Chloe had nearly finished showing her mother the new decorations when they heard quick steps from below, then Lorne calling up the stairs. "Where are you?"

"Here. Up in Chloe's bathroom." Valerie felt her heart speed as she stepped out into the hall to watch him rush up, three steps at a time. She opened her arms, and they merged in an embrace and a passionate kiss.

"Five and a half hours," Lorne said at a pause before renewing the kiss. "Seemed like forever," he added during another brief breather. "You're addicting," he murmured as their lips separated again.

"Yeah, aren't we both? To distraction, it seems." She tilted her head toward Chianti and Chloe close beside them, both intently watching. Then she unwrapped an arm from Lorne and gathered Chloe into the hug. "This is even better."

"Want to see how I decorated, Mr Benton?"

"Most certainly." He kissed Valerie's forehead and then unwrapped his arms from her. "Show me what you've done, Miss Chloe."

"That sounds strange. You calling me that. I would prefer just Chloe."

"May I also call you Sweetheart, like your mother does?"

She looked up at her mother with a questioning expression. "Would that be proper, Mummy?"

Valerie smiled as she slowly nodded. Yeah, and you calling him Daddy. "Yes, I think it would be perfectly proper."

"Good. You may do that, then, Mr Benton." She took his hand and led him into her bathroom. "What do you think?"

"Well, you've certainly captured the feminine essence."

"Yeah, it's all the pink that does that."

A while later, as they made their way downstairs, Lorne said, "I thought we would have an early tea here and then a mid-evening supper aboard."

"We'll defer to your experience. When have you planned on leaving?"

"Six thirty would put us in Cape Town around eight in the morning, eight thirty by the time we've been cleared by Customs. I had thought we could spend the morning exploring together. The cable car up Table Mountain, then to the hotel for lunch. My meeting isn't until two."

"And Chianti? I checked, and dogs aren't allowed on the lift."

"Yeah, that's why we've always taken the trail up and down. I thought it best to leave her here." He ruffled the fur of her head-top pompom as she descended the stairs beside him. "I have others to keep me company this time."

"Hmmm." Dog replacement? Not the sweetest compliment. "You've been using her to keep loneliness at bay, haven't you?"

"I have. Love is essential to health. Both giving it and receiving."

"Have you had her long?"

"Ten and a half years. Got her to help keep my sanity."

"After Gwen?"

"During her prolonged coma."

Valerie winced. "She didn't ... It wasn't immediate?"

"Seven months." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Never regained consciousness."

Oh, God! Why did I go there? "I'm so sorry to have brought this back to the surface."

"Don't be. I need to leave her behind." He ruffled the dog's fur again. "Like we're leaving Chianti behind now. We all need to move on."

When they arrived on the ground floor, Lorne led them into the kitchen, where Grace and Penny were nearly finished laying tea on the island. He smiled at Chloe and pointed at a stool. A broad grin spread across her face as she nodded and raised her arms for a hug and a lift.

After tea, while they descended the stairs to Lorne's bedroom to pack overnight bags, he reminded them, "It'll be mid-summer there, so we'll need something cool for tomorrow. The weather shows clear and hot, but we'll need a light jacket or pullover for the mountain."

When Chloe had finished packing, she placed her bag on the bed in front of Valerie. "Okay, Mummy, I'm done – inspection time." She gave her a big toothy grin. "And yes, I did pack my school books."

A quarter-hour later, Mrs Wilkins answered the door to Jason, then pointing to the luggage on the foyer floor, she said, "Load these and I'll inform them you're here."

As they rode toward the airport, Lorne said to Jason, "I noted you've already changed the number plates. That was quick."

"Thank you, Sir. They were super eager to list yours, and I forced them to rush the process to consummate the deal."

Chloe's eyes opened wide as she looked at her mother. Then she leaned and whispered, "Is that the pronunciation I wanted?"

"Yes, Sweetheart. That's it. And it means to seal a deal."

"Aha! I get the connection."

Valerie smiled at what she hoped was an unintended pun as she turned to Lorne. "Number plates?"

"They were far too identifiable. I had bought them as an investment, but now they're a security liability. I had them transferred to a broker, and we're now wearing random plates."

When the Bentley arrived on the tarmac, a Customs officer was beside the plane speaking with the crew. He accompanied them aboard for a cursory inspection and to process their passports for exit.

Fifty minutes into the flight, Valerie, Lorne and Chloe knelt side-by-side on the couch, looking out three windows. "The massive one coming up is Mont Blanc," Lorne said.

"That's the highest, isn't it?" Chloe looked at him with a grin on her face. "And where is Monta Rosa? The second highest?"

"It's on the other side. Let's go look. The Matterhorn will be there as well."

Chloe rushed across the cabin and knelt in a deep leather chair, and Lorne followed to snuggle beside her, pointing. "The broad snowy mass is Monte Rosa, and that sharp one is the Matterhorn. It doesn't look as impressive from up here as it does from the valleys."

"So, have you climbed that one as well?"

"The Matterhorn? Yes, Sweetheart, and also Monte Rosa."

Valerie's mind had been spinning loops ever since Lorne had mentioned his climbing when the Alps had come into view. No wonder he's so fit. So firm. She hummed to herself as her delicate parts warmed. Oh, God! And that firmness too.

Once the mountains had faded behind the plane, and they had resumed their seats around the table, the steward arrived. "Shall I commence dinner service now, Sir?"

Lorne looked at Valerie with a questioning expression and saw her nod. "Yes, please, Patrick."

Patrick reappeared a minute later with a bottle of Clicquot La Grande Dame '06 and two flutes. After he had opened and poured, he turned to Chloe and asked, "And what may I bring for the young lady?"

She grinned and pointed to the Champagne bottle. "I'll have some of that, as well, if you please."

Valerie pursed her lips as she shook her head. "This is another thing for which you're not yet ready, Sweetheart." God! How acidic my first taste. Pilfered bubbles. Mum's glass when she wasn't looking. I wonder? "Here, take a sip of mine, and maybe you'll see why."

Chloe took the offered flute and ventured a sip. "Eeew!" She grimaced and worked her mouth. "This is only for grown-ups, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's another thing a young body isn't ready for."

"Got you on one, Mummy." Chloe giggled. "You ought to have said, for which a young body isn't ready?" She offered an exaggerated grin as she passed the Champagne back, then she looked up at Patrick. "A glass of juice, then, please."