"Dammit!" The box slipped out of River's hands and tumbled down the wooden steps of the front porch, worn cardboard lid flopping open leaving a trail of naked Barbie dolls and their accessories in its wake. Could have been worse. At least it wasn't the box of her Grandmother's china. Or her underwear.

She glanced around the lazy little street in the small country town and realized the likelihood that anyone saw anything she was doing at this moment was slim. Either that or some busy-body was watching and half the town would know by sundown the exact number of boxes she was packing into the tiny little white house with the red door that sat in the middle of Brickbauer Lane. If memory served and if things hadn't changed in the almost twelve years it had been since she'd shaken this same dust off her feet, there were two potential busy-bodies on the block. 

Sitting down on the middle step, a sliver of wood attempted to poke it's way into her thigh. She noted that both the steps and the floorboards on the deep front porch needed a good sanding and repainting, and added it to her mental list of fixes that had been growing since the minute they pulled into the drive an hour ago.

Hair fluttered across her face and she closed her eyes for a moment to take it all in. Dust and wood mingling together, and the faint scent of the honeysuckle climbing up the lattice on the side of the house, all wrapped up in the warm summer breeze. It was a stark contrast to the hot garbage and hot dog vendors of New York City, and thank goodness for that. This was home. Truly. It hadn't dawned on her until now how far away from home they'd been, in every sense of the word.

"Mom! This is not time to play toys, this is time to unpack." Jilly stood in the open doorway, little hands on her hips, in a typical Jilly-sass stance.

"I'm not playing sweets, I dropped your Barbies."

Jilly's mouth dropped open, exposing her blue tongue, stained from her favorite bubble gum, and she stomped forward quickly, eyeing her beloved dolls laying in disarray. "But Mom," she started, hands on River's shoulders, leaning in close, "they're naked," she whispered fiercely.

River struggled to hold in the giggle that threatened to bubble out of her chest. "I know," she whispered back and grimaced dramatically. "Why don't you help me pick them up quick so they don't get embarrassed?"

Jilly nodded rapidly and hopped down onto the steps before too many of them lost their dignity.

Two hours and countless boxes later, the two of them sat on a blue sheet spread on the wood floor of the living room, open pizza box between them, munching away on a supreme with extra peppers and onions, per Jilly's request.

The pen and notepad sitting next to River were screaming at her to pick them up and list, organize, plan, but right now was family time. At seven years old, Jilly was about the best kid anyone could ask for. Well, in River's opinion anyway, but then again, she was biased. If there was ever a time they needed to move, she was thankful it was now, when Jilly was young enough that she could make new friends and feel rooted to someplace.

The last few weeks had been a whirlwind and Jilly had taken it in stride. For the most part. Even bought River's suggestion that they pretend they're explorers sleeping in sleeping bags in the middle of the living room tonight since they didn't have any furniture yet.

There was a knock at the screen door and a familiar voice called out. "Hello? Candygram!"

River smiled and hopped up from her pizza, dusting off her hands and popping her head around the corner. Her best friend from childhood, Amanda Wixon, stood at the door, hands on the screen peering in. "Hey, no landsharks allowed!" She yanked the screen door open and was immediately wrapped into a tight, rocking hug.

"Oh my God, River! I never thought I'd see the day!" Amanda's green eyes sparkled as she held her by the arms. "Look at you! You look great!"

"Aw. Thanks. I'm a mess actually." She smoothed her hair back from her face and looked down at her tank top and ripped cut offs.

"Oh don't be silly! You're cute as a button, just like you've always been." Amanda's gaze wandered behind her. "And speaking of cute as a button," she said, releasing her as she walked inside.

Jilly was standing in the middle of the living room, watching the reunion from afar.

"You must be Miss Princess Jillian Marie Barnett." Amanda curtsied as Jilly watched her curiously. "Pleased to meet you your highness," she said and bowed, waiting patiently on bended knee.

River chuckled to herself. Never a dull moment. Same old Amanda. She cleared her throat officially. "Princess Jilly," she said, in her best hoity toity royal voice, "This is my friend Amanda."

After considering her new loyal subject for a few moments, Princess Jilly calmly took an empty paper towel roll and knighted Amanda. "You may rise," she said in her most serious voice.

Amanda stood and matched the serious expression.

"Do you swear to protect this kingdom and all of it's loyal subjects for as long as you shall live?"

Amanda nodded, "With pleasure your highness."

"Well now that you're part of the royal court, you'll have to stay and eat some pizza," River said, sitting down and patting the floor next to her, holding out a slice. They both sat.

"So how was your drive?" Amanda asked, accepting the pizza and taking a bite.

"Bouncy," Jilly commented through a mouth full of pepperoni.

"And long," River added. "But mostly smooth sailing. The moving truck was surprisingly easy to handle."

"Speaking of moving truck..." Amanda looked around pointedly.

"Furniture shopping will be happening tomorrow," she explained. She'd sold everything that she'd acquired jointly with Frank, along with all of his belongings, if not for the money than for the need to never see any of it again.

"Oh! Oliver's! I haven't been to Oliver's in ages!" Amanda gushed and sighed. "So what are you gonna do for tonight?"

"Tonight, we're explorers sleeping under the stars," Jilly added enthusiastically and pointed at their sleeping bags across the room, all laid out and ready.

"Well, look at that. I'd take a night under the stars over my boring old bed anytime."

Jilly beamed at her. "You could stay and explore with us, Amanda! I'll let you use my flashlight! It's purple."

Amanda smiled and patted Jilly on the knee. "That is so sweet of you, but I'll have to take a raincheck. Goose is at home waiting on me and he'd be awfully lonely if I left him by himself all night."

River nearly choked on her pizza. "Goose?" she laughed, setting her piece down. "You did not buy a dog and name it Goose."

"Damn straight I did! With you gone, who was gonna be my wingman?"

Loud barking sounded from the backyard and she about lost it, falling over on her side on the floor.

Amanda glanced at her. "Oh! You've got a dog too! YAY!"

"Jilly," River said, grin spreading wide across her face, "go let the dog in."

Jilly got up and trotted off through the kitchen to the backdoor, calling "MAVERICK! COME HERE BOY!"

Amanda burst out laughing. Maverick raced in and covered her with sloppy kisses as she patted him and rubbed his brown silky ears and Jilly broke into a giggle fit.

River's eyes stung as she watched them. Her family, new and old. Together at last. Why had she let it take this long?