It had been a while (far too long, in fact), since the Watcher had spent much time with Gianico and Johnny, and so he decided to turn his focus to these dashingly handsome boys for a bit.
Some very exciting things had happened for them recently.
They’d both retired, and then subsequently packed up their lives and moved out to a ranch in rural Chestnut Ridge!
This is Rush - Gianico’s beautiful new horse.
Gianico had neither owned, nor even spent time with, a horse before, but he decided you can’t have a ranch without one, right?
(Yes, if you hadn’t guessed by now - the reason we are back with this household is that they are my testers for the new pack).
Gianico really struggled with the whole horse riding thing at first, but it didn’t take long for the pair to build up a mutual trust and understanding.
Maybe Gianico was simply a natural, or perhaps it was just that the Watcher was kind and gave Rush a trio of exceptionally positive traits.
Still, even with an Intelligent, Friendly and Independent horse like Rush, there was always going to be a steep learning curve for a newbie rider.
Luckily Gianico was up to the challenge, and exploring the stunning scenery of Chestnut Ridge on horseback quickly became his new favourite pastime.
Johnny, on the other hand… well, he did TRY to get into the horse riding thing too…
It just didn’t seem like it was meant to be, however, and he decided he was far too old to risk being flung from such a height for a third, fourth and fifth time.
Yes, he decided that he preferred to race cars instead… and not even real ones, at that.
It didn’t mean that he didn’t enjoy spending time with their newest family member, though.
He just opted to do so with both feet planted firmly upon the ground.
The cats have also settled into their new life in Chestnut Ridge, too.
Teddy has found new and exciting ways to cause trouble (getting sprayed by skunks, attacking birds… you name it), and Elsie is simply existing as the princess she is.
When cat meets horse…
Both appeared equally curious in their first meeting, but they seem to enjoy one another’s company well enough.
Chestnut Ridge is seriously gorgeous.
A beautiful haven for the Watcher’s favourite boys to spend their golden years in peace and relaxation, surrounded by uninterrupted nature.
Despite being a tiny town in the middle of the desert, it was surprisingly easy to entertain oneself here too.
Gianico and Johnny quickly learnt that creating and consuming nectar was a focal part of that, and they were were more than happy to flit between the various drinking establishments to sample the flavours on offer.
Some of the nectars had surprising effects, though. The strawberry flavour in particular left Gianico feeling exceptionally flirty one evening.
So much so that he found himself sharing a series of lingering glances with a handsome cowboy on the dance floor…
Luckily Gianico was a loyal husband, despite the overwhelming, sense-altering effects of this odd nectar, and so it wasn’t long before he was focusing his newfound lustiness in the direction of his one true love, Johnny.
Side note: Have the residents of Chestnut Ridge never seen two sexy men kiss before?! Geez, mind your own business, lady!
Oddly enough, that mysterious dancing cowboy happened to be the couple’s sole neighbour in the remote Galloping Gulch region of Chestnut Ridge, and one evening they found themselves inviting him over for a friendly supper.
Perhaps their visitor was under the effects of the strawberry nectar himself, or perhaps Gianico was seeing things that weren’t there, but a prolonged glance from the moustached cowboy in Johnny’s direction was enough to send Gianico into a most uncharacteristic fit of rage.
Gianico was quick to demand the denim-clad man leave their property with immediate effect, and to ensure he never came near them again.
The cowboy seemed genuinely surprised, and saddened, by his sudden dismissal, but was quick to leave without any protest.
“What the Plum was that about, Gianico?!”
“I just don’t like that guy, okay? There’s… I don’t know, just something about him.”
“Well, you can’t go around acting like that! I don’t know what’s gotten in to you.”
Johnny was right. This was deeply unlike Gianico, but little did he know that his husband had just acquired a new Jealous trait. Sigh!
A lifetime spent building a strong and healthy relationship and marriage had left these two exceptionally resilient to such petty squabbles though. Something as silly as this wasn’t about to get in the way of their love for one another.
Though, perhaps that wouldn’t be the last they saw of the mysterious cowboy - he was their (only) neighbour, after all?
How could they dwell on such things when life was as perfectly beautiful as this, anyway?
Plus, they were about to have an exceptionally busy few days. Some special visitors were coming to stay, and a particuarly marked event would be taking place…
Yes, Gianico and Johnny were very excited to, for the first time, welcome Dolly and Gemma to their new home in Chestnut Ridge.
The girls had come to visit for a very special reason, actually. They were to have their wedding on the ranch... and it was taking place tomorrow!
A friendly duel is the perfect outlet for some of those pre-wedding jitters, right?
Apparently the thought of hosting it on a precariously high bridge (over a canyon no less!) didn’t phase either Dolly or Gemma.
No matter how hard Gemma tries, and no matter how close it seems like she is to winning, Dolly ALWAYS comes out on top in these duels.
Poor Gemma! These Landgraab genes really aren’t to be underestimated…
It was the night before the wedding, and the group were savouring this remaining time as just the four of them. The plethora of guests would begin to arrive in the morning.
Johnny and Gianico still couldn’t believe their daughter was getting married tomorrow. It seemed like only yesterday she was their tiny baby girl.
They kept sharing looks between them - of disbelief, but also of pride and elation for their daughter and her lovely bride-to-be.
Bunkbeds for their final night as non-married folk.
“Nothing to see here…”
N.B: That isn’t a puddle of water.
The wedding day arrived, and the weather could not have been more perfect.
Nancy kicked off the ceremony.
Its not often your grandmother is the flower girl.
The vows followed, and the smiles painted upon Dolly and Gemma’s faces throughout were very telling of their jubilation in this moment.
One of the Watcher’s favourite things about weddings is watching the guests’ reactions.
Nancy seemed genuinely proud (at least, that’s what her face seemed to display - its hard to decipher her expressions sometimes with all the botox she aged down with).
Betsy was grinning throughout, any bad blood between her and Dolly completely buried in this moment.
The rings were exchanged, and with one very romantic kiss - they were officially married!
The sun happening to set at that exact moment made it feel even more magical.
Yep, Nancy was definitely proud.
Gianico and Johnny, too.
Mrs and Mrs Zest <3
(and a final shot of the kitties before we bid farewell to this brief detour in Chestnut Ridge)
