For once the children were awake late, and when he was washed, shaven and dressed, he was in time to have breakfast with them, and it meant that Celia...had to eat with them, since she was feeding Beth.Nothing was said when he arrived and set about laying the table and making the tea, while Celia prepared the meal of cereal and toast. Evan’s chatter saved the situation from being uncomfortable.“Late tonight, as usual?” Celia asked, breaking the silence between the adults, though there was no. That's a promise."Tom smiled respectfully at his son. "Good," he said.Mary Kingsley hugged her only son for the better part of a minute as soon as he walked in the door. She cried on his shoulder she was so glad to see him safe and sound and in his family home without any news helicopters hovering overhead or reporters peeking in their window.When she finally released him Jake saw an exchange of glances between his two parents, a form of silent communication that only long-married couples could. Surely she must have sensed it, but I had not yet spoken the words. Obviously, I was holding that back from her. Jenny was right. I needed to either embrace Kate or release her. What I was doing wasn't right.I got up and went back to work, escaping my thoughts for a few hours, losing track of time. I was surprised when Kate walked in and dropped the car keys on the kitchen counter as she shed her coat."Kate! Back so soon?" I asked."Soon? I've been gone almost four hours, Bill," Kate replied as. The linens and other cloth items were put away where they were to be stored. The boxed items were unpacked and those that had to be washed before use were set aside. In the process, they discovered some items that Benny hadn’t put in any of the carts, but were necessary; such as a flatware tray, dish rags, and kitchen towels.While Cathy and Sandra took care of washing the dishes, cookware, and flatware, Benny and Tim went off to talk. Of course, the subject of the talk was going to be about the.