While their guests were chatting in the drive, Robbie and Laura were cleaning the remnants of dinner. They moved easily together, the rhythm of a long-standing relationship. Conversation wasn't needed and each was busy with their own thoughts.

Robbie was the first to break the silence, "You know, for someone who wasn't 100% on board with my little game, you are certainly skilled at subterfuge."

"Women usually are."

He paused in drying the glass in his hand, pondering her comment. Deciding discretion was the better part of valor on that comment, he continued. "Asking him about his time away was a stroke of genius. Can you believe he didn't finish the trek?"

Smiling to herself, Laura nodded. "Actually, quite easily."

Robbie turned, staring at her back, looking for, not really sure what he was looking for. "Isn't finishing the point?"

She shrugged as she washed the last glass, setting it on the drainer for him to dry. "I guess that depends on what he was looking for. If he was looking for a task to complete, then yes, I suppose, completing the trek is the point."

"What else would he be looking for on St. James' Way?"

Drying her hands she turned to him, smiling, "Sometimes it's about the journey. Not so much getting from point A to point B but all of the stops between."

"And you understand that? The journey?"

She hung the towel neatly then smiled at him. "Yes, I do."

Confused at her vagueness, a small sense of unease took hold in his mind. James' words from earlier in the evening beat a steady pattern in his mind. "Care to enlighten me?"

"There are a variety of things he could have learned. But I suspect the one thing he took away is that while he is content alone, he is only truly happy when he is around people."

"James hates being around people. He's the oldest young person I know."

Rolling her eyes, she reached up to stroke his cheek. "Not people, in general Robbie. The right people. You, me, Jean, even Lizzie."

The beating in his head increased in urgency, "And you gleaned all of that from him walking away from the end of his trek."

"Yes, I do."

"How?"

"In many ways, James and I are alike."

"And yet, here you are married to me. Explain that if you are content alone."

She stepped closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "As I said, found the right person."

The staccato pulse in his head slowed. He wrapped his arms around her. "Is that why you married me? You, the woman who said she would never marry."

"I don't believe I ever said that and you have no proof that I did."

He laughed, "Oh, you said it, Mrs. Lewis."

"I can't be held accountable for things said while under the influence."

His anxiety increased slightly as he remembered when she'd said those words to him. "People are often more honest when their inhibitions are lowered."

Sensing his concern, she stroked his cheek. "Perhaps you can replace that thought running through your head with a better one." When he didn't respond, she continued. "On the night you proposed, did I hesitate, even for a moment?"

He shook his head, "No."

"Was there any reticence in my voice? Any sense of doubt?"

Again, he shook his head. "No."

"Because, there wasn't any. In fact, there were only two things that went through my mind when you asked."

He blinked, even more confused, "Two things?"

"The first thing was my answer, yes."

"And the second thing?"

She smiled, "What took you so long?"

He shook his head, "What?"

She laughed, pulled him closer. "You're a conventional guy, Robbie. And I love that about you. I knew starting a relationship with you would mean marriage one day."

He attempted to pull away, "Am I that predictable?"

Laura tightened her grip, "Robbie." She waited until he finally met her gaze. "Yes and no. You made me wait months and I would have said yes on our first date."

"Really? You're not just saying that. You know, to spare my feelings."

She rolled her, "When have you ever known me to spare your feelings."

He chuckled, "When you put it that way."

"I love you, Robbie." She stroked his cheek, "Every conventional hair on your head."

"And you don't want more excitement or adventure?"

She wound her fingers into his hair, "Oh, Mr. Lewis, you provide all the excitement a girl could ask for."

He smiled at her, pulling her closer. "And adventure?"

Pulling him down, she whispered against his lips. "If I'm ever in need of adventure, Mr. Lewis. I'll simply have you cook dinner."

His laughter filled the room for a moment. Then Laura kissed him and all laughter ceased.