Scooby Doo and all related characters are owned by Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., and/or Cartoon Network.

All other characters, events, locations are the figments of the author's imagination

Love's Journey

Chapter one: The Journey Begins

Before the two couples had moved to the main island to await the 'Spirit' and the return trip home, they had arranged for Tommy to visit during the summer vacation before entering high school. Velma had observed Hanna's downcast face on not being invited and deprived of Tommy's presence during his two week absence. It had taken some talking between Velma, Daphne and Hanna on one side and Hanna's parents on the other before they relented. They had compromised with Hanna visiting if Tommy stayed with Fred and Daphne while Hanna would remain as the guest of Shaggy and Velma.

Tommy and Hanna weren't overjoyed with this arrangement but as Tommy told her it was better than the alternative: being separated completely during his trip to Coolsville.
The young couple walked along the beach, the shadows lengthening, telling the story of the coming darkness as the sun began to dip below the horizon. Tommy reached down, picked up a pebble and flung it into the sea.

"I'll have to go in soon" Hanna sighed as she snuggled into his embrace.
"A few minutes more" his voice a request rather than a question.

"Mmmm…I wonder if we will have moments like this in Coolsville?" she acquiesced to his request, wanting to extend their time together as long as possible.
"If I know Aunt Daphne, we'll be able to arrange something…why are you trembling?"

"I guess going to a new place, new people I don't know. You've been there; I've never been away from Bermuda. Do you think they'll like me?"
"They'll love you as much as I do."

"Do you---love me, I mean?"
He answered by tightening his embrace, "yes" he whispered before his lips touched hers.

---------Xxxxxx

Upon returning home to Coolsville, both couples realized one thing: with growing families, larger homes were a necessity. Shaggy and Velma also realized another reality; with Daphne's book signing and another novel, as yet untitled, in the works along with the word spreading about the newly discovered treasure, they found the book store and 'Nook' too confining for all the new traffic. They began the search for a larger space for the book store along with a new home.

For Shaggy and Velma, the new home came first and what had sold Velma was the boudoir adjoining the master suite. She had immediately placed her stamp on it with a vanity, several wing back chairs and a chaise-lounge.

Time passed quickly for the couples as they settled into their new homes. Velma and Shaggy had settled on a larger space for the book store and 'Nook'. The grand opening had included a small, intimate wedding between Mr. Chase and Mrs. Mason. They told Velma it would be fun to have their wedding at the same place they first met. The grand opening also included a display of doubloons and some of the less valuable pieces of treasure.

On a clear, warm day in June, the big Jumbo Jet kissed the tarmac at Coolsville International. After clearing customs, Long John, Tommy and Hanna entered the terminal proper. There were hugs but no exuberant display from Tommy or Hanna.

"Long John, will you be staying over?" Daphne inquired; ever the hostess she was already planning which bedroom she would put him in.
"No, I'll be returning to Bermuda in a matter of hours. Hanna's older sister is staying with Mari and Sam."

"Sam?" Velma was surprised, being informed that Mari had given birth to a baby girl.
"Samantha, but Sam for short" Long John explained.

"Sorry we couldn't make it back for the birth" Fred apologized.

"Oh, that's okay; the waiting room was filled to capacity by friends, I barely found a seat for myself."

"You didn't go in to watch the birth process?" Daphne asked. Long John laughed "I choose not to. The doctor would be busy with two patients, he didn't need a third.
I was informed that I was to remind you of your agreement regarding Hanna. Good luck with that one. I've got enough time for a bite before my return trip." With farewell hugs Long John headed for the upstairs cafeteria while the two couples with Tommy and Hanna headed outside to their cars.

"That's the one" one man pointed down into the main floor. "The red head…"
"Good looking legs!" the second man whistled softly.
"Keep your eyes in your head, and your mind on the job! Here comes that tall dude----time to leave!"

-------Xxxxxx

Velma sat at her vanity dressed in pajamas, combing her hair. She heard the shower grow quiet and minutes later Hanna knocked on the open door. "I wanted to say good night…do I call you Velma or Aunt Velma?"

Velma smiled at Hanna's discomfort over something as simple as what to call an elder out of respect.

"Velma will do, please come in, we haven't had time to get to know each other. Is your room satisfactory?" Velma moved over to take one of the wing backs, indicating the other. "Is Shaggy still outside?"

Hanna entered the boudoir, accepting the offered chair "He and Scooby are taking Tommy to Fred and Daphne's. The room is so beautiful and for a girl from Bermuda, it's huge. Thank you for inviting me…"

"You're welcome. Hanna, this is my retreat. What's said here between Shaggy and I or between us, stays here. If you don't mind me saying, the look on your face tells me you have something on your mind, do you want to talk about it? If it's Tommy maybe you should talk to Daphne. She knows him better than I do?"

"Maybe that's the point and I can't talk to my parents about Tommy" Hanna took a deep breath as if making up her mind to speak or not. The decision made, she continued "You know Tommy and I will be in high school when school starts in the fall. I know that means we will be meeting new friends…" her hands twitched as if they had a mind of their own.

"Hanna, are you having second thoughts about the ring Tommy gave you? Going steady is pretty serious…" she left the implied thought unfinished.

"No, no second thoughts, Tommy is a great guy but…how do you know if he's 'the one'?"
Velma smiled; Hanna hadn't corrected the 'going steady' gambit.

"Hanna, I can't answer that question, only you can answer that question. But let me tell you a story, it might help…"

Hanna's journey to love had begun…