Fic: Things My Mother Told Me Part I: Chapter One
Title: Things My Mother Told Me: Chapter One
Rating: T
Word Count: ~30,000 (2,500 This Chapter)
Disclaimer: don't own them.
Pairing/Characters: Bill, Laura, Lee, Kara, most of the canon characters, Bill/Laura, Kara/Lee, canon pairings implied
Summary: What if Laura Roslin never had cancer?
A/N: The original prompt is from embolalia as is the artwork. Thanks for both. *hugs* And much thanks to lanalucy and marzipanilla for the beta and plaid_slytherin for the cheerleading, and everyone at bsg_checkin for helping this happen. *hugs all around*
A/N2: This is for the bigbang at bsg_epics. I'll be posting the rest of chapters over the next few days.
Laura sat on the examination table, glancing around the room. There was a poster detailing the steps of a woman’s breast self exam on the inner door. On the wall directly across from where Laura was seated was the vision chart. She glanced at the bottom line, squinting. The letters were getting fuzzy. That figured. She’d been on the wrong side of forty for several years. Bifocals were forthcoming.
She recited what she’d tell the doctor: Her diet was balanced (she would leave out that she typically skipped several meals a week--he wouldn’t understand the life of a politician). She exercised regularly; city life helped with that. She had the same allergies. Otherwise, she had nothing new to report, except that she’d be seeing an eye doctor for bifocals later that year.
It was the same family practice office she’d been coming to for most of her life, mostly at her mother’s prodding of late. Dr. Davis was the son of her former pediatrician, who had retired to Picon five years prior, leaving the practice to his son. It was a relatively small practice, but the patients received a personal level of care they wouldn’t be likely to find at a larger health facility. Although she was there rarely, all of her visits had been pleasant and relatively painless. The same couldn’t be said for some of her other tests and exams, but at least she’d always been cleared, not that she was surprised, considering her gene pool.
Judith was a marvel. A pillar of a woman. She’d rarely been sick and was just now, at seventy, showing signs of age. Judith would be sticking around for a long time. The Roslin women were known for their longevity and health.
If it weren’t for that frakkin’ driver, there’d be four of them, all working to drive the men in their lives crazy, especially Edward, who’d always delighted in the sweet torture his girls inflicted on him, even if he was woefully outnumbered. Instead, it was just Judith and Laura.
Dr. Davis came in and sat in the chair in front of the desk against the wall, swirling it to face Laura. “And how are you today?”
She smiled. “I’m fine, doctor.”
He returned the smile. “You’re one of my best patients.”
“I bet you say that to all of us.”
He shook his head. “Only the Roslins. How’s your mother, by the way? Still walking regularly?”
She nodded. “Every chance she gets. She drags me with her when I visit.” She sighed for effect. “It’s exhausting.”
“She’s an amazing woman and the best teacher I ever had.”
“I’ll tell her you said that when I see her today.”
He nodded. “Now, what brings you in?”
She smirked. “My mother’s been bugging me for awhile.”
“And you’re just now giving in!? You’re a much stronger person than I am.”
“Don’t be too impressed, doctor. I gave in weeks ago.” She sighed. “This was the first available appointment that worked with my schedule.”
“Ah. I suppose the Secretary of Education would have an inordinately busy schedule.”
“It does get a bit hectic.”
She cringed inwardly. After this appointment she was set to meet Stans, and Richard had made it perfectly clear that wasn’t a wise move. Why had she ever done this? She’d had the perfect job, and she’d thrown it away. But whining wouldn’t help her now. She’d made her bed, and she’d have to sleep in it. At least she'd be having lunch with her mother. Judith always knew what to say. She would have made a fine politician if she hadn’t been so devoted to the classroom until the day she retired. She’d certainly know how to handle Richard and the teachers’ strike.
Dr. Davis nodded and opened her chart. The appointment had begun. He asked the routine questions, frowning when she said she didn’t eat regularly. Whoops. She hadn’t meant to be quite so honest. She looked down and promised to do better, knowing it wasn’t likely. Being a politician was a bitch. She should have listened to her mother, but she’d wanted a change, and she was really good at her job, regardless of what Richard thought. Aside from her irregular diet, Dr. Davis said she was in perfect health, but she should monitor her allergies, especially during space travel, as she had problems breathing recycled air for extended trips.
Laura frowned. She’d nearly forgotten about her trip that evening. Galactica. It sounded so...so...militaristic, so grand. She was surprised Richard was letting it be decommissioned. He’d been so gung ho of late, preparing to send the Colonial Guard to deal with the strike. She shook her head. She would put the kibosh on that. She may have left the classroom, but she was still a teacher at heart, and nobody was going to send soldiers to hurt--or maybe kill--her teachers. Not even the frakkin’ President of the Twelve Colonies.
She’d worry about her duties aboard the Galactica later, probably after she boarded her transport. She would mostly be there for show anyway. The real work would begin after the ceremony, but she wouldn’t be the one doing it. Eventually, a nice thick file folder would find its way to her desk--after going through several lower offices. It was just another museum she’d be overseeing. Now if she could just get the children--and their families--to go to them. In the meantime, class trips would have to suffice, and gods know how effective those are. Judith called her a cynic, but she was a realist. Having another museum wouldn’t help improve the education of the Colonies. That needed a more systemic approach, one she was being blocked from performing at every frakkin’ turn.
She thanked Dr. Davis, and he left the room, allowing her to get changed back into her work clothes. She ticked items off her mental to-do list. Later, when she returned to her office, she’d physically check them off. She’d meet with Stans, have lunch with her mother, meet Richard again, and then she’d be off. The good doctor would be pleased: Judith had always been the ultimate food enforcer.
Laura finished changing back into her clothes, gathered her briefcase and was off to meet Stans.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
She’d called Stans’ office that morning without asking Richard’s permission. To say she’d been miffed when she heard her esteemed President was planning on calling in the Colonial Guard would be an understatement. Laura had always been even-tempered: the virtue of being raised by educators and existing in that world all of her life. But reading Richard’s plans in her morning paper made her see red. She took some calming breaths and called the union office, saying she’d meet Stans, giving his secretary her meeting place.
She sat on the edge of the fountain, removing her shoes and dipping her feet. The water calmed her for what she was about to do. Odds were very likely she’d end up siding with Stans, which would pit her against Richard. And wouldn’t he love that?
They’d been friends once. She’d been a young teacher disappointed by the failure of Caprica’s public education system. She’d felt powerless, a cog in a machine well on its way to malfunctioning. Then her sisters and father had been killed, and her melancholy had reached its maximum.
She had run into Richard Adar after a rally. He’d just announced his candidacy for mayor. He was young and idealistic, only a few years older than Laura, and she had caught his eye.
He smiled at her. “I hear you’re the person to talk to about education.”
No greeting or introductions. He assumed she knew who he was, and he wanted her to know he knew who she was. She schooled her features, unsure what to make of the man. She’d never liked politicians and was hesitant to trust this one--even if he did seem different. “I don’t know about that.”
“They said you’d say that too.”
“Yeah? Who, may I ask, are 'they?”'
“Your boss. The superintendent. Some others.”
She was unaware the superintendent could pick her out of a lineup, let alone recommend her to a budding politician. It was...disconcerting.
“I think we could do amazing things together, Laura.”
He flashed his smile and was off. She shook her head, not sure what had just happened.
She’d gone home and called her mother. Judith had said Laura’s quiet successes in her classroom were more noticeable than all the rhetoric spouted by the blowhards on the board of education, or their disciples. It was a nice thought, but it seemed unbelievable.
Not two weeks later, she’d gotten a phone call from Marcia. An ultimatum for a blind date or to join Adar’s campaign. She had chosen the date, which had been a mistake.
The man, Sean Ellis, had been one of her former students. She didn’t care how handsome he was or how lonely she was. There were certain lines she just couldn’t cross, and she had made them clear from the beginning. They had enjoyed a lovely dinner and conversation about his trajectory since kindergarten. He had asked what she was doing, and for the first time ever, she said, “I’m thinking about exploring politics.” She paused before adding, “Nothing fancy. I think I’ll support Adar’s campaign.”
That had led to a conversation about Adar’s chances. She conceded to needing more information, though she believed he had a good shot. Sean claimed he’d have a better shot with Laura on his team. She smiled shyly.
After dinner, she led him to her door, kissing his cheek. “Thank you.”
“What for?”
“I know what I need to do now.”
He looked surprised. “Well, then you’re welcome. If only I could give back half of what you’ve given me, Laura.”
She had made the fateful phone call, and then she had called her mother. Judith had made a half-hearted attempt to talk Laura out of it, but Laura knew, deep down, her mother understood. There was good to be done. Judith’s quibble was whether Richard Adar would be the one to do it. Laura conceded to that, but she was willing to give the young idealist the benefit of the doubt. He couldn’t possibly be worse than the current mayor, and having his ear wouldn’t be a bad thing.
She had remained by his side ever since. Hades, she’d even been a bridesmaid at his wedding. Of course, he’d joked she should really have been the best man. Yes, they’d really been that close once. They’d made big plans in the campaigning office late at night when everyone else had gone home.
“When I’m President of the Twelve Colonies--”
“When?”
He looked at her sharply, or at least he tried. The ambrosia dulled the impact. “When I’m President, you’ll have to learn not to interrupt me.”
She rolled her eyes. “We’ll see about that, Mr. President.”
He smirked. “At least you’re getting my title right.” His face became serious. “We’ll do great things together, Laura.”
“You’ve said that before.”
“I mean it. I’ll give you full control of the school systems.” He frowned. “ I don’t know if you’re aware, but the other colonies’ systems are in even worse shape. We will need you, Laura.”
She reached out her hand, and he took it, shaking it. “When you’re President, I’ll fix the schools, and you’ll fix the rest of this mess.”
“Deal.”
At that time, she hadn’t known the future Mayor Adar would actually become President Adar, but she had never forgotten their pact, and she’d taken it very seriously. But after a time, Richard hadn’t.
It had started slowly. She’d make decisions for her department, and he’d undermine them, but he’d do it in a way that made it seem like it was her idea. After a while, he’d started questioning her at cabinet meetings. She’d always held her own: Laura was nothing if not professional, and she knew her job better than anything else in her life.
It hadn’t been clear to her at first. Maybe she was lacking. Richard was her friend, but he was also her boss. If there was something she wasn’t doing, he should be the one to tell her. She wasn’t really being criticized.
But then she’d looked around. No one else was questioned, and some of them were much less prepared than she. Or maybe she was being harsh. But no. The Secretary of Transportation made less sense than Dr. Baltar when he spoke at that symposium, and Richard let it go. She’d brought up the language barrier on Tauron (the Tauron children were educated in Colonial Basic--Caprican--but then they spoke Tauron at home. It made effective education difficult at the very least). There were similar problems throughout the other colonies, and she’d suggested children learn in their primary language and learn Colonial Basic as a separate course. That would solve their alignment problems. Richard wouldn’t hear of it. He’d found ways to poke holes into her arguments, and she’d sat down, frustrated.
After a few other similar instances, she’d known she was being attacked. The question was why. Her success made him look good, so why wouldn’t he want her to do well?
Laura had had no answer, but Judith had.
“He’s always been a ‘small’ person, Laura. You just didn’t see it.”
“Why me?”
“You outgrew him.”
She’d said it so simply. Like it was the most obvious answer in the worlds. And then everything made sense: Her friend, her boss didn’t want her to shine.
From that point on, she’d made it her goal to shine anyway, and she’d never been more productive. The Colonial education system was in the best shape it had ever been, and she was nowhere near finished.
The teachers’ strike was a blow, though. It was another reminder that no matter how hard she worked, there would always be problems, that she couldn’t create a perfect system, especially not with an actively unsupportive boss.
She’d followed Richard’s lead in handling the strike, refusing to meet with the union representatives, ignoring their demands. He’d insisted it would blow over if they took no notice. He was wrong.
These were teachers who just wanted fair pay, better working conditions, and to be treated like the professionals they were. Richard didn’t get that, but Laura did, which was why he was sending the Colonial Guard to deal with them, whereas she was finally meeting their representative.
Richard had started this war a long time ago, but now she was joining the fight.
“Secretary Roslin?” a voice interrupted her musings.
Laura looked up to see a man’s confused face. “Naylin Stans?”
He nodded. “I have to say I was surprised you agreed to meet with me.”
He didn’t add that it had been months since the strike had begun, but that was in the air between them. She gave her politician's smile, hating that she’d learned that from Richard, but understanding the necessity of it. “I was surprised by that myself.”
She removed her feet from the fountain and shook the water from them before shoving them in her pumps. They immediately rebelled against the loss of freedom, but she ignored it. It was time to work. She stood on the walkway. “Shall we?” she asked, offering her arm.
Next Chapter
Rating: T
Word Count: ~30,000 (2,500 This Chapter)
Disclaimer: don't own them.
Pairing/Characters: Bill, Laura, Lee, Kara, most of the canon characters, Bill/Laura, Kara/Lee, canon pairings implied
Summary: What if Laura Roslin never had cancer?
A/N: The original prompt is from embolalia as is the artwork. Thanks for both. *hugs* And much thanks to lanalucy and marzipanilla for the beta and plaid_slytherin for the cheerleading, and everyone at bsg_checkin for helping this happen. *hugs all around*
A/N2: This is for the bigbang at bsg_epics. I'll be posting the rest of chapters over the next few days.
Laura sat on the examination table, glancing around the room. There was a poster detailing the steps of a woman’s breast self exam on the inner door. On the wall directly across from where Laura was seated was the vision chart. She glanced at the bottom line, squinting. The letters were getting fuzzy. That figured. She’d been on the wrong side of forty for several years. Bifocals were forthcoming.
She recited what she’d tell the doctor: Her diet was balanced (she would leave out that she typically skipped several meals a week--he wouldn’t understand the life of a politician). She exercised regularly; city life helped with that. She had the same allergies. Otherwise, she had nothing new to report, except that she’d be seeing an eye doctor for bifocals later that year.
It was the same family practice office she’d been coming to for most of her life, mostly at her mother’s prodding of late. Dr. Davis was the son of her former pediatrician, who had retired to Picon five years prior, leaving the practice to his son. It was a relatively small practice, but the patients received a personal level of care they wouldn’t be likely to find at a larger health facility. Although she was there rarely, all of her visits had been pleasant and relatively painless. The same couldn’t be said for some of her other tests and exams, but at least she’d always been cleared, not that she was surprised, considering her gene pool.
Judith was a marvel. A pillar of a woman. She’d rarely been sick and was just now, at seventy, showing signs of age. Judith would be sticking around for a long time. The Roslin women were known for their longevity and health.
If it weren’t for that frakkin’ driver, there’d be four of them, all working to drive the men in their lives crazy, especially Edward, who’d always delighted in the sweet torture his girls inflicted on him, even if he was woefully outnumbered. Instead, it was just Judith and Laura.
Dr. Davis came in and sat in the chair in front of the desk against the wall, swirling it to face Laura. “And how are you today?”
She smiled. “I’m fine, doctor.”
He returned the smile. “You’re one of my best patients.”
“I bet you say that to all of us.”
He shook his head. “Only the Roslins. How’s your mother, by the way? Still walking regularly?”
She nodded. “Every chance she gets. She drags me with her when I visit.” She sighed for effect. “It’s exhausting.”
“She’s an amazing woman and the best teacher I ever had.”
“I’ll tell her you said that when I see her today.”
He nodded. “Now, what brings you in?”
She smirked. “My mother’s been bugging me for awhile.”
“And you’re just now giving in!? You’re a much stronger person than I am.”
“Don’t be too impressed, doctor. I gave in weeks ago.” She sighed. “This was the first available appointment that worked with my schedule.”
“Ah. I suppose the Secretary of Education would have an inordinately busy schedule.”
“It does get a bit hectic.”
She cringed inwardly. After this appointment she was set to meet Stans, and Richard had made it perfectly clear that wasn’t a wise move. Why had she ever done this? She’d had the perfect job, and she’d thrown it away. But whining wouldn’t help her now. She’d made her bed, and she’d have to sleep in it. At least she'd be having lunch with her mother. Judith always knew what to say. She would have made a fine politician if she hadn’t been so devoted to the classroom until the day she retired. She’d certainly know how to handle Richard and the teachers’ strike.
Dr. Davis nodded and opened her chart. The appointment had begun. He asked the routine questions, frowning when she said she didn’t eat regularly. Whoops. She hadn’t meant to be quite so honest. She looked down and promised to do better, knowing it wasn’t likely. Being a politician was a bitch. She should have listened to her mother, but she’d wanted a change, and she was really good at her job, regardless of what Richard thought. Aside from her irregular diet, Dr. Davis said she was in perfect health, but she should monitor her allergies, especially during space travel, as she had problems breathing recycled air for extended trips.
Laura frowned. She’d nearly forgotten about her trip that evening. Galactica. It sounded so...so...militaristic, so grand. She was surprised Richard was letting it be decommissioned. He’d been so gung ho of late, preparing to send the Colonial Guard to deal with the strike. She shook her head. She would put the kibosh on that. She may have left the classroom, but she was still a teacher at heart, and nobody was going to send soldiers to hurt--or maybe kill--her teachers. Not even the frakkin’ President of the Twelve Colonies.
She’d worry about her duties aboard the Galactica later, probably after she boarded her transport. She would mostly be there for show anyway. The real work would begin after the ceremony, but she wouldn’t be the one doing it. Eventually, a nice thick file folder would find its way to her desk--after going through several lower offices. It was just another museum she’d be overseeing. Now if she could just get the children--and their families--to go to them. In the meantime, class trips would have to suffice, and gods know how effective those are. Judith called her a cynic, but she was a realist. Having another museum wouldn’t help improve the education of the Colonies. That needed a more systemic approach, one she was being blocked from performing at every frakkin’ turn.
She thanked Dr. Davis, and he left the room, allowing her to get changed back into her work clothes. She ticked items off her mental to-do list. Later, when she returned to her office, she’d physically check them off. She’d meet with Stans, have lunch with her mother, meet Richard again, and then she’d be off. The good doctor would be pleased: Judith had always been the ultimate food enforcer.
Laura finished changing back into her clothes, gathered her briefcase and was off to meet Stans.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
She’d called Stans’ office that morning without asking Richard’s permission. To say she’d been miffed when she heard her esteemed President was planning on calling in the Colonial Guard would be an understatement. Laura had always been even-tempered: the virtue of being raised by educators and existing in that world all of her life. But reading Richard’s plans in her morning paper made her see red. She took some calming breaths and called the union office, saying she’d meet Stans, giving his secretary her meeting place.
She sat on the edge of the fountain, removing her shoes and dipping her feet. The water calmed her for what she was about to do. Odds were very likely she’d end up siding with Stans, which would pit her against Richard. And wouldn’t he love that?
They’d been friends once. She’d been a young teacher disappointed by the failure of Caprica’s public education system. She’d felt powerless, a cog in a machine well on its way to malfunctioning. Then her sisters and father had been killed, and her melancholy had reached its maximum.
She had run into Richard Adar after a rally. He’d just announced his candidacy for mayor. He was young and idealistic, only a few years older than Laura, and she had caught his eye.
He smiled at her. “I hear you’re the person to talk to about education.”
No greeting or introductions. He assumed she knew who he was, and he wanted her to know he knew who she was. She schooled her features, unsure what to make of the man. She’d never liked politicians and was hesitant to trust this one--even if he did seem different. “I don’t know about that.”
“They said you’d say that too.”
“Yeah? Who, may I ask, are 'they?”'
“Your boss. The superintendent. Some others.”
She was unaware the superintendent could pick her out of a lineup, let alone recommend her to a budding politician. It was...disconcerting.
“I think we could do amazing things together, Laura.”
He flashed his smile and was off. She shook her head, not sure what had just happened.
She’d gone home and called her mother. Judith had said Laura’s quiet successes in her classroom were more noticeable than all the rhetoric spouted by the blowhards on the board of education, or their disciples. It was a nice thought, but it seemed unbelievable.
Not two weeks later, she’d gotten a phone call from Marcia. An ultimatum for a blind date or to join Adar’s campaign. She had chosen the date, which had been a mistake.
The man, Sean Ellis, had been one of her former students. She didn’t care how handsome he was or how lonely she was. There were certain lines she just couldn’t cross, and she had made them clear from the beginning. They had enjoyed a lovely dinner and conversation about his trajectory since kindergarten. He had asked what she was doing, and for the first time ever, she said, “I’m thinking about exploring politics.” She paused before adding, “Nothing fancy. I think I’ll support Adar’s campaign.”
That had led to a conversation about Adar’s chances. She conceded to needing more information, though she believed he had a good shot. Sean claimed he’d have a better shot with Laura on his team. She smiled shyly.
After dinner, she led him to her door, kissing his cheek. “Thank you.”
“What for?”
“I know what I need to do now.”
He looked surprised. “Well, then you’re welcome. If only I could give back half of what you’ve given me, Laura.”
She had made the fateful phone call, and then she had called her mother. Judith had made a half-hearted attempt to talk Laura out of it, but Laura knew, deep down, her mother understood. There was good to be done. Judith’s quibble was whether Richard Adar would be the one to do it. Laura conceded to that, but she was willing to give the young idealist the benefit of the doubt. He couldn’t possibly be worse than the current mayor, and having his ear wouldn’t be a bad thing.
She had remained by his side ever since. Hades, she’d even been a bridesmaid at his wedding. Of course, he’d joked she should really have been the best man. Yes, they’d really been that close once. They’d made big plans in the campaigning office late at night when everyone else had gone home.
“When I’m President of the Twelve Colonies--”
“When?”
He looked at her sharply, or at least he tried. The ambrosia dulled the impact. “When I’m President, you’ll have to learn not to interrupt me.”
She rolled her eyes. “We’ll see about that, Mr. President.”
He smirked. “At least you’re getting my title right.” His face became serious. “We’ll do great things together, Laura.”
“You’ve said that before.”
“I mean it. I’ll give you full control of the school systems.” He frowned. “ I don’t know if you’re aware, but the other colonies’ systems are in even worse shape. We will need you, Laura.”
She reached out her hand, and he took it, shaking it. “When you’re President, I’ll fix the schools, and you’ll fix the rest of this mess.”
“Deal.”
At that time, she hadn’t known the future Mayor Adar would actually become President Adar, but she had never forgotten their pact, and she’d taken it very seriously. But after a time, Richard hadn’t.
It had started slowly. She’d make decisions for her department, and he’d undermine them, but he’d do it in a way that made it seem like it was her idea. After a while, he’d started questioning her at cabinet meetings. She’d always held her own: Laura was nothing if not professional, and she knew her job better than anything else in her life.
It hadn’t been clear to her at first. Maybe she was lacking. Richard was her friend, but he was also her boss. If there was something she wasn’t doing, he should be the one to tell her. She wasn’t really being criticized.
But then she’d looked around. No one else was questioned, and some of them were much less prepared than she. Or maybe she was being harsh. But no. The Secretary of Transportation made less sense than Dr. Baltar when he spoke at that symposium, and Richard let it go. She’d brought up the language barrier on Tauron (the Tauron children were educated in Colonial Basic--Caprican--but then they spoke Tauron at home. It made effective education difficult at the very least). There were similar problems throughout the other colonies, and she’d suggested children learn in their primary language and learn Colonial Basic as a separate course. That would solve their alignment problems. Richard wouldn’t hear of it. He’d found ways to poke holes into her arguments, and she’d sat down, frustrated.
After a few other similar instances, she’d known she was being attacked. The question was why. Her success made him look good, so why wouldn’t he want her to do well?
Laura had had no answer, but Judith had.
“He’s always been a ‘small’ person, Laura. You just didn’t see it.”
“Why me?”
“You outgrew him.”
She’d said it so simply. Like it was the most obvious answer in the worlds. And then everything made sense: Her friend, her boss didn’t want her to shine.
From that point on, she’d made it her goal to shine anyway, and she’d never been more productive. The Colonial education system was in the best shape it had ever been, and she was nowhere near finished.
The teachers’ strike was a blow, though. It was another reminder that no matter how hard she worked, there would always be problems, that she couldn’t create a perfect system, especially not with an actively unsupportive boss.
She’d followed Richard’s lead in handling the strike, refusing to meet with the union representatives, ignoring their demands. He’d insisted it would blow over if they took no notice. He was wrong.
These were teachers who just wanted fair pay, better working conditions, and to be treated like the professionals they were. Richard didn’t get that, but Laura did, which was why he was sending the Colonial Guard to deal with them, whereas she was finally meeting their representative.
Richard had started this war a long time ago, but now she was joining the fight.
“Secretary Roslin?” a voice interrupted her musings.
Laura looked up to see a man’s confused face. “Naylin Stans?”
He nodded. “I have to say I was surprised you agreed to meet with me.”
He didn’t add that it had been months since the strike had begun, but that was in the air between them. She gave her politician's smile, hating that she’d learned that from Richard, but understanding the necessity of it. “I was surprised by that myself.”
She removed her feet from the fountain and shook the water from them before shoving them in her pumps. They immediately rebelled against the loss of freedom, but she ignored it. It was time to work. She stood on the walkway. “Shall we?” she asked, offering her arm.
Next Chapter