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Chapter 45 - Chapter 45 - All of Our Cards
The Doctor knelt over a blanket stretched across the floor with baby Samuel laying on it. He held his tiny hands up at his Dad's face and giggled. The light from the afternoon sun shone through the open windows that welcomed in the warm breeze.
The Doctor smiled at his son who kicked his legs and babbled.
He smiled. "No, your Mum will be back later."
The Doctor's phone dinged to alert him that he had received a text. He looked at it and sent back a reply. Samuel kicked his legs and laughed.
The Doctor put his phone on the coffee table and went back to playing with his son. "And Dad's going to get you!"
He leaned down and playfully kissed Samuel's face. The baby squealed.
The familiar pop told him that someone had used their bracelet to arrive in his island home. He didn't look up. "Genie, you don't have to text to ask permission to come home."
The adult Genie, wearing a lovely purple dress and long braid, sat down on the sofa. "Well, thank you, Dad. I just thought it would be better than…rudely popping in."
The Doctor looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. "And there's more to that."
She shook her head and mumbled. "You and Mum are disgusting."
He laughed proudly and lay on his side next to baby Samuel. "What's on your mind, my Sara Gene?"
She sat back and crossed her arms. "Several things. Oh, it's just been a long week."
He rest his head on his fist, "Yeah. It has."
"Legate told me about that virus." She began.
He sighed. "Yeah."
"I don't remember that happening. Did it?"
"Well, what did Legate tell you?"
"That he didn't want to talk about it." She said flatly.
He sat up and handed the baby Samuel his small rabbit toy, which he promptly put into his mouth and kicked energetically.
"What's this really about, Genie?"
She rubbed her forehead, "I just worry about us coming back. Have we caused this?"
"No." He told her seriously. "In fact, that virus caused an outbreak in the other dimension. That station being destroyed hopefully stopped it."
She held out her hand. "But, Dad! Us being here is going to mess up something surely-"
"Well, do you want to go home?"
She looked away and shook her head. "Well, that's not really an option."
"There's always a way."
"Dad, that's impossible-"
"I love impossible."
She couldn't help but smile at his words. "I know you do."
He stood up and stretched his back. "Watch your brother. I'll make us some tea."
Genie moved to sit on the floor with baby Sam. By the time the Doctor had arrived back in the sitting room, Genie was laughing and bringing Sam's tiny feet up to kiss.
He laughed and clapped his hands at her.
The Doctor sat on the sofa and sipped his tea. "So, you want to return?"
She looked up at him, "No. I just want to make sure that we're not really messing up something."
"Well, I believe the reason you are here, has everything to do with your Mum."
"No, Daddy. It has everything to do with us being completely stupid and-"
"Nope. I believe that had to happen."
"Like a fixed point?" She asked and sipped her tea.
"Yes. Samuel and I have spoken about it and-"
Samuel pulled himself to stand using the coffee table. He babbled something to his Dad. The Doctor groaned and rubbed his eyebrow. "Oh, we do need to get that sorted."
The baby looked back at Genie in confusion.
Genie smiled at him. "What, Samuel?"
The Doctor groaned, "He wants to know who you are. In fact, the other children have already figured it out."
"Well, of course they would. I'm rather clever, you know." She grinned and sipped her tea.
He smiled proudly, "Well, certainly. But, your Mum and I probably need to sort that out. How we're going to explain you lot, to you lot."
She sat down her glass. "Where is Mum?"
"She's at Torchwood. With Jake."
"Really? She's still going to Torchwood?"
"Believe me. I'm not thrilled about it." He groaned and sipped his tea. "But, she's just looking over some stuff. Organizational things that Jake wants to change."
Genie nodded. "Well, so she's sorting out aliens and you're refusing to do anything."
"I'm not refusing to do anything."
Samuel busied himself by walking around, holding himself up using the coffee table.
Genie stood up and sat next to her Dad on the sofa. "Dad. What's wrong with you? This is so…unlike you."
"How to do you mean?"
"The TARDIS disappears, you do nothing-"
"Can't do anything about that." He insisted as he sipped his tea. "And I'm really trying not to think about it-"
"Uncle Jack off in the TARDIS. Yeah, I understand why-"
"Oh, please talk about something else." He groaned and sipped his tea.
"We fall out of the sky, and you're just….cool about it-"
He grinned, "Because I am cool."
She smiled. "Right. This Karen girl-"
He pointed at her. "She's alright-"
"Samuel being home. Arles off with…some other girl. The Prime Guard. Are you still a Primus?"
He nodded. "Yes."
She crossed her arms. "Dad. This is just not like you. You are so…." She struggled to find the words.
"What?"
She looked back up at him. "I don't know. Anyway, about us. Tell the children the truth. They are going to figure it out-"
"No, they won't-"
She giggled. "Yes, they will. Even if they don't tell you they know."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "So, you're telling me that you knew things that you knew I didn't want you to know?"
She rolled her eyes at him. "Well, duh."
"That's lying!"
"No, it isn't. It's omitting the truth. That's completely different."
"And who told you that?" He grinned.
"Uncle Jack. Although, my brothers remind me of it often."
"Oh, these boys." He groaned.
Genie smiled and sipped her tea.
"What's really going on, Genie?"
She sighed and rubbed her face. "I'm just a bit…homesick. It's been a long week."
He smiled at her. "If you want to return-"
"I don't. Really. I'm fine here, Dad."
Their talk was interrupted by Lewis walking into the room.
Baby Samuel held out his hands and cheered, "Papa!"
He fell backwards and the Doctor caught him before he hit the floor. He pulled him into his lap. Samuel thought it was all a fun game. He clapped his hands together and laughed.
Lewis grinned and sat in the chair next to the sofa. "Papa sees you, Sammy. Hi, Genie. How are you?"
Genie sat her tea on the table and groaned. "Oh no. I know that look." She turned to her Dad and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for the chat, Dad. I'm going back home."
She stood up and typed something on her bracelet.
Lewis asked, "Hey, really quick. Can you just…pop anywhere?"
"No, Papa." She didn't look up. "I have pre-determined places that are programmed in. Why?"
The Doctor nodded in understanding. "I was curious about that, too. The same as Pete's and Howie's."
Genie smiled and looked back up at her Dad and Papa. With one touch of her finger, she popped away.
The Doctor looked back at Lewis. "Any luck with Tony Tyler?"
Lewis shook his head. "None. The Space Dock thought they had him, but then he turned on some…other damn scrambler. Why the hell does Stark have all of that shit on that craft?"
"You forget who you are talking about."
"He's human. He has no idea what is going on out there. He has no enemies."
"Except some mad woman who thinks he has her son."
"I'm keeping an eye on that. The price on his head and Soli's has went up."
"Well, that to be expected. They had them, and now they are gone again. Hard to catch."
"Hard to protect. Why aren't we telling him about this?"
"What good will it do?"
"He would be more cautious."
"I am willing to bet he already has that bit figured out. Stark's no idiot."
Lewis nodded. "Yeah. I believe he has plenty of enemies here, too. And based on that, and what you've said…"
"The best offense is a strong defense." The Doctor mumbled.
"Yeah. I suppose I shouldn't expect less of someone who makes weapons for a living."
"Well, what does that mean?"
"It's probably something that is always on his mind. How can someone attack? How can someone….compromise something? You know, I've seen some of these other plans he has. Brilliant stuff."
The Doctor sighed. "Stark and Poltious. That's two that I should have kept a bit further apart."
"Well, what's done is done. How are we going to handle this with Tony Tyler?"
"At the current moment, only you, me, and Lance know. Let me see if I can talk some sense into that kid."
Lewis chuckled. "Well, good luck. He's not answering any of my hails."
The Doctor sat Samuel's feet back on the floor.
Lewis leaned forward and held his hands out to him. "Come see Papa."
Samuel laughed and to both of the men's complete shock, walked the six steps over to Lewis.
"What?!" The Doctor asked.
Lewis picked Samuel up and tossed him a few inches from his hands in celebration. "That's my boy! Already walking! So strong!"
Samuel sat on Lewis' lap and clapped his hands together.
The Doctor closed his eyes and sighed. "And if I wasn't worried enough about this kid, walking?!"
Lewis laughed and kissed Samuel's cheek. "Growing up, Daddy."
The Doctor groaned and dropped his head dramatically.
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The adult Samuel, still wearing his sweater and shorts, sat at the kitchen table of his island flat. Pete Tyler sat next to him as they went over some files together. Samuel had brought Karen's backpack into the kitchen and was using a notepad and one of her pens to make notes.
Pete rubbed his chin as he looked over something in the files through his glasses. "That's going to create a deficit of….hmmm…." Pete pointed at the pack. "Does Karen have a calculator in there?"
Samuel stood up and looked inside of the bag as Pete rubbed his eyes.
"Tired, Grandfather?" Samuel asked him.
"Yeah. I've not been sleeping much." His phone alerted him to a text. "Ugh. Your Dad wants me to ring him when we're done here."
"Want some more tea?"
"Nah. I need to drink what I have here." Pete told him as he pointed his cuppa.
Samuel found the calculator and sat back at the notepad. "Okay. Drink tea and let me do these numbers."
Pete sat back and rubbed his face. "With pleasure."
As Samuel looked over his notes and worked the maths, Pete sipped his tea. "Karen here?"
"Yes, sir. She's sleeping." Samuel told him.
"Have you talked to her about this?"
"Nah. I wanted to have something, concrete to tell her." Samuel told him as he worked through the notes. He looked up, "Are all of the files here?"
"What are you missing?"
"I'm not certain. Let me see everything you have there."
Pete handed his grandson all of the files. Samuel looked over the papers inside and double checked his notes.
Pete rubbed the side of his head.
Samuel stopped and looked back at him. "Are you alright?"
"Just tired."
"Why aren't you sleeping?" Samuel asked him, forgetting the files and notes for the moment.
"Hell, I don't know. I've always had problems with it."
"Have you told Dad?"
"Nah. It's not really a big deal."
"How long ago was that concussion of yours?"
Pete grinned, "You know about that?"
"It has given you problems through the years." Samuel told him.
"Well, that's something to look forward to." Pete groaned.
Samuel chuckled. "Talk to Dad about it if it continues."
"Sure, Doc." Pete grinned.
Samuel went back to his work as Pete sipped his tea.
Karen walked into the room wearing Samuel's dressing gown over her pajamas.
Pete smiled and stood up, "And Karen's awake."
Samuel stood up and met her in the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around him and they held one another.
Samuel kissed her cheek and whispered, "Alright?"
She nodded that she was.
"Hungry?" He asked her quietly.
"Something smells so good." She told him.
He kissed her forehead, "Its Ratatouille that I made. Want some?"
"Maybe later." She told him.
He walked her over to the kitchen table.
She sat down and yawned.
Pete sat back down and smiled at her.
She returned his smile. "Hi, Pete."
"We haven't disturbed you down here, have we?" He asked.
She smiled and shook her head. "No. I didn't even realize you were here."
Samuel knelt beside of her. "Coffee? Toast? Something more?"
She closed her eyes and nodded. "Coffee. Toast. Yes."
Samuel kissed the side of her head and went to get it for her. "Anything, Grandfather?"
"Nah. I need to go and, well, let you lot be alone."
Karen rested her head on her hand. "It's nice to see you, Pete."
He smiled at her. "And you. Is Samuel behaving himself?"
She giggled as Samuel sat some toast and coffee in front of her. "Yes, sir. He's rather, amazing."
"He gets that from me." Pete smiled as he took off his glasses and slipped them in his pocket. "I'm going to Torchwood. So, ring me if you need anything."
Samuel rubbed Karen's back, "And hopefully sleeping for a bit."
Pete stood up and pulled his jacket off of the back of the chair, draping it over his arm. "I'll try."
Samuel smiled at him. "I'll give you a ring later with my answer."
Pete smiled proudly and shook his grandson's hand. "Whenever. If you find you need something I didn't bring, let me know. You seem to know all about this."
Samuel nodded. "Yes, sir. I'll be in touch."
Pete typed something in on his bracelet and popped away.
Samuel sat back with the notepad and files.
Karen asked. "He's going to sleep at Torchwood?"
Samuel returned to looking at the files. "All executive offices there have a small bedroom. He sleeps better there than at home."
"Why?"
"I think it's because he feels safer." He told her and looked back up from the files. "Are you alright? Need something more to eat?"
She shook her head. "This is fine."
"Sick?"
"No. The medicine is working. I'm okay."
He nodded and opened another file to look over the notes.
She sipped her coffee as she became more awake. "What is all of this?"
"Vitex." He told her as he opened another file and pushed it to see several files at the same time.
"Gosh. I forget he owns that. He's just…."
Samuel looked back at her. "He's just what?"
"Your Grandfather. That's just how I've started to see him."
Samuel smiled and sat back. "Good. That's how I prefer you see him. Just, mad old, Pete Tyler."
She giggled and sipped her coffee.
"How was he when I was gone?"
"So sweet. Such a nice man. Tony came to see me, everyday. And Pete was there almost everyday. He called me a lot. Told me if I needed anything, to tell him. He was very kind. Supportive."
Samuel nodded and went back to the files.
"So, why are you looking through Vitex files? Going to steal the formulas to his drinks?" She teased.
He laughed. "No. I'm thinking about buying it from him."
"You're what?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Oh, I borrowed your notepad and such. I hope that's alright."
"Yes, of course. That's fine. You are buying Vitex?"
"Well, I'm thinking about it. He wants me to talk to you about it. So, when you're properly awake-"
"I'm there." She insisted. "How are you buying a huge company like that?"
He sat back and rubbed his chest.
She pointed at him. "Okay. Stop. First things first. What's with your chest?"
"What?" He asked.
"Is your chest hurting?"
"No. Would you stop worrying about me?"
"Then, explain the chest-"
"It's hair growing back. It tickles."
She smiled. "Tickles?"
"As much as when you…do that thing."
"Knob polishing? Is that what you called it?"
He blushed and rubbed the side of his head. "You have no idea how much that tickles."
She giggled. "And you're blushing."
He dropped his hand on the table and smiled. "You are…impossible."
She laughed. "Thank you for letting me sleep."
"You needed to sleep. Especially, after all of that. How do you feel? Really?"
She pulled apart the toast and smiled. "I'm alright. I needed to get up. How are you awake after staying up all night, for the third night in a row?"
He ran his hand through his hair. "I figure I slept the entire time I was gone. I'm due a few sleepless nights. But, you don't have to stay up with me."
She grinned at him. "Maybe, I like it."
He smiled at her. "Oh, I don't question that at all. I know you do."
She laughed. "So, back to Vitex. Explain this to me."
"Well, I have given him something. Something valuable. And he wants to, reduce his responsibilities. He's looking to retire. His other company he shares with my Dad, is making a lot more money than Vitex. Plus, he just isn't giving it the attention it needs. Between that, and Torchwood, and the football club, he wants to step back from some of this."
"What did you give him that was valuable?"
He leaned on the table and propped his head on his fist. "Maybe the less you know, the better."
"The stock numbers."
He looked surprised. "How do you know about that?"
She sighed and sat back. "I'm sorry, Samuel. But, when you were gone….I went through your wallet. I found those letters. I really feel like, I've intruded a bit. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I don't mind." He took her hand and kissed it. "Did you read them all?"
"No. Just that first one. It was, comforting. I told Arles that I had read a letter from you, to you, and that's when we knew you were coming back. For sure. It made us both feel better."
He nodded. "So, he read them, too?"
"No. I'm the only one that saw them. But, I only read that first letter."
He sat back and scratched his chest again. "I was given those a few days after we crashed here. They are supposed to be from my Mum. But, I haven't read but the first one."
"Why not?" She asked and sipped her coffee.
He shook his head. "I don't know. I suppose I'm...well, how would you react to getting a letter from your future self?"
"Things I never thought I would ever think about."
"Madness, isn't it?" He told her. "But, I've decided that I don't want to read the other pages."
"Samuel-"
"No. I really don't. Arles hasn't read his and told me he doesn't intend to."
"There is a reason that that information is in those letters. You should read them."
He sighed and tapped the pen on the notebook. "Is that what you think?"
"Look, I'm not arguing about this-"
"I'm not arguing-"
"Okay. Anyway. So, you have given your Grandfather this….valuable information."
"Yes. And it's top secret, so-" He tapped his lips. "Mum's the word."
"And, he wants to give you this company."
"And there are problems with that. So, we need to chat before I give him my answer."
She sipped her coffee. "Okay, I'm fully awake. What is the problem?"
"Problems. More than one." He told her as he tossed his pen on the notepad and rested his hands on the top of his head. "First. There is a fiscal deficit, well, with all of the files I have here, of about $28 billion."
"Well, that's that. There's no way we can afford that-"
"No, I have that sorted. That's to be expected, too. He's not given it the attention it needs. Marketing, new flavors, that sort of thing. It can be rebounded quickly. That's not a big deal. Pennies."
She opened her eyes wide in shock. "Pennies?"
"Yeah." He nodded. "But, that's the problem. I would have to give this some attention. I want to bring Arles in to help me."
"Not Tony Tyler?"
"Nah. He told his Dad he didn't want anything to do with it. He felt it was a way of Pete anchoring him to Earth. Grandfather asked if it was alright to offer it to me. And well, there were some harsh words spoken."
"Would Tony be angry with you?"
"No. I've already spoken to him about it. He told me, 'Good Luck.' He wants nothing to do with it. It's hard for him to be around his Dad. Especially, right now."
She nodded. "Well, I'm not getting into that."
"Probably for the best." Samuel insisted. "So, that's problem Number One. It would be something that takes some time away from you."
"How much time?"
"I'm not sure. But, that's the reason it's a problem."
"We don't always have to be together, Samuel."
"Yeah, but with you…and the Blueberry. I don't feel right about being away too much."
"I'm sleeping all of the time right now."
He nodded. "Well, that's true."
"There's no reason for you to put your life on hold because I'm asleep."
"Okay."
She nodded. "The other problems."
"Thing Number Two. This will probably toss us right into the spotlight."
"The new mystery owner of Vitex? Probably so." She crossed her arms. "Doctor Samuel Peter-"
He shook his head. "Nah. I got my new identification today."
He pulled out his wallet and took out the driver's license. He handed it to her. "I'm now Doctor Samuel Alan Bennett of Malibu, California."
She smiled at the license. "And you're 26 years old."
"That was Grandfather's idea. Solves a few problems."
She handed it back to him. "Alan?"
"My Grandfather's middle name is Alan. Now, the other Samuel is free to use that entire, terrible name."
She teased, "Not Angus?"
He laughed, "Forgive me, but no."
She laughed and sipped her coffee again. "You're forgiven. So, we'd be pushed in the spotlight."
He sat his wallet on the table and ran his hand through his hair. "Yeah. Just like I am at home. Well, I suppose this is really home."
She nodded. "Well, what do you want to do?"
"I would like to help him out. This would be a way to do that. Make some money that no one would really question where it came from."
"So, teaching isn't for you?"
"No, I'll still have to do that. I promised Genie."
"So, running a huge company. Putting it back on the right path. Teaching. Being husband and father. Is that everything?"
He nodded. "Yeah. And helping you with your dig. When do you want to do that?"
She sighed. "I have no idea."
"Want to wait until after the baby is born?"
"I want to wait until I feel better. I really think it will only take about three weeks."
He nodded. "Okay. Well, you won't be as exhausted in a few weeks. Well, normally that's the case."
She grinned, "And I'll just drink Vitex to feel better."
"I'd rather you never drink that stuff." He told her. "It's so bad for you."
"Have you ever drunk it?"
"Never. Dad didn't allow us to drink it. Rather ironic, huh?"
She rolled her eyes. "Samuel, you are impossible."
He laughed and went back to his notes. "So, looking at the numbers, I could recover this. Get it back on the right track, and make a bit of money. Then, in about…oh….about the time the Blueberry is here, we could reinvest in something else. Like, what would you have in mind?"
She grinned. "Samuel. I've never done anything like that. I've never known anyone who did. I'd be lying if I told you I fully understood all of that."
He tapped the notepad again. "That's alright. That's for me to understand. So, the problems. Your thoughts?"
"Could you purchase it and remain unknown? I know you have enjoyed being….'normal'."
He sighed. "I don't think so. Everyone in the world knows that Rose Tyler is the Vitex Heiress. That not happening is going to affect the stock prices tremendously. Be headline news for sure. And as far in Mum's business as they are, they will really get into ours."
She sat her coffee down and picked back up his wallet. She opened it to find the letters folded inside and handed them to him. "I believe you should make this decision after you have read these."
He groaned. "I don't want to read them."
"Yeah, well. I think it's a good idea to make an informed decision with something this big. If there is something in those letters that is about this, then you should know."
He tapped the letters on the table and sighed. "What if there isn't?"
"Then you'll know! But, I want all of the cards on the table before I give a final answer."
He sat back and groaned. "Damn it. Alright, fine. But, don't go anywhere."
She sipped her coffee, "I'm right here."
He unfolded the papers and re-read the first page again aloud to her. She held his hand and the feeling of comfort seemed to bleed into him.
When he finished, he looked up at her.
"And the next page. I'm right here, Samuel."
He sighed and closed his eyes as he laid the first page on the table. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes to the second letter. As soon as he saw the handwriting, he smiled. "It's from you."
"Is it?" She held her hand out, and he was happy to give it to her. She read it aloud.
Dearest beloved,
Well, there you are. Probably sitting there looking very handsome and scratching your chest.
He laughed as he stopped scratching his chest, "Yeah, that's not strange at all."
She giggled and continued.
First of all, your chest. It will continue to itch as long as you wear certain fabrics from Earth. So, take yourself to Plentitude and go shopping.
"It's never done that before." He told her.
She looked up at him. "Maybe, it's something from this time."
"Maybe." He teased, "This is totally a letter from you. Go shopping."
She smiled, took his hand, and continued.
You, are changing, but know that you are always the same wonderful man who I love more than anything. Don't be frightened and know that you can talk to me about all of these odd things that are happening. I'm not going to run away in fear of anything you say. You need me, as much as I need you. I'm not sure when I'll read this letter but know that I am always, here for you.
She looked up at him. "What am I referring to here?"
He looked shocked. "Umm."
She began to read the letter again.
Samuel. You will be the reason Rose finally accepts who she is. And you'll have to be-
Samuel put his hand on the letter and Karen laid it on the table. "What is it?"
"I can't hear the rest of this. Not right now."
She took his hand. "Samuel. Maybe you should."
He shook his head and asked her quietly. "No. Please. Don't make me. Not just now."
She nodded her head and folded the paper back on itself. "Okay."
Samuel saw a bit of blue crayon on the back of the page that she read. He quickly reached out and took the paper from her. He turned it over and smiled at the drawing that looked like it was done by a small child. He sat it in front of himself and looked it over. Karen noticed tears formed in his eyes.
"Who is that from?"
He didn't look up. "Caroline. See, she's written her name just here."
Karen waited until Samuel looked back at her. He took a deep breath to steady himself and pushed the paper to her. She saw a drawing that had been done with a blue crayon. It had hearts and said, 'Sam', 'Karen', and 'Caroline.'
"Caroline is three years old. Nearly four. She's just beginning to write." He explained.
"Who is she?" Karen asked. "Ours?"
He laughed, "No. She's my little sister."
Karen took his hand.
"When we crashed here, we all promised one another that we wouldn't mention her to one another. Or anyone in the family, but I feel you should know. Mum and Dad were so sure that they couldn't have any more children. She was rather a surprise."
Karen smiled. "What is she like?"
He wiped his eyes, "Oh, she is very sweet. Playful. Clever. Dad teases that she's his favorite child, but Genie and I know that it's really Arles."
Karen laughed.
"She has this, pet. From Tugantu that looks like a ferret. She carries it around like a rag doll, and he just allows it. It's very cute."
"You want a girl, because you miss her." She smiled.
"I want a healthy baby. I'm just more familiar with a little girl, because of her. Caroline, what with her mad, curls from Dad, determination from Mum, ginger hair from our Grandfather and Jackie Tyler's temper. I find that I miss her more than I probably miss anyone."
Karen held his hand tighter. "Caroline? Like the President's wife."
"Well, if I'm telling you everything, I should….well. Tell you everything. But, you know not to tell anyone. Not even Dad."
"Of course."
He nodded. "Caroline Shepherd died. Massive heart attack. No one saw it coming. I honestly don't remember her. So, apparently it happens rather soon. I've spoken to Dad about it, but didn't get to specific."
"I understand."
"She was named after her. Caroline Jacqueline Harriet Tyler-Smith. See? Terrible names aren't just put on the son."
"That you completely changed." She smiled.
He nodded. "Yeah."
She put the pages together and refolded them. "So, instead of having all of our cards on the table then?"
She handed him the folded pages. Just as he slipped them back into his wallet, he stopped and pulled them back out.
"What is it?" She asked.
He turned over one of the pages and written on the back of the folds was Samuel's handwriting.
Thank you, Karen. And go ahead and say 'yes' to the Vitex thing.
Karen shook her head. "I'll never get used to this. And I'm not saying yes with your handwriting."
He laughed and put the papers into his wallet. "Why?"
"Because, it appears that you will have to depend on someone else's decision in addition to mine."
"Who is that?"
She sipped her coffee and smiled. "Your 'One'."
Samuel grinned and pulled his phone out of his pocket. "That's true. Thank you. I'll ring him now."
She stood up, "Alright. Well, I'm going to take a quick shower and try to get more awake. Oh, ummm. Mom wanted to know if we wanted to do dinner with them tonight?"
"It's nearly time for that now. Well, in Florida."
She rubbed her face. "Right."
"How about here?"
"Here?"
"Yeah. They can see the new place. You can talk to your Dad."
She groaned. "Samuel…"
"Deployment. Think about this. This baby will be here before he returns."
"I'm going to take a shower. Call Arles." She turned and walked out of the kitchen.
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