Surprise Perch

Somewhere between awake and sleep, Sparky's eyes flutter for just a moment as the mug is taken from his hand but he remains quiet and still. His ears pick up the sound of a sweet voice and his sleeping mind recalls his angel's face, soft and glowing. Caught in a world of dreams, he cannot pull himself into complete awareness, but he hears the words being spoken and they bring about a special kind of warmth from within. Feeling the gentle kiss to his forehead, his mind tricks him into believing that he is reaching out for the angel. But she only smiles and backs away, fading into the blurred background. And he sleeps.

Several hours pass and the sun begins it's nightly journey towards the western horizon once again. Chores are being finished in the barn before dark, and talk is of supper. It had been a chilly day, and everyone would be glad to get inside for the evening meal.

Sparky opens one eye then the other, taking a slow glance around the room. It was a odd color... a rosy pink as the sun was setting. Somehow, Sparky had wound up under the blankets in bed again - he could only guess it had been his impromptu caretaker.

Rolling over confirms it. Faith is where she had been the last time he'd woken up - in the chair, reading. A sleepy smile comes to his lips. "I guess I left ya for a while." He yawns and stretches long, some of his joints popping as he did. "Mm... I'm getting stiff lying here for too long."

Yawning again, he props himself up with a pillow and looks at Faith again. He had a strange new memory tugging at his consciousness, and he searches Faith's eyes, wondering if his dream had really been a dream or not. This time though, he decides to tuck away that warm little thought and keep it to himself. Dream or reality, it made him feel good.

"I think I might want to get up and go outside for a bit," he muses. "Some fresh air sounds pretty good right about now." He was tired, but he knew it would do him good to get up and get out for a while. What he'd really like to do would be go check on things in the barn, but he knew better at this point. If he did, he'd have people all over him for working before he was well.

Managing to sit up, he runs a hand through his tousled hair and looks around the floor. "That is... if I can find my boots."


Feeling Nate on the couch, then his arm around her just about sent Laura into another crying mess. She managed to stay in control though, holding back the tears. She didn't want Nate asking too many questions... not yet... not when she wasn't yet ready to answer them.

Just resting under his arm for a moment, she then scoots to turn around and slide up onto his lap, curling herself into his chest and burying her face against his neck. She was her protection... her fort... her strength. And right now, she needed that strength.

Remaining quiet for several long moments, she just closes her eyes and lets him hold her. If they were ever apart, this is what she would miss the most... just him having his arms around her.

Eventually, she speaks, though it's soft and partially muffled against his shirt. "Would you mind if I went a day early to Uncle Dan and Aunt Paula's? Would that... would that be okay?"

Her fingers fiddle with his shirt collar. She knew he didn't really like it when she was gone, and all three of them would be going up to the farm this week, but maybe just one night extra night for her would be okay with him. "I can call when I get there and... and then we can do what we'd planned when you and Maggie come up?"


"Okay then." Carol smiles and stands up. "Let's start at the front of the house."

Leading the way, she takes Karla to the more familiar entrance of the house, then begins the casual tour. She shows her all the rooms that would need to be cleaned. Some were rarely used, but they were cleaned anyway so that dust did not build up. There was no real heavy cleaning, it just had to be consistent to avoid any deep cleaning later on.

Down one hall, up a flight of stairs, down another hall, up another, down another stairway... to those who lived there, they knew their way around like the back of their hand. But to a newcomer, it could feel a bit like a maze. It was not surprising that it would require so many hours to keep everything tidy. But if a schedule was maintained and every day a different section was tackled, it could be a relatively easy job as far as physical work went.

The back part of the house near the sun room and kitchen are only briefly pointed out as Carol knows Karla has already been there, and she also knows that Kyle and Alice are spending time alone and doesn't want to interrupt them. Continuing the tour, her tone is cheerful and warm as she tries to put Karla at ease.

"And this... this is a good room if you want some peace and quiet." Carol reaches for the large oak door and swings it open to reveal a library. And oh, what a library it was. Shelves of books lined the walls and stretched all the way to the ceiling. Several beautiful windows rose to the ceiling as well, giving a grand view of the same garden that the sunroom overlooked - but they were one floor above it. The wood floor had several plush area rugs and several couches and chairs were spread throughout for anyone wishing to spend time reading. A desk sat in one corner and up above in the middle of the ceiling was a grand chandelier. The room had an old feel to it with dark woodwork and it was arranged as one might find an old English home's library. The shelves were even complete with a couple rolling ladders so one could find the books they wanted on the top shelves. And it just so happens that one of them is occupied.

Instead of finding a soft chair, Kip was in his normal thinking spot, clear up top one of the ladders. Turned around to sit on one of the rungs, one leg was hanging down straight, while the other was brought up closer to his chest so his book could rest against his knee. Realizing that he was no longer alone, he peers down at the two newcomers and a smile spreads on his face. "Hey, you two."

Carol gives a little jump, startled by Kip's presence. "My word, Kip... you're going to give me a heart attack."

Kip's grin widens. "Sorry." His eyes shift to Karla and he gives a little wave. "How are ya?"


Kyle kisses the top of Alice's head and leans his own back, closing his eyes. "I don't think it would be possible for me not to let you follow me anymore. Even Peter Pan didn't want to live without his shadow."