The Doctor was very happy to see the his son and daughter in law together for the first time. They rode in the back of his beautiful automobile. The plush interior was unlike any car that Valancy had been in or much less even seen. It made her Aunt and Uncle Wellington's car seem like a country classic in comparison. The ride was so smooth that the change from country back roads to city pavement was unnoticeable to the passengers. That did not matter to Valancy, she was happy to be anywhere that was next to her husband tonight.

The hotel at Port Lawrence was beautiful in a classic style, Valancy had not been there before although she had dreamed in younger days of leaving her Blue Castle with a charming suitor to visit it, they would drink wine from crystal in one of the sitting rooms together and converse about their thoughts on many topics.

The wait staff was extra attentive to their special guest and his family. Valancy was glad to have changed from her gingham frock into a green chiffon and sandals with heels before they had left the Blue Castle. Still, she felt under dressed compared to the lavish attire of the ladies at dinner tonight. She was looking at the other women when she felt her hand on her knee being taken up and held by Barney underneath the table. He gave her a wink, she tried to smile. A waiter approached carrying a chilled bottle that was wrapped in a folded cloth.

"Dr. Redfern, the house recommends the Chateau Munier Demi-Sec, this evening."

"Ah, yes, yes, that is good." The Doctor said before sipping his coffee.

"Mr. and Mrs. Redfern?"

Valancy couldn't hold back a smile now. Barney tapped against her foot with his own. He nodded his approval of the selection to the waiter.

"If you will excuse me for a moment." The Doctor explained. "I have remembered something in my room that I wanted to bring down. I'll only be a moment." He left the table.

Barney turned to his wife.

"It's good to see you smile like that, now let me in on the joke."

"What joke? I'm trying to be relaxed in this fancy atmosphere. It's just when the waiter said..."

Valancy paused.

"It's champagne. You haven't even had any of it yet and you're already grinning like the cat who swallowed the canary." Barney teased.

"He said, Mr. and Mrs. Redfern. It's the first time that I have heard...heard us referred to together by that name. It feels like we're characters in a high society themed play. I have loved being Mrs. Barney Snaith." Valancy hoped that Barney wouldn't take that the wrong way, Redfern was his true name after all.

"I am still me, you are still my sweet woodland muse. We won't let any of this change us, Mrs. Snaith."

"That's better, my wild backwoodsman."

He stole a kiss on the cheek and they laughed as the waiter opened the bottle and poured the drinks.

By the time Old Doc Redfern had returned. They were each on their second drink and laughing about inside jokes.

"I have a wonderful surprise for you, son. This has been hidden away for a long time, I just couldn't part with it until now. I know that it will be well cared for by its new owners."

He handed over a green velvet bag with a tie string at the top to his son. Barney opened the bag to find inside two beautiful sculpted silver bracelets. One was much smaller than the other, both had tiny matching rose inlays all the way around.

"This belonged to your mother. She inherited the matching mother and child bracelets from her family. They are very old."

Barney flipped the bracelets around over and over in his fingers as he talked.

"I wish she were here now. She deserved this luxurious kind of lifestyle."

"No, she was too much like you, boy. Happier in the wild country, making up delicious recipes from the nature all around her. She could make a jam from wild blackberries that tasted like heaven had sent it down. She would write beautiful descriptive letters to her family and friends. She wanted to travel and see new places too. You are all her's in many ways."

"What did she look like, Dr. Redfern?" Valancy wanted to know more.

"She was a little taller than you, dark eyes, long hair, it was the same color as my son here and she had the sweetest smile. Her laughter was angelic, like yours."

"I can't remember as much." Barney stared at the bracelets that he rolled between his fingers.

"She would be very proud of your accomplishments." The good doctor affirmed.

"I will dedicate my next book to her memory."

"That's a fine idea, son."

Valancy felt a bit light headed from the Champagne so she started drinking her water instead.

"Those are the sweetest pieces of jewelry that I have ever owned. Take good care of them. Won't the little one look sweet around a child's wrist...soon?" The Doctor could be less than subtle some times.

When Valancy had set her water glass down, Barney took a hold of her hand and placed the bracelet around her wrist then put the smaller one into her palm.

"Yes, it would." He smiled at her with adoration in his eyes.

Valancy felt her face go a little flush and the Doctor was practically laughing at the two of them.

"We must finish our dinner soon, the show starts at seven!" Doctor Redfern recalled.

"What show?" Valancy looked up from the child's bracelet.

"I'm taking you to the picture show tonight. There's a battle film that I have been wanting to see."

"Battle?" Valancy looked to her husband who was obviously dismayed,

"This film is all the rage in the United States, it's critically acclaimed. I know you will like it."

The Doc was so enthusiastic.

"Father, I didn't sleep well last night...or the night before that, its been a very long day for Valancy and I."

"Humor and old man, just for tonight."

"Barney, let's go. It will be like those times when you would take me away from Roaring Abel's for the evening." Valancy wanted to please her new father in law.

Barney said nothing although he literally threw in the towel – over his plate. Doc Redfern called for the waiter.