As birthday parties for little kids go, Melody's party for her first birthday was very low key. Lunch was followed by the traditional presentation of her birthday cake while everybody sang. Melody stared at the singers, then at the number 1 candle on her cake, curiously reaching towards the flame.

"Don't touch it," Susan warned. "Hot."

"Mumm mumm mumm," Melody replied with a question on her face.

"You're supposed to blow it out," Jessie told her. "Like this."

Jessie blew towards the candle. The flame flickered but didn't go out. Melody studied her for a moment or two, then tried to copy what she did. She blew softly at the candle, causing it to flicker too.

"That's right," Susan told her. "Blow a little harder."

Melody did, but the candle still didn't quite go out.

"Help her, Jessie," Greg said.

Jessie grinned, and together the two girls blew out the candle on the cake - one blonde and one brunette, both with brown eyes - after which everybody cheered.

Cake was followed by presents, which Melody made a passable attempt to open on her own. Susan had to help her a time or two, and Melody became distracted by the toy inside more than once, but eventually they finished and the children were all returned to the play mat where they could play in a supervised fashion while some of the women in the family helped to clear away the plates and other dishes, taking them to the tiny kitchen in the cottage.

"Are you really willing to watch the twins for us tonight?" Marion asked Susan as she took a moment to carry a stack of plates to the counter where they could be put into the dish washer.

"Yes, most definitely," Susan told her friend.

"And you're sure of this?" Marion asked.

"Yes. Greg and I are aware that along with today being Melody's birthday, it is also Valentine's Day. We've offered to watch the children of any married couple who comes to the party for the evening, in honor of the day," Susan explained. "We thought it was the least we could do to give other parents a break."

"That was very nice of you," Barbara told her from where she was seated nearby with her older son, twelve-year-old Tyler, beside her. From her vantage point, she could see around the corner of the fireplace to the play structure where her youngest son, Cody was playing. "But surely you're not planning to watch all these children by yourself."

"We'll have our nanny, Rosemary and her boyfriend Neil helping us," Susan said.

"And Matt and I will be helping too, Mom," Ashley told her as she joined the other women in the kitchen while Tyler got up to spend time with the older boys.

"You are? I thought you were going out," Susan said in surprise.

"Matt did ask me, but once he told me about this idea you had, I told him we should help you. After all, we aren't married. We can go out anytime, but moms and dads of little kids can't," Ashley said seriously.

"Really, Ashley?" Barbara asked looking at her daughter in surprise.

"Really, Mom. You and Howard have hardly ever gone out since Cody was born. We thought about babysitting for you, but this makes more sense. Mrs. Abernathy can help us, and this would be more fun for Cody and Tyler too," Ashley said.

"So you and Matt, Rosemary and Neil, and Susan and Greg will be watching how many children?" Marion questioned.

"My two," Barbara said.

"Our three, and your twins," Susan said. "I know we have four, but Matt doesn't really count."

Marion nodded. "What about Julie's kids? Are they staying too?" she asked, just as Alan's wife, Cindy joined them.

"What are we talking about?" Cindy asked eagerly.

"Did you know Susan and Greg extended a babysitting offer for tonight to those parents who have children with them?" Marion asked her.

"You did?" Cindy asked in surprise.

"We did. For Valentine's Day," Susan explained.

"That was a really good idea. Can we help?" Cindy asked.

"We who?" Marion asked in surprise.

"Alan and me," Cindy said. "I think he's beginning to realize we really should be spending more time around little kids, and this is the perfect opportunity."

"Oh?" Susan said delicately. "Any particular reason?"

Cindy blushed slightly. "I'm probably not supposed to be saying."

"You're trying," Marion guessed.

Susan glanced at Marion in surprise before turning back to Cindy. She didn't confirm or deny it, but she was smiling broadly. Her eagerness to be a mother was palpable, and Susan smiled too. She remembered those days in her first marriage when she and her husband first decided they were ready for children. Now, after two years of marriage, apparently Cindy and Alan were too.

"I hope everything goes well for you, Cindy. I really do," Susan told her as she glanced at the play structure to see Melody trying to get to her feet using the stairs, only to be knocked down by Cody. Melody started crying, and Cody was so surprised, he started crying too.

"Oh dear," Barbara and Susan said at nearly the same time, as each mother rushed forward to rescue her child.

"I'm sorry," Barbara told Susan.

"There, there, Melody. You're okay," Susan told her daughter.

She held her in her arms for a minute or two until she stopped crying before trying to set her down again on the mat. But Melody wanted no part of the play structure anymore and clung to Susan. "Okay then, how about we visit with the other ladies, hum?"

Meanwhile Barbara was occupied helping Cody navigate the play structure without knocking down any more of the other children.

Marion watched them all attentively. "As I was saying ... are you sure you want to do this?"

"Absolutely sure," Susan told her. "It's Valentine's Day, Marion. Go out to dinner with your husband and enjoy."

"What about you and Greg?" Marion wondered.

"We'll probably go out tomorrow," Susan assured her.

"You know in that case, I think we will," Marion said.

c

Melody's party was over and most of their local party guests had gone home by four. Those who intended to take Greg and Susan up on their offer to watch their children left earlier than that, promising to be back with their children by six, after going home to feed them dinner and to allow some to nap for a while first. Meanwhile the Abernathy family did what they could to clean up after the party. The food was all put away and the counter used as the buffet table was cleared off. The dishes were done or in the dishwasher, and most of Melody's new toys were carried to her room. Those who were staying home for the evening had leftovers from the sandwich makings for dinner, while those who were going out got dressed and by six, were ready to leave.

"How do you want to do this, Susan?" Greg inquired when he realized Julie and Elliott, Jenny and Stephen, and even Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy were planning to go out for dinner. All of them were going to Edwardo's, the place Greg and Susan recommended for a special evening out. "The other parents will be here with their children soon."

"They will be, but everyone will be fed before they come. We'll have porta cribs to set up for the little ones for those who need them. I thought Matt, Ashley, Cindy and I could watch the youngest children in the cottage, if you'd be willing to watch the older ones here. I thought perhaps Rosemary and Neil, and maybe Alan could go back and forth?" Susan suggested.

"They're not going out?" Greg asked in surprise.

"No. Rosemary and Neil went out last night and I think Alan and Cindy are doing something tomorrow, but for tonight they all volunteered to help us out," Susan told her husband.

Greg arched a brow. "With that many people helping, I'm sure it will work out."

"Do you need Ruth and I to help too?" Reuben wondered as he caught the fringes of their conversation.

"Probably not necessary, Reuben," Greg told him.

"Maybe not, but this is an excellent opportunity to observe Rosemary and Neil," Reuben remarked.

"Do they need observing?" Susan wondered.

"Only in the celestial sense," Reuben assured her. "Given our conversation with Rabbi Sloane last December, I can't help wondering how things are progressing ... if you know what I mean."

"I do and they are," Susan assured him. "Rosemary is dating Neil exclusively now. He's here to pick her up after work at least once a week, and they spend nearly every weekend together."

"Indeed. That does represent a change," Reuben remarked. He looked about to say something more about it when upstairs, the doorbell rang.

"Excuse me, Reuben. Maybe we could talk about it later?" Susan said.

"Of course," Reuben agreed and he watched as Susan went to answer the front door.

"I'll be right back," Greg promised as he followed far enough to hear Richard and Marion at the door with the twins. "I'll bring Melody to the cottage," Greg promised as he came up behind her.

"Thank you. Please tell Matt ... it's time," Susan said.

"I will. I'll let Alan and Cindy know too. Is Ashley coming back with her mother?" Greg asked.

"I think so," Susan told him, and she followed their friends out the front door.

c

Richard and Marion were dressed up more than Susan was used to seeing them as they walked to the cottage together and she opened the front door.

"Are you going someplace special?" Susan wondered.

"Edwardo's. It's in the old Monte Nido house, up on the hill," Marion told her with a smile. "I hear it's really good."

"It is. Greg and I went there for our anniversary. It's an interesting place and the food is well prepared. We enjoyed it very much," Susan said.

"Marion's been really looking forward to it," Richard said.

Susan smiled at their friends. "Have a wonderful time."

"We will. Now, the twins have both been fed, but they can have juice if they want something before bedtime," Marion began and she went through the things Susan would need to know during the hours she and Richard expected to be gone.

Barbara and her husband, Howard, were next in arriving, dropping off all three of their children; Ashley to help with the childcare and the other two to be looked after by Susan and those she'd recruited.

"Have a lovely time," Susan said as the couple left.

"We will," Barbara assured her. "Thank you again. We'll be back by ten."

Jessie came to the cottage with Matt when he did, carrying Melody. They were followed soon after by Susan's nieces, Amber and Lisa, who envisioned themselves as additional babysitters rather than two of the children being cared for. They were accompanied by Cindy who was eager to help care for the many babies too.

"That leaves only the boys in the house," Susan remarked. "I hope Greg can handle all four of them."

"Alan is helping," Cindy assured her.

"Rosemary and Neil are too," Susan said.

"Mrs. Abernathy, is it okay if I go hang out with the other boys?" Tyler, Ashley's twelve year old brother asked.

"Yes, you can. Matt, can you show Tyler through the cave?" Susan asked.

"Sure, Mom," Matt said. "I'll be right back, Ash."

"Okay," Ashley agreed.

Susan smiled, and the two of them turned their attention to entertaining the four toddlers and three pre-teen girls who were in their care.

c

Meanwhile in the house, Greg and Reuben were talking in the library. Ruth was reading in the living room, and the boys were all in the family room playing video games on the family's large screen TV. Zackary, Aaron, Jake, Chris, and Tyler were all there. Neil was playing with them, so was Alan, essentially releasing Greg from needing to do anything. Rosemary stayed with them for a while, but eventually she became bored and joined the older men up the half-flight of stairs.

"You know, I've never met anyone who enjoys history the way you two do," Rosemary remarked after listening to them for a time.

"It is a passion of mine," Reuben admitted. "One that Greg and I share, much to my wife's chagrin."

"I suppose it is good to have a hobby. At least that's what I keep telling Neil," Rosemary commented.

"Does he have a hobby the two of you share?" Greg asked curiously.

"He does have a hobby, but it's not really one we share. He enjoys spelunking, as you know, but crawling around in the dark underground doesn't really appeal to me." Rosemary shivered slightly.

"Is it the dark that bothers you?" Greg asked curiously.

"Not really. I mean, I don't mind being in a dark room or outside in the dark ... but when you're in a cave and the light goes out, things can become very dangerous very fast. I have nightmares like that sometimes, so it's not really something I see as relaxing or enjoyable when I'm awake," she shared.

"I suppose not," Reuben said. "Have you ever been in a cave when something like that has happened?"

"Not that I can recall. It's odd, really. It's the sort of thing I feel like has actually happened to me ... but it couldn't have ... not in this century," she told them.

"Perhaps you are simply aware of the dangers one could encounter in a place of that sort in the past," Greg suggested.

Rosemary stared at him. "Possibly," she said. "I do know that unexplored caves can be dangerous ... there can be poisonous gas in them that can be very dangerous."

"More so than the chance of a fall?" Greg asked curiously.

"A fall ... I suppose that could also happen in a cave without a light, but it is less likely to happen if one stays close to the wall," Rosemary remarked.

"Perhaps," Greg told her.

"So I doubt you were talking about caves," Rosemary said.

"No, we were talking about ancient roads, and the habits of people traveling on them," Reuben said.

"What sorts of ancient roads?" Rosemary asked. "Do you mean something like nomadic trails? Or something closer to the old Roman roads? Like they have in Europe?"

Reuben exchanged a look with Greg. "Do you think that could have been a Roman road we were speaking of?"

Greg arched a brow. "An interesting question: could the road we've spoken of so many times before, have originally been built as a Roman road?"

"I believe the route between the city and the point of the crossroads was a major one. Given the period we were speaking of, it is possible it was," Reuben said thoughtfully.

Rosemary blinked as she studied the two men. "You're just randomly talking about some old road somewhere?"

"Not a random road, but rather a specific one," Greg told her.

"Indeed not. Greg has been telling me of a road he believes once ran from London to someplace north east of there," Reuben related.

"What kind of place?" Rosemary asked curiously. "A city or a castle or something like that?"

"That was what we were speculating about," Reuben told her. "It was most likely a settlement at the very least."

"More than likely it was near one," Greg agreed.

"Perhaps looking at a map of ancient Roman roads could give us a clue?"

"Perhaps. I imagine there were once a number of Roman roads extending from London more or less north into the countryside," Greg speculated.

"True, but they all would have gone to specific places," Rosemary told them.

"I suppose that is true," Greg agreed.

"Indeed. That is something we haven't looked into before," Reuben commented.

Rosemary cocked her head. "Are you looking for something? Something specific?" she wondered.

"In a way," Greg told her carefully. "What do you know of visions, Rosemary?"

"Visions? You mean like dreams? Dreams that mean something?" she asked.

"Or dreams that are memories," Greg supplied.

Rosemary stared at him. "Visions are glimpses into the future. Dreams are of the past. They are entirely different."

"And you know that, do you?" Reuben asked.

"I have made a minor study of it," Rosemary admitted. "It used to be a hobby of mine, although Rabbi Sloane tells me I'm too young to study it seriously."

Greg considered Rosemary thoughtfully for a moment. "You've talked to Rabbi Sloane about visions and dreams while at Temple?"

Shyly, Rosemary nodded.

"And he told you, you're too young," Greg said.

"Yes. I suppose I am ..." Rosemary said hesitantly.

"For a formal study of the kabbalah, certainly you are young. However you might ask him about the teachings of Zohar sometime. Those are also related to dreams ... and you might find he is more open to discussing it with you at your age," Greg advised.

Rosemary shrugged. "Maybe I will, if I continue to look into it."

"Isn't it of interest to you anymore?" Greg wondered.

"Not since I met Neil. He's not very interested in metaphysical sorts of things," Rosemary shared. "I'm lucky to get him to come with me to Temple most of the time."

"That doesn't surprise me," Greg told her seriously. "His faith was severely shaken when his father died."

"And his mother," Rosemary told him unexpectedly. "Sometimes I'm not surprised his faith was affected so badly by all that. I think mine would be too, if I lost my mom and dad."

"I believe you have what it takes to persevere," Greg told her seriously.

"You do?" Rosemary said in surprise.

"I do. What's more, I think it is within you to bolster the faith of any man you care about to a very great degree," Greg said.

"I don't know about that," Rosemary said doubtfully.

Greg studied her intently for a moment or two. "Do not sell yourself short for where your true talents lie."

"I don't know why you say that," Rosemary protested.

Greg considered what he would say. He knew the reason, but the answer he gave had to be something she was ready to hear.

"Anyone who makes a hobby of the things one can learn through dreams is capable of a great many things," Greg said cautiously. "And, in my opinion, one is never too young to learn from what the past can tell us."

Rosemary looked at him in surprise. "The past ... as in past lives? Is that why you like to talk about history?"

"It is," Greg said.

"Is it for you too?" she asked Reuben.

"I find it a fascinating subject," Reuben told her truthfully. "And I've discovered it interests Greg more than it does my wife, so we tend to talk about it whenever we have the chance to get together."

Rosemary nodded. "The whole idea of the past in that sense ... Some people find it a deep and dark subject ... not unlike a cave, I suppose." She sat thinking for a minute or two. "Hum. I never thought of it like that before. Maybe Neil and I actually are interested in the same things, just expressed in different ways."

And with that she returned to the family room where Neil was entertaining himself with the rest of the boys.

Reuben regarded Greg thoughtfully after she left.

"What are you thinking, Reuben?" Greg asked.

"I think there are more layers to this mystery than either you or I ever supposed," Reuben said.

"How do you mean?"

"I too have nightmares about being lost in the dark in a cave. Curious that Rosemary has that particular dream also."

"Do you?" Greg asked.

"Yes. Don't you?" Reuben checked.

Greg considered the question thoughtfully. "I'm not sure. Such a notion has never occurred to me before."

"Then it isn't something you dream about repeatedly?" Reuben asked.

"No, I don't think so," Greg told him. "But you do."

"Yes, I do. And since Rosemary does too, I find it curious that Neil is drawn to them so thoroughly. I wonder if perhaps he also dreams about them," Reuben speculated.

Greg looked at him with a start. It never occurred to him Neil might have dreams of that sort, though come to think of it, Madeline's reaction to his own nightmares and dreams was always to treat them as routine. He'd thought at the time, that was simply a characteristic of hers; but if her son, Neil, had them too ... if he'd had nightmares while growing up as a child, it was Madeline who would have known about it, not him.

"There may be something to that," Greg said. "If you will excuse me. I think perhaps I should check on how Susan is doing with the younger children in the cottage."

"Of course," Reuben said, and he went upstairs to join his wife. It was after all, Valentine's Day, and it wouldn't do to make her spend the entire evening on her own.

c