Chapter 9

Breakfast was a quiet affair, the adults all lost in their own thoughts. Kate had immediately noticed Evelyn's red eyes when she walked into the room, but it wasn't until they were cleaning up that she was able to ask her friend if anything was wrong.

Evelyn smiled. "No, nothing's wrong," she told her.

Kate looked at her skeptically. "Ev, your eyes are puffy and bright red...you've been crying. Are you sure that you're okay?"

Spontaneously Evelyn hugged her. "I'm fine. Thank you for caring. Rafe and I had a talk....and things are fine now." She grinned and shrugged her shoulders. "Or they will be soon, now that he's finally opened up."

"He did?" Kate asked, her eyes wide with shock.

Evelyn nodded. "He did. It wasn't easy, and my nerves feel streched and raw, but we finally talked. I finally know what's going on in that stubborn head of his."

"It's about time," Kate said. Reaching out a hand, she gave Evelyn's arm a squeeze. "I'm glad, Ev. I'm really, really glad."

"I'm going to miss you," Evelyn said, once again hugging her. "What will I do without you?"

Kate felt her eyes begin to well with tears. "I'm going to miss you too," she whispered hoarsely. "You are the best friend that I've ever had....my new sister."

Evelyn laughed, her voice dewy with tears too. "Well, you make sure to write me...and call if you can."

"I will," Kate replied, pulling away. "About last night..." she began, her face flushing slightly. "I'm really sorry about my...mother and sister. I'd like to say that they usually aren't that bad....but I'd be lieing."

"It's okay," Evelyn said, smiling at Kate's honesty. "They weren't that bad." Kate raised an eyebrow, amused. Evelyn laughed softly. "Okay, they were that bad...but it's still okay. You're family. You're what counts...not them."

"Thanks," Kate responded shyly.

"Evelyn," Rafe's said, startling them both. "You have to let her leave before you can miss her," he joked, walking over to them. "And we are going to miss you," he said to Kate, giving her a hug. "You take care of him, you hear?" he told her. "He'll probably try to study himself to death...reading and writing all the time. Make sure he gets some play time in too." He winked at her and Kate blushed. "And take care of yourself and those kids....I think I'm going to miss them as much as Danny is!"

Kate laughed, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I'll do my best," she promised, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "And you take care too."

"I will," he told her, giving her one last squeeze. "I will."

"Kate," Danny said, from his vantage point on the porch. "It's time to go. Sam's already asleep in the car...we can get a couple hours of driving in before he wakes up."

"Yeah, okay," she replied, wiping her tears. Smiling over at Evelyn, she followed Danny outside, Rafe and Evelyn just behind her.

They stood for a moment, watching Grace and Danny run around the yard. Danny looked over at Rafe. "Well, I guess this is it," he said. "It seems strange to be leaving...I spent so much time trying to get here."

"Yeah, well," Rafe said, hugging his friend and patting him on the back, "This time you're coming back soon. Take care of yourself Danny. Don't study too hard."

Danny grinned, shrugging self consciously. "You know me," he offered.

"Yeah, I do," Rafe smirked. "So don't wear yourself out....I'm sure Kate and Grace will keep you in line."

Danny smiled over at his wife. "I'm sure they will." Turning to Evelyn, Danny paused awkwardly. "Bye Ev," he told her.

Without hesitation Evelyn moved to embrace him. "Good-bye Danny." She kissed him on the cheek. "Take care of yourself." Letting go, Evelyn moved back to Rafe's side, nestling against him as he threw an arm around her shoulders.

"I will," Danny said with a small grin. He had noticed her eyes earlier, but he had also noticed the lack of tension in Rafe. He'd have to ask Kate what exactly had happened, but he had the feeling that Rafe had finally decided to talk to Evelyn. "You take care, too."

"Write to us," Evelyn ordered.

"I will," Danny nodded. Looking out over the yard, Danny spotted Grace moving for the chicken coop. "Grace!" he called, arresting her stealthy movements instantly. "It's time to go. Come say good bye to Uncle Rafe and Aunt Evelyn."

Reluctantly, Grace walked slowly over to the group of adults, kicking up as much dirt as possible along the way, Danny behind her, mimicking her movements. "I don' wanna go," she pouted. "I wanna stay."

Danny squatted down in front of her, gently brushing her long hair behind her ear. "I know sweetheart, but we have to go. We'll be back for Christmas...that's not too far away. And in a couple years we'll live in that big house we looked at last week. You can visit here everyday."

"I wanna stay," she said sulkily, toeing the dirt.

"I know," Danny smiled, "But we have to go. Now give Uncle Rafe a kiss good bye. I have a feeling he's going to miss you a lot." Turning her gently, he gave her a little push in Rafe's direction, but she didn't need much help as she launched herself into her Uncle's arms.

Danny turned to look at little Danny, who was staring forlornly at Grace. "Hey Danny," he said softly, "How about a hug goodbye from you?" he asked. Little Danny nodded, walking into Danny's open arms. Danny stood up, holding him close and pressing his nose against his son's hair - wanting to remember the feel of his little body in his arms. "Now, you take care of your mama, for me. Don't bother the chickens to much...and make sure that your daddy doesn't hurt the plane, okay? You watch him real close..." Little Danny nodded solemnly. "I'm going to miss you," Danny said, his heart tightening. Before he lost total control, Danny handed the little boy to Kate. He was thankful that Rafe's attention was focused on Grace. His eyes met Evelyn's briefly. She smiled reassuringly at him, knowing how hard it was for him to say good bye to little Danny.

All their good byes said, Kate and Danny got into the car after placing Grace in the back seat next to the sleeping Sam. Rolling down his window, Danny looked at his friends as he started the car. He smiled. "See you in December."

Rafe bent to pick up little Danny who was tugging on his pant leg. "Yeah, December," he agreed. "But don't forget to write!"

"I won't," Danny said. "We'll be expecting some letters from you too, you know."

"That's Evelyn's department," Rafe told him with a grin.

Danny laughed. "See you Rafe."

"Take care, Danny," Rafe replied, waving a hand as the car pulled out of the yard and onto the drive. "Good luck," he said softly to the retreating car.