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

9. London

Chapter 9: "London"

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 fictional character created by myself".

Now, on with Chapter 9 - we join Carolyn and David as they travel to London in 2015 with Lorna and Lizzie, alongside Loren's continuing recovery. Carolyn starts considering what life may have to offer in future now that Loren's recovery is almost complete, then she gets a very unexpected surprise..

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Start Ch. 9 - "London"

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 the ball-gown and the underpinnings 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 the new year, she and David 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 surge in cardiac and coronary events. With the New Year celebrations behind them, Carolyn and David both wanted to re-start what they wanted to be their rapidly-evolving customary Thursday evening "dates". They were now totally comfortable in each other's company. Both Lizzie and Lorna were completely supportive of the blossoming friendship between the two adults - the original friendship between the two girls was now a burgeoning pseudo-family pairing...

David and Carolyn understood each other's lives, history, family 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 when he moved on. He was certain that, throughout the shock of Amanda's death and his devotion to bringing up Lizzie as a single dad, he had lived up to the vows of "in sickness and health, until death us do part" which he had made when he had married Amanda all those years ago.

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 interim corset that afternoon, using her personal bathroom in her practice following the lunch break. She had now solved the problem of driving whilst corseted, by installing a small round cushion in the small of her back; this cushioned the gap between her lower back and the driver's seat, so she was able to control the vehicle with confidence whilst wearing the interim corset. She was now eager to try the new custom-made item. Danielle checked the fit of the custom-built version in bottle green and adjusted Carolyn's lacing carefully before bringing across the ball-gown.

At the very first fitting, Danielle's carefully-taken measurements had ensured perfection - the custom-made gown fitted her corseted body like a glove. Carolyn then learned an important lesson about corsets; she had sat down to unzip her boots so that she could buckle on her strappy, high-heeled sandals, at which point she realised that, try as she might, she could not bend her tightly-confined body.

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 lacing up the corset". Danielle unboxed the shoes, then David helped Carolyn unzip and remove her 21st-Century boots then assisted her into the sandals, guiding her feet into the stiletto-heeled evening sandals and buckled the ankle straps closed. Kneeling before her, he gathered Carolyn's hands and kissed her knuckles before he stood up and offered her a helping hand.

Carolyn placed her hands on his shoulders then rose and stood tall: she loved her reflection in the long mirror 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! In the meantime, they had planned a night away for the weekend closest to Valentine's night and found themselves increasingly becoming *very* comfortable with each other - so much so that their bodies moved together with easy familiarity every time they met up! Carolyn was also slightly nervous of what lay ahead; waxing her legs was only one small part of getting herself readied once more for "the dating game": she and David also had two highly intelligent and curious teenagers to look after, distract and manage!

Carolyn was looking forward to the London trip in March in a way (and with an enthusiasm) that she had not anticipated anything since late 2003.

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Friday, 16th January 2015

Dayroom near Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

18:10hrs EST

Carolyn had been pleasantly surprised that she and Lorna were met by Loren at the entrance lobby of the facility. Using her walker, Loren had then kept pace with Carolyn on the leisurely walk to the dayroom. They sat down in a small semi-circle of chairs.

"Loren, this looks rather good; how are you coping with the extra exertion?"

"Well, I can regularly cycle ten miles easily on the static exercise bike, up to twice a day on weekdays now; my upper body strength is only 9% below the US Navy requirements for a woman of my physical age. My target - my final goal - is that I want to be out by Memorial Day or very early in June, which means that I have only a little over four months of working time left to achieve the few remaining goals. It is going really well, Carolyn; God, I owe you so much - and your lovely Pete for the rescue that night". Loren smiled at Carolyn.

"Oh wow, Loren - that is so good to hear and I have more good news. The house construction for your new home is moving on apace. The weather has held things up a little, but weather delays were built into the programme for the build and so we're confident that we are on track. We'll need you to finalise your choice of colour schemes when we get back from London in late March, but it looks good to be finished ready for us to have you as our neighbour any time from the end of May onwards". Carolyn and Lorna hugged Loren.

"So, how did last night's dress fitting go - are you ready to dance in London?" Loren was eager for the latest gossip and Carolyn did not disappoint her.

"Yes we are ready - here, let me show you the pictures that the boutique took of me during the final fitting last night. I was worried about the heels but I've been breaking them in around the office and haven't fallen over yet".

Loren pored over the photographs on Carolyn's laptop, then sat back and smiled at her former Navy colleague.

"Carolyn, you can carry this off - just go strut your stuff, friend!"

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Saturday, 14th February 2015

Suite 109, The Greenbriar hotel

300 W Main St,

White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986-2498

18:50hrs EST

The snow-covered West Virginia countryside was beautiful. Setting off after breakfast, the long snowy drive down from DC on the Friday had been an interesting challenge for David's Range Rover, but David and Carolyn had arrived safely, with plenty of time to settle in before the evening meal.

For the Saturday evening meal, Carolyn treated it as a rehearsal for the London Ball - she wore her complete ensemble and felt regal as she glided serenely into the dining room for their meal.

The meal in the main restaurant was near-perfect. The two love-birds ate slowly and steadily, savouring every course before they found that they were both in the mood for dancing. Afterwards, the dance band provided perfect background music as Carolyn and David rehearsed their dance moves before they retired to their suite.

Looking out at the snow-covered grounds from their bedroom window, Carolyn sighed heavily and reached out for David's hand. "Thank you, Mister Cardiologist Man, for freeing my heart from the past and encouraging me to love again. I don't know where we'll end up, but I am glad to have started the journey - and I am *so* pleased to be travelling with you".

David held Carolyn close, kissed her gently and replied: "Darling Lawyer Lady, the feeling is mutual. I feel you've opened my eyes and my heart in return. I am very pleased to be on this journey alongside you, partner". Turning her around, he began to undo the layers of her costume as a precursor to welcoming her to their bed.

They spent the entire weekend lazing around the hotel, enjoying the facilities and making love repeatedly as their bodies continued to grow completely accustomed to one another since that first breakfast-time coupling on the Thanksgiving/Black Friday weekend back in November.

Monday, 16th February 2015

Home of Carolyn Imes

72xx Old Dominion Drive

McLean, Virginia, 22101

20:05hrs EST

On the Monday evening, as he drew to a halt outside Carolyn's front door at the end of the long drive from Greenbriar, David put the car into Park and switched off the engine, then hopped out and walked around to assist Carolyn out of her seat. He opened the rear hatch to offload Carolyn's bags and carried them into her house, placing them in the hallway. On his second trip, he hung the long dress-cover containing her ball gown and underpinnings on the coat-hooks.

He turned and took her in his arms as she closed her front door to keep the heat in; he kissed her deeply and said "I cannot wait for London next month, Carolyn".

Carolyn hugged him back and replied: "How about you guys come over here on Thursday this week and I'll cook, ideally for all four of us; I'll ask Lorna and you can ask Lizzie about a sleepover, because it *will* be a school night for all of us. It will give us a good opportunity to run through the plans for London with the girls - I cannot believe that it's only a month to go".

"Good thinking Carolyn - I'll check with Lizzie and confirm about Thursday evening when I call you tomorrow".

With a final kiss, he climbed up into the Range Rover and set off for his home.

Carolyn waved him off and watched him exit the long driveway onto the road before she closed her outer front door, eager to update Lorna on the weekend. Lorna had spent the weekend in one of the guest suites at the Facility, enabling her to spend a complete weekend with her mom and planning Loren's move to her new home, which was now only a matter of months away. Lizzie had arranged a sleepover with some other school friends, which had enabled David to get away for the weekend with Carolyn. Over hot chocolate and marshmallows, guardian and ward caught up and planned for the coming week.

Carolyn Imes slept very well that Monday night; it seemed that "life is for the living" was becoming a reality, in the company of a lovely widower who also, it transpired, was an excellent, skilled and considerate lover. She looked forward to their next "date night" - and London - with renewed enthusiasm.

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Wednesday, 18th March 2015

London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square

London, UK, W1K 6JP

18:50hrs GMT (EST +5hrs)

The time in London had passed quickly since their arrival on the preceding Saturday. The foursome had enjoyed an open-top bus tour around London on the Sunday lunchtime before returning to the hotel. After the conference welcome meeting and dinner on the Sunday evening, the organisers had run a packed programme of organised events for the families who had accompanied the conference delegates. The sightseeing tours had been well-organised by the event co-ordinators and Carolyn had learned a lot about the United Kingdom and its multi-millennium history.

Whilst David attended the conference sessions, Carolyn had naturally taken Lizzie under her wing with Lorna and she had enjoyed the company of the two bright, intelligent 11-year-olds as they were guided around the tourist highlights of Britain on a series of organised trips set up by the conference organisers. They visited Shakespeare's legacy at Stratford-upon-Avon and the university city of Oxford on Monday, the south coast at Brighton and the Battle of Britain memorial at Capel-le-Ferne on Tuesday and then the university town of Cambridge on Wednesday. Tomorrow, a day-trip out west into Wiltshire would take them to the 5,000-year-old pre-historic stone circle of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, with the modern visitor centre which had opened in 2013.

Every evening, the "Three Musketeers" met up with David, as all conference participants were usually invited to dine together in the hotel's restaurant. Wednesday was slightly different. On the Wednesday evening, with under-18s taken on a theatre trip to see "Wicked" near Victoria railway station, David and Carolyn enjoyed a chance for a quiet dinner for two and they had arrived at their dinner table at 18:30hrs.

The conversation inevitably played over the past, going deeper than the previous conversations which they had first had in September back in Washington and during January. this was serious, heart-opening, deep-diving "get to know you further" territory. They delved further and deeper than ever before into their past lives, past jobs, past loves and lost loves. David was very open about his loss of Amanda while Carolyn realised that her experiences of losing Pete were in parallel with David's life history. They realised that each of them had experienced the "one great love" - and had then lost that person.

Carolyn was, slowly, inexorably, inevitably and irresistibly falling in love. Obviously they had already responded to the physical attraction between them on that morning over the Thanksgiving weekend and again over the Valentine's weekend in February, but that seemed to have merely enhanced their spiritual connection. It was also quite clear that David was on exactly the same journey, at the same speed, as Carolyn.

As they rose from the table, leaving the empty coffee cups, David took Carolyn's hand and looked deep into her eyes.

"Without any pressure, would you consider giving thought to not sleeping alone tonight? Even if we simply share a bed again and take advantage of our adjoining suites?"

Carolyn leaned in and kissed him full on the lips.

"Lead on, Mr Cardiologist Man. I'll text the girls and ask them to both use my suite tonight when they get back from the theatre. The hotel Reception can sort out the room key details - I'll leave them a note. I noticed that housekeeping had refreshed all the beds in the suites this morning".

She paused and smiled at him; he looked back at her as she carried on speaking. "Simply sharing a bed won't cut it, David - ever again. I need the whole of your body as well as your heart, because you have all of mine".

Arm in arm, David and Carolyn strolled towards his suite.

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Thursday, 19th March 2015

London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square

London, UK, W1K 6JP

23:50hrs GMT

The end-of-conference ceremonial Ball was winding down; Lizzie and Lorna had left the "grown-ups" a little after 22:30hrs and would once more be using the pair of bedrooms in Carolyn's suite (as they had on the preceding night) as they settled down for one of their last remaining nights in London before the Saturday shopping excursions and then the Sunday lunchtime British Airways flight back from Heathrow into Dulles.

Carolyn and David had spent another wonderful and convivial evening in each other's company - indeed Carolyn had realised that she was the most relaxed that she had been in years. She hadn't even had more than one glass of wine - her body simply didn't require alcohol for some reason, being "inebriated" or intoxicated simply on David's company. What was it about this widower that had grabbed her attention in a vice-like, unrelenting grip and why did she feel so good, so relaxed and (with all due respect to Pete) so damn' guiltless at having fallen for him?

Before the band played the final musical requests of the evening, she had asked David if he was ready to retire. He agreed immediately and the couple headed towards the lifts which would take them up to the Executive floor and their suites.

The carpeting in the hallway was obviously generating static electricity, because as Carolyn brushed past David's sleeve, she received a slight jolt. David felt her respond and so he squeezed her hand in reassurance as the lift arrived on their floor with a soft *ding*.

Carolyn's suite (normally shared with Lorna) lay just beyond the entrance to David's suite (which he shared with Lizzie). The entrance doors were "siamesed" on the corridor - and the dividing wall also had connecting doors, to allow the occupants of the adjacent suites to swap between suites without moving onto the corridor. David unlocked his door and pushed the door gently open. He stepped into the doorway then turned round, holding out his hands to Carolyn.

"Carolyn, I haven't forgotten the terms of my invitation to you last night, but might I invite you into the suite to linger a little longer? Lizzie is obviously still in with Lorna in her suite. I need to tell you that I haven't ..ooof!" His speech stopped dead as Carolyn, matching his eye-level in her stiletto heels, leaned in, grabbed both of his tuxedo jacket lapels and kissed him passionately. She nudged him gently backwards into his suite and then she back-heeled the door closed.

"David, my body is telling me things that I thought I had suppressed forever since 2003. Your body speaks to me like no-one before in the history of my life. I want to stay - and anyway, I need you to be around me as I undress". She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

David looked at her in bewildered puzzlement: "OK Carolyn, I have to be honest that your presence this evening has awoken all sorts of lovely thoughts, although I wouldn't act on them without your consent. Undressing you would be my pleasure but I have got to ask - why do you need help?"

Carolyn undid the zip concealed in the side of her dress, then smiled at him as she turned her back to him.

"Well, who else could I trust to release me and unlace me out of this corset and the heels?"

The skilled surgeon inside David suddenly turned into a fumble-fingered teenager!

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Friday, 20th March 2015

London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square

London, UK, W1K 6JP

09:14hrs GMT

At 09:15AM the following morning, the phone rang in David's suite. Lizzie's voice intruded into his sleep-befuddled brain. As he began to collect his thoughts, his hand idly brushed across the top of the bedcover and encountered a gossamer-thin stay-up thigh-high stocking. Several pleasant thoughts crowded into his brain as he chatted with his daughter, who was telephoning to report that she was hungry - and so was Lorna! His hand continued travelling sideways across the bed and encountered something that had been absent from his bed for many years prior to the last Thanksgiving - a soft, warm, comfortable, trusting and (from the feel of it) totally-relaxed woman. A pleasure-riddled grunt came as the response, as she playfully rolled over onto his hand, trapping him beneath a very warm and soft breast. An eye, framed in tousled ginger hair, peeped out at him from beneath the duvet, paired with the most gorgeous smile to grace his bed for many years. Carolyn Imes was surfacing - and bringing back all sorts of pleasant memories about the previous night's playful wickedness!

Quickly switching into "Dad" mode, he asked Lizzie to wait for five minutes and then call again - by which time he would have woken Carolyn properly, so that the four of them could plan how they would handle breakfast - either in-room or in the downstairs restaurant.

David's other hand probed once more under the bedding. Another grunt followed, then Carolyn's sleep-slurred voice could be heard. "Oh God, please close your eyes; I need to dash to the bathroom".

"Don't worry darling; I'm going to pull on a dressing gown then go and distract the girls; Lizzie just called to say they are hungry. I shall go and distract them; phone us or come through into their suite when you are ready - say 20 minutes?" He grabbed his dressing gown and scooted around to the bottom of the bed. "And now I am going to cover my eyes!".

David put both hands theatrically over his eyes and felt the bed shift as Carolyn dashed from the bathroom. Peeping slightly, his apparent disloyalty was "rewarded" with a glimpse of a beautifully freckled back, a lithe body and the most wonderful pair of buttocks that he had seen in years, on top of a lovely pair of dancer's legs.

David lay back in bed, offered up a quick prayer of thanks to his deity, then wrapped the dressing gown around him and strolled through the connecting door into the girls' suite, calling out "man on deck" and pulling closed the connecting door behind him to give Carolyn some privacy to gather her scattered thoughts and assume some semblance of order in her appearance.

To their credit, neither 11-year-old girl said anything - but he *did* notice Lizzie and Lorna exchanging knowing looks as he settled in the armchair and picked up the Friday morning edition of The Times. The convenient weekday tabloid size of the London Times made it easy for readers to hand around the sections during the week - he was warned that the Saturday edition was fatter and that the Sunday Times remained as a "broadsheet" size of newspaper.

"Lizzie, I wonder if you would mind making some coffee for at least two adult (and maybe also two younger?) people please" he enquired.

"Sure Dad - be glad to". Lizzie quickly got to grips with the task, whilst Lorna busied herself with the beds in "her" suite, pulling the sets of bedding back into some semblance of order and to provide more surfaces on which to lay out clothes and clear the shopping bags off the armchairs so that four people could sit in the day-room of the suite. They would arrange, later, for Housekeeping to re-make all the beds later in the day.

After about ten minutes, Carolyn arrived; hair brushed, face make-up free, confident and proud, wrapped in her long dressing-gown. As she greeted the girls, she trailed her hand across David's shoulders as she passed by his chair, then she settled into an adjacent armchair and gratefully received her first cup of coffee of the morning from Lizzie; Lorna delivered a cup, simultaneously, to David as everyone struggled to attain the same level of consciousness.

They all agreed on a room-service breakfast and that Carolyn would, once more, escort the two young ladies on the organised afternoon activities around London during the day whilst David attended the conference. Today's shortened schedule included the Natural History Museum in Kensington, then the Friday morning tourist agenda would include Madame Tussaud's waxwork museum and a boat trip along the River Thames from Westminster Pier - all their activities stayed within the city centre, close to the hotel, so that some family members might still fit in the local sightseeing activities before the departure of their flights or trains. It also saved them from becoming trapped in heavy Friday afternoon traffic on Britain's congested major highways.

With breakfast finished, David made it into the conference centre in time for the 10:30am interval in proceedings and slid quietly in, joining the delegates for the rest of the Friday proceedings. In the evening, all four enjoyed a meal in the main hotel restaurant, as the locally-based delegates continued to depart from the conference, travelling away to their respective countries.

A lovely dinner for the four of them was laid on in the main hotel restaurant before they all retired for a good night's sleep. Once more, the girls took one suite, leaving David and Carolyn the privacy of the other suite. It was clear that the girls had no problem with whatever the "grown-ups" might be getting up to in the other suite!

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Saturday, 21st March 2015

London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square

London, UK, W1K 6JP

06:54hrs GMT

Carolyn pushed aside the bedding on her side of the bed and stood up. Halfway across the room to the bathroom, the floor started spinning; she stood still, grasping and holding the door handle as she collected her scattered wits and just made it to the toilet before dropping gently to her knees and worshipping the great god of porcelain.

Confused, sore and worried, she sat back alongside the toilet, gasping to get her breath under control and regain control. Some minute later and just as she thought that she was getting back under control, the sickness struck again and this time, the noise awoke David. In a few steps, he was at her side, cradling her head and reaching for a facecloth which he soaked in cool water and placed on the back of her neck.

"Oh God this isn't fun" Carolyn groaned as she lamented; "What the heck have I eaten?"

"Well, we both ate the same thing last night." David had switched into "surgeon" mode. "Transit time is usually six hours through the bowel if there is a problem - vomiting normally comes quicker if the body detects an irritant and goes into 'flush' mode. These symptoms don't make sense".

"Ah well, it may be the different water of the city, or something in the atmosphere" Carolyn observed as she slowly drew herself upright.

She smiled to herself. "Well. at least I can be fairly certain..."

A confused look came across her face. She rose unsteadily and then swigged a mouthful of water from the tap in the hand-basin before walking, slowly and unsteadily, back into the bedroom and heading across to delve into her handbag.

She took out her diary and flicked back through a couple of weeks. Grimacing, she then put a hand to her forehead.

"Oh crap!"

"Carolyn, what is it?"

"I'm late".

"No, breakfast runs until 11 on a Saturday, so what are you... OH!" David suddenly looked at Carolyn - and the diary in her hand - like a rabbit in headlights. "Late? Oh crap, as in *late-late* as in... Do you think...?" As he spoke, his expression of panic morphed into an adolescent-like grin of pride as his gaze dropped to her waist and he hugged Carolyn tightly. "How the hell did that happen?"

She laughed and looked up into his eyes. "And you call yourself a doctor?" She laughed and continued: "Five weeks on from our Valentine's weekend at the Greenbriar? Let's face it, we made a good impression of a pair of randy rabbits all that weekend, didn't we? You've probably got my hormones all fired up and working again since that first time over Thanksgiving in your home back in November, Mister super lover boy. Damn; I may have had a random ovulation and you struck the target".

David made a play of puffing out his chest, then hugged her once more and said: "But I only succeeded because of this devastatingly beautiful flame-haired temptress who has dragged me into her lair and had her wicked way with me - several times over several months!" His eyes glittered with laughter.

She smiled to herself. "Shit, that would be some record, losing my timing at 51. OK, look, let's not panic - I'll drop by a pharmacy today and grab some EPTs and we'll know for sure before I *really* push the panic button. Damn, this was *not* what I wanted for 2015".

They hugged and walked arm-in-arm back into the large bathroom. Carolyn headed to the shower whilst David set about shaving; he was most impressed with the heated mirror over the hand-basin, which prevented the mirror from misting up. Turning off the water in the shower, Carolyn stuck her head out to look at him.

"David?"

"Yes?"

"Please say nothing to the girls just yet - OK? This is important to me (and it *is* my body) and I am sure they will understand why we stayed quiet for a while once we do break the news to them and explain the delay. I want to make sure, then work out the possible dates, get back home to DC and then get hold of an OB/GYN before we start a panic".

David hugged her and gently kissed her forehead, sliding a hand between them to gently caress her flat, trim stomach beneath her bath towel.

"No problem - and if the EPTs do come out positive, then I know just the right woman (and her team) in DC to support you over the next eight months".

He paused "At least, my lady, I would happily recommend her in the circumstance that you *are* pregnant and if you make the decision to keep the pregnancy - it is very much your body and your decision".

"Oh good thinking David. I accept your offer - if I *am* pregnant, would you set things up and come with me to hold my hand at the hospital please?"

She turned the water back on and dipped back under the shower head as David considered his answer.

"Darling Carolyn, just you try keeping me away! I shall be alongside you at every step of the way - whatever you decide. So darling, be in no doubt that you are not alone, whatever you may decide about this - we are together in this unexpected adventure. On the subject of 'alone', will you be coming for breakfast Carolyn?"

"Hmm? Oh yes, I'll be coming down for breakfast - if I am really eating for two! Would you check on the girls but let's aim to all go down for breakfast together in about 20 minutes - OK?". Carolyn sounded distracted and he looked into the shower stall, where Carolyn was checking her breasts.

He raised a quizzical eyebrow. She smiled back at him.

"Sensitive nipples - that's the second sign; I remember these from last time back in '03 with Pete's and my baby at about week five, but not the upchucking". She paused, half-remembering events from 2003. "Oh hang on a minute, I barfed in Owen Sebring's court; yep, I reckon I'm pregnant!"

Fresh from the shower, Carolyn finished drying herself and then styled her hair before pulling on a loose sweater over a collared blouse and comfortable slacks to meet Lorna and Lizzie ahead of the trip to breakfast. A leisurely buffet breakfast followed, with discussions about the day's planned activities. She slipped on a pair of flat-heeled loafers ready for her quick run out of the hotel. Lizzie and Lorna had headed for the concierge desk, to grab leaflets about the various tourist attractions in the city.

At 09:45AM, Carolyn walked down to the concierge desk to ask for directions to a pharmacy (or "chemist" as the Brits termed that type of shop). The female concierge not only gave her directions after checking that she knew the UK terms for what she needed, but also complimented her on "your beautifully well-behaved daughters". Carolyn didn't have the heart to correct the woman, so just smiled and soaked up the compliments. She also realised that this could be what her life as a step-mom could be - soaking up compliments for Lizzie in future and reinforcing positive comments about the good job she had done in bringing up Lorna. She stepped out of the hotel, following the concierge's directions. "Typical" she thought to herself; "Just as I get to hand Lorna to her loving mother full-time and find a lovely man who I can keep all to myself, I get to deliver company for Lizzie". She smiled to herself: such a problem was actually good fortune. She was obviously destined to be surrounded by children in her personal life, after more than a decade spent assisting children in her professional life along with her voluntary guardianship of Lorna.

By 10:20, she was back in her suite. She had become horribly lost on the way back, and was so pleased with the London black cab taxi system, where you just stick your hand out to attract the attention of a passing black cab which, if its light is on, will stop and collect you. She stuck her head into the other suite, where David and the girls were choosing touring guides for the later Saturday afternoon trip to the London Eye, and beckoned him over. She showed him the small package: "Do you want to watch? I thought I would give you the opportunity to wimp out" she whispered.

David took both her hands in his and gently kissed Carolyn's forehead as he smiled back. "Err, yes please I would like to watch but *not* the actual sampling - you deserve privacy for that first bit of the job", he whispered. "So would you get started and I'll be in shortly to be with you for the results - or phone through to the other suite". David kissed her again and squeezed her hand. Carolyn withdrew to the other suite and headed into the bathroom. She opened the cardboard boxes, read the instructions and got to work.

A few minutes later, the phone rang in the suite where David was sitting with the girls. Lizzie answered, said "Hi Carolyn" and then looked at David and pointed him to the connecting door. David walked through and closed the door behind him. Lorna and Lorna looked at each other, simultaneously shrugging their shoulders.

As David entered Carolyn's suite, he heard the sound of quiet weeping. Carolyn was sitting on the floor of her suite, back resting against her bed, holding three little plastic sticks which would shortly confirm their suspicions, clear her stress or confirm her fate - at that point, she wasn't certain what her preference would be.

Crossing the room, David took Carolyn in his arms, looking into her tear-moistened eyes.

She looked back at him then looked down at the three white sticks, smiled and uttered the immortal phrase; "Dear God, I'll be 70 when this child goes off to university!"

Her body was racked by more crying and David sat alongside her and pulled her into his arms. "What's wrong darling?"

Carolyn sniffled: "that lovely dress and corset - I won't fit them for another year now - if ever, after giving birth!"

David laughed, hugged her and kissed the crown of her head. "Darling Carolyn, I'll get Danielle to construct another one next year and every year after, if needed".

Carolyn looked at him with a spark in her eye. "Are you saying I'll always be fat from now on?"

They both burst out laughing and he hugged her tight, showering kisses on her head, face, shoulders and hands, causing her to drop the three plastic sticks - which then lay where Lorna and Lizzie found them, scattered on the floor around David and Carolyn, five minutes later when the girls went in search of the adults who had not returned through the connecting door.

Lorna spotted the EPTs on the floor and picked one up, looking at the result. She squeaked in surprise and turned to Lizzie with a huge smile on her face.

"Oh. My. Lord. Lizzie, you're going to have a sister or brother!"

"And you, dear Lorna, are going to have a - " Lizzie hesitated and thought for a moment; "closely-linked sibling-stroke-friend!" In sync, the two girls both looked at Carolyn and exclaimed "Wow!". Carolyn and David reached out simultaneously to the two girls.

All four hugged tightly as the news sank in.

At the back of her mind, Carolyn began to fret about the health challenges and risks of being what the medical profession so-charmingly termed "an older mother".

Then she thought of something even worse - an "older first-time mother". She was not looking forward to the ante-natal classes, surrounded by young gazelles who would probably romp through their pregnancies whilst she felt like crap for the next eight months and beyond. She looked at David, with a worried expression on her face.

"David, can I do this? At my age?"

"Darling, you are one of the most capable women I have ever met; you are healthy and fit, plus I plan to spend the rest of my life with you. You have a great support network. Damnit Carolyn *yes*, you can *definitely* do this; this child - our child - is blessed in so many ways, not just the accident of his or her conception. Yes we shall worry; yes we shall have anxious moments; but this will all come right". He kissed her on the forehead and hugged her to his chest. He noticed that Carolyn still looked slightly worried, but less so than 15 minutes earlier when she first saw the results on all three matching EPTs and realised her condition was real, with the remains of a nine-month countdown already ticking.

But deep down despite her visible expressions of worry, Carolyn Imes was already relaxing, accepting and beginning to realise that a child was the perfect completion of the journey(s) for David, her, Lizzie and (by extension and guardianship) Lorna. Obviously, Amanda and Pete would be looking down from on high and would be assisting whenever kind spirits were allowed to help.

What would Loren think when they broke the news of Carolyn's pregnancy to her?

999-999-999-999

Sunday, 22nd March 2015

London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square

London, UK, W1K 6JP

07:13hrs GMT

Carolyn was awoken with a cup of herbal tea and some crackers; David smiled down at her as he recalled a fond memory. "This worked for Amanda from week six to week eleven when she suffered from morning sickness when she was carrying Lizzie; it helped to take the edge off her symptoms".

"Oh I do hope so; God I feel like crap - did you say weeks six to eleven? Oh boy!". Carolyn gratefully acknowledged the gift, then stayed sitting up as she sipped the tea and nibbled the crackers.

She felt as though she was treading on eggshells; despite the joyous reaction from Lizzie at the news of an impending little brother or sister, Lorna had been slightly reserved. Carolyn resolved to discuss the matter with Lorna - but one afternoon in the near future, not when she felt at risk of sliding sideways off the planet (as she did at that precise moment on the Sunday morning with a long flight back home to America ahead of her). She would then need to break the news to Loren at some point.

"Darling, might I offer an idea for when you get into the shower later on?" asked David.

She nodded, looking inquisitively at him.

"Let us shower together, so I can support you in that big shower stall" he suggested.

She nodded gratefully, finished the crackers and she then lay back down; she dozed for a half-hour until 08:00hrs then rose steadily and headed for the bathroom.

Carolyn relaxed as David's hands helped to shampoo her hair; as his hands worked their way down her back with a gentle massaging movement, she decided to broach another subject which had been on her mind since the discovery of her unexpected pregnancy.

"David, if this pregnancy goes successfully to term, I would like him or her to be born within a marriage. It's just the way I was brought up." She turned round to look at him. Placing a hand on his chest, she continued: "but I do not want you to feel that you have been trapped into marriage by this wonderful event".

David considered her question for a moment, then dropped to one knee as the water flooded over his face, reached out for Carolyn's hand and said: "Carolyn, this is about as 180-degrees around from what I had planned for our lives as it could be, but your idea fits very comfortably with the way that I have felt for a while. So yes, I would very much like to invite you to become my wife. Let's sort out a ring when we get home. We haven't really got time to rush to Hatton Garden".

Carolyn agreed - a rushed trip to the London diamond quarter would not do justice to their mission, because she planned to wear the engagement ring - with her wedding ring - until she was "put to bed with a shovel" (as she had once heard Loren Singer state). Also, to be frank, with her current morning sickness, the idea of "dashing" anywhere that morning was not an attractive proposition!

This morning, the crackers worked and everything held together for Carolyn, with the result that the "family unit" set off for the breakfast room together at 09:10hrs. Carolyn was pleased to note that, by eating small portions regularly with a slight pause between each, she was able to keep her breakfast down. By lunchtime, she was fine, wolfing down an omelette with a side order of fruit salad and fries ("well, if I am going to have cravings when pregnant, I may as well start with healthy cravings", she joked with her fellow-diners).

The hotel's concierge service was booked to pack everything from 12:00noon and the limo transfer to Heathrow was scheduled for 13:30hrs, giving them plenty of time to check in for flight BA0293 at Terminal Four (the dedicated BA terminal at LHR) and then relax in one of the Executive lounges before the scheduled departure of the 747 at 17:10hrs.

A quick transatlantic telephone call to McLean had enabled them to update Loren and let her know that they were on the way home; Loren promised to keep track of the flight via one of the flight-tracking websites which showed aircraft positions, ETA information and the like; Loren remained fully-involved in the journey, although the decision had been taken not to inform her about the early pregnancy just yet - Lorna and Lizzie had been involved in the discussion about secrecy and both girls saw the rationale for silence in the short term. It would be better for Carolyn to inform Loren of her pregnancy face-to-face and probably after the Carolyn's first hospital check.

Lizzie and Lorna were long-schooled in how to behave in public, settling down with a new book from the booksellers and a Kindle respectively. David sampled three of the red wines laid out in the lounge, considerately holding the glass under Carolyn's nose so that she could take a sip taste of each on the tip of her tongue. Carolyn was determined to give her unexpected passenger as smooth and healthy a ride as possible across the Atlantic, now that she knew (and accepted) that her little hitch-hiker was on board. As a newly-pregnant woman, Carolyn the lawyer had dealt with enough pregnant mothers to know that she would have to subjugate her needs to the requirements of the foetus growing within her as she developed into Carolyn the Expectant Mother. Eight months without booze was a small price to pay for a healthy baby, she rapidly decided.

The family group had pre-booked two pairs of seats in the small 20-seat Club World (business class) cabin upstairs behind what Harm would have called "the drivers" on the Boeing 747-400. Seats 63A and 63B on the port side were just across from the matching 63J and 63K. The "ying-yang" seating arrangement (one seat facing forward alongside one facing aft) enabled couples to sit and talk whilst facing each other and the sense of space and tranquility helped to calm Carolyn's nerves, which were still frazzled at the news of the sudden discovery of her condition the previous day. After the gorgeous evening meal had been served, she reclined her seat into a totally flat bed and slept for several hours. Landing time into Dulles was on schedule at 20:20hrs local and this enabled Carolyn and Lorna to reach home just after 22:30hrs on the Sunday evening (although their body clocks were still on London time and thought the time was actually 03:30hrs on Monday morning).

They all slept well at the end of their London adventure.

999-999-999-999

Monday, 23rd March 2015

Obstetrics Suite, Private Hospital

Washington DC

13:29hrs EDT

Angela Hickson laid down the speculum, removed her rubber gloves and wheeled her stool back from Carolyn's splayed thighs; her nurse assisted Carolyn out of the stirrups and helped her to sit up and reorganise her dress and underclothes. As David handed her one of her boots, Carolyn looked at Angela with a raised eyebrow. Angela smiled and began her report.

"Well Carolyn you are fine, for a 51-year-old first-time mother-to-be! The urine test confirms that you're pregnant (like you had any doubt!) and six weeks ago looks about right in terms of hormone levels (although they are slightly higher than I would expect at this stage of your pregnancy). I've checked your uterus, cervix and all points south; you're in good health with good mucous production. Additionally, I have taken a sample to run a cervical smear test because you were uncertain as to when you had your last smear test (and I like my ladies to be tested every five years on the fives and tens.). So please get your jacket on and I'll write a script for pre-natal vitamins".

She paused, as Carolyn stepped from the examination table and sat alongside David, taking his hand.

"Now, as an older mother, you have some additional risk groups - including the heightened risk of a handicapped baby and a spontaneous miscarriage" (she raised her hand as Carolyn leaned forward, opening her mouth to interrupt) "and I *am* aware of the circumstances of your miscarriage in late 2003 but it *is* still treated as an enhanced risk factor, like it or not. We'll schedule an amniocentesis later on as the foetus develops".

She smiled at Carolyn's pretend pout; her good friend and med school compatriot David had obviously found a wonderful woman in this flame-haired lawyer and she wished him well after the heartache of Amanda's death in 2003.

"Carolyn, I want you to come back and see me every two weeks. Although the check-ups would ordinarily be monthly at this stage of your pregnancy if you were younger, I am doubling the frequency of your checkups, because of your age (primarily) and the history of miscarriage (even though we understand the theory of what is most likely to have happened back in '03)". She smiled and reached out to take Carolyn's hand. "This is going to work out just fine, Carolyn - David has handed you to the obstetrics 'A'-team in our hospital".

Carolyn smiled weakly. "Oh yes, I am sure that, with modern medical science, I can be delivered of a healthy baby in 34 weeks' time". She paused, then held David's hand. "But do I really need this at my time of life; Angela, I haven't slept very well since the news - I am absolutely shit-scared of what this means for my body, my lifestyle, my work, young Lorna and Lizzie..."

Angela raised an eyebrow and looked back over Carolyn's medical notes: "Lorna? But this is your first birth - have you adopted a daughter?"

Carolyn shook her head: "No, but I have been her official guardian since her birth and, thank God, Lorna's mom emerged from a coma almost two years ago and we are completing Loren's house next month ready for her planned discharge at the end of May after two years of rehab. But I have basically brought Lorna up as a daughter (I am officially her guardian as I said) since the birth, way back in May of '03 and I am getting to know David's daughter Lizzie, who is Lorna's age".

Angela smiled knowingly and relaxed back into her chair: "Then let me paint two scenarios for your life one year from now. Scenario One; you and David are blissfully happy with your 13-year-old stepdaughter, Lizzie. You get out to the theatre, or date nights at the cinema, you enjoy your car and your clothes, you go riding with Lizzie and Lorna and David (and probably Lorna's mom for all I know). In short, you enjoy life in your nice big colonial house up in McLean and you continue as Carolyn R Imes, advocate and children's attorney until you decide to retire or slow down; in other words, all life is good to you and you live in a neat and orderly existence. OK with that idea, Carolyn and David?".

They both nodded, so Angela continued: "Scenario Two; you are permanently tired, the house smells of baby poo or baby puke alternatively, your 13-year-old stepdaughter is being a responsible teen and is helping you bring up her new brother or sister, your clothes often have little "biological bombshells" on them, you crawl into the home cinema to watch a DVD one night a week, at least one car (maybe both) looks like a mobile crèche, you take turns riding and you stay fit by bicycling regularly or using an exercise bike in the garage, you've delegated more to your staff and they love you for letting them thrive with the extra responsibility which *you* actually trained them to take on, so they love *you* for trusting them. You have received the very best pre-natal and post-natal care from my team, to assure your well-being and that of your embryo. Plus above all, you have a beautiful four-month-old baby boy or girl, who will in time enjoy sparring with his or her big sister and Lorna and will, one day, choose your senior living accommodation! Oh and your nipples are sore from four months of breast-feeding!"

Angela sat back: "So kids, which lifestyle appeals to you most and which one would actually give you the greatest satisfaction and sense of worth?"

Carolyn and David looked deep into each other's eyes, holding hands; eventually they nodded and turned to Angela and said, simultaneously, "the mess!". Angela smiled as they kissed, tenderly, and sat back to consider the implications of their decision.

999-999-999-999

Monday, 23rd March 2015

Dayroom near Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

18:20hrs EDT

"Pregnant?" The shock in Loren's voice was clear. She gazed into Carolyn's eyes as the two women hugged.

Carolyn nodded, smiling broadly. "Yes, I know, celibate me, at my age, how could I do it, how could I get my timing wrong at my age? Actually it seems to have been pretty simple and terrifyingly easy to start".

"Pregnant?" again.

Another nod.

Loren cracked the most beautiful smile, "Well, wow and way to go, sister. Oh Carolyn I am *so* pleased for you - and David of course".

She settled back in her chair. "So, what do we need to accomplish on the practicalities?"

"Well, first and foremost, we need to reduce my workload and also my worry level. That means that we need to get *you*, Lady Loren, out of here and settled in McLean before I reach the stage where I cannot lift anything - so come on Loren, get fit and rise up and leave your bed".

"Well Carolyn, I am substantially on track for a successful discharge around the end of May - as these lovely medics planned two years ago. But now I have an even better inspiration - your lovely baby coming in November. Wow, this is going to be a great year - I'm gonna become Lorna's mom for real and then I'm gonna be an aunt to your kid. Roll on the rest of 2015!"

999-999-999-999

Wednesday, 1st April 2015

Dayroom near Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

18:30hrs EST - planning for the final touches on Loren's new home

"Hey Loren - have you picked the final paint schemes?" Carolyn was happy to be on the "home leg" of Loren's recovery and the resulting construction of "Chateau Loren" as she had jokingly named it. Construction was substantially complete, apart from some of the cosmetics, the tiling around the pool area and the powered garage doors to facilitate entry and exit when Loren was driving - small items which, individually, were small but could, collectively, derail the planned completion date. Fortunately, Carolyn's project manager Andrea had kept everything on track - including driving the dates for Carolyn's decision-making tasks.

Lorna sat down alongside her mom on the day-settee and within one hour all the colours were agreed. "Yep, all set and ready for the painters" quipped Loren.

"And now, my friend, the next task is to plan your triumphant return home".

Carolyn was *so* happy that the end was in sight. Once Loren's home was completed and ready for occupation, her own project (briefed to her architect as the project "to accommodate Carolyn and the Bump") could assume centre stage with some minor amendments to Carolyn's home. She had, long ago, repurposed Lorna's original nursery as another standard bedroom as her ward had grown older.

Her due date was starting to home in on early November. From her first consultation with her OB/GYN, the various ideas around the conception dates all tracked back to Greenbriar over the Valentine's weekend as the point of conception.

999-999-999-999

Wednesday, 13th May 2015

Dayroom near Room 1013, Long Term Care Facility

McLean, Virginia

18:30hrs EST - Lorna's 12th birthday

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

The song faded away as Lorna blew out the single candle on her cake. Loren watched her with tears of pride - her daughter was now just one year away from becoming a teenager. Carolyn and David, together with Lizzie, were in the room as part of "the last birthday party in the facility" celebrations.

Loren had carried out her second inspection of the rapidly-completing home which had been built for her and Dr Andersen's team were finalising the details of a day-by-day countdown to her planned discharge date, which was currently set for Thursday June 11th 2015. She was, once more, grateful to whichever cosmic power had decided that she was worthy of saving from the waters of the Potomac that night in 2003.

Carolyn had booked time off for that week in June, to assist Loren in settling in. This would provide closure to the "river ride" phase of Loren's life and leave the nearly-drowned ex-Navy lawyer ready to move on with her life. Although Carolyn would by then be in her fourth month of her unexpected pregnancy, she was determined to stay fit and to be onsite to assist her friend in settling into Loren's new home in which everyone had invested so much time.

Carolyn was donating some excess furniture from her house to help setting up Loren's home (Lorna was yet to decide whether she would move her bed from her guardian's home into her mom's home but Loren and Carolyn had simply agreed to "let her decide when she wants to decide"). The stored furniture which had never made it across to Loren's apartment in Coronado would finally see the light of day after more than 12 years in storage.

Carolyn looked at Lizzie and Loren as they finished off the remaining crumbs of the cake, then her gaze moved across to David. He was looking at her with such love in his eyes it made her draw breath. He walked across to her and hugged her, then placed his hand on her waist, above where her foetus was steadily developing.

"This one will be loved and cherished - as will you, my darling". She nodded her acknowledgement, then rested her head on his arm, luxuriating in the touch of this wonderful man who had merged into her life just at the point when she had expected to continue onwards as a single (and celibate) woman into retirement.

999-999-999-999

Saturday, 16th May 2015

New Home of Loren Singer and Lorna Singer

73xx Old Dominion Drive

McLean, Virginia, 22101

11:10hrs EST

Loren walked, without any supporting frame, around her new home. She carried a walking stick just as a precaution - it ensured that everyone just gave her an extra foot of room, in case she had an unexpected "wobble". Her eyes were shining with excitement as she checked off the snagging list room by room. The builders were doing an excellent job of clearing out small piles of remaining debris and clearing up the inevitable minor faults that emerged in a new build. She could see herself comfortably living here from next month. She had remembered to always be polite to the construction staff and she smiled joyfully at Carolyn.

"Carolyn, this is amazing - thank you. It is even better than the mockups of the design where we started last year, now that I am standing here. I reckon that Lorna and I will be very comfortable and happy here, thanks to all your hard work in imagining and starting the build. Thank you, my eternal friend".

Carolyn smiled back, just happy to have delivered a success. She had to admit that, with Loren settled in next door to her home by the middle of June, her stress levels would diminish, allowing her to concentrate on her own baby and the final five months of the pregnancy. She settled on a stool in the almost-completed kitchen; her flat-soled shoes hinted at the modifications to her lifestyle necessitated by her unexpected pregnancy.

Lorna reached out both hands, grasping Carolyn and Loren in a gentle grip. "Ladies, I want you both to be comfortable with me transferring my status from a well-loved ward to a well-loved daughter next month when Mom moves in here. Auntie Carolyn, is there anything that you feel sad about? I could not have asked for a better guardian over these past 12 years and I shall always be grateful to you for stepping up when Mom was incapacitated. Thank you".

Lorna kissed Carolyn on the cheek as Carolyn bent down slightly, then placed both her hands on Loren's hand.

"Mom, you have been very lucky that Auntie Carolyn stepped up - I would like us to offer a reciprocal level of help to Auntie Carolyn now that she is expecting her first-born".

Loren patted Lorna's hand then reached out to Carolyn. "Lorna, I shall be honoured to assist my best Navy friend with whatever she needs going forward. We are a formidable team and nothing will break us apart". She looked into Carolyn's eyes: "Thank you, dear Carolyn; now please let *me* help *you* as you embark on the adventure of motherhood".

Carolyn returned Loren's grip and smiled. "Thank you dear friend; yes, I will definitely need your assistance/help/support when the baby gets closer, so thanks in advance".

Loren patted her wrist; "Just a small repayment of the 12-year debt that I owe you and could never adequately discharge, dear Carolyn". The two women hugged, then reached out to Lorna, including her in the "group hug".

"Now, am I too late to change my mind about the colour scheme in the utility room?" enquired Loren.

999-999-999-999

Monday, 25th May 2015 - Memorial Day 2015

Arlington National Memorial Cemetery

Arlington, Virginia, 22211

13:50hrs EST

That Memorial Day, Carolyn and Lorna's pilgrimage to Arlington had two additional members in the group. It turned out that David's wife Amanda was buried in the adjoining section of the cemetery to Pete, so the group of four (and a half!) were able to visit both graves without losing touch with each other. On the return journey, David and Lizzie took the DC Metro Blue Line back into the city and through to Capitol Heights, leaving Carolyn and Lorna to travel back to East Falls Church via Rosslyn.

Lorna had settled into the role of "momma's helper", compensating for Carolyn's slightly-reduced mobility as the pregnancy advanced. Given that Carolyn had passed on the polishing skills the year before, Lizzie ensured that both she and Carolyn were turned out in gleaming polished boots, immaculately-prepared coats and with floral buttonholes on the outer lapels of their coats - opposite the small USA flags on the other lapel. Lizzie looked enviously at the two matching "ladies in black" as she and David met up with Carolyn and Lizzie; she whispered "tell me your style secrets" to Lorna as the two adults were greeting each other. "Sure thing", Lorna replied. They turned to follow the adults into the cemetery.

Walking alongside Carolyn, David looked across at her dignified outfit and the American flag pinned to her lapel. From the tips of her polished boots to the crown of her head, he gained a deep sense that this woman, despite loyally supporting her friend Loren and bringing up Lorna almost as a daughter, had obsessively honoured the memory of her lost love for long enough - just as he had carried Amanda's memory in his heart and visited her grave regularly over the years since her death.

David realised that there was some element of "enlightened self-interest" in his approach - he freely admitted that he had been captivated by this flame-haired goddess in black - and it was quite clear, from her responses, the way that she held his hand and the way that she sought his opinions on many matters, that Carolyn was reciprocating the trust which David placed with her (leaving aside the fact that she had accepted, without hesitation, the fact that she would be carrying his and her unexpected little bundle of joy to term).

Carolyn's baby bump was beginning to show at 14 weeks, straining beneath her buttoned black coat, but David knew that the first trimester now lay behind her and she was well-established on the countdown to delivery. Their Valentine's weekend together in early February at the Greenbriar was obviously identified as the likeliest time for Carolyn's impregnation...

Carolyn also felt that she was beginning to swell quite rapidly, but an OB/GYN visit was already scheduled for the next day - when an ultrasound should also start to indicate the gender of the foetus.

Carolyn began to think, for the first time in 12 years, that a new path in life might be opening up for her. It was time for "the Living" to move forward, whilst still honouring and remembering "the Fallen". She was looking forward to the ultrasound appointment and learning the gender of her growing hitch-hiker. In the preceding week, she had begun to "show" noticeably and she was now growing tired in the late afternoons.

David realised that Amanda had been correct in what she said to him long before her life had been taken: "Life is for the living". He had high hopes for the upcoming arrival of the new child. Standing alongside Amanda's grave, he felt an almost-overwhelming sense of peace and love. He was sure that Amanda was giving him her blessing to move on. He decided to discuss the matter with Carolyn at their next Thursday evening "date".

Alongside him, Carolyn was coping with a tangled web of feelings, sensations and emotions. With the morning-sickness phase behind her, she was feeling remarkably confident about facing unplanned motherhood in her early fifties. In Arlington Cemetery, as she had bent her knee to kiss Pete's headstone, she had felt embraced and caressed by a strong, unmistakeable sense of love and affection. She now knew that Pete was OK with her moving on - and she was pretty certain that he and Amanda had steered her and David to that riding stables the previous year.

She was content.

Leaning across to whisper in David's ear as they headed back towards the exit, Carolyn asked a question which would have long-term implications:

"David, where would you stand on my preference for marrying before our baby arrives?"

His face simply lit up with pleasure; before he could scramble the words together, Carolyn knew his answer.

"Darling Carolyn, just say where and when. Oh, and obviously the answer is YES!".

999-999-999-999

Tuesday, 26th May 2015

Obstetrics Suite, Private Hospital

Washington DC

13:29hrs EDT

The room was silent as the news sank in.

Angela Hickson handed Carolyn a handful of tissues to remove the ultrasound gel from her stomach then reached for the printer attached to the ultrasound unit. The shocked silence in the room continued as she sat back and looked at Carolyn, who was gripping David's hand and starting to bubble with laughter, despite her sterling attempts to maintain decorum.

Then David giggled, no doubt set off by Carolyn's pregnant body wobbling against him with suppressed laughter; that set off Lizzie, who caused Lorna to start laughing. Carolyn joined in, howling with laughter as the sheer incomprehensibly awful truth finally struck home. Eventually even Angela joined in with a chuckle, trying to hide her face behind her laptop: she failed!

Finally, when decorum had been restored and the belly-wobbling laughter had subsided, Angela looked at Carolyn and asked the one question which no-one had even thought of since they had first met in March for the first OB/GYN consultation. In truth, it was a question which was so far off-the-wall that no-one in her right mind would have thought to ask.

In future years, the sheer chill of terror which ran through Carolyn's stomach at that moment would remind her as the words echoed through her head.

"So Carolyn, David: is there any history of twins in either of your families?"

999-999-999-999

End Ch. 9 - "London"