Chapter 35

I




DeWitt decided he had to speak with Helene about what she may or may not have seen before she fell asleep behind the lounger that night.


First, he marked his calendar for his meeting with Cameron Chang. He had some tough questions to ask the psychotherapist. No more of this bullshitting around, he thought; I'm paying the bills, so I think I need to get my share of answers.


He then took a deep breath and called for Helene.


When the twelve year old appeared at her father's office door, she asked, "Did you want to see me, Dad?"


"Yes, Helene," DeWitt said; "I do. Please sit down."


Oh, I'm in some kind of trouble, she thought; He never asks me to sit down unless he's mad.


When she was seated, DeWitt said, "The other morning, while your mother was still here, we found you sleeping behind the lounger on the far wall. Why were you sleeping there?"


I knew it, Helene thought; He did see me!


"I'd gotten up to get a glass of milk, Dad," she began. "I thought you and Mom had gone to bed. When I got to the living room, I saw that you were still up. I decided to wait til you guys went to bed."


"Why didn't you just go back to bed then?"


"Because I saw what you were doing, and I didn't want to interrupt," Helene said. "So I crawled behind the loungers to wait."


"Helene," DeWitt said; "What did you see?"


"You and Mom having sex."


DeWitt closed his eyes for a brief moment. He didn't want Helene to think she was in trouble for what she may have seen.


"Helene, princess, you know that what Mom and I were doing is only for adults," DeWitt said; "You remember the talk we had with you about that when you were seven years old, right?"


"Yes, Dad," Helene said, trying to stifle a laugh at the memory of her father being flustered talking to her and Erin about "the birds and the bees"; "I know that sex is only for adults who love each other like you and Mom do."


"That's right," DeWitt said; "so I need to know what you may have seen that night you fell asleep behind the lounger."


"I watched you and Mom making love, Dad," Helene said; "I realized what I was watching, and I know it was wrong of me to watch."


"Not many girls get to see things like that, Helene, and your mother and I were concerned that you might get the wrong idea about how love and desire and sex work together," said DeWitt.


"I shouldn't have watched, Dad," Helene said; "But once I started, I couldn't stop. It... it..."


"It what, Helene?"


"It was like watching a dance," Helene said; "There were moves, positions, touches between you and Mom. I was fascinated by how similar to ballet it was. Each movement flowed seemlessly into the next..."


Helene couldn't continue; she felt herself get emotional just thinking about what she witnessed between her parents. I want a love like theirs someday, she thought.


"Princess, are you okay?" DeWitt asked her, concerned.


"Dad," Helene said when she found her voice, "it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my entire life! I knew you and Mom loved each other, but I got to see it for myself. It's just not you being together for so long, it was...magic. I can't think of any other way to tell you how it made me feel."


DeWitt looked at his oldest daughter with new eyes. She was growing up, and was mature enough at her age to understand the love between a man and a woman wasn't just sex. It was so much more than that.


He came out from behind his desk and knelt before his daughter's chair. "You're very wise, Helene," he said; "The man who wins your heart will be lucky indeed. But now, just work on being the best you that you can be. I'm very proud of you, princess."


He gave Helene a hug. "I love you, Daddy," she said.


"I love you, too, Helene," he replied.




===




Niki's appointment with her oncologist where she wanted to discuss going ahead with the bone marrow transplant made her feel better than she'd felt in months. Finally, she thought, we're getting somewhere.


She and Drake went with Kimber to take Jamey to the airport, since he had to return to work at the Times-Tribune the following morning. Niki and Drake gave her sister and Jamey time alone to say their goodbyes, then Jamey went through the screening line and headed off to the gate where he was to await his flight back to Chicago.


After that was done, Kimber, Niki and Drake returned to the house where Jordan had made lunch. Niki ate more at lunch than Drake had seen her eat in the six months since her cancer diagnosis.


"Well, someone has a healthy appetite!" David said as he walked into the kitchen looking for a bottle of water to drink. "Niki, you must be feeling better."


"I am, Dad," she said; "By the way, we've set up an date for the operation. Kimber, John and I go in late on the 5th, and the transplant will begin at 6am the following morning. The three of us have an appointment with the surgeon on the 3rd to discuss what's going to happen."


"That's great, Niki!" David said; "I'm surprised they scheduled it so quickly."


"I think that's because John will still be out of school, and this way, he'll only miss a couple of days," Niki said; "He might feel like crap for a couple of weeks, but he told me he'd go back to school as soon as the doctors let him."


"Kimber, what about you?" Jordan asked; "How are you going to handle your school situation?"


"They know that I might be having to do this, so they allowed me to register for classes, apply for graduation, and get any assignments I might miss," Kimber explained; "Turns out I'm only half a semester's credits away from my degree, so I'll be in school part time anyway. My job is still secure. They'll put me on medical leave as soon as the paperwork from here is sent to them."


"So everything is taken care of except the extraction of yours and John's bone marrow," David said; "How much are they going to take from each of you?"


"I think they said about a teaspoon's worth," Kimber said. "It's the big needle they told Niki they have to use that concerns me. I've never been a huge fan of them."


"Oh, we know, Kimberlin," Jordan said; "You'd just have to see the syringe and you'd go into hysterics. It made getting your shots a lot of...um, fun."


"Mom," Kimber said; "I was something like two or three at the time."


"She's right about that, Jord," David said; "I'm in my sixties and I'm still afraid of clowns."


"Clowns?" Drake asked; "You're seriously afraid of clowns, David?"


"Broke one's nose when I was six years old. Honest to God!" David said, laughing. "I know it's silly for someone like me to be scared of clowns, but it's something I've never been able to get used to. When the circus came to town, Jordan took the kids. I always found a way not to go."


Niki shook her head. Kimber's freaking out over needles and Dad's still freaking over clowns? Someone needs to grow up, she thought.


And it wasn't her sister.






===
II


A special courier showed up at Jack's house the morning before Miri and Jack's birthdays.


Julia was a little leery about this. Though the courier was military, and he was able to prove it, it seemed so out of the ordinary for someone to show up unannounced.


The courier handed Julia an envelope, and she was asked to sign for it. "I can't sign it," Julia said; "My arm is injured. Can I have my daughter sign for it?"


The courier said that would be all right, and Julia called for Miri.


"Yeah, Mom?" she asked.


"Could you sign for this for me?"


"I guess," Miri said, getting a funny feeling that something wasn't right with the young man standing at the door. She signed just her mother's initials, and the courier didn't question it. He soon left, but Miri still didn't feel comfortable.


"Mom," she said; "I'd not open that if I were you. Something about it doesn't feel right to me."


"I agree, Miri," Julia said; "I need to get in contact with Director Dixon. He's the one who'd have to authorize a courier to come here."


Julia then went to her desk, got out her secure phone, punched in a code, and waited. She then closed the phone.


"What did you do, Mom?" Miri asked; "I haven't see you use that phone since we've been here."


"I sent Darren Dixon an emergency message to contact me right away," Julia said; "The code activated an untraceable signal so that when the Director calls me back, the call can't be traced or listened in on."


"How come you haven't had to use it before, like when you got shot?" asked Miri.


"Because I'm the only one who knows the code, and my orders were to not give it out to anyone. Not you, not Jack, not FBI," Julia said. "When I got shot, I gave Jack a password, but that only worked on the computer, and it only worked once. In this case, because I feel our lives are in danger if I open that envelope, I need to get in contact with the Director right away."


"What if it's nothing?" Miri asked.


"Better to be safe than sorry, Miri," Julia said.


At that moment, Julia's secure phone rang.




===




Dixon knew the beeping signal like he knew the curves of Natasha's body.


One of his agents was in trouble.


He knew by the pattern the beeping made which agent it was. And that concerned him.


Problem was, he was on the slopes in Vail with Natasha and the kids when the signal came in.


He skiied to catch up with Natasha, who was a far better skiier than he was.


"Tash," he said breathlessly; "One of my agents is in trouble and I need to take a call from them."


Natasha looked at him. She almost instinctively knew which agent's name he was going to say.


"You'll need a private place then, Darren," she said. "Is it Julia?"


Dixon nodded, then said, "Yes. She may be in trouble. If the kids ask where I've gone, just say I went to the lodge. It won't be a lie because that's where I'm going. I'll contact you when I'm done, okay?"


"Okay, Darren," said Natasha; "Ask Julia to wish Miri a happy birthday from me and the twins."


"When is her birthday?" Dixon asked.


"Tomorrow," Natasha said; "The 30th."


"Will do," Dixon said as he skiied off to the lodge.


Once there and in a secure location within, Dixon returned Julia's call.




===




"Summers."


"Julia it's Darren," Dixon said; "You sent the SOS signal. Are you and the kids and your host okay?"


"For the time being yes," Julia said; "but a military courier was just here and gave me an envelope. Did you authorize this?"


Dixon seemed puzzled. He had been out of touch with his office for a week, and no one besides him was to authorize anything without his approval.


"No, Julia, I did not authorize any such delivery. Did you check with Nik?"


"We get our orders from you, Darren," Julia said, "so what does Nik have to do with this?"


"He does have the authorization to send a courier to your location, but considering what's been going on in his neck of the woods, he's probably not had any time to do so," Dixon said.


"So who did authorize this?" asked Julia. "I realize I'm being a royal pain in the ass, but if our lives are in danger, I'd certainly like to know!"


"Did you open it?"


"Of course not!" Julia said; "I don't know what's in that envelope! All I can tell you is that it looks official, and the courier who brought it was legit. I can spot fake military ID cards a mile away. I think I made the poor kid nervous when I asked to see it."


"I will authorize someone come and pick it up from your location," Dixon said; "Leave it in the mailbox. Don't open it. Don't fold it. Just leave it in the mailbox."


"The mailbox here is huge," Julia said; "It should easily fit without bending or folding it. When will someone be here to pick it up?"


"I'll send someone immediately. I know your host has a post office box in town where he gets his mail, so the one on his property isn't being used," Dixon replied.


"It's also a half mile down the road," Julia said; "You do know how cold it's been here, don't you?"


"I have a general idea," said Dixon. "Oh, by the way, Natasha wanted me to pass on birthday greetings to Mirielle. I understand her birthday is tomorrow."


"It is, and I'll pass the message on to Miri when I'm through talking to you," Julia said.


"Put your package in the mailbox, and it will get picked up," Dixon said; "Have a Happy New Year if I don't speak to you before then."


"Thanks," Julia said; "Tell Natasha and the kids hello from all of us."


"I certainly will."


Dixon then ended the call.








===




Miri, who had been in the room the entire time her mother was on the phone with Darren Dixon, asked her mother, "What did he say to do with the package other than put it in the mailbox?"


"That someone would be by to pick it up," Julia said; "Darren didn't authorize anyone to come out here."


"Great," Miri said; "So whoever is planning to do us in knows where we are. That's just fuckin' great."


"Mirielle. Language," her mother said.


"Yes, ma'am," Miri said.


Julia put her hand on top of her daughter's. "Miri, I know this cloak and dagger stuff isn't fun, but we have to play along for a bit longer. As soon as it's possible, we're going back to Chicago, and we're taking Jack with us. He is NOT going to die up here alone. Not if I have anything to say about it. Now," Julia paused, then said, "get your coat on and drive me out to the mailbox. I want to get rid of this damn thing!"


"Okay, give me a sec," Miri said.


Once in the truck, Miri drove her mother the half mile or so to the mailbox posted on the main road along with three others. They were all the same size. Julia slipped out of the cab and went to the mailbox while Miri turned the truck around for the return trip.


Jack's mailbox, which he'd never used, had a big "610" painted on the door in reflective paint. It was a coincidence that the house number was the same as Julia's birthdate. The road leading to Jack's property was just called "County Road 120" when he moved there. He had filed papers with the county to change the name to "Celine Road" in honor of his deceased daughter.


Julia placed the envelope inside the mailbox, then walked back to the passenger's side of the truck and got inside.


"Damn, it's freakin' cold out there!" Julia said; "Let's get back to the house and get some hot cocoa, shall we?"


"Sounds like a plan, Mom," said Miri, laughing, as she put the truck in gear and started back down the road towards the house. All the way there, Miri had a bad feeling about that letter in the mailbox.


Julia felt it, too. She realized there was something very wrong when she felt the ground shake under her feet. She looked back toward the main road, then yelled to Miri,


"MIRIELLE! HIT THE DIRT!"


Miri looked at her mother for just a half second, then did what she was told.


A half mile in the distance, the mailbox exploded.




===
III


DeWitt arrived early for his appointment with Cameron Chang. It was a trait that bothered him. He was never late for anything if he could help it; but being thirty minutes early for appointments, then waiting around (which he really detested), really bothered him. Most people took pride in arriving early. DeWitt thought otherwise. Being early, only to wait, did not sit well with Christian DeWitt. He'd tried everything to arrive closer to "on time", but still ended up arriving too early.


So he was not very patient with having to wait until Cameron Chang was ready to see him. All it did was to create more questions to ask her about Kathryn's treatment plan.


Finally, at 9:55am, Cameron Chang arrived. She said cordially, "Good morning, Mr. DeWitt. I hope you haven't been waiting long."


"No, not at all," he lied, daring her to catch it. When she didn't, he said, "I have some questions for you about Kathryn's treatment plan, and I expect some answers to those questions."


"Come into the office, Mr. DeWitt," Cameron said, "and we'll get those answers for you."


When they were seated, DeWitt got straight to the point of his visit, "Ms. Chang, I want to know if it would be possible, in your opinion, for Kathryn to continue her treatment as an out patient, instead of being cooped up in here where she has no contact with her family?"


"It would be possible, but unless something's changed since I allowed her to leave last week to spend time with her father, I don't recommend it," Cameron said. Then she asked, "How was your visit with her?"


"We felt like a couple again, a family again," DeWitt said; "The girls were happy to see her, and I was as well. We've all missed Kathryn since I had to send her away two years ago."


"Was she Kathryn the entire time she was with you?" asked Cameron.


"Of course she was!" DeWitt said, feeling himself lose his temper; "We all got to interact with her. The girls included their mother in their activities, which Kathryn enjoyed immensely. I haven't seen her so relaxed and carefree in a very long time."


"And you, Mr. DeWitt," Cameron asked, "your interaction with Kathryn included sexual contact?"


"Yes, Ms. Chang, it did," DeWitt said; "And she's the same passionate and radiant lover she's always been. She's my Kathryn, and I want her home with me and our children. Certainly you can understand that?"


"I do," Cameron said; "But I will still have to evaluate her before I could approve an outpatient treatment plan for her. And there's still the fact that she does not drive. How would she get to any outpatient appointments if I were to approve it?"


"I will make sure she gets there," DeWitt said; "Don't you worry about that. This is too important to both Kathryn and me to not do as she is asked. If you want her here at 10am on Mondays and Thursdays for two hours, she'll be there."


"Do you know how her visit with her father and daughter went?" asked Cameron.


"From the short time the girls and I spent with them," DeWitt said; "It appeared that it went quite well. Kelly and my girls got on famously, and Eric Hope accepted them as his granddaughters. Kathryn told me before I took the girls home that she was very pleased how well everyone got along."


"She's due back in the clinic on the third," Cameron said; "I'll talk with her and see what's going through her mind, reevaluate her and then decide if an outpatient plan would be good for her. If she's doing well with her family, then she may do well as an outpatient. But I warn you, Mr. DeWitt, it may take a couple of weeks after she returns here to complete all this."


"I understand," DeWitt said.


"Very good," Cameron said.


DeWitt took his leave and went back to his office downtown for a while before going home. He wanted to pick something up from the safe in his office before heading back to the girls.


The ring he'd waited nearly a decade to give to the woman who saved him.




===




The animals in the barn were all kicking up a fuss. Jaime was grooming Coltrane when he started rearing and neighing. She then heard Mama doing the same thing, and the other animals were making noises as well.


"What's gotten in them?" Zach asked his older sister.


"I have no idea, Zach," Jaime said; "It's like they all felt something at the same time."


Rachel came running from the henhouse. "Jaime, Zach... the chickens are going crazy! What's going on?" She was near tears.


From out in the distance, there was a loud explosion.


"What the fucking hell was that?!" Jack bellowed as he came out of the house and into the barn.


The kids shook their heads. By this time, Rachel had lost it and was crying hysterically. "It's okay, Rach, really," Zach said, comforting her.


"Where's your mother and sister?" asked Jack.


"They went out in the truck somewhere," Jaime said; "They're going to be right back."


Out in the front of the house, Julia and Miri looked up and saw a huge fireball erupt from the area where the mailboxes were. "What just happened, Mom?" Miri asked.


"That letter..." Julia said; "Had I opened it, it would have blown this house off the map with everyone and everything inside! This was an attempt on our lives, Miri!"


"I knew there was something wrong when that guy came to the house!" Miri said, getting up from the ground where she and her mother dove prior to the explosion. "I could feel it. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up."


"Your sixth sense, Miri," Julia said; "We all have it. That's why I called Director Dixon."


"You going to call him back?" asked Miri.


"I sure as hell am!"


Just then, they heard Jack calling for them: "Julia! Miri!"


"Out front Jack!" Julia called back.


Jack then appeared and the first thing out of his mouth was, "Are you two okay? What was with that explosion?"


"Someone tried to kill us Jack," Julia said; "A.R.M. definitely knows we're here."


"Shit!"


The three of them went into the house, where Julia called Darren Dixon back.






===




They saw the traitor and the female member of The Triad outside the house, along with a teenage girl they assumed was Mirielle Summers.


One of the men hiding in the brush held up his sniper rifle and asked his companion, "Shall I shoot the traitor and the bitches now?"


"No, hold up on that," the companion said; "That letter was supposed to be opened in the house, killing all inside. Summers got wise. There'll be FeeBees and other law enforcement here soon. We better get the fuck out of here! It's too damn cold to stay out here indefinitely."


They packed up their weapons and other gear. The shooter said, "What about Reilly?"


"He's as good as dead. We only needed him for knowledge of the area. He's useless to us now."


"What will happen to him?"


"He'll die, if he ain't dead already."


"How do you know?"


"He sat outside the mailboxes at the side of the road. That explosion more than likely killed him."


They then left the area undetected by federal authorities.


But someone knew where they were. And they themselves wouldn't be amongst the living much longer.




===

Chapter 34

I


He called it "Operation Quail Flush".

Marsh knew Julia Summers and her family were in Wyoming. They were staying with a man who called himself John Christofferson.

"John Christofferson my ass," Marsh mutter under his breath; "That man is a traitor to the Occupation! He's John Christopher Coltrane the fourth!"

Marsh was able to find out some very interesting things about the man formerly known as Black Jack Coltrane.

One: his true name. It took hacking into a now abandoned and supposedly secure website, but the information was there.

Two: his current address. Six-ten Celine Road, Riverton, Wyoming.

Three: Marsh found out who Celine was. Coltrane's daughter. She died with her husband and infant daughter in a plane crash nearly twenty-five years before.

Four: Coltrane had another daughter, who would be sixteen years old in just four days. The girl's mother: Julia Summers.

Five: Coltrane, under his alias, had stage four lung cancer and it was both inoperable and incurable. The man was terminally ill. Doctors in Wyoming had give him eighteen months to live.

"That was as of June," Marsh mused aloud. "So he has a year at best. No, check that. When I get done with him, he'll wish he were already dead."

Marsh wasn't going to send an incompetent shooter after A.R.M.'s biggest prize. No, Marsh would go take care of Julia Summers and the traitor Jack Coltrane himself.

But even all of Marsh's planning wouldn't prepare him for the fight of his life in a hospital stairwell.

===


"God, Kathryn, you're incredible!" Christian said as he held Kathryn in his arms in front of the fire. "You amaze me with the passion you have!"

"That's because I love you, Christian," Kathryn said; "That's part of my duties as your lover. To make you feel loved, needed...I've needed this release for months now. You're the only man I want. The only man I need."

"You're the only woman I could ever want, my beauty," Christian said; "Ever since that first time I made love to you after your escape from Chastity's life. It's been you, and only you, since then. Not even when you were away did I stray from you."

"I know, baby," Kathryn said; "Let's make new memories together from this point. I'm determined to be in control of my own life, Christian! I need to be here with you and the girls. This is my place."

"We should go to bed," Christian said. "The girls will be up early tomorrow so they can spend as much time with you as possible before you leave."

They dressed and headed back toward the hall to go to their bedroom. Out of the corner of his eye, Christian saw something out of the ordinary.

He turned to see their oldest daughter snuggled in the corner behind one of the loungers, fast asleep.

"Kathryn, what do you make of this?" he asked as he showed her where Helene was sleeping.

"How long has she been there?" Kathryn asked; "I mean, did she see..."

"I don't know, Kathryn," Christian said. "She needs to be in bed, though."

"Don't wake her," said Kathryn; "If you can, pick her up and place her in that lounger. She can sleep there til morning."

"We'll need to talk to her about what she may have seen tonight," Christian said. "I don't want her to be afraid of giving herself to a potential mate because of some weird ideas she got from watching us."

"Then again, she may have slept through the whole thing," Kathryn suggested.
Christian moved the furniture so he could get to Helene. He picked her up effortlessly without waking her and placed her in the lounger she had been sleeping behind. Christian then replaced the furniture and went with Kathryn to their bedroom. They made love twice more before falling asleep.

===

About three hours later, Helene woke up in the lounger. She looked around and saw that her parents were no longer in the room. She wondered how she got into the chair she woke up in.

Dad will kill me if he sees me out here! Helene thought as she got out of the chair. She was panicky until she remembered what she saw before she fell asleep.

The two lovers. Touches. Caresses. Kisses. Dancing their dance before the fire. The utter joy and release they felt in each other's embrace. The special language of looks, touches and words they used with each other.

Helene felt tears come to her eyes just thinking about the beautiful pas de deux she witnessed. The dance of lovers, committed to each other through great odds and weathering the storms with grace. Despite everything they had been through, Helene realized that her parents only wanted each other; for life...forever.

Her only great wish was for them to get married.

Would their being married mess up everything good in their lives? Helene asked herself. Maybe that's why their particular union worked, because there was no license, no piece of legal mumbo-jumbo pronouncing them man and wife. They were committed to each other and to their family.

At that moment, Helene Hope DeWitt couldn't have been more proud to be their daughter.

===

Her snuggling against him woke him up.

"Krysta...?" he asked sleepily.

Getting no response from her, Eric lay there and watched Krysta sleep. Do you have any idea, Krysta my love, how beautiful you are? he asked her in his thoughts. How happy you make me? How much I want a life with you?

Krysta continued to sleep, unaware of Eric's thoughts. He held her next to him, feeling her breathing against his skin.

He briefly wondered if this is how Christian DeWitt felt when he was with Kathryn. Then Eric shook the thought out of his mind. The last thing he wanted to imagine was his daughter and her lover in bed together.

Eric sighed silently, wondering if he could fall back into slumber with all his thoughts, his emotions, his doubts swirling through his brain. He only had to look at the woman laying next to him. When he was with her, he could accomplish anything.

He settled back under the blankets with Krysta. He felt his eyes droop and he gave into sleep. Just as he was about to surrender to it, he heard Krysta's voice as she said in her sleep, "I love you, Eric."

===

Miri hadn't expected her mother to receive her weekly bundle the day after Christmas, but when the courier knocked on the door and handed it to her, she was a little taken aback.

"Thank you," she said to the courier; "we weren't expecting anything today."

"The country's defense knows no holiday, ma'am," the courier said as he turned and walked back out to the government issue vehicle he drove.

Miri closed the door. When she turned around, she saw her mother standing there.

"Is that the weekly bundle, Miri?" asked Julia.

"It is, Mom."

"I really wasn't expecting it until later in the week, but it's here, so I may as well look at it," Julia said.

Julia took the bundle from Miri and went to the kitchen table to look over its contents.

It was the usual stuff Julia always got: reports from both Darren Dixon and Nik; a report from Summers Tech Solutions about the new software that was being developed; and Christmas cards-- from her mom and David, Kimber, Niki and Drake, the San Marcos, the Donovans, Natasha and her kids... and two cards for Miri.

"Miri," Julia called after her oldest daughter; "There's something for you in the weekly bundle."

Miri had left the room and had gone out to the barn to finish up her chores for the day.

I'll just leave them on the table, and she's bound to see them, Julia thought. They're probably just birthday cards.

Julia was alone in the kitchen. Jack was still sleeping because he'd been up half the night coughing. The kids were doing farm chores; and Jaime was going to attempt to give her colt something resembling a bath.

She also gave serious thought to leaving Wyoming and returning to Chicago. So much had to be done before that could happen. Julia thought about the animals out in the barn. If Jack came with her back to Chicago, the animals would either have to be given away or sold. There was land that Julia owned near Belvidere that some of the animals could be relocated to. Ryan had purchased the land in hopes of moving his family there one day. He'd already had a house and a barn built on the property, but he died before the family could move there.

Maybe we could relocate Sarge, a couple of the cows, Jaime's horses, and Tripod of course, there, and I could sell the compound house to Kimber...Julia thought, forming a plan in her mind. She knew that plan would only work if certain criteria were met, like if the horses that Jaime was taking care of could be purchased from the Bureau of Indian Affairs; or if Sarge and the cows could survive the trip to Illinois; If Jack would allow such an event to occur.

Julia put her head in her hands and sighed. So much we have to do before we could even think of returning to Chicago, she thought.

===

The day slipped by much faster than Kathryn, Christian, and their girls realized. It came time for Kathryn to leave, she found that she didn't want to. She realized it was more weeks of being apart from her family. The girls, understandibly, didn't want her to leave either. Their tears and pleas that she stay longer only made Kathryn's decision harder.

"I don't want your mother to go either, girls," DeWitt said; "But it has to be this way for now. We talked about this when she came over yesterday. We'll find out soon when Mom will be home for good."

"But, Mommy," Lili said, tears streaming down her face, "when will you be back? What if it takes a long time?"

"Lilibet," Kathryn said to her little girl, "I'll be home sooner than you think. I can't promise when, but that's my goal. To come home to all of your forever."

"Mom," said Erin, "as much as we don't want you to go, we know that we have to let you. We all want you to get better, however long that takes."

Only Helene remained silent. Her father noticed this.

"Helene, what's going through your mind, sweetheart?" he asked.

Helene only smiled. As much as she didn't want her mother to leave to return to where she was staying, she knew that this was part of the dance her parents shared. The partings; the reunitings; She only said,

"This is what has to be. It will make Mom's real homecoming so much better."

That was incredibly profound coming from a twelve year old, DeWitt thought. He saw a maturity in his oldest daughter that wasn't there before Kathryn came home. He had to admit that his girl was growing up.

"I had a thought," DeWitt said; "Why don't we all go take your mother back to where she's staying? Would that be okay with you, Kathryn?"

Kathryn felt a little hesitant. Would her father be ready for this? How would he react to seeing Christian? She decided that the only way to find out was to just let it happen.

"That's a great idea," she said confidently; "Then you can meet your sister and your grandfather."

"I can't believe we have an older sister," Helene said. "How cool is that?"

"Okay, then," DeWitt said; "Everyone get your coats and we'll head over to drop your mother off."

Eric Hope isn't going to like this one bit, DeWitt thought, but this is reality. I have a beautiful family with his daughter. Even he can't deny me that.

===
II

The kids came in from the barn, and the first thing out of Miri's mouth was, "Where's Jack, Mom?"

"He had a rough night, so he's sleeping in," Julia said; "He deserves it."

"Should we make him breakfast?" asked Rachel.

"That might be a good idea," said Julia; "He'd like that. Maybe we could even serve it to him in bed."

"What a cool idea, Mom," Jaime said. "We better go get washed up."

With that the four of them trooped over to the kitchen sink and took turns washing their hands.

Julia pointed to the two pieces of mail that Miri got in the weekly bundle and said, "Miri, you got something in the bundle this week."

"Oh, okay, Mom," she said; "I'll take a look at it in a bit."

"What do you think Jack wants for breakfast?" asked Zach.

"We haven't had waffles in a while," Jaime said; "We could make that."

"Yeah, but if Jack's not feeling well, we probably should skip the waffles," Miri said; "How about scrambled eggs and turkey bacon?"

Her siblings nodded in approval as Julia slipped out of the room. She went down the hall to check on Jack.

He was still sleeping, or at least it appeared to Julia. God, please don't take him now, Julia prayed in her head.

As she got closer to the bed, she saw the rise and fall of Jack's chest and knew he was okay for the time being.

Julia started to slip out of the bedroom when Jack said from behind, "I'm okay Julia. Just don't like being stared at while I'm sleeping."

"You never sleep this late," Julia said.

"I thought you'd be here too, since my coughing kept you awake as well," Jack said.

"Someone has to run things around here," Julia said playfully. "But you stay right there. There's plans afoot to bring you breakfast in bed."

"And who's idea was that?" Jack asked, knowing full well that Julia probably gave the kids the idea.

"It was mine, I'll admit," Julia said. "The kids thought it was a 'cool idea'."

"Well, I can't very well disappoint them, can I?"

"You better not," Julia said.

===


Linc Marsh couldn't have known what was going through Julia Summers' mind.

He had no idea that she had plans to leave Wyoming on her own, with her children, her protector, and a few farm animals in tow.

His plan was to force them out into the open. Maybe her sick kid sister could be used to that end.

Marsh had recently learned that Nicole Draiman was battling cancer and needed a bone marrow transplant. There were already two perfect matches: Nicole's twin sister Kimberlin, and their brother, John. John's twin, Sam, was a partial match.

What if I manipulate the results to make it suggest that Julia is also a perfect match. She'd do anything to help her sister, Marsh thought. That could be the way to get the family, and that traitor, Jack Coltrane, out of Wyoming.

Marsh liked that plan. He could take out an enemy and a traitor at the same time. Maybe he could even take out the one time leader of the Disturbed Ones as well. Now would that be a feather in my cap, Marsh thought, if I could rub out David Draiman at the same time.

Since the house he rented wouldn't be ready for a few more days, Linc Marsh worked on his plan using his computer on the hotel's internet system. Not being tech savvy enough to realize his movements could be traced even months after the fact didn't even occur to him.

But it would occur to his main target.

And every member of her immediate family.

===


It was a long drive to the lake house where Kathryn was staying. Lili had already fallen asleep, while the older girls watched the sights as they slid by their windows.

"Did you grow up at the house we're going to?" asked Erin.

"We spent summers there," Kathryn said; "But we lived just outside of Syracuse in town called Baldrich Village. My parents moved to the lake house we're going to long after my brother and I left home. Kelly grew up there."

"Is Kelly really in college, Mom?" Erin asked.

"She really is. And your grandfather tells me she's doing very well in school," Kathryn said; "She made the Dean's List and the Outstanding Freshman List for her first semester. She's studying chemistry and biology."

"That's pretty impressive for someone who's only 16 years old, isn't it girls?" asked DeWitt.

"We could do it, too, Dad," Helene said; "I'm going to try, anyway."

"This is true, Helene," DeWitt said; "After this term is over, you are jumping ahead two grades. That's what that really long test you took before Thanksgiving was all about." To Kathryn, he said, "Only the top one percent of students Helene's age get to take that exam. Helene is the only one in her group to pass it with a perfect score."

"Dad!" Helene cried, embarrassed.

"That's nothing to be ashamed of, Helene," Kathryn said; "I'm quite impressed."

"The only stipulation is that the student be thirteen, or turn thirteen before the new school year begins." DeWitt said; "Erin will take it in the spring after her thirteenth birthday, since her birthday falls in November. Her score will determine if she skips one grade or two."

"So Helene will go straight from seventh grade to high school?" asked Kathryn.

"Yes, Mom," Helene said; "I've already proven I can do high school level work."

"She can do stuff I've forgotten how to do," DeWitt said, laughing.

Lili woke up when she heard voices. "What's going on?" she asked; "Are we there yet?"

"Not quite," Kathryn said.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Lili?"

"What if your dad doesn't like us?" the five year old asked.

"I'm sure he will," Kathryn said; "He seemed pleased when I told him about you girls. Oh, and don't be surprised when Kelly calls me by my first name. Remember, I didn't get to raise her because of my illness, and it doesn't bother me that she calls me Kathryn."

"Okay, Mom," Helene said.

"Christian, take that road on the right," Kathryn said as they came up on the road that would lead to the lake house. DeWitt followed Kathryn's instruction, and soon they were approaching what DeWitt considered a rather large house.

"This is it," Kathryn said; "Or as Kelly sometimes refers to it, Chez Hope."

It was at that point Kathryn started to feel nervous.

===


Though, not as nervous as her father felt when he saw the SUV containing his daughter and her family pull into the drive.

"Is that them, Grandfather?" Kelly asked.

"It appears to be," Eric said; "Looks like you get to meet your sisters after all."

"I can't wait," Kelly said; "I wish I had something to give each of them."

"We have plenty of stuff for snacks," Krysta said. She was probably more nervous than either Eric or Kelly. She remembered the tough bitch act she put on for Christian DeWitt not too long before.

Eric watched as Kathryn emerged from the car, then went to the back door to let out her daughters. Now that he was getting a better look at them, he noticed the older two looked a lot like Kathryn, while the youngest took after her father. All three were very blonde like their mother.

Then DeWitt emerged from driver's side of the vehicle. Eric noticed he looked relaxed, friendly, approachable; traits he doesn't show professionally.

"Well, shall we go greet your mother and her family, Kelly?" asked Eric.

"Oh, yes!" Kelly said.

They went outside, where Kathryn seemed surprised that they came out to greet her.

"Dad!" she said as she hugged her father; "Come meet my family."

Kathryn proudly introduced her daughters to their grandfather, older sister and Krysta, who had just come out of the house. Eric shook hands with Christian.

"How shall we address you?" Helene asked.

"I don't see why you can't call me Grandpa Eric," said Eric; "I sometimes wish Kelly would."

"I'll stick to what I've been calling you," Kelly said, smiling. To Helene, she said, "I understand you're a ballerina. I always wanted to do that, but I'm too much of a klutz!"

Helene laughed, saying, "I work hard at what I love, but I do have my klutzy moments, don't I, Dad?"

"A few, yes," DeWitt said; "But she really is good at what she does."

"I read the review in the paper," Eric said; "You and Kathryn have every right to be proud."

Soon everyone came inside to get warm and get acquainted. Kelly talked about her experiences at school to an awestruck Helene and Erin. Lili was talking to her mother and Krysta.


---

The men retired to Eric's office where Eric asked DeWitt, "In all the times we'd faced each other in court, why didn't you say anything about Kathryn to me?"

"I thought it was best I not say anything," DeWitt said; "If Kathryn wanted you to know, it would have been her place to tell you. And honestly, I didn't want to lord it over you. I know you and your late wife did everything you could for Kathryn. If one of my girls had been in the same situation as Kathryn, I'm not sure I'd want to admit she had a problem."

"I think that was our problem," Eric said; "We didn't see it and we probably should have."

"I'm not holding it against you," DeWitt said; "Kathryn has been my world for nearly fourteen years. Even through her periods of being Chastity, I still loved her. I sent her away to get well, which was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Instead, she became involved with that second Occupation group."

"One, I might add, you've been rumored to have given money to," Eric said.

"It's true, I have given money to them, because our current goverment is a disappointment," DeWitt said; "But Chastity running things? That scared me more than anything. Chastity is a completely different person than the woman I fell in love with. I don't want a second Occupation. Why do I want to mess up my daughters futures by subjecting them to the same ideals the first Occupation had? Separating people into 'Desirables' and 'Undesirables'. My daughters would be Undesirables just because of who I am."

"How so?" Eric asked; "Since you're among the wealthiest people in the country."

"Because of my heritage," DeWitt said; "My grandmother on my father's side was Jewish. So my father was Jewish, which makes me a Jew as well. And those little girls... I can't stand to think that something they can't help could restrict their dreams."

"So you gave money to them because you didn't want them to find out that you're Undesirable?" asked Eric.

"Exactly. My name isn't Jewish," DeWitt said; "I mean, my first name is Christian after all. My mother was Catholic, and I was raised as one. My father died when I was four. I have an older brother and sister I haven't seen since I was fourteen. The Jewish part of our makeup was never discussed. I didn't even know about it until I was much older."

"Are you still giving this group money?" asked Eric.

"No, I haven't given them anything in a long time," DeWitt said; "They bug me constantly for money. It was a mistake to even start up with them. After the first of the year, I'm officially withdrawing my financial support. Kathryn and our daughters mean too damn much to me to see a second Occupation happen."

"You know there's at least one journalist looking into that group's affairs," Eric said; "And maybe more."

"The only journalist worth his stripes is Jeremiah Donovan," DeWitt said; "He's the only journalist I'll give an interview to. He does his homework; he reports facts, not speculation."

"Personally, I'd like to shake the man's hand for what he did during the Occupation, especially in those last days," Eric said.

"True, true," DeWitt agreed; "When I found out he was one of the group's enemies is when I stopped giving them money. He has a family, a career. There aren't too many journalists like him anymore."

"Getting back to Kathryn for a moment," Eric said; "I understand that you and she never married."

"We didn't," DeWitt said; "We planned to, but Chastity made that difficult. She reappeared around the time Kathryn and I were discussing it, and I had to make her leave. I sent her to a clinic much like the one she's in now, but Chastity escaped. Kathryn came home on her own about a year later. We hadn't discussed marriage since then."

"Whether or not you're married doesn't matter to me," said Eric; "The important thing is that you truly love her."

"Eric, I truly do love your daughter with everything I possess. I could never hurt her, never raise a hand to her. It's been Kathryn, and only Kathryn for almost fourteen years," DeWitt said; "Even when she was gone, I remained true to her. Kathryn has been true to me. Chastity is another story. I refuse to charge Kathryn with Chastity's misdeeds."

"That's good to hear," Eric said; "Because if I hear otherwise..."

"I know you have every right to say that," DeWitt said; "I'd say it too if it were one of my girls. But I give you my word that Kathryn is the only woman I want in my life. Life without her has been hell for me. I do what I can because I can't let my girls down. I will be the happiest man alive when Kathryn comes home for good."

===
III


"Cameron Chang."

"Ms. Chang, this is Christian DeWitt."

Cameron sat straight up in her chair. She was filling out reports on her patients, including Kathryn Hope, when DeWitt's call came through.

"What can I do for you this afternoon, Mr. DeWitt?" she asked.

"I wanted to talk to you about Kathryn's treatment plan."

"She's out of the clinic for the holidays, Mr. DeWitt," Cameron said; "We can discuss that with her when she returns on the third."

"I know she's out of the clinic, Ms. Chang," DeWitt said; "I just spent Christmas with her. And I'd like to discuss her treatment plan at your earliest convienence."

Cameron was puzzled. How did she spend Christmas with Christian DeWitt? I know I didn't put any restrictions on travel for her, but her monitor should have registered something, she thought.

"My earliest convienence, Mr. DeWitt," she said in a measured voice, "is tomorrow morning at 10am. Can you make that? I know your girls are home from school for the holidays."

"I'll arrange the childcare, Ms. Chang," DeWitt said; "I'll be there at 10am."

"Why are you so anxious to talk about this now?" asked Cameron; "Because of her visit?"

"Partly," DeWitt said; "But mostly because of our children."

"Has Chastity made herself known to one of them?"

"No," DeWitt said; "she has not. I think it's important that Kathryn be allowed to be a mother to her children instead of being a visitor."

"I see," Cameron said; "We will discuss this tomorrow morning, then."

"We will, Ms. Chang;" DeWitt said.

DeWitt ended the call and sat back in his chair. He wanted to discuss Kathryn receiving treatment as an outpatient instead of being imprisoned in the clinic. He couldn't live another few weeks without the mother of his children by his side. She's missed too much of their young lives as it is, he thought.

He also thought of the visit the day before with Kathryn's father, daughter, and Krysta Banks. The affection Hope and Krysta had for one another was obvious to anyone who was paying attention.

But DeWitt was impressed with Kathryn's daughter, Kelly. A very intelligent and well read young lady, he thought; she'll do well in life.

It was the talk he had with Eric Hope that stuck out most in his mind. DeWitt thought he knew what Hope had gone through when Kathryn became ill. No father wants to send his child away, but if Kathryn was Chastity even then, and didn't realize the full magnatude of the problems she had, DeWitt could see where Hope didn't have a choice. And it was clear to DeWitt that Hope had regretted his decision.

It was easier to hate the man, DeWitt thought, but I can't discount the fact that he and I are travelling down similar paths. A second chance at love with a much younger woman; Hope losing his wife; DeWitt divorcing his and becoming estranged from his sons.

All that mattered to DeWitt was that his daughters were happy. Having their mother for Christmas made them happy. Having her home for good would be icing on the cake. I can't see why Kathryn getting treatment as an outpatient wouldn't work, he thought; Why keep her locked up? Because Chastity could come back?

DeWitt, nor anyone else, realized it yet, but Chastity would try to return. But it would almost cost Kathryn her life.

===


Miri looked at the cards she had received in the bundle and thought she recognized the handwriting on one of them. She opened that one first.

It was from John Crossley, the young Army Sergeant she befriended months before when her family came to Wyoming. He hadn't written in several weeks, and Miri figured he got bored with her and found other things to do.

It was a "Sweet Sixteen" card. Miri smiled. He remembered my birthday! she thought. Then just as quickly, she felt terrible. His birthday was three days before hers, and she forgot!

She then realized that his birthday was that very day. Well, it's not like I can pick up the phone and call him, can I? she thought. She decided to think a happy thought for him instead.

Opening the card, a letter fell out. She opened it and began to read:
Mirielle: I'm sorry I've not written in a long time. I've been quite busy. I know that's not a valid excuse. But I did pass my test and I'm now a Staff Sergeant. More responsibilities, and less time to goof off in.

I wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I know it's probably not fun being up there in the frozen Rockies. I hope you have a great day.

I don't know when I'll be able to write again. Please be patient with me, because I really do like you, Mirielle. I enjoy your letters very much. I'm sorry I'm an awful correspondant.

Yours very truly, SSgt. John Crossley.
He likes me? she thought. Miri re-read the letter several times just to make sure she read it right.

She had.

He likes me! Miri thought happily.

===

Kathryn hardly slept that first night back after spending Christmas with Christian and the girls. Her mind was filled with all the fun things they did together; and of the things she and Christian did together.

How come I keep thinking that I've always been Chastity, when I have real memories of Christian and our family? she asked herself. Was Chastity trying to steal those from me, too?

Yet Kathryn stayed awake, with ideas swirling in her head about how she was going to live her life, how she was going to be a better mother to her daughters, a better friend to the daughter Chastity forced her to abandon, a better daughter to her father.

God, I just want to go home to Christian! she said to herself; You know he's a good man, and good for me. You blessed us with three beautiful daughters. I need to put my life back together and have it make sense. I can't change the past, but I can make a new future. Please... let me have that!

It was a long night for Kathryn, and hearing her father and Krysta making love didn't help. All it did was make her long for her man even more.

===

Chapter 33

I


"You know, Jere," Jasmine said as their children opened their Christmas gifts, "except for Aaliyah and Rachel, there are no little ones to get really excited about Christmas."

"I know," Jeremiah said; "It's kind of sad that they're all growing up so fast. At least there are no grandchildren yet for any of us."

"I'm too young to be a grandma, Jere," Jasmine laughed; "I wouldn't mind one bit if all four of them didn't have families until they're 30."

"You know that isn't going to happen," Jeremiah said. "I'll predict within five years, we'll be Grandpa Jere and Gramma Jas."

"That would make Adriana 21 or 22," Jasmine mused. "I still don't want to think about it. You know who will be grandparents next? David and Jordan. I know Jordan has grandchildren because of Julia, but David doesn't have any from his children with her."

"Oh, I'll predict that, too," Jeremiah said; "Niki will be the first one of them to present David with a grandchild."

"She might not be able to do that in light of her cancer, Jere," Jasmine said; "It's possible, but unlikely. Not unless she wants to go through it all over again. I think it will be one of the boys."

"They just turned 18, Jas," Jeremiah said; "They're not going to wreck college scholarships by getting a girl pregnant."

"That's just it," Jasmine said; "They're eighteen years old! Ever heard of hormones, Jere? How old were you when we met?"

Jeremiah said nothing. "Gotcha!" Jasmine said.

"I was almost 19..." Jeremiah said.

"Hormones," Jasmine said, leaning over to kiss her husband.

===


As soon as he heard Helene's exclamation, he couldn't believe what he'd heard. He got up slowly, because he thought he wouldn't be able to walk to the door to greet Kathryn.

When DeWitt finally got there, all three girls were hugging their mother. Helene and Erin were crying, and Lili kept saying "Mommy!" over and over.

"Girls," he said slowly, "can I get in there to give your mother a hug?"

When he faced her, he knew he was going to lose it. "Kathryn..." he said as he hugged her. "My beautiful girl...I've missed you so..."

Kathryn couldn't speak, couldn't form a coherent thought. All she could do is sob. Then, she heard Christian lose it.

Their three daughters watched this in awe. "Let's go to my room for a few minutes while Mom and Dad have some time alone, okay?" said Helene.

"But, Helene," said Lili, "I want to see Mommy."

"We all want to see Mom," Erin said, "but Helene is right. We should give Mom and Dad time to themselves. He's missed her as much as we have."

"Maybe even more," Helene agreed with her sister.

They went down the hall to Helene's bedroom and closed the door.

"Christian, I've missed you and the girls so much," Kathryn said as soon as she was able to speak; "I have so much to tell you, my love."

"Who...who brought you here, Kathryn?" Christian asked.

"My father did," Kathryn said.

"Shall we invite him inside so he can meet his granddaughters?" he asked.

"I don't think he's ready for that quite yet," Kathryn said. "He's only known about the girls since yesterday. I don't think he's quite used to the idea that Kelly isn't my only child."

"You've met her, too?" Christian asked.

"Yes, and she's a beautiful and intelligent girl. She wants me to take lots of pictures of her new sisters," Kathryn said.

"We shouldn't disappoint her, then," said Christian. "I'm so happy you're here! How long can you stay?"

"I told Dad I'd call him when I was ready to come back," Kathryn said. "I mean, if it's okay with you."

"I know you only have a short time out of the clinic, Kathryn," Christian said; "And we'll explain to the girls that you still need more time before you can come home for good. I've prayed that you'd be able to come home for Christmas, even if it's only for a few hours. We've all missed you."

"I-I brought gifts, Christian," she said; "For the girls. I didn't choose them, so I hope they're things that the girls like. I'm afraid I didn't get you anything."

"Kathryn," Christian said; "You being here is present enough. To hold you, to kiss you...I've waited two years for this day. Everyday has been torture for me, not being able to be with you."

Christian led Kathryn to the couch, then called for the girls to come back into the living room. When they returned, Kathryn explained to them where she had been, and that it might take a little more time before she could come home for good, but for that day, she was there.

"Mom," said Helene, "whenever you can come home, we'll be here waiting. There's so much we all have to tell you!"

"We didn't know you were coming, Mommy," Lili said; "we didn't get you anything."

"I don't expect anything, Lili," Kathryn said; "Being with all of you is the best present I could ask for."

"Mom brought you girls presents," their father said; "Be sure to thank her for thinking of you."

Lili hadn't had her gift five seconds before she ripped into the wrapping, revealing two fashion dolls.

"Mommy! I love them!" the five year old said excitedly. "Thank you!" And she got up and gave her mother a hug.

The older girls were happy with their presents as well. Erin loved the art kit, while Helene admired the vanity set that was her gift.

Christian looked on as Kathryn interacted with their daughters. He was happy for the first time in a while. He planned to show her later how happy he was that she was home.

If she will have me, he thought.

===
II



Eric Hope watched from his car as a tall blonde girl about thirteen came and hugged Kathryn when she opened the front door of the house. Then two more blonde girls came and did the same.

When the girls father came to greet Kathryn, Eric's suspicions were confirmed. Kathryn's lover was Christian DeWitt, and he appeared to be happy that Kathryn was there. He led her into the house.

Eric felt like he was intruding, so he started on his way back to the lake house.

He found himself thinking-- DeWitt, you hurt my little girl, and you will live to regret it.

===

It was early Christmas morning when Jack woke Julia up with breakfast in bed.

"What did I do to deserve this, Jack?" she asked. "You must have been up hours ago to make this!"

"What did you do?" Jack asked her; "Julia, you gave me your heart, your soul and your trust. I had dreamed of doing this for you for years. It was part of my fantasies during the years we were apart. I'd wake you up on Christmas morning with breakfast in bed, then take you out to the living room and do our gift exchange."

"What a beautiful thought, Jack," Julia said; "You make me feel so loved, so needed. I almost wish I'd thought of it first."

"Julia, I love you with all I have left in me," said Jack; "You trusted me all those years ago. I never properly thanked you for that."

"You did, Jack," Julia said; "You gave me Miri."

"But I had no idea about that," Jack said; "Speaking of whom, she has a big birthday coming up."

"Like I don't know?" laughed Julia softly; "Too bad we can't have a traditional Sweet 16 party for her."

"Does that Army Sergeant still write to her?" asked Jack.

"Miri hasn't gotten anything from him in weeks," Julia said; "I think, maybe, that he grew tired of writing to a girl he couldn't see."

"How is she taking that?"

"All right, I suppose," said Julia; "But who knows what's going through her mind."

"I feel bad for her," Jack said; "To be cooped up here away from everything she knows."

"CIA really blew this one," Julia said; "Maybe Miri was right when she said we were running from a fight; but then, we wouldn't be here with you."

"I know I have to let you go home when you decide it's time," Jack said. "I won't stand in your way."

"Jack," Julia said as Jack took the tray from her and placed it on the floor near the chair by the window; "I can't bear to think of you up here alone. Not as sick as you are. You need to be getting treatment, and what if one day, you're too sick to make it to Jackson on your own?"

"I'll deal with it," he said.

"The hell you will," Julia said; "What if you came with us back to Chicago? There are any number of hospitals in Cook County you can go to. Maybe even the Navy Hospital at Great Lakes."

"Julia, I can't..."

"You can, Jack," she said; "I won't abandon you up here to die alone. I absolutely forbid it."

"Then marry me, Julia," Jack said before he even thought about it. "Do me the honor of being my wife and let me be a father to your beautiful children."

"You're already a father to them."

"Julia, please..." Jack said; at that moment, he never wanted anything more urgently than for Julia to say yes.

"You're serious about this?" she asked.

"Yes, Julia. I am serious about this. Please say you'll marry me."

In the back of Julia's mind, she heard a voice say it's okay, Jules. Say yes.

She looked him in the eyes, and in a strong, clear, but soft voice said,

"Yes, Jack. I'll marry you."

===


Eric sat in the car for a good twenty minutes before he went into the lake house.

Her girls were certainly happy to see her, he thought; they're all beautiful and blonde like their mother... and their grandmother.

His mind kept going back to DeWitt, however. Eric thought of all the times he'd faced Christian DeWitt in court, and not once mentioning that he not only knew where Kathryn was, but that he had fallen in love with her and fathered children with her.

Maybe he believed the worst about me and Helene, Eric thought; what kind of people we must be to throw out our daughter when she needed help.

He hit the steering wheel with his fist, saying, "We didn't know there was a problem, dammit! We didn't even know to think that Kathryn could have mental problems!"

But maybe, we should have, he thought; Kathryn's personality changed so dramatically, we should have seen it. It was right there, and we missed all the signs!

Stop, Eric. He heard Helene's voice in his head as if she sat right next to him. Stop blaming yourself. We did what we could. We were too close to it. If anything, I blame myself.

We have three more granddaughters, Helene, Eric said to himself. One is named after you, my darling. Kathryn is still struggling, but she's winning the battle with her inner demons.

Eric then got out of the car, locked the door, and headed into the house. It was where Krysta waiting for him, and Kelly hoping her mother was okay.

===

Jack carried a giggling Julia out to the living room for their gift exchange. The children were still sleeping, but would be starting to awake soon.

He placed her on the couch, and told her not to move. He soon returned with two mugs of cocoa and a plate of sliced poundcake.

"Jack!" Julia whispered; "You're so spoiling me!"

"And why shouldn't I?" he asked. "Nothing is too good for you, my beautiful angel." He then handed her a box. "For you," he said.

She opened it, and inside were two necklaces. One was a cross; the other, a Star of David pendant.

"They're gorgeous, Jack!" Julia said happily; "But why both?"

"Because that's who you are, Julia," Jack said; "I know you were raised as a Christian, but Jewish blood runs through your veins as well. How can I not acknowledge the two sides of your heritage?"

Julia admired the pendants. The Star of David reminded her of the one David gave her mother when Niki and Kimber were born. The cross was almost identical to the one she still kept that belonged to Kiera. How did he know? Julia kept thinking. She had never shown Kiera's cross to him.

"I got you something, too, Jack," she said; "It's in the red box with the gold ribbons."

Jack picked up the box that Julia indicated. "It's kind of heavy, Julia," he said as he placed it in his lap. He opened it and saw there was a book inside.

"Julia, you don't think I have enough books?" he asked, laughing softly.

"Out of all your books, Jack, I'm certain you don't have that one," Julia said; "Take a look at it."

Jack removed the book from the box, and saw it was a first edition of "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane.

"Wow, Julia! You know how collectible this is?" he asked. "There's maybe six to ten of them still in existance! How did you get this?"

"It used to belong to Jasmine Donovan's father, and he gave it to Jasmine before he died," Julia said; "Jasmine then gave it to Ryan for the last birthday he had before he passed. He was just as excited as you when he learned how rare it was."

"And you want me to have it? Julia, I don't know what to say..." Jack said, in awe that Julia would give him such a treasure.

"I thought if anyone would like it, it would be you," Julia said. "Kiera made us read it when I was about ten, and I thought it was boring. I didn't appreciate it until I was much older."

"I'll cherish this always, Julia," Jack said as he leaned in to kiss her. As their kiss deepened, they heard Zach's voice behind them saying in disgust as only a ten year old boy can, "Ewww, I'm going back to bed while you're doing all that mushy, gross stuff!"

"You'll like when you're older, boy," Jack said.

"I'd rather poke my eye out than kiss a girl!" Zach said as he stalked back up the hall.

Julia couldn't help but laugh.

===
III



Eric walked back into the house from the car, and Kelly asked,

"How did it go, Grandfather?"

"I came back alone, didn't I?" Eric asked in reply. "They all seemed genuinely happy to see her. All the girls are blonde from what I could see. Their father is about my age.

"Did you get to meet them?" asked Krysta.

"No, I would have felt like I was intruding," Eric said; "Let them have their time with Kathryn. She'll call me when she's ready to come back. She'll probably spend the night. I don't know."

"Well, dinner's just about ready, Eric," Krysta said. "I was just going to make a salad, and Kelly was going to set the table when you came in."

Eric sat down on the couch with the newspaper, saying, "Don't let me stop you lovely ladies from your tasks. I'll just sit here quietly and wade through the tons of ads they put in the papers on Christmas day. Why they still print an edition for even today is beyond me."

"Cranky much, Grandfather?" asked Kelly, smiling.

Am I being cranky? Eric asked himself; then, "Sorry, princess. Just have a lot of things on my mind."

"Maybe reading the paper will make you feel better," Kelly said as she got the good china down from the shelf and began to set the table for her, Krysta, and her grandfather.

Eric was reading a review of a performance of "The Nutcracker" that took place in Syracuse the afternoon before. The production was held in a new performing arts venue that had only opened five years before.

The review had all the standard phrases that were used to describe the ballet: "a timeless classic", "a holiday tradition", "a wonder to behold," "a production that never show its age".

Eric skipped down to where the review talked about the performances of the dancers playing the lead characters. The young girl playing Clara had a very familiar name.

Helene DeWitt.

Eric remembered another performance of "The Nutcracker" that he and his wife had attended the Christmas season before her passing the following summer.

"Look at this, Eric," Helene had said.

"What?" he asked as Helene handed him the program.

"One of the dancers playing one of the mice," Helene said; "Her name is Helene."

"So?"

"No one, surely, gives little girls names like 'Helene' anymore," Helene said; "It was old fashioned when my parents named me."

"Weren't you named for a grandmother?" asked Eric.

"Great grandmother, yes," Helene said; "My mother hated the idea. She wanted to name me Heather, but my father insisted. So I got old fashioned Helene instead of popular Heather. My sister got that."

"I like it," Eric said, squeezing his wife's hand; "And apparently, this little girl's parents liked it, or else they wouldn't have given it to her."

"I suppose you're right," Helene said. "Maybe she was named after someone, too."

"Eric? Hello, Eric? Earth to Eric?" Krysta said, seeing Eric seemingly in a trance.

She looked at Kelly. "Is he all right?" she asked.

"He gets that way when he remembers something from his past," Kelly said; "Probably something about my grandmother. He took her death really hard."

"I know, he told me," Krysta said.

"Let's leave him with his memories for a few more moments, Krysta," Kelly said; "He'll come out of it soon."

Krysta looked at Eric as she and Kelly left the room. How am I supposed to compete with that? she asked herself.

===

It was a pleasant afternoon. Kathryn got to hear all the things going on with her daughters. She was especially impressed that Helene got to dance the part of Clara in "The Nutcracker".

"The last time I saw you dance, you were a mouse in the same ballet," Kathryn said.

"I was asked to audition for the role, Mom," Helene said; "I was up against 15 and 16 year olds with tons more experience, and I got the part!"

"I'm really impressed and proud of you, Helene," said Kathryn; "I only wish I'd gotten to see it for myself."

"Kathryn, someone recorded it, I'm sure," Christian said; "I'll find out who and see if I can get a copy for you to watch. Helene was quite the ballerina. Helene, I think there's a review in the paper. I thought I saw the Arts columnist there yesterday."

"I'll go look, Dad," Helene said; "I'm a little nervous though."

"Her first big review," Christian said to Kathryn.

After a few moments, Helene said, "I found it! I'll let Mom read it, because I can't bear to."

Kathryn read the review, with Christian looking over her shoulder as she did so, then saw the paragraph about Helene's performance. Kathryn read aloud:

"The role of Clara, as danced by young Helene DeWitt, was a refreshing experience for this reviewer. Clara is a little girl, after all, and Miss DeWitt danced the role to perfection. Ballet Syracuse may have found its next big star."

"Oh, wow!" Helene gasped; "That's awesome! I can't believe they liked me that much!"

"With all the hours you put in rehearsing, Helene, I'm not surprised to read that," her father said; "We're so proud of you, princess!"

"Mom, let me show you the rehearsal room Dad had built for me," Helene said; "You'll have to take off your boots though. Toe shoes and socks only on the floors. Dad's rule."

Kathryn looked at Christian as she removed her boots. "Go on, Kathryn," he said gently. "She's really proud of it. Slept in there for a week after it was finished."

"It's in the basement, Mom, so watch your step on the stairs," Helene said.

"I have lived in this house you know," Kathryn said, laughing; "We moved here when you were five and Erin was four."

"I know, Mom," Helene said, excited for her mother to see her special space.

At the bottom of the stairs, Helene opened the door to the reheasal room, where she ran in and slid across the floor in her socks.

Kathryn was taken aback by the room. She walked in and looked at all the mirrors, the ballet barre, the special wood for the floor. As she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror, she realized all that she missed in the two years since she'd last been in the house. She felt her emotions overcome her, and tears fell before she could wipe them away.

Helene turned around and saw this, and wondered what was wrong.

"Mom? Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

"I've missed so much, Helene," Kathryn said. "You're all growing up so fast. I feel like a terrible mother."

"Mom," Helene said, taking her mother's hand; "we've all missed you. We know that you couldn't help what happened. We know you're getting help for what happened before. It's not your fault, Mom. Erin, Lili, Dad, and I never stopped loving you. We never stopped wishing you would come home. And you're here! I know that you'll have to go back, and I can't wait for the day you're home forever!"

"When did you get so grown up, Helene?" Kathryn asked.

"I'm only imitating what I've seen you do," Helene said; "I was always watching and trying to be like you. When you had to go away, Dad had a talk with us. We had to help each other, so when you came home, you can just be Mom."

"I'm glad I was such a good role model," said Kathryn.

"And you still are," Helene said; "You came back."

Kathryn was speechless.

Helene gave her mother a hug. "I love you, Mama," she said.

===
IV


Just the day before, he'd been named as Chastity Edwards' replacement as the leader of A.R.M.

And he already had plans to eliminate The Triad.

Lincoln Marsh was a cold, heartless, calculating man. He hated chilren, most women, and incompetent men.

His late boss, Clayton Pollard, was an incompetent man who believed himself above everyone. Marsh saw through the man's facade, and waited until Pollard made a fatal mistake.

Marsh didn't care about Pollard's demise. He had it coming as far as Marsh was concerned. Pollard underestimated a 15 year old boy and his skills with weapons. Marsh would have realized that he'd have to beat the San Marcos at their own game, instead of following the daughter around for months, like Pollard had done.

"That was his fuckin' problem," Marsh said to no one in the hotel room he was staying in until he could find his own lodgings after the holidays were over; "He was weak for that young pussy. That's what killed him."

His plan now was to flush out the quail from their hiding place in frozen Wyoming. Once they were in the open, they were fair game.

But it was the mama quail he wanted most of all. He didn't fear her, like others had done. She was just another bitch to him. And she would submit, or watch the baby quail die one by one.

But fate would change those plans, and though Linc Marsh didn't know it yet, that mama quail would be his undoing.

===

Later that night, after dinner, Eric, his granddaughter, and the woman he was falling in love with sat in the living room talking. It became apparent to all that Kathryn would be spending the night with her family.

"Dinner was really good, ladies," Eric said; "Make sure that there's some for Kathryn if she would like some when she returns home."

"I've already made up a plate for her, Eric," Krysta said. "Wonder how long she'll stay with her family."

"She knows her time out of the clinic is limited, so I'd hazard a guess that she should be home some time tomorrow," Eric said.

"I'm just thrilled I have three younger sisters I never knew about," Kelly said; "I hope that we can meet soon and become friends."

"I hope so, too, Kelly Clare," Eric said.

Soon after, Kelly said her goodnights to her grandfather and Krysta, saying, "I won't really mind if you two sleep together. I'm a big girl now and I understand how all that works."

Eric looked shocked, and Krysta laughed. "Oh don't look so shocked, Grandfather," Kelly laughed; "You think I haven't noticed how you act together. Sheesh, I'm not blind you know!"

"I think he's speechless," Krysta said.

"I didn't think I needed my granddaughter's permission to live my life, is all," Eric said; "Are we that obvious, and do you think Kathryn has noticed?"

"Yes, you're that obvious," Kelly said; "As for Kathryn, I can't speak for her."

"She's got us there, Eric," Krysta said.

"Well, now that I've done my share of shocking people today, I'm going to bed," Kelly said. She kissed her grandfather on the forehead and went down the hall to her bedroom.

As she got ready for bed, Kelly wondered when it would be her turn to fall in love.

===


Later, when Eric and Krysta readied for bed, Eric asked her,

"Krysta, did you know that Christian DeWitt was the father of Kathryn's daughters?"

Krysta looked at him, and she felt fear. "Yes, Eric, I knew."

"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Eric.

"It wasn't my place," said Krysta; "I thought that should come from her."

"You're right, of course," Eric said; "I'm just being over-sensitive. All this is new to me. I have four granddaughters instead of one; three of them fathered by a man I've faced in court numerous times. I'm glad Kathryn felt comfortable enough with me to tell me about it. I hope someday soon, that I'll get to meet them."

"I'm sure you will, Eric," Krysta said; "It's probably part of Kathryn's treatment plan. To make sense of her past by bringing all the parts together."

"I'll wait for Kathryn to give me the okay to meet her girls," Eric said; "It's all up to her, isn't it?"

Krysta looked at him, less afraid now. She only nodded in reply. She then said, "Let me ask you something, Eric."

"What is it, Krysta?"

She took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then asked, "Eric, how in the hell am I supposed to compete with your memories of Helene?"

"You don't," Eric said; "Helene would want me to move on and find love again. I'll always have memories of her. She's the mother of my children, and the only woman I've ever truly loved from the time she was eighteen until she passed away. I'll always love her, Krysta. But you're not competing with her memory; I hope I'm making new memories with you."

Admittedly, Krysta didn't know how to respond to that.

"Don't you see, my angel," Eric said, taking Krysta into his arms; "You've shown me that life is for living, not for mourning. Helene would hate it if she knew I were still mourning her two years after her death. You opened up my heart to let love in again, and I've found that I have plenty left to share with you, if you want it."

"Eric," she said, feeling herself start to tremble; "You made a good point at my house yesterday. I am more than my past. And if you want to share your heart with me... I'll be here for you."

"God, Krysta," Eric said; "I'm falling so hard for you. Please... please say you'll be mine."

"I'd like nothing more than to be your girl, and make new memories with you," Krysta said.

"That's probably the best Christmas gift I've ever received," Eric said as he led Krysta to the bed and laid her on it.

===

Oh, my GOD! Kelly thought as she heard the familiar sounds coming from her grandfather's bedroom;

At least Krysta isn't as loud as Grandmother was in bed, Kelly said to herself. God, could that woman scream!

Eric and Helene were in the kitchen preparing breakfast when Kelly came into the living room.

Kelly wasn't a happy camper at that point in time. Even at nine years old, she knew what sex sounded like. Her grandparents kept her up half the night with their bedroom fun.

"Good morning, Kelly Clare," Helene said; "I hope you slept well."

"No, I didn't sleep well, Grandmother," Kelly said, as indignant as a nine year old could get. "You two should be embarrassed and blushing right now!"

She saw her grandparents look at each other with puzzled expressions on their faces.

"Why should we be blushing?" her grandfather asked her.

Kelly rolled her eyes. "As if you don't know!" she said.

"I don't, Kelly," Eric said. "Why should your grandmother and I be 'embarrassed and blushing'?"

"I heard what you two were doing in your bedroom all night long!" Kelly exclaimed, exasperated that her guardians were playing dumb. "I'm surprised the cops didn't show up last night with all the carrying on Grandmother did!"

"Kelly!" Helene said; "Don't speak to your grandfather in that tone of voice!"

"Now, Helene, you are a bit loud, you have to admit," Eric said; "And Kelly didn't sleep because of us. Honey, we had no idea you could hear so clearly from the other end of the hall."

"Grandfather!" said Kelly; "People in Canada could hear you!"

"Oh, that loud, huh?" Helene asked. "No wonder you didn't sleep well, Kelly."

"It's Saturday, and I'm going back to bed," Kelly said; "I'll be in dreamland. Try not to wake me up, okay?" And with that, Kelly went back to her bedroom and slammed the door in frustration.

Helene put her face in her hands, saying, "She is right, Eric. We SHOULD be blushing. I had no idea she could hear us. It wasn't like this at the other house."

"Well, if you're going to have the good sense to blush, Helene," Eric said; "Then I'll have the good sense to be embarrassed."

Kelly got out of bed, got out the package of earplugs she had in her luggage, and put them in her ears. Apparently, her roommate at school wasn't the only person who screamed loud enough during sex (often with Kelly in the next room) to wake the dead.

===

Kathryn and Christian bid their daughters a good night after a long day of playing with new toys, catching up with their mother, and having dinner. As Kathryn tucked Lili in, the little girl asked, "Mommy, will you be here in the morning?"

"Yes, Lilibet, I'll be here," Kathryn told her, "but I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon so I can spend time with my father."

"When do we get to meet him, Mommy?"

"Maybe some time after I come home for good, Lili," Kathryn said; "I want to make sure I'm completely well when you meet your grandfather for the first time."

"Is he nice?"

"Oh, yes, Lili," said her mother; "He's a very nice man. And I'm sure he'll love you and your sisters like he's known you forever."

"What's his name?"

Kathryn had to think about that for a moment, then said, "I'm sure he wouldn't mind being called Grandpa Eric. We'll let him decide that."

She kissed Lili on the forehead, then said, "Now, off to dreamland with you!"

"See you in the morning, Mommy," Lili said.

"Not if I see you first!" Kathryn replied.

She turned off the lamp besides Lili's bed and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Kathryn said good night to the older girls, then went to join Christian in the living room. She then heard his voice behind her.

"Kathryn, come into the bedroom a moment. I have something to show you," Christian said.

She went to the bedroom and Christian sat on the edge of the bed. Next to him was a box.

"I thought you didn't get anything for me, Christian," Kathryn said.

"I didn't," he replied; "This is something I wanted to show you."

Kathryn joined him on the bed and he asked her to lift the top off the box.

When she did, she saw immediately what it was inside.

"This isn't..." she began; "Is it?"

Christian lifted out the music box he'd given her thirteen years before during their first Christmas together.

"I don't understand," said Kathryn; "I thought Chastity destroyed this."

"She did, but I had it restored," Christian said; "Go on, open the lid."

Kathryn opened the lid and the ballerina danced while "Clare de Lune" played.

"It's still so beautiful, Christian! Whoever restored it did a fantastic job," she said. "But why are you showing it to me now?"

"I'm thinking about giving it to Helene for her birthday in May, if it's still okay with you," Christian said. "We had talked about doing that when Helene was older and more responsible."

"I remember," Kathryn said; "And it's still okay with me. But we have to tell her the history of it."

"About how you admired it in the store and when you went back to see it again it was gone?" asked Christian.

"And the reason it was gone was because you bought it!" Kathryn said, laughing. "And gave it to me for our first Christmas together."

Christian put it away in its box and replaced it on the shelf in his closet.

"Kathryn," he said; "if you're not on any medication, I have a great merlot to have by the fire."

"I've kind of lost my taste for alcohol," Kathryn said; "It doesn't do for me what it used to. I think maybe the first time you gave me wine, I wasn't even old enough to buy it yet. It was kind of a forbidden thrill for me. I'll just stick with club soda or ginger ale if you don't mind."

"I can do that Kathryn," Christian said; "We can pretend it's champagne. We can do all the things we did before-- talk, laugh, make love. I've missed holding your body against me, my love."

"I've missed feeling the touch of your hands on my skin, Christian," Kathryn said as Christian unbuttoned her blouse.

"You'll need something to wear to bed," he said. "I think I may have an old dress shirt you can use..."

Soon, she was wearing nothing but one of Christian's old dress shirts. He was outfitted in pajama pants and a robe.

He led her back into the living room, and had her wait while he got the ginger ale from the kitchen. He returned with two champagne flutes and the ginger ale.

"Ahh, my sweet," he said in a phony French accent that always made her laugh, "Vat ve have here is ze best champagne in all of Frahhhnze! Vintage 2034. Does this meet with ze lady's approval, no?"

"An excellent year," Kathryn said as Christian handed her a glass. "Now sit down here you goof and let's toast to something."

Christian thought about it for a moment, then said, "To us, Kathryn. To finally being together as a couple and a family."

"To us," Kathryn said as they lightly clinked their glasses together and took a sip of the bubbly mixer.

Christian took Kathryn's glass and placed it on the end table. He gently lifted Kathryn's face so she looked him in the eyes. "Oh, Kathryn," he said softly; "I've missed you so much over these months and months of uncertainty. I can't bear being apart from you, my precious girl. Other than our daughters, you're the only other person who means anything to me. I'd give up everything tomorrow if it meant you would never have to leave again. I love you so much, Kathryn Marie, it hurts."

"All I want, Christian, is to come home to you and our girls," Kathryn said; "I'm tired of the roller coaster my life is; I need you, Christian. I love you so much, my darling..."

Kathryn loosed Christian's robe and pulled it from his body, revealing his strong arms and muscled chest. She leaned in to kiss him. He met her lips and their kiss deepened. They were soon laying on the floor in front of the fire making love. It was the two of them in their own world.

But it was, unbeknownst to them, being watched by eyes that would use what they saw to be inspired and empowered.

And it would change her life.

===

Helene lay in bed, not really tired. She heard her parents' voices so she knew they were still awake talking. She heard her mother's laughter at some silly thing her father was doing, Helene was sure of it.

Soon, though, the talking stopped. They must have gone to bed, she thought. She decided that she'd go into the kitchen and get a glass of milk.

Helene had gotten to the end of the hallway when she heard her father's voice; or what sounded like his voice, but nearly a full octave lower than his normal speaking voice. Soon after, her mother's voice, sounding almost angelic.

The sight she saw startled her. There, in front of the fire, were her parents, laying on the floor. Her father was kneeling above her mother.

Helene realized in an instant what was going on. Near the wall that made up the back of the living room were a couple of loungers with a lamp and a table between them. She dropped to the floor and crawled behind the chair in the far corner. From that vantage point, she could still see her parents clearly, but they couldn't see her.

And she watched in awe at the scene playing out before her.

They were silouettes to her. A man. A woman. They were dancing the ultimate pas de deux; a life affirming, life changing, life creating dance. His hand came up and caressed her shoulder; her breast; her hips. She allowed him between her legs and he moved in a definite rhythm against her. Her arms, reaching for her lover, around his neck. Caressing his shoulders; resting at the small of his back; urging him on as she became closer and closer to releasing her pent up desires.

Their voices-- low, passion filled, speaking a language only the two of them understood. Occasionally, words that Helene understood were spoken.

Kathryn.

Christian.

I love you.

I've missed you.

The dancers in this extraordinary ballet were her parents. The people who gave her life, who brought her and her sisters into the world, who loved each other with everything they had.

Suddenly, her mother's back arched and she emitted a sound from her lips that was half scream, half whisper. It repeated until she was spent, and her father pushed against her-- once; twice; three times. Then, it was over.

Helene felt the tears roll down her cheeks. She'd never witnessed anything so perfect, so beautiful, so full of passion. Helene thought she knew passion: the desire to be the best ballerina she knew how to be. But it didn't even come close to comparing to what she just watched.

It would push her desire to dance to greater heights, empower her to be the best, inspire her to look for passion in places no one thought to look. When she got older, she'd understand what she saw for what it really was; the love between a man and a woman, if they fit together perfectly, was unconditional. Though her mother had been away, her father waited for her to return to him.

Helene fell asleep hoping for a love like that. Like what her parents had. True love wasn't a fairy tale. It was real, and she'd seen it with her own two eyes.

===