In Xanadu did Kublai Khan
a stately pleasure-dome decree,
where Alph, the sacred river, ran
through caverns measureless to man
down to a sunless sea,
so twice five miles of fertile ground
with walls and towers were girdled round.
and there were gardens bright with sinuous rills,
where blossom'd many an incense-bearing tree.
And here were forests as ancient as the hills,
enfolding sunny spots of greenery.
But O! That deep romantic chasm which slanted,
down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover.
A savage place! As holy and enchanted
as a'er beneath a waning moon was haunted
by woman wailing for her demon lover.
In from that chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething,
as if this Earth in fast thick pants were breathing,
a mighty fountain momently was forced,
amid who's swift half-intermitted burst,
huge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail,
or chaffy grain beneath the thresher's flail,
and 'mid these dancing rocks at once and ever,
it flung up momently the sacred river.
Five miles meandering with a mazy motion,
through wood and dale the sacred river ran.
Then reach'd the caverns measureless to man,
and sank in tumult to a lifeless ocean.
And 'mid this tumult Kublai heard from afar
ancestral voices prophesying war!
The shadow of the dome of pleasure
floated midway on the waves
Where was heard the mingled measure
from the fountain and the caves.
It was a miracle of rare device
a sunny pleasure dome with caves of ice.
A damsel with a dulcimer
in a vision once I saw.
It was an Abyssinian maid,
and on her dulcimer she played,
singing of mount Abora.
Could I revive within me
her symphony and song.
To such a deep delight 'twould win me,
that with music loud and long,
I would build that dome in air!
Thy sunny dome! Those caves of ice!
and all who heard should see them there!
and all should cry, Beware! Beware!
his flashing eyes! his floating hair!
Weave a circle round him thrice,
and close your eyes with holy dread!
for he on honey-dew hath fed,
and drunk the milk of Paradise.

YES! Stella's Blue Sky Diner. I couldn't remember the name. I lived in DSM for several years, and I could tell you have some strong connections to the area. knowing Duffy Lyons' name, having them stay at the Hotel Savory (?) across the street from Capital Square, the building which used to house the Diner.

Hotel Fort Des Moines also attracts the political bigwigs. We got married there in 1996, and the morning after, the place was crawling with Secret Service agents preparing for Gore's arrival.

I read this fic on your website 1/2 a yr ago or so and fell in love with it in the first chapter. By far one of the best fanfics I've ever read...Josh and Donna should have given in long before the last season and your story illustrates that perfectly!

this is a great story I love it please please Please update

It's taken me three days bu man what a story I absolutely love and no matter how long it takes I hope that you bring it all the way up to Josh becoming President in years to come. I just love the Lyman family unit it's absolutely adorable, I llok forward to the next installment.

BRILLIANT! I read the whole thing and LOVE it. Usually i go for shorter chapters, but this had me hooked! AWESOME!

OMG...what an amazing story, took me four hours to read it all the way through (no work got done) and wow...wow wow wow, amazing, funny, sad, touching and real. this is the JD story we'd all wish to see happen.

Love it. So glad you updated. had a tough day today but this really brightened it up

Love the house and so glad they are thinking about it. And the boys are just the sweetest things

YEAH! I am SO happy that you updated! I was so surprised! great chapter!! I loved it! Oh yeah! they are moving into that wonderful house!! Its so nice! please update soon...
~Ryanne~

This series is so very good. I really want you to update soon. I can only imagine what it would be like to have two children under one. they are going to have their hands full.

Cheers,
Katie D.

Yay! I got to chapter 42!!
I thought it was a finished fic, is it a finished fic? 'Cos that "Josh, I'm moving to Chicago." line there makes me wonder how their lives are going to be after that... please, tell me it goes on...

Ok... I reallyt have to go to bed... but I'll probably go on tomorrow night... I love this. I wish I could stay up reading, but I have to wake up early tomorrow... :P

It's 23:23 and I don't think I can go to bed until I'm done!! I have A LOT of chaps to read... I love it! :D Oh, you should see my face right now :D

Oh-MY-Gosh! Are my eyes decieving me?? I was SO shocked to see that you had updated!! But I am SO happy!! This is one of my favorite fics! GREAT chapter!! it was great!! PLEASE update soon!! I can't wait!!

~Ryanne~

Very enjoyable chapter, you develop the relationships and situations very well and very indepth. Continue your work, it's a joy to read.