A/N Life, the Universe and everything has been getting in the way – apologies. Thanks for waiting. Yet again, thanks to darkin520 – two stories on the go and betaing at the same time – wow!

Chapter 37

The next day, Cara began to get used to her new home. It was large and had every modern gadget possible in the kitchen. A couple of times, some of the equipment had started on its own and had made her jump. How pleased she was that no one was watching her! The house overlooked the ocean and seemed to be just perfect – once she had worked out where all the rooms were.

She wanted Kit and Freya to return to school and requested to meet the head teacher – (she must remember to call her Principal) to discuss a phased return. Freya would wait until all the bruising was gone from her face, as Cara did not want Freya to have to answer questions about what had happened. However, Kit needed to return to normalcy and have some sort of order put back into her life as soon as she could.

Another task was to make sure she made a set of appointments for Lucas and herself to see Dr. Palmer. She knew that she was feeling more confident about being on her own, but deep down inside, when she was feeling vulnerable, it still wasn't Michael she wanted to turn to first – it was Lucas. Their shared experience whilst with Lawrence Wolenczak had forged a bond between them that few people could understand. She wasn't really sure that Michael still understood how she relied on Lucas. For several months, Lucas had literally been all that stopped her from giving up on life; he had encouraged her to carry on and picked her up when she was down. He had been her physical and mental strength during the dreadful abuse they had suffered. As Cara was thinking this through, she was holding on to the side of one of the kitchen units, her knuckles white with strain and her stomach churning at the memory of the dark days with Lawrence Wolenczak and Edward Curtis. She still didn't know how she survived. She sometimes touched her back where the brand was still burned into her skin, just to remind herself it wasn't a dreadful nightmare, but a stark fact. She surprised herself as she had almost compartmentalised the fact that she had been forced to have sex. That part of her ordeal seemed to be the one easiest to commit to a memory box that she could disassociate herself from. It was as though she had been an actor taking part in a series of events, and so it wasn't the real her. It had been so far removed from her ordinary, every day life that sometimes she thought she must have imagined it because it had been so horrendous. She only hoped that Lucas could do the same. He was so young and had such a wonderful future ahead of him with his brilliant mind. She fleetingly wondered if Freya and Lucas would actually become a couple. It was in its early stages, and they were really just romantically friendly, but she felt that they had chemistry between them, which may develop in the years to come. Who knows what the future would bring?

Michael was doing some consultancy work for the UEO based at New Cape Quest, and so he would be local. Cara spent the first day phoning up to make appointments. Dr. Palmer's first appointment with them was going to be in a couple of day's time, and she was going to see the girls' principal the next day. The rest of the time was spent trying to find where Cynthia Westphalen was working, which was not the easiest task Cara had ever undertaken. She had not seen much of Lucas and the girls as they were glued to some sort of computer game which involved a great deal of noise, excited shouts, and the minimal amount of arguing between her daughters. Life was just creeping back to normalcy, although deep down, she still had an irrational fear that she and Lucas were going to be taken again. And every time there was an unfamiliar noise, she felt her heat rate quicken. This must be the first concern she shared with Dr. Palmer.

Cara had made sandwiches for the trio of gamers and for herself. She stayed in the room for a while, watching the game and making very little sense of it. Lucas was particularly getting carried away, and she smiled to herself, watching him role play a hero, whose soul occupation seemed to be breaking down doors and shooting everything in front of him. He was totally engrossed and looked like a normal teenager partaking in a hobby that thousands of other teenagers shared. He looked so young, carefree, and happy. She really hoped that he could feel like that when he returned to the real world.

She enjoyed cooking the evening meal and was in her element setting the table. Whoever had kitted out all the kitchenware had a wonderful sense of style. Cara had a suspicion it was Kristin. In her own home, she didn't really have a set of anything as sixteen years of marriage, two children, and her own clumsiness made sure that now, most of her own kitchenware was a mixture of styles, colours, and cups with, 'Mummy,' and 'Best Teacher Ever,' written across them. She sighed happily. Yes, she was in her element.

When Michael came home, the five of them ate as a family.

Freya suggested that the trio clear away, much to Kit's disgust, who only complied with the promise of a return to the game, and it was her turn to wreak havoc. Kit agreed, and Michael and Cara were left on their own.

"I can't remember the last time you cooked for me and had it ready when I got home from work," smiled Michael.

At home, in England, which seemed a lifetime ago, Michael usually walked into chaos when he finished work. Travelling to sports' venues, homework, arguments, or a houseful of children was what usually faced him. Cara could be in the kitchen, dressed up as a witch, tied to the sofa, painting with Kit, marking books, or up in the tree house. A broken appliance was usually thrust into his hands and shouts of, "It's not fair," "It wasn't my fault," or, "And me!" were not long in assaulting his ears.

In this quiet, clean, ordered house, the bedlam he called home seemed far away. God, he would give anything to be back there again now and not to have gone through the last months, not knowing if he would ever seen Cara again.

She was looking at a magazine to see if she could find the number of a company that rented out fancy dress costumes. Michael took a long look at his wife. She was still thinner than he remembered, and the sparkle she had had seemed dim. She did smile, but not with her eyes. He couldn't really begin to understand what she had gone through when she had been taken. He knew it had changed her. He also couldn't really understand her relationship with Lucas. He knew if it were not for their closeness, he may have lost her. But Lucas was only a child himself. She had wanted Lucas to comfort her, and not him. It had broken his heart.

Nathan and Kristin had told him that it would take time, and he really hoped that this was the case. Michael was pinning a great deal of his hopes on Dr. Palmer. He wanted his wife back. He wanted his family to be back how they were, but he suspected would never really happen. The telepathic powers that both girls showed, especially Kit, had been incredible, and he knew that eventually, something would have to be done. As a father, Michael wanted to protect his daughters, and he hoped that their abilities would go unnoticed for as long as possible.

He was unfortunately wrong about that assumption.

Cara's voice broke his thoughts,

"Don't get comfy with the idea that I'm going to have your meal ready for you every evening. I've spent sixteen years avoiding that, and I'm not going to start now!" She didn't look up from the magazine, but Michael knew she was smiling.

The next day, Cara went to see the principal of the UEO School, who was very understanding and together, they agreed that Kit should start school the next week and also a phased schedule for Freya's return. The principal was very complimentary about the girls, about both their academic abilities and their social skills and manners. Although they had not been at the school very long, Cara was very grateful that the principal had taken time to get to know about them. It was Cara's first independent activity, and she was rather nervous. She did have a UEO driver and did feel comforted at the security measures the school had put into place since Lawrence Wolenczak had visited Kit.

Cara felt very positive when she returned home, and this was further reinforced by the fact that she managed to contact Cynthia. It was like talking to Kristin, as Cynthia still spoke with the same accent as her mother, and was delighted to be told that Kristin and Nathan were getting married. Cynthia gave Cara a list of dates that she would be available as well as the journey time from the mainland to the island. Cara and Cynthia decided on November 30th, which was two days after Kit's birthday. Friends would still be on Bridger Island after the fancy dress party, and everyone could help to get ready for the wedding. Cara and Cynthia spent some time chatting, and then Cynthia left as she had several calls to make.

Cara went to find Lucas, Freya, and Kit to tell them the good news. Kit was watching television.

"Does that mean we have to find a dress for me?" she asked.

"It would be good if you could wear one. We could have a look on the Internex for ideas and you could choose some styles, and we could send them to Kristin, Cynthia, and Katie to see what they think."

"O…K….but suppose I don't see anything I like?"

"Well, let's cross that bridge when we come to it."

Cara left to go and find Lucas and Freya. Freya was in her room reading, and Lucas was in his room, sitting at his laptop. Both were very pleased that a date had been set and that Cynthia was able to attend. Letting the bride know was the next job, and Cara called Kristin, who was delighted. "That's wonderful news; I'm so pleased you were able to arrange a date with Cynthia. Are you alright doing all the organising?"

"Of course; I want to keep busy, and I'm really looking forward to it. When will Nathan ask Lucas to be best man?"

"I think today or tomorrow, depending on his schedule, now that we have a definite date."

"He will be so pleased, as I'm sure he thinks that Michael will be best man."

"And you are sure Michael doesn't mind?"

"No. Remember, he and Nathan have already discussed it, and they both think it is a very good idea."

Kristin and Cara then talked in detail about catering arrangements and dresses, and what Kristin was going to wear. The call ended with Kristin saying that she would be in touch again when she and Nathan had thought about the wedding service itself.

Cara couldn't believe how long she had been talking to Kristin.
"I'm starving – can I have something to eat now?" asked Kit.

"Of course, I'd hate you to waste away," replied Cara. "Go and see if Lucas and Freya want something too."

When Michael returned home, he was really pleased to listen to the progress that Cara had made with the UEO School and contacting Cynthia. He loved seeing Cara so animated and so full of life. It was at these moments that he knew everything was going to be alright, and it would just take time for her to heal.

Lucas was listening to Cara tell Michael about the arrangements, and although he liked to see Cara so happy, he really wasn't very interested about wedding talk. He was going to suggest that he, Freya, and Kit resume their game when the Vid phone buzzed, and he went to answer it. It was his dad.

"Hey, Kiddo, how are you doing?" Nathan had a broad grin on his face. Lucas smiled back.

"Fine, it's been quiet here. We've just been catching up with, 'Warfare Between Worlds.'" Nathan vaguely recalled Lucas talking about this game before and knew Lucas loved playing it. "How did you do?"

"I kicked alien butt," reported Lucas proudly.

"Great…Lucas, I have a question to ask, and you can have a think about it."

Lucas's stomach clenched. He thought his dad was going to say that he shouldn't return to seaQuest and do something at New Cape Quest. Nathan noticed Lucas's change in body language, "Lucas, I want you to be my best man at the wedding."

Lucas stared at him and tried to take in what his dad had just asked. It wasn't anything to do with not being on seaQuest.

"Lucas, are you alright?" asked Nathan.

"Did you just ask me to be your best man?"

"I sure did."

"What about Michael?"

"He's going to be the Master of Ceremonies – but I want you to be my best man."

Lucas stared straight at Nathan, and then, he began to smile, the widest smile ever.

"Yes, I would love to! Thanks, Dad; this means a great deal to me…are you really sure you want me to?"

"Lucas, you are my son. I love you, and I'm so proud of you. I couldn't consider anyone else being at my side."

"When we were in the hospital and Kristin asked Cara, Freya, and Kit to be bridesmaids, I was so pleased. I assumed that Michael would be your best man. I did think I would like to be, but I didn't really think that you would ask me. I can't wait to tell everyone. Thanks, Dad."

"You are my best man, Lucas. Remember that; I'll talk to you later and fill you in on how things are going during the patrol." With that, Nathan signed off.

Lucas went back into the dining room to tell everyone the news.

"Oh, Lucas, that's wonderful!" laughed Cara, trying not to show that she already knew, as she wanted it to be a surprise.

"Nathan made a good choice, Lucas. I'm really pleased for you." Michael patted Lucas on the back, gently, as he had not forgotten that it had only been a week since Lucas and Cara had returned from their second encounter with Wolenczak.

"You don't mind? Really?" Lucas asked.

"I was best man when Nathan married Carol. I'm happy to be in charge of all the toasts, he replied, looking at Lucas, "and not the one having to make the speech."

"Oh, crap, I forgot about that!"

The rest of the Bridgers laughed out loud as Lucas sat on the chair with a thump and put his head in his hands.

"Don't worry; we'll all help!" comforted Cara.

"Let's go out for a walk and call in to one of the quay side cafes and have a celebratory drink," suggested Michael.

This was greeted with great approval and the five of them got ready and spent the rest of the evening discussing possible topics Lucas could talk about at the wedding that would really embarrass Nathan.