Resurrection 2013 - the return of Loren Singer

by fictionalmike

AU: what if Loren Singer miraculously survived her unscheduled swim in the Potomac that early January night in 2003? What if she survived, but was comatose for a long time? Who would take the trouble to care and watch over her as the years rolled by? How would she wake and come to terms with meeting her 10-year-old daughter for the first time? Could she ever get home? COMPLETED

7. Carolyn spreads her wings

Chapter 7: Carolyn spreads her wings.

See my Original A/N (added 19-01-2018 in Ch1) for the "they aren't mine, I'm just playing with them" disclaimer. To this, I have added "apart from any character created by myself".

Now, on with Chapter 7 - following Carolyn through 2014 until autumn/Fall, alongside Loren's continuing recovery. Carolyn makes an interesting (potentially life-changing) acquaintance as Loren finally becomes able to plan her return to normal life and leaving the facility.

777-777-777-777

Wednesday, 1st January 2014

Dayroom near Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

11:30hrs EST - planning for 2014

"Hey Loren and happy new year; we're looking forward to a brilliant (and different) 2014".

Resting in her reclining chair after the morning exercise session (at the time, she thought, it had been a good idea to see in the new year with a normal session of exercise), Loren was able to rest her eyes and use her hearing to ascertain what was going on.

Loren had heard the arrival of Carolyn's heels, accompanied by the sound of Lorna's new shoes (chosen from the web by Loren, delivered by Carolyn as a Christmas present the previous week), as guardian and ward arrived to mark the first day of what was shaping up to be a great year ahead. The visitors took off their coats and walked across to settle into the visitor chairs. Loren opened her eyes and held out her arms to Lorna.

"Thanks Carolyn; come here Lorna and give your mom the first new year hug. It is *so* nice to be able to greet you on New Year's Day, my lovely daughter, because my last thought when I was in the river was regret that I would never know how you would have turned out".

Lorna's eyes were sparkling as she looked across at Carolyn as she hugged Loren. The ten-year-old felt a rush of emotions (mainly love) as she realised that she now had two grown and experienced women to guide her through the years ahead. She knew that Carolyn had developed some ideas, between Christmas and the New Year, which would widen her education, bring her new experiences and would provide a more-varied set of memories which they could feed back to Loren as she continued her physical recovery within the facility.

"So, what's the plan - what will be different for 2014?" asked Loren.

Carolyn and Lorna moved their chairs and sat alongside Loren. Lorna looked across at Carolyn for confirmation then began: "Well Mom, you may or may not know that I have barely left Virginia, apart from the odd trips into Maryland and DC and school trips, since I was born. With you safe and recovering, Auntie Carolyn and I have been thinking about doing some travelling, within the continental USA, starting during this year of 2014. It means that we can send back pictures, blogs and souvenirs as we travel, but it would mean that we would break our sort-of-commitment to visit you every day".

She paused, marshalling her thoughts. "So I want to discuss with you, Mom, how you would feel if we took off for some weekends, or the occasional week, during term breaks and vacation periods during the year in order to travel. But don't worry, because we are already booked in here for Christmas of '14!"

Lorna sat back, awaiting Loren's response; Loren was already smiling, so Lorna had a feeling that a positive response would be forthcoming.

"Oh what a lovely idea - your Auntie Carolyn is clearly still focussed on your best interests. I believe that every girl (heck, every citizen) should see the breadth of experiences and the variety of sights which our wonderful country can offer. I was amazed by what I saw when travelling across my country once I had left Ohio".

She clasped Lorna's hand and reached out to Carolyn. "If you were seeking my blessing, I say 'GO' with my full support and encouragement".

She sat back, smiling: "So what is the first destination and may I nominate a couple of things that I would like you to visit at each venue on my behalf and report back on? Oh, and please avoid Ohio; it's a cr*p-hole!"

Carolyn shrugged as Loren expressed that opinion - Loren was, after all, uniquely-qualified to comment about the state in which she had been born! "Well, today we will build the list of possibilities, Mom".

Over the next hour leading up to lunchtime, the three members of "team Loren/Lorna" worked through online travel guides, tourist information, National Parks websites and TripAdvisor, building up a "long-list" of 14 potential destinations.

Carolyn led the discussion which whittled these down into a "Top 8" and "the backups" to give an achievable schedule for 2014-15 because, as she reminded Lorna, they also had regular horse-riding activities and she would, occasionally, like (and need) to enjoy a quiet weekend at home in Old Dominion Drive with time to clean the house, catch up on mail and newspapers and also just relax.

Lorna piped up: "Yes Auntie Carolyn - and you might meet someone on these journeys!"

Carolyn blushed crimson and looked down at the "wedding" ring on her left hand to hide her blushes. She had to admit that, after ten years, perhaps Lorna's idea was not quite as "off-the-wall" as it might seem at first sight.

Loren looked at the flush in Carolyn's face and realised that ten years of celibacy - whilst enabling Carolyn to devote all of her considerable energies to looking after Lorna and running her legal practice - might not be in the long-term interests of an otherwise healthy heterosexual woman.

Should she raise this with Susskind for an opinion, she wondered? She had been asleep for a decade, whilst Carolyn had consciously and deliberately shut herself off from intimate male contact during a parallel period. She kept the question to herself and, laughing, joined in the debate on "where to go first".

The three were able to build upon Loren's outstanding progress in the latter half of 2013. Her approval enabled Carolyn and Lorna to plan a revision to their hospital visiting schedules during 2014. Then, with Loren's full consultation and agreement, they planned some trips away from McLean. This would enable Lorna to have achieved Loren's desire for her to get out and about, gaining an understanding of "life outside DC/Virginia".

"OK, so we are looking at fitting in trips to Seattle for the Pacific northwest; San Francisco for the west coast; Bryce Canyon in Utah for the National Parks in the southwest; Mount Rushmore for history and the Badlands; Chicago for views, architecture and shopping in the Magnificent Mile; Boston for history and the Irish connection; New York for a week of frenzy and the Disney complex at Orlando in Florida. Let us see how these fall into a schedule with other commitments and vacations; if it takes two years to complete the programme of visits, so be it".

Carolyn had the list written up on the whiteboard in the corner of the dayroom, so snapped a picture on her cameraphone before wiping the board clear for the next user.

Every trip - all of which Lorna would plan in more detail before she and Carolyn got on the plane - would see regular blogs, vlogs and videoconferences with Loren back in McLean. All of the IT elements would be in place before the start of the first trip.

In planning and documenting these tours, Carolyn and Lorna were keen to gather information which would enable a future return trip to each of the locations. The clear expectation was that Loren would retrace those journey steps one day under her own steam with Lorna - and hopefully soon (to echo Carolyn's prayer). Lorna built an electronic "scrap book" on a personal website, so that she could file, project and display the experiences for her mom to login and view.

Monday, 17th February 2014 (Presidents' Day)

Departures area, Orlando Airport,

One Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827

14:15hrs Local

"... I knew I should have brought another suitcase with me from DC for the souvenirs..." moaned Carolyn with a disarming smile, as she extracted her Amex card in the souvenir luggage store and handed it to the cashier, four hours before their return flight to Dulles. A large stuffed "Pluto" and a even-larger stuffed "Winnie the Pooh" had sat in the lounge of their hotel suite before the trip to the luggage store. It had been obvious that the stuffed toys would need to be fitted inside a case or a large bag before the trip to the airport.

The February '14 half-term holidays in Orlando saw the guardian and ward match each other in three days of childhood-era activities; enjoying the rides, getting soaked on the water features and waving at the parades on Main Street in Disneyworld. Pluto and Winnie would take up residence on the sofa in Lorna's bedroom and another "I've been here" pin would be inserted into the global map on her bedroom wall on their return to McLean.

This trip also did a power of good for Carolyn's self-confidence. Earlier, walking back from the water feature to their suite where a full replacement set of dry clothing awaited her (right down to her underwear), Carolyn had proudly noticed a man of her age-group openly admiring her "assets" within her wet t-shirt. She made a point of swinging her hips as she walked away towards the suite.

This could be fun, Carolyn was realising. She felt alive, energised, free and uninhibited as she accompanied her ward around the USA. The appreciative expression on the face of a complete stranger made her feel good about herself - for the first time in many years of being focussed on her work and her obligations as Lorna's guardian.

Applying the "lessons learned" from the Florida trip, a matching set of Delsey suitcases (which would fit one inside the other for the outbound flights) was swiftly procured on their return to Virginia.

Sunday, 20th April 2014 (Easter Sunday)

12151 Ave of the Chiefs,

Crazy Horse, SD 57730

13:15hrs Local

"... well, it will be nice when it is finished..." Lorna observed, as the design for the excavated chieftain's head and memorial loomed large in model form, with little to show in terms of the rest of the planned excavations on the exposed mountainside.

The trip out to Mount Rushmore over the 2014 Easter weekend gave a real-life large-scale study into American political history with the massive representations of the four presidents' heads at Mount Rushmore, which were contrasted (and complemented) by the 21-mile drive to view the emerging Crazy Horse sculpture in development at Thunderhead Mountain in the Black Hills. The face of Crazy Horse (completed in 1998) looked out and down across the working site where the remaining excavations were continuing, slowly, to develop the overall shape of the monument.

Looking at the progress since 1948, Lorna resolved to come back in 2024 for her 21st birthday.

Staying in Rapid City and including a drive round via Custer and the Custer National Park, Carolyn was wiped out by the long drives and instituted a rule that, henceforth, any days involving travel were to be followed by a day of "chill time" around the pool, gym, restaurant or by taking a city tour (depending on the venue for the vacation or visit). Her air miles balance was, however, beginning to mount up nicely.

From her hospital room, Loren loved the evening updates which were sent from whichever hotel or motel room was being used that night (and the occasional SKYPE call during daytime at weekends, to provide live, real-time involvement in the activities).

During their late-afternoon conference call back to McLean, Lorna and Carolyn heard good news.

"Ladies, you are not the only ones who have been clocking up a distance; I reached ten miles this afternoon": Loren had marked the approaching first anniversary of her re-awakening by cycling ten miles in a single shift on her exercise bike. The rebuilding of her leg muscles was proceeding nicely and her stamina training was praised by Dr Andersen and the NASA/ESA teams.

"Wow Mom, that is spectacular; Auntie Carolyn tells me that the W&OD trail runs 45 miles up to Purcellville, so you are well on the way - only another four years before you can cycle the whole trail" Lorna joked, earning a playful head-slap from Carolyn as they stared at the camera in the laptop.

All three women shared the joy of Loren's progress and the day's achievements of the "explorers". Mother, daughter and aunt were brought together by the technology. Loren was truly involved in all the expeditions, as her body recovered steadily following the ten-year stasis after Ted Lindsey's brutal attempt to murder her at the bridge.

As she relaxed, Loren looked forward once more with confidence to the future.

777-777-777-777

Monday, 21st April 2014

Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

10:30hrs EST

"Hey Susskind, welcome to my realm". Loren greeted the arrival of Susskind for one of his regular review sessions with her. "Apart from feeling fine, I need to ask you about Carolyn (my daughter's guardian if you remember), from your professional viewpoint".

"OK Loren, please proceed". Susskind's kind, mellifluous voice rumbled through her ears, engendering a sensation of comfort and confidence.

"Well, I am worried about Carolyn; she has been celibate since the end of 2003 when her Marine was killed, has done a brilliant job of raising and mentoring Lorna but I wonder if she is missing out".

"Well, does she seem stressed? Does she seem to be missing out?"

"No, she is always chilled and she has done a perfect job of raising Lorna whilst I was comatose. I just worry that she hasn't been laid in over ten years and I want her to enjoy life".

"Well, straight to the point as always, Loren! So, Carolyn withdrew from life - as I understand it from what you have told me - because of a traumatic event on her life. It may be that she is channelling all the energies which would normally fuel her sex drive into the jobs which she performs as your daughter's guardian and also as a wonderful children's advocate for the area. She has built a fearsome reputation in that arena. You do know that she is up for a President's award in 2014, don't you?"

Loren sat back; the impending award was news to her. Maybe she should leave Carolyn to her own devices for now.

"No, that's new to me - she hadn't told me. OK doc, thanks - I'll leave it".

"Good: now then, turning to you; how are you sleeping...?"

Tuesday, 13th May 2014

Dayroom near Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

18:35hrs EST - Lorna's 11th birthday

"... happy birthday dear Lorna, happy birthday to you..."

The rhymes of the song faded away as Lorna headed to the pile of birthday presents on the bed, including one from Tracy Manetti.

At Loren's request, Carolyn had purchased - and wrapped - two gifts from Loren to Lorna; Lorna unwrapped these first, eagerly tearing the paper as Carolyn cut the birthday cake and distributed the slices.

"Oh Mom, thank you"; she pulled on a pair of leather riding gloves; the kid leather was beautifully soft and moulded itself to her 11-year-old hands.

The second, larger, box, contained a pair of long riding boots; the quality of the leather would pass muster in the dressage ring and Lorna noticed a polishing kit in the bottom of the box - Auntie Carolyn was going to hold her to the polishing lessons which had been hinted at during Memorial Day one year earlier.

Loren leaned across and said: "I understand that you may be thinking of dressage over the next two years, so I wanted you to set off on a firm footing". Groans at the bad joke echoed around the room!

Lorna hugged Loren and thanked her, then turned her attention to the presents from Tracy Manetti - a leather travelling wallet, with space for passports, money, boarding passes and with a notebook and pen. The second present was a dark blue leather passport-holder: "Everything for the well-travelled young woman" read the note in Tracy's flowing handwriting.

"I'll write to Aunt Tracy this evening - please remind me, Auntie Carolyn", promised Lorna as she picked up the bulky, soft package which contained her gift from Carolyn. Unwrapping the gift revealed a quilted riding jacket in her size. She hugged Carolyn, who whispered in her ear: "You're growing, young lady, and I don't want you having a cold back when we are out riding".

"Wow, what a lovely set of presents - thank you everyone" said Lorna. "Plus, we have another celebration later this month Mommy, with the first anniversary of your return. I'm going to bake a cake".

Loren smiled and hugged her. Carolyn hugged her after faintly protesting "Oh no, my poor kitchen" with a smile.

Sometimes, Loren forgot how young her daughter was - clearly Carolyn's influence had developed a mature, clear-thinking, considerate child. Loren realised, with a jolt, that only two years now separated Lorna from the terrible years of becoming - a teenager! The leap to womanhood was just another step thereafter on the road to adult life. Loren was, once more, grateful to have survived the river and to have recovered to watch Lorna's growth.

Loren decided to keep *that* thought to herself, and concentrated on enjoying the birthday cake with her daughter and "the best guardian in the world". Suddenly, Loren had an idea as to what she could put on a gift sweatshirt for Carolyn.

Saturday, 24th May 2014

Dayroom near Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

10:25hrs EST - first anniversary of the resurrection: end of Year one

Carolyn had a big cheesy grin on her face as she carried in Lorna's cake which - in fairness - she had played a significant part in producing. Lorna had mixed the fruitcake for the body of the cake, Carolyn had supervised the baking, then Lorna had learned from Carolyn as the icing was mixed and then applied over the cake. A single candle sat in the middle of the cake, waiting to be lit; all oxygen supplies in the room were, as usual, shut off for the duration.

Tracy Manetti, her husband Mike and their two children were also present for the anniversary celebrations.

"My friends, I cannot express all of my gratitude for your love and support over eleven years, both during my coma and particularly since I awoke one year ago. I am amazed and humbled that you, Carolyn, would almost put your life on hold to bring up my daughter - I can never repay you for your time, effort, energy and love. But thank you, my friend". Loren handed over a bulky parcel labelled "To Carolyn with thanks, Loren xxxx". Carolyn opened the package and whooped with glee as she unwrapped a lovely white hooded sweatshirt with "The world's best guardian" flocked across the chest and "Guardian #1" across the shoulders on the rear.

"Thank you Loren; I needed something like this for horse-riding; I shall wear it on our next outing".

"Well, I thought long and hard about how to show you my gratitude for the fact that Lorna stands today as a testament to you and, in effect, your parenting skills. Thank you Carolyn, my dear friend". Both women had tear-swollen eyes by this point.

"Oh Loren, it has been my pleasure. This young woman has been an inspiration to me and has helped me to validate my selected career path since the Navy left me. You and I can both - independently and without competing - be very proud of her and the changes which she has brought to our lives" Carolyn responded.

Carolyn hugged Loren and both women cried - happy tears, Lorna noticed.

"Right, where is the next place on Lorna's visiting list and how is the planning progressing?"

"Well, we are off to Chicago next month. We are booked from Dulles into O'Hare for a long weekend in four weeks' time. I want to renew my acquaintance with Chicago from my Michigan days, as well as giving Lorna a taste of Chicago. So it will be the Sears tower and the riverboat Architectural tour, plus riding in from O'Hare on the 'L' trains and round the Loop into Downtown, then maybe a bit of retail therapy on the Magnificent Mile" Carolyn replied. "I can't wait".

As it happened, the trip across to Chicago in late June of '14 would coincide with some quite hot weather across the mid-West, which made cycling along Lakeshore Drive a bit of a survival exercise. This, in turn, merely required relief from the heat - achieved by making a diversion into Navy Pier for cool drinks en-route back to the hotel.

Monday, 26th May 2014 - Memorial Day

Arlington National Memorial Cemetery

Arlington, Virginia, 22211

13:15hrs EST

Carolyn and Lorna strode steadily towards Pete's headstone, marking the occasion when he was formally remembered by a grateful nation - and the woman for whom he had been everything during their five-month romance. Lorna's new shoes had been fastidiously polished, while Carolyn was, once more, a vision in black, as she strode to Pete's headstone and repeated the annual remembrance actions which she had undertaken a year earlier.

This year, she had selected a blood-red lipstick instead of the coral pink from 2013. She left her mark on Pete's headstone along with a pebble, just as in previous years. Walking away, she once more felt a lightening of her heart and an incredibly strong sensation of warmth and comfort. What was Pete's spirit lining up for her?

Friday, 4th July 2014

Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

11:55hrs EST

"Happy Independence Day" announced Carolyn as she and Lorna walked into Loren's room. Loren was sitting on her exercise bike, steadily building muscle as she headed onwards, through the second year of her recovery. They raised a glass of grape juice to the memory of George Washington, reviewed the travel plans for the upcoming week in Seattle, then picked up the list of souvenirs which Loren had asked them to obtain whilst they were visiting the Pacific Northwest.

Sunday, 6th July 2014

American Airlines Admirals lounge, Dulles International Airport

Chantilly, Virginia

10:45hrs EST

Loren and Lorna relaxed in the lounge, awaiting the call to board their flight to Seattle.

"We're booked into the SEATAC Airport Marriott, just a ten-minute walk east of the terminal and also with a courtesy shuttle bus every 15 minutes, so we have a good base for our exploration" Carolyn informed Lorna, sliding a copy of the itinerary, along with Lorna's boarding card, into Lorna's travel wallet which Tracy Manetti had given her. Lorna had already written down several items and questions for the trip and her laptop was an almost-permanent fixture on her lap as she prepared to travel across to the Pacific coast.

Boarding the flight, Lorna and Carolyn settled into their favourite First Class seats on the starboard side of the plane. This gave them a lovely view to the north as the plane flew steadily westwards. Some time after take-off, one of the stewards complimented Carolyn on "your well-behaved daughter, because sometimes we get the occasional spoiled brat up here".

Carolyn merely smiled; sure, Lorna's hair colouring and complexion complemented Carolyn's hair despite her actual parentage, but she knew that Lorna's deportment and manners, together with her intelligent, polite and considerate manner of dealing with people, were all down to her mentoring and guidance. Lorna was not the fruit of her loins, but she had moulded the original newly-born child into the developing young woman who sat beside her.

Relaxing back into her airline seat, Carolyn wondered, for the first time in some years, how her lost child might have turned out. She sighed - no point worrying over what was lost and could never be. She knew that Lorna was a tribute to her parenting skills - and handing Lorna on to Loren at some point would be a wonderful achievement for her. Dabbing away a tear, she gazed proudly at the 11-year-old seated alongside her as their flight headed westwards.

Alongside her as the plane flew onwards over the continental divide, Lorna had begun to realise the size and magnitude of her continent - backing up her geography knowledge from her school lessons with a clear view out of the airliner window. Flying across the continent (as opposed to just a "short hop" south to Orlando) drove home to her how large her country was.

Getting around Seattle on the excellent bus service (and the Light Rail) made use of the "ORCA" card a "no-brainer". The SEATAC Airport Marriott provided a comfortable base for their explorations. They had travelled far and wide (including a driving tour to the south, visiting Mount St Helens and spending a couple of days just over the border into Oregon with a visit to Portland). When they landed back into Dulles they agreed that their visit to Washington State, based around Seattle had imbued Lorna with an admiration for the great outdoors and the awesome power of Mother Nature in the Pacific north-west.

Lorna was amazed by the damage inflicted on the landscape by the 1980 eruption/disintegration of Mount St Helens and she was in awe of the wide Columbia River with its power stations and dams. After whale watching out among the Pacific islands beyond Puget Sound, she flew home to DC with a new appreciation of the phrase "from sea to shining sea".

When they checked in with Loren, she eagerly advised them that her daily cycling distance had extended by a half-mile. Loren now had the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in her sights for a future year.

Saturday, 26th July 2014

American Airline arrivals hall, San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

San Francisco, CA

15:45hrs local

The end of July saw our two intrepid travellers arriving into SFO. The quick trip to San Francisco would see Lorna spending three hours riding the streetcars. Carolyn had eventually grown weary watching the crews turning the streetcars around at each end of the line on several occasions and was happy to return each day to the Marriott. Walking up some of the sloping streets made Carolyn grateful for her purchase of well-made (and well-cushioned) trainers.

Monday, 28th July 2014

JW Marriott Hotel, Union Square,

515 Mason Street San Francisco, CA 94102

21:45hrs local

The quick day-trip down to San Diego and a run across to La Jolla had seen Lorna introduced to Harm and Sarah Mackenzie-Rabb (who had settled in San Diego to be closer to Harm's ageing mom Trisha and to give the Mackenzie-Rabb children a Californian upbringing after the time spent in London and in Naples with the FJA role).

Harm was particularly pleased to catch up on news regarding Loren, given his obsessive (and clearly erroneous) conviction, in late 2002, that she was carrying his brother's child. A group picture was taken, which Sarah emailed to Carolyn the following day. A framed copy from La Jolla dropped into Carolyn's mailbox a fortnight later. The late arrival back into the hotel, taken with the time difference between East Coast and West Coast, meant that the daily update to Loren would take place on the following morning.

The Mackenzie-Rabbs were keen to stay in contact and extended an open invitation to return to California in the future.

On returning home, it was agreed that, because the heat of August would keep everyone close to Washington, plans would be revised for the autumn and winter travel events whilst enjoying long cool drinks and ice creams at home.

Saturday, 16th August 2014

Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

11:55hrs EST

"OK, that completes the requirements for the first floor and the downstairs cellar; we'll review the plan for upstairs after lunch". Carolyn put down her pen and legal pad, flexing her finger after two hours of writing. She was glad to be helping Loren with the planning, but Loren's lawyer-trained mind had retained a serious attraction to detail!

Loren had embraced the project, reading up on a large body of information which helped those who had the task of designing and developing homes for those with disabilities. Although she expected (and was on track) to walk out of the facility some time in mid-2015, she had to plan realistically for a relapse and for long-term care in a real home rather than another hospital. These practical considerations dominated her thinking and drove her decision-making processes.

The construction plans for the site of her new home up on Old Dominion Drive included a weather-proof linked walkway between her home and Carolyn's adjoining property. The walkway was level-floored so that - if needed - Loren would be able to wheel herself between her home and Carolyn's home. Whilst she appreciated the preparation "for the worst-case scenario", Loren was determined to leave the facility as a wheelchair-free fit woman if at all possible. All the signs, as 2013 turned into 2014, had supported this hypothesis and Loren's progress through 2014 had consistently increased everyone's confidence in her likelihood of achieving this goal.

Loren's enhanced fitness levels had impressed all who had been involved in her rehabilitation. She was now able to walk a mile unaided; this 2014 attainment was a stark contrast to the first two months of physical therapy, which she had needed to get through before being able to walk to the door of her room in early August 2013. Loren had reached the staircase in the rehabilitation facility by November 2013 and had celebrated Christmas 2013 by joining the crew around the Christmas tree in Reception for carol-singing and mulled wine (which Loren had realised was her first taste of alcohol since the start of her pregnancy way back in 2002).

Loren's progress, in the first year to June of 2014, had enabled some long-term planning to be put in place ready for occupation of her new home during the second half of 2015. The building plot alongside Carolyn's home on Old Dominion Drive had been approved for development in August 2014 and would be cleared in the early winter (to minimise disturbance to any nesting lifeforms). An adapted colonial property - modelled along the lines of Carolyn's home but with more exercise, rehabilitation, fitness and full wet-room facilities on the ground floor and a swimming pool out at the rear of the house - was being constructed. The construction project plan was set to deliver the completed home, ready for Loren's release around May/June of 2015 after her gruelling two-year rehabilitation.

Carolyn's writing cramp would return before the planning was completed! Smiling to herself, Carolyn rejoiced in the return of a lively Loren - and, moreover, the transformation from the spiky, sarcastic young lawyer into someone who could justifiably be described as a good and deserving member of the human race.

Carolyn shook her head: sometimes, miracles never ceased to surprise her!

777-777-777-777

Sunday, 15th September 2014

Stables block; Fort Valley Ranch
299 S. Fort Valley Road, Fort Valley, VA 22652

09:25hrs EST

"Lorna, please put your case over by the car and I'll load it while you head over to the stables".

Lorna and Carolyn had stepped out of their cabin at Fort Valley after a good night of sleep. This first major group expedition, for a weekend of horse-riding in the Shenandoah Valley, had been a great success. Looking ahead, the idea for a monthly visit after March of '15 (when the Shenandoah Valley emerged from its winter hibernation) was becoming firmly rooted in the calendar for the middle weekends of every month in 2015, bracketing Lorna's 12th birthday in May.

Video diaries and blogs from the adventures at the ranch were eagerly awaited - and viewed - by Loren as she continued her long recovery following her "resurrection". Her stamina had improved substantially during her long recovery and she was now beginning, in late 2014, the detailed planning of the move into her new home.

"Now then, did I leave anything in the room?" Carolyn stuck her head back into the lodge room, for one last check before she locked the door and loaded her car before turning in the key at reception.

"Auntie Carolyn, I'm going for the palomino today". Carolyn shook her head: how the colour of a horse could affect the riding experience was beyond her, but at least Lorna was enjoying the fresh air and had an interest in improving her riding skills - which graded her in the top ten percent of her peer group.

"I wonder if I really do have a future Olympian on my hands?" mused Carolyn, locking the car and heading down towards reception. If Lorna were truly to be exceptional, then Carolyn would have to devote far more time - and probably seek sponsorship - for the young horsewoman whom she was responsible for.

Carolyn wondered if Loren had any equestrian skills in her past - it was something that they had never discussed since Loren's awakening.

"Well, we haven't covered horse-riding and Olympics - I must ask Loren, especially if I need to plan a new stable-block on the new house" she decided.

"OK Aunt Carolyn, add this to the list for tonight's teleconference then let's get out on that horse. As Uncle Harm would say, we are burning daylight".

"God, I love this place" breathed Carolyn as she checked the tack for her horse.

The Shenandoah Valley horse-riding would become a regular part of the calendar for Carolyn and Lorna. Carolyn had ridden horses in her youth back home in Michigan and she was very happy to relive her childhood adventures in the saddle. The idea was also planted of making a trip to the United Kingdom at some future date, perhaps to view the London Horse Show in mid-December (between Thanksgiving and Christmas). Carolyn had filed "UK" away for future research and travel plans.

On this Sunday morning, the horses were saddled. The aches and pains of the Saturday cross-country ride were forgotten (a half-bottle of wine and a long soak in a welcome bath before dinner had seen to that). Carolyn had pulled on her jodhpurs and slid into her riding boots, zipping up the armoured chest-protector over her sweatshirt and buckling her riding helmet under her chin.

She stepped out of her cabin to greet Lorna. Following on from horse-riding weekends around the local area, the 11-year-old had welcomed the opportunity to go away for a riding weekend (and had already booked a three-day break for her 12th birthday in May 2015 as part of her extended birthday present); the Shenandoah Valley was in prime condition for this weekend away.

Carolyn had already agreed to the birthday ride plan for May 2015; she already knew that she wanted to get away for a break from the upcoming pressures of preparing for another Memorial Day and she knew that the horse-riding weekends always relaxed her perfectly. This was yet another part of her Auntie duties which she loved and looked forward to carrying out.

They moved towards the meeting point by the stable block. The two cabins had been cleared out, the suitcases were loaded into Carolyn's SUV and the two had checked out of their cabins at Reception. Lunch would be provided out on the trail, near the midway point of the day's ride for those spending all day in the saddle. A regular routine had been established, as Carolyn drove back to McLean, whereby an evening snack was usually procured on the road back to McLean during the 85-mile journey down I-66 and round I-495 to home.

Pulling on her riding gloves, Carolyn escorted Lorna down to the stable block, where their horses awaited them for the Sunday ride. Checking the harnessing and the saddles, they mounted up. Forming up in pairs, the large group of riders set off towards the South Fork river course, to start the day's ride. Carolyn, following behind Lorna, was increasingly impressed by how well the young horsewoman was developing her equestrian skills. Whilst it might be that joining the 2016 USA Olympic equestrian team might be a little ambitious, she saw no impediment to a 17-year-old Lorna riding for her country in the 2020 Olympics (or perhaps more likely a 21-year-old Lorna competing in the 2024 Olympics).

For Carolyn, horse-riding had always been a part of her relaxation, from her childhood days in Michigan. Discovering that Lorna also enjoyed horses had been an added bonus as she had been building her relationship with her ward. Her return to the saddle had re-acquainted Carolyn with her love of the outdoors and she was delighted that Lorna evidently shared the passion. A further bond was created between aunt and ward during the two years following Lorna's 10th birthday.

The palomino alongside her was being ridden by a gentleman of similar age to Carolyn. Over the preceding two months, Carolyn had noticed him saddling up a pony for a young horsewoman who looked to be slightly older than Lorna but was now riding alongside Lorna's pony. The two girls, who had been paired by the riding instructors on arrival, appeared to have hit it off and were conversing avidly as their ponies moved along the path.

As the horses approached an incline down into the valley, Carolyn held back to avoid crowding the younger riders, gripping the saddle with her jodhpur-clad thighs before she piloted her horse down onto the meadow alongside a bend in the river. All the riders dismounted and, after hobbling their horses, congregated around the tables which had been laid out around the fire-pit, which was issuing lovely aromas of warm cooking food. Lorna sought out Carolyn and introduced her guardian to "Lizzie" - the young girl who had been riding alongside her. Despite standing a half-head taller than Lorna, Lizzie turned out to be the same age as Lorna.

In turn, Lizzie introduced Carolyn and Lorna to her father David - the gentleman who, as it happened, had ridden alongside Carolyn. After the customary handshakes, the foursome drifted towards the food tables to stock up on picnic items. With plates filled and water glasses full, the two younger riders scampered off to find a seating spot, leaving Carolyn and David to walk slowly behind them.

"I'm getting to the stage where she makes me tired just watching her energy levels; as a single parent, I feel that I have to keep up with her to honour her mother's memory" remarked David.

Carolyn sympathised: "Yes, but I am so glad that she and I discovered a mutual interest in horse-riding, because it encourages us to get out into the fresh air. I spend long enough in offices and on client premises, plus we have both spent long enough, over the years, breathing indoor air at the long-term care facility where her mother has been since Lorna was born".

Somehow, Carolyn just felt that David was a receptive listener and it made sense to lift, just slightly, the curtain to her back-story; she realised that she felt secure and relaxed in the presence of this kindly man.

"Hmm, well it sounds like a story there about Lorna's mother - sister, cousin or lover?" David asked.

Carolyn snorted as she took a sip of water. "Definitely not the latter! No, just an unfortunate co-worker initially who was attacked and ended up in a long-term coma whilst she was pregnant with Lorna. We were all military lawyers back then, so I drew the short straw (well, actually I guess that I broke the cardinal military rule of 'never volunteer'!) to act as guardian for Lorna as I didn't have any children of my own, plus to be frank it was a welcome distraction in late 2003, just after my Marine had died and I had miscarried. Fortunately her mother emerged from the coma last year after 10 years in the twilight zone, so her rehabilitation continues and we are - all of us - in a good place".

Carolyn took off her riding gloves to handle her food and she noticed that David's eyes tracked automatically to her left hand, noticing her "wedding" ring. He appeared to take this as a sign to make up his own mind, because he responded to her brief life story with a simple question: "So, how long were you and your Marine married?"

"That's a fair question and I can see you reading the signs. Pete and I never married; we were together for around five months during the summer of '03 whilst Loren (Lorna's mother) was first in her coma; indeed, Pete was the guy who had pulled her from the Potomac. But by the time I had realised I was pregnant with his child, he had deployed and then he was killed. I caught a chill at his funeral in Arlington and lost our baby when I miscarried later that day. When his Mom died in '06, she bequeathed me her wedding ring and it just seemed right to wear it in his honour; I also always wear something black every day in his honour." She paused. "And that concludes a brief summary of the one great true love of Carolyn Imes". She smiled nostalgically. "How about you, if you don't mind sharing by way of full exchange? I see you still wear your wedding ring".

David leaned back and sighed. "Amanda and I met at Med school. She was going to serve her country and so she had always intended to go for emergency medicine whereas I had targeted orthopaedics or cardiology - eventually I gave up on bones and concentrated on the heart. We married two years after we qualified and Lizzie arrived when Amanda was 35." He sighed again and looked out at Lorna and Lizzie as they chatted quietly over their lunch, a short distance away, before he continued. "Looks like we have both found ourselves literally 'holding the baby'; my late wife was killed near Fallujah a year after Lizzie was born, so I can appreciate what you have gone through. I wear my ring to honour Amanda's memory, but when (or if!) the right woman comes along, I know that Amanda will welcome my decision to remove my ring and to move forward. She and I had a saying: 'life is for the living' and I truly believe that. I guess that the hope is that Lorna's mum will return to full function in due course?"

"Oh yes, but by Lorna staying on with me as my ward, it means that Loren (her mother) can concentrate on getting herself well, whilst knowing that Lorna is safe with her guardian. We visit Loren almost every day (except when Lorna and I are away on this sort of adventure). Be in no doubt, Loren is a fighter and she is due out of the facility before next autumn, if she maintains her current rate of progress - which is why we are having her house designed to be built next door to mine up in McLean, ready for her release" replied Carolyn, sitting back on her outstretched hands and sunning herself in the warm sunlight. She tilted her head back, to get sunlight on her face below the visor of her protective riding helmet.

David looked across towards her, pondering his next statement as he plucked up the courage to make a suggestion. "So, let me be bluntly honest and express an interest in you, Carolyn. I shall either destroy this conversation and you'll up and walk away (in which case I will apologise in advance and live in regret for the rest of my life), or (as I very much hope) the conversation will continue".

Carolyn sat motionless for a moment as she considered David's words and then eased her body slowly back until she was resting with her elbows on the ground, positioning herself submissively below David's eye-line: "You don't see me running away, do you?" She gave David a lovely warm, welcoming smile as she removed her riding helmet and placed her gloves inside, then patted her hair back into place. She looked at him, coolly and calmly, with one eyebrow raised. "I suspect that, like me, you have an inquisitive teenager asking 'why don't you go back out and date?' every time they see you looking at the photograph of your late lover?"

"Oh, yeah, ain't that the truth". David nodded, sat back and eyed Carolyn speculatively. "God, you are *so* right - and worryingly accurate in describing an angst-ridden teenager who wants their lone parent to have a 'friend'. Do you include mind-reading in your lawyer training?" He laughed, then continued. "Look, here is an idea and feel free to shoot me down in flames. I have a cardiologists' convention to attend, six months from now in March next year, and after ten years on my own I would like to solicit the company of an attractive, vivacious, intelligent lady - with, of course, no expectations beyond companionship and a dance partner. Please tell me that you can dance?" he added.

"Oh yes. Military training - formal dancing is part of the syllabus - but it will cost you a pair of shoes for me" Carolyn replied. "So would it be just the four of us - that is, you, me and the girls? No mothers-in-law lurking out back?"

"No, I promise just the four of us - unless Lorna has a sister?" Carolyn shook her head and David continued to outline his idea "OK; I'll cover the cost of any additional flights because you would be my guests and I'll get the event organisers to schedule an additional suite of course - hopefully a suite located alongside ours. I presume that the idea does not frighten (or worse, offend) you?"

He sat back, eyeing Carolyn nervously and waiting for her response.

Carolyn leaned towards him, smiling as she assessed his very civil offer. Something about this man was affecting her in a way that she had forgotten - or ruthlessly suppressed - since Pete's death in 2003. "Well David, that is the first invitation I have received in several years. All my friends know that I basically withdrew from life when Pete was killed. Looking after and supporting Lorna has been my life's work for some 10 years now, and it has been a useful and excellent distraction from my grief, plus my work keeps my busy. But if all goes to plan this year with Loren, I may have more time on my hands. So, rest assured that I am neither frightened nor offended. Heck, why not! But to show that you are serious, the four of us need to go out and choose a gown for me (I presume that there will be a final night ball at the convention?) and I need to get some smart outfits for Lorna - how about some time early in November?"

"Oh yes, there will be a Ball - one must have a tax-deductible final networking event on the last night of every conference - the IRS expects nothing less! I also have quite a good eye for choosing ladies' outfits - even though I may be out of practice - so I would like to offer my opinions when we go shopping. Might I please request the pleasure of being allowed to choose a gown with you?".

Carolyn paused, mouth agape, then started nodding to David. He smiled and continued: "so is that a yes or at least a very strong maybe?"

"Yes David, it's a 'yes' as in definite so let us get the dates into my diary. Let's discuss the logistics after we speak to the girls. I guess that next year, like me, you will be in Arlington on Memorial Day?"

David thought for a second, realised the importance of the date and then he nodded. "Yes, I always attend Amanda's grave on Memorial Day, also on the anniversary of the day that she died and her birthday. Lizzie and I also often visit on Lizzie's birthday in March as well".

Carolyn continued: "Good - you and I have the same traditions, because I have a similar visiting schedule for Pete's grave in Arlington. OK, let's all go to this cardiology event as a foursome, even if you do just want a companion and a babysitter for Lizzie". She smiled once more to convey the humour in her previous comment and to remove any potential sting from her humorous "babysitting accusation" as to David's real motivation in inviting her and Lorna to come along. There was something about this widower that spoke to her, directly into her heart.

David placed his clasped hands over his heart in as though he had been mortally offended, but smiling broadly. "I suspect that Lizzie and Lorna will enjoy the family activities which the organisers always put on for family members - of any age. I shall merely state that I believe that the 'spouses' will enjoy every opportunity to network when off the leash. I'll get the programme emailed across to you and we'll tag a couple of days on for travel and sight-seeing in the UK either side of the conference."

Carolyn held out her business card. "I like the way you plan, Mr David cardiologist. Now, as we are exchanging our contact details, how do we break the news to our offspring?"

"Leave that with me, Carolyn. Oh, I didn't tell you where the convention is being held".

No you didn't". Carolyn leaned in close. "So tell me, Mr Cardiologist, where are we all going in early March of '15?"

"London".

"Hmm, London Ontario or the real-real London?"

"The real-real London, as in the 2012 Olympics, Mother Country, Queen Elizabeth, Big Ben tower, Houses of Parliament, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Changing of the Guard, red buses, driving on the wrong side of the road etc". David's heart was singing at the acceptance of his offer by this vibrant woman who, like him, had refrained from romantic activity since the death of her beloved. He was beginning to harbour high hopes that this could be the start of something wonderful, but he didn't want to presume anything.

Carolyn smiled: "I suspect that the Brits would counterclaim that they are driving on the right (i.e. correct) side of the road. It was originally something to do with holding a whip when driving a carriage, as I recall from some dim and distant conversation with a British exchange officer. OK, I'm up for a transatlantic trip. I'll need to arrange a passport for Lorna, but I can hand that task to our RLSO". David looked blank for a moment, then he understood the meaning of the acronym when Carolyn explained that she was referring to a Legal Services Office.

"Actually Carolyn, you have reminded me that I have to do the same task for Lizzie; she hasn't left the continental USA since she was born and I need to get that passport processing started tomorrow".

The two adults called their respective youngsters across. On hearing the news about London, Lorna and Lizzie simply expressed a loud "YES!" simultaneously and high-fived each other before hugging the two adults. David and Carolyn exchanged a warm glance: approval of the kids - check!

The riding group leader summoned everyone back together for the route briefing for the start of the return ride (actually the next part of the loop, returning to the stables a few hours later).

Sunday, 15th September 2014

Car park; Fort Valley Ranch
299 S. Fort Valley Road, Fort Valley, VA 22652

15:50hrs EST

"Carolyn, Lorna; please lead on; we shall follow you to Gainesville". David had loaded Lizzie's kit into the trunk of his Range Rover and was ready to set off.

David and Carolyn had exchanged business cards and then (because everyone had checked out of their rooms after breakfast that morning and were ready to travel) agreed to meet up for a meal in Gainesville, diverting onto the SR-55 to reach the town centre, before later rejoining the I-66 on the way back to DC. A quick internet search by the girls resulted in an agreement to meet at the Grafton Street Pub, just off the Lee Highway in the Gateway complex.

"Now, do not get too serious about believing that this is what a real British pub looks like - remember we shall see the real thing in March" cautioned Carolyn. Lorna just smiled and dived into the menu, with Lizzie mirroring her enthusiasm for food.

The menu contained plenty of options to meet every range of diet, so there was no room left for pudding as the four satisfied diners stood up from the table and staggered across to the parking lot where they bade farewell and headed off to their respective homes.

Monday 16th September 2014

Home of Carolyn Imes

72xx Old Dominion Drive

McLean, Virginia, 22101

04:32hrs EST

During the night following Shenandoah, Carolyn's sleep was disturbed by some quite racy dreams; accustomed to sleeping in the nude under warm bedding, she woke up sweating, with the bedding in disarray and her hands playing with a part of her body which had lain dormant for many years.

Could she be ready to love again? Was this the right man? What could go wrong? Should she risk opening the armour around her heart? Was it worth the risk of being hurt again? What would Loren think? What would Lorna think? More to the point, what would the spirit of Pete think - although she was certain that she had felt warmth during her last Memorial Day visit to Arlington Cemetery.

With all these thoughts buzzing around her head, she sat up and gave herself a gentle head slap. She walked quietly through the house and as she stood in the kitchen at stupid o'clock, boiling some milk to make another cup of hot chocolate. This only seemed to light another fire in her belly and so it was a rather tired Carolyn Imes who rose to face the day on the Monday morning. She was *definitely* looking forward to her next outing with David - to start choosing a ball-gown!

777-777-777-777

End Ch. 7 - "Carolyn spreads her wings"