After arriving in Australia the week before Australia Day itself was filled with activity. John and Dagen seem to take quite a liking to one another and the girls didn’t need to worry about being subjected to shop talk. John often found ways to take Dagen off for short little boys trips he called them. He showed his Trill grandson in law around town quite proudly. He often talked with him over leisurely lunches about restoring the Sydney Opera House to its former glory and even showed him several models and many plans of the old opera house. They were interesting conversations about the history of the town they lived in and deeper conversations as well. At one time John became very serious with Dagen.

“You know, we haven’t seen our Rainbow that happy since she graduated Starfleet. I would really hate to see her sad again so I hope that you take very good care of her. Her childhood was a little complicated but I don’t know how much she’s told you about that really. I’m so glad that she’s found someone like you to take care of her. Don’t let her fool you, she may be very sweet on the surface but I’m sure you found that sassy side. She’s like her grandmother in that way, don’t let her fool you, don’t let either one of them fool you, women.”

Reia and Becca were able to spend a lot of time together that they hadn’t been able to do in quite some time. The two women had a tumultuous relationship the closer Reia got to becoming a young woman so this was very good for both of them. They went through Reia’s old room that she and Dagen were currently sleeping in. Luckily for both of them, John and Becca had gotten a brand new bed for the room which was much improved from her childhood bed. They had found some old pictures of Sandy and even Reya’s mother. Usually Becca and Reia would shy away from pictures of Reia’s mother Catherine but, this time they actually took them out and looked at them for a little while. Those were the quiet times between the two women. There were also glorious fun times with many visits to the Bluestone because who couldn’t resist a grande nutcracker? Just when Reia thought she had her grandmother Becca Shandy figured out, they went shopping. Becca was usually quite a conservative woman but this year’s swimsuits for Australia Day were not conservative at all and neither was Becca. She had Reia trying on everything from itty bitty bikinis to things that were even more scandalous, if one could imagine that. Finally they settled on several different skimpy outfits that would definitely meet with Dagen’s approval.

“Oh wow, I don’t know which one of these I like better. Well, I know Dagen will like all of them but what will Gramps say?” said Reia.

“Gramps will probably say you’re a married woman and please buy a sarong. So, let’s hit this rack over here.” Becca said moving to the last rack in the shop.

• Reia