"If you wouldn't mind, yes. I'd like to hear her reaction and her tone as much as what's being said. Sometimes those are more telling than the actual words that are being used." Esmeralda looked around the table. "Thank you, ladies. I know this mission has gone well beyond the scope of anything we've ever done before. Just keep me posted as things happen - I'd hate to be caught unaware if we were suddenly called home."

"Do you think you'll get called, Es?" Ruby asked.

Esmeralda shrugged. "I dunno - I've learned not to try and second-guess Him. But I'd like to be prepared... just in case."

"I don't blame you there," Ruby replied with a smile. "There's nothing worse than being blindsided by something." She turned to Amber. "I'm sorry about earlier. I know you usually function as Es' second, but I... I guess I'm still in mothering mode."

Amber's lips twitched and she wrapped an arm around Ruby's shoulders. "You're *always* in mothering mode, Ruby - it's what you do. That's not a bad thing. Heaven knows we all need it from time to time, and it's probably a big part of what helped Es get back on her feet. We're square, okay?"

"Okay."

"Now that *that's* all settled, I think we all have things to take care of. I'm going to wake up Saphira; Indi, I'll meet you back here just before nine." Without another word, Esmeralda stood and went to the sink to rinse out her coffee cup. Then she moved back to the bedroom and entered it without a backwards glance, closing the door firmly behind her.

Everyone waited until the door was shut, then they moved off to get their day started.

************

"Problems?" Saphira mumbled from her spot with her face still half-buried in her pillow. Esmeralda shook her head and crossed to the bed, crawling to lean against the headboard as she sat beside Saphira. Saphira immediately took advantage and slid her head from the pillow to Esmeralda's lap, sighing in contentment when Esmeralda' started combing her hands through long, dark locks. Saphira purred and Esmeralda gazed down on her fondly.

"Comfortable?" she asked with an indulgent smile.

"Perfect," Saphira rumbled. "No place else I'd rather be," squeezing the thigh her arm was wrapped around before allowing her fingertips to stroke the smooth skin beneath them. "So... problems?" she asked again.

"Progress, actually," Esmeralda replied wryly. "Charisma finally read Brianna's letters."

Saphira went perfectly still for a long moment before she turned enough to look up into Esmeralda's eyes. "Did she?" waiting for Esmeralda to nod. "And...? C'mon, Es... that might be considered progress, but I can't believe that's all that happened."

Esmeralda chuckled and ruffled Saphira's bangs, pushing them out of her eyes. "Actually, that's significant progress, all things considered. Baby steps, remember? But Charisma came to some sort of decision - she had Ame call Opal to set up lunch with Brianna." Esmeralda held up her hand. "All we know is that it's for personal reasons and Charisma deemed it urgent."

"And Brianna?"

"Indi hasn't called her yet. It's still early."

"But if it's urgent...?"

"I think Brianna's definition of urgent is going to differ greatly from Charisma's. Besides, if it was truly urgent, Charisma would have called Brianna directly... or gone to see her. She wouldn't be trying to set up lunch."

"Do you think Brianna will be receptive?"

Esmeralda shrugged. "It's hard to say at this point. If this had happened even a week or two ago, I would have said absolutely. Now?" She shrugged again and absently began combing her fingers through Saphira's hair once more. "I think she's pulled away sufficiently to allow her to begin rebuilding the defenses she set up against Charisma so long ago. Only this time, I'm not sure she'll let them come down... even if it's Charisma doing the breaking."

Saphira held Esmeralda's eyes for another long moment, but instead of making a smart remark, she simply closed her eyes and rolled back over, butting her head against Esmeralda's stomach until she felt the light scraping of fingernails against her scalp. Saphira brushed her lips over Esmeralda's thigh. "I hope they figure it out. I can't imagine choosing to be without you."

"Neither can I," Esmeralda whispered. Then there was no more talking as they simply absorbed the peace surrounding them, appreciating the fact that they were alone together. Both knew their day would have to start for real very soon and that circumstance would change, so they enjoyed it while they could.

Sure enough, sometime later a knock sounded at the door and Esmeralda blinked open eyes that had unexpectedly closed in sleep during their peaceful interlude. She shifted when she felt Saphira do the same, biting her lip to keep from giggling. Saphira turned her head and frowned.

"You were tickling me," Esmeralda replied to the unspoken question. Saphira grinned evilly and returned her head to its previous position, this time deliberately using her eyes and lips to good effect. Esmeralda jumped and swatted at her just as a second knock sounded at the door. "Be good!" Esmeralda hissed with a gentle swat on Saphira's hip. Saphira just huffed and scowled, crossing her arms over her chest but refusing to move from her current position.

"Es? It's Indi. Um... it's nine o'clock and I was about to call Brianna."

"Give me five minutes, Indi, and I'll be right out." Indi could hear scrambling from the bed and a muffled squeal from Esmeralda. She bit her lips to keep from laughing aloud, then cleared her throat.

"I'll be in the living room, Es. Take your time."

Esmeralda glared at Saphira, who leaned back into the pillows with a smug grin on her face. "We will finish what you started later. I've got work to do."

Saphira reached for Esmeralda and pulled her onto the bed before Esmeralda could dart away. Without hesitation, Saphira claimed Esmeralda's lips for a long, passionate moment before she eased back enough for them both to breathe. "I love you, Es. Never forget that."

Esmeralda's gaze softened and she offered Saphira a tender smile. "I love you too, Phira... so much."

Saphira stole another kiss, then patted Esmeralda on the behind. "All right - you've got work to do, and I'm pretty sure there are things I need to take care of as well. Meet you back here later?"

Esmeralda grinned. "You've got yourself a date, lover."

Saphira growled and Esmeralda laughed aloud. Their day was off to a fabulous start.

************

"Senator Walker, this is Indi. I'm sorry to bother you at home on your day off, but I received a call from Senator Tagherty's PA earlier. Senator Tagherty would like to set up a luncheon meeting with you at your earliest possible convenience."

Brianna rubbed her eyes and sighed. Though she hadn't been asleep when the phone rang, she hadn't been awake for very long either - she hadn't even had her first cup of coffee, which was just finishing up its brewing cycle. She stretched and rose, shuffling slowly to the coffeepot, then reached for a cup and poured her first cup of the day. All this was done in silence while she thought over Indi's words, and she waited until she had her coffee prepared and had downed her first swallow before she deigned to reply. Indi, who could hear all the noise in the background, simply waited for Brianna to decide she was ready to answer.

"Did she tell you what it was about, Indi?" Brianna asked, closing her eyes and she savored the next bit of coffee.

"No ma'am - only that it was personal and that it was urgent."

Brianna sighed again. If it had been urgent, Charisma would have taken care of this directly... personally. As it was....

"Okay, here's what I want you to do. When you call Charisma's assistant back, you tell her you were unable to reach me today. Then set up a meeting between us for tomorrow some time. It doesn't have to be lunch, but it can be if that's what's available. If tomorrow doesn't work, try for later this week."

"Yes ma'am."

"Thanks, Indi."

"Not a problem, Senator. It's my job, after all."

"Yeah, maybe, but what time did your phone ring this morning?" Brianna asked with a lilt in her voice. Indigo cleared her throat.

"Let's just say it was dark and I was still sleeping."

Brianna laughed briefly, then covered her mouth with her hand. "I'm sorry, Indi. It's really not funny, but it *is* very typical of the woman I remember Charisma Tagherty to be. Thank you for waiting to call me."

"Yes ma'am. Would you like me to call you back with the details, or should I just let you know when I see you in the morning?"

"Unless it's a breakfast meeting, just give me the details when I see you in the office tomorrow."

"Will do, Senator. Is there anything else I can do for you today?"

"Yes - go do something fun, will you? I'll see you tomorrow, Indi."

"Goodbye, Senator Walker."

"Bye, Indi."

The line went dead and Indi and Esmeralda looked at one another, then turned their attention to Opal who had been waiting in the room with them expectantly. Now she had to call Charisma and break the news to her. She picked up her phone and dialed, then pressed speaker so they could all hear. Then it was simply a matter of waiting for Charisma to pick it up.

Chapter LXXXIV

Charisma came down the stairs putting her earrings on, nearly dropping one of the studs when Kent stepped from the kitchen. She hesitated and frowned. "Kent? What are you doing here? Where's Ame?"

Kent's eyebrows flew into his hairline - Charisma's tone wasn't accusatory, but it was honestly confused. He looked at her carefully and recognized that she was dressed for work and not a casual Sunday at home. "Charisma, it's Sunday. I came down so we could work out a visitation schedule and to take Adam to the Natural History Museum. I sent Ame home when I got here - she said you had a late night. It's why Adam and I haven't left yet."

"It's Sunday?" looking down at herself with a frown.

"Yes, Charisma," Kent offered with a smirk. "I'm not sure how you lost a day - especially one where you don't have to go into work, but...." His voice trailed off and he looked at her closer. "Are you okay, Charisma?"

Charisma pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yeah... I think so. I'm not sure how...." She took a deep breath and met Kent's eyes. "Are you in a hurry?"

He motioned her back up the stairs. "Go change into your Sunday 'relaxing-around-the-house' clothes. We have plenty of time. Adam should be up from his nap in a few minutes."

"Nap?"

Kent chuckled. "We ate brunch, so I decided to let him catch a few zzz's while we waited for you. Maybe we'll actually get to go through the museum today."

Charisma smiled. "You're really excited about this aren't you?"

Kent blushed but held her eyes with his when he nodded. "I am. No matter what you decide about us, Charisma, Adam is a blessing that we will always share. I will never regret our decision to be a couple if only for his sake."

"Neither will I," she agreed, then turned and went upstairs without another word.

************

"MA!" Adam greeted some minutes later when Charisma returned downstairs and joined the rest of her family in the den. He scrambled off of Kent's lap and ran to wrap his arms around Charisma's legs, knowing she would lift him into her arms. He brushed their noses together with a laugh, then threw his arms around her neck. "Love Mama!"

Charisma held Adam to her and kissed his head. "I love you too, son." She loosened her grip and Adam squirmed to get down. Charisma rolled her eyes but released him and Adam ran to the table and picked up a pamphlet. "Look, Mama - 'saurs!"

She took the brochure from Adam's hand and realized it was for the Natural History Museum. "Dinosaurs, huh?" grinning when he nodded enthusiastically. "You ready to go see some dinosaurs with Daddy?"

"YES!!"

Charisma's eyes twinkled and when she looked at Kent, she saw the same expression on his face. "Well then... let's go get your coat on so you can go see some dinosaurs with Daddy. It's still winter and just because it's not freezing at the moment doesn't mean that won't change and change again before you boys are done today."

"Mama come?"

"Not today, Sweetie. Today is just for you and Daddy."

"You're welcome to...." Kent started then trailed off when Charisma adamantly shook her head.

"No. You said it yourself - if we're going to do this... be separated, we need to do this right from the beginning. Besides, you need some time with Adam and I'm waiting on a phone call," her eyes skittering away from his at the last. Kent cocked an eyebrow.