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Date Posted: 14:12:04 03/24/03 Mon
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: A Journey Home - ch.2
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "A Journey Home - ch.1" on 14:08:42 03/24/03 Mon

CHAPTER TWO


"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be landing in Colorado Springs in about 30 minutes. Please prepare the cabin for approach."

Sophie looked out her window seat at the Colorado landscape coming into view. Thirty minutes. Just enough time for her to ask the one question she'd been working up enough courage to ask for the entire flight.

"Peter, who's Charity?" she asked as innocently as possible.

Peter chuckled at Sophie's thinly veiled jealousy. Made him very happy when Sophie was jealous. She'd certainly tormented him with Bobbb long enough. It was nice to see the shoe on the other foot for a change. For a split second, he toyed with the idea of pretending he hadn't heard her question but then Peter remembered that he could very well be making this trip alone and decided to put poor Sophie out of her misery.

"You mean Aunt Charity?" he replied, gleefully watching the relief wash over Sophie's face at his mention of the word "aunt."

"You never told me you had an Aunt Charity." Sophie was intrigued and indeed, very relieved.

"That's because she's not really my aunt," he laughed. "Charity Lawson Mitchell was my Mom's best friend for as long as I can remember. They grew up together out here. When Mom died I suggested Aunt Charity take over the Presidency but Charity wouldn't hear of it. Said the Lawsons and the Sullys had been keeping each other in line for over a hundred years and she wasn't planning on breaking with tradition now."

"I can't wait to meet her. She sounds like a very strong woman." Sophie was enjoying these glimpses into Peter's past. With each story he told, she felt closer to him.

"Headstrong's more like it," he laughed. "They're all headstrong and stubborn and…" Peter thought about it for a moment and grinned, "just like you, Sweetheart."

Sophie would have objected but Peter slyly leaned in for a kiss before she ever had a chance and the thirty minutes passed by very quickly.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Peter, Peter! Over here!"

Charity Lawson Mitchell was a strikingly statuesque woman with sparkling green eyes and grayish brown hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. Dressed casually in blue jeans and a plaid shirt, she held a pair of suede gloves tightly in her hands. Though almost 70 years old, she possessed a powerful voice when she wanted something - and currently, she wanted Peter.

"Aunt Charity, what are you doing here?" Peter smiled uneasily and suffered silently as Charity hugged the living daylights out of him - barely two steps from the arrival gate.

"Hush and let me look at you! How is my favorite godson? You're too thin! Can't you remember to eat something once in a while?!" Without a doubt, Charity's litany would have continued all night but Peter knew from experience how best to handle his somewhat overbearing godmother.

Recovering nicely from his embarrassment, he countered smoothly, "I'm your only godson, Charity, and my weight's just fine, but why don't you let me take you out to dinner and we'll both eat something. Okay?"

Charity chuckled and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Ooh, I've missed you, Peter. Nobody can charm this old girl like you can."

"So, how did you know what flight we'd be on?" Peter asked suspiciously.

"I wanted to be sure you took my note seriously so I called your Mt. Horizon, of course," Charity explained. "A delightful man named Roger was more than happy to give me all the details."

"He did, huh?" Peter groaned and then whispered in Sophie's ear, "Roger's getting coal in his stocking this year…"

Sophie was enjoying the interplay between Peter and Charity enormously. Up until now, Sophie'd thought herself the only woman truly capable of handling Peter Scarbrow. But, after seeing Charity Mitchell in action, Sophie realized she had a lot to learn.

"Peter, where are your manners?" Charity scolded. "Introduce me to this lovely girl."

"Sophie Becker," Sophie smiled, extending her hand before Peter could say a word. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Mitchell. Peter's told me so much about you."

"Lies, I swear, all lies!" Charity scoffed and then, her eyes twinkling with mischief, she drew Sophie close to her. "Peter doesn't usually let me meet his girlfriends - you must be special."

"I hope so," Sophie replied with a grin.

"Sophie and I are getting married, Aunt Charity," Peter said, finally squeezing a word in edgewise between the two women.

"Married?! And when was I going to find out about this? Really, Peter. With your parents gone, the least you could do is give me the courtesy of a phone call!" Charity was gearing up for round two…

Peter looked at Sophie and rolled his eyes helplessly. At this rate, they'd never leave the airport…

As much as Sophie was enjoying Peter's predicament, she was inclined to agree. The flight from Vancouver had been tiring and she was very hungry. Deciding Peter could use some reinforcements, Sophie entered the fray, "It was really very sudden but I'd love to tell you all about it…"

Peter took his cue gratefully, "I'll get the bags and meet you at the door."

Sophie locked her arm firmly around Charity's and began listening intently to the older woman's lament over being the last to know of their engagement - while Sophie made sure to nod her regrets appropriately.

The last Sophie saw of Peter, he was silently mouthing "thank you" as he headed toward the baggage carousel.

Sophie really hoped he'd remember to come back…

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

By the time they'd finished dessert, Charity had, thankfully, forgiven them for the oversight; and, as the waiter poured the coffee, she was happily offering any and all wedding advice that popped into her head.

The evening had been lovely. To make up for ruining their holiday, Peter had booked the luxurious Broadmoor Hotel for their stay in Colorado Springs. The three had enjoyed a wonderful reunion over dinner in the cozy hotel dining room.

Finally, Peter broached the subject uppermost on his mind. "So what's the emergency, Charity?" He figured now was as good of a time as any to discover why they were here.

But Charity thought better, clearly seeing how tired they both were from the trip. Shaking her head, she pursed her lips and replied, "No, it's a long story, Peter, and you've had an even longer day. We'll be meeting in Old Town - noon tomorrow, at the church."

"Old Town?" Sophie asked curiously, stifling a yawn as she did so.

"What's left of old Colorado Springs," Charity explained. "All the original buildings have been declared an historical site called 'Old Town.' It's about 15 miles outside the center of the city. The original settlers always had their town meetings at the church and the WALPOCS have continued the tradition. We're the only organization allowed to have formal meetings on the grounds," she finished proudly.

"Why don't you meet me at the church at 11 and that will give us time to talk beforehand," Charity suggested wisely, protectively mothering them both.

As much as Peter wanted to know why he'd been summoned, he saw the wisdom of Charity's plan. It was late, he and Sophie were both exhausted, and whatever the problem was, it would still be there in the morning.

"Sounds like a good idea," Peter nodded.

"Oh he's agreeing with me," Charity laughed, "he must be tired."

"Get some sleep, you two," she added, giving Sophie a hug, "and I'll see you at the church at 11," she finished, giving her godson a peck on the cheek, followed by a playful slap. "Sharp!"

As the admirably impressive woman disappeared into the lobby, Sophie slumped back against the banquette. "So…that's Aunt Charity…"

"Still wanna marry me?" Peter wondered aloud.

"Lemme get back to you on that," Sophie answered warily, giving him a similarly playful slap on the cheek, before heading off to her room.

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