Half an hour later, Sara went in to see her father. Adam had offered to go with her for support, but Sara shook her head. "This is something I need to do myself. I need to face down the memories."

Adam stayed behind reluctantly. Sara was strong, but he was afraid this would break her. "She'll be okay Adam," said Dave also looking worried. "If Thomas Krane couldn't break her neither will this."

"You think I don't know how strong Sara is? I was with you when you finally caught him you know. I know she can handle her father if I didn't I never would have let her go alone no matter what she said," Adam responded.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Sara sat in a chair by her father's bed and looked at the man whose genes made up half her makeup, but who had never really been much of a father.

He looked different, smaller not as arrogant. His eyes were nothing more than sunken orbs in a thin face. His hair was white, when she remembered it as black.

Of course, she hadn't seen him in twenty-eight years and those many years changed a man if not emotionally at least physically. He had to be in his late sixties early seventies by now.

"Sara?" came; a feeble voice from the bed.

"I'm here father," said Sara quietly leaning closer.

The sound of her voice seemed to wake him up and his eyes snapped open.

"Sara is that you?" Charles Richmon seemed basically aware and lucid.

"Yes it's me father," Sara said getting up and coming closer.

Charles Richmon gazed at the face of his daughter and asked. "Can you forgive me for what happened all those years ago daughter for the death of Kim?"

"I forgave you years ago father," said Sara, no emotion in her tone it was simply a statement of fact.

"If only I hadn't been so absorbed in my job and if only I had paid the scoundrel his twelve million dollars Kim might still be alive today," Charles said.

"You don't know that for sure father. I think he left us there to die money or no money. Thomas Krane wasn't just greedy, he was evil. If his partner hadn't messed up and gotten sloppy we both probably would have died, not just Kim, but by the Grace of God I survived. If only to do good and to remember my twin and the happy times we shared," Sara said.

"You are indeed wise Sara," said her father. "Of course, that wisdom comes with strife and hardship."

"It made me strong Father," said Sara. "Would you like to meet Darryl and Darien?"

"Your children?"

"Yes, they're twins just like me and Kim were. And I'm sure you'd like to meet Dave's children Holly and Annabelle as well."

"I'll just have Adam and Dave go get them," said Sara. She headed towards the door and opened it.

"Are you okay, Sara?" Adam questioned the second, he saw her.

"Yes, Adam," Sara said with a sad smile. "I need you to go get the children out of the nursery for me. Father wants to see his grandchildren." Her expression turned neutral. So Adam couldn't tell what she was feeling at the moment.

Adam turned without comment and headed towards the nursery with Kate following.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

They returned ten minutes later with Adam holding both boys in his arms. All four adults trailed into the sick room. Adam handed one twin to Sara who took him tenderly running a hand through his dark hair. "Come meet your grandfather." Sara walked towards the bed with Darien in her arms and Adam held Darryl with the others following right behind them. "Father, meet Darien and Darryl."

Charles Richmon looked up at the twins who looked identical down to the last hair. Sara handed over Darien and her father took him gently. Adam studied the man who had made Sara so miserable until her mother Michelle had divorced him and moved to America, less than a year after the kidnapping and Kim's death.

He looked different than the one picture Adam had seen of him. He was older for one thing and had lost considerable weight since he had been ill, but there was also something in his eyes that hadn't been in the photograph a light. Adam's observation was interrupted.

When Darien grabbed his grandfather's nose.

"Darien!" Sara exclaimed shocked, but also trying not to laugh at Darien's behavior.

Charles however, was not so restrained and laughed weakly until; he started coughing. Sara took Darien from his arms and stepped back to let Dave and Kate have some time with him.

"I don't think I've ever heard my father laugh before today. He was always so stiff and serious," Sara said softly.

"Sometimes when you are dying you realize all your priorities are all wrong," said Adam, just as softly.

Sara nodded. "When it's too late to make many amends," said Sara, softly.

"Dave, Sara, a word with you in private, please."

The others turned to leave at Charles' quietly whispered words.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Dave and Sara exited minutes later looking stunned.

"So?" Kate questioned holding Anna in her arms.

"Dad wants to start a fund that helps find kidnapped and runaway children and he wants us to help set it up. That is what he is dedicating his fortune to when he dies," Dave explained his expression still shocked.

Kate and Adam both looked shocked thinking of all those millions going to help find runaway or kidnapped children would help a lot of parents find their kids faster and quite possibly still alive. It might prevent what happened to Kim from happening to other children. The children of course, didn't understand the implications.

"That's extremely generous of him," said Adam finally his mind still whirling with possibilities.

"He also wants us to be in control of the fund and choose a council of people we trust to distribute the funds properly."

"My brother Marcus would be a good choice," Kate suggested finally speaking up.

"Good idea, Marcus is an excellent judge of character," agreed Dave. "We'll figure out all the details later. Now as much as I hate to admit it father is dying and we need to get a lawyer in here before he does so the fund can become a reality."

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

"So you contacted me in order to set up this fund, Mrs. Black?" asked a portly man in a black suit.

"Yes, sir, I believe our butler George said that you were the best barrister in all of England, Sir Ian," said Sara.

The portly man chuckled. "He said that? Probably exaggerating, poor fellow. I am a good barrister, but not that good."

"Can you help us, Sir Ian?" asked Adam.

The barrister smiled. "Yes, I think I can. Upon my word, I, Sir Ian Semple, shall do everything in my power to help you set up this fund for kidnapped children."

Everyone in the room smiled and Sara and Dave both said, "Thank you, sir."

"One more thing though," said Sir Ian.

"Yes? What is it?" asked Dave.

"Could—," Sir Ian turned his face away from them and looked outside of his window. Then he started to speak again. "Could all of you do something for me?"

"What?" asked Kate a little suspiciously.

"I need you to find someone for me," Sir Ian said.

"Is it a missing child or missing adult?" asked Adam.

"A missing child," Sir Ian answered.

"Who?" Dave asked

"My daughter," Sir Ian answered.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

"I found information on his daughter. Susan Barbara Semple. Born May 1, 1965, She went missing on June 12, 1977 at age 12 from her house in London," said Kate, plopping a stack of files down on the table.

"Were there any witnesses that saw her get taken?" asked Dave.

"One person, but it was a 75 year old lady. She's dead. I called the phone number that was in the police report and found that out from her daughter that she died of cancer in 1985. Her daughter lives in her mother's old house, which was right across from the Semple's house."

"Did the police do anything, Sir Ian?" asked Sara.

"Yes, they took evidence, searched the yard and the complete neighborhood, talked to every neighbor and every family member, and anyone that was suspiciously hanging out in the area," said Sir Ian.

"What about your wife, Susan's mother? Can she tell us anything more?" asked Sara.

Sir Ian shook his head and said, "I don't think so, Mrs. Black. My wife died ten years ago of cancer after nearly fifteen years of waiting for our daughter to come home or be found."

"Speaking of that, did your daughter ever run away?" asked Kate.

"No, she was—is a good child. Always happy and she never felt sad. She loved us and we her," Sir Ian answered

"Did they have any leads, any suspects?" Kate asked.

"No, but that didn't stop them from giving up hope that she was—is alive," Sir Ian answered.

"Have you thought—" asked Adam.

"Yes, yes, but I don't like to think about it. That she—she's—" Sir Ian answered.

"Dead," said Sara.

"Yes," said Sir Ian in a whisper, his face crestfallen as if his whole world had been destroyed.

"She may not be. You never know," Dave tried to assure him.

"But after all this time? Surely she must be—?" Sir Ian asked.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean that we have to stop trying. What was the name of the officer in charge of the investigation?" asked Dave.

"Officer Liam Simmons, but he's my age and now he's retired and living in Ireland."

"Any other officers?"

"A couple of them are dead, died in the line of duty you know and three of them are still working at the police department, but one is retiring soon. Are you sure that you can help me?" Sir Ian asked.

"Well, we'll see, all right?" asked Kate soothingly.

"Yes, thank you. Now I must tell you kindly that you will have to leave for I have a divorce and custody battle to do in an hour and I must finish preparations for that. How long are you going to be in London?" Sir Ian asked.

"For a few weeks. Why?" asked Adam.

"Maybe in a week or two, you all could come back and give any information on what you have found out. Is that all right?" Sir Ian asked.

"Yes. Take care, Sir Ian," said Sara as he opened the door to his office and let the group out of the room.

"I will and all of you take care as well. Goodbye," he said as he closed the door behind them.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

With Sir Ian's help they had made the announcement about the Children's Kidnapping and Runaway Fund to the newspaper and had an announcement made over the radio and TV or as the British called it telly. They had it announced on BBC in England and the news and American's Most Wanted in the states. They didn't expect an immediate response and didn't get one. Marcus had agreed to act as part of the council over the phone when they had called him a few days ago on the condition that Shari be able to take his place if he was on assignment. Dave and Sara had agreed seeing the wisdom of having a second choice just in case Marcus was out of town.

Also, Adam's Brother-in-law Jordan had agreed to act as part of the council as well as handling the legal matters that came up, investments and the like. And finally Gideon O'Connor an Irishman who had been living in the states who was an old friend of both Dave's and Sara's and could be trusted to be honest.

All of them headed back to the states a few weeks later after Charles Richmon had passed on to the next world, but in his place was a fund that would hopefully help find a lot of missing children before it was too late.

Sara was quiet and pensive on the way home and Adam kept looking over at her with a worried expression.

Finally, Sara spoke so quietly that Adam had to strain to hear her. "I never thought I would ever forgive my father for what he did to Kim—at least not completely, but I think that finally after seeing him after all these years that maybe I can finally forgive him totally. I think the reason probably is or at least part of the reason is that I had a six years olds set of memories of him. Children see things differently and I think seeing him as a grownup has changed my perspective and gone a long way to heal those memories." There seemed to be a sad, but quiet peace about her that made Adam love her all the more.

"It's good that you've finally forgiven him and also good that you are more at peace with yourself then I've ever seen you," Adam said.

Sara smiled sadly. "Actually, I might have a bit of a surprise for you."

"What?" asked Adam; curiously.

"I think we might be having another baby."

"What?" Adam exclaimed in shock and amazement, "Sara so soon?"

"Yes," said Sara. "It must have happened back in the states and I've missed at least my last two periods."

"Sara you are amazing," said Adam leaning over and giving her a kiss.

"It takes two you know," said Sara with a laugh kissing him back.

"I'm hoping for a little girl this time," said Adam, "One that looks just like you."

"I'd rather she look like you," said Sara laughing.

It fell silent for a while each lost in their own thoughts as the plane flew back over the sea on its way home, but instead of despair all aboard felt hope for the future and for now that was enough.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

They arrived back in the states after a long flight to cloudy skies that looked like it was about to rain at any minute.

"Let's hurry up and catch a cab before it rains. The children don't need to get wet and catch a chill," said Sara.

"Neither do we," Dave pointed out as he hailed a cab.

"But adults aren't as susceptible to catching a chill as little children are, especially ones as young as ours," Kate said agreeing with Sara.

"Okay, here comes a cab," said Adam as he tried to hail it down from the sidewalk in front of the airport. The cab stopped and all they all got in after putting their luggage in the trunk.

"Where to mates?" asked the driver a fellow with blond hair streaked with silver. Dave gave him the two addresses and he put the cab in gear.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

Adam and Sara entered the house they had bought before the twins were born. It was a three-story affair that had to have a few minor repairs before it had been livable. Sara had insisted on an alarm system the best money could buy. Sara was determined to protect her family, not that Adam blamed her, not after what happened to her and Kim.

"Time for bed," she told the twins whom at least tonight, didn't argue for they were tired after the long flight.

Sara pulled their clothes off and buttoned up their pajamas then, she turned to leave with a kiss on their foreheads. Adam watched from the doorway as Sara laid them gently in their crib and covered them with a blanket.

She quietly exited the room to find Adam waiting for her leaning against the wall arms crossed. The look on his face was one of indefinable tenderness. "Come here," he said softly so as not to disturb the twins, his voice sounding extremely husky. Sara came closer and Adam wrapped his arms around her holding her tight. "Let's go to bed I have some plans for us."

"Do you, now?" asked Sara sounding amused and sexy all at the same time.

Adam immediately picked her up without a word and carried her to their bedroom while Sara put her arms around his neck and leaned her head into his shoulder with a contented sigh.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~

The next morning, Adam awoke early and left Sara to sleep in. God knows she needed it. She had been getting very little sleep with both twins to take care of and would soon get even less with another little one on the way. Adam for his part was never happier then when he was spending time with his wife and sons.

Adam fixed coffee and two ham, bacon and cheese omelets Sara's favorite. He added red peppers to his and left Sara's without. He, for one, liked the spiciness Sara however didn't. "Is that a ham, cheese and bacon omelet I smell?" asked Sara stumbling into the kitchen trying to wipe the sleep out of her eyes.

"Yes it is. I was going to bring you breakfast in bed," said Adam.

"And I ruined your surprise," said Sara with a smile, kissing him on the lips.

"Yes you did," Adam admitted also with a smile. "Not that I mind."

"If you wanted me to stay in bed then you shouldn't have made it smell so appetizing," Sara teased.

"Breakfast is served madam," said Adam putting the omelet on a plate and handing it to her with a flourish along with a glass of orange juice.

"Why thank you kind sir," Sara teased right back. "You're sure this doesn't have any of those peppers you're so fond of in it?" she added almost like an afterthought.

"Yours doesn't," Adam assured her with a grin. As he took a big bite of his Sara could see the pieces of red peppers as he put the bite in his mouth.

Sara took a bite of hers and closed her eyes in bliss as the food practically melted on her tongue. "I will admit you know how to cook an omelet."

"You're just now figuring that out?" Adam inquired with a grin.

"No I've known, but it is still very unusual to have a man who can cook—much less be a good cook," Sara said.

"So when are we headed back to England and start the search for Sir Ian's daughter?" Adam asked.

"I don't know a week or so," said Sara not commenting on the change of subject. "Sir Ian was really anxious when we left. I had to keep assuring him we'd be back in a week or a week and a half at most."

"Do you think we'll find his daughter alive?" Adam asked.

"I hope so. I really like Sir Ian and it would go a long way to healing old wounds if we found her alive and even better if we can convince her to come to England with us."

"Me too," said Adam agreeing wholeheartedly. He really liked Sir Ian.

Suddenly, they both heard noises from the direction of the twins bedroom through the baby monitor they had in the kitchen.

"Sounds like Daryl and Darien are waking up," Adam observed.

"I better get them dressed and feed them some breakfast then," said Sara finishing her own breakfast quickly. She put her dish in the dishwasher and headed upstairs to release the twins from their crib.

~~~Beyond the Future~~~