*Car trips aren't as good as they used to be. Converse on my feet, feet in another seat, ships out one window and skyscrapers out the other. Starbucks in the cup-holder, sister with a sweatshirt over her head watching some Disney show on her iPod. My mom and dad listening to some absurd hillbilly country music. Not Taylor Swift or Toby Keith, no no, the Castiron Filter. And that brings us back full circle to me: backseat with the headphones and Orianthi.
Reviews are like vacations: takes time to get there, but they are SO worth it.*

Three Houses
"Have a good day at work sweetheart." Cameron kissed him on he cheek as she rolled out of bed. He didn't really respond, it was too early to reply. Five thirty on a Monday morning, yeah, that was too early for a nine-thirty kind of guy. But he loved her passion, and ergo, her early morning wake up call.
Curled her blonde hair, tied it back in a ponytail and slid a headband along her hairline. Jeans, unusual for her work clothes but fitting for the Monday morning feeling, and a belt. Scratch the belt, the jeans would have to do. Belt was too tight. Thought to borrow one of his, then considered the size difference and gave up. Threw on a pink button down over her gray camisole and dug through her shoes. Heels, heels, heels: she had to have at least a dozen pairs of heels. Shortly after throwing every pair of heels across the closet, she saw her ballet flats. By the door. The flats, though beautiful, weren't what she was looking for today. In the back of her shoe basket, however, was a pair of white Converse high tops. And that would have to do.
Today she didn't care how she looked. Work was short and Ben's soccer game was more important.

Three blocks down, there is a totally different story. Emma jumped quickly from the bed, it was five fifteen in the morning. Joseph was already up and got out a pan and box of pancake mix. She got out the eggs.
"Morning, Em." He kissed her as she passed the eggs.
"Joseph." She grinned at him. "You shouldn't have."
"Dear, I know it's your favorite breakfast." How true, she loved pancakes and eggs, the occasional bacon strip. "Perfect for your first day on the job."
"First of many, I hope." Her smile just grew. "And I hope your interview goes well."
"Better than the last one, at least. Being a business law teacher wouldn't be the worst thing in the world." Flip the pancake. "Are you really wearing sweats to work?"
"Of course not!" Emma squeaked. "Who said I had to get dressed before breakfast?"
"When is your call time anyways?" He asked. Pancake flipped onto her plate.
"Seven."
"Why are you up so early then?"
"Can't a girl spend time with her mom before a busy day of work?" Emma joked. "No, I'm going to Cameron's. She needs someone to drop Ben off at the daycare."
"Have fun, then." He told her and passed her the plate. "Isn't he your nephew or something?"
"Practically. Cameron and Henry are the closest thing I ever had to family. Past my parents, and my grandma on my dad's side."
"That's sad. Don't you guys have other family?" He asked.
"Other than them, no. As far as I know, my grandpa has gone to his great home in the high heavens. My mom's family never visits." Emma shoved a forkful of egg down her throat. "That's why me and my siblings are so close to the doctors. They're our... EVERYTHING."
"Oh, shoot! Five thirty already!" He ran back to their bedroom then called back. "I'm going to be late if I wait too much longer!" For, you see, the school was an hour and a half drive, at least.
"Have a good day, darling!" She was amorous and affectionate.
She skipped down the hall and into their bedroom. Dress? No, too flashy. And NOTABLY too childish. She was a doctor, not a little kid anymore. So Emma figured it was high time she started looking the part.
Floral skirt belted around her waist, pink polo to match the flowers on the skirt. Bow flats? No, she was trying to look mature. Ah, how about the black spectator heels she wore for graduation? Those would do. A pair of diamond stud earrings, hair in a bun, Joseph's leather jacket and she was ready to go.
Part of her wanted someone to say goodbye to when she left at six o'clock.
The other part couldn't wait to get to Cameron's to visit her family.

Cameron answered the door swiftly sliding to it. "Emma?" She questioned, but gestured the girl in.
"Heard you need someone to take Ben to daycare?"
"On the contrary. I need someone to tell your dad I won't be at work. Ben has a soccer game, and I'm co-coach."
"If I tell him that..." Emma warned her.
"Tell him I'm sick." Cameron understood their bargain.
"You know I've got work today right?" Cameron raised an eyebrow.
"So you're not going to the hospital?"
"I never said THAT." Emma grinned. "I'm the new epidemiologist on he team. Well, for the whole hospital actually."
"Congratulations!" Cameron squeaked. "Then relay the message to your parents, that I'm 'sick'."
"See you tomorrow Cameron."
"Enjoy work, Emma!"

"Emma!" Cuddy scowled at her now-employee with the slightest amount of love, as mothers can seem to pull off.
"Yes, ma'am?" Emma pulled of the "Helpless first-year on the job" act.
"Cut the crap, Em."
"Yes, momma." Emma grinned, her mother's face softened immensely. "Cameron won't be at work by the way. She isn't feeling well."
"That will be kept in mind." Cuddy smiled and guided her daughter to the stairs. "Let's get you to your office, shall we?"
"Momma, do all doctors get offices?"
"They do."
"Do Cameron and Chase and Foreman have one?" Emma interrogated.
"Well, they share one. They're usually in with patients."
"What will I do?" Emma asked.
"You will deal with epidemics, alert the CDC and things like that. You might be asked to help crack the occasional case, but you actually being hands-on with the patient is slim. It's the best of both worlds." Cuddy strapped on her smile.
"So I sit here and wait for daddy to have a case so I can do his work, and I sit in my office when I don't have any?" Emma sounded less angry than the words that she spoke. "Cool."
"Your father will come in if he has a case. He knows where your office is." Cuddy gave a walking-out grin. "Bring Joseph over tonight, please. Your dad and I have a surprise."

*Ooohhhhh surprises! And the Golden Globes, just to brighten your day! Movies are good, Great Wolf is better, and early dinner is best. But chapter-by-chapter review, bulk posting and all? Yes! Goal is 60 reviews by the end. I was at forty eight when I finished this chapter. It's attainable!*