stopped at the village cafe. The owner recognized us immediately. The whole village is talking about us. An American buys the old castle that's been vacant for years, arrives with five women, and starts renovating the place. I'd be curious too. The cafe owner mentioned that Alessandro Moretti, the local bank president, spoke highly of Edgar and Spencer. They'd already met Alessandro during the castle arrangements, and Edgar had received a text from him earlier that morning inviting us to dinner. Then we learned something that made me smile. Remember Luca, the boy we met yesterday? He's Alessandro's son. Small town. Everyone knows everyone. And tonight, we'd be meeting the rest of his family. --- Back at the castle, Jenny and Edgar had something considerably more interesting than construction schedules to show us. They'd discovered a staircase leading beneath the castle into an old stone tunnel. And that tunnel divided into several others. They'd followed one passage for a while before reaching another intersection. No markings, no reliable map, and several corridors that looked almost identical. Jenny finally insisted they turn around. “I wasn't interested in in getting lost down here,” she told us. Edgar laughed, but agreed they'd gone far enough. They hadn't reached the end of any passage. They wanted to return today with proper lighting, equipment, and a way to mark their route. Then Edgar mentioned something that stayed with me. He'd felt the same strange sensation down there that he'd experienced in the eastern tower. He couldn't explain it. “Maybe your ghost doesn't spend all her time upstairs,” I teased. He smiled. “That's one possibility.” I wish he'd sounded less interested. That evening, all six of us went to the Moretti family's villa overlooking the village. Alessandro and Sofia welcomed us warmly. Luca was delighted to see everyone. And then we met his grandmother. Teresa Moretti is eighty, sharp as a tack, and entirely unimpressed by Edgar's ability to negotiate his way out of uncomfortable questions. She studied our group over dinner. “So, Edgar. Which of these beautiful women is your fiancée?” “None of them.” Kristin smiled. “She's in America.” Teresa looked around the table again. “And she trusts you?” “Completely,” Edgar answered. Later, Teresa quietly asked whether I loved him. I guess she'd noticed the way I look at Edgar when he's not paying attention. “Yes,” I told her. “And his fiancee knows?” “Yes.” She studied me for a moment, then smiled. “Well. Good.” I adore this woman. Eventually, Mia brought up the reason we'd all been hoping to speak with her. “Luca told us you saw our ghost walking into town.” Teresa turned toward her grandson. “Luca, what exactly have you been telling our guests?” He suddenly became fascinated with his dinner. “Only what you told me, Nonna.” Teresa shook her head, smiling. She told us she'd once seen a woman walking along the castle road. When the woman reached the bend, she disappeared. Teresa had never claimed to know who she was. Most of what she knew about the castle came from family stories, things Alessandro had heard, and rumors passed around the village. Then Edgar told her about the woman he'd felt embrace him from behind while standing at the eastern tower window. Teresa crossed herself. “Did you see her face?” “No.” The table became very quiet. Edgar explained the journal and love letters we'd discovered, along with the second book he'd found in the master's chambers during an earlier visit with Ana. Its account appeared to mourn Isabetta's death. Teresa was surprised. The castle had supposedly been searched years ago, with surviving records moved to the municipal archive. She wanted to examine everything. Then she told us three versions of Isabetta's story. One involved a woman waiting at the tower window for her lover. Another involved forbidden letters and a disappearance. The third was different. In that version, Isabetta wasn't the woman who died. Jenny mentioned the tunnels. Teresa remembered stories about an underground passage leading toward a chapel or house that no longer existed. Edgar immediately started asking questions. After dinner, Luca sent us another message. Nonna wanted me to tell you something. Some of the older villagers used to call Isabetta La Sposa. The Bride. -- Sooooo, Edgar decided to spend the night alone in the eastern tower. Isabetta's Tower. He wanted to see whether anything happened. I kissed him goodnight and told him not to fall in love with any Italian ghosts. Oh, and not to die on me! He laughed.. I watched him head upstairs. This morning, the contractors are already working. Coffee's ready, and the girls are beginning to appear. Edgar's chair is empty. I've called his phone twice. Nothing. I know him well enough to know he could have spent half the night reading those letters, studying the architecture, or trying to understand what happened in that tower. But I also know he would normally have been downstairs by now. And I keep thinking about what Teresa said. What if Isabetta wasn't the woman who died? What if the tunnels lead somewhere nobody has searched? And why did Edgar feel someone embrace him in that tower and something in the tunnel? I'm going upstairs to find him. I'll let you know what I find. - Maci 💋 #MyPOV #Italy #GhostHunt Video by me and #Grok. I'm relearning a few things about video production that I haven't used in a month. Working with AI has reminded me of something important: it's just a tool. I still need to think. @enchantedhottie @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

Maci 💋 My POV Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Near Tuscany, Italy “Is it true the American man who bought the castle is a playboy?” I nearly spit out my coffee. The question came from a boy who couldn't have been more than fourteen. He had three friends standing behind him, all trying very hard to look as though approaching five American women on a village street was something they did every afternoon. Kristin lowered her sunglasses. “I'm sorry. What?” The boy straightened. “The man. At the castle. Is he a playboy?” I looked at Ava, who was already smiling. Oh, this was going to be good. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Our Tuesday began considerably more peacefully. Well, relatively speaking. After breakfast, Jenny and I finally sat down to open our letters from Spencer. We'd both been looking forward to them, and I wanted a few minutes to read mine without an audience offering commentary. I won't share everything she wrote. Some things belong to the people who write them and the people who receive them. But I will say that our Queen has an extraordinary ability to make someone feel close to her even when she's thousands of miles away. Jenny was smiling at hers, too. We exchanged a look. Neither of us asked what the other had received. Sometimes that's enough. Our quiet morning ended when Ava announced she was ready to try on her Halloween costume. Now, some of you may remember that Kristin modeled this rather extraordinary creation while it was being designed aboard the St. Mary. Burgundy and black. A fitted corset with gold detailing. Flowing sleeves. An asymmetrical skirt. Tall black boots. Very medieval. Very dramatic. And exactly what one wears when preparing to execute a woman who has been dead for centuries. Ava disappeared to change. When she returned, Kristin stood up immediately. “Turn around.” Ava turned. “Slowly.” Ava turned again. Kristin examined the sleeves, adjusted the neckline, and straightened a section of the skirt. “I still think it looked better on me.” “You were the model,” Ava informed her. “I'm the executioner.” “An important distinction,” I said. “Thank you, Maci.” “I wasn't agreeing with you.” Ava ignored that. She looked wonderful, which was rather inconvenient because I had been hoping the costume would look at least a little ridiculous. It didn't. The burgundy suited her beautifully, and the black detailing made the whole thing look surprisingly authentic. Then Edgar walked in. He stopped. Looked at his sister. Looked at us. “Should I be concerned?” “Only if you've committed a capital offense,” Ava said. “Noted.” And he continued toward his office. I love that man. By late morning, the castle had become its usual mixture of construction project, archaeological expedition, and temporary residence for people who probably shouldn't be left unsupervised. Edgar had meetings with the architects and contractors. Ava was continuing her LiDAR scans, which are turning into a much larger undertaking than any of us anticipated. At this rate, she'll be scanning rooms for the rest of the week. Edgar has become fascinated by the results. The two of them can spend an astonishing amount of time discussing measurements, wall thicknesses, staircases, and sections of the building that don't quite line up. They're very much alike when something interests them. I find it rather sweet. Kristin and I borrowed the thermal camera and wandered through several corridors looking for anything unusually cold that might be moving. Nothing. We found cold stone, colder stone, and one particularly drafty doorway. Kristin pointed the camera toward me. “Congratulations. You're alive.” “Thank you, Doctor.” We also FaceTimed Spencer, who is having a passionate love affair with the Cybertruck. I haven't heard her this enthusiastic about a vehicle in quite some time. I asked Edgar whether he was jealous. He said no. Spencer seemed delighted with that answer, which means I should have asked a better question. Meanwhile, Kristin has taken her assignment from Queen Spencer VERY seriously. She's spent most of the afternoon finding creative ways to interrupt Edgar's work. I'm not sure Edgar realizes how thoroughly our Queen planned his afternoon. Kristin walks past his office in outfits that I suspect were selected with considerable thought. She dropped a pencil near his desk. Then dropped it again. Edgar finally looked up. “Kristin, is there something wrong with your hands?” “I'm testing your observational skills.” “They're fine.” “Clearly not.” Later, I found her standing behind his chair, rubbing his shoulders while he reviewed architectural drawings. “Preventative medicine,” she explained. Edgar continued reading. I left them to it. I think she enjoys the challenge more than the result. --- By early afternoon, the five of us decided to leave Edgar to his meetings and head into town. We wanted coffee, a little shopping, and a chance to walk through possible locations for our Halloween plans. We're still debating whether Isabetta should make several appearances leading up to Halloween or whether we should save everything for one memorable evening. Personally, I like the idea of a little anticipation. Mia, naturally, has opinions about this. Many opinions. We also stopped to speak with a few people I'd met during my earlier visit, hoping to learn more about the local historian and the stories surrounding the castle. That's when we met the boys. Four of them. Perhaps thirteen or fourteen. They approached us with the confidence of young men who had clearly rehearsed what they were going to say and then forgotten most of it. Their spokesman, Luca, had dark hair and a charming smile. “Excuse me. Are you the Americans from the castle?” “That depends,” I said. “Are we in trouble?” His friends laughed. “No. We just wanted to ask something.” And that's when he asked whether Edgar was a playboy. “Why would you think that?” I asked. “Because every time he's here, there are different beautiful women with him.” Kristin made a small choking noise. “My mother says he's engaged,” the boy continued. “But my grandmother says that cannot be true.” “Why not?” He gestured toward all five of us. “Because of this!” I couldn't help laughing. Ava stepped forward. “Well, I'm his sister.” The boy's expression changed immediately. “Oh.” “And I'm also part of the ownership group. My brother is engaged.” “To whom?” another boy asked. “Our Queen.” Silence. The four of them looked at one another. “A queen?” Mia smiled. “Oh, yes. And you'll be hearing much more about her.” “So your brother is engaged to a queen who owns part of the castle?” I considered that. “That's probably the simplest explanation.” One of the boys looked at Kristin. “Then what are all of you doing here?” Kristin didn't hesitate. “We're the Queen's girls. We're supposed to take care of Edgar.” “All of you?” “He's a very busy man.” I turned away. I was laughing too hard. The boys looked utterly bewildered. I suspect they're going to spend the next several years trying to explain this conversation to one another. Then Jenny asked whether they knew anything about the ghost. That changed everything. It seems everyone in this town has a grandmother who knows something about our castle. One boy said his grandmother had warned him never to go near the tower after dark. Another insisted that people had seen a woman walking along the old road. A third said his grandfather once heard crying near the castle walls. I asked whether any of them had actually seen anything themselves. No. But they knew people who knew people. Which, as we all know, is practically scientific evidence. Then I made a small mistake. I told them the ghost had hugged Edgar. Four pairs of eyes widened. “She WHAT?” “Hugged him.” “Inside the castle?” “Yes.” They looked genuinely astonished. And then Mia, who had been unusually quiet for almost thirty seconds, leaned toward them. “I think I saw her outside the castle.” I turned to look at her. Mia continued. “I thought she was heading toward town.” The boys went completely silent. One looked over his shoulder. Another crossed himself. We had just supplied four teenage boys with enough material to keep the entire village entertained for a week. And we hadn't even reached Halloween. --- Back at the castle, Edgar had news of his own. The contractors had uncovered what appears to be part of an old Roman bathing complex beneath a later section of the property. There are sections of stonework, evidence of an old water system, and what may be remnants of the original bathing area. The preservation people are examining it. Edgar is already discussing whether it could eventually be restored to working condition without damaging the historical structure. I asked how long that might take. He gave me the sort of answer that means he doesn't know yet but intends to find out. I suspect we'll eventually have a Roman bath. ---- By dinner, we were back in town. And.... so were the rumors. Our waiter asked whether it was true a woman had appeared in the castle tower. Another gentleman wanted to know whether her name was Isabetta. Then someone asked whether she'd been seen walking toward the village. I looked at Mia. Mia looked at her menu. Very innocent. Very suspicious. Across the room, I recognized several women from church during my last visit. They kept looking toward our table. I leaned toward Kristin. “I think we should start charging admission.” “At this rate,” she said, “we could finance the restoration.” Edgar wasn't paying much attention. He was studying something on his phone. I leaned over. “What are you doing?” “Trying to figure out how to convince Elon to sell me a new Roadster.” “For Spencer?” “Yes.” “Of course.” He went back to his phone. A few minutes later, one of the women approached our table. She was very polite. She asked Edgar whether it was true he was engaged to royalty. “Yes,” he said. Then she glanced around the table. “And these young ladies?” Edgar looked at us. “Family.” That was all. No explanation. No elaborate description of who belonged to whom. Just family. I don't think he even realized what he'd said. But I did. And for a moment, I forgot about the ghost, the boys, and the entire village trying to figure us out. Because somewhere along the way, that's exactly what we've become. Of course, the moment didn't last. Ava wanted to know when Edgar was going to spend the night in the tower. Jenny thought Halloween would be appropriate. Kristin wanted to bring the thermal camera. Mia wanted to know whether anyone was volunteering to stay with him. I had an objection. “I'd just like to point out that some of us are very happy with the current sleeping arrangements.” Edgar smiled. “You know it's only one night.” “That's what you say now.” He suggested waiting until after Halloween, possibly All Souls' Day. November 2. Ava, our resident Catholic calendar authority, approved the date. I did not approve the loss of my bed partner. But nobody was taking a vote. We returned to the castle late enough that the contractors had gone home and most of the building was quiet. Ava went to check her scans. Jenny wanted to look at her photographs. Mia was still discussing Isabetta's dress. Kristin found Edgar in his office. Naturally. I stood in the doorway for a moment, watching him study the architectural plans. He looked up. “Good day?” “Interesting day.” “That's one word for it.” I told him about the boys. The playboy accusation. The grandmother who didn't believe he was engaged. The Queen's girls. He laughed. A real laugh. I love making him do that. He smiled and reached for my hand. And I found myself thinking about the little boy who couldn't understand why so many women were living in a castle with one man. I suppose, from the outside, we must look rather strange. But he doesn't know Edgar. He doesn't know our Queen. He doesn't know what we've been through together, or how much trust it takes to build a family that doesn't look quite like everyone else's. And he certainly doesn't know Mia. Although after Halloween, I suspect the entire town will. --- This morning, Kristin and I went for a run before breakfast. I really needed the exercise. And a little time away from ghosts, construction meetings, and teenage Italian boys with very active imaginations. Good Morning from Italy. - Maci 💋 #MyPOV #Ghost #Italy Video be me and #Grok. We have reconciled. Turns out I was blaming the wrong AI. ChatGPT deserved most of my frustration. I realized I was doing WAY too much to produce these videos. Cut my workload by 75%, and poof, better results. Still not quite there, but I finally see a path forward. I think Grok and I are going to get along just fine. ❤️ @enchantedhottie @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

My POV 💋 Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Near Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹 We lost Mia yesterday. Not permanently. Although in an 800 -yr-old castle, I suppose that's a distinction worth making. A gentleman working in the vineyard found her wandering among the vines and brought her back. "I was exploring!" "Mia, you disappeared for 20 minutes!" "I didn't know I was disappearing!" I checked her hand. "Well, at least you haven't lost your phone." She looked down, surprised to find it there. Small victories... Yesterday was mostly about recovering from our flight and showing Jenny and Mia around. Last time Kristin and I were here, Edgar had just bought the castle. A month later, we have roughly fifty contractors working throughout the property, including a government preservation official who's here so often he might as well have his own bedroom. Ava started scanning the castle with LiDAR five days ago, although she was sick much of that visit. Edgar wants a precise 3D model. Some measurements near the tower don't make sense. Walls too thick, floors that don't align, possibly sealed rooms. His contractors have been investigating. Ava wants to find secret passages. Edgar wants accurate measurements. I want to know why someone went to the trouble of hiding anything. We've brought thermal imaging equipment and an old Polaroid camera for our ghost investigations. Yes, I studied medicine. Yes, I'm participating. Please don't tell my professors. Jenny pulled Edgar aside and asked to see the dungeon. Then she wanted to know where Ana's bedroom was. “Right next door,” Edgar told her. Jenny raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?” "Ana thought it would be convenient.” Jenny burst out laughing. I'm sure Ana has plans for that dungeon that have absolutely nothing to do with medieval history. --- By dinner, we were exhausted. Edgar insisted we stay awake to adjust to Italian time, so we drove thirty minutes into a nearby town. Our Halloween plans came up. Mia is portraying Isabetta, our mysterious castle resident. We're essentially bringing her back from the dead. Ava stopped eating. "WAIT. I'm the executioner?" "You volunteered." "I WAS SICK!" "You were very enthusiastic," Kristin reminded her. "I HAD A FEVER!" Edgar smiled into his wine. Ava demanded to see her costume. "Tomorrow morning, sweetheart." "Maci! I'm the executioner! I deserve wardrobe approval!" Mia leaned forward. "I'm wearing that beautiful dress. I'm not spending Halloween looking like some miserable dead peasant." "Mia, the woman died centuries ago." "Then she deserves a decent comeback!" I nearly lost my wine. 😂 --- The little club wasn't crowded, but the music was wonderful. Italian hits, American pop, techno, and an astonishing amount of seventies disco. Jenny asked Edgar and Ava to show us one of their childhood dance routines. I've danced with Edgar plenty of times. He's wonderful. I'd never watched him dance with his sister. He removed his jacket. Ava handed me her phone. "Record this!" They started with a few easy steps, smiling at each other. Then the music picked up. HOLY COW. Edgar sent Ava spinning away, caught her hand behind his back, and swept her around him. She turned twice, laughing, before he dipped her so low her curls touched the floor. People started moving aside. He brought her up, spun her again, and caught her at the waist. And then Ava was FLYING. Seriously. Above his HEAD. He brought her down into another turn, and they finished together on the final beat. The place erupted. People were cheering. Phones were out. Jenny was practically jumping. Mia stood there with her mouth open. Even Kristin forgot about the handsome Italians. Ava threw her arms around Edgar's neck, laughing. He kissed the top of her head. I loved that. They didn't need to count or watch each other's feet. They knew exactly where the other would be. I kept imagining them practicing at home as children, pushing furniture aside and arguing over who missed a step. I wish I'd known them then. "ME NEXT!" Mia shouted. Edgar laughed. "Do you know the routine?" "NO! But I trust you!" "Then we're keeping your feet on the floor." "We'll negotiate!" Jenny got her turn too. Kristin announced she wanted a slow dance with Edgar, then promptly found an Italian gentleman whose face required her undivided attention. Very thorough examination. Medical school teaches dedication.... Ava politely declined most invitations. She was having too much fun watching us. I finally caught Edgar between songs. "That was quite a performance, Mr. Collins. Do you take requests?" He offered his hand. "From you? Always." Oh, I love that man. We all danced until our feet hurt. I have no idea how we stayed awake so late. --- When we returned, the castle was silent. No contractors, no machinery, just centuries-old stone and those enormous dark corridors. Ava glanced toward the tower. "Scanning tomorrow?" Edgar nodded. "Tomorrow." I'm writing this from bed, although you won't see it until our usual posting time. Mia is asleep on Edgar's left. I'm tucked against his right side. He's still sleeping, and I have absolutely no intention of disturbing him. I considered getting up for coffee. Then I remembered Kristin. That woman has an assignment from Spencer, and I'm not leaving my place unattended. Besides, Edgar's warm, Mia has stolen half the blankets, and I'm rather comfortable. Good morning, Queen. Your instructions are being followed. Well, most of them. 🫦 - Maci 💋 #MyPOV #italy Video by yours truly and #Grok. I'm seriously considering divorcing Grok. I've been eyeing SeeDance and Kling, and frankly, they both look promising. Grok, darling, consider this your official notice. Our relationship is on thin ice. @enchantedhottie @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

Maci 💋 My POV Monday, October 26, 2026 Our Castle, Italy “Forty-three words, Edgar. You've been working on this for an hour.” “I've been interrupted seventeen times.” “Sixteen,” Kristin corrected. Edgar looked at her. “I'm counting the time you asked whether I preferred your hair up or down.” “That was a legitimate question.” I should explain. Yesterday, after Mass, Spencer came to the airport to see us off. I love watching those two say goodbye. Spencer has this wonderful habit of kissing Edgar long enough to make him forget what he was about to say, then pulling away with the most innocent expression imaginable. Unfortunately for Queen, Edgar knows exactly how to return the favor. He whispered something in her ear that made her blush. She gave him a little shove, and he pulled her back for another kiss. Those two. . . I was standing beside Ava, trying not to smile. “Are they finished?” she asked. “Clearly not.” Spencer finally came over to hug me. “Take care of him.” “Always.” “And don't let him work the entire flight.” That should have been my first warning. Before we boarded, she handed each of us a sealed envelope. Mine and Kristin's said to open once airborne. Ava, Mia, and Jenny were instructed to wait until October 27. Mia immediately wanted to know why. “Because I said so,” Spencer replied. Ava smiled. “I like that answer.” 20 min. into our flight, I opened mine. My assignment was to make Edgar write poem. One hundred words or fewer, on the subject of change. Easy enough. Edgar loves writing, although finding time for it is another matter. Kristin opened hers and started laughing. I knew immediately we were in trouble. Her assignment was to make concentrating on that poem as difficult as possible. I looked at her. “She's really doing this?” Kristin held up the card. “Written instructions, sweetheart.” Queen wants her future husband to develop extraordinary powers of concentration while surrounded by women determined to distract him. I suppose that's one way to prepare for marriage. Kristin began by borrowing Edgar's sweatshirt and sitting beside him. Then she asked whether he thought she looked better with her hair up. He answered without looking away from his laptop. “Down.” She put it down. “Now?” “Still down.” I laughed. Edgar smiled, kissed her forehead, and returned to typing. That wasn't quite the reaction Kristin wanted. So she recruited Mia and Jenny. Within minutes, Mia was asking Edgar whether ghosts remember being alive, Jenny wanted his opinion on whether the castle tower was actually haunted, and Kristin had somehow convinced both girls that Edgar's poem would improve if he answered their questions first. I was supposed to be helping him focus. Instead, I was laughing. Some assistant I am. Ava had spent much of the flight reading the letters Ana had sent us from the castle. She's been sick for a good part of our recent adventures, but apparently that hasn't prevented her from becoming our resident authority on Isabetta. She knew names, dates, family connections, and several rather unsettling details about the tower. Jenny listened carefully. Then she looked at Edgar. “Oh! I almost forgot. You're sleeping in the tower with Isabetta this week.” Edgar glanced up. "I am?” (playing dumb) “You agreed.” “I recall agreeing to investigate it.” “Overnight,” Jenny added. Kristin offered to keep him company. Ava immediately objected. “Then how would we know whether anything happened?” Edgar considered this. “Perhaps because I'd tell you?” Ava gave him the look she usually reserves for people who suggest skipping Mass. I love that girl. By then, we had another problem. We were landing around two in the morning, Italian time, and desperately needed some sleep. The plane has one proper bedroom. There are six of us. Ava volunteered to take the first shift, leaving four girls interested in sharing with Edgar. Nothing against Ava. I adore her. But Edgar is warm, quiet, and wonderfully comfortable to sleep beside. We drew straws. Kristin and Jenny got Ava. Mia and I got Edgar. Kristin stared at her straw. “Best two out of three?” “Nope,” I said. Edgar looked at us. “Was I consulted?” Mia was already collecting her pillow. “It's been decided.” I kissed his cheek. “Try to respect the democratic process.” He shook his head, smiling. Despite all our efforts, he finished the poem. I read it while Mia curled up beside him. It was beautiful. I told him so, and for once he didn't immediately try to improve it. I sent Spencer a message. Your poet survived. Barely. Her reply arrived seconds later. Did Kristin behave? Not at all. Excellent. ❤️ I miss her. --- Monday morning I'm finishing this from bed in Italy. We landed around two, reached the castle considerably later, and discovered that Jenny had performed a small miracle. When we first visited, only one bedroom was usable. Jenny had arranged for two to be ready before our arrival, complete with clean bedding, working bathrooms, and heat. Two bedrooms for six exhausted people. We didn't complain. I vaguely remember Mia asking whether anyone had checked for ghosts. I told her Isabetta had waited eight hundred years and could manage another six hours. We slept until nearly nine. Now sunlight is coming through the shutters, someone downstairs is making coffee, and I can hear Ava talking. Which means she's feeling better. Or she's discovered something. I'm guessing both. We have an entire castle to explore, a mysterious woman in a tower, and three envelopes that remain sealed until tomorrow. I have no idea what Spencer has planned next. But knowing Queen, I suspect she's having a wonderful morning imagining the possibilities. Good morning, world. Happy Monday. ❤️ - Maci 💋 #MyPOV #YoungLove #traveling Video by yours truly and #Grok. Still learning how to keep character likenesses and backgrounds consistent from scene to scene. AI has a mind of its own sometimes and I'm faily... @enchantedhottie @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

Denver WINS!!!!!!!

Maci 💋 My POV Sunday, October 25, 2026 Greenwich, Connecticut | Next stop: Italy “Jenny, I have one question. Did Ana actually write that down, or are you trying to get me killed?” Edgar was looking across the cabin at Jenny, who had spent the last 20 minutes explaining why sleeping alone in our Italian castle tower might be a terrible idea. “I’m telling you what Ana found in the book.” “Interesting. Because Ana told me she couldn’t read half of it.” Jenny blinked. Mia started laughing. Kristin leaned forward. “Edgar, are you accusing this sweet girl of lying?” “No. I’m asking whether I should be frightened of a ghost or Jenny’s imagination.” I nearly spilled my coffee. We were somewhere over the Midwest yesterday, heading toward Greenwich, and apparently our Halloween entertainment had already begun. Mia had spent a good portion of the flight sitting on Edgar’s lap, helping him work by offering opinions he hadn’t requested. I was still trying to discover what he and Queen had chosen for my Halloween costume. I tried everything. “Is it something historical?” “Maybe.” “Will I need a wig?” “It might.” “Edgar!” He kissed my forehead and returned to his laptop. I briefly considered throwing it out the window. We’d already scared poor Ana half to death before leaving California. She screamed, Kristin screamed because Ana screamed, and Mia was laughing too hard to explain herself. I’m expecting retaliation. We landed a little after four Saturday afternoon. Our chauffeur was waiting, and soon we were pulling into my parents’ estate. Mom hugged everyone. Dad immediately started teasing Edgar. Mia and Jenny were taking everything in, but we barely had time to settle before another car came up the drive. Queen and Ava. I’d seen Spencer’s new brunette hair on FaceTime. So had Edgar. But photographs hadn’t prepared any of us. She stepped out wearing a short black dress, her beautiful dark hair falling around her shoulders, and for a moment I genuinely forgot what I was saying. Edgar didn’t. He just stopped talking. Now, Edgar is not a man who gets flustered. He’s perfectly comfortable negotiating enormous business deals, managing difficult people, or having five women argue with him simultaneously. But watching his face when he saw his fiancee yesterday? Oh, girls. 36 days since they’d been together. He walked straight to her. Spencer smiled, slipped her arms around his neck, and he kissed her like the rest of us had disappeared. Nobody made a joke. Not even Kristin. I watched his hand move gently into her dark hair, and something about that small gesture nearly undid me. He’d always loved her as a brunette. She knew it. And I suspect she enjoyed every second of his reaction. Eventually, Ava announced that some of us would also like to say hello. That started another twenty minutes of hugging, kissing, and everyone talking at once. I hugged our Queen for a long time. I’d missed her. Later, Spencer was sitting with Dad, telling him something that had him laughing. Then, as naturally as could be, she settled onto his lap, crossed those long legs, and continued the conversation as if nothing had happened. Mom looked over and smiled. Dad seemed quite content. Edgar smiled to himself, and kept talking to Ava. I love how comfortable everyone has become. Ava told us about being sick and how much better she was feeling. She also showed us the blessed crosses Mom had given her and Spencer. Mom touched Ava’s cheek while she was explaining everything. It was such a small moment, but I loved watching them together. Afterward, I took Mia and Jenny exploring. The greenhouses, stables, dock, guesthouse, and our ridiculous hedge maze. Mia wanted to know whether anyone had ever gotten lost. “Yes.” “Seriously?” “Yes, Mia.” “Can we try?” Absolutely not. Jenny was fascinated by the greenhouses and kept asking questions. Mia was considerably more interested in finding out whether the maze had security cameras. I decided not to ask why. When we returned, Edgar and Spencer had disappeared. I smiled. Good for them. They’d been apart long enough. ---- This morning, we were up early. I came downstairs in my robe to find Mom drinking coffee, Dad reading something on his iPad, and enough breakfast being prepared to feed a small village. Sunday breakfast has always been a production in this family. Ava was already making her rounds upstairs. Mass is at ten, and she knows exactly how long certain people take to get ready. I heard her knock on Mia's door twice. "Ava, I'm UP!" "Then why are you still in bed?" Ava is on a mission. Spencer wandered in looking half asleep, stole a sip of my coffee, and kissed my cheek. Edgar followed a minute later, looking annoyingly well rested and very happy. Mia eventually appeared, looking for her phone. It was in her hand. I'm not kidding. After Mass, we'll be heading out. Hard to believe that in less than 14hrs we'll be halfway around the world, away from my parents and Spencer. I'm excited about Italy, but I'm going to miss them. At least Edgar and Queen have Chicago together afterward. And Mia and Jenny are already making plans to spend time with her around the closing on her New York property. Those three in Manhattan. That should be interesting. For now, I'm going to enjoy breakfast with my family before Ava starts counting heads. Happy Sunday. ❤️ - Maci 💋 #MyPOV #Love #familytime Video by yours truly and #Grok. Had to crop out Spencer’s 🍑 because AI decided her dress needed to be short. WAY too short! Sorry, boys. @enchantedhottie @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

Maci 💋 My POV Saturday, October 24, 2026 St. Mary | La Jolla, California Destination: Greenwich, Connecticut I have a confession. I love traveling. I hate packing. And apparently, I have absolutely no business supervising other people who are packing. Yesterday was supposed to be simple. Get everything organized, finish a few things aboard St. Mary, have dinner, and get a good night’s sleep before today’s flight. We even packed the sewing machine. Yes. A sewing machine. Somewhere between Mia’s Isabetta costume, Jenny’s itinerary, and Kristin deciding she needed another suitcase, I started wondering if we were moving to Italy permanently. Edgar walked into the salon, looked at the luggage, and asked if we were packing or holding a yard sale. I reminded him he was outnumbered. Mia immediately informed him that she liked our odds. Edgar looked at Kristin and asked who was counting her. Kristin smiled. “Your biggest mistake.” I laughed so hard I had to sit down. The problem with Edgar is that he enjoys this. He genuinely enjoys being surrounded by women who give him a hard time. He’ll stand there looking perfectly innocent while saying something calculated to make matters worse. And Kristin requires very little encouragement. Speaking of encouragement, Edgar has officially lost the game and will be spending one night alone in the castle tower. Mia has reminded him approximately seventeen times. He’s entirely too comfortable with the arrangement. When she asked whether he was frightened, he wanted to know if the tower had Wi-Fi. I think she took that personally. I’m beginning to suspect Edgar’s night in the tower is going to become a much larger production than anyone originally intended. Especially now that Mia has tried on her Isabetta costume. Oh, girls. She looks incredible. Jenny was helping her with the veil yesterday, and I watched Mia study herself in the mirror with that expression she gets when she’s about to do something she absolutely should not do. The dress is beautiful. Delicate ivory lace, a fitted bodice, and enough flowing fabric to look genuinely unsettling in the right lighting. Or very distracting in the wrong lighting. I told her the goal was to frighten people, not have them fall in love with the ghost. She seemed rather pleased with both possibilities. We are going to have to supervise that child. Actually, who am I kidding? We’re probably going to help her. Jenny has also prepared an itinerary for our first three days in Italy. Three days! She has places to visit, people to speak with, and questions she wants answered about the castle. Kristin and I did some investigating when we first toured the property, but now we’ll have five women and Edgar. And that thought stopped me yesterday. Five women. One Edgar. No Spencer. Again. (He really needs her) I suddenly remembered the looks we received from some of the older ladies in town when Kristin and I were there with Edgar. Then Ana visited the castle with him. Now he’s returning with me, Kristin, Jenny, Mia, and Ava. I can only imagine what the locals are going to think. And after Mia makes her grand appearance as Isabetta? Oh, they’ll talk. I mentioned this to Queen. Her response? “Let them talk.” Of course. She knows perfectly well what she’s doing. I STILL have no idea what she and Edgar have chosen for my Halloween costume. Neither will tell me. I have tried being sweet. I’ve tried negotiating. I’ve tried asking questions that sound completely unrelated. Nothing. Edgar is especially irritating because he knows exactly when I’m fishing for information. Queen seems to be enjoying my frustration. I’m going to remember this. But first, we have a little trip to make. Today we’re flying to Greenwich to see Mom and Dad. We were hoping for an earlier departure, but it looks like we’ll land around four or five this afternoon. We’ll stop by Spencer’s house before leaving California to see Ana and Patrick. Ana has school and can’t come with us yet. I haven’t decided whether to hug her or scare her. Possibly both. And Queen told us she and Ava will meet us at my parents’ house tonight! I’m excited to see Ava, especially after she’s been sick. And I know Edgar is looking forward to seeing Spencer. It’s been thirty-six days since they’ve been together in person. Thirty-six. I don’t know how Queen does it. I love that man dearly, and I would be absolutely miserable if I couldn’t see him for that long. I know they’re both busy, and they’re perfectly capable of handling the distance. Still, I’m glad they’ll finally be together again. I’m also excited about being home. I already know Mom and Dad are going to ask about Thanksgiving. Last year we spent it in Aspen, and I loved it. But the holidays have become complicated. Not in a bad way. There are just so many people I love, and I want to be everywhere. Edgar and Ava don’t have their parents to go home to anymore. I’ve been wondering whether we might invite Spencer and the Collins family to spend Thanksgiving with us in Greenwich. Before anyone gets excited, I have discussed this with absolutely nobody. Including my parents. Surprise, Mom. ❤️ I’m thinking out loud. Or writing out loud. Whatever this is. Edgar also received word that the house that burned down should be ready for a walkthrough in mid-December so we can make the final finish selections. I imagine Spencer will want a say in that. Actually, I know she will. One more thing. Edgar mentioned that when we return to St. Mary, he’s thinking about taking her somewhere. We probably won’t be back aboard for another ten days. By then Ava and Ana will be back at school. Jenny and Mia might be off doing something with Queen. Which could leave just the elders. Kristin, Edgar, and me. I haven’t decided what I think about that yet. I do know I’ll miss St. Mary. It’s funny. I forget she’s a yacht most days. She’s so large and comfortable that you barely notice the movement. Everyone has their favorite places, their routines, and their little habits. It feels like home. And apparently, I’m becoming sentimental about leaving a boat for ten days. Good grief. Oh! Mia asked yesterday whether the castle has a swimming pool. I told her it has a moat. She wanted to know whether we could swim in it. I told her absolutely not. But I’ve been thinking. With Queen coming to visit eventually, we probably should have a pool. A very large one. Preferably somewhere Mia cannot convince Ava to jump off a medieval wall into it. Anyway, I need to go. Everyone is getting ready, Edgar has already been working for an hour, and I still haven’t exercised. I’m going to Google a workout. Yes, Google. I have a perfectly good gym, years of dance training, and enough equipment aboard this yacht to embarrass a professional athlete. And this morning I cannot decide what to do with myself. See you in Connecticut. Maci 💋 #MyPOV Video by #Grok and me. I hate when Grok sets arbitrary boundaries around things that aren't even an issue. It ends up hallucinating problems out of thin air. Congress needs to pass a law banning AI from doing drugs; it clearly has enough issues already. @enchantedhottie @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

Maci 💋 My POV Friday, October 23, 2026 Aboard St. Mary, La Jolla, California Mia has officially decided that my family’s lawyers are trying to silence her. This began when Edgar brought two folders into the salon this morning and set them in front of Mia and Jenny. The additional NDAs had arrived from my attorneys. We’re flying to Greenwich tomorrow to spend some time with my parents, and both girls needed to sign before visiting the house. It’s standard whenever someone new is going to be spending time around certain parts of our family’s private life. Mia opened hers, read the first page, and looked at me. “Are we in trouble?” “No, sweetheart.” “Then why am I signing things?” Edgar sat down beside me and explained what the agreements covered. Family privacy, security arrangements, confidential business matters, and a few other things that are better left at home. Jenny listened carefully. Mia had questions. Lots of questions. Finally, Mia looked up. “Can I still tell people Maci’s annoying?” Edgar didn’t hesitate. “That’s public information.” Jenny burst out laughing. I looked at him. He smiled. I swear that man waits for opportunities like this. Mia wanted clarification on several other things, including whether she could post pictures from the house and what she should do if someone asked her about our visit. Edgar went through everything with them. He was patient, thorough, and annoyingly handsome while doing it. I was sitting beside him, trying to look like a responsible adult. Jenny signed first. Mia signed after making Edgar promise that the agreements didn’t prevent her from making fun of me. They don’t. Unfortunately. --- I spent part of the morning working out with Kristin. She has become increasingly comfortable offering unsolicited commentary on my exercise routine. I was finishing a set of squats when she asked, “Showing off again?” “Would you like to try?” “Need some help?” “From you? Never.” She laughed. Edgar came onto the fitness deck a few minutes later. “Everything under control?” “Until you showed up.” He leaned against the bench, smiling at me. I was sweaty, slightly out of breath. He hadn’t even worked out yet. That seemed unfair. Kristin was enjoying herself far too much. Edgar offered to join me for another set. I told him I’d already done enough. He glanced at the weights. “You’re getting stronger.” That made me smile. He notices things like that. Little improvements. Things I’ve been working on that nobody else would necessarily recognize. Of course, he ruined the moment by asking if I wanted him to increase the weight next time. I told him to go bother somebody else. He kissed my forehead and went back inside. Kristin watched him leave. Then she looked at me. “What?” “Nothing.” “Kristin.” She started laughing. I’m surrounded by "children". Beautiful, highly intelligent children, but children. --- Jenny was quieter than usual after lunch. I noticed it while we were sitting in the salon. Mia was talking about what she wanted to wear tomorrow, Kristin was looking through something on her phone, and Jenny kept smiling at the conversation without contributing much. I found her a little later on the aft deck. She was curled up on the sofa, looking out at the water. I sat beside her. “Hey. You okay?” She smiled. “Yeah.” I waited. She looked at me. “Do you think your parents will like me?” I hadn’t expected that. “Of course.” “What if I embarrass you?” Oh, Jenny. I took her hand. “You couldn’t.” She looked down for a moment. I moved a little closer. “Just be Jenny.” She smiled. I told her my parents were looking forward to meeting everyone. Mom already knows quite a bit about the girls, mostly because I talk about them constantly. Jenny wanted to know what I’d said about her. “That you’re intelligent, sweet, occasionally a terrible influence, and that I love you.” She laughed. “I’m not a terrible influence.” “Jenny, I’ve seen you with Mia.” “That’s different.” “Of course it is.” She leaned her head against my shoulder, and I put my arm around her. We sat there for a while. I understand why she’s nervous. She’s nineteen, she’s visiting my parents house for the first time, and she’s still learning how our lives work. But I wish she knew how little she has to prove. My parents will see what I see. A lovely young woman who has become very important to me. And I hope she likes them as much as I do. Well, most days. Dad and I can disagree about practically anything if given enough time. Mom says it’s because we’re too much alike. She’s probably right. --- Now, about my Halloween costume. I’m beginning to think I’ve made a serious mistake allowing Edgar to handle this. He bought something for me. He won’t tell me what it is. He won’t show me a picture. And every time I ask, he smiles like he’s enjoying a private joke. This afternoon, I called Queen Spencer @enchantedhottie Kristin was sitting beside me when the subject came up. I mentioned that Edgar was being impossible about my costume. Queen smiled. I know that smile. “Wait. You know?” She looked delighted. “I helped him choose it.” I stared at my phone. “You WHAT?” Kristin started laughing. Spencer looked entirely too pleased with herself. “And it’s perfect.” I turned toward Kristin. “You’re kidding me.” She was no help whatsoever. I looked back at Queen. “You’re both in trouble.” Spencer smiled. I tried several different approaches after that. I asked whether it was pretty. Yes. Whether it was embarrassing. She laughed. Whether I was going to need help putting it on. She smiled again. I narrowed my eyes. “Queen.” “What?” “You’re loving this...” “Very much.” I love her. I really do. But that woman has an extraordinary talent for making me feel like I’m the only person in the room who doesn’t know what’s going on. And I suspect she enjoys that even more than the costume itself. The worst part is that I trust her taste. She knows what I like. She knows what Edgar likes. And she knows exactly how to get under my skin. I’m not sure which of those three things concerns me most. Later, Edgar came through the salon. I was waiting. “So. You and Queen went shopping?” He smiled. “We did.” “And?” “And what?” “Edgar.” “Maci.” I stared at him. He looked perfectly comfortable. “Am I going to like it?” “I think you will.” “Am I going to be embarrassed?” He laughed. “Would I do that to you?” I gave him a look. He leaned down and kissed me. Which was lovely. And completely ineffective as an answer. We’re leaving for Greenwich tomorrow. I can’t wait to see Mom and Dad. I’m also looking forward to having everyone together at the house. It’s been a while since I’ve had this many people I love in one place with my parents. Mia has been packing. And repacking. She asked me whether she should bring something nice for dinner. “Yes.” “How nice?” “Whatever you’d wear to dinner with someone’s parents.” She stared at me. “Maci, your parents aren’t normal.” I laughed. “They’re perfectly normal.” She gave me a look. “Your lawyers sent me homework.” Fair. Kristin has been helping her choose clothes, which means they’ll both look gorgeous and I’ll end up borrowing something from one of them. Jenny seems happier tonight. That makes me happy. Edgar has been getting things organized for tomorrow. He’s had a busy week, but he genuinely enjoys this stuff. Give that man a complicated schedule, a dozen moving parts, and three problems to solve before breakfast, and he’s having a wonderful day. I still make him stop and eat. Someone has to. Ava is still with Queen in New York. I’m hoping she’s feeling much better by the time we all get together Sunday. Then we’ll be heading toward Italy. Our castle. Halloween. Mia’s ridiculous ghost plans. And whatever Edgar and Spencer have decided I’m going to wear. I was thinking about all of this earlier while watching Jenny and Mia laughing together in the salon. A few months ago, I couldn’t have imagined how close we’d become. Now I’m taking them home to meet my parents. I know how fortunate I am. Not because of the house or where we’re going next. Because I get to bring these people with me. And because somewhere along the way, they became people I can’t imagine leaving behind. Although if Mia asks one more question about whether the NDA covers embarrassing childhood photographs, I may reconsider. Good morning, everyone. Love you, Queen. ❤️ - Maci 💋 #MyPOV #GrokVideo #AllBlondesLookAlikeToAI Video by me and #Grok. I only had to process one of the clips twice. Grok seems to think I look like Mia... We are both blonde. @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52

Maci 💋 My POV October 22, 2026 Aboard St. Mary, off La Jolla Yesterday, Kristin threatened to push Edgar into the Pacific. He told her he'd prefer she learn to turn first. I nearly fell out of the boat laughing. Wednesday was supposed to be productive. We had costumes to finish, a Halloween plan to develop, and several decisions to make before leaving for Italy on Sunday. By lunch, Mia had changed her ghost costume three times, Jenny had reorganized our sketches twice, and Edgar had accomplished more actual work than the rest of us combined. I still had no information about the costume he'd bought me. Not even a color. When he suggested we take the jet boat out for a while, Kristin was the first one on her feet. The water was beautiful, and we all needed a break. I went water skiing first. Had a good run, swallowed a little more Pacific Ocean than I intended, and returned to the boat feeling rather pleased with myself. Kristin decided she could do better. And for a while, she did. She looked gorgeous out there, dark hair blowing behind her, cutting across the wake in her burgundy swimsuit. She even signaled for more speed. Edgar watched her through the windshield. "She's getting ambitious." "Don't you dare," I told him. He didn't change speed. He didn't need to. Kristin decided to make a turn that would have been impressive if her skis had agreed to participate. They didn't. One spectacular splash later, we were circling back to collect her. "YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!" Edgar leaned over the side. "I wasn't driving your skis." I think she swallowed another gallon of seawater trying to laugh and yell at him simultaneously. She splashed him. He laughed. And I was reminded that being around these people is considerably more entertaining than anything we could possibly schedule. Jenny gave skiing a try and did surprisingly well. Mia declined because she didn't want to risk injuring herself before her debut as a deceased Italian woman. I pointed out that being dead might make an injury less consequential. She didn't appreciate my medical opinion. --- Back aboard St. Mary, we returned to the costumes. Kristin modeled Ava's finished executioner outfit over FaceTime. Oh, my goodness. Ava LOVED it. Our sweet Ava, has developed very strong opinions about fitted bodices, burgundy fabric, and tall black boots. Kristin turned in front of the mirror, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "Well, Your Highness?" Ava practically squealed. --- Ava is feeling a little better, thank goodness, but she's still exhausted and mostly wants to sleep. Spencer has been getting restless, too. She's anxious to get to New York and start settling into her new apartment, so the two of them are heading there. Our travel arrangements have changed again. We'll stop in New York on Sunday to drop off Ana, and Ava will rejoin us for the flight to Italy. That means Ana probably won't be coming to the castle this time. I'm disappointed. I was looking forward to having her there, especially with everything we've been discovering about Isabetta. So, unless someone changes the plan again, our castle crew will be Edgar, Kristin, Ava, Jenny, Mia, and me. And Ava will have crossed the Atlantic twice in October. I mentioned that to her. She wanted to know whether she could go back to sleep. Poor girl. --- I also talked with Mom and Dad about possibly seeing them Saturday/Sunday. They're excited to hear about the castle. Mom particularly wants to know whether the blessed crosses she gave Ava and Spencer have helped. I'm not sure how Ava is going to answer that. She's spent most of her time being sick. Still, I know those crosses mean something to her. Mom gave them with love, and Ava received them with the same seriousness she brings to her faith. I think they'll enjoy talking about it. Now, about our ghost. Mia has taken this assignment very seriously. We've been experimenting with ivory lace, translucent fabric, and a very subtle silver-white glow. I have to admit, she looks beautiful. We positioned her behind a curtain in the salon, adjusted the lighting, and watched her slowly turn toward us. For a few seconds, she genuinely looked like someone who belonged to another century. Then she smiled. "Have you forgotten me?" Jenny lowered her camera. I actually got goosebumps. Mia immediately broke character. "Oh, they're going to love this!" And there was our Mia again. The trouble is that our castle sits near a real Italian town, filled with real people who probably aren't expecting a group of Americans to arrive and begin staging apparitions. We want a little mystery, not a public panic. So last night we formed what I'm calling the Ghost Committee. Mia wants someone to scream. Kristin would prefer that someone be Edgar. I wished her luck. Jenny suggested involving the local priest. "JENNY!" She looked so innocent when she said it, too. I don't know what's happening to that girl, but I'm beginning to suspect we're a terrible influence. Our plan is becoming more sophisticated. Mia will be Isabetta, naturally. Jenny is working on lighting, photographs, and the timing of her appearances. Kristin has volunteered to investigate the historical legend, although her idea of historical research seems to involve interviewing attractive Italian men. I'm coordinating the script and costumes. Edgar is our designated voice of reason, which means he'll spend Halloween watching us discover the consequences of our own decisions. Ava will help with the historical details and make sure we're treating the real people connected to the castle with respect. That's important to me, too. The old notes we've discovered suggest Isabetta may have had a complicated relationship with the lord of the castle. We don't know enough yet to tell her story properly. I don't want to invent a tragedy for a woman who may have experienced a real one. So we're going to begin with a private costume rehearsal and a few photographs. If we involve anyone from town, it'll be a Halloween performance they're invited to enjoy, not a trick played on unsuspecting strangers. A little mischief is wonderful. Terrifying somebody's grandmother is not. I do wish Spencer were coming with us. She'd be magnificent at this. She could walk into that castle, take one look at our lighting plan, and have everyone moving furniture within thirty seconds. And we'd all do it. Mia might argue. --- This morning, Kristin was still blaming him for her skiing accident. Edgar remained entirely unrepentant. And I tried one more time to get information about my Halloween costume. "One clue. Just one." "Sunday." He smiled into his coffee. I told him that if my costume is ridiculous, he's getting a matching one. Three days until Italy. I really do wish our Queen were coming. Somebody needs to keep Edgar in line. And it certainly isn't going to be me. - Maci 💋 #MyPOV #Halloween2026 #GothicVibes #GhostStory Video be #Grok. We changed to the new plan... I hope I have enough credits to make these videos... @enchantedhottie @FunAva007 @AnaDivincienzo @EdgerPoe516859 @kristin_md2b @mjcromwell01 @Susan_B_PhD @jennyDmond @thonlymiamonroe @seanachiejimK @TravisNei @WeHaveHope231 @TheTigreTwins @Jagsfan67 @JenneCameron @danielthedadtn @AlvinMaxMaxwell @AndyKnightII @Tattdwolf52