Chapter 15 Kami's Uncle

The ladies stood up from their breakfast table at the restaurant in their hotel as they prepared to leave. They planned on having a leisurely stroll up The Mall, with a detour into St James Park, then up to Buckingham Place to see the Changing of the Guards. Kami felt as excited as Hildy on this trip because she was enjoying London through her lover's eyes. Everything looked new and interesting. Buildings and traditions that she grew up taking for granted, she now had a fresh appreciation for.

The morning was sunny with a little coolness in the air. It was perfect weather for leisurely walking and that is what the ladies did. They walked arm in arm without a care in the world and they crisscrossed through several streets with Kami leading the way up The Mall to St James Park. When they arrived there, they were surprised at the number of persons who, like them were just casually walking around. Kami laughed as she commented; "Looks like someone sent out a memo today for folks to take the morning off work in favour of taking a stroll in the park", Kami joked as she looked at folks milling around.

"It too nice a morning to be stuck in an office somewhere", Hildy agreed as she lead them to a bench near the pond where the ducks and swans moving gracefully on the water. Hildy wrapped her arms around her lady, pulling her close into her side.

"Kams, thank you so much for these past few days. I knew I would enjoy my time in London with you, my love, because anywhere with you is a happy place. But I did not expect to enjoy being around so much history, so much tradition. This city is like a kind of link, you know….. it is like a bridge to the past. In understanding the history behind the buildings, it helps us understand why things are the way they are".

Kami pulled back and looked at her lover with a gentle teasing smile on her face as she asked;

"Are you are getting philosophical on me there, sweetheart?" Hildy chuckled as she placed a kiss on her lady's cheek.

"I feel philosophical, I feel ….. just … happy". Looking at Kami in her eyes she asked her, "Do I sound sappy?"

Smiling at her lady, Kami shook her head before saying "You sound like a woman who is happy enjoying her vacation time here. Thank you, Hills, for being in my life", Kami said as her face took on a serious look.

"I know I tell you I love you often but I want you to know that besides loving you, I am thankful to God and to you for being here. Not here in London, even though I am thankful for that, but I mean here in my life. When I think back to my life before you entered it, I was so lonely. I went about my day to day living, striving to be the best in my field. But at the end of the day there was a loneliness that I learned to live with because there was no alternative. However, from the moment I spoke to you on the phone when Trevor gave you my number, I was intrigued, my curiosity was piqued and I wanted to meet you. I never looked back since then".

Hildy mirrored her fiancé's mood as she also remembered when they met. "When I made the call to you that first time, and heard your British accent and the intonation of your voice Kami, something affected me. I knew I wanted to meet you. I don't think I ever told you this, but I tried on several outfits the following morning before coming to my office for your interview", Hildy confessed with a chuckle.

Kami looked at her with wide eyes as she too chuckled, "I did not know that. Well seeing as we are confessing, I also admit that I took a bit more care with my hair and making sure my outfit looked professional and yet still not too businesslike. I wanted to make a good impression on you Hildy. To be honest at that time, Terry was the least of my concern when I entered the office. But I realized I may have been a little over confident when he almost shot me down for proposing I buy part of the firm". Kami's face looked somber as she remembered how upset Terry became.

Hildy kissed her lover once more and hugged her. "The firm was like Terry's baby Kami, and when you offered to buy a part, it felt as if his child was being taken from him. His reaction was understandable under the circumstances. But thank God, he was able to see reason, and he is now one of our biggest allies, he is brother to both of us".

"Yes, as the old saying goes…. all's well that ends well", Kami added before leaning on Hildy. They stayed like that for awhile before Kami stood up, reminding Hildy that they had to begin walking towards Buckingham Palace if they wanted to get a good spot to see the changing of the guards.

The next hour was spent witnessing the event that always drew a crowd. The ladies were able to secure a good vantage point that afforded them a clear view of the changing of the guards. The pomp and ceremony was spectacular to watch, and the ladies along with the rest of the tourist all around them had a wonderful time.

The couple decided to take a bus ride around the city on one of the iconic London Red Double Decker Buses after witnessing the Changing of The Guards.

"Hildy, is there anything in particular you want us to do this afternoon? So far, I haven't given you much chance to set the agenda, have I?"

"You have made my trip here so memorable sweetheart that you can continue setting the agenda as you call it", her fiancé replied with a smile. "I am fully in your hands love, whatever you have planned is fine with me".

"Well, then how about we visit the Tower of London, then we can have a late lunch and then play it by ear?"

"Sounds good to me", Hildy said, and that is what they did. For the next couple hours, the ladies spend more time walking through the annals of British history as they both examined the instruments of torture and imagined what it was like to live in the era when the Tower was actively used.

The ladies left the Tower with a greater appreciation for the rights and freedoms of the times they live in. In an effort to lighten the mood, they went to an airy road side café, had a small salad for lunch then continued walking and exploring more cheerful sights.

Eventually they made their way to the Palace of Westminster, and Hildy asked if tourists were allowed inside. Kami explained that anyone could enter because Westminster was where Parliament was held, and as such, members of the public had the right to witness sessions if they wanted to.

Seeing that Hildy was curious about Westminster Palace, Kami lead the way right inside. As luck would have it there was a Bill being debated by the House of Lords and the ladies quietly made their way to one of the seats to the rear of the public gallery.

The Lord Speaker of the House of Lords, was responding to something one the Lords said before the ladies entered the public gallery. When he was finished a gentleman stood up and continued his rebuttal to the Bill being debated.

As Hildy looked at the man, she found that there was something very familiar about him. It was as if he reminded her of someone but she could not put her finger on it.

Speaking in the softest whisper she could manage Hildy asked; "Hey, Kams, do you find there is something familiar about that Lord guy? He is reminding me of someone but I am not sure who?" When she did not get a response from her lover Hildy turned to look at her.

Kami sat there with a look of disbelief on her face with her lips slightly opened. Hildy immediately realized something was wrong and turned fully to face her lady as she reached out and took her hand in hers.

"Kami, what is it? What is wrong?" Kami kept staring at the man making his presentation.

Hildy squeezed her hand and asked again "Kami, what is wrong?"

Finally, Kami pulled her eyes from the man and looked at Hildy. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out, she then softly cleared her throat before whispering;

"I think he is my father's older brother, Lord Harrison Keefer", Kami shared as she turned to look back at Lord Keefer.