They had always had to have help up and down the stairs. I was entranced watching them wobble down the steps with a firm grip on the railing. When the... got to the ground level they wobble/ran to me and I hugged them both and kissed them.“Erin, this is the best surprise. Babies, you are wonderful. I love you both so much.”The second surprise came when we left the kids at home and took off in the SUV to the airport. Lynn had me drop her off at the arrival doors and then she told me I was to sit. " I'm very sorry to hear that, sir," Anne said to him as she felt a chill run through her. The idea of 'spinster" had never occurred to her. "How old are your children?"He stopped chewing, put down his knife and fork, wiped his lips on the tablecloth and said, "Thank you, m'dear. The boy is two and the girl almost four. They are both fair-haired like their late mother." He smiled showing very bad teeth."Have you slaves, sir, house servants I mean, nannies perhaps, wet-nurses?" Anne asked,. The rock I was on seemed to be the most comfortable in the world. I stilldidn't want to let go of Amy and she seemed in no hurry either. She also seemedquite happy kissing. When I came up for air again, I finally asked her, "Why Strawberry Fields?" she gave me a look. The sort of look that Sheilaused to give me when she thought I was being particularly stupid. I think it'sa look that most women carry in their armoury but only Sheila would actuallyTELL you how utterly crass she thought you were. It was a great time of the year for hiking there during the days as the rocks warmed in the spring sun and the flowering vegetation had just begun to bloom. The nights however in the lower elevations of the canyon were still going to be very chilly-as much as 30 degrees in difference from daytime to nighttime. They’d brought along their insulated sleeping bags, both of them big enough for two people and they were the type that could be zipped together to make a big warm burrito out of the two.