Sharah returned home, early and quite unexpected. Charles and Yavia were both at work, and so it was just his family there. She’d sort of forgot that. Or she hadn’t included that in her plans. They were flimsy plans and more like the inkling of an idea. She walked in, and as always, trailed her fingers over Hope’s leaves. “Sharah!” Mary got up and hurried over to grab her in a huge hug. Sharah returned it. Abigail smiled quietly at her with a quiet “hello”. His father was always quiet, but warm. Donna respected the space that Sharah needed, but Sharah knew if she wanted to, Donna would hug her and never let go. “You’re home early.”

Sharah swallowed, “I was able to leave early today. Don’t let me interrupt your plans.” Donna shooed Mary away. “Let the poor girl go get relaxed. You can hang on her later.” Mary laughed and let her go. “Okay, but only for a moment.”

“I’m going to shower, but then I’ll come back up.” Sharah wasn’t sure how she would pull this off, but she liked his family too much to not spend a little more time with them.

When she opened the door after shower and changing, Donna was standing there. “Sharah, I think you need to talk.” That was how it all worked out. She told Donna everything. She hadn’t had to worry about it. She’d simply gone up stairs and said Sharah needed to rest and they were going out. Donna told her bye before they left, assuring her they would be out all night.

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO