In an undisclosed location outside of Washington, Ronnie, Addison, Serada, and Anita lived under guard, guards who served dual purpose: keeping others away, and keeping the family from leaving.

Dolores O’Brien was not required to remain, but chose to stay with the family anyway, helping them through this trying time. All tired of the confinement and restrictions, and there was an edginess to their manner.

The girls were due in school now, and instead the government hired tutors to see to their education on premises, much to the dismay of the girls, who missed their classmates.

The government allowed the Salstons to make outside calls and use the internet, and so they managed to stay in contact with friends and catch up on things. Initially some friends backed away, unsure of what to make of the Salston children, but since llhaesa’s interview with Jamila, friends who ignored contact before now actively sought out the Salstons.

The adults were on edge due to the lack of things to keep them occupied, for staff handled most daily chores. Ronnie sensed things changing after the interview, for the staffers were friendlier, and the children’s friends were now soliciting contact with Addison and Serada.

All missed llhaesa, and no one they interacted with were willing to share any information on llhaesa’s current condition, leading Ronnie to fear her friend and parent of her children was once again receiving ill treatment.

As Ronnie actively thought of llhaesa, the secure phone in their living room rang. Anita moved to answer, and as Ronnie looked on inquisitively, Anita held out the phone toward Ronnie, simply saying, “The call is for you.”

Ronnie closed the distance between them, thinking she saw a smile play across her mom’s lips, and before she could give this more thought, she grabbed the phone to answer.

“Llhaesa! It is so nice to hear your voice; I cannot begin to convey how worried I have been. How are you?”

Llhaesa explained how they gave her permission to call, that everything was ok, that so far they treated her well. “They keep asking me to give them useful information, and when I do not, they back away. I keep wondering why they hold me, and wonder if they will change their mind on tactics, but so far, I am living in comfortable space, have television, a keyboard, and some reading material.

To be honest, Ronnie, I am distressed you are still in confinement. You have done nothing, nor have the girls. Moreover, none of you can give them anything. They should let you go!”

Ronnie sighed, knowing what they faced was nothing compared to llhaesa, but still the children did not deserve this fate. “Llhaesa, they have talked to us a few times, asking if you shared anything we might remember. We have all told them we did not discuss any such details, only history and relationships and those types of things.”

Llhaesa laughed at this notion, adding “It seems silly for them to think I would sit down and talk about microbiology with my family. Is that the sort of thing their families discuss?” llhaesa asked rhetorically.

“Ronnie, I told you before Jahrae is likely on her way. For weeks now, I have not felt anything more, until yesterday. She is… near.”

“Near? How near?”

“This is all speculative, but I have faith in my intuition. Near as in to be in orbit above our heads in the next week.”

Ronnie gasped. “That is wonderful news to hear! If this is accurate, what do you expect to happen?”

“She will locate me, and then seek my release.”

“What if the government refuses?”

“There will be no violence if this is your worry. Jahrae would not act with violent intent. Diplomats who will work to secure my release undoubtedly accompany her. Jahrae will let the diplomats do their jobs, though I wonder.”

“Will you leave, then?” Ronnie had worried a good deal over this potential possibility, and dreaded this outcome.

“It is not my intent to leave, my children are here. I will return to Arrhazon at some point, but my goal is to live on both worlds, shuttling back and forth. There are things I wish to work on here.”

“What if our government refuses to let you stay?”

“Then I will live elsewhere.”

“We will go with you, we will live where you live. We are family.”

“Yes, I am heartened to hear you reaffirm this, Ronnie. We are family.”

“Llhaesa, how do you think Jahrae will react to my presence?”

“She will come to love you as I do, Ronnie. Of that, I have zero doubt. It is rather amusing to contemplate how our children will have three parents, and four sets of grandparents – your mum, my mum, Jahrae’s mum and dad, and Dottie Salston.”

“Dottie! I wonder how she is llhaesa.”

“I spoke with her, and she understands better now, though it hit her hard initially.”

“The children are not truly descended from her, llhaesa.”

“I know, but family goes beyond biology. She was their grandparent through their young lives, and in my opinion, she remains another mum to me and grandmother to our children.”

Ronnie accepted this explanation, and agreed with the sentiment. She had another question to ask, but she also had something to share with llhaesa, something that might disappoint Dottie.

“Llhaesa, Addison wishes to change her surname.”

Llhaesa was quiet for a moment before asking, “How does she wish to change her name?”

“She is not yet certain, but she wishes to have her name reflect her heritage, and one of the things she has mentioned is Addison Salston Lorrie-T’yaeli. I will not let her use lower case spelling, at least for now! She has also kicked around T’yaeli-Salston and who knows what else.”

“What is your thinking on this, Ronnie?

“Honestly? I might do the same thing.” At this, Ronnie laughed, knowing her and llhaesa would no longer be married. “Seriously, I might change my name to Lorrie-Salston.”

Llhaesa was amused, though she well understood the ways of naming on this world. “Let’s see. I can be llhaesa ahrella t’yaeli-khentavra-salston-lorrie.”

Ronnie giggled, picturing that name on a driver’s license. “You do get around, llhaesa.”

“Yeah, leave my mark across 50 light years. Not bad at all!”

Llhaesa, can you hold for a moment? Someone wishes to enter.”

“Sure Ronnie, I will hold.”

Ronnie put the receiver down and headed for the entry, opening the door to find their liaison. “Ms Salston, as of this moment, you and your family are released, though we will continue to provide protection. You may return to your home.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Ronnie called out a loud ‘woot!’ which llhaesa clearly heard over the phone line. Ronnie scurried back to the phone and shared the good news with llhaesa.

“Ronnie, that is excellent!” Llhaesa offered, a surge of relief passing through her body. “Are you going to head for home?”

“You bet llhaesa. I cannot wait to be in our home again, free from government encroachment. They insist they will provide security for us though, so it remains to be seen exactly how free we are.”

“Take this as a gracious blessing of the universe, Ronnie. Little steps can make one big step. I will go, but here is the number to call…”