Steele Dreaming

by Tanya Reed

Disclaimer: Remington Steele doesn't belong to me.

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"Here we are, sir," Fred said, turning around.

In the back of the limo sat three people. Laura was on one side, Remington was on the other, and in the middle of them sat Grace. She was dressed in her best dress, with her black hair caught up and tamed into one long braid down her back. Her little hand was nervously clutching her mother's.

Both doors of the limo opened. Remington got out of one side, and Laura and Grace got out of the other. The doors clunked shut in unison, and Remington went around the car to join his wife and daughter.

"This is it?" Grace asked, staring at the big building in front of her.

"This is it," Remington confirmed, and the three of them started up the steps.

Remington and Grace chatted as they entered the building, his rich accent and her childish softness mingling together and sounding almost musical. They talked about several things, but Laura remained strangely silent.

The Steeles walked down several corridors before stopping in front of a forbidding looking door. It was painted a deep navy, and there was a window up too high for Grace to see through. For a moment, her courage faltered.

"I'm going to like it here, right, Mom?" Grace said, not sounding very sure.

Laura let go of the little girl's hand and knelt before her with a smile on her face. "Of course you will, sweetheart."

Grace reached out with her now freed hand and touched her mother's face. "You look sad, Mommy."

Laura chuckled. "I'm not sad, just proud of my big girl. You be good today…"

"…And don't use any of your mother's or Aunt Mildred's colorful vocabulary," Remington added with a crooked smile.

Grace giggled. "You mean like: 'You slimy dirtbag'?"

Laura reached out and tapped the little girl on the end of her nose. "Exactly. And remember to have fun."

"I will." Grace hugged her.

Remington opened the big, blue door. Squealing and laughing could be heard as a room full of hyperactive children was revealed behind it.

The only adult in the room turned as she heard the door.

"Mr. and Mrs. Steele. This must be Grace."

Grace nodded.

"Come in and join the fun."

Grace looked at Laura who signaled her to go. The teacher took a hold of Grace's hand and brought her to be introduced to the rest of the children. Laura watched, sadness and nostalgia racing through her. It seemed like only yesterday that Remington had laid Grace in her arms for the first time Her children were growing up so fast. She wished there was some way that she could hold on to time and remain forever in the happy present.

Her thoughts were broken by her husband's hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, seeing sympathy in his eyes. Without speaking, the two of them turned and left the room, closing the door behind them. It was time to go to work.