Hello - the update is a little shorter than I intended, but I liked the stopping point for the story. Hopefully, people will enjoy reading - comments are always appreciated! And, since it has likely been a few chapters, I neither own nor financially profit from these characters. I will admit to emotionally 'profiting' from reading the feedback - so thank you! - B

Chapter 11: Things you can never forget…

Danni sat cross-legged in the center of Claire's bed and leaned into Claire's shoulder, "I don't know who is more excited Maddie and Eve with their princess dresses for the wedding, or Robert's sisters, Lola and Molly, with all the Militia guards to choose from…". Claire rolled her eyes at the comment, but laughed at Maddie and Eve dancing with each other as they waited for the seamstress to check for any final alterations. Nora stood off to the side helping Sophia out of her dress.

Entering the room, Charlotte observed the mayhem and shook her head before commanding attention from her daughter and sister, "FREEZE! The two of you need to take those dresses off before you ruin them and I make you spend the entire wedding in your rooms. The girls laughed, but did as instructed and stripped off the dresses. Charlotte grabbed the dresses off the floor and hung them before shooing everyone but Claire out of the room. As the door shut she turned and watched the seamstress helped her daughter into the wedding gown. Standing quietly, Charlotte watched as the laces were pulled and tied off to create a bow at the base of her waist; she remembered the day she had worn the gown. "I'm so thrilled you wanted to wear my gown. I loved it and I have to say I still remember the look on your father's face when he first saw me. I am sure Robert will be even more struck by your beauty. You look so much better in that gown!" Claire wrapped her arms around her mother and started to cry as she clutched her shoulders. She felt her mother stroking her hair, but said nothing. Moving her hands to her daughter's face, Charlotte smiled and asked, "Why are you crying? I was completely serious, it looks so much better on you!"

Laughing Claire smiled at her mother before responding, "Dad says Danni and I are your little clones, so I can't imagine this dress being anything other than perfect on you!" Kissing her mother's cheek she continued talking, "Thank you for letting me wear this… and thank you for always loving us; making each of us feel special."

Shaking her head Charlotte replied, "You are special, the greatest happiness of my life has been being a mother you and your sisters and brothers. I want you to know, I am so proud of the woman you are; your spirit, your bravery – but… I want you to promise me you'll come home; and I want you to write me letters; and before you say anything or laugh at me – YES, I know you can't mail them, but write them anyway. I want to be able to read them and hear how you feel, and what it is like to see what you are seeing. Promise me?"

Nodding Claire laughed, "So that is why Grandma Nora gave me all those pages and envelopes – she even gave me wax and a seal."

Shaking her head, Charlotte guided Claire back toward the seamstress that waited patiently for the mother-daughter moment to end. "Let's get this dress finished."

- 20 minutes later –

Bass watched from down the hall as Charlotte walked out of their daughter's room followed by a woman carrying the wedding dress. He smiled at the memory of that dress…

- Christmas Eve 22 years earlier –

Bass stood off to the side of the ornate main alter in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and examined the vaulted dome of the Catholic Church's main sanctuary. The large brownstone structure was filled with guests from across the republic and dignitaries from Texas. Looking over at Jeremy, Bass smiled before asking, "So… she'll go through with this, right?"

Chuckling, Jeremy slapped his friend on the back and nodded before responding, "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that girl would walk from the farthest point in the Republic and slash through whatever armies stood in her way – though I don't have a clue why?"

Shaking his head, Bass responded, "Ha Ha, aren't you the funny man. I am charming and attractive and Charlotte loves me. Now behave or I will regret making you my best man." Then after a quiet moment, Bass continued, "I'm so completely in love with her…"

Snorting Jeremy added, "Yeah, everyone knows that."

Turning to look fully at his friend, Bass clarified, "No, I mean… I can't imagine spending another minute without her as my wife. I feel like, without her, there is nothing that matters – I think if she hadn't come into my world, hadn't taken pity on my old sorry self… I probably would be a drunk, fighting and wandering the countryside."

"Well you will never have to worry about that, never have to be that version of yourself." Jeremy looked past him and nodded at the priest, before saying, "It's time." They moved to the front of the center aisle and waited for the ceremony to begin. The doors at the far end were closed and Bass wondered if every groom felt like this – that mixture of excitement that it was finally happening and fear that she might smarten up and run away. The music started, he had spent weeks assembling a choir and orchestra, determined this day should be perfect. Nora's sister Mia started down the aisle, followed closely behind by Nora, herself. God, that was one insanely hideous dress, it is one thing to make sure the bridesmaids don't outshine the bride; it is another thing entirely to torment your friends. Bass understood why; Charlotte had explained that she could only ensure that Nora would leave her father alone if she took care of the problem. That dress certainly worked as a deterrent. The music changed and a second later he saw a very proud Miles in his full dress uniform step out, before holding out his hand to the side. Bass watched as Charlotte stepped out from behind the door and took her father's hand. She smiled up at Miles, before turning her wide grin turned toward him. Bass whispered in awe, "Oh God! I…WOW… She's stunning." Bass watched, what he was sure was the most amazing sight of his life, as Miles, his best friend, escorted his daughter toward the front of the church. Her dress was a creamy white; the bodice was fitted, giving him a wonderful view of her incredible bosom; the skirt was wide and flowing making her appear the princess he knew her to be; in true Charlotte fashion the dress was simple, no embellishments just the poinsettias she carried. Bass knew he would never see anything as beautiful as this woman, in this moment.

- Present day –

Bass watched the women as they continued down the hall, likely discussing some last minute dress thing; and wondered what it would feel like to see his little girl in the dress; questioned if he could really do through giving her away…

Maddie watched her father from behind and waited for him to start down the hallway after her mother. From her perspective this wedding was sure making a lot of people sad, including her… waiting until the hall was empty Maddie moved toward her sister's room. Maddie slipped back into the room, then sliding along the wall, she hopped up onto the bed and waited for Claire to turn her attention to her sister. Claire seemed to be focused on playing with her hair and Maddie wondered if she should say something. However, before she could open her mouth, Claire spoke, "Have you come to keep me company while I decide on a hairstyle?"

Maddie paused for a moment before asking, "Why do you have to leave after you get married? Why can't you just stay here? We all live here! We have always all lived here!"

Rising, Claire moved toward the mulish looking 10 year old and softly sat facing her on the bed. "Maddie… I…"

Wiping the tears that had started to form, the young blonde interrupted, "No! You're leaving and I won't see you anymore, and I need you and if you loved me you would stay here and be my big sister!"

Fighting past her sister's defenses, Claire wrapped her arms around Maddie and rocked her back and forth for a while before speaking. "I love you so very much! And you are surrounded by family that love you. You'll see me again – after Robert and I return from our adventure; we'll live here – I promise."

Maddie cuddled into her sister, but said nothing for a long time. Finally, she whispered, "I still don't understand why you have to go."

Tapping a long finger against the pouting lower lip, Claire smiled, "What do you dream about doing?"

Confused, Maddie tilted her head and thought for a moment before responding, "I am going to go to the University and I am going to write books about the history of the Republic, so everyone will know about all the things that Dad and Grandpa and Mom have done for hundreds and hundreds of years."

Smiling, Claire rose and moved toward her desk. Opening the drawer, Claire pulled out a weathered handmade book, before returning to the bed and sitting next to her sister. "When Mom was maybe your age, she found this book at a market in Boston and Dad, being Dad and wanting to make her happy bought the book for her. An old lady was selling it; she had written it and taken the pictures in it, and even painted the water colors that are mixed in – the old lady had traveled to Peru a long time ago, before the lights went out. She explored Machu Picchu and created this book about the experience. I wasn't more than six when I found it. Dad would read it to me and we would discuss the pictures, and I have just always known I wanted to go see it for myself." Claire delicately opened the book and flipped through the pages. "Since before I was your age, I have dreamed about what it would feel like to stand there. You want to be an author – to tell the story of the Republic so people will know hundreds of years from now; this woman told the story of another empire. I want you to protect it for me while I am gone; and anytime you miss me you can read it."

Unwilling to give up on a good pout too early, Maddie churlishly pronounced, "Mom and Dad hate that you are leaving too!"

Bobbing her head, Claire thought for a moment before responding, "I imagine that they will be sad and that they will miss me as much as I miss them. However, I know they love me and they will support me; and they know I love them – the same way I love you."