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

8. Back in the saddle

Chapter 8: "Back in the saddle"

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 now add "apart from any character created by myself".

Now, on with Chapter 8 - we are following Carolyn in late 2014 (after meeting David) and into 2015, alongside Loren's continuing recovery. Carolyn starts considering what else life may have to offer her.

888-888-888-888

Start Ch. 8 - Back in the saddle.

Saturday, 4th October 2014

Best Western Ruby's Inn, 26 South Main Street

1000 S State Hwy 63, Bryce Canyon National Park,

Bryce Canyon, UT 84764-8001

09:45hrs local

"OK, ready for the National Park, Lorna?" Carolyn had checked the lacing on Lorna's hiking boots and was confident that their weatherproof clothing was ready for a day in the great outdoors. Picking up their small day-packs, guardian and child headed out to the parking lot. A small layer of snow needed to be cleared from the windows and the roof of the vehicle.

Carolyn slipped the rented Jeep into "Drive" and headed out of the parking lot, heading south towards the gateway to Bryce Canyon national park. Her programme of visits to various parts of the Continental USA was already giving Lorna a good view of the country. Parking up beyond the Ranger Station, Carolyn and Lorna hiked around the rim of the canyon to Bryce Point before returning later in the day and heading up to Inspiration point, where they looked out into the main natural amphitheatre of Bryce Canyon and the "Silent City" of limestone hoodoos.

Saturday 4th October 2014 at Bryce Canyon saw the first snows of winter at the mountain elevation, blanketing the limestone hoodoos with a white coat and smothering, even further, any sound. Heading out into the canyon national park from the hotel at Ruby's Inn, Lorna had reached Bryce Point and marvelled at the near-silence. Carolyn, having grown up surrounded by the hustle and bustle of great metropolitan cities, was also impressed by the silence of the air around her.

Hiking in from the car park, around the canyon rim in the snow, gave Lorna an appreciation of the wild, rugged landscape of the American southwest.

The next day, an aeroplane ride across Monument Valley and the "Four Corners" landmark, impressed the young lady once more with the size of her country and the range of climates and territories which made up the CONUS.

Lorna was bubbling with excitement as she telephoned her mom that evening to report on the weekend's activities. Loren was so pleased to hear the excitement in her daughter's voice and she rejoiced, once more, in the selflessness of Carolyn for making the time to take Lorna on these tours, whilst her (Loren's) health continued to improve and her stamina grew following her resurrection some 18 months earlier.

She knew (with growing certainty every day) that, one day, she would be repeating these journeys on a "mother and daughter" trip. She was so grateful to the flame-haired attorney for her time, dedication and energy and she truly hoped that Carolyn would find love once more at some point - if only as a reward for her selfless dedication to the cause of bringing up Lorna.

If only Loren had known what had transpired in the Shenandoah Valley in September, she would have been less worried about Carolyn's (apparently non-existent) love life.

Tuesday, 7th October 2014

Dayroom near Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

18:25hrs EST

Carolyn had a big cheesy smile on her face as she walked into the sunlit dayroom for her daily update visit to Loren. A telephone conversation with David during the previous evening had confirmed that he was very interested in her - and the possibilities of developing their friendship.

The pictures from Bryce Canyon were loaded on the laptop and ready for projecting on the plasma screen. Both she and Lorna had been tired on the Monday evening, so the "show and tell" session had been postponed to the Tuesday. Loren had, of course, understood and was happy to wait another day for the pictures. She was now regularly "terrorising" (their words) the staff in the centre as she exercised in the corridors in her wheelchair; her walking stamina was also improving and she regularly perambulated around the centre as her exercise programme continued and extended her range and endurance.

Carolyn and Lorna had travelled in as usual for the evening visit. Lorna hung back as they entered the room. Loren realised that something was different. Loren looked at Carolyn's face and immediately twigged that something was different. "Come on Counselor, I haven't seem that smile since Mic Brumby went back to Australia in 2001".

Carolyn had always despised the Aussie lawyer, who had not always maintained his 100% focus of his attentions on "Mac" MacKenzie in the JAG offices during his exchange posting to the USA. She had nicknamed him "Fingers" on one occasion - in honour of his wandering hands! On more than one occasion, Carolyn had considered coming in to the JAG office in her uniform trousers in place of her customary skirt, which she preferred to wear as it emphasised her legs - one of several parts of her body of which she was very proud. On leaving the Navy and setting up in private practice following the miscarriage, her style had always tended towards the "skirt-suit" rather than the Clintonesque "pant-suit". Even as a celibate woman, Carolyn still appreciated the occasional admiring glance from a good-looking man; just because she was celibate by choice after losing Pete, that fact did not mean that she was dead from the neck down. Fortunately, Brumby had spent most of his time in JAG pining over Mac - who seemed to be more than capable of handling the Aussie groper.

"Loren, I don't know how it happened, after all my years of guarding my emotions, not getting involved, keeping Pete's memory pure - but I think that I may be falling in love again" Carolyn gushed, then paused, hand over her face, excited like a ten-year old on hearing that Father Christmas had made a double delivery. The secret was out!

Loren stood up from her dayroom chair, resting on her walking frame and hugged her best friend. "Carolyn, that is just such brilliant news! Come on, don't leave it there - tell me all the details". They remained hugging as Carolyn began to impart her momentous news.

"Well, his name is David, he is a widower and his daughter Lizzie is the same age as Lorna which is how they met when they went riding at the stables. Lizzie and Lorna are firm friends with each other at the stables, so he and I got chatting - initially just as parents - on the trip last month to Shenandoah. Then we realised we have similar backgrounds in terms of deceased former military officers as our former partners - his wife was killed near Falluja".

"I think I am envious of your good fortune in meeting David - but also massively happy for you Carolyn, my dear friend. So, what is the next step?"

"We're meeting in town for dinner next Thursday evening and to start exploring where this might go, but then he went and invited us to accompany him and Lizzie to London (England) in March for a cardiologists' convention. He's offered to buy me a ball-gown for the final night's Ball and I've said yes! All I had originally asked for was just a pair of dancing shoes. Oh Loren, I can't think straight - *me*, after all these years!" Carolyn's heart was singing; Loren reached out a calming hand and took her wrist.

"Well, Carolyn I didn't expect ever to say this to you, but you'd better get your legs waxed on Wednesday".

"Too late, I am ahead of you. I had them done this morning - stepped out from the practice for two whole hours of beautification. Oh God Loren, I cannot believe this is happening, after so many years. I am so happy - and nervous as well, of course".

Carolyn's eyes were shining and Loren offered up a quick prayer, thanking her deity for watching over Carolyn.

"So, do you want me to distract Lorna on Thursday or will you leave her on guard at home?"

"Ah, good thought - I will need to arrange a taxi for her, to bring her here to see you, then another taxi to collect her later and run her home - the practice has a trustworthy and well-vetted cab firm on retainer".

"Thanks for doing that - I don't think that I could bear an evening alone after these two years with you guys visiting faithfully since I woke up last year; I shall be jealous! I am SO grateful to you, Carolyn, for all that you have done. Now, go and have fun, my friend - and that is an order from Loren - my first order in over 11 years!"

Carolyn gave a mock salute and replies "Yessir, ma'am, Lt Singer". She paused: "Hold on - I outranked you when we were in the Navy!" The two friends laughed.

All three then clustered around the plasma screen to watch the display of pictures from Bryce Canyon.

Thursday, 16th October 2014

DC-Metro station Metro Place, central Washington DC

18:15hrs EST

Carolyn had travelled in on the Metro to meet David at the end of his Thursday afternoon consulting session. They shook hands on meeting and then David led Carolyn to one of his favourite restaurants a few blocks away. The two of them had decided (via a couple of previous phone calls) that a quiet "dinner for two" was an ideal way to start getting acquainted and to have joint plans prepared for London and for next year's Memorial Day weekend which would see a joint visit by Carolyn, David, Lorna and Lizzie to the Arlington graves of Carolyn's Pete and David's Amanda.

Meeting in the restaurant also gave them a chance to start (without teenage interference) the process of planning the London event in detail and getting started on the process of getting to know each other as they sat on a chaise-longue in the reception area of the restaurant awaiting the move to their chosen table. Carolyn had handed the receptionist her Bottle-green coat and sat looking down, once more, at the pointed toe-caps of her polished boots. She had taken to wearing slightly higher heels than before, which meant that she was able to stand up closer to David's height and look him in the eye when they met. By this stage, she was regretting not having broken in the new boots by walking in them around the office for a few days. Too late - she would have to sort out a foot massage when she returned home.

"Well Carolyn, would you allow me to trump your request for dancing shoes in advance of London by offering to buy you a ball-gown as well as the shoes?" was David's opening question. Carolyn thought for a moment, before announcing "well, you probably need to see more of my body before you make an offer like that, young David". David's gaze deliberately lingered as he looked her up and down, from the polished toecaps of her boots to where her leather-clad legs disappeared under the hem of her skirt, around her waist where her sweater sat, neatly detailed by a thin belt, over the swell of her breasts and up to the top of her turtleneck.

She returned his gaze coolly, but her composure cracked at his response: "Yes Carolyn, but remember I have seen (and admired) you in jodhpurs all day recently on the ride!".

"Drat - busted!" she replied and they both laughed. Any remaining tension was broken as they stood up and walked, relaxed, to their table. The evening flowed steadily and enjoyably.

Their first actual evening "date" went extremely well and each of them wanted more. Both David and Carolyn thought of items for the upcoming London trip which would have been forgotten had they not met and worked methodically through the planning process - five months was not a long time in their busy lives, especially with Christmas in the way. David was enchanted by Carolyn's quick mind and eager smile. Carolyn was already sinking into the deep pools of his blue eyes.

They agreed that they would travel out to London on the Friday or Saturday night before the conference in March, arriving into London's Heathrow Airport ideally on the Saturday morning after the Friday overnight flight from the East Coast. For the return flight, they planned to leave one week later, on the Sunday afternoon service into Dulles, meaning that they would be back home into the USA in time for a full night of sleep before the Monday morning. By exploiting the transatlantic time difference, this would ideally give them the first Saturday, the final Friday evening, the whole of the final Saturday and most of the final Sunday until lunchtime for their exploration of London, bracketing the actual dates of David's conference.

As they parted, Davis and Carolyn exchanged chaste kisses at the Metro station before they headed out their separate ways. Carolyn was still on "Cloud nine" when she arrived home (to find Lorna sitting up, like an expectant parent awaiting a wayward college student, having returned earlier by taxi from the facility). Carolyn was already planning to bring Lorna on an additional trip to the UK in the December of 2014 or 2015 for the International Horse Show at Olympia in London. They chatted for several minutes over steaming mugs of cocoa before Carolyn shoo-ed Lorna off to bed before she settled down with a lovely hot foot-spa to soothe her aching feet before she headed off to bed herself.

Friday, 24th October 2014

AVIS car rental depot, Boston Logan Airport

1 Harborside Dr, Boston, MA 02128, USA

20:15hrs EST

Carolyn signed out the car and quickly stashed the luggage in the trunk before heading into the city for the Marriott Courtyard for an overnight sleep. She was glad that she had booked a separate room for Lorna, because she fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, although she awoke first the following morning. She had arranged a quick weekend in Boston, to sample the city on the Saturday and then enjoy a quick drive through the fall colours outside the city on the Sunday before returning to Logan for the flight home. In fairness, Carolyn dozed during the bus tour around Boston (waking for the beer and oysters outside Faneuil Hall) but was ready for the scenic drive on the Sunday morning. For some reason, David had occupied much of her thoughts since Thursday evening!

She and Lorna agreed that Boston in late October - although the New England leaf fall colours *were* impressive - was honestly almost matched by the fall colours of leaves on their doorstep around DC. Their conclusion was that DC was "good enough" and especially if you factored in the travelling disruption and cost of getting to Boston then onwards to Vermont. Nonetheless, they planned a longer return trip to include Faneuil Hall and a two-day expedition to Vermont (along with a drive up the Maine coast to Bar Harbour and a Halloween trip right around to Providence on Rhode Island) for a future date - these were tasks for 2015 (or later).

The return flight, back from Boston into Dulles, passed in a blur and they were settled back home by midnight on the Sunday night. Carolyn's staff already had her booked for a delayed start to work on the Monday. Gratefully, she sank into a dreamless sleep, pleased to be back in her own bed.

Friday, 31st October 2014

Courtyard by Marriott New York JFK Airport

145-11 North Conduit Avenue Jamaica, NY 11436 USA

19:55hrs EST

Carolyn checked in and breathed a sigh of relief that she and Lorna had eaten in Washington's Reagan National Airport before the hop south to New York. The late decision to spend Hallowe'en in the Big Apple was probably going to leave her tired, but it meant that she had completed the "Grand Tour" and Lorna would have a good idea of the USA. Three weekends away in one month was quite a test of her stamina which she hadn't undertaken since she hit her mid-forties, but the enjoyment on Lorna's face had made all the planning, travelling and hotel nights worthwhile. It also, she realised with a girlish giggle, meant that she could now plan to spend some time getting to know David properly during November, whilst leaving Lorna to spend more time with Loren in the evenings, refining the plans for Loren's new home. Carolyn smiled to herself - she reckoned that everyone should be happy!

Lorna and Carolyn headed to drop their bags in their adjacent rooms, met in Lorna's room to run a quick videoconference back to Loren, then fell asleep. When they awoke the next morning, they were ready for a good breakfast before they hit the tourist trails around Manhattan.

New York was brash, noisy and impressive; riding the Staten Island ferry, visiting the Ground Zero memorial sites and museum (Carolyn marvelled that, to Lorna, this was "merely" a history lesson - as indeed it was for most millennials who had been too young to remember the actual disastrous Tuesday morning in September 2001). The view from the new WTC viewing gallery was impressive (but actually Carolyn hankered back to the view from the John Hancock Tower in Chicago - looking east over the lake, west towards O'Hare airport, south towards Soldier Field and north towards Milwaukee).

The return flight into Reagan National went smoothly and Carolyn was tucked up in bed by midnight on the Sunday. Once more, a delayed Monday morning start in her practice awaited her - one advantage of being "The Boss", she realised!

Thursday, 6th Nov 2014

DC-Metro station Metro Place, central Washington DC

18:00hrs EST

Carolyn had travelled in on the Metro as usual - David had managed to escape slightly early from his final slot of his Thursday afternoon consulting lists.

They hugged on meeting and then Carolyn took the lead, guiding David to a restaurant which one of her clients had recommended. In the spirit of equality, David was very happy to follow the lead of his flame-haired Ariadne as she guided him faultlessly to the door of one of Washington's premier seafood restaurants.

Their topics of conversation covered Lorna, Lizzie's school progress, Loren's house designing work and what David described as "a real biggie". "Carolyn, how would you and Lorna care to join us (Lizzie and me) for Thanksgiving?"

"David that would be lovely. I can get our turkey donated to a homeless shelter which will do some good, or shall we compare turkey sizes and then make a decision on which will make up the donation? So, we'd be looking at three weeks from today on the 27th? In principle yes, but I need to work with Loren - Lorna's mum as you may recall?"

David nodded: "Oh yes, of course. As a doctor, I am accustomed to helping plan patients' home visits - and after heart work, there is a constant tension between 'get them home to recuperate faster' and the need to 'keep them close whilst the first phase of surgery heals', so I can - and I do - completely understand that you need to fit in with the recovery programme for Lorna's mother. But let's work on the principle of 'it will happen' then deal with every impediment - what do you say?"

He flashed what was fast becoming Carolyn's favourite-of-all-time smile and her heart melted: saying "yes" was a very easy decision and, Carolyn realised, could well develop into a habit.

"OK, now to tell Lorna". The 11-year-old squeaked with delight and announced that she would be comparing notes with Lizzie the moment the call ended. Terminating his call to Lizzie and placing his cell-phone in his jacket, David relaxed and looked at Carolyn: "I fear that you and I have a well-matched pair of troublemakers in our lives" he observed. Carolyn took great pleasure in agreeing with his assessment of the situation.

Thanksgiving would be upon them soon; getting Loren set up, supported and signed out for a visit would require effort; but the determination was there; this would be a great piece of recuperation for Loren - a home visit on Thanksgiving.

Both Carolyn and David kissed chastely farewell at the end of the evening, knowing that each felt confident in the other and that their younger responsibilities had endorsed the friendship. An enjoyable Thanksgiving Day lay ahead.

Thursday, 27th Nov 2014 - Thanksgiving Day

David's home, Washington DC (sort out the address ***

18:00hrs EST

Their plans to "spring" Loren from the facility for Thanksgiving hit a bump in the road. Because Loren was showing slight signs of a chest infection in the days before Thanksgiving, Carolyn had arranged to redirect "her" turkey as the centrepiece of a Thanksgiving meal to be delivered to the staff at the long-term care facility, which was enjoyed in the staff canteen with Loren present as a "guest of honour". Loren was able to walk down to the staff canteen to join in and she had little trouble in digesting one of the highest calorie intakes which she had consumed since her swim back in 2003. This was a major step forward on her road to recovery, and she had stated that she understood completely why Carolyn and Lorna were heading out afterwards, to David's home for their own Thanksgiving meal.

Loren didn't feel neglected for a moment; she was truly happy that Carolyn seemed to be falling for a lovely widower - and she knew that David was fortunate to have tempted the chaste, celibate Carolyn down from her chosen (and long-term) shelf. Loren anticipated great things for Carolyn and David (and the two young ladies) during the coming year. She realised that the conference in London, upcoming in March, could be the catalyst for some great news. Settling back into her room, she started reading her book as she relaxed to digest her turkey feast.

Carolyn arrived at David's home and, as she applied the parking brake, Lorna hopped out of the car to ring the bell. Lizzie answered the door (David was in the kitchen with his hands full) and the two girls hugged tightly in the entrance lobby as Carolyn closed the outer door. The two visitors removed their shoes and boots then wandered through the house to the rear kitchen. David, carving knife in hand as he dismembered the turkey, waved the knife at a silver ice-bucket which stood, surrounded by four champagne flutes, in a silver tray.

"Carolyn; the guest rooms are made up; I propose we go "Black Friday" shopping tomorrow, so may I spring on you the invitation for you and Lorna to stay over tonight and enjoy the wine today?" Carolyn shot a quick glance at Lorna, who raised a thumb in a sign of approval.

Carolyn walked over to him, stood on tip-toe (reflecting the absence of her heels), kissed him and replied simply: "That's a good idea David; fortunately Lorna and I both have sea-bags permanently packed in the trunk of the car, so we graciously accept your kind invitation". Lizzie volunteered to go retrieve the sea-bags with Lorna and then Lizzie led her up to the two guest suites upstairs.

David beamed with happiness and Carolyn focussed on the champagne, serving four glasses of the sparkling wine before she offered David assistance with the meal. Pulling on an apron, she stood where he directed her and the two adults worked in cheerful, companionable silence as they prepared the meal.

Later in the evening, all four played several games of cards, before heading up to their allotted bedrooms by mutual consent. As they turned out the lights on the landing, David and Carolyn shared a kiss before separating to get a good night's sleep in their respective rooms ahead of "Black Friday".

Friday, 28th Nov 2014 - "Black Friday"

David's home, Washington DC **

07:02hrs EST

Carolyn had slept through the night until her body informed her that a trip to the en-suite bathroom was needed. After that, she felt thirsty so decided to visit the kitchen in search of the coffee-maker. Pulling on a sweatshirt and jogging bottoms from her seabag, she padded down the main staircase and into the kitchen, where she quickly found the coffee, filter papers and coffee machine, which she put to work.

As the coffee-maker signalled its completion, she felt David's arms reach around her, resting on the kitchen worktop either side of her, as he murmured in her ear to seek her consent: "Darling Carolyn, may I please wrap you in my arms on this lovely morning dear lady?"

"God, what a gentleman" she thought, before replying "Oh yes, of course, my lovely considerate, well-mannered man".

She edged forward until her body pressed against the work-surface, looking out through the kitchen window, then she turned around and slid her arms around David's back. Her heart was pounding - she could hear the blood coursing in her ears, yet this moment seemed just so perfect; she didn't feel threatened, she felt loved and she decided to give in to the messages that her body was sending to her brain.

She pulled David closer and squeezed her hands on his buttocks. She noticed his gasp as his body made contact with her hips. She suddenly realised the reason for David's gasp - he was significantly aroused. She looked down knowingly, then raised her eyes once more to stare, coolly and calmly, into David's eyes. "Now then, we seem to have a body in need of relaxation; what would my doctor suggest that I do?"

David stared deep into her eyes: "Well, without wishing to appear presumptuous, I could suggest a good way of passing an hour or so - would you be interested in my suggested relaxation therapy game?"

As though in a dream, Carolyn nodded: "Lead me on, Mr Cardiologist Man". Their coffees sat, instantly forgotten, on the worktop as they strolled, arm-in-arm, out of the kitchen to David's bedroom.

As they passed one of the smaller guest rooms, David picked up a "Do Not Disturb" sign which had obviously been "liberated" (aka stolen) previously from an hotel somewhere. As he guided Carolyn into his bedroom, he placed the sign on the door handle and skilfully back-heeled the door closed. Standing at the foot of the bed, they looked into each other's eyes.

They kissed, this time deeper and more passionately, then Carolyn placed a manicured finger on David's lips: "David, I haven't done this in a while, so please be gentle and also let me re-learn anything that I have missed or forgotten".

He took her hand and kissed it once more, before raising his eyes to meet hers.

"Fear not Carolyn, I am also just as rusty as you are: but remember, we have waited a long time for this and I am prepared to wait a little longer if you are not comfortable".

"Well, I've not been with anyone since Pete and I do have very fond (and very satisfying) memories of him. Oh sorry, is it bad form to mention a previous lover?"

"Carolyn, if some people *do* think that, then I am not amongst that number; in truth, I am sure that Amanda is looking down on us right now and encouraging us. If it would make you more comfortable, I would be very happy to wait until you are ready; I am more than happy to just cuddle whilst you make up your mind."

"No David, I want to do this more than almost anything in the world. Now, what do you want to do about contraception - I've been off the Pill for over 11 years but I reckon I am safe this week plus I am in my 50th year and seem to be sailing through the menopause".

"OK Carolyn, I will follow your lead - it's your body and it is a woman's right to choose, so what do you want me to do; my regular health-checks at the hospital always come back clear; wanna make out like horny teenagers and see what happens?"

"Oh what the heck - come on, get naked and get into bed, David!" She lay back on the bed, looking up into his eyes with total trust in the man and in anticipation of what was to come.

He unlaced her jogging pants and eased them down over her hips and down her legs to reveal her naked body, showering kisses on her body as he followed the waist-band on its journey south. Carolyn felt her body moistening as her hormones ramped up. She lifted his sweatshirt off over his head and he returned the favour for her sweat-top, kissing her neck, throat and breasts. He raised himself up on his knees and she unlaced his sweatpants and pulled them down his legs, watching him spring free from the constriction of his clothing. Then Woman Carolyn took over from Lawyer Carolyn just as Man David took over from Doctor David. At some point she realised that she was being stretched, very slowly and very comfortably, before the fire in her belly roared through the rest of her body, from curling toes to flushed face as she crossed her ankles behind him and pulled him in deeper. She was lost - and so was David, lost in the depths of Carolyn Imes as she followed several millennia of human evolution and bounced him around the bed.

Several hours were to pass before Lorna and Lizzie saw their respective grownups; it was very clear, from tousled hair and sweaty bodies, that Carolyn and David had overcome their decade-long drought period! For some reason, the members of the household were quite late that day in completing their breakfast and it was almost lunchtime before they were heading out to the Mall for their "Black Friday" shopping.

Once they had reached the mall, Lorna and Lizzie led the queue for coffees in the Starbucks. David took Carolyn to one side and whispered in her ear: "I am happy to take this, between us, as slow, as fast and as far as you want; but please feel free to stay over the next few nights".

Carolyn twisted her head around and kissed him softly: "I have a better idea. How about, in the interests of balance and transparency, we stay on with you guys tonight and then you guys stay over at mine tomorrow night? I'll cook a Sunday roast and then we could choose to use our respective homes on Sunday evening, because I suspect that our young lady scholars have homework? Then we decide when we will be hooking up next. But please be in no doubts David - you have stoked my womanly fires and I am not planning on letting you go - although I must admit to feeling slightly sore just about now".

David leaned into her cheek and kissed her softly, uttering just one word: "Ditto". Their faces met and they deepened the kiss. From a short distance away, Lorna and Lizzie exchanged knowing glances.

Thursday, 4th December 2014

DC-Metro station Metro Place, central Washington DC

18:25hrs EST

Carolyn and David met up for their next "date" after the excitement of Thanksgiving and the madness of shopping on "Black Friday". Starting with a coffee, they window-shopped for an hour, viewing several dress shops and outfitters which David had researched earlier on during the week - when he had also enlisting the assistance of his practice manager and the hospital's (female) director of finance for advice on Carolyn's dress for the London Ball in March. He had chosen these two women to advise him because they were always smartly-dressed and, from conversation he had overheard amongst the nursing staff, these two ladies knew about quality clothing.

David had taken both women into his confidence about his moving on with Carolyn (each woman, unprompted, had hugged him and said "well, it's about damn' time, David"). When he asked them for ideas and suggestions for Carolyn's ball-gown both women had, independently, given him two out of the same three shop names and he had lined up an itinerary so that Carolyn could look at all three and rank them in a sense of preference before arriving at the restaurant for their evening meal.

The third dress-shop was still open (some stores operated a "late Thursday" or "late Wednesday" opening arrangement, to serve clients who worked long hours but did not venture into the city at weekends). He and Carolyn introduced themselves to the owner and, after outlining the event and some initial ideas, David had stepped back, headed to the seating area with its complimentary coffee machine and then he sat back quietly, biding his time until summoned for his opinion.

Carolyn summoned him after around ten minutes, to review (and discard) some ideas shown on the laptop in the design salon. After discarding three, both he and Carolyn simultaneously focussed on a shoulder-less ball-gown with an embroidered bodice and full skirt, which (depending upon her appropriate heel height) would show a two-inch gap above the floor. Carolyn had worn her high-heeled boots under her pant-suit for the journey, so she was able to model the dress to its planned height. David leaned in to zoom in on the design of the bodice and then he turned to the dressmaker.

"Do you have this in a deep green or bottle green in my lady's size please?" he asked.

Carolyn looked at David in amazement; this man had, unprompted, picked up on her favourite colour for complementing the shade of her hair. What other hidden depths did this man possess? She had spent over 11 years, hiding behind the armour of her business suits, buttoned-up jackets, silk scarves, long skirts and long boots (thereby shielding herself from the world), yet this man had seen through it all, to the woman beneath. She felt suddenly vulnerable yet exhilarated - especially when she realised what she was (not!) wearing beneath the dress! She looked at David and nodded her agreement as she headed back into the changing room to redress.

The salon owner smiled and replied. "Indeed we do and we can have the exact dress created in around two weeks for you to try a first fitting, based upon your accurate measurements". She looked directly at Carolyn: "I would suggest, because my daughter has used this particular ball-gown design and she has a similar figure to yours, that you consider supporting the dress with a proper corset. You would be surprised how many of my female customers support their dresses with some form of structure underneath".

Carolyn had never worn such a closely-fitting item of clothing and was unsure. "Well, I'm not so sure; to be honest, this is a new experience. I guess that my closest experience to a corset, in the Navy, was a Kevlar ballistic vest".

The salon owner looked at David, raised her eyebrows knowingly and replied: "Oh but what we are talking about is a far more snug-fitting experience - designed for your body and styled to support your curves. Come on, we need you back in that changing room".

The salon owner offered to let her try a fabric corset and produced a tape measure to start jotting down dimensions and measurements. Five minutes later, a suitably-sized corset (the sizing was described as "better than 'close enough' to fit you") had been located in the stock-room and was being proffered to Carolyn outside the fitting rooms. Supervised by the salon owner, Carolyn was soon stripping out of her jacket, blouse, undershirt and bra once more, standing in the fitting room and donning a simple t-shirt as a liner beneath the corset.

Carolyn was amazed at how light the modern corset structure was, how easily she was laced in by the dressmaker standing behind her and yet how impressive the results were as the corset re-sculpted her body. Tucking her (now un-needed) bra into her handbag, she looked down and realised that her view down to her feet was now obscured by her remodelled body, framed by her corset. She walked out, slightly self-consciously, for David's unbiased opinion. She looked slightly incongruous, with the lower half of a pantsuit and her normal heels, topped by a royal-blue brocade corset and t-shirt covered shoulders.

David's jaw dropped involuntarily. His stunned exclamation of "wow" carried clear across the Salon. The salon owner turned Carolyn round, and was about to explain the intricacies of the busk at the front and the lacing at the back, when David's knowledgeable comments made it clear that he was no stranger to handling a corseted woman. He sought Carolyn's permission to make a minor adjustment - she concurred - and he re-arranged two parts of the lacing as she stood tall and still. Finally, he placed a hand on her shoulder and said "perfect". Carolyn's heart leapt at the closeness of his hand - even through the material of the t-shirt. What was it about this man that spoke so directly to her spirit? She found herself blushing slightly - and cursed her mother for her ginger skin tone.

"Carolyn; I have a suggestion if you would grant me permission to increase your confidence in this outfit?". Carolyn nodded obediently, still absorbing the different sensations cursing through and around her body. David turned to the salon owner. "If my lady keeps this on for a half-hour, under her business suit jacket and dress blouse, might I please steal her away to the coffee-shop down the mall? I need her to walk, move and sit with confidence and then I can be certain that she will buy into the idea of wearing a corset under the ball-gown for the ball in London next March. I promise that we will be back before closing time, because we need to conclude the sale". He proffered his black Amex card which the couturier waved away with a simple "please just bring me a latte".

Carolyn was stunned into a momentary silence, her mind overloaded from several angles. There was the new sensation of being referred to as "my lady"; the unaccustomed feeling of support (and, to be fair, restriction) from her corset; plus the knowledge that she was about to be paraded in public with her body shaped as it had never before been shaped, albeit concealed under her normal suit jacket and blouse). All these sensations were overloading the normally level-headed attorney's brain as she automatically and unresistingly turned to walk to the fitting room to retrieve her blouse and jacket.

Buttoning up the blouse over her constricted body, she tucked everything into the waist-band of the trousers. She picked up her long jacket from the hanger in the fitting room, buttoned it closed and admired her profile in the long mirror outside the fitting room. She barely recognised the assured, upright woman who stared back at her. Even though she was outside her normal comfort zone, the outfit somehow felt just right - and only an expert on female clothing (or another similarly-dressed woman) was likely to work out what she was wearing underneath her suit jacket.

She walked out, tall and confident, straight up to David. Placing her forefinger gently on his chest in a slightly inquisitive pose, she looked into his eyes. he smiled back confidently, inviting her question. "OK, buster, you know your way round female fashion far better than any man I have known - what's the secret?"

David smiled and called over the salon owner; as she arrived alongside him, they reached out to one another and held hands. As they stood alongside each other, Carolyn realised that the man and woman in front of her shared the same, ever-so-slightly-lopsided, smile. "Carolyn Imes, I am guilty of keeping a very slight secret from you. Kindly allow me to introduce you so my (ever so slightly) older sister Danielle. Our late mother was a seamstress, couturier and corsetiere, so I grew up around, and with the maximum respect for, female bodies and female role models, as well as knowing how to do needle-point". He finished his "confession" with a deep-throated chuckle.

Carolyn drew in a deep breath to laugh loudly- and was stopped short by the constriction of the corset. "Well played mister. I bet your surgical stitching would put Danielle's cross-stitch needlepoint to shame. Well done and Danielle it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance so soon in the early *days* of this burgeoning relationship".

She stood with her hands on her hips (appreciating the new sensation of the undergarment) and glared at David as she emphasised the word 'days' before she carried on in mock-anger: "Man, you are in trouble now. You owe me more than a coffee". David merely raised his hands in a pose of surrender, still smiling at having achieved complete surprise with his joke and the introduction to his sister. Holding hands, they walked around the salon to ensure that Carolyn was completely at ease. Danielle asked Carolyn to remove her jacket and blouse once more then made a couple of minor adjustments to the lacing, before pronouncing herself satisfied and releasing Carolyn to make her way out to the coffee shop once everything was buttoned up once more.

"You will need a further adjustment after around a half-hour - this is entirely normal as your body submits to the embrace of the corset, and remember that this particular model has not been built for your exact body"; she smiled at Carolyn: "but the next corsets will be a perfect fit!" She turned back to whisper to David as he and Carolyn prepared to leave the shop: "And talk to Carolyn about Wolfords".

Carolyn's brain barely registered the implications: more occasions - and more corsets (plural) and other items - clearly lay ahead!

The coffee shop which David suggested was two blocks away but within the overall confines of the shopping mall. Striding confidently to the coffee shop, Carolyn took a seat and David quickly purchased and brought over the coffees. He needed to brief her on details of the London trip and also to find out what additional sights Carolyn wanted to add to the itinerary. She thought briefly of adding in a hop to Ireland, taking in Shannon airport and the hop up the coast to Galway, but rapidly discarded the idea. Her time in the UK should be focussed on David, Lorna and Lizzie; anything about Loren's past and the 2002 pregnancy could wait - indeed, must wait - for Loren's recovery and her decision about informing Declan (or not - because it was *her* choice at the end of the day).

David leaned in to keep the conversation private. "OK, what do you think? I wonder, has my sister captured your interest?"

Carolyn blushed, then composed herself before answering. "OK, I had never considered this before, but actually wearing this makes me realise just how elegant that ball gown would look. But I haven't seen a price tag yet".

David took her hand. "I tell you what - let me propose a deal. You let me pick your outfit, from head to toe, for the Thursday night ball in London and the only thing it will cost you is your body. I'll provide everything at my expense - let me clock up the Amex reward points".

Carolyn picked up an aspect of the conversation which David hadn't realised: "So it will only cost me my body? OK, what did you have planned - exactly - for my body? Are you going to lock me into this corset and keep me secured for your exclusive pleasure?" Within the constriction of the unfamiliar corset, she was able to chuckle as David blushed crimson when the implications of what he had said finally struck home. He gasped apologetically.

"Oh my, I am such a klutz; so sorry Carolyn. Please forgive me?" Carolyn took pity on his "little boy lost" impression, with his lower chin quivering in mock-sorrow. For a moment, she was reminded of some of the faces which old Harmon Rabb had pulled across the courtroom, back in her JAG days. Then she burst out laughing and, on an impulse, she kissed him, then stood back and looked him in the eyes.

"Sorry David, I couldn't resist. OK buster, lay out for me what you have planned".

David began sketching in his notebook, styling Carolyn in pencil with the dress covering the corset and elegant heels on her feet; He sketched a possible hairstyle for her which used her hair in an elegant evening style which she had never considered before. She nodded approvingly, then drained her coffee cup and stood up.

"We probably should be getting back to Danielle, but before that I will need to practice and rehearse in this outfit - I want to feel comfortable and confident when I accompany you to the Ball. I presume that is your goal at the end of the day?"

"Oh yes, I want the honour of escorting you to the Ball and showing you off as the Belle of the Ball, Carolyn".

"OK, you had me at 'London' actually - the city is on my bucket list, so the chance to visit the city (and the country) with lovely company is far too good to miss. Whilst I admire your optimism, I would honestly expect a younger woman to be the 'Belle of the Ball' but I'll accept the compliment which that statement implied. But I must say I am very tempted - a full ball-gown outfit as a gift from a handsome widower and a week in that lovely city - how could I say no? OK, sign me up!""

David looked grateful as he paid the bill for the coffees and the two rose to walk back to Danielle.

Another question occurred to Carolyn: "What was the comment about Wolfords - or was it Walfords?"

"No, Wolfords with an "O" - an Austrian company who make the best hosiery in the world - including thigh-high stay-up stockings".

Carolyn looked askance at David. "You've been planning this for some time, haven't you? This isn't just a 'came together in the last 15 minutes' idea is it? So let me get this straight; I'm going to be trussed up like some Thanksgiving turkey in an outfit that you and Danielle will design, and paraded in front of bunch of cardiologists in some hotel in a strange city over in Europe?"

David looked slightly nervous: "Err, yes, that is what I am proposing - and the Brits would never accept that London is 'strange'!"

Carolyn put him out of his misery - she unleashed a magnificent, wide-mouthed smile and set his mind at rest as she replied: "OK, where do I sign? But I insist on some control on the choice of shoes".

"Granted. I actually want our young ladies to assist in that search, so that they are involved. However, may we agree that I own everything above your ankles - deal?". He held out his hand; Carolyn shook hands, to confirm the deal. "OK Mister Cardiologist Man, you own my body above the ankles". A frisson of pleasure ran through her, as she realised that she was yielding to this man whom she had barely known for three months. And yet, she felt safe, secure and, above all, totally loved.

She realised that she had willingly signed away her body for the first time since her teenage years - and even more willingly than when she let "Billy Six-pack" organise her participation in the high-school prom all those years ago in Michigan! She found herself blushing and felt her body temperature rise within the confines of her unfamiliar corset. The school prom had been interesting and, in fairness, Billy had been a polite, considerate klutz - but a klutz nevertheless. Still, the school prom had been part of her "rites of passage" on her journey towards adulthood.

"OK David; let's get back to Danielle and get me released from this". Actually, Carolyn had quite enjoyed the new, unfamiliar sensations of being laced in and encased in the corset and was keen to make the most of what had seemed, one hour earlier, to be a hare-brained scheme from David. The experience had also assured her that she now knew that she was confident enough to willingly place herself in his - and Danielle's - hands for this project.

Danielle welcomed them back to the shop, took one look at Carolyn and said: "Why not keep it on longer this evening - ideally for the rest of the evening and until you are home. That way, you will get used to moving in it and get used to the embrace of the corset. Before you leave, please let me show you how to release the laces and care for the corset - and I think that you need to practice, so bring it back when you collect your made-to-measure corset in two weeks from now". Carolyn nodded dumbfounded and the design work continued with some fairly-intimate measurements.

Finally all was completed; David and Carolyn walked back to the Metro and went their separate ways. Carolyn had a slight problem getting comfortable in her car. She now realised what Danielle had meant about "submitting to the embrace of the corset" but she eventually drove home safely. Lorna was happy to assist her in unlacing once she arrived home and was eager to hear the details about the new costume planned for London.

The next day, Carolyn telephoned Danielle and confirmed that she was comfortable with the idea; the dressmaker gave her some more tips for comfortable wear, but Carolyn was already confident that the London Ball would be a success for all concerned. She just needed to practice lacing herself into the corset at home every evening to get "comfortable" with the foundation of her ball-gown ahead of London in March - there was no way that she felt that she could be wearing her corset to the office!

That resolution lasted her only four working days. By the following Thursday, her office staff were complimenting her and asking her if she had lost weight, because something about her appearance was different! Carolyn just smiled and went about her business, keeping the jacket of her snuggest-fitting suit buttoned up...

Thursday, 25th December 2014

Dayroom near Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

10:25hrs EST - Christmas morning

Everyone was gathered for the exchange of Christmas presents - Carolyn and Lorna; David and Lizzie; Loren in her day-chair.

The exchange of presents revealed how thoughtful everyone had been - small and medium-sized gifts were exchanged and unwrapped with glee and (in several cases) exclamations of surprise at how well-chosen the gifts were. Loren had become an enthusiastic shopper on Ebay, Amazon and several department store websites, using a credit card which Carolyn had arranged and authorised for her. Loren had realised, early on in her recovery, how the financial institutions had steadily deleted her electronic and credit file footprint over the first seven years of her coma - she would have to re-establish this before she finally left the facility.

One present was left until last, addressed to Carolyn; some of the participants guessed, but Loren had not. "Come on, Carolyn; open up".

The wrapping paper was swiftly torn open, to reveal further layers of tissue paper protecting - a bottle-green corset in brocade. Carolyn ran a hand over it, shuddered at the sensation of the material then looked across the room to David; he smiled and raised a glass of grape-juice as he observed: "I would like to see you in that, when we next go out".

"You got it, my wonderful man - just book the restaurant".

Tuesday, 13th January 2015

Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

10:50hrs EST

Loren's first exercise session of the morning was winding down when the door opened and Carolyn's smiling face peered around the door.

"Good morning Loren; fancy some company for the exercise today?"

"Yeah, sure thing, but why today?"

"Well, I've got the final ball-gown fitting on Thursday evening and I still reckon I've gained a pound (or two) since Christmas. I need to shed a few calories and so I've booked a day out of the practice and thought I would spend it with you, exercising, chatting and snacking".

Carolyn grinned and held up a miniature bottle of champagne: "Plus, I reckon it is about time that you and I toasted the start of 2015 - if you're up for it?"

Loren's warm and genuine smile lit up the room - once more showing her successful transformation from the "Lt Loren Singer" of 2003. "Sure thing - You're obviously not going to exercise in that sweater and skirt - and definitely not with those heels on your boots!"

Carolyn hefted a sports bag into the room. "Nope, got it all here - I just had to pop into the office first thing to sign an affidavit for one of my cases. I'll go and change in the bathroom if you don't mind - then I'll shower and change back later, when I get home to organise tea for Lorna".

Ten minutes later, Carolyn was ready; under the watchful eye of Loren's physiotherapist, she followed Loren's circuits around the running machine, cross-trainer, stair-stepper and rowing machine. It was clear that Loren Singer was moving rapidly back into the performance brackets which were expected of a US Navy officer; she was around three months ahead of Debbie Cromwell's expected progress chart - and accelerating.

Tuesday, 13th January 2015

Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

13:00hrs EST

Around 13:00hrs, the two friends broke off for a light lunch. They chatted whilst Carolyn reached into the cool-box for the miniature bottle of champagne that she had brought. Carolyn smiled as she cracked the cap of the miniature bottle of champagne: "here's to new adventures - whatever they may bring".

Loren held the glasses as Carolyn poured the drinks, then opened up the questioning.

"So, I guess that everything with David is going well?"

"Oh yes, I feel more comfortable with him every time we get together"

"Well Carolyn, you know your heart - I hope that everything works out; you've been alone for long enough since Pete".

"You're right Loren - and I'm beginning to realise that maybe I wasn't meant to be alone for the rest of my life".

"Cheers - and ditto" Loren returned the toast and the two friends sat back and savoured the sensation of the bubbles on their tongues.

"You know, I think that 2015 could be a really good year" Loren said, to no-one in particular.

"Amen sister" replied Carolyn.

An hour later, they worked through the next cycle of exercises, before Carolyn showered and dried, changed into her outer clothes and headed back to Old Dominion Drive for Lorna's tea. The day of exercise enabled her to sleep soundly that night.

Thursday, 15th January 2015

DC-Metro station Metro Place, central Washington DC

18:20hrs EST

Carolyn met David at Danielle's boutique for the final fitting. Everything about her costume was perfect and Carolyn realised that she could very easily get used to custom-made clothing - apart from the price! In the intervening fortnight since new year, they had maintained regular telephone contact as David's workload had spiked after the Christmas vacation. Somehow, it seemed that the stresses of Christmas and New Year caused a spike in cardiac events - and the workload through David's clinic.

With the new year celebrations behind them, Carolyn and David both wanted to re-start what was becoming their customary Thursday evening "dates" and were now totally comfortable in each other's company.

They understood each other's history, lives (and lost loves). Carolyn had explained - again - why she wore her "wedding" ring and David had - similarly - recounted how he knew that Amanda's spirit would understand when he finally removed his wedding ring. He was certain that, through the illness and the death, he had lived up to the vows of "in sickness and health, until death us do part" which he had made when he married Amanda all those years before.

With coffees consumed, they walked hand-in-hand into Danielle's salon; she greeted them both, then ushered Carolyn off towards the fitting rooms. Carolyn had laced herself into the new green corset that afternoon following her lunch break; she had solved the problem of driving whilst corseted, by installing a small round cushion in the small of her back; this cushioned her perfectly against the driver's seat and she was able to control the vehicle with confidence.

The dress fitted her corseted body like a glove. Carolyn then learned an important lesson about corsets; she had sat down to try to unzip her boots and to buckle on her strappy, high-heeled sandals, then realised that, try as she might, she could not bend her confined body to reach the zip on her boots.

Helpless, she looked across to Danielle and David, who were smiling. David and Danielle had been expecting this problem, but it was Danielle who explained: "the first lesson in corsetry is: 'boots before corset' and you have now learned that lesson. You must attend to your legs before putting on the corset." Unboxing the shoes, Danielle helped Carolyn into them and buckled the ankle straps, guiding her feet into the stiletto-heeled evening sandals. Kneeling before her, he gathered Carolyn's hands and kissed her knuckles before he stood up and offered her a helping hand.

Carolyn rose and stood tall - she loved her reflection and she could tell that David was similarly impressed. He had, of course merely to put on a dress shirt, bow tie, cummerbund and tuxedo to be ready for the ball. Carolyn idly wondered if his links to ancestors in the UK might include Welsh or Scottish blood - which would open up the way to David being outfitted in a tartan kilt. The heritage of Wales, Cornwall and the whole of Scotland provided a rich tapestry of family tartans - far wider than just the better-known Scottish links to tartans and kilts. This jumble of thoughts cleared, as she stood before David to show off her outfit.

David seemed to be entranced: all he could say was "Wow, my princess is reborn".

Roll on London! Carolyn was confident that the next two months would fly by.

Carolyn was looking forward to March 2015 in a way (and with an enthusiasm) that she had not anticipated something similar since 2003.

888-888-888-888

End Ch. 8 - "Back in the saddle"