SNOWSWEPT

by CuddleFae

Dr. Lauren Lewis has been assigned to oversee the opening of a new hospital. Overwhelmed by all there is to know and learn in an unfamiliar land, she crosses paths with a mysterious woman with a dark past - a past that has caused her to live by one rule. Trust no one. Thrown into a desperate struggle, can they overcome the barriers between them in their fight to survive?

54. Chapter 54: The Big City

A/N: FIRST chapter of another double chapter post – Chapters 54-55

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CHAPTER 54: THE BIG CITY

THE BEACH HOUSE

Most of the family had gathered for Mary's sand pottery class. Bo loved seeing everyone's enthusiasm and it gave her an idea about talking to her mom about doing this at home. With the tourist seasons each spring and summer, it might be something that they could sell to the cruise lines, giving another reason for them to come and spend their money in their fair town.

"So, you each have your own fire or what you might call a mini-kiln here in the Lower Forty-Eight. We want that fire to be nice and hot, so keep feeding it and be sure the tin box is pushed well into the ground so that if the wind kicks up, you don't set anyone on fire."

Everyone laughed, including Bo. It was nice to see her mom relaxed like this. She didn't recall a time when she was this light-hearted. The vacation had been good for her. She wondered what she was thinking about their next destination. In fact, she was surprised Lauren hadn't asked many questions yet. Had she overheard something or found her travel documents?

"Okay, so I've taken the liberty of giving each of you a paperbag with sifted finely ground sand courtesy of my helper and artistic soulmate, Ronnie."

Bev laughed, "Hands off, Mary! She's mine!"

Mary grinned, "Rest assured I want only her art, Child. Now, you have a screen, courtesy of Lauren's window repairman who forgot to throw away her old ones. You have a small bottle of water so you can keep your fingers moist as you work with the clay and finally, you have sandy clay from beneath the soil in Lauren's garden. Anyone missing anything?"

"Nope!" Rudy and Elise said in unison, "Well, we don't have our fires."

Bo nodded, "You two are going to use our fires."

"Is that because I set the tarp on fire last week?" Elise asked.

"Yes," Bo said, matter-of-factly.

"Aw, darn it!" Elise said, lowering her head, but Rudy leaned over, a big smile on her face, "They just want to watch us at their fires. We'll still get to put our pottery in the fire. It's okay. They just want to make sure we're safe."

Elise looked up at Bo who nodded and smiled. The youngster's eyes lit up at the sight of Bo's approval. She turned her attention back to Mary who continued,

"Okay, so here we go. First, just run your fingers through the clay and sand powders, making sure that there are no rocks, sticks or clumps. We tried to remove everything, but it's important to be sure nothing will cause the pot to crack."

They watched as the group sifted through their bags, "Okay, now we're going to grind the two materials down even finer than they already are. You have a flat piece of slate in front of you and a rock that is flat on at least one side. Using a pressing and twisting motion, you're going to grind the clay into a very fine powder."

They all watched what Mary was doing and then set to work doing the same. After about ten minutes, everyone had their two powders out on their slate platform, so Mary continued,

"Now, you're going to pour just a small bit of water into the bottom of your hand and work it into the powders, pulling the two elements together. As you work the sand and clay, it will begin to form into a solid. When it does, pinch off a small clump such as this," she held up a sample, "then roll it out, as my daughter would say, hot dog style but much longer than the bun."

Mary turned her attention to her youngest daughter, giving her a wink. Rudy smiled back brightly before turning back to her clay.

"Now, on the slate, use your long hot dog to make a circle, closing the ends with water. Don't thin out the spot where the two ends are meeting but make any seams completely invisible by dragging your fingers gently across the seam. When you heat the finished pot, any openings or holes could cause your pot to explode under the intense fire of the kiln."

She held up her piece of slate for everyone to see, "I'm going for a bowl that would be enough for a stew or soup or oatmeal in the morning. Now, I need a bottom for the base, so I want that base to be just a bit wider in circumference to the ring you just put down. Flatten out a circle, no thinner than a half inch."

She watched everyone work, then continued with her demonstration,

"Now, I'm going to lift my ring onto the base and use the excess, adding water, to meld the bottom and the ring to make the first side wall. Bo and I will come around and check your work. After you do this, you will make another ring and another and another, adding each to the top, melding them together as you make the base and first part of the side wall until your bowl is the height you wish it to be."

She gave Bo a nod, the two walking around the group, helping anyone who was struggling occasionally giving the group as a whole instructions,

"Be easy with your pressure. You don't want to break the shape of your bowl. Think of this as finger painting the bowl with water, smoothing the outside and inside surfaces as much as possible as you work, drawing clay across the seams to close them."

When everyone's bowl was complete, Mary moved back to her demonstration piece,

"Okay. Now we're going to surround the walls of our creation with the medium-sized rocks that are squarer in shape. If you wish, you can allow the bowl to sit in this position for twenty-four hours. However, to speed up our process today, we're going to put the slate atop the fire and allow it to dry out on the slate. Then, we'll come back to sand the edges down to make it smooth. For this step, you can use a store-bought item such as steel wool or you can use something as simple as a sea shell or a flat rock."

She looked at Bo who smiled and nodded, "After the rough sanding, you'll use something soft like cheesecloth or even a rough leaf to sand it down even more smoothly. At this point, you can also finger paint again to press down any raised area into smaller cracks or holes that are revealed during the drying process."

"The pot will be fired for a day or two, assuring it is set firmly. We will be doing that in one large fire that we'll take turns feeding. If you wish to paint your bowl, Ronnie has offered paints for you to do so on Sunday."

Bo smiled, "Any questions?"

Seeing there were none, Mary smiled, "Okay then. Slates into the kilns. Rudy and Elise, bring yours up to our fires. Then we're going to go over for Ysabeau's pit fire cooking lesson."

"Yes! Food!" Rudy shouted, hurrying to Bo's kiln as everyone followed Mary's directions.

"Slow down, Roo. Patience and thinking before you act."

Rudy stopped, her eyes set on her sister's, then on her bowl, "I have to be careful, so it doesn't break."

Bo nodded, watching as Rudy carefully slid the piece of slate part way in. She stopped when she felt the heat,

"Can you help me, Sister? It's really hot."

Bo smiled and nodded, sliding her sister's work into the fire, "Okay, Roo. All good. Now, are you going to help me with my pit fire demonstration?"

"I can?"

"Of course! You're my sous chef, right?"

"Right!" Rudy said, "I still don't understand why you call me that. Was that a calendar word?"

Bo took Rudy's hand, walking her over to the big fire, "Kenzi taught me that word. In her kitchen at the hotel, there's a head chef and their assistant, called the sous chef."

"Oh! I get it. So, you're the head chef and I'm the soup chef!"

Bo chuckled, shaking her head, "Not soup, sous. It's a french word."

"I have a girl in my class named Sue. Well, we actually call her Susie."

"Same pronunciation, different spelling."

Rudy looked down at the fire, "Where's the pit?"

Bo smiled, "Right next to the fire. Sand blows around, so it's harder to know where you dug, eh?"

"I know what to do," she smiled, lowering herself to the ground. She crawled along the sand as Bo watched, grinning at her little sister feeling the sand until finally, after about three minutes, she found the warm spot

"Here! Here! It's here!"

Bo nodded, "You're absolutely right, Roo. That's the pit."

"But how did you know? Didn't Mom dig it?"

Bo smiled, "She did, but she also said it was straight out from the last kitchen window and next to the fire."

Rudy looked over her shoulder, seeing the window, then to her left where she saw the fire, "Oh."

"Ready to dig?" she asked.

Rudy nodded, "But aren't they gonna cook?"

Bo smiled, "Yup. But they'll eat what's in the pit for an appetizer while they dig their pits and cook the rest of the meal."

"Oh! Cool!" she said, "I'll start digging."

Mary walked up to the fire, "They're all ready. Roo? Do you want help, Child?"

"Yes, please."

Bo gave her mom a nod and then turned to her family and friends who were seated in a large semi-circle around the fire,

"Okay everyone, fire pit cooking 101. This is a common way of cooking in many island nations as well as in my family. Because I grew up on the North Slope where the temperatures loitered between minus forty-five and minus sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit during the winters, cooking above ground was difficult. So, we would dig down into the permafrost where the ice would insulate the pit and cover it so we could use it over and over again."

She looked at Alicia, "Since we lived on the water and also had a lake nearby, we could ice fish, then carry a fish right to the pit."

"Ice fish on the ocean?" Alicia asked.

Bo nodded, "The shallows freeze in those temperatures, so you walk out, drill a hole and drop in your line."

Mary walked up behind Bo, "It's a tedious way to fish which is why we tend to stock our cache with fish for the winter. Each family here catches roughly two to three hundred salmon for winter. If you live in a village, law allows the village to take two whales per year. All parts of the mammal are used. Its skin, its bones, its blubber, its oils and its meat. The captain of the boat decides who gets what parts of the whale. The higher your rank on the ship and in the community, the better the cuts of meat you are offered."

Bo nodded, "Now that we've moved south and into an area where there is more snow and less ice, temperatures and snow accumulations will vary. The Homestead is located on a glacial river where salmon, trout and bass are always just a cast away. We make our fire and dig our pit in the sand outside of our yard so it's pretty similar to this set up. Our sand is just much colder so we have to dig a little deeper to get proper insulation."

Alicia raised her hand, "Insulation?"

Bo looked at her wife, "Lauren? Can you use that kitchen stove analogy?"

Lauren stood and turned to face the group, "We use a wood-fed stove. It took me forever to know how long to cook things and how to judge the temperature by the height of the flames and the glow of the coals. Here, you turn on the oven and set the temperature to bake, broil, roast or whatever. Temperature of your cook is important and to maintain that in the ground, you have to have a well-insulated pit."

She turned an Adirondack chair on its' side, "Now, let's say that the top slat of the chair is the surface. Each slat that you dig down, the ground gets cooler, so you don't want to go too deep, but too shallow and it won't hold temperature. A pit about twelve to eighteen inches deep should do it for our cook in this part of the world at this time of year. Any questions?"

Bo could see Alicia feverishly taking notes. She smiled and walked to her, leaning down to whisper, "I'll give you the notes later. For now, just think about being my sous chef and learn the way they learn."

Alicia smiled and nodded as Bo returned to the fire,

"Okay, so if you look over at Rudy and our mom, you'll see that they are lifting large sacks of burlap out of the pit that they dug earlier. Inside are the crabs the gentlemen pulled from Lauren's traps today. Patrick did the seasoning," she turned to Patrick who was sitting with Jake, waving to the group, "A round of applause for our chef, please."

Everyone clapped before Bo continued, "Now, these cooked for about thirty minutes. If you get a partner, have one person go to the pit and pick up one of the sacs, then we'll explain further."

Bo waited, smiling when Lauren brought a sack over to share with her,

"Now, Lauren will open ours. First, the outer layer is burlap. The package will get warmer as you go through the layers so be careful. After you unwrap the burlap, you'll find another layer of burlap, then a layer of foil. To avoid using any of this and ending up with trash, you can buy a cast iron pot instead. We have several of different sizes at home."

"Now, be careful when you open the foil. There will be a lot of hot steam inside, so release the steam carefully by opening just one flap," Lauren released the steam, "Now, pull it all back carefully and you'll see a lemon and the seasons. Patrick tells me that all of the lemon juice and seasonings should have made their way into the meat to give you moist, tasty crab."

She stepped back towards the group, holding up her hands, "Now, for those of you that are from The Cape, those of us from the North would appreciate a lesson in eating these apparently tasty little creatures. So, if you would split up and give lessons, we'll get to the pit demo and start our dinner."

Lauren showed Bo how to get the meat out of the crabs, but both women were distracted by the shouts and giggles happening around them. They turned to see Rudy and Elise getting lessons from Shannie and Lynnie, LJ and Mark getting lessons from Alicia… everyone was having fun while eating a delicious appetizer.

"Now, if you head back over to the pit, you'll see a small square package and a medium sized square package. The smaller one is my mom's recipe for what is called pipipi."

Alicia opened the package, "They're mollusks!"

She smiled at Mary, "So you find these in Alaska?"

Mary shook her head, "Hawai'i. Rudy's native land."

"Wait – Rudy is adopted too?" Bev asked.

Bo smiled, shaking her head, "If you remember the story I told you last night, you'll remember that my mom and I were separated for some time. While we were apart, my mom's witness protection location was Hawai'i. Rudy was born while she was there, eleven years ago next month."

Rudy nodded, "I'm a proud Hawai'ian Athabascan Warrior child!"

"We work hard to uphold our cultural values and skills. I've lived as I was raised my entire life, only modernizing some aspects when I met Lauren. I think we've found a happy medium."

Ronnie shouted, "Lauren Lewis without electricity?"

The women from town laughed, but Shannie stood,

"It's Lauren Dennis, Ladies and I assure you, that makes all the difference in the world. They live on solar power, so if it doesn't run by sun power, they live without. Lynnie and I have just moved into a home that Bo built for us on the river. We're solar as well. It's actually a freeing experience, not being tied to technology and work. It's rare that work interrupts our personal time."

Meena called out to Bo, "This other package looks like clams, right?"

Bo turned to her mom who nodded, "The seasonings are the same ones we would call 'olepe' in Hawai'I, but yes, these clams are native to your oceans. Ours look a bit different."

Rudy nodded, "Ours have ripples in the shells, but these are good! They taste just like our ocean."

The family laughed, everyone enjoying the food and good conversation until it was time for Bo's pit fire demonstration. Everyone gathered around the now-empty hole, Patrick bringing the food for the pit out on a tray. Bo showed everyone how to start the fire, getting it large and hot. She showed everyone how to wrap and season a burlap sack filled with root vegetables, explaining that they would go on the bottom since they would take the longest to cook.

Next, she chose a good-sized sea bass that had been cleaned and deboned. She stuffed the fish with asparagus and Lauren's cream sauce then wrapped it in foil and burlap. Next, she took a cake batter that Lauren had made and put it into a pie tin, topping it with strawberries and a sprinkle of sugar. She sealed it with a piece of cedar, then wrapped it in burlap as well. Finally, she took the large piece of salmon that her mom had picked up at the market,

"Now, I have no idea how old this piece of fish is. Mom said the market sign said Alaskan Salmon and considering how long it took for it to get to the east coast, I would say at least a week old from ocean to table. But, I'm fairly certain Alicia could come up with a recipe in her pot for that wonderful tuna that the guys caught today. So, pay attention, Chef – the cook would be the same." Bo smiled.

She showed the group how she made her salmon in a pit, everyone watching carefully. Finally, it was time to put the food into the pit,

"Okay, so now you can see that the coals have burned down to a bright red, so we're going to spread those out nice and flat after we remove a few shovels full…" she worked as she spoke, "… we'll put the things that take the longest to cook – the root vegetables – into the bottom of the pit, then the cake, then the salmon and then the bass. We shovel the coals on top and then bury the pit in sand. We set our timer three hours and everything should cook by then. Of course, I'm guessing at the time since your ground temperature is significantly warmer than ours, but I've knocked two hours off the usual cook time. Again, best guess. Any questions?"

There were none, so Bo waved a hand towards the front porch, "Food is on the porch. Pick what you want, be as creative as you feel you can be and let us know if you need recipe advice. Lauren, Mary and I have experience but I'm sure Alicia may have ideas as well. Enjoy!"

Everyone got busy building their pit fires and prepping their food. Within an hour, the food was in the ground and timers were set. They headed back into the water for more surfing, Lauren taking Tamsin, Kyle, Kurt, Kelly, Anna and Kate out for some tubing. Ronnie taking the more adventurous out for wake surfing and wake boarding. Everyone had fun trying knew things in the water while some hung out on the shore and talked.

Bo sent Mark and LJ off to the hospital, but was surprised when Mark returned less than thirty minutes later with Molly in tow. Bo pulled Molly aside to ask why Mark didn't stay, but she only shook her head and promised to talk to her later. LJ wanted to stay with his grandfather, so Bo promised to take food to him as soon as she finished eating.

When the water toys were brought back in and rinsed of sea water, they put everything away and got cleaned up for dinner. The locals commented that eating dinner by pit fire was like opening presents. You weren't really sure what would be inside until you opened it and tasted it.

As everyone was cleaning up, Alicia walked over to Bo who was putting together a package of food for LJ and Tosh,

"Bo, I just wanted to say what a great experience that was. I think I want to do this at my restaurant. I mean, imagine if the pit fire was ready when you brought in those fish yesterday. Right from the water to the cleaning station to the pit fire. They could connect to suggested recipes and cooking videos via a QR Code or ask one of my employees. It would buy me more space to have picnic tables lined up in two rows along the beach front that I own. I don't know if there's any standards for approvals, but… well, what do you think?"

"I love the whole concept of your restaurant. I would think that if you are already cooking on a grill, you should be able to do the same in the pit fires. Maybe add meat thermometers and post signs for recommended temperatures? I'd also post food poisoning signs too."

Alicia nodded, "I don't know if you noticed what was happening outside of our group yesterday, but all of my chefs carry food thermometers. Nothing leaves the grill without a temperature check."

Bo nodded, "Good. That's good to hear."

"BoBo! We're here!" Kenzi shouted, walking hand and hand with Hale, "Sorry we're late! We brought you a bottle of wine. Any grub left?"

Bo grinned at her friend, "Why am I not surprised that you were here for none of the digging but arrived to reap the rewards of everyone's leftovers?"

"You know this body does not dig holes," Kenzi smirked, running her hands down her body, "I got new boots. They were on sale. Boston is a-mazing!"

Bo nodded, "I'll take your word for it. Kenzi, this is Alicia, Lauren's friend…"

"The Chef! I'd love to pick your brain about this restaurant Bo told me about."

Bo smiled at Alicia, "Kenzi owns a hotel and restaurant. Two, actually. Her business partner runs one and she runs the one in our town. This is Hale, her forever fiancé. They'll get married when hell freezes over."

Hale shook his head, "Now don't be like that, Bo. You know how much little Mama changes her mind. We're just going to be sure we do it exactly as she wants it so you and I don't have to listen to all the shoulda-woulda-coulda's till death do we part."

He turned to Alicia, tipping his fedora, "Alicia, it's very nice to meet you. I'm going to go get us some food. I'd give Kenzi about seven minutes before she's begging you to come to Alaska and cook for her. Feel free to let her down hard on her perfectly perfect ass."

Kenzi slapped him twice as Hale laughed and walked away, immediately finding Lauren, Shannie, Lynnie, Kelly and Kyle. It took only a minute or two until Kenzi and Alicia were wrapped up in conversations about recipes, Alicia giving Kenzi a taste of the food she'd prepared using the pit technique.

Finally, with the food gone, bellies full, trash cleaned up and the fires buried in wet sand, the full complement of family and friends loaded onto the boats. They headed out Lauren's cove to the open sea to watch the sunset together. Bo sat next to Lauren as she cut the engine and turned to face her,

"How was your day?"

Bo grinned, "Other than my brother, it was amazing. Did you have fun?"

A brilliant smile stretched across the blonde's face telling Bo all she needed to know, but she still enjoyed hearing her wife express it in words,

"It was incredible, Bo. We had plenty of time on the water, great food, great conversation… it was amazing. This trip has been just… the best."

Bo smiled, "I'm so happy you enjoyed it. We still have a few days. Is there anything you haven't had a chance to do that you want to do?"

Lauren shrugged, "Well, given your knee, I'm sure you don't want to do much walking."

"It feels pretty good, Lauren. The last two days I've taken it easy and as long as I keep taking it easy, I think I'll be fine. Straight walking doesn't bother me at all now. Getting up when my knee is bent is still a little rough, but the exercises are helping."

"Uh… we're getting a little close to Meena's boat," Bo said, giving Lauren a nod.

The blonde smiled, reaching over the side and lowering the boat's protective buoys before calling back to her passengers to lower all of the buoys. She turned and shouted to the rest of the boats in their groups to do the same, then sat down next to Bo and relaxed once more.

Eventually, Rudy and Elise crawled from the back onto their laps, the pair pointing at the sky as the many hues of pink, purple, orange and red began to fill the sky. When the sun was fully down, the stars slowly emerged filling the sky. That was when the two youngsters started giving lessons on the constellations.

Finally, with the sun settled below the horizon in magnificent form, a chill came on the night breeze. The coats were put on and the kids started to shiver,

"Time to go in," Lauren smiled, waving to Alicia, "Can you take Elise for me?"

Alicia smiled and nodded, moving to take the youngster from Lauren,

"She's is out like a light."

Bo smiled, "They tend to go from zero to one hundred and one hundred to zero. They don't know any gears in between."

Alicia held Elise tight, "Apparently."

The boats, having drifted close together, separated, hoisted their buoys and headed back towards land. The lights from the boats reflected off the water, making Bo smiled,

"It's sort of like Christmas… the red and green lights on all of the boats together."

Lauren smiled, "This place at Christmas is something I would love for you to see one of these years. The boat parade is pretty spectacular."

"Boat parade?"

Lauren nodded, "I love to watch all of the old boats go by with all of their decorations aboard. It's truly beautiful to see."

They were back before long. The local boats dropped off their passengers or docked, saying their goodbyes with plans to see each other before they left. Bo gave them a standing invitation to come back any time before their departure on Tuesday.

The locals boarded their boats again and headed home while family and close friends went to their respective lodging locations. Kenzi and Hale hung out with Bo and Lauren by the fire just to spend some extra time together before they headed back to Boston as well.

"She's loving big city life," Bo said, staring into the fire.

Lauren nodded, her gaze drifting up to the light of the moon reflecting off the water, "Afraid you'll lose her to the big city?"

Bo shrugged, "I can't imagine her ever giving up her hotel or Hale wanted to be a cop in a city like Boston. I think they like the lives they have. Of course, never say never, right?"

Lauren smiled, "I never thought you would want to come back here, yet…"

"Here we are," Bo smiled. She'd been working all day to find the words to ask one particular question. Rudy and Elise had been begging her to ask since she'd told them not to ask Lauren directly. They were relentless. She turned to look at Lauren as she summoned her courage,

"Um… you want to go to Boston, don't you," Bo cringed as she lost her nerve. At least she was in the general area of the question she was supposed to ask.

A broad smile formed on Lauren's face, "I know that's not an option for you, Bo. It's okay that we stay here. This town has plenty to offer. We can go to a movie, a museum, on a fishing charter or just sit at the beach and read. We can go out in my two-man sailboat – just you and me. I can also teach Rudy and Elise to sail it. Of course, Patrick can teach them while we go out in the catamaran if you prefer."

Bo shrugged, "I'll do any of that and if you want to go to Boston, we can do that too."

"I wouldn't want to make you upset that way, Bo. Really."

"I think I'd like to try, Lauren," she said, "I know what to expect now and like I said earlier, I handled the planes and the boat."

"Okay then. Let's talk about some options and we'll decide from there. Are we going to take the girls?"

Bo nodded, "And mom and Molly if they want to go."

"Okay. Maybe we'll take Shannie and Lynnie along too?" Lauren asked.

"To keep hold of those two rug rats, I think it's a good idea," Bo smiled, knowing that if Lauren agreed to what she was about to suggest, Lauren would need her whole family around her. It would be the perfect distraction.

Lauren said, turning to Bo with a smile, "Okay then. Tomorrow, we do Boston. Do you have anything you'd like to see?"

Bo shrugged. She hesitated, trying to find the words. Feeling guilty yet not wanting to break a promise to the girls, she formed her suggestion,

"It would be great if the kids could go on Eli's tall ship, but I suppose that's not an option right now."

Lauren frowned, "No, sadly. And I'm not sure it ever will be."

The brunette sighed, not sure what else to say on the matter. She had promised Patrick she would feel Lauren out about seeing her old friend. Honestly, how he had behaved, she wasn't sure Lauren would ever want to see him again and if she did, he might just get a right cross to the jaw. Not that Bo didn't think he deserved it, but she knew what unreconciled conflicts between two people could do to a person.

She thought of Mark and Tosh, again wondering what it was that had come between the two of them, but shook off the topic and focused on her wife,

"Lauren, I want to say something and – well, you know me – it probably won't come out right, so forgive me in advance but…"

"Bo – there's nothing you can't say to me."

The brunette sighed, "Yea, well this particular 'nothing' is a bit of a sensitive matter… for you, I mean."

"For me?" Lauren asked.

Bo nodded, "About Elijah. He's one of your oldest friends, Lauren. Don't you think it's time you talked to him about what happened?"

The blonde stood, turning to face the sea, "I said all I needed to say the last time I saw him."

Hearing the tone of her wife's voice, Bo stood, moving to stand behind her. She wrapped her arms around the blonde's waist, feeling her flinch. She immediately released her,

"I'm sorry."

Lauren looked over her shoulder, offering Bo a soft smile while taking her hands and wrapping them around her torso again,

"No, I'm the one who's sorry. I just wasn't expecting you to… I'm sorry."

Bo nodded, "Lauren, are you sure he didn't… do anything… um…"

The blonde turned in her wife's arms, "Bo, if he had done what I think you are insinuating, I would have pressed charges – no matter who he was to me. He did try to turn a hug into a kiss, but that was what started our conflict."

Bo nodded, "Yes and I appreciated you telling me about that and I wouldn't press this issue if it weren't for two things."

"Two things?" Lauren asked, laying her head on Bo's shoulder. She was tired and just wanted to curl up in Bo's arms by the fire and fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping at the shore.

"Rudy and Elise have been asking me about meeting Captain Elijah and sailing on his big ship and Patrick may have run into Elijah when he took Jake to the aquarium with the rest of the gang."

"He… ran into him?"

Bo nodded, "They went on that cruise that runs around the harbor after dinner and he saw the ship there. He told them he would see if the captain was there. Sure enough, Eli was there and took them all on a tour of the ship. The girls heard and, they asked about going aboard."

Lauren lifted her head her, her eyes set on her fingertips that lay upon Bo's upper chest, "That was nice of him to do."

"He asked Patrick about you… if he thought you might be willing to talk," Bo said carefully, "Apparently he's seeing someone, Lauren."

The blonde's eyes snapped up to meet Bo's, "Seeing someone?"

Nodding, she replied, "Apparently after you left the ship, they hit a bad storm as they continued south."

"He went further south?"

"Patrick said he wanted to sail down to the gulf. That guy that mops the decks…"

"Muk?"

Bo nodded, "I really should remember that name since we have a dog named Muk."

The blonde smiled, "I suppose. His name came from the muck he left behind when he tossed his cookies on the deck his first time aboard," Lauren shook her head, "Apparently, he never made it to the side. While he was swabbing the deck, got sick again and again, leaving plenty of muck in his wake."

Lauren laughed, "I love that man. He's like the kindly grandfather that you see other girls have in movies."

Bo nodded before Lauren asked, "Did something happen to Muk?"

"He's fine, Lauren. Patrick talked to him for quite some time. It sounded like he may have gone with the family on the harbor cruise. Anyway, he said that Eli took the ship south against the crew's recommendations and sure enough, they ran into a tropical storm. They headed for land and managed to get there before it became a full-fledged hurricane."

"He's so stubborn," Lauren said, "He knows better than to go south in the Fall."

Bo shrugged, "Well, I can't speak to that, but when the storm had passed, he had to call some people aboard to help him make repairs before they could set sail again. While he was there, he took out a small one-man sailboat and found a large, wooden sailboat drifting. The mast was gone, and the sails were dragging in the water. He went to the boat and found a woman with her young son in the cabin below. She had a broken arm and a concussion, but her son was fine."

"Serendipity," Lauren said, turning and taking Bo's arm in her own, leading her back to their chairs.

Bo smiled, "Okay. I haven't gotten to that word in my calendar."

The blonde smiled as she guided Bo to her chair, "Stay here. I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" Bo asked.

Lauren smiled, "You went to the bathroom while everyone was leaving. I haven't gone since we cooked dinner. I'll be right back. Do you need anything?"

Bo smiled, "Some tea?"

"Sounds perfect. I'll bring two," Lauren said, smiling as she walked to the house.

Bo pulled out her phone and looked up the word, her curiosity getting the best of her,

"Let's see… ser-en-dip-ity," she spelled out, "… the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way; the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for; a word coined in 1754 by Horace Walpole from the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip which was about three princes who always made discoveries that they were not looking for on their adventures… serendipity. Hmmm… interesting."

She considered the information and smiled thinking of how she had met Lauren. She supposed that was a form of serendipity. She stared out at the water, taking a deep breath of the fresh sea air. It smelled saltier here than it did down by the docks in Skagway or Point Siku, but the sound of the ocean relaxed her.

The light tan color of the sand here was beautiful in contrast to the black sand she was accustomed to, but there were areas around Provincetown that had rocky beaches as well. It was also strange to swim in the water and not have to worry about hypothermia.

She sighed, deciding she'd better check on the pots in the kilns and add some wood. She stood carefully, finding that she had very little pain in her limb. It was a nice change, but she understood the importance of not pushing too hard. She checked each pot, looking for any cracks, but found none.

She added wood, angling it so that when it broke apart, the pieces would fall beneath the kilns. Once satisfied with her work, she returned to the main campfire and took a seat once more. It wasn't long until Lauren came out, wrapped in blankets and carrying tea and pillows,

"Lauren – why didn't you ask for my help?" Bo said, taking the two cups of tea that were stacked on one another.

"I'd like to sleep outside tonight if that's okay with you," Lauren smiled.

Bo grinned, "You know I'll never turn down a sleepout with you. Besides, I have to keep these fires going or the pots will fall apart."

Lauren nodded, "So, did you look up serendipity?"

Bo nodded, "I did, and it fits the situation perfectly... actually, it fit our situation perfectly, but we'll talk about us in a moment," she said leaning in and kissing her wife,

"Anyway, the woman Elijah found on the boat is the woman he's dating. He rescued her and her son, brought them back to the pier where they were transported to the hospital. He decided to go with them so the boy would have someone with him that was somewhat familiar."

"So where does she live?" Lauren asked, "I mean, where was she from that she ended up in the middle of the ocean?"

"She lives in Florida and had just taken her little boy out for a sail, thinking they would make it back before the storm. Unfortunately, their main sail ripped so she climbed the mast to rig a new one and she came down with the mast. That's how she got her injuries."

"Oh my. She's lucky to be alive."

Bo nodded, "I assumed so. Anyway, she tried to use the trolling motor to head back to shore, but they didn't make it back before the storm hit. She sent her son to the cabin while she cut a piece of sail to make a sling for herself. Then, she secured the sails and headed down to the cabin."

Lauren frowned, "I can't believe she took a child out in a tropical storm."

"Not a fan of the new girlfriend?"

Lauren shrugged, "I don't know the woman, so I'll reserve judgment, but the sailor made a grave mistake – especially with a child on board. They're lucky to be alive and relying on a trolling motor for a boat as big as mine – whether or not it's as big as mine - makes no sense. I wonder where the father is."

Bo shrugged, sipping her tea, "She's a widow. He was killed in Afghanistan. She sold the house and they've been living on the boat ever since. She's got a sloop in Florida, and she homeschools her kid."

Lauren smiled, "Sounds a little like she's living the way you did."

"I'd actually thought about that when Patrick was telling me the story," Bo said, dipping her head.

Lauren moved over to where she had laid down the blankets and pillows, "Mind if we lay down closer to the fire? I'm a little chilly"

They settled in together, Lauren closest to the fire, her head on Bo's shoulder, an arm draped over her waist.

"Warmer?" Bo asked, helping Lauren pull another blanket over them.

"Yes. Thank you."

Bo stared up at the sky, noticing that the stars weren't as pronounced here as they would be in Alaska. Lauren had explained to her the last time they were here that it was due to light pollution. There weren't as many stars, but any sky was a good sky when it came to sleeping… for Bo, anyway.

"Bo?"

"I thought you fell asleep," Bo said with a smile.

"I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Let's take the girls down to see the Gracie Marie tomorrow," she pulled her phone from her pocket and quickly sent off a text to Patrick, "I just asked Patrick to set it up."

Bo smiled, "Okay. So, we have sailing and the aquarium as options?"

Lauren nodded, "The girls would probably like the Boston Children's Museum, and we could go to Faneuil Hall to get some lunch and watch some performers."

"That sounds fun," Bo smiled, "How will we be on time?"

Lauren shrugged, "It would depend on if we went out for a sail or not."

"Do you want to?" Bo asked.

"They've already been out sailing but when they see that massive ship, they may want to go out. Should we say no in advance, so they don't ask?"

"Well, let's just let them know that if we sail, we can't do all of the other things," she smiled, "What other things are there?"

"Well, there's the canoeing and kayaking at the Charles River Park, there's candlepin bowling, there's the Ghost City Tours where they can see the oldest graves in Boston and learn about the Salem Witch Trials."

"The what?" Bo asked.

Lauren was surprised, "You don't know about the witch trials?"

"Nope."

Lauren set about explaining just one of the dark times in American History, watching Bo's interest peak the more she talked. When she was finished, Bo nodded,

"That would be fun and educational."

Lauren nodded, "They would love it. There's also helicopter tours."

"Would they let Kurt fly it?"

"No, sadly, that would be unlikely."

"Well, let's not suggest that option then."

Bo and Lauren lifted their heads when they heard footsteps,

"There's Legoland," Lynnie said with a smile, her arm wrapped around Shannie's waist as they approached, "Mind if we join you for a bit?"

Bo shook her head, "Actually, we were going to talk to you about going with us in the morning anyway. Now's as good a time as any."

They sat, Shannie smiling, "There's also the science museum. The girls would love that."

Lauren felt her phone vibrate as Bo explained a bit more about their plan, "We're going to have to see how much time we have. We might be going for a tour, possibly a sail on the Gracie Marie. If we do, that it will…"

"Significantly reduce the time we have in the city," Lynnie concluded.

Shannie nodded, "They did get to see the city the first time they went in with us. They saw the marketplace at Faneuil Hall, and we did the Freedom Trail walking tour with a guide, although it was very adult and…"

"Boring," Lynnie concluded, "I mean for kids… and us because, well we lived there, and it was part of our education."

"All twelve years," Shannie said, rolling her eyes.

"Well, it is the country's history, so I guess it's important to know," Bo shrugged.

Shannie shook her head, "Is it, Bo? I would think you would have a different perspective. I know that your mom certainly did. She didn't say much, but we could all see the look on her face. We asked Molly when we got her away from your mom. We didn't realize that she wasn't born of fully indigenous Alaskans. We just assumed…"

Bo nodded, "It was just another reason my father didn't like Molly. She was cheechako by his definition just as I was. The two of us come from both of the Indigenous Peoples of Alaska, though Molly's is much more complicated due to one of the many wars involving our people."

Shannie hesitated, but decided to ask as politely as possible, "I've tried to read and understand the various indigenous tribes of Alaska but even your family lineage is difficult to understand."

Bo smiled, "Well, my mom is Athabascan as is her mother before her. It is a term that describes the interrelated language spoken by the indigenous people of a specific area of land."

"The North Slope?" Lynnie asked.

Bo shook her head, "Remember, this was long ago before national boundaries were redefined by the white man's wars. Athabascan language was common to what is now interior Alaska, western Canada, northern California, the southern Oregon coast and the desert in the Southwestern states."

"So, your mom was from the interior of Alaska?"

Bo shook her head, "Western Canada in the Yukon, but they migrated further and further northwest when she was just a young girl until they finally settled in eastern Alaska where the Arctic Ocean meets what is now Prudhoe Bay. She was raised in a fishing village and on one of those trips west, she met my grandfather who was Iñupiat… or more specifically, Inuit who spoke the Iñupiat language."

"And that's where your mom was born?"

Bo nodded, "She is Inuit by birthplace and language, Athabascan by blood and lineage. Her, I think it's four times great grandfather, was a Russian-born Inuit since Russia had control of Alaska at the time of his birth."

"And so, your history is tied to Russia and Canada?"

Bo shrugged, "Personally, no. I know that my mom's mom's family migrated from Canada and her dad's side from Russia, but that actually comes from my knowledge of the history of the canine bloodlines. I honestly haven't recalled any of that information about my human past. I suppose I should talk to my mom, although she may have explained it to Rudy,"

She shook her head,

"My little sister seems to know more about my family lineage than I do."

Shannie nodded, "So Rudy is Athabascan by blood and lineage and…

"Hawai'ian as well. Her father was raised in a native Hawai'ian village his entire life. Rudy was born on a Federally owned Hawai'ian Island in witness protection… at least I think that's what my mom told me. I just know that she knows her roots and mine are kind of blurry."

Lynnie smiled, "I'm sure you'll remember in time, Bo and anything you don't get back, you can always learn again through your mom and Rudy."

Bo nodded, "I think there was something about the British expansion of what is now Canada forcing the indigenous people west, but I'm not sure. I do know we learned in our history classes that our state was purchased from Russia in 1867. How's that for my American History knowledge?"

They all chuckled, but a curious Shannon asked, "So… if you don't mind humoring more of my possibly inappropriate questions and if they are, please tell me to stuff it, but how did your parents meet?"

Bo explained, "My dad was born of similar lineage, his grandfather was Athabascan and his Grandmother was Inuit. His parents were both Inuit, so he did have Athabascan blood. So much for me being the half-breed, huh?"

She shook her head, "Anyway, they met on the North Slope, went to school together and had a normal village courtship – or so she told me as a child. It was after they married that he slowly started to change. She said he became ambitious and started to have meetings with people she and others in the village didn't recognize. It was Althea Tinuit who first warned her of the outsiders, but it was when Althea started spending a lot of time with Sonic Payne that my mom really started to worry."

"If I remember, they were both on the Council of Elders in your village, right?" Shannie asked.

Bo nodded, "I was just a baby when all of that happened, so I only know what my mom, Althea and Sonic told me last year. Apparently, when my grandmother died, my mom was given the seat on the council even though Elijah Tarook was really pushing with everyone in the village that my dad should have it."

"And so that was what started the great mommy-daddy war of Bo's childhood," Shannie nodded.

Bo shrugged, "Probably. I was between three and five when my mom and I started spending a lot of time alone with my younger brother. Eventually, my older brothers started traveling with him too until finally, it was just me and my mom. Then, she was gone too."

Shannie glanced at Lynnie who turned back to see Bo gazing into the fire, her fingers moving rhythmically back and forth on Lauren's leg while the blonde spoke on the phone. Lynnie broke the silence,

"So, what is Molly's lineage?"

"Her family lineage is tied more to World War II in Alaska."

"The Russians?"

Bo shook her head, "No. Japan. Do you know any of that history?"

The two women looked at each other, Lynnie replying, "Only that we bought Alaska from Russia and that the war with Japan was really, really ugly."

Shannie nodded, "And that there's still some hard feelings there today. People from Japan whose families were treated like enemies even though they were citizens are upset and Americans who lost loved ones at Pearl Harbor are upset. War is just upsetting and stupid."

She shook her head, "When you think about it, all the death is caused by soldiers who are sent to fight each other by a bunch of old rich men who want to force their way into power and profits. I mean, that's it, isn't it? All the average human wants to do is live a simple life."

Bo looked at Lauren who was now laying down again, facing the fire. She pulled the blanket over her shoulders and sat up, stretching her hamstring. She hadn't done her exercises today and her hamstring was getting tight.

Lynnie shrugged, "I agree that war is stupid, but I will also say that my Alaskan history discussions in school were practically nil. I remember the civil war, the world wars and the Korean war because my parents and grandparents used to watch reruns of a show called *M*A*S*H* back in the day. I would sit on the floor and play with my dolls."

Bo chuckled, "You played with dolls?"

Lynnie frowned, "I had American Girl dolls. My first one was Kirsten who was a Swedish immigrant who lived on the American prairie in the 1850's. She was brave and hardworking, had two blonde braids, a blue dress and a red apron. But then…"

"Oh, this is gonna be good, Bo," Shannie said, laughing.

"Hey! Do you want to spend the rest of your vacation on the sofa?"

Shannie cleared her throat, winking at Bo as she turned to her fiancé,

"I'm sorry, Dear. Continue, please. I'm very interested to hear about your other American dolls."

"Well, you should be because Molly McIntire was a WWII era American girl who was dealing with the social and personal repercussions of the war. She meets my third American doll girl, Emily Bennett who was a British girl who stays with Molly's family for refuge during the war and becomes Molly's very, very best, very 'special' friend… at least, in my bedroom she did."

"You made Molly and Emily gay?" Shannie laughed.

Lynnie shrugged, "I didn't make them gay. No one can make you gay. They were just attracted to each other. One minute Emily is in the guest bed, the next minute, she's in Molly's and they're making out."

"Classic lesbians. Living together three days after she gets off the boat from Britain, engaged within the year."

Lynnie laughed, elbowing her lover, "They were smart girls, too… and I may have dyed Emily's hair red," she blushed, "I had a thing for red heads."

Bo grinned, shaking her head, and nodding towards Shannie, "You don't say."

They all laughed before Lynnie turned to Bo, "So, the Russians take Alaska when?"

Bo shook her head, "The first European settlement was established in 1784 by Russians at Three Saints Bay near what is now Kodiak, Alaska. They brought disease and an ambition for the fur trade. Many Aleuts – the indigenous peoples of the islands, including the bay area – were killed by those settlers or overworked in the hunting of fur seals as guides or slaves – I'm not sure. There's a lot of controversy over how the indigenous were treated by the Russian settlers."

Shannie asked, "So the Alaskans were glad to be purchased by the USA?"

Bo again, shook her head, "When the Russians came here in 1784, they set up two things – trading posts and Eastern Orthodox churches. They wanted our resources and our people for labor. As you know, religion can be a great dividing force. I'd be willing to bet it's the primary reason for every war on the planet if it's not over resources."

She chuckled, "Of course, it's silly to fight over something when you could just trade. I mean, Russia didn't have to come to Alaska. They could have just sent us a telegram and said, 'hey, wanna send us some furs and we'll pay you for them' or 'hey, wanna send us some furs and we'll send you something else you don't have'."

"What would an Alaskan need?"

"Nothing since we're very self-sufficient which is why everyone wants our land," Bo said, shaking her head, "But they came in and essentially wiped out the fur seal population. After that, we were a strategic business deal."

She shrugged, "The USA wanted trade relations with China and didn't want Britain to invade their west coast while Russia didn't want Britain to get their hands on us, so they sold us to the USA, establishing a friendly partnership with us and irritating the hell out of Britain."

"Friendly partnership?" Shannie asked.

"Well, I don't know enough about the world today to comment on that part. I just know from history class that it was supposedly the motivating factor behind the deal because Britain had just won the Crimea War. Of course, I don't remember what that was either."

Lynnie shook her head, waving off Shannie, "Ignorance is bliss. She doesn't want to know what's going on with Crimea now."

"What?" Bo asked.

"Never mind. Really," Shannie said, "Like Lynnie said, ignorance is bliss. So fur seals? What are those?"

"Sea otters and seals. Basically, any animal that can survive in the arctic waters has a fur worth taking for a human who has to live in our climate. Back then, there were no laws for conservation. Commercial fisheries still kick the hell out of our environment supplying fish all over the country and abroad. That's why seeing that salmon for sale on the east coast irked my mom so badly. Why not just eat the fish from here?"

Shannie nodded, "I guess because we don't have salmon in our waters?"

Bo shook her head, "No, but we've all got plenty of mercury in our waters. I'm not sure why people don't see the relationship."

Lynnie shrugged, "Most people don't know, Bo. There was a nurse at work who used to eat tuna sandwiches for lunch almost every day of the week. She showed Shannie these skin rashes that her dermatologist diagnosed as dermatitis. He gave her some cream and sent her on her way. It just got worse, so Shannie finally told her to tell her doctor how much tuna she was eating. The girl asked why and Shannie emailed her an article from the N.I.H. about tuna and mercury levels."

"She read it, stopped eating fish for a month and the rash went away," Shannie smiled.

"Anyway, I don't think Indigenous people will ever see America as our saviors. We'll commemorate the sale of Alaska to the USA while the lower forty-eight celebrate it."

Lynnie shook her head, "Hey – we don't do either. Remember that you can't paint all of the citizens of the USA with the same brush, my friend. It comes back to perspective. Everyone has their version of his-tory or her-story and if they're the type of person to manipulate things for their own benefit, they can cause a lot of damage to a lot of people who just want to be free to live their fucking lives their way."

She continued, her hands animated, "Usually, those people are the people in power and that's what causes all of the problems these days. These rich bitches and bastards who basically treat their employees as slaves and pay them the same way while they go out on their yachts and vacation at one of their twenty mansions on the island they own..." she released as sigh, "…never mind."

Shannie laughed, "I used to love the rich patients who would come into the hospital in Boston and more or less threaten Lauren's career if they didn't survive. I mean, they would have been dead and their family would have been splitting up the cash after selling off everything they owned. If they did bother to sue – because there's no such thing as rich enough – her reputation wouldn't have allowed for them to win. I've seen her on the stand testifying. The jurors are so confused by her smarts that their eyes glaze over after the first five minutes."

Lynnie nodded, "And then when she starts comparing the damage…"

"Oh, let me! Let me!" Shannie said, straightening up in her chair, "My imitation of Lauren Lewis, now Dennis, testifying while secretly trying to change the lifestyles of everyone in the courtroom… ahem…"

Bo and Lynnie watched as Shannie did a perfect imitation of Lauren,

"blah, blah, blah… and furthermore, the condition of Mr. He-who-shall-not-be-named-because-of-HIPPA Laws – admittedly engaged in decades of smoking, an extremely high fat diet, and an extremely sedentary lifestyle despite my repeated warnings of the need for changes over his two decades as my patient."

Shannie offered a side-bar, "No we flip on the slides and narrate, like so…"

She held up an imaginary remote and pointed to the imaginary slide in the air,

"When we opened his chest, we first had to take out twenty-pounds of chest fat as you see in the video to your left. Once that fat is placed on the table, we can get to the heart which is also surrounded by a wall of fat. In addition, after this many years of mistreatment of bodily organs, the vessels will be clogged and hard."

She clicked the 'remote' and continued,

"Now, you can see here that as I attempt to slide the catheter through the artery and I'll pause the video here, you can see that the artery has ruptured. The catheter is still within the confines of the artery wall. The catheter itself did not penetrate the artery. This was caused by the condition of the artery, not the catheter. Now, as I hit play, you can see that any attempt to repair the artery causes another break in the artery. The patient's arteries are, indeed, like glass."

Shannon stops, breaking character, "Now, she turns off the video and turns to the jury and she goes like this…"

Again, she straightens in her chair,

"Now, if you were in a car accident and you took your car to the dealership and your car insurance company came out to see it and both parties say your car is totaled, would you still tell them to go ahead and fix it? No, you wouldn't. And the reason you wouldn't is because it is damaged beyond repair due to human error on the part of the driver – not the mechanic and not the insurance company."

She spread her hands to her friends, "People treat doctors as if we must always be able to repair a totaled car. The problem is, people have to do their part in healthcare. We try to offer preventative measures and still, obesity remains the number one preventable cause of death in the world… the world. I don't care about your body size. I care about how much fat you allow to accumulate in your body."

She shook her head, smoothing her hair, "Fat comes from fatty foods, plain and simple. Choose better foods and you will not find yourself on my table in this condition as did this patient."

Shannon laughed, "Then she drops her mic and sits back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest as the prosecution fumbles through notes and tries to find another way to blame Lauren for the death. Then, Patrick countersues the rich families – and only the rich families – for the money that they cost her and the damage to her reputation. It's awesome."

Both Lynnie and Shannie were horrified when Lauren sat up, looking at both of them before she turned to Bo,

"So were Molly's family Aleuts?"

Bo took Lauren's hand, offering her a smile as she nodded,

"Yes, but what a lot of people don't know is that even though the USA purchased Alaska in 1867, they had no military bases there at the time. They were essentially defenseless. During World War II, Japan occupied Alaska. The first bombs fell on Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands on June 3, 1942. They landed and attacked the island of Kiska and then Attu, first killing the communications officer and then abducting his wife, the islands' schoolteacher.

"Wow. I had no idea." Shannie asked.

Bo shook her head, "Like you said, lower forty-eight teachings of what happened in Alaska is nil."

"But we took it back," Lynnie said.

"Yes," Bo replied, "And that's why the Adak Army and Naval bases are National Historic Landmarks. I haven't seen them all, but supposedly there's eight of them," Bo smiled, shaking her head, "It's weird that I

remember all of that stuff from school but couldn't remember who my own father was."

Lauren smiled, "The human brain is a strange and miraculous organ. It lets us remember things we don't believe we need, while it protects us from remembering the things that could hurt us further."

Bo nodded, "That's what Dr. Gray told me."

"She's a wise one," Lauren smiled, kissing Bo's hand.

Bo smiled, "Anyway, once the military came back, Alaska was once again fully occupied by the good old USA."

Lynnie shook her head, "Wait a minute. The Japanese came during wartime and just allowed the Aleuts to live their lives as they always had?"

Bo shook her head, "No, of course not. I mean, it was war. They attacked from air and sea, landed and then rounded up all of the Aleutians and took them to Japan as captives for the duration of the war. I think it was on Otaru on Hokkaido. Almost half of them died from malnutrition and starvation."

"And Molly's family?" Lauren asked.

Bo sighed, "From what I understand, Molly's maternal great grandparents and grandfather all died in Japan. Her grandmother and her parents came back to the Aleutian Islands after the war, but they never felt safe again."

Shannie nodded, "And that's why Molly was taught to carry her guns."

"By her mother and father, yes. I suspect that's why she never takes them off, though I'm not a Faith or Anna, so I'm not really qualified to say."

"Safe bet," Lauren whispered before Bo continued,

"Her father was from southeastern Alaska and moved to the Aleutian Islands when Molly's mom was a teenager working in her family's market. He was half Tlingit, half Haida Indian. His family had been imprisoned in Japan as well and when they returned, they had left the Aleutians, raising their children in the southeast. His great grandparents were Tlingit and their daughter married a Haida Indian, so his parents brought about the mixing of the tribes in Molly's lineage."

"So, Molly is Aleut Alaskan on her Mom's side and Tlingit-Haida Indian on her Dad's side," Lynnie concluded.

Bo nodded, "That's correct... I mean, if I've got all of my facts straight from what Tosh has told me. It's very complicated."

Carolyn nodded, "So all of this brings us to one conclusion. That history is really 'his story'," she said in air quotes, "One man's story as told to him by a man before that and a man before that and so on from the past, but only from that one man's perspective. If her story was told from a Japanese perspective or a Russian perspective, it would be different."

Lauren nodded, "And that type of whisper-down-the-lane storytelling still exists today. It's why I believe in science and not organized religion. So many people have written so many versions of the bible. I want the one written by the hand of the almighty, not by the storytellers that followed and since the only 'book' I know of that meets that criteria is the Ten Commandments, I just follow those since it's basically all you need to be a decent human being."

Lauren sighed,

"Bo and I haven't discussed much about religion other than we don't agree with any one form of man-organized versions. Personally, I just want Elise to know as many versions as possible. That way, we can talk about everyone's point of view, and she'll realize that fighting, arguing… that some damn war is… stupid… I know, not an acceptable Dennis Family word, but war is stupid."

She leaned into Bo who wrapped her arms around her wife. They all knew how sensitive this topic was for the former veteran and they were also sure there were horrors that she had witnessed but never dared to speak about.

Shannie smiled, "My senior year in high school, I had a history teacher who said something like… let me get this right…

'I would warn you that history is about the past, so when you walk out of my classroom and resume your present life, you will likely cast aside what we've just discussed until you have a test or class the next day…'

Shannie held up a finger, "He continued…

'However, I would also warn you that not carrying lessons about the past with you… really with you and present in your heart and mind… makes you destined to repeat the mistakes of the people in that textbook. I hope we can all agree that while we may be happy to be Americans, the bulk of our history should not and cannot be repeated if we wish to build a better world based on the democracy we are all so privileged to live in each day."

Shannie lowered her hands and smiled at Carolyn who said,

"Mr. Lloyd Simmons. She talks about him all the time. Her favorite teacher and smartest teacher from high school."

Shannie smiled, placing her hand on her fiancé's, "He was and he was right. We keep making the same mistakes. The minute things start to change for the better, there is always a group of people to pull us right back into the dark ages again."

Bo nodded, "Well, my history was largely about my people and how the nation came to be. Obviously from a native point of view, the lower forty-eight textbooks are laughable, and our teachers were quick to point out how perspective can change how things are taught."

She held up a hand, "Still, as more outsiders have moved to our lands bringing their industries, the more our land and our animals disappear. What's being done to the land formerly inhabited by our ancestors has wreaked havoc with our ecosystem. I can't say that Elise, Rudy and all of our children will have a home on the river. As more of the glaciers and permafrost melt, more of the land will disappear. Just another reason I haven't hooked to the utilities grid."

"We never spoke about that. Were you against Evony building the hospital and townhouses on that open land?" Lauren asked.

Bo shrugged, "Of course I was. There are so many pieces of land that have broken down old homes on them, but naturally, she didn't buy those plots of land. She needed a piece off a major road so that she could save on the expense of putting another road through."

Lauren nodded, "That would drive up the costs – especially since sewer and water lines would also have to be run. But you never said anything when Stephen and I continued with the build. You know we would have built it elsewhere. Excuse me,"

Lauren said before she opened her phone, stood and walked away from the group.

"Exactly," Bo said, turning back to the group, "It wasn't just me doing a favor for Lauren and Stephen. The perk tests, the permits, everything was already finished and the township wanted the hospital. I'm just worried about what will come next. I mean, I hope that since we have the train, our town will continue to operate as a day trip from Anchorage and a thriving place for online businesses."

Shannie asked, "But you're building a store that is a showcase. Don't you want people to come in?"

Bo shrugged, "I can take meetings online now. My website is almost ready, so my pieces will all be displayed there in stages through the building process so that people can see how they were made. In the showroom, you'll only see the finished piece."

"That's kind of cool," Shannie said.

Bo nodded, "It is, but Lauren's right. I have to get the wood from somewhere and that's why I'm building to order rather than selling from stock. I'll only take the trees I need. I won't run a business that doesn't meet my principals. Even now, I'm teaching LJ to say no to trapping certain types of animals because of the population threat. Conservation is so important."

"So, you were talking about the land changes. Are you saying our homes on the river will eventually be flooded out?" Lynnie asked.

Bo shrugged, "Our elders have passed down a history of a time when everything was frozen. They believe that time will come again after a great warming event. They believe it is the cycle of our planet. The problem is few will survive what they pictured as a cataclysmic event. However, they believe it's why the Indigenous peoples of our continent are some of the oldest on earth."

Shannie nodded, "They know how to survive in extreme cold."

Bo nodded, "And, more importantly, our bodies are built for it."

Lauren returned, nodding at Bo's comment, "Naturally more subcutaneous fat and less circumventing the organs. Her ability to process oxygen is amazing and I don't believe it's only her conditioning. The air is cold. You both know how you felt when you first arrived, but you've adapted, yes?"

"Somewhat, yes. The air here feels… different," Shannie nodded.

"Heavier," Lynnie added.

Bo turned to Lauren, "Was that Patrick on the phone?"

Lauren sighed, "Patrick… and then he brought Elijah into the call."

"Oh boy. How was that?" Shannie asked.

"He sounds happy, and he'd love to see me so I can meet her."

"Meet who?"

Bo smiled, "Elijah's got a girlfriend."

"And a potential step-son if they ever get married," Lauren smiled.

"Elijah with a kid?"

Lauren shrugged, "It sounds like he fits perfectly into her lifestyle although he did warn me that she's still processing the whole 'your best friend is a lesbian' thing. He asked that we be discreet."

Bo laughed, "Oh. Like he was with me when he hit on you right in front of me?"

"Bo, you're my wife. You can't possibly be jealous."

"Jealous? No. Pissed at a guy who doesn't understand boundaries? Hell yes!"

"Bo, you're the one who encouraged me to call him!"

Lynnie and Shannie looked at each other, both standing as Lynnie announced, "I think this is our cue to leave."

Bo shook her head, waving her hands, "No, no. Please don't go. I'm sorry. I'm being an ass. Lauren is absolutely right."

Shannie looked at Lauren and smiled, then looked back at Bo, "I'm sorry. Can you repeat that please?"

Bo smiled, "Lauren is absolutely right. She's right often. She's right usually."

Lauren smiled, kissing Bo on the cheek, "And that's why I married you. Absolutely no ego."

"Yea, because you've smashed it into a million tiny pieces."

Lauren laughed, wrapping her arms around her wife and kissing her soundly on the lips before turning to the two women who were sitting on the large stumps near the fire,

"I'm sorry. I should have offered a blanket," Lauren said, tossing a blanket to the two women. They immediately wrapped it around themselves, giving her thanks, "So, let's plan for tomorrow, shall we?"

"What time are we on the ship?" Shannie asked.

"We have to be there at one o'clock," Lauren replied.

"That's late, but good so that I can go over to Nana's to work on the porch for an hour or two," Bo replied.

Lauren nodded, "I thought we could drive into the harbor for breakfast, see the aquarium at nine, then have lunch before the boat."

"Sounds good to us," Lynnie said.

"Museum of Science after the boat and go to the new IMAX theatre there?" Lauren asked, "Elijah said they only have time for about an hour on the water before he has to be back for a charter."

"Perfect," Shannie smiled, "We all know the museum like the back of our hands, so helping them to see the things we know they'll love best will be a cakewalk. We'll have about two hours there counting the commute from the harbor in traffic."

"That's enough time for a movie. Let me see what's playing at the Science Museum IMAX," Shannie said, pulling out her phone.

"IMAX?" Bo asked.

As Lauren explained what the IMAX theatre was, Shannie searched until she suddenly stood, staring at her phone, her free hand stretched out to her side,

"NO WAY! NO WAY! YOU GUYS! OHMAGOSH!"

"Shannie?" Lynnie began, standing up to look at her fiancé's screen, "Oh. My. Gosh!"

"Will one of you please tell us?" Bo asked.

Shannie sat down, Lynnie leaning on her arm as she read aloud,

"Omni IMAX Theatre Film – Superpower Dogs! Join this immersive IMAX adventure in the newly digitized Mugar Omni Theater and experience the life-saving superpowers and extraordinary bravery of some of the world's most amazing dogs. In this inspiring true story narrated by super hunky Chris Evans…"

She looked up, "It doesn't actually say that… I just… I think he's super hunky…"

Lynnie slapped her, "Keep reading!"

"OH… uh, right… our best friends are also real-life superheroes. Journey around the globe to meet remarkable dogs who save lives and discover the powerful bond they share with their human partners… blah, blah, blah… yadda… yadda… yadda… and Halo – rookie puppy… training… join elite disaster response team in America… Henry… avalanche rescue expert… Richochet… Californian surf legend…" she looked up, smiling, "This is so cool!"

Lauren nodded, "Okay. Times."

"Right… um…" she scanned, then clicked, "Forty-five minutes long, shows at noon and three."

Lauren shook her head, "Hang on."

They all watched as Lauren stood and made a call, walking away from the fire towards the dock while speaking with quite a bit of excitement in her voice,

"Who's she calling?" Bo asked.

Shannie and Lynnie both shrugged.

"You don't know?"

Lynnie shook her head, "No."

"But you know her whole schedule… her whole world."

"Usually, yes but there are people she knows from before we met, I didn't go to college with her, I wasn't in the military with her, I didn't go to her family functions, and I wasn't at every event she ever attended."

Shannie smiled, "Translation, your wife knows a lot of fucking important people."

"Well, I guess that's one of the benefits I'll have to remember while I'm drowning in a sea of people tomorrow."

"Oh, gosh! Bo! Are you going to be okay?" Shannie asked.

Bo shrugged, "I don't know but I told Lauren I wanted to do this."

"Do you?"

"Hell no! But I have to, you guys. For the girls and for Lauren. I was okay on the plane, and I was okay on the boat. I can do this but I'm going to need help. That's why I asked her if we could take the two of you. Can you get Kelly and Molly to cover Tosh tomorrow when he comes home?"

"He actually got home just before we came out here," Lynnie said.

"He did?" Bo asked.

Shannie nodded, "It's why you didn't see Doctor Pierson…"

"McTierney," Lynnie corrected.

Shannie nodded, "Right, McTierney… until later. She and Kelly were switching places, but she took the first shift to be sure she didn't make a mistake sending him home. He's hooked up to I.V. antibiotics and McTierney is coming by in the morning."

"Is he sleeping?" Bo asked.

"He wasn't when we came out," Shannie replied.

Bo stood, "I'm going to run in and see if he's awake. I'll be right back. Let Lauren know once you have the plans settled. If I'm not back, bring her in."

"Okay."

Bo hustled off to see her brother while the other two watched as Lauren came running back with a smile on her face,

"Special showing for our group at five p.m. tomorrow night," the blonde smiled, clapping rapidly.

"Great! So, we get off the boat, do the museum and then when the place is ready to close, we go to the theatre."

"Perfect," Lauren smiled.

"Then candlepin bowling?" Lynnie asked.

"Yes. Candlepin bowling and pizza?" Lauren asked, "I've been dying for pizza… speaking of clogging up arteries."

"Well, that's one thing to be said for living in Alaska. We eat what would be high end restaurant food for nothing and it's all healthy… for the most part. Actually, come to think of it, Lauren, we've been eating so healthy all year, we should have ice cream too."

"Works for me," Lauren chuckled, "This is going to be a blast for the girls," looking around, she asked, "Where did my lovely wife go?"

"You're right – the girls are in for an exciting day," Lynnie began, "Bo went inside. Tosh came home earlier with your friend Maggie. She and Kelly were taking shifts watching him through dinner which is why she was so late getting here. She wanted you to know that she absolutely loved hearing about Alaska from your family and friends and is so very happy for you."

Lauren smiled, "Is he awake?"

Lynnie shrugged, "He was when we came out. I don't think Bo really cares. Seeing him is enough."

Lauren nodded, "Let's go inside then."

"Okay," Shannie said, "Should we put out the fires?"

Lauren shook her head, "We have to keep the kilns going, so we're sleeping out tonight."

"Right," Shannie said, "So, are we supposed to try to talk Maggie into taking Doctor Control-freak's place?"

Lauren grinned, "No comment."

"That's it," Shannie said, pulling out her phone and pretending to make a call, "Hello? Patrick? It's Lauren. It seems we have a personnel problem…" she gave a wink to Bo who raised her eyebrows before looking at Lauren who cocked her head,

"You have to actually unlock your screen to make a call."

Shannie gave her that look that told Lauren she needed to act or her friend would take matters into her own hands. She shook her head, hooking her arm into Shannie's and then took her fiancé's hand on the other side. The three walked to the guest house for one last visit with Tosh before bedtime.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Boston

It had been a muddy morning for Bo and the boys at Nana's house, but the girls had a grand time making muffins and tea for breakfast with the elderly woman. She sat with Rudy on her lap, teaching her how to knit while Elise read two more books to Nana. Then, they switched so Elise could learn knitting while Rudy read her two books.

Since they had already eaten breakfast, they road with Nana on her scooter up to the bookstore to trade their four books for four more. When Nana dropped them off at the Beach House, they quickly introduced Nana to Mary and Molly, explaining that Bev had let them trade their new books for four more,

"This one is an adventure series, Momma! Bev said we're gonna love it!"

Elise nodded, "Uh-huh! And she said that the two girls in the story reminded her exactly of us!"

Mary looked at Nana and smiled, "I'm Mary Dennis, Rudy's mother and this is my step-granddaughter-in-law, Molly. I hope the girls weren't too much trouble."

Nana's smile was bright, "I'm Eloise Green and they are a gift from the heavens. It's too quiet without my kids around. They've reminded me that I've still got living to do. Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to get my scooter home before the battery gives out. They insisted on me… 'putting the pedal to the metal'. They do love going fast."

Mary and Molly smiled, "That they do."

Rudy smiled, "Nana, won't you come with us to the museum and the tall ship today?"

"I'm afraid that kind of trip takes energy my old bones don't have, girls. But if you take pictures with that camera of yours, you can tell me all about it tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" Rudy asked.

"But you can take your scooter! You won't even have to walk!" Elise nodded.

Mary and Molly smiled at each other, Mary offering, "Perhaps Nana would like an afternoon with us?"

"Whatcha doin?" Rudy asked.

"We're going to shop right here in town and have lunch at Alicia's restaurant. Then, we're going over to Bev's to find books to read. We'd love to have Nana tag along with us."

"That sounds more my speed," Nana said, turning to the girls, "If you don't mind."

The two girls shared a glance, then looked back at Nana, shaking their heads. Rudy smiled, "As long as you're out in the world having fun!"

Nana nodded, "Not just sitting in my house in the dark."

"Exactly! You promised, Nana." Elise smiled.

She looked up at Mary and Molly, "I pinky swore. Is that really a thing in your family?"

"It is," Mary smiled, "You can't break a pinky swear, Nana. It's a very serious business."

Nana looked at Mary and Molly, "So it seemed. Well, I suppose I needed the reminder. Words from the wise."

Mary smiled, "They are wise beyond their years and sometimes," she looked at her daughter, "Not so much."

Rudy shrugged, "I get into trouble a lot."

Nana winked, "I used to do that too."

"And you're still alive?" Rudy asked.

Mary looked horrified, but Nana laughed and laughed, "Yes, Child. I've survived my mistakes because I listened to my elders when I was young."

"I'm trying to do that too," Rudy said, "They've saved my butt plenty."

"Yes, well, I've found that thinking before you act is a good preventative measure."

"I just get so excited about… well, everything."

Nana nodded, "I can see that and maybe I need to start getting excited about everything once again as well. I need to spend my days doing more than just sitting at home."

Elise held up a finger, "Not just days! You have to do nights, too! Stars are amazing!"

Nana laughed, "That they are, Dear. That they are," she turned to the two women, "These girls are precious. Thank you for allowing them to entertain an old woman. Well then, I'm going to head home. I trust Lauren or Bo will give you the information you need to contact me."

Mary nodded, "We already have it. Girls, you'd best get cleaned up and ready for your trip into the city. Wear the socks and sneakers Lauren bought you back home and take your heavy jackets. You'll be cold on the ship."

"Okay! Bye Nana!" they shouted as they ran off.

"I'll be going as well. Bo has my number. I'm going to go take my morning nap and charge my scooter."

Nana pushed down the pedal on her scooter and headed back up the driveway towards the street while Mary and Molly waved goodbye.

"Lovely woman," Mary said.

Molly nodded, "I think we're going to have a wonderful afternoon."

Mary smiled, "A quiet afternoon."

The pair giggled as they headed back inside to get breakfast ready for Tosh and Bo. He wanted solid food and they knew Bo and the boys would be hungry after working all morning.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Bo was leaving Nana's just as she returned and told her about her lunch invitation, though she wasn't surprised at the kindness offered by her Mom and Molly. She went back to the house to shower and have breakfast with Tosh, Lauren and the boys.

While Nana told her they'd delivered the muffins to the Beach House, she felt certain there wouldn't be any left, but Lauren had put one aside for her. She sat with Tosh who was eating with great enthusiasm for a simple bowl of cereal with fresh blueberries. He seemed to have more energy today and was very happy to eat a little solid food – particularly fresh fruit.

When Rudy and Elise arrived at the Guest House, they were dressed and ready to go, each with a backpack just in case they bought any souvenirs. Mary and Molly had arranged a trip allowance for each of them and they had fifty dollars each for today. They were expected to pay for their own movie tickets, admission fees and snacks, but Bo knew that Lauren would insist that money was put into their college funds.

When they started pressing Bo and Lauren to leave out of fear they'd miss the ferry, Tosh had them sit down to tell them all about their itinerary for the day. It bought Bo time to do her therapy and gave Lynnie and Shannie the chance to finish Tosh's transfusions and vital signs check before Kelly came to take over.

Tosh was all too happy to tell them how amazing Nana's muffins were, and the girls were quick to explain what they had done to help make them. He promised to go with them tomorrow morning for reading and knitting but received a cautionary look from Lauren followed by a whispered warning about making promises he might not be able to keep. He assured his sister-in-law that he would be there.

Eventually, Mary intervened, explaining to her daughter that they really were running late for the ferry and that she needed to hurry. Lauren moved to help with cleanup, but Mary insisted they didn't have time and hurried everyone out the door and into the rental truck.

Mary yelled, "Kurt has the extra keys, so take that set with you. He'll pick up the truck from the parking lot so we have it here in case we need it. Don't forget to help Harper in the truck! I don't think she can jump that high!"

Bo and Lauren waved as did the girls, then hurried into the truck, surprised to find Harper was already in. They drove down the driveway for the days' adventure.

In the end, making the ferry required a mad dash from the parking lot. With Bo unable to run, Shannie picked her up and threw her over her shoulder while the girls and Lauren laughed as Bo screamed at her to put her down and Lynnie followed behind, hoping her fiancé didn't drop her. They got to the boat just as the crew was starting to prepare to close the gate.

When Shannie put Bo down, the brunette looked at her long and hard.

"Um, Bo?" Lynnie began, placing a hand on her friend's forearm, "Please don't hit my fiancé. We would never have made the ferry if she hadn't carried you."

Harper sat by Bo, a low growl coming from her chest.

Shannie looked at Harper, then back to Bo, "Uh yea, Bo. Think of how upset the girls would have been. I mean… they did tell you we were going to be late… and I didn't' even drop you."

Lynnie nodded, "And we were all ready to go… except you, so it's not Shannie's fault we had to run for the boat."

Bo continued to stare until Lauren stepped between the two women,

"Harper, go watch Rudy and Elise," the dog obeyed, sniffing the ground to pick up the sent that would lead her to her two charges. Lauren turned to Bo,

"If you hit her, Bo Dennis, you will have zero sex in your life for the next six months, honeymoon be damned. I would have carried you myself, but I had two little girls attached to my hands. We were late because you stayed later than you said you would at Nana's. Now stop acting like a five-year-old having a tantrum. The girls want to jump rope."

Shannie raised her hand and raced off, "I'll hold an end!"

Lynnie stared at Bo for a moment before doing the same, "I'll hold the other!"

Lauren threw her hands up and rolled her eyes, "You never could have run for the boat, we made it, the girls are happy, it was your fault we were late and yes, it was hysterical to watch Shannie carrying you over her shoulder, so yes, I had Lynnie snap a picture. Now, I'm going to jump rope with the girls on the top deck because we promised them we would go all the way up even in the rain."

She turned to walk away, but turned back, whispering in her wife's ear,

"By the way, when I looked back to check on you, your ass looked fine in those tight jeans. It would be a shame to have to deny you what I had planned for it for sex… I mean… six months."

She turned and walked away, leaving Bo's eyebrows raised. She turned and walked towards her wife,

"How fine?" she called out, "And what's the plan?"

Now, they were all on the upper deck of the ship. There was a slight drizzle of rain, so the other passengers were below. Bo laid on a bench, her sunglasses covering her eyes and her hood pulled so tight that you could only see her nose and lenses. Harper had found a bench of her own and was lounging on her side with her paws hanging off the side.

Lauren had pulled on her baseball cap and sunglasses. It was odd that the sun was out, but the rain continued. She was keeping her eye out for a rainbow. She was sure one would appear at some point.

The girls continued to jump rope with Shannie and Lynnie, singing a gruesome tune,

"…when you feel the burning sun, Lady Polly has her fun. How many children will she slay? One, two, three…"

Lauren looked at Shannie who just shrugged, but the blonde wasn't having it. She jumped in with a suggestion,

"Can I have a turn?"

"Hooray! Lauren's gonna jump!" Elise smiled, clapping with her friend.

"Do you wanna do Lady Polly?" Elise asked.

"Well, I thought you girls would like a Disney Princess song instead."

"There's a princess jump rope song?" Rudy asked.

Lauren nodded, whispering to Shannie, "And no children get killed."

She turned to the girls, "It's been a while, so let me give this a shot and see if I can remember all the words."

Lauren jumped in and began, "Cinderella, dressed in yellow, went upstairs to kiss a 'fella, made a mistake and kissed a snake. How many doctors did it take? One, two, three, four, five, six…."

The girls counted enthusiastically as Lauren jumped while spinning in a circle to the count of eighteen before missing. They cheered before Elise said,

"I never jumped while spinning in a circle."

Lauren smiled, "Well, that's the fun of jumproping. You make your own rules, so maybe you just jump regular while you count."

"Cool!" Rudy said, "Do you want to go first?"

Elise shook her head, "It was your turn, so you go."

Rudy got in and began, "Cinderella's dress did twirl, went upstairs to kiss a girl, made a mistake and kissed a snake. How many doctors did it take? One, two, three…"

Lynnie eyed Lauren who only shrugged before continuing to count with Elise and Rudy. Clearly Bo's sister knew how she felt about kissing a boy and Lauren felt helpless knowing the road that lay ahead in her life. The one good thing was that no matter what silly rules society would try to impress upon her life, she would have plenty of support from this family no matter who she loved.

When she finished on twenty, everyone cheered, Elise shouting,

"You beat Lauren!"

Rudy smiled, hugging her friend, "I've got Tigger toes! I bounce good!"

The two friends jumped, laughing as they sang the Tigger song from the Winnie the Pooh movie they'd watched a few nights before. Then, it was Elise's turn.

When she sang the same verse that Lauren had sung, she could see a frown spread across Rudy's face, her eyes slowly moving to Lauren's who offered her a smile.

When a single tear trailed down her face, she ran to the blonde, hugging her tightly. Lauren whispered in her ear,

"I'll tell them you had to pee and send Bo to the bathroom. Do you know where it is?"

Rudy nodded.

"Okay. Go then. Don't talk to any strangers and I'm going to send Harper with you," Lauren said, moving to Harper, "Follow Rudy. Stay with Rudy."

Lauren walked to Bo, shaking her awake, "Bo, you have to go to the bathroom. Your sister is upset."

"What? Why?" She asked, throwing her hood back.

"Just go. She'll explain. I have to stay here and make an excuse for her, so no one knows."

"Right," Bo said, standing and wobbling for a moment, "Boat. I'm on a boat," she looked up at Lauren, "Where's the…"

"Down the steps to the right."

"Okay. Wait – you sent her alone?"

"No, I sent Harper with her. We'll be at the Harbor in another forty-five minutes. Maybe you two can stay down there and watch for whales?"

"Whales?"

"It will be my excuse when you don't come back."

"Got it," Bo said, holding up a finger, "Can I get a hint?"

"Broken heart?"

She shook her head, "Got any tissues?"

"There's toilet paper in the bathroom."

"Right," Bo said, "Wish me luck."

She rushed off, leaving Lauren standing, palms together with her fingertips over her lips,

"Great Spirits protect that little girls' heart."

She turned back to the group where Elise had finished and was asking where Rudy was. She explained she had gone to the bathroom with Bo,

"I guess all that jumping made her have to pee," Elise smiled.

Lauren nodded and smiled, "You can jump again, Sweetie."

"Do you want a turn?"

Lauren shook her head, "I'm all spun out for today. I'm going to call my friend and make sure we're all good for the movie."

"Cool!" Elise smiled and returned to the rope.

Lynnie eyed Lauren who shook her head and shrugged. She knew she would be explaining things later, but for now, she just wanted them to focus on giving Elise a good time.

She was grateful for Lynnie and Shannie. They had established a very special relationship with Rudy and Elise and the girls were always happy to see them back home. The trip, however, had taken things to a whole new level and the four of them had been inseparable since they started talking about the trip at breakfast.

Maggie had come in just before Bo finished eating, happy to see Tosh smiling and talking. A quick chat with Lynnie and Shannie about his morning readings, transfusion, and nutrition, left Maggie with time to talk to Lauren about her transition to life in Alaska.

By the time that conversation ended, Maggie had made flight reservations to visit Alaska the week after Lauren returned home. It wasn't a signed contract, but it gave the blonde hope that she might have a prospect should Doctor Hawthorne move on from Talkeetna General.

Lauren's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Elise's voice shouting,

"Watch me! Watch!"

Lauren smiled, giving her a wave as Lynnie and Shannie began spinning the rope more quickly. Elise continued to jump as the women counted. Her first miss came at fifty which led the group to celebrate!

"A new record!" Elise shouted, running over to Lauren, "Did you see? A new record! Okay, now it's Rudy's turn! Where is she?"

Lauren's heart broke as her soon-to-be-daughter looked around for her friend,

"Where is she? Where's Harper?"

Lauren smiled, "Bo mentioned something about possibly looking out for whales after they went to the bathroom. I guess she's just taking some little sister time. Harper is there to make sure Bo doesn't fall."

"Oh," Elise said, her eyes set on the exit, "Then… maybe we can we have some mother-daughter time?"

Lauren's eyebrows raised, but quickly saw the look on the youngsters' face,

"Is that what you want?"

She shrugged, "I know we're not mother-daughter yet and – well, I don't know if I'll ever call you mom or not but – I guess that's what we'll be, huh?"

Lauren nodded, "In the eyes of the law, yes but we can be whatever you want us to be, Sweetie. That will always be your choice."

"You're going to have a daughter with Bo. That will be your real daughter."

Lauren shook her head, "Elise, no matter what you call me, you will always be my first daughter. When we have a baby, they will need you as their big sister."

"Really?"

Lauren nodded, "Whether we share blood or not, we share a promise of family. That promise was made between you and me."

"A promise?"

She nodded, "The one your mom asked me to make. You didn't want to stay with Molly, so I did as I promised. I'm going to adopt you because it's what you want… more than that, it's what I want too."

"And Bo? Does she want me or is she just doing this, so you don't dee-vorce you?"

Lauren smiled, "Bo very much wants you, Sweetie. The promise we made to each other included the promise I made to you. She knew you might choose to live with me eventually and she married me anyway."

"She did?"

"Yes, Sweetie. You know, Bo didn't want a baby for a long time. She was afraid she wouldn't be a very good mom since she didn't have one for so long."

"And her daddy was the bad man?"

Lauren nodded, "I guess that may be part of it too. But then, she met her little sister, and she met you and her heart changed… it grew and so did her love for the two of you."

"It did?"

Lauren nodded, "She has thought of you as a little sister for a very long time. Every bit the sister that Rudy is, but since we're adopting you, she wanted to wait a bit to have a baby."

"It's my fault that you're not having a baby?" Elise asked, a worried look on her face?"

"No, Sweetie. It's our choice that we're waiting to have a baby. We want to have time alone with you so that we can give you the attention you deserve… so that the three of us can become a family before the new baby comes. We'll have some big decisions to make about the baby and before that, we have other big decisions to make."

"Sounds like a lot of big decisions."

Lauren nodded, "We have to decide on what you want in the yard, like a swing set or a garden and Bo will build it for you."

"She's going to build me a swing set?"

Lauren nodded, "I'll show you her drawings when we get home. It has a tree house and a sliding board and a ladder and a rope and two swings – one for you and one for Rudy. Eventually, she'll add a baby swing when your baby brother or sister comes."

"Wow," Elise said, her eyes moving to where Lauren's hands were wrapped around her own.

"Then we have to decide on your room. We have to decide on paint colors and Mary wants to crochet a blanket for your bed and you have to go to the general store to buy pillows and sheets and…"

Elise launched herself into Lauren's arms, hugging her as tears streamed down her face,

"You DO want me! You DO!"

Lauren couldn't hold back the tears as she realized that her precious little girl had doubts about whether or not she was loved and wanted. In that moment, she vowed to do better. She would make sure that Elise knew every minute of every day that the love she felt for her was as big as the universe.

Elise pulled back, smiling at Lauren who wiped her cheeks dry,

"I love you to the moon and back, kiddo. Always have – always will."

"I love you to the moon and back, too, Lauren. I always have and I always will."

Lauren smiled, "Okay. Now that we have that settled, want to jump some more?"

They turned to find Lynnie and Shannie, arms wrapped around each other as tears streamed down their faces. Lynnie shook her head,

"That was like the best Hallmark Movie moment ever!"

Elise shook her head, "You guys are weird."

The three women burst into laughter as Elise picked up the rope and handed an end to each of them. She turned toward the water and suddenly noticed a spray mist shoot up. She ran to the railing, her eyes going wide,

"Whales! Whales!"

Lauren could hear the commotion on the deck below as people crowded to the back beneath them. She felt Bo's arms around her as Rudy slid in front of Shannie at the other end of the group.

Bo whispered in her ear, "She's decided she's just going to be her friend and if Elise ever decides she loves her more than a friend, she'll just have to be the one to tell her."

"Oh, Bo."

"I know, Lauren. I know."

"You are going to have to set up a secret way for the two of you two talk once Elise is living with us. Rudy needs to know that you will be there for her no matter what. She's got to be your priority, Bo and Elise will have to understand that."

"She's my blood, Lauren."

"I know, but please don't say that to Elise. I just had to tell her that we wanted her as a daughter. She thought that because she'd not our blood, we were only adopting her because her mom asked and you were only adopting her so I wouldn't divorce you."

"She couldn't really think that, Lauren."

"She said it plain as day, Bo. She had Lynnie and Shannie in tears."

"Shannie cried?"

"Yes. It was that heart wrenching. I assured her that wasn't the case and told her I love her to the moon and back."

"Be careful – that's our thing with Roo."

"I know. It just came out. But I think that's a good thing. I don't want either of them thinking we love one of them more than the other. We love them both the same, blood or not. However, when it comes to broken hearts, you've got Roo and I've got Elise."

Bo nodded, "She wants a nickname from me so that I'll be special to her like Rudy."

"You guys call her Squirt."

"I know, but Shannie came up with that. I came up with Roo, so she wants me to come up with a name for her. I was thinking L-E-E-S-Y, but spelled with the last letters of her first name. I could engrave it on the headboard of the bed I'm building her."

"Lisey. I love that."

Bo nodded, "I'll try it out when I think the moment is right."

"Okay."

They looked out at the whales and enjoyed the cheers from the girls when they breeched. It was a thing of beauty and when Elise slid over to Rudy and took her hand, asking her if she was okay, that was a thing of beauty too.

Lauren placed her hand over Bo's only now noting how tan her wife had gotten this week,

"Why is it that you tan so well and I'm still like a pale ale?"

Bo shrugged, "Genes."

"Well, obviously, but you haven't tanned like this before."

Bo sighed, "You probably noticed that I haven't been wearing a hat, long sleeves and long pants like I did the last time we were here. I also haven't been wearing fifty sunblock."

"Oh… actually, I hadn't noticed. I was only worried about the girls' skin and sunscreen. I… what's that about?"

Bo shrugged, "I've always worried about my skin being too dark because of Big Jim, but now I'm allowing my native color to reign supreme if that's what the sun wants. Traveling to Boston reminded me that life, human or otherwise, comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. I'm proud of who I am."

Lauren grinned, "I'm proud of who you are too."

Bo looked over at her little sister, "I worry about her Lauren. Being here in Boston… reading the newspapers…"

"You read the newspaper?"

Bo nodded, "This morning when Tosh fell asleep. He mentioned a war and, well the last one I'd learned anything about was when Japan came to the Aleutians. I just thought it was odd that we were just talking about that last night and then Tosh brought it up this morning. I decided it was time I learn a little more about the rest of the world… then, I remembered how you always say that sometimes ignorance is bliss."

"I'm sorry, Bo," Lauren said, "I'll understand if you change your mind about wanting to come here more regularly."

Bo looked over at her sister and Elise, "I don't think I'm going to have a choice, Lauren. Look at them. They're so excited about visiting the city. I can't predict what their future will bring. What if they don't want to live in the isolation that Alaska brings to their lives?"

Lauren nodded, "Honestly, I've worried more about Elise than Rudy with regard to what will happen when they're older. With her ambitions for Veterinary Medicine and the best schools for that occupation being in this area…"

"Hey, don't knock U of A on that front – at least that's what Cassie has been pushing."

Lauren chuckled, "She's only ten."

"And soon to be eleven," Bo smiled, "Speaking of birthdays, what are we going to do for them?"

Lauren grinned, "Well, they were born two weeks apart, but I'd love to have separate parties so they each have their special day."

"Agreed. I'm sure they wouldn't mind sharing, but I never want them to lose their individuality," Bo smiling.

"Let's talk to your Mom and Molly. They'll help us figure it out."

Bo shrugged, "I don't always want to have to check in with Molly about what we do with Elise, Lauren. She's going to be our daughter and while I feel bad for her, she made her choice."

Lauren nodded, "Understood."

"But we definitely have to check in with mom about Rudy's party."

"Oh, definitely. She may already have a plan," Lauren said.

"I guess the whales are gone," Bo said.

Lauren nodded, "We're too close to the coast," she pointed, "Harbor ahead. Take your last deep breaths of fresh air."

"I'll be fine," Bo said, watching as Lauren stood to go get the girls to return their borrowed jump rope.

Bo's eyes scanned the land as they moved closer and closer to it. She could already imagine the tall buildings surrounding her… the traffic… the people… the noise… the smell and the smoggy blue sky that would linger overhead. Her throat tightened, her stomach dropped, and her hands began to sweat.

She moved her eyes to the handrail she was gripping. Her fingernails were white from how hard she was squeezing the steel. This was the start of a panic attack. She needed to get it under control. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes,

"Trees… mountains… smooth wood of the handlebar in my hands… dogs… Harper," Bo said, "Harper."

She looked down, seeing her friend looking back up at her and smiled, bending down to take hold of the lead attached to her harness she spoke calmly,

"Ready for your first trip to the big city?"

Harper stood, coming to sit next to her master. Bo rubbed her head between her ears, "Remember, your harness says service dog, not guard dog. Be nice to the people and no growling. They're not like us."

Harper barked once, standing to rub her head against Bo's brace. The brunette smiled, "It will be fine. If it's not, I'll sit and rest it."

"Ready to go you two?" Lauren asked, giving Harper's head a rub.

Bo nodded, "Ready."

The group started towards the exit, but the crowd gave Bo pause. She stood, watching until Rudy looked back, tugging on Shannie's hand. The nurse glanced back at her friend offering her a smile as she moved towards her,

"You okay?"

Bo smiled, "By whose definition?"

"Yours."

"Okay as I can be."

Rudy looked up at her big sister, her hand working up and down Harper's back, "Is the mean Bo in you?"

The brunette nodded, "She's… lurking."

Rudy smiled, "Well, tell her to go away. She wasn't invited."

Bo smiled, "I'll try."

Rudy climbed up on the nearby stairway, taking Bo's face in her hands,

"Remember, Sister… there's plenty of air and just focus on your favorite things."

Bo smiled, "Are you one of my favorite things?"

"I'm your favoritest thing," Rudy smiled, "And Lauren… and Elise."

Shannie leaned in, "And me?"

Rudy laughed, "And Lynnie."

"Crowd's gone," Shannie smiled, "Let's get going."

Rudy jumped down from the step, running for the exit until Shannie yelled, "Hey Squirt! Hand!"

Stopping, the child turned back, holding out her hand, "Right."

Bo smiled, "That's a good rule."

"Every city-parent's safety net," Shannie smiled, "I'm with you, Bo. If you need air, just let me know and I'll hand off this little hand to Lynnie. I picked a route that will give you as much open space as possible and where there isn't open space, I can get you to some quickly."

Bo nodded, "I feel like such a child."

Shannie shook her head, "Kind of like I feel every time I go out on the sled by myself or when I'm trying to fix my roof and I have to call you for help."

"Going out on your sled by yourself?"

Shannie nodded, leaning in to whisper to her friend, "When that bear attacked Rudy, it shook me up too… and Lynnie. I'm still not 100% okay when I'm out there on my sled. I've been practicing with my axe and I always have my bear mace but… well, it's not my world. Not yet, anyway… just like that world on the dock isn't your world."

Bo smiled nodding her head slowing, "So you're going to help me through your world like I've helped you through mine?"

Shannie nodded, "Exactly. Ready?"

Bo smiled, "Ready."

Shannie turned, walking ahead with Rudy, but the youngster turned back, holding her hand out to Bo,

"I'll hold the leash with you."

Bo smiled, "Okay. Don't let go of it, no matter what if you're not going to hold another adult hand."

"I won't let go," Rudy smiled, "We're gonna see so much stuff, Sister! Isn't it exciting?"

"You're going to love this trip to the big city, Roo."

"Shannie says we're not doing any stuff for adults today. Sorry if you're bored."

Bo grinned, "Actually, I think I like the kid stuff better anyway."

Rudy smiled, "Hear that, Harper? We're gonna have so much fun! I don't know what we're doing, but it's gonna be fun!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Harbor

After a short walk from the ship, the group of six with a service dog landed in the back room of a small restaurant on the pier. A waitress took their order and once finished, she headed off to the kitchen as Rudy and Elise began a guessing game about the events of the day.

They knew what they were called, but they didn't know what a tall ship was or what was in the aquarium or what an IMAX was. They were laughing and talking until the owner of the restaurant emerged from her office,

"Shannie! Lynnie!" she shouted, opening her arms to the two nurses who rushed to her, giving her a hug.

Lynnie smiled, "Audrey, I want you to introduce you to our family from Alaska. This is Lauren and Bo…"

Audrey's eyes landed on Lauren as she shook Bo's hand, "You're the daughter of Franklin and…"

She stopped when she saw the horrified look on Carolyn's face as Shannie shook her head and changed her tact,

"Apologies, Doctor Lewis. It's nice to meet you."

Lauren sighed, "I suppose you read the headline about my parents. I don't have much information on what's happened to them as we've been estranged for almost a decade. My name is Lauren Dennis, I'm married to this lovely woman. This is Elise, my daughter and that is Rudy, Bo's little sister."

Audrey shook Lauren's hand before turning to the girls, "Rudy and Elise. It's nice to meet you both. Are you excited for your day in the city?"

Elise smiled, "We're doing all kid stuff today, so we're very excited."

"Kid stuff, huh? Well then, does that mean we can have milkshakes for breakfast?" Audrey asked, looking to Bo and Lauren.

The brunette saw Lauren hesitate, so she smiled and nodded,

"Definitely! Milkshakes all around."

"Bo," Lauren whispered, but her expression softened when Bo whispered in her ear,

"Come on, Lauren. Have a little fun today. No rules other than holding our hands and proper decorum in the places we visit. Okay?"

The blonde smiled, "You're right. Okay," she turned to Audrey, "Make mine vanilla with fresh strawberries?"

Audrey smiled, "Done."

"Can I have mine chocolate and vanilla ice cream mixed together?" Rudy asked.

Elise smiled, "Mine too!"

Bo grinned, "Mine too."

Shannie laughed, "I'll take what Lauren's having."

Lynnie shrugged, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right? I'll go with a chocolate shake with banana in it."

"Chocolate and banana?" Rudy asked.

Lynnie tweaked Rudy's nose, "It's awesome, Roo. You can try some of mine. If you like it, we'll split ours," she turned to Audrey, "Can you give us two extra cups?"

Audrey nodded, "Certainly."

Rudy looked up at Shannie, "Can we do that too?"

Shannie nodded, "Definitely. Two cups for us too?"

"Of course," Audrey smiled, "Do you need anything for your dog?"

Bo smiled, "Thank you for asking. Any chance you have any plain yogurt and peanut butter?"

"We have both, why?"

"That's her milkshake. One tablespoon of peanut butter, an individual serving of yogurt, a handful of ice, two cups of water and if you have a handful of blueberries, you can throw those in too."

She finished writing and nodded, "I've never heard of that. I might try it with my dog."

"Oh? What do you have?"

She nodding towards Bo's dog, "Actually, I have a Siberian Husky with a mix of something. She's a shelter mutt, but looks like a full bred husky like yours."

Bo wanted to tell her there wasn't really any such thing, but she knew better than to take the conversation there,

"Actually, she's a Siberian-Alaskan Husky mix. Like yours, she just looks like a Siberian."

"Aren't those two breeds the same thing?"

Rudy laughed, "Be careful what you ask Sister or we'll never eat. She's a dog expert."

Shannie smiled, "She's a sled dog expert. Harper there is a five-time Iditarod Champion and that doesn't account for her second and third place finishes."

"Wow. We're with sled dog royalty," Audrey smiled, "I watch that race every year, even if I have to get some weird channel to get it."

Bo smiled, "Well, thank you for your support of the race."

"I think it's amazing what those dogs can do," she looked at Shannie, "Do you guys have a sled?"

Shannie grinned, "We do and we're actually getting pretty good on it."

Lynnie shook her head, "She's getting pretty good on it. I'm still the same uncoordinated goofball I ever was when it comes to things that move while I'm standing on them."

Rudy tugged on Lynnie's pant leg, "You can wakeboard."

Lynnie shrugged, "That's different Squirt. I'm being pulled by a boat. All I have to do is stand up!"

Rudy giggled before Shannie looked up at Audrey, "Well, we're on a schedule, so if you don't mind getting that order in. We'll check out the menus. If you have a break, it would be great to talk to you. If not, we'll give you a call."

"Good enough," Audrey said, "I'll be back soon."

They all sat down at the table, Rudy and Elise picking up the crayons to work on the coloring and puzzles on their paper placemats. Lynnie turned to her friend,

"Lauren, I'm sorry about Audrey…"

But the doctor waved her off, "Lynnie, it's okay. Things are going to get much worse before they get better around here. Thankfully, it shouldn't be as bad once we're back home. Most of our town witnessed what went down with my parents at our wedding and I'm sure the gossip around Tamsin hauling them off the day after we left will pretty much seal the deal… hopefully put the proverbial final nail in the coffin of the story of Lewis Enterprises."

Shannie sighed, "Lauren…"

"Really… both of you… it's okay. It's not the first time I've had to deal with reaping the headlines brought about by my parents' actions and it won't be the last. The papers will have daily updates on this from their arraignment to the moment the cell doors slam shut on their lives," she said, releasing a heavy sigh, "Maybe then, I'll finally be free. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go use the facilities."

They all watched as Lauren stood and left the table while Bo shook her head and sighed,

"Thanks, Audrey. Way to get our day started off on the right foot."

"I'm sorry, Bo…" Lynnie began again, but Bo shook her head,

"It's not your fault, Lynnie and frankly, I suppose Audrey comes by it quite innocently. It's the way of the Lower Forty-Eight. Get into everyone's personal business with their superficial life view. It's just another reason I hate being here."

"You hate being here, Sister?" Rudy asked.

Bo sighed, "There's so much to see and do, Rudy but… maybe when you're older, you'll understand that Alaska is just different than any other place in our country… probably in the world."

She paused, then reached across the table, taking Elise's hand and Rudy's hand. Her face was very serious as she spoke,

"Listen carefully to me now. It's important to Lauren and I that the two of you decide for yourselves what you like and don't like when we travel. The world is a very big place and there is SO much to see."

"We want to see it with you and Lauren," Rudy said as Elise nodded.

Bo smiled, "Well, you see – that's a problem because you know I'm not super comfortable outside of Alaska and I would never want to hold you back from seeing any place you want to see. Lauren, on the other hand, will probably travel with you anywhere you want to go."

She could feel her throat tighten at the thought, but she knew if they waited for her to be ready, they would miss out on life,

"Lynnie and Shannie, Kate and Anna, even Patrick and Jake will surely travel to a lot of places and maybe you can travel with them some day. Until then, any time you want to see something, you tell us and we'll do our best to make sure you get there."

"Sister, why don't you like the city?"

"Well, you know how I have to sleep outside sometimes?"

"When the other Bo is inside you?" Rudy asked.

Bo nodded, "Well, these tall buildings around us and all the people and traffic… it feels crowded to me just like being inside when I want to be outside."

Elise nodded, "I think I understand. Everyone looks like they're in a hurry. We just take our time in Alaska. That's why my mom and dad liked Alaska."

Bo smiled, "Me too. It's quiet there."

"If you close your eyes and picture sitting by the river at home, I bet you can hear the water and feel the breeze so much that Boston would just disappear," Rudy said, flipping her hands out to the side.

Bo nodded, "I'll bet you're right. I'll have to try that if I start to feel too crowded."

"I'm sorry the waitress upset Lauren. Should I go check on her?" Elise asked.

Bo shrugged, "If you feel like you want to, of course, but I think she'll be okay, Sweetie."

Elise stood up, "I think I want to go check on her anyway. I'll take Harper and I won't let her go no matter what."

Bo smiled, "Good idea. Did you see where she went?"

Shannie stood, "I'll make sure she gets there."

"Thanks, Shannie," Bo said, watching the pair walk away.

She pulled her hand back from Rudy's so she could resume working on her placemat. She chanced a glance at Lynnie who smiled,

"It'll be okay," she whispered.

Bo nodded and opened her menu.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lauren exited the restaurant through the rear entrance of the building and headed down the alley to the street along the wharf. She turned onto Old Atlantic Avenue. As she walked, she eyed the buildings that were so familiar to her.

A small pang hit her heart when she thought about her morning runs here, sailing from the wharf on weekends in singles competitions, having coffee at Marty's food truck in the mornings before work, conference presentations at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, wandering through the Institute of Contemporary Art…

She stopped, looking south, as one more memory hit her, "The bike ride south to the Children's Hospital…"

A horrible feeling hit her stomach. She pulled out her phone and called Kate,

"Hey. Sorry to wake you."

"Lauren? Are you okay?"

"Kate, can you call the hospital back in Alaska?"

"What? Why? Lauren? What's going on?"

She shook her head, "I don't know, Kate. It's just a feeling. Can you make the call? I have to get back to the group."

"Okay, but shouldn't Stephen be the one to…"

"No, that's not it. I just have a feeling… it's about Thea. Can you just call and make sure she wasn't brought into the hospital? I mean… we're all here and…"

"Dala is the only one back in Alaska," Kate realized.

"Not that I don't trust her, but she's new to transplants and…"

"You think a heart is available?"

"Honestly, I don't know what it is. Just a bad feeling."

"I'll call and check on her, Lauren. If she's not at the hospital, I'll call her parents."

"Thank you, Kate. Text me if you need me."

"You're saying you would fly home? I mean, by the time you get there..."

Lauren nodded, "I would have to, Kate. She's my patient. I promised her I'd be there."

"Okay, okay. I'll text you either way, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you."

"Enjoy your day, Lauren. I know the girls were very excited at breakfast this morning. They were disappointed that Anna and I couldn't go."

"They understand, Kate. We have another ten days in… well, wherever we're going on Tuesday."

Kate chuckled, "Still keeping you in the dark, huh?"

"I just hope I don't have to where a blindfold this time."

"Well, I'm going to go make the call. Try not to worry."

"Right. Thanks again."

Lauren ended the call, turning back towards the sidewalk to the nearest newsstand, "She probably thinks I'm insane."

She surveyed the papers on the racks, shaking her head when she saw that her mom and dad had made the headline on every paper and it had been over a week. She pulled down her sunglasses from atop her head just as she heard her name,

"Lauren! My favorite customer has finally returned!"

Lauren smiled, "Herb! How are you?"

He opened his shirt, "She's still ticking like a dream, Doc. Where have you been? Don't tell me your cheating on me with another news stand."

Lauren shook her head, a grin stretched across her face, "I would never cheat on you, Herb."

"Sorry about this, Lauren," He said, nodding at the stand, "It's my business to sell them, not write them. I'm sure there's no truth to it."

Lauren sighed, handing him a five-dollar bill, "Keep the change, Herb and you can keep your apology as well. I've been estranged from my parents for more than a decade and can't honestly tell you what the truth is.

She folded her paper, but then opened it and read the headline again,

"Actually, Herb, that's not entirely true. My parents showed up uninvited to my wedding and blasted their dirty laundry to most of my town. They're lying, thieving, manipulative…" she stopped herself, "They'll get what they deserve."

He looked shocked, but nevertheless, mustered a reply of support, "Lauren, I'm so sorry."

She shook her head, "Don't be, Herb. I've got a fabulous family and an amazing life… in Alaska. Do you have a pen and paper?"

He nodded, "Sure."

She scribbled on a piece of paper, handing it to him, "Can you send me my paper in the mail if I pay you for a subscription?"

He scowled, "But Lauren, you can order it directly online and…"

She shook her head, tapping the piece of paper, "I want to know where my money is going, Herb. I've supported this newsstand since my Yale days and I'll continue to support it until you close up shop."

He smiled, "Thank you, Lauren. I can't thank you enough. People don't seem to read things on paper much anymore. It's appreciated."

Lauren nodded, "There's no need for thanks, Herb. You'll keep me posted on what's happening in the town where my hospitals are, and I'll keep living my best life in Alaska."

He shook his head, "So that's where you've been all this time, huh?"

"Yup. When you retire, add it to your bucket list. I think you'd love it there."

"Can I see a bear?"

Lauren nodded, "I'm sure I can help you with that. See you later, Herb."

"Bye Lauren. You'll have your first paper next week."

"Take care, Herb," Lauren said, circling around the cart and heading back down the street to the restaurant.

As she walked, she realized she really did miss this place and would love to attend more meetings in person. Hopefully, their trip home tonight would open some doors. She felt her phone buzzing in her pocket and pulled it out to see a call from her wife,

"Hello?"

"Um… the bathroom was empty so I thought I should call and find out what you wanted for your real breakfast."

"Actually, the half blueberry muffin I had back at the house was really good," Lauren smiled.

"Do you want another half?"

"No, but I will have a tomato and spinach omelet with a cup of coffee."

Bo smiled, "I'll put in the order… I mean - if you're coming back. You are coming back, right?"

Lauren nodded as her eyes surveyed the waters by the wharf, her gaze falling on a beautiful twenty-four-foot sailboat… old, wooden and clearly restored, "I'm on my way, Sweetie."

"Are you okay?" Bo asked.

Lauren sighed, "Honestly, I miss this place. I miss the life I had here," she reconsidered her comment, "Actually, I miss the routine I had here. I miss living by the water, going to the museum every day, riding my bike between hospitals, weekend sailboat races, Herb at the newsstand…"

"Newsstand?" Bo asked.

Lauren tore her eyes from the boat as she continued walking, along the Harbor Walk, "After Audrey mentioned my parents and after reading the newspaper that Tosh had hidden from me, I decided I'd better bring myself up-to-date on what I can expect to be asked about my parents."

"As long as you're still going to spend the day with us, that's fine."

Lauren stopped, feeling her eyes burn, "Bo, I have to warn you, we're going to public places and I may be recognized. With the headlines over the past week and a half, we could attract attention… the kind you were upset about in that copy of Alaska magazine Tosh hid from you."

There was silence until another voice came through the phone,

"Hey Doctor Dennis, it's Carolyn – do you hear me?"

Lynnie only asked that question when she wanted Lauren to get her proverbial shit together and focus on what she had to say,

"Loud and clear."

"Thank you for your attention. The kids are asking questions and Bo has been a little nervous since she figured out you went AWOL. Wanna get your fine ass back here and rejoin your family? You can sort the rest out while sitting on the beach after everyone goes to bed tonight. I'll be happy to sit up with you and hash things out if you need me but please don't do this now."

The doctor was more than familiar with the tone in her assistant's voice. She considered her ass sufficiently kicked and replied,

"I'm two minutes away. Be right there."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"It's nine o'clock and we ate all the food on our plate! Can we go now?" Rudy asked.

Shannie and Lynnie looked at Bo and Lauren who nodded,

"You go ahead. Bo and I will take care of the bill and be right behind you."

Rudy leaned down, handing Harper her last piece of bacon from her plate, "Good girl. Don't tell."

Bo laughed, knowing that the two girls had fed Harper several pieces of bacon, two pieces of toast and a half a glass of milk,

"Roo, please pick up the bowl from the floor and put it on the tabletop before you leave."

Rudy looked up at Bo, her face dropping, but Bo reassured her, "It's a holiday for Harper too. I'm sure she enjoyed the treats you two gave her for breakfast. I just don't want the waitress to have to clear the floor too."

Rudy smiled, picking up the bowl and putting it on the tabletop, "Thanks. Can we go now?"

"Go ahead. Hold hands!"

The two rushed off with Shannie and Lynnie, Bo turning to Lauren, "Can you watch Harper while I go use the little girls' room?"

Lauren nodded, "Of course."

Bo stood, "I promise I won't detour to some untraceable place in Boston."

"I'm sorry, Bo. I just needed air."

Bo nodded, "I can understand that, I'd just appreciate it if you would let me know when you run off for twenty minutes to get that air."

"I really am sorry."

"Do you want to move back to Boston?" Bo asked.

Lauren shook her head, "I love it here, Bo. It was my home for a very long time. However, my home… my life is with you and the rest of our family in Alaska now. This will be my business trip and vacation home spot – nothing more."

"You're sure?" Bo asked.

Lauren nodded before Bo turned and headed back to the bathroom. She sat, staring out the window at the water. Boston confused her. Boston brought chaos to her very being.

"Do you need change, Ma'am?" the waitress asked.

Lauren shook her head, "No. The rest is for you. Thank you."

"Of course. You have a nice day. Audrey will be out to see you in just a moment if you don't mind waiting."

Lauren sighed, "Of course, if it's just a moment. We have to meet up with the rest of the group."

"I'll get her."

Lauren stood, smoothing out her clothing and pulling her daypack over her back. She grabbed Harper's leash,

"Come on, Harp. Let's go meet your mom at the back so she doesn't have to walk as far."

Harper stood, stretching out her legs, front and then back before she was ready to follow. Lauren smiled, allowing her to lead the way until they ran into Audrey at the end of the counter.

"I just wanted to apologize once more for bringing up what I'm sure is a very sore subject…"

Lauren shook her head, giving a tug on Harper's lead when she growled, "Public newspaper makes me and my entire family fair game, isn't that right?"

Audrey shook her head, "No, of course not. I mean, justice must be done. I'm not saying that…"

"I hope you're not saying what I think you're saying," came Shannie's voice from behind Lauren as Bo approached from behind Audrey.

"Elise forgot her backpack under the table. Do you want to get it? I'll bring Harper, Bo. Why don't you take Lauren outside."

"You're sure?" Bo asked, putting a flat hand in front of Harper who sat, her eyes set on Audrey.

"I'm sure," Shannie nodded before turning to her old friend, "Do you remember all of those years ago when your family couldn't afford surgery for your grandmother and you came to me asking if I could find a doctor who would do the job pro-bono?"

Audrey shook her head, "Shannie, I'm not trying to say I would do anything…"

"Answer me!"

"Yes! Of course, I remember."

"Good. Because you promised me you would always have my back because of what I did for you."

"Of course I do, but Shannie, working for a family who is clearly self-destructing is…"

"I don't work for the family, Audrey. I work for Lauren. I don't work for Lewis Enterprises. I work for the soon to be renamed Dennis-Archer Enterprises and Lauren Dennis."

"Shannie, she can change her name all she wants. She's still a Lewis and the whole family is obviously corrupt."

"Really, Audrey? Because that woman has been audited almost yearly by the IRS because of her parents business dealings and she has always come out spotless. She spent almost three million dollars of her own personal money to fund hospital projects where I work – money that came from a trust fund that her grandfather and grandmother set up for her – not her parents. Her parents never gave her a damn thing. She might as well have been a table lamp in every picture that was ever published of the Lewis Family."

She took a deep breath, calming herself, "And you owe that woman. She put herself through college and medical school by joining the ROTC and serving in Afghanistan in some Marine Corp hell hole stitching soldiers bodies back together while you and I had fun going out to bars then tucking ourselves into our beds safe and sound every night. When she got back here, she was put to work in a field of our former bosses' choosing and she paid all of the legal fees for every person Fleurette-Marquis ever screwed and put a good chunk of money she won in that case right back into the hospital system she built."

Shaking her head, she continued, "Why? Because she and her colleagues – including me, Lynnie and a lot of other healthcare workers that you don't know – have built a hospital that will never allow a woman like your grandmother to be denied care ever again."

Audrey moved to speak, but Shannie held up a hand, "Furthermore, anyone who can't pay, won't pay – plain and simple. Just one week ago, I personally watched donors offer her more than twenty-million dollars but she turned them all away – every last one of them. Why? Because they're the usual suspects who would always want something in return for their donations and those donations then essentially translate to another dog collar around her neck just like she had with Evony."

Audrey shook her head, "I didn't know… I…"

"Yea, whatever! The newspapers don't do their research before they print this vile shit. You read it and because you're too lazy to read a few other points of view. You take one person's word for it. Newspapers are no different than any other business, Audrey. The people at the top cozy up to wealthy donors who want the tax write-off. They write the stories that those donors want to see to protect their interests. Stop reading the damn papers and pick up the phone and get your information from the source. If not, wait until a ruling comes down from the courts."

"I…"

"And one last thing just so you understand the big picture. By turning down those wealthy donors, Lauren made enemies. Very powerful, very wealthy enemies. This shit that's going on with her parents is the very thing they could use to try to take down every hospital that she and her partner now own and operate. If they do that, Audrey, those hospitals will become just like all the other ones in this country. Poor people will die because they can't afford care."

"But…"

"Do you know how I know that, Audrey? Because I met a woman named Patricia whose mom was turned away from MY former hospital because Evony, disguised as a doctor, told her there was nothing she could do for her mom. Her mom had breast cancer, Audrey. Treatable breast cancer. She could have had at least five more years with her mom, but Evony put her profit margins first because she decided that woman's life was a bad business deal!"

"Oh my…"

"There are others, Audrey… many, many others and those will ALL come out in court because Lauren is going to see to it that it does. Why? Because she has no loyalty to her parents or wealthy donors or big pharma or the medical equipment companies or anyone else. What we're doing in our new healthcare system is working, Audrey. It's working and we're all happy about it. Do you know what it means when hospital workers are happy, Audrey? It means you and people like your grandmother get better care because we love our jobs."

She shook her head, "And fuck you for making me say all of that! We were friends, Audrey. I would expect that you would trust me to know what was going on around me. The minute that I learned the truth about Evony, I moved to the other corner of the country to work for Lauren and Stephen because I knew they had the integrity to right the wrongs. Ah, screw it. I've got to go."

"I'm sorry."

"Yea, you said that earlier before you started pointing your finger. Just remember that the next time you point your finger, make sure it's to say thank you for saving your grandmother's life… for free."

Audrey's eyes went wide, "You mean she…"

"Who the fuck else, Audrey? No doctors would touch your grandmom's heart because it was too badly damaged. You needed the best and I got her for you. Just keep in mind that those incredible hands are tied to an incredible heart as well. She's the single most trusting and honest person I've every met and I will go to my grave defending her and the rest of tje non-blood family she's built in Alaska."

"That goes double for me," Carolyn said, coming to stand next to Shannie, "The kids are getting antsy."

Shannie nodded, "Take Harper? She probably has to pee or poo."

Lynnie smiled, "That's what Rudy thought. See you outside."

"Listen, Audrey. I'm not going to tell you what to believe and frankly, Lauren has too much class to get into an argument with anyone over her parents. Just know that she wants justice."

She shook her head, "Go back and look up old family portraits. She was ordered to be there. Look closely. She parted ways with her parents a long, long time ago and more happened than I am at liberty to discuss. Just know that she's innocent, but people like you are going to make her life hell until her parents end up wherever they end up and it's just not fair. She's done nothing but help the people of this city. It just wouldn't be right if they turned on her."

She hesitated, but instead of a hug, she simply said, "Goodbye."

She turned and walk to the door. As the wind came off the water and whipped her in the face, Shannie took a deep breath. She closed her eyes holding in the tears that had threatened to fall as she shouted at her oldest and dearest friend… a now former dear friend. It was just another goodbye. She'd had plenty in her life and this one was no different.

She needed to move forward in her life and she didn't have time to deal with the drama that had filled so much time in her past. In two and a half days, they would leave here. The difference this time was that she left now certain that this place was no longer home.

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NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM

There was a bit of a problem at the entrance to the aquarium when the attendant had asked to see Harper's ADA paperwork, but luckily, a mutual friend of Shannie and Lynnie's had been nearby.

They called her over and explained that the paperwork was home in Alaska where it was too early to call anyone. Thanks to Harper's charm and big beautiful blue puppy-dog eyes, their friend took their word for it and granted them access after some small talk.

Rudy and Elise immediately came alive with wonder at the sight of the penguin exhibit down below, but Shannie and Lynnie steered them towards the start of the path through the museum.

The two girls asked everyone and anyone who worked at the aquarium questions about animals as they wandered through the tanks that lined the walls along the walkway. In the dark tunnels, Bo found it difficult to catch her breath, but as promised, Shannie was there, asking her to pretend there were no walls but that she was walking along the ocean floor and what she was seeing were the animals that surrounded her in the deep.

Eventually, things opened up a bit and Bo was able to focus by occasionally stopping and reaching down to stroke Harper's fur. Lauren kept her arm wrapped in Bo's for additional support on the side of her bad leg and before they knew it, they were walking the long spiral ramp up to the top of the giant ocean tank.

Shannie and Lynnie had amassed a great deal of knowledge about sea life while spending time on research vessels in the summer with Kelly, Meena and Maeve. They shared that knowledge freely with the group, making it all the more entertaining for Rudy and Elise who were sending off rapid fire questions as they pointed at animal after animal, the most common question being 'what's that'.

When they reached the top, it was time for the shark feeding. They first met Myrtle the Turtle who Bo was happy to see was still alive and well. Bo had thought she was destined for death's door the first time she'd seen her, so she was glad the girls had a chance to see her. Then, they watched as they pulled out what they called a hammock and mounted it on the side of the feeding station.

Two young men took to the platform, one keeping Myrtle busy and away from the platform by feeding her lettuce while the other young man explained who the sharks were and a bit about how they taught them to swim through the hammock to get their food.

When he was finished, Elise moved closer to him, asking him why he used the long pole with the two fingers on the end to feed the sharks instead of just dropping the fish in like they did at the seal exhibit. The man explained that it was to make sure the fish got into the right shark's mouth, so they got the right amount of food.

Rudy was quick to ask if they would fight over the food if he just dropped it in the water and he nodded that it would cause conflicts. He added that other fish would also try to get the food which could result in one of the fish species this aquarium was meant to save would die.

Elise asked more questions about the 'fish hospital' downstairs and how he got a job working at the aquarium. That led to a chat about the field of marine biology which led both Bo and Lauren to wonder if they would eventually lose Elise to the ocean one day.

They saw Rudy's enthusiasm was strong for the aquarium and she really wanted to see the film about whales that was advertised on the giant IMAX poster outside of the aquarium. She begged and begged Bo to take them, but all Bo would say was that they had told them that the IMAX movie was a maybe and that they had a ship to catch."

When they finished at the aquarium, they took a cab over to the Museum of Science, arriving at eleven o'clock. They were ahead of schedule which was surprising considering how many stops they had made in the aquarium to chat with various people, but the two girls were just too excited to stay in any one place for too long… except the gift shop where Elise had purchased a stuffed, white baby Fur Seal and Rudy, a stuffed baby Emperor Penguin.

Again, the service dog issue was raised and again, Shannie managed to help them to get through, by dropping the name of a former manager. When they entered, the two girls looked up at the sky-high ceiling giving a collective, 'whoa'. Their eyes were as wide as saucers as they took in the expansive size of the building and the list of exhibits that Lauren directed them to,

"Now, we can always come back another time. I have meetings here again in four months but for now, we have about ninety minutes before we must leave, so we want each of you to choose one exhibit you really want to see this time around and we'll spend more time here the next time we come."

"Can't we come back tomorrow?" Rudy asked.

Lauren shrugged, "If you want to give up surfing time, tubing, wakeboarding and the catamaran."

Elise jumped up and down, "You're gonna take us on the big boat?"

Lauren chuckled, "If you don't want to come back here, yes. Patrick has one too so we were thinking we could each pick a crew and race out to the buoy and back. The losers hose down the toys at the end of the day."

Rudy pumped her fist, "I'm in!"

"Me too!" Elise smiled, "Can Bo go?"

Lauren looked over at Bo and shrugged, "She can if she wants to. All she has to do is lean. I'll work the sail from my cockpit. You and Rudy just lay in the hammock with whatever adult is with you."

"Can we go together?" Elise asked.

Lauren shrugged, "Only if you want to make Patrick cry. He was hoping one of you would want to be on his boat."

Rudy smiled, raising her hand, "I'll go with Patrick. I don't want him to cry."

"I'll go with him if Rudy really wants to go with her sister."

Bo shrugged, "Okay then – Rudy, Patrick and Bo are together. How many more people do we need?"

"At least three more adults. We need a mobile adult on each outrigger and an adult in each hammock. The girls will be in one of the hammocks."

Shannie and Lynnie raised their hands, "If you're looking for volunteers, we're in."

Lauren smirked, "My boat."

"Hey! Are you loading your crew, Mrs. Dennis?" Bo asked, eyeing the blonde suspiciously.

Lauren laughed, "Not if you can get Kelly and Maggie in your boat."

"Maggie?" Shannie asked.

Lauren nodded, "Maggie was once an excellent sailor. She hasn't had her boat out since her husband died which is why I was hoping she would come earlier than she did yesterday. Maybe we can talk her into going out with us tomorrow."

Lynnie shrugged, "She did say it was her day off tomorrow and she was just planning to work in the lab. She invited us to come and see her equipment to give us a better idea of what we might want to order for ours."

Shannie grinned, "Or hers?"

Lauren smiled, "We can dream, can't we. She would be an incredible addition to our lab and our Oncology department, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Did she give you, her number?"

Shannie nodded, "Lynnie has it."

"Why not shoot her a text and see what she says?"

"Good idea," Lynnie said, "And if she's on my boat, maybe I can convince her to come and work for us."

Lauren shrugged, "You two do have a lot of say in our hiring."

"Yea, so why not firing?" Shannie asked, "Sorry."

Lauren shook her head, "Patience, my young Padawan. Good things come to those who wait."

Shannie looked at Lynnie, "I know there's some legal thing that's keeping her from telling us what she already knows and I think she already knows that Miss Control Freak is history."

"Shannie, leave her alone about it, okay? Like she said, have patience," Lynnie smiled.

"We've been together for almost a decade. You know I have no patience."

"True," Lynnie shrugged.

"Okay! We got it!" Rudy said, "We want to do the Artic Adventure: Exploring Technology to see what these people know about what they're doing to our home…"

"And the Live Animal Care Center," Elise said, "But we both really want to see the dog movie in the IMAX here or the whale movie in the IMAX at the aquarium. Can we please see one of those today? Please?"

Their eyes were hopeful as they looked between Bo and Lauren who looked at each other, Bo nodding.

Lauren smiled, "Okay, we wanted it to be a surprise, but after we get off the ship tonight, we're going to come back here for a private screening of the dog movie. I have an old friend who is going to show us the movie and then answer any questions you have about the film. Okay?"

The two clapped and spun around excitedly before taking Lynnie and Shannie's hands. They dragged the two women off, with a wave, leaving Bo and Lauren standing there as Harper tugged on the lead, wanting to follow her friends.

"I know, Harper. Sorry, girl. Don't you remember when you had a bum leg? Give me a chance girl," Bo said, wrapping her arm through Lauren's elbow as they headed to the Live Animal exhibit first since it was closer.

"Well, she's back to live land animals, so all hope isn't lost."

Bo smiled, "And they do both want to see the dog movie…"

"And the whale movie which the arctic has the most of…"

"Well," Bo smiled, "For now, they're still with us so let's just enjoy the day."

"Agreed," Lauren smiled, as they entered the exhibit.

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