Notes: Smallville and its characters belong to DC and the WB. All other characters are mine. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com .


Chapter 1 [Kent Farm—Three days following the “Unholy Quintet” Quadrology]

Clark sat on the porch waiting anxiously for Lana to show up. The previous week had sped by with the Black Hand’s attack, going between there and several other dimensions as well as cleaning up the mess left behind. He still felt ill at ease over Kara’s treatment of him in her side place. Thankfully, our counterparts were able to track us down. And Lana…wow! What she put up with too!

“Still moping, are we?” Miri asked, lumbering slowly across the porch.

He turned to see his friend laboring with her cane toward him. Of them all, she had it the worst. The Black Hand had broken her arms and legs. On top of that, Hansei Arighatto had poisoned her. Fortunately, their friends had worked with her, resetting those limbs and dealing with the poison. Still, she would need a great deal of therapy before she could be her old self. “Are you set for dinner?”

“Yeah. At least I didn’t have to worry about my hair,” she deadpanned, running her hand along her scalp. “I wonder how Mr. Luthor deals with this?”

“Hair grows back, Miri. I’m more concerned about you,” he told her.

She arched a brow at him. “I’ll survive, Clark. But thanks. I need some humor to deal with everything. I mean—yeah, it hurts and all. But at least we’re alive and not some guinea pig exhibit somewhere.” She looked at a tin can by the barn and concentrated. Using her telekinesis, she brought it to them.

“You can do that again?” he asked.

“I’ve been practicing,” she informed him. “Can’t stand a mess, you know? Besides, your parents do such a great job with this farm.”

He grinned. “They do. But you’re a big help too.”

“Why thank you, Mr. Kent!” she expressed, giving him a warm smile. “That means a lot. Seriously, I’m nervous too.”

“About what? Lex asking the three of us to dinner? Your family moving here?”

She shrugged. “Both. I mean—I should be grateful. I’ve missed my family since we were kids. Now, they’re back and they’ll be here. I have to admit that I’m nervous with how this is going to change things.”

“Your aunt and uncle want you to live your own life,” he advised. “They just want to be a part of it.”

“I know,” Miri concurred. “I just want you and Lana to be there too.”

“You know we will be,” he assured her. Then he saw the person in question streaking toward them. “Speaking of Lana, here she comes.”

Lana stopped right in front of them. “Hi, guys! Ready for tonight?” She kissed him.

“We’re waiting on you, Boss,” Miri cracked. “So who do I hitch with?”

Lana rolled her eyes at her best friend and smiled. “I can carry your load, I guess.” Picking her up, she asked, “Ready, Clark?”

“Let’s get this over with,” he agreed, speeding off toward Lex’s place.

“Is it going to be that bad?” Miri asked.

“Clark’s being paranoid,” Lana assured her, as they sped off after him.



Chapter 2 [Luthor Castle]

Lex admired how his home looked in spite of the damage. From the reports, the Black Hand had burned it down. And yet—as if by magic, it was restored. “Amazing.”

“Weird is more like it,” Chloe remarked, surveying the scene and drinking her coffee as she did it.

“I thought you liked weird, Sullivan,” he retorted, smirking as he did it.

“You know what I mean, Lex.” She paced a bit, considering her next words carefully. “Our lives have been turned upside down. The Black Hand attacks and then we find out that Clark, Lana and Jasmine are more than what they seem. We wanted to know what was going on with them. I guess we got our wish, didn’t we?”

“Yeah. To think that Clark’s an alien, Jasmine’s a mutant and Lana’s a well…who knows what she is?  I wish they had come to us sooner,” he replied. “It hurts that they didn’t trust us.”

“I know. But Dad said something to me today. He told me to forget about all of that. What’s important is that we know now. We need to stand by them,” she asserted.

“They are still our friends,” he agreed. Gabe, now I know where your daughter gets her insight from. “Best be careful. I might call my double back to tag team you.”

She smirked. “And I’ll get mine. Be careful what you wish for, Luthor.”

“Yeah. I…” He put his finger up and listened carefully. “You hear something?”

She nodded. “Behind the wall. What is that?”

“An old guest room,” he informed her. “That was Mom’s favorite place and…. Come on, Chloe.” They headed out of the study and to the next room.

She tried it. “The door’s locked. You’ve got ghosts in here?”

“I wouldn’t doubt it. There is another possibility,” he guessed, producing the key and opening the door.

Ahead of them, darkness obscured everything. Everything that is…except a sad sound.

Someone was in there and they were sobbing.

Lex walked toward the sound, navigating with his hands and by memory through the area.

“Should you be doing that?” she wondered.

“It’s okay, Chloe,” he advised.

A gravelly voice shot out, “Leave us ‘lone!”

The billionaire took a deep breath. Okay…now what happened? “Relax. All right? I just want to talk.”

“Jus’ talk,” the Protector insisted.

“That’s all we want,” Lex indicated while taking a seat next to him. “Do you mind if I turn the lamp on here?” Getting nothing from the other, he turned the switch, casting the small part of the room in a dim light. He saw his friend’s bloodshot left eye and the dried tears on his face. “What’s going on? Are April and the kids all right?”

“Yeah. They’re ‘kay,” the Dark One assured them. “Other big people hate us.”

“Hate you?” Chloe asked while joining them.

“They were yellin’ at Big Bro ‘bout Daddy not so Dearest an’ Unca Lie-onel hittin’ place. They’re blamin’ us! We didn’t do nothin’!”

“I know,” Lex soothed, rubbing the other man’s shoulder. “People don’t understand you there. They’re afraid of you.”

“Hey, we saved ‘em!”

“But the library…big thing…was trashed in the process,” she indicated.

“So? Hey, our Daddies did that!” the Protector shot back.

Miranda mentioned that they were already gearing up for this when she was up there last week. “Chloe, can you call April Dubois up in Amherst? The number’s in the black book in my study.”

“Sure,” the reporter agreed, getting up and heading for the door. As she did, she found Clark, Lana and Miranda standing there.

“Why are you two sitting in here?” Lana asked.

“Can’t you feel it?” Miri asked. “Uncle?”

“Ah don wantcha seein’ us like this,” her uncle’s alter ego shot back.

“Lana, help me over to them please?” she requested. When her friend had helped her over to where the two men sat, she asked, “What happened?”

“Those lib’arians Big Bro’s with,” he muttered.

“They’re mad at you, aren’t they?” his niece asked. “You didn’t hurt anyone, did you?”

He shook his head. “One of ‘em got on our case ‘bout what happened. Big Bro asked ‘em to stop. She didn’t. Ah got out an’ yelled at ‘em to make ‘em stop. Fancy Clothes yelled at us. Wha’s “letter”?”

“A letter? As in a letter in your file?” Lex inquired.

The Protector nodded. “Yeah. Tha’s wha’ she said. This crap.” He handed them the envelope. “Read it.”

Miri opened the envelope and read it over. Instantly, her face went red with rage. “Those ungrateful miserable….! Mr. Luthor, look at this!”

Lex read the letter over and shook his head. “They should know better than to pick a fight with you right now. Especially when you’re all going to be leaving really soon.”

“They hate us,” the Dark One indicated.

“That’s their problem,” Lana countered. “As Lex said, you’ll be out here soon enough. Can you let…Dr. Dubois out? We’d like to talk with him.”

“Ah don’ wanna be a pain,” the Protector stated.

“You aren’t. In fact, Dave might be an important part of this conversation. Let’s go,” Lex told him. “Let’s go.”




Chapter 3 [Dinner—Twenty minutes later]

After calling back to Amherst and speaking with the folks up there to let them know about his guest, Lex got everyone together at the table and had the staff bring the roast turkey, fixings and different sodas to them. “Are you feeling better?”

Dave sighed, just collecting his thoughts. “I can’t believe he popped me back here.”

“I can,” Miranda noted. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Yeah, I can think of worse places to be,” the librarian concurred, smiling at his host. “Thank you, Lex.”

“It’s my pleasure,” the billionaire agreed, serving himself from the platters. “While we’re on the topic of understandings, Clark, Lana and Jasmine, I hope you know that you can trust Chloe and me with the You Know What.”

“Actually, Dr. Dubois already knew,” Lana noted.

“Sorry, Lex, it was a secret at the time,” Dave added. “But if there’s a silver lining to that mess, everything’s out in the open.”

Clark squeezed his girlfriend’s hand and noted, “We didn’t want to get you hurt, guys, with our secret.”

“So are you both aliens?” Chloe asked.

“I am. She was…well…made into one,” Clark admitted.

“I’m still the same Lana,” Lana declared. “Well almost the same.”

“I did hit you, Clark, on the bridge, didn’t I?” Lex inquired.

“You did. Sorry I had to lie about that,” he admitted.

“And, Lana, that’s how you knocked that blonde hussy through the wall?” Chloe supposed.

“Uh huh,” her housemate replied. “Not to mention pulling Clark out of her place.”

“It’s a really long story,” Dave mentioned. “Look, guys, the important thing for everyone to remember here is that we’re the same people as we were before the garbage hit the fan.” He sighed. “It’s important that you all keep that in mind.”

“And that we can trust each other,” Jasmine piped in.

“You all are like family to me,” Miri concurred. “Granted, I can’t really do much now but I’ll do what I can when I’m recovered.”

“Just keep being you, Miri,” Lana emphasized.

“I’m game if Clark is. How about it, Clark? Can you and Lana trust us?” Lex declared.

Lana looked expectantly at her boyfriend, wondering how the latter would react. It’s okay, Clark. We can trust them.

I know. It’s going to take some getting used to. Clark examined the expectant faces around the room. “This is a big secret.”

“We know, Clark. But it’s easier to have several sets of eyes watching your backs,” Chloe argued.

“And your Dad and I have agreed on that,” Lex added, recalling the debate with a smirk.

“In between all of the other yelling, I’d imagine?” the reporter supposed.

“You’d be surprised, Sullivan,” the billionaire retorted. “But yes, we agreed on that.”

Clark grasped Lana’s hand and smiled anxiously. While he wanted to trust them, his father’s words echoed through his head. However, they all knew. It would be best to trust them. “Thanks, guys. We really appreciate this.”

“No problem, Clark,” Lex assured him. “No more secrets, all right?”

“Don’t worry, Lex,” Lana replied. “We don’t need any. Meantime, what about you, Dr. Dubois?”

“My chances at getting another job are probably shot anyhow. There’s got to be something else around here,” the librarian supposed.

His niece was shocked. “Uncle Dave, you aren’t giving up, are you?”

Lex shook his head. “This won’t change anything. But we will need to get you out of there as soon as possible. Miranda, you and I will go back with your uncle and get things set up in Amherst. Meantime, Lana, do you, Clark and Jasmine want to make sure everything in the Talon is completed?”

Getting nods from her friends, the former cheerleader agreed, “We can do that. Meantime, everything’s going to be okay, Dr. Dubois.”

“Thanks, Lana. I wish I felt better,” Dave expressed. “The meal and the positive company’s a start though.” He gave them all a hopeful smile. “I do appreciate it.”

“Our pleasure,” Lex concurred, feeling glad that his friend’s mood had lightened somewhat. At least, we finally have some understanding around here! Let’s hope it lasts.

 

Chapter 4
[Next Day—Kent Farm]

Clark finished with his chores at the usual record pace. Before Miri left, she had breakfast with him and his parents, speaking with them about the trip and potential pitfalls up in Amherst. I wish people wouldn’t be so quick to judge.

That is the way all beings are, Jor-El declared.

Dr. Dubois hasn’t done anything though, Clark noted.

But the weak jump to conclusions, Kal-El. Such is the way they are. The Protector really means no one any harm. Only those who would harm you and your friends are in danger.

Such as the Black Hand, I imagine.

Especially them. The dogs deliberately exacerbated the situation. Still both he and his counterpart suffer from that incident.

Clark frowned. I wish we had known.

There was nothing that you could have done, Kal-El. The dark entities are the manifestation of the pain toward his father and the elder Luthor. Soon though, you will have a chance to repay that sacrifice.

The teenager tensed. Meaning what?

I do not know exactly but soon, the Faerie Empress and her allies will call. We must answer. That is all I know. Meantime, the younger Luthor is correct. You must get everyone here immediately. Such I have seen. So shall it be. With that, he went silent.

Another situation? Terrific. That’s all we need. Clark sped up to the Loft and sat on the couch. Can’t we get ONE normal day?

What’s wrong? Lana wondered telepathically.

Nothing. Just something Jor-El said. He didn’t want her worrying. To try and get his mind off of the dangers around them, he focused on the view in front of him.

Three minutes later, he heard an “ahem”. Looking up, he saw his girlfriend standing there, looking at him expectantly. “You sure can sneak up on someone.”

She crossed her arms and quirked an eyebrow. “I know when you’re worried, Clark. Remember what you promised?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes.”

“So what is it?” she asked expectantly. “What did Jor-El tell you?”

“Remember when we promised to pay our new friends back for their help?” he queried.

“Right. So?” she wondered.

“We may not have to wait for very long,” he revealed. “According to Jor-El, something’s going to happen in their universe.”

She winced. Despite the fact that they were the same people, anything that could take out their counterparts would be a stiff challenge for them under the best circumstances. Still, one stuck by their friends. “And we’ll be ready when the call comes. Meantime, Chloe, Jasmine and I could use a hand at the Talon getting set up for Miri’s aunts. Are you set here?”

He smiled. “Throw in a cappuccino and a kiss and I’m yours.”

She smirked. “Feeling greedy today, aren’t you, Mister Kent?” Kissing his cheek, she added, “That’s your deposit. Cappuccino comes when we finish.”

“Race you there!” he declared, taking off in a blur toward town.

He never learns, does he? She sped off after him, leaving the Loft empty behind her.



****


[Talon—several hours later]

The group hustled at their appointed tasks, making sure all looked presentable when the new tenants came through. Clark and Lana constructed the last few counters, made spot welds and ran x-ray checks to make sure everything was in order. Chloe, Byron, Sandra and Jasmine, in the meantime, tended to the cosmetic details, putting a touch of paint here and a new flower arrangement there.

By noon, the Talon’s renovation was complete. In addition to the restored café and theater in the back, April’s flower shop and the newsstand/bookstore were ready for stocking. Much to the reporter’s delight, Lex sprung to make the place a “hot spot” for wireless Internet access.

“After Kara’s rampage, I never thought the place would look this good again,” Lana expressed.

“With a little help from our friends, anything’s possible,” Clark noted.

“Especially the Painting Princess over here,” Chloe added. “For a princess, Jasmine, you certainly know how to handle tools.”

“I did my share of handiwork for the Hamijj, Chloe,” Jasmine replied. “Besides I’m happy to help my friends.”

“And you certainly did that,” the co-owner assured them all. “Thanks, guys. Let’s hope everything’s going as well for our new partners.”

As she said that, everyone looked toward the northeast, thinking about Miri’s relatives and hoping that the move would go without incident.





Chapter 5 [Amherst]

With Dave directing it, the limo arrived in front of his house around noon. With good weather between there and Kansas, the flight had been a good one, allowing for the passengers to get in some conversation.

Dave’s anxieties churned in his gut. After the others had returned to their own dimension, he and his family had returned to help rebuild and to prepare for their own departure.

However, his so-called co-workers were split in their reception. Some were happy to see him alive and grateful for his assistance and sacrifice. Others blamed him for making the library a target. The Dean fell into the second camp, writing him up over the whole thing.

Due to that response, the Protector had erupted onto the scene. However, he only snarled a few choice epilates before teleporting away toward safety.

We need to get our stuff.

[“Ah wanna whup ass!” the Dark One snarled.]

Let’s just pack it up and go. All right? Dave emphasized, trying to calm himself. Besides, remember April and the kids. Okay?

“It’s going to be okay, Uncle Dave,” Miri assured him.

“I know, Sunshine,” Dave concurred. “What do you think, Lex?”

The billionaire nodded. “It still looks as if your grandmother’s there. Come on. I’m sure the others are waiting.”

As Dave unlocked the door, he asked, “Need a hand, Miri?”

“I’ll be fine,” she replied, hobbling in the door. “Auntie April?”

“Miranda?” April inquired. “Is your uncle with you?”

“I’m here, Honey,” her husband answered, as he embraced her. “Sorry. His Darkness decided to get us out of there rather than destroy anything.”

“I’m glad for that,” April expressed, feeling glad that the Protector took the discretionary route for once. “I finished packing up the flower shop, Lex. Karen’s taking care of the Express. That leaves only one thing to do.” She looked anxiously at her husband. “The library called looking for you.”

“Guess it’s time to face the music,” Dave sighed.

[“They give us any guff an’ we’ll whup ‘em good this time!” his alter ego snapped.]

Cool it! Dave admonished. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Not alone, you aren’t,” Lex indicated. “No buts—I’m going with you. Come on.”

“It’ll be all right, Uncle Dave,” Miri reassured him. “Don’t give them any satisfaction.”

Dave shrugged. “Hey, I’m already out the door. Nothing more they can do to me now.” With that, he headed out the door.

“Watch him, Lex, please,” April requested.

Lex nodded. “I’ll be with him every step of the way.” Then he followed his friend out the door.



****


[Temporary Library]

Twenty minutes later, Lex and Dave walked through the front doors of the storage facility doubling as the temporary library. About half of the books had been dug out of the rubble next door, providing some resources for student use. With the computers gone, however, the students needed to go to the other area schools for assistance.

As they entered, people turned and stared.

“Keep going and don’t stop,” Lex advised as they headed for the Dean’s makeshift office.

“I know,” Dave concurred. “Follow me.” He led them down the narrow corridor to the office. There he found the man in question waiting. “Good afternoon, Dean Thomas.”

“Good afternoon. Decided to come back, did we?” the administrator responded haughtily.

Dave stiffened, feeling the Protector raging to get out. “I didn’t deserve that.” He held the letter up. “Nor this.”

“You caused it,” the Dean shot back.

Lex frowned. “He most certainly did not. We were all targeted by the Black Hand.”

“I wasn’t talking to you. Who do you think you are anyway?” Thomas queried indignantly.

The billionaire didn’t react, preferring to size up the administrator in a cool manner. “Lex Luthor, fellow victim and head of LexCorp. Maybe you’ve heard of me?” He arched his eyebrow. “Anyhow, you’re lucky that it was only the library here. Smallville, Kansas took some bigger shots. We’re rebuilding, however, not pointing fingers.”

“You caused that to happen?” the Dean wondered.

Dave growled. “How dare you?”

“Easy,” Lex admonished.

“Seriously, what did I do? WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE? Look, Dr. Thomas, I didn’t have to come back to rescue you all! I risked my wife, kids and family to do that! Do you think I wanted the library to collapse? Or to see people hurt? My books and personal items from my office are gone! Lex and my other friends were tortured by the Black Hand! My niece was almost crippled! Hell, I ALMOST DIED! And yet…all you can do is whine, piss, bitch and moan about this?”

“I don’t like incidents…”

Dave bellowed, “WHO THE HELL DOES? Look, if it weren’t for me, YOU’D ALL BE DEAD! PERIOD!”

“Cool it now,” Lex directed, stepping between the two men.

“You need help,” the Dean argued.

“And you’ve said enough, Dr. Thomas. I’ve known Dave most of my life. It’s never been easy for him. This attitude of yours isn’t helping matters any. He’s leaving. Leave it at that,” Lex insisted, getting right in the older man’s face.

The Dean nodded, handing Dave a manila folder. “I pushed your papers through. If you could sign these forms, I’d appreciate it.”

Dave read through each document carefully and signed it. After due consideration, he returned them to the folder.

As he did so, Lex watched grimly. Once again, our fathers’ legacy comes back to bite us in the ass. I promise, Dave, once we get you all away from here, you’ll finally have that stability that you and the Protector crave so badly.

“There you go,” Dave told his former boss while handing him the folder with the completed papers and shaking the other’s hand. “Come on, Lex.”

As the duo walked out of the office, the special collections curator rushed over. “Dave! I’m glad I caught you!”

“What is it?” Lex asked, not wanting his friend to be subjected to anything else.

“Follow me,” the curator directed, leading them down to her temporary area. There a group of librarians and students waited.

“What’s this?” Dave wondered.

“We wanted to give you a show of support, Dr. Dubois,” an Asian-American female student replied. “They can say what they want but those of us who were there know what happened. Thanks for saving us, sir.”

“You’re welcome. I wish things could have worked out better,” Dave commented, wiping his eye.

“Some things aren’t meant to be,” Jim stated. “But you have friends here.” He handed Dave an envelope. “Open it where you get to Kansas.”

“Thanks, everyone,” Dave told them. “Leaving is hard. It’s the end of an era for me.”

“You’ll be missed,” the curator declared, handing him a padded envelope. “Open it when you get to Kansas. Take care of him.”

“We will,” Lex agreed, smirking at his friend.

“I’ll stay in touch. Thank you again. Again, I can’t tell you how much these items mean to me,” Dave concluded, smiling whimsically at them. “Stay well and best wishes.” With that, he left the area.

Lex lingered a minute longer, surveying the group. At least he had some support today. Then he followed his friend from the building.



****


[Center Cemetery—that evening]

After hours of harried activity, everything was done. April and Karen had handed the keys over to the new business owners. The Dubois’ and Singletons’ things sat in a rental van, waiting to pull out within a few hours.

Leaving his wife and sister to finish the details, Dave headed for the cemetery. There he stood in front of his family’s and wife’s markers, trying to think of things to say before they left. “Hi, everyone, it’s time. We’re ready to head west. I just wish things could have gone better here. Just like Rowenshire, they’re running me out of here too….” He bowed his head, trying to contain his emotions.

“It’s your time to move on,” Angie’s voice advised as her spirit appeared in front of him. “You have a deeper purpose. The Kryptonian children need you now.”

“And what about you?” he asked.

She smiled warmly. “I’ll always need you, Silly. But dreams are portable and so, you must go. Promise that you won’t forget me.”

He stared at her incredulously, not believing she would ever think he would do that. “What?”

“Promise me,” she reiterated.

“I’ll never forget you, Princess. Nor would I try. I’ll come back here for you when the time comes,” he vowed.

Her eyes glittered with tears. “Thank you, my Love.” After that, she vanished into the night.

Never fear, Angie, you’re too special to us all to be forgotten. He looked at his family’s monument and took a deep breath. Caught between curse and Arighatto’s kitana, the remaining family members lay before him. “Grandpa and Gram, that goes for you both as well. Time to move on, I guess. Wish us luck. We love you.” Then he left to join the others at the house.





Chapter 6
[Kent Farm—Two Days Later]

Miri slowly made her way over to the guest bedroom and rapped on the door. “Auntie? Uncle?”

Dave stuck his head out and rubbed his eyes. “Morning, Sunshine. Is it time?”

“Yeah. Leave it to you both to sleep through your welcome party,” she sassed.

He swatted at the air playfully. “Go on and get! I’ll get Auntie up. Smart Alec!”

“That’s me and don’t you forget it!” she cracked, heading back toward the stairs. It did feel good to have her aunt and uncle there. “Oh! Mrs. Kent will give you both a ride over there when you’re ready! Clark, Lana and the others are waiting!”

“It’s time, isn’t it?” April asked while putting on her robe.

“It is,” he indicated nervously. “New start.”

“You’ve done it before. You’ll do it again,” she assured him, kissing him on the cheek. “Now get going. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”

“Yes, Dear,” he teased, heading for the shower.

The florist shook her head. “Here we go. I just hope it’s going to be all right.”



****


[Talon]

Lana looked around a satisfied expression on her face. After the last two weeks, everything was in order—well almost—the supplies for the shops needed to be ordered. That could be handled afterwards. “The theater is reborn again.”

“Looks great, doesn’t it?” Clark asked, hugging her from behind.

“The place or me?” she supposed.

“Both,” he retorted, kissing her on the cheek.

She grinned with contentment, feeling great about the warm feeling permeating the old theater and her boyfriend being there with her.

“Are we going to have to call a PDA alert on you two?” Miri teased as she entered with Lex and the Singletons.

“Leave them alone, Miri,” Karen advised. “This is a happy day.” She surveyed the place, letting her mind wander back to her first visit there while still in high school. “It doesn’t seem like 23 years ago. I’d almost expect to see your parents, Lana.”

“Really? You knew them?” Lana inquired with surprise.

“Dave and I met them on our first visit,” Karen noted. “You look like your mother, you know.” She smiled. “I’m sure they’re proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Singleton. I appreciate that,” Lana replied. “We aimed to combine the old and the new. Knowing that means we did it.”

“This place is a monument after all,” Lex added, glancing at the plaque. For them, me and the Protector.

“You can say that again,” Dave concurred, stepping into the theater with April and Martha. “You’ve done wonders with the place!”

“We aim to please.” The billionaire smirked. “Look around. What do you think?”

April inspected the facility, admiring the very carefully restored architecture. “Which one is the shop?” Then she saw the sign over the doorway. “Oh wow! It’s just like the old sign from Amherst!”

“Miri gave us the design,” the former cheerleader indicated. “Is it all right?”

April looked at Karen. “We had one change actually. This was going to be a surprise for you, Dave. Karen?”

Her sister-in-law chimed in, “April and I decided to call it ‘Angie’s Floral Emporium.’ No buts, Dave, she’s our friend too.”

“Hey, it’s great with me,” Dave concurred, wiping a tear from his eye. “Thank you.”