We crossed the parking lot in long, splashing strides. Without slowing, I pressed the button on my key fob to unlock the car. He laughed as I ducked ...nto the driver's seat, a throaty chuckle that made me wonder what he sounded like as he came. Circling the hood, he opened the passenger door and slipped inside. The downpour sounded marvelously loud in the metal confines of my little car, like a roaring train. My blood felt similarly as it whooshed through my veins; my pulse pounding from the. Becca may have forgiven Steven but she was still badly shaken. Steven, despite that forgiveness, was still wracked with guilt at what he had allowed her to be subjected to. Becca insisted on them sitting side by side on the bench seat rather than opposite. She did not crowd him but her knee was pressed firmly against his thigh throughout. She needed bodily contact and Steven was thankful that she was still prepared to seek it from him.They did not hang about when they got home but kissed each. Maintain shields. Tito, please verify that everyone has pulled in behind us.” Admiral Kennady called the action.“All ships accounted for sir,” Tito reported.“Please do a damage assessment to all ships. Make up a report and send it to my e-mail account Tito.” Mary directed.The two boys and Lucy were watching and listening intently.“What did you learn today?” Mary asked her students, “You too Ben. We will start with Willy.”“A lot of people are not going home.” Willy said, “War is not nice.”“God. I am SO in love with her son and her daughter.”I held my phone up to her, “Here’s your answer. Let’s put our shirts on and get you enough dresses for the rest of the week.”We didn’t shower, we didn’t wash.As she picked out her dresses, Rachel passed them back to me. I headed out the door to put them in Mom’s car, and heard Rachel... “No bras, no panties all week.”They were still laughing when they came out of the house behind me. Naomi was carrying her purse. Rachel was carrying a small bag.