After Laura and Bill spent the night in her bed, which would be their bed soon, they had to get ready and packed—again. Laura was able to make sure they had a nice breakfast: fresh fruit salad and cottage cheese. She was pleased Bill didn't make a face at all. She knew he was probably a steak and eggs guy, but she didn't want to feel stuffed all day. Just as they finished their last bites, the limo pulled up.

"Time to go," she said, trying to smile.

"You don't want to go to Psammos?"

"I'm just…all this travel from place to place…it's wonderful to share with you, of course, but…"

"You're ready for it to end."

She nodded. He always understood. "I'm home, and you're here. Why do we have to leave?"

"I hear Psammos is great this time of year."

"Hmm."

"Let's think of it as our early honeymoon."

"Are you saying we're not going on one?!"

He shook his head and gestured to her bedroom. "I wanna spend it here."

She smiled. "Let's go before we don't."

He took her bags in his free hand, and she led them to the door, opening it for him. They got the limo loaded and climbed in, and they were off.

—

Laura had to sit in a separate cabin on the plane, but at least she had some time to think—and read. Not that Bill impeded either of those functions, but privacy had been too rare of late—not because of Bill but everything else. She wished they really were on their honeymoon. In the meantime, she'd just have to make the best of it.

The plane landed, and the producer led her to her suite. Her date with Bill would start the next morning. She couldn't wait.

Psammos was beautiful, but it was definitely for people closer to Lee's age—or even younger. However, they (the network) had blocked off a substantial portion of the resort. She could have the sea and sand without the debauchery. It was perfect for an almost honeymoon. She felt like taking a walk, exploring.

—

Bill sat in the sand, waiting. The note said she'd meet him there. Separating after spending the night in her house was hell. He missed her. And yes, he'd figured out her and Adar's secret, and he didn't really care. Yes, he was jealous and irrationally angry when he found out, but she was right, and he admired the discretion and loyalty she showed. She was a woman who'd take a fall to protect another. He wasn't going to get into Adar not being worthy of it—of her. This was about Laura. The woman had character—it didn't matter that she wasn't perfect. He loved her more for it.

"There you are," she said.

Without looking behind him, he could hear the smile in her voice.

She sat next to him in a red dress, and he didn't hide his ogling. "I didn't expect to see you playing in the sand."

"I was waiting for you." He smiled. "It's good to see you."

She pulled the top of her dress closed more. "You too," she said, patting his arm.

"What now?"

She grinned. "I have a secret."

She whispered it in his ear, and Bill smiled. She was full of surprises and mischief and he loved it. He loved how he was the only one who saw that side of her too. "Let's do it."

—

Laura had found a lake with water so clear it was like glass. She'd never want to live on Canceron, but if she could find a similar lake somewhere, she'd love to build a cabin near it—with Bill. They spent the day holding hands and making plans.

Bill had seen a number of lakes, and he catalogued each one. He wasn't sure a cabin would be the best place for a politician to live.

She smiled. "I'm retiring soon."

He pulled her to him. "Perfect."

She kissed him. "Wanna see what else I found?"

—

She might have felt bad about deceiving Chris, if she weren't so…mellow. She'd found it growing near her lake. When she saw it, she knew she wanted to share it with Bill, but that wouldn't fly on network television. Laura had a plan, though. She approached Chris, explaining how it was medicinal after her ordeal. He'd consented—and of course, that kind of behavior was unsuitable for the cameras, so he gave her free reign for that night. He winked and said they'd have plenty of special moments they could use instead. "It's just like Hitchcock said, Laura. 'It's all done with scissors."'

Laura chose not to comment about how this show was in no way comparable to the greatest film director of all time. Instead, she smiled and took her victory with gratitude. Plus, she didn't really want to knock down the show that had given her Bill.

She turned to Bill, snuggling closer against him. They were lying on a blanket on the sand. Bill surprised her by singing: It was terrible, and she said so. He didn't mind. He told her about Juan. She'd never tire of his stories.

"Is this really it, Bill? Is this how we'll spend the rest of our days?"

"Gods, I hope so."

She looked at him, as he gestured to the space behind them—the real world.

"Maybe we should just enjoy this."

"I am."

She smiled. "Wanna sleep out here, or in the fantasy suite?"

"It'll get cold eventually. I vote the suite."

"Okay."

She moved off of him, so he could get up. She offered her arm to help him.

"Thanks. Explain to me again how you got the cameras away from us."

She smiled. "I asked Chris very nicely."

He smirked. "Well, whatever you did, I'm glad. It was fun." He paused. "And informative." He pulled her to him. "Don't worry, honey, your secret is safe with me—all of them."

"Thank you, honey."

They moved from their sanctuary back to the public world—holding hands.

—

Laura spent the next afternoon and evening with Lee. They mostly talked about Lee's future: The work he could expect to put into law school, how different it would be from his undergraduate work.

"Do you really think I can do it?"

She smiled. "I know you can, and I'll do whatever I can to help you."

He grinned. All he needed was a little encouragement, and he could do the rest. The truth was she saw a lot of herself in him. She remembered how certain individuals had helped her in crucial moments. There were so many of them: Even Richard could be counted among them. He'd requested her help during his first campaign. That decision eventually led her to this show—led her to Bill and his family. If she could help Lee by being "that" person, she would.

They parted after desert. They'd had a nice picnic on the sand. She kissed his cheek, wished him goodnight and returned to her suite.

—

After her perfectly lovely date with Karl, it was time for the rose ceremony. All four parties involved knew what was going to happen: It was time for Karl to go home—or back to the fleet. Laura knew he would be fine wherever he ended up. She could think of no one kinder or more honorable—except for Bill. He'd make a wonderful husband and father one day.

So she sent him home, and he thanked her.

"No. Thank you, Karl. You'll make some lady very happy one day."

He smiled slightly and left.

She huddled close to her boys. They'd just had their final rose ceremony. They'd spend the next week in a private section of Hedon, where she'd finally get a fiancé and a future son.