Bill opened the door, his eyes sweeping through the silent living room until he focused on Laura and Kara curled together on the couch, the red plaid blanket over them. His lips curving into a smile, he quietly crossed the room, picking up the camera he'd seen stowed on a shelf as he went. Focusing on the two women through the viewfinder, he pressed his finger down, wincing as the soft click disturbed the silence. Sure enough, Kara's head shot up as she blinked sleepily in his direction.
"Wha…" She squinted at him. "Who?"
"'S okay, just Bill." Laura remained where she was, eyes closed and patted Kara's arm. "Lie back down. Bill, ten more minutes, please."
"Yes dear." Chuckling, he bent and kissed her forehead, running his hand along Kara's hair as she settled back down behind Laura. "Breakfast?"
"Please." Laura sighed and shifted slightly. "Light."
With a final trace of Laura's cheek, he straightened and moved to the kitchen. Ten minutes later, he heard a loud thump, accompanied by Laura's surprised shriek. "You two all right in there?" Craning, his neck around the divider, he frowned at the sight of Laura on the floor in front of the couch. "Forgot where you were?"
"I didn't." Rubbing her head, she glared up at Kara. "Someone else stretched and pushed me off the couch."
"Sorry." Kara leaned over and gazed at her. "Didn't realize how narrow the couch was. I smelled food."
"I thought you were too full to eat." Accepting Kara's hand, Laura pulled herself back up onto the couch.
"I was. Better now." She sniffed. "And there's coffee."
"Indeed there is." Bill set two mugs down in front of them. "You two decide to have a slumber party?"
"Got up early. I was grading the papers I had left from last night." Laura sipped her coffee appreciatively.
"I was at her moms." Kara reached out for her mug and blew at the coffee. "Too full from taste testing, woke up early and came back to change."
"And we ended up talking and falling asleep out here." Laura finished with a slight smile. "I was going to wake you up in a few minutes."
"Right." He set two plates down and returned for his, sinking into a chair and watching them. "Good thing I'd set the alarm."
"Mmm hmm." Laura picked up her plate and settled against the back of the couch, using her fingers to select a piece of fruit. "So, Kara says you're in charge of making sure all the children come back in one piece today."
"Sounds wise." Bill chuckled. "I suppose you want us to bring back the same ones we take as well."
"Something like that." Kara grimaced. "Like we'd lose them or something." When they both stopped eating and looked at her, she sighed. "Fine. I promise not to lose anyone today during the tour."
"And?" Laura raised an eyebrow.
"And," she raised her hand, "to not intentionally or unintentionally forget or send a child in the wrong direction, no matter how annoying they may be."
"Thank you." Laura nibbled on her toast.
"One time, and you're branded for eternity." Kara grumbled. "And it wasn't intentional."
"What wasn't intentional?" Bill gazed at them, this was something he hadn't heard.
"On New Caprica." Laura smiled, "we took the children on a trip to identify different plants, looking to see what could identify them as medicinal, or for food. Kara was along as a chaperone."
"Part of the community responsibility." She stared at her bacon for a moment, "not much call for a pilot down there."
"So, she and Sam taught a physical education unit, about Pyramid," Laura explained, "and Kara did other things like chaperone classes, things like that."
"Doc Cottle wouldn't let me help at the clinic." Kara sighed again, "and watching a bunch of kids on a field trip shouldn't have been that bad."
"Children ask questions." Taking a bite of toast, Laura smiled.
"A lot of them. Some children annoyingly more than others." Kara muttered.
"So, Kara sent a few of them around a different path." Laura continued, "and forgot to tell them when we were leaving."
"I thought someone else did." Kara sighed. "Really."
"Right." Laura leaned forward and picked up her coffee. "We were halfway back when Kara realized it was too quiet."
"See, I did notice." She gestured with her toast.
"Crumbs." Laura frowned, "but yes, you did notice. And we sent you back to get them."
"You trusted her with children?" Bill grinned. "Have you met her?"
"She's great with them." Laura held up a hand to stop their protests. "As long as they're not annoying her with questions she doesn't want to answer."
"Yeah." Kara stood and picked up her plate. "I'm gonna wash these then take a shower. Ready to go in thirty minutes, right?"
"Right." Bill nodded as they watched her carry her plate to the kitchen. "You're going in with us?"
"Mmm hmm." Laura stood. "I'm working with some of the children this morning, then going to spend the afternoon with my mother. Wedding things, I think. If I can escape, I'll go out to the house."
Chuckling, Bill stood and picked up his dishes, following her to the kitchen. "You of course don't let your mother know of it as escaping, right? And leave them, I'll wash them."
"Are you insane?" She rinsed her plate and mug, "about my mother that is. I'd never let her know I think of it that way. She's just excited, and in her element, planning things. And combined with your mother, they're a force of nature." Turning, she faced him. "And since they're taking care of all the details, I'm not complaining at all. It's nice to have someone else take care of them."
"Indeed." He rested his hands on her hips and pulled her against him. "Morning."
"Mmm. Morning." Wrapping her arms around his neck, Laura rose up on her toes and kissed him, humming softly as he deepened the kiss, his tongue playing with hers.
"You took my robe again." Bill murmured against her mouth.
"You were sleeping, you didn't need it." She giggled softly.
"Semantics." He sighed and released her waist, sliding his hand down her arm to lace fingers with hers.
"Something like that." Laura moved toward the bedroom, swinging their linked hands. "You will keep an eye on the kids, right?"
"Kara hasn't lost one since we got here." Bill grinned. "Yet."
"I know, I just like to tease her." She glanced over her shoulder at him, "it's so easy sometimes."
"Indeed." Entering the bedroom, he glanced at the nightstand, where the box with her necklace sat. "I'm glad you like the necklace."
"How could I not?" Laura dropped his hand and picked up the box. "It's amazing, and you chose it for me." Tracing the metal filigree, she looked at him, "you didn't mind…"
"No. I think it's romantic." Bill traced her cheek with a finger. "Your wanting to wait to wear it the night of our wedding to change the stones."
"Not that there's any doubt what color they'll be." She teased softly, rubbing her cheek against his hand.
"No." He smiled at she moved away and set the box carefully into a drawer. "We need to leave in a few minutes."
"Mmm hmm." As she closed the drawer, he reached around and untied the robe, sliding it off her shoulders and pressing a kiss against the bared skin. "Bill, if you start that we won't be making…" His mouth moved up to her neck, causing her to let out a soft squeal as she twisted away and out of the robe, leaving it in his hands. "Not a chance mister."
"What?" Innocently, he watched her retreat across the room, one hand extended toward him.
"You know very well what." Laura shook her head. "I'm already in trouble with my mother for the bruise on my face, there is no way you're giving me another on my neck."
"Your hair…" He followed her across the room, tossing his robe on the bed, his grin widening at her expression.
"No." Retreating to the bathroom, she shut the door firmly. "Not a chance, Bill." She called through the closed door.
"Of course not." He grinned and retrieved the robe, hanging it up before returning to the other room to clean up the kitchen.
That afternoon, Laura was seated at her mother's kitchen table across from Shannon, as the three of them tied pieces of satin material into rosettes. "Mama, what are these for again?"
"Decorations. I know you don't want to have much of anything, but these, scattered around tables and on chairs will be nice." Catherine nodded and tossed the one she'd just finished into a basket. "And, Shannon and I wanted to talk to you."
"About?" She glanced between her mother and Bill's.
"The guest list." Catherine took a breath. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about one on your list."
Laura's lips curved up, "I can guess which one. Suzanne Adar?"
"Yes." Shannon nodded slowly. "Are you sure about her?"
"Suzanne and I were friends in grad school." Laura set down the rosette she'd just finished. "Long before…anything happened. What happened with Richard and I…was, separate from what she and I had. We've spoken, and yes. I want her at my wedding. She's with someone else, and she's someone I wish I hadn't lost contact with."
"If you're sure." Catherine sighed.
"I am." Laura picked up another piece of material and started gathering it. "What happened with Richard and I…well, it's separate from what Suzanne and I had."
"Did you ever…" Shannon let her voice trail off.
"Laura?" Catherine looked between them. "What?" When Laura remained silent, she set her rosette down and stood up. Moving to the cabinet, she opened it, retrieved three glasses and a bottle. Returning to the table, she poured ambrosia into each of the glasses and pushed one toward Laura. "Tell me."
Laura winced and took a sip of the ambrosia. "Shannon knows because of something Joe said, and I took it the wrong way…just so you know I wasn't hiding anything from you."
"Because of course you never do that." Catherine took a swallow from her glass and waited.
"It…the affair," she winced, "I'd been on a trip, it was the anniversary of when Daddy and…well, let's just say I wasn't taking being surrounded by happy families too well, there were drinks on the flight, I went to drop some things off at my office on my way home, and the next thing I knew, I was having an affair with Richard. I knew I wasn't the only one, I was just an…acquisition, to keep him entertained, and I'll admit, I should have tried sooner, and harder to get out of it. But, there was an underlying…not so much a quid pro quo, but…he knew how much the children and educational programs meant to me."
"That ass." Catherine's eyes narrowed. "Where did Kara and Zak get those ants from again?"
"Mother!" Laura blinked.
"He dared use children, and your belief in the educational programs, part of which got him elected against you?" Catherine downed the rest of her drink as Shannon and Laura stared at her. "He's a frakking idiot! How could he!"
"Catherine…" Shannon reached out and rescued the ambrosia bottle from Catherine's waving arms. "Calm down, it's in the past, Laura has dealt with it, and he ended up losing everything in the end anyway!"
"He dared…" Her eyes narrowed. "Laura, he never…"
"No!" Laura shook her head. "It was more a passive thing. If he'd even tried…he actually did try a bit ago, but…um, well, Kara had taught me a few things."
"I do like that girl." Catherine calmed down slightly. "Did she make it home safely this morning? She snuck out early, I was going to fix breakfast for them."
"I think she was still full, and yes, she did." Laura absently traced the rim of her glass with a finger. "Mama, I don't want you to think I wasn't happy all those years, I mean, I wasn't unhappy, but I just had…I was able to make a difference for children. That was what was important."
"So I've been told, by many people who wanted me to know what you'd done as Secretary of Education." Catherine sighed. "All right, I suppose I understand, somewhat. But still…"
"There are many people who I would have considered enemies, or at least been concerned about," Laura sipped her drink, "however, when the lines are blurred, things change. People who seem to have been your friends and confidants end up as enemies, and people you wouldn't have trusted in a million years, end up being those you can rely on."
"Life happens." Shannon added softly.
"It put Bill and I together." Laura giggled softly. "I was dead set on having the Galactica modernized, linking the computers together. He was dead set on having her remain the way she was. And, he was right, it saved us. Something he never tires of reminding me."
"Well, he claims you saved him." Shannon smiled, "despite an inauspicious beginning, as he puts it."
"It was that." She gazed blindly across the room. "And then his speech during the ceremony. I just wanted to get to know him better, but knew between my cancer, and his retiring…it would never happen. I never imagined that we'd be so in love, let alone married."
"It happens." Catherine smiled. "Seeing the two of you together, I can't imagine you not together."
"Me either." At the unexpected voice, the three women turned to watch Bill enter the kitchen. "Mom, Catherine…" Stopping behind Laura, he rested his hands on her shoulders and bent to kiss her as she turned her face up to him. "Hello there."
"Hi." Laura smiled up at him, one hand lifting to cover his. "You snuck in."
"I knocked, figured you were back here." Bill looked at the table. "What are those?"
"Decorations." Catherine nodded at the bottle. "Would you like a drink?"
"Actually, I'd like to steal my wife away." He squeezed her shoulders lightly. "If you don't mind?"
"Of course not." Catherine smiled at them. "Now don't forget, we're meeting out at the house tomorrow since Laura doesn't have to teach, I want to go over some things with both of you. Then the next night will be your parties, I believe those are being taken care of, and the following day, we'll need to finalize the yard. That night, the one before the wedding, Laura will stay here, Bill…"
"Will be with us." Shannon added. "We don't trust the two of you to not see each other the next morning unless you're in separate houses."
"Mama." Laura sighed as Bill bent to murmur in her ear.
"You know they're right." He chuckled and nuzzled her ear discreetly.
"And that morning, we'll have everything arranged, we'll go over the final arrangements the day before, as far as what times you'll arrive and such." Catherine smiled. "All right?"
"Yes Mama." Laura stood and carried her now empty glass to the sink and rinsed it as Bill nodded.
"Yes, ma'am." He held out his hand as Laura returned and grasped it. "Anything else?"
"Keep her away from the boxing ring." Catherine laughed softly as Laura sighed. "What are you two up to tonight?"
"We'll find something to do." Bill chuckled. "Actually, probably just dinner, then pack up things to take out to the house. The two people we have out there sorting through the books agreed to exercise the horses tonight for us as well."
"They did?" Laura blinked. That was news to her.
"Yes, I gave them a call, wanted to take you for an early dinner at that little place on the water." Squeezing her hand, he smiled.
"I met them yesterday." Catherine nodded slowly, "A bit shy, aren't they. They'll be at the wedding, won't they?"
"We're inviting them, but it's up to them." Laura bit her lip. "They…well, they're like you said. A bit shy about seeing people."
"And you met them where?" Shannon asked quietly.
"We knew them…on Galactica." Laura admitted. "We'll explain Natalie and Boomer to you at some point, when they're ready."
"Oh, they were perfectly lovely." Catherine gazed at them levelly. "If a bit quiet."
"Yes." Bill took a deep breath and exchanged a look with Laura, who sighed and sank back into her chair as he stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. "Natalie…died when a Cylon shot her point blank. She was trying to negotiate and settle a truce between us and the Cylons. Boomer…died during the final attack."
"And?" Shannon lifted an eyebrow.
"They were both Cylons." Laura stated softly. "Different models had been on both sides over the years, but…when they both died, there was no chance of resurrection for them. They're not sure how they ended up here; they haven't seen any other Cylons either. Just each other. The possible difference is their state of being when they died. Natalie trying to bring peace, Boomer, to keep other Cylons from knowing what she did, as well as being repentant, truly repentant of what she had done, even though she was trying to make amends…before it was too late."
"Cylons?" Catherine blinked. "Those two lovely…are Cylons?"
"Were Cylons." Bill let out a breath. "Now, they're here. Just trying to figure it out day by day."
"And they came to you for help?" Shannon looked confused.
"Not actually," Laura shook her head, "we were riding, and sort of found them. They'd been watching the house…had recognized us. They also had seen Richard watching us, and warned us about him. Although by that point of time, it wasn't really a problem." A smiled touched her lips.
"But…" Catherine sighed. "Well, I'm sure the two of you know what you're doing. At least in this case."
"Indeed." Bill chuckled. "Zak's building them a small cottage out in the woods, a distance from us. I'm hoping in time, people will accept them, and that they'll be willing to accept themselves. For now, having them at the house in the spare room is a help, with deliveries, and sorting out the books."
"I'd wondered." Shannon nodded again. "Will you ask them if they'd be willing to speak to me? I'd like to talk to them about their perspective…it might help me with some clients I'm seeing, to have more information, more background so to speak."
"We'll ask them." Bill touched Laura's shoulder. "For now though, we have a dinner reservation."
"Well, we'll keep the information to ourselves." Catherine smiled at them as Laura stood. "And we'll see you both at the house tomorrow, I'll head over there about eleven?"
"We'll see you then, Mama." Laura bent and kissed Catherine's cheek, then Shannon's. "Thank you both for everything."
"Yes," Bill smiled at them. "Thank you."
"You're both very welcome." Catherine waved them toward the door. "Enjoy dinner."
As they strolled down the front walk, Bill slid his arm around Laura's waist. "You all right?"
"Yes." She sighed softly and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Just a bit tired. Didn't get much sleep, between you, and then grading those papers."
"We'll make it an early night." He nuzzled her hair. "Those things were really decorations?"
"So they said. I'm not exactly sure what all Mama's doing with them." Laura smiled. "Although it was nice to spend time with them, which is probably part of what that was about as well."
"I'm glad they get along so well." Bill frowned slightly. "Although, that does mean they can present a united front to us."
"Mmm." She laughed softly as they meandered along the path by the river. "Now, are you sure we'll be able to have a quiet, private dinner? Every time we try to come here, we run into someone."
"Told Kara, she said she'd keep everyone clear of the place tonight." He sighed, "I think that translates into they'll be continuing to plan the parties."
"You're probably…" Laura paused and glanced toward the bushes they were passing.
"What?" He followed her gaze but didn't see anything that would have caught her attention.
"I heard something." She stepped away from him, automatically clasping his hand as she stepped toward the bushes.
"Something what?" If it was that idiot Richard…Bill swore silently, peering into the shaded brush.
"Something." Stepping carefully around a bush, Laura caught her breath and dropped his hand as she rushed forward. "Shawna."
"Miss Laura?" Sniffing, the small girl peered up at her through her tears for a moment before throwing herself into Laura's arms.
"Shawna, what are you doing here?" Sinking onto her knees, Laura wrapped her arms around the sobbing child. "Shh…"
"I ran away. But I couldn't find…" She choked out another sob and tightened her grip on Laura's neck.
"Shawna?" Bill knelt next to them, reaching out to touch her back hesitantly before starting to rub it gently. "Shawna, does anyone know you're out here?"
"I left…a note, Ad...mil Bill." Shawna blinked at him through her tears. "Don't care. They all got other things to do."
"Oh, sweetie." Laura breathed out softly, lifting her eyes to meet Bill's. "Someday you'll get to go see the Vipers too, Kara and I told you that."
"Yeah. But they laughed at me." She buried her head back into Laura's neck. "But, I didn't know it was so big out here."
"You probably walked a really long way, didn't you." Bill continued his gentle rubbing motion on her back. "Did you bring a suitcase?"
"Yeah." She sniffed and waved toward the deeper part of the brush. "It got stuck back there. I thought I could find a place to live, where I wouldn't be the littlest."
"And you had it all planned out, didn't you." He bent and kissed the top of her head without thinking, "you were gonna stay out here, right?"
"Yeah." Shawna lifted her head and looked at him. "I've played in the woods before, and been camping."
"But always with someone, wasn't it." He smiled at her and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and held it to her face. "Blow." As she automatically obeyed, Bill continued. "I bet Miss Dee and Elosha are worried about you though."
"I left a note." Loosening her grip on Laura's neck, she took the handkerchief from Bill and rubbed her eyes with it. "So they wouldn't worry."
"But they will." He brushed her hair back behind her ear and smiled at her gently. "Because they do love you."
"I love them too." Shawna turned so she was still on Laura's lap, but facing Bill. "But, I wanted…"
"You wanted to get away, didn't you." Bill raised an eyebrow. "To do something adult?"
"Yeah." She sighed and glanced up at Laura. "I'm gonna be in trouble, aren't I."
"Well, they'll be worried about you," Laura nodded, "you might be in a bit of trouble, but, I think they'll be happier to have you back safe."
"So, come here," Bill stood and held out his arms, lifting her easily. "Can you show Miss Laura where your suitcase is?"
"Over there." She pointed behind a bush. "It got stuck."
"So it did." Laura smiled at the sight of the small pink bag stuck between two branches of the bush. "Hold on." Moving one of the branches, she lifted the bag out and slung it over her shoulder.
"Admil Bill?" Shawna rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm gonna be in trouble, aren't I."
"You might be in a bit. But like Miss Laura said, I'm sure they'll be glad to see that you're safe and sound." He bit back a smile as she sighed softly and tightened her arm around his neck.
"But, you'll still be at our wedding in a few days." Laura ran her hand along Shawna's hair, picking out bits of twigs and leaves as she did. "I'll make sure and let them know that you are definitely still invited as our special guest, all right?"
"Kay." She sighed again and fell asleep against Bill's shoulder as they moved back onto the path.
"And you were saying we'd actually make it there for dinner this time?" Laura tucked her free hand through his arm.
"We'll drop her off and make sure she's settled then head back." He chuckled. "She was that upset at not getting to go on the field trip today?"
"Apparently so. I thought she'd understood she could go when she was older." Laura shook her head. "Something else must have happened."
Watching Laura as she absently continued to stroke Shawn's hair while they walked, Bill smiled. "She adores you, you know?"
"She's adorable." Laura sighed. "She never knew her parents, that's how she ended up with Elosha and Dee. The older ones…they have reasons to not be with their parents, but Shawna…I don't know."
"She reminds you of that girl, doesn't she." Bill ventured a soft guess, clarifying it when she lifted an eyebrow at him. "From the liner you had to leave behind in the initial attacks, because they didn't have…"
"Yes." She bit her lip and shook her head slightly. "I forgot I'd told you about that."
"It was tearing you apart." He leaned over and kissed her gently. "It was also when we weren't sleeping, and you had to make the decision again."
"You came and talked to me after that, when we finally got away, I'd caught a raptor over to talk to you about the situation, and how we could set up a rotation until everyone had caught up on their sleep. I seem to remember babbling a lot until you let me fall asleep on your couch." Laura sighed. "I was afraid you wouldn't respect me as President once I'd fallen asleep there."
"It was safer than you being back on Colonial One at that point, and the pilots all needed sleep as well." He sighed. "You told me about finding out about all the Cabinet being gone, and about how you had to leave all those people behind, how you could still hear them screaming out at you in your head."
"And you told me it would never completely go away." She shook her head, "I didn't want to hear that. But, you also told me that I'd learn from it, and that just because I could, would still hear them, I would learn that for the greater good caused pain, and when it stopped causing pain, I needed to see if it truly was for the greater good."
"We were all exhausted. I'm surprised you remember." Shifting Shawna slightly, he reached out and traced Laura's cheek. "You just sort of crumbled mid sentence and fell asleep. I figured you wouldn't take too well to being in my rack so soon, no matter how tired you were, so I just covered you up and let you sleep."
"And woke me up after two hours, with all the reports I'd brought to you reviewed and signed." She giggled softly. "That I remember."
"But, she reminds you of the little girl you had to leave, who was going to have chicken pot pie." Bill tightened his grip on Shawna as she sighed and moved in his arms.
"Perhaps." Laura smiled slightly, "it's also that she loves learning, but has trouble, so I've been spending time with her." Her smile faded, "I'd no idea she could pull a stunt like this though."
"Well, she's had her adventure now. As well as a fright, I don't think she'll be doing it again anytime soon." Bill waited as Laura opened the gate before following her into the yard as the door opened.
"Shawna…" Dee ran down the path, staring at them. "Where did you find her, is she all right?"
"I'm sorry Miss Dee." Waking up, Shawna sniffed again. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"We ran into each other in the park, down by the lake. Shawna was headed back; we just gave her a lift." Bill explained softly. "Right Shawna?"
"I was lost. Admil Bill and Miss Laura found me." Shawna kept one arm around Bill's neck. "Is Miss Losha mad?"
"We were very worried about you." Dee opened the door for them. "Even though you left a note."
"I'm sorry." Shawna whispered.
"And so you should be." Elosha stepped out of the shadows as Dee took Shawna's bag from Laura. "Did you learn anything?"
"Not to run away." Shawna whispered, taking a deep breath, "that it's scary, and not fun like camping, and that I have to wait to grow up to do some things, but that I'll get to. Sometime."
Elosha smiled. "And?"
"And…" Shawna thought for a moment, "and that people like you and Miss Dee will worry if something happened to me."
"And we would worry as well." Bill smiled at her. "Ready?"
"Yes." She hugged him tightly. "Thank you for bringing me home Admil Bill. Miss Laura."
"Well, we have to have you at our wedding, right?" Laura took Shawna from Bill and hugged her. "You'll come with Miss Dee and Elosha. But, you have to behave until then."
"Yes, Miss Laura." She kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry."
"I know you are." Laura hugged her one last time and handed her to Dee.
"Let's get you into the bathtub and then some dinner." Dee smiled at them. "Thank you again."
"Yes, thank you." Elosha watched as Dee went down the hall before returning her attention to them. "I'm sorry it interrupted your evening."
"We're rather used to it." Bill chuckled as he caught Laura's hand. "It's all right, we were on our way to an early dinner, making sure she got home safely was more important."
"Yes." Shaking her head, Elosha sighed. "I'd no idea she was so upset this afternoon. I think perhaps some of the older children might have been teasing her again."
"She wanted to go with Bill and Kara to see the Vipers, like the older students." Laura shook her head. "I didn't realize it meant so much to her."
"I can take her another day." Bill volunteered, smiling at Elosha's face, "when she's allowed to go out again."
"Yes, she will be grounded, but I think getting lost and being out there alone will stay with her for some time." Elosha returned his smile. "I spoke to both of your mothers this morning."
"Mama told me," Laura winced. "Sorry if they've got everything planned out to the second."
"Not at all, we had a lovely time." Elosha laughed softly. "We're meeting again the day before, I believe?"
"Yes. I'm sure you'll have an entire schedule soon." Laura sighed as they moved toward the door.
"Quite all right, it's an honor." She smiled at them. "Truly."
"For us as well." Bill opened the door. "We'll see you then."
"I'll look forward to it." Elosha held the door as they left. "Thank you both again for finding her."
As they strolled back down the path to the gate, Bill slid his arm around Laura's waist, pulling her against him. "You all right?"
"Yes." She sighed softly and rested her head on his shoulder. "Hungry too."
"Then dinner it is." He chuckled. "You going to make it, or do I need to carry you as well?"
"I can make it." Laura giggled. "No point in making more of a spectacle than we need to."
"I'll even promise you a dance once we get there." Bill let his thumb caress her waist. "After we eat."
"Of course." She smiled. "We do need our energy."
"Of course." He fell silent as they retraced their earlier steps toward the lake, Laura's head still resting on his shoulder.
An hour later, she was in his arms again as they moved to the soft music. "See, told you there would be dancing."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you." Laura lifted her head and kissed him gently. "Thank you. This has been a lovely evening. I didn't even realize I was so tense."
"We could do something about that." Running his hand up under her hair, he rubbed her neck gently. "At home."
"Mmm hmm." Her arms draped over his shoulder, Laura smiled as his lips ran along her neck. "Bill…"
"I know." He chuckled. "Public place."
"Don't care. Not the President and Admiral any more." She giggled. "But, I want dessert." She moved her mouth toward his ear. "Before…dessert with you."
"Of course you do." Stepping back he caught her hand and led her back to the table, where dessert and coffee were already waiting for them. "See?"
"Chocolate and coffee." Laura let out a soft sigh and brushed a kiss along his cheek. "I love you Bill Adama."
"I hope for more than anticipating your appreciation for coffee and chocolate." Pulling her chair out for her, he seated her before moving to his own chair.
"For lots more. But for now, this moment?" She took a bite of the cake and let out a soft moan, closing her eyes as the chocolate melted on her tongue. "Almost as good as Mama's cake. For this moment, I love you for this."
"I'll remember that." Chuckling, he watched her enjoy her desert, sipping his coffee as he did. When the waitress returned, he signed the check and asked for a box for his own cake.
"You're not eating it here?" Laura used her fork to pick up the last few crumbs.
"Nope." One eyebrow lifted. "I have plans to eat it later. Possibly in bed."
She blinked at his expression. "Really…?" Her eyes widened suddenly. "Bill…"