A/N: All right, I think there's a bit of fluff in this chapter, so hopefully that will help to offset the unbelievable angst of the past few.

Please continue to read and respond - feedback is like the cream in my coffee!

Thanks also must go to Leiasky - for so many reasons!

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A NEW DAY, ch. 19: Homecoming

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“It’s time.”

Alicia looked to River and then to Jayne and shook her head slowly. “If you think so. I’d still like her to stay for at least another week, but –“

“Another week isn’t going to make a difference,” River told her softly, reaching out and grasping the woman’s hand. “You’ve done all you can for her, it’s time for her to go home and be with her parents and her brothers and sister.”

Alicia secretly suspected that River was right and while she was still concerned for Rylee’s recovery, she knew that their treatments, after four weeks, had hit a plateau, and if anyone could continue to help her, it would be the child’s family, who loved her with more ferocity than anything Alicia had ever witnessed.

“I’ll sign the release papers,” Alicia said, standing and heading for the door.

“Alicia.”

Turning at the sound of her voice, she saw River’s sad smile and returned it. “We can never thank you for all you’ve done.”

Waving off her compliment, she told her, “You don’t have to River, I’m just really glad I could be part of the solution this time and not the problem.” And with another shared grin, she left, River and Jayne once again alone in the room.

“So, we’re really goin’ home?” he asked her, the excitement in his eyes causing her to giggle.

Kissing him lightly, she told him, “Yes, we’re really going home.”

“Thank the ‘verse, ‘cause man all these high-falutin’ folk is startin’ to give me an uncomfortableness.” He grinned wickedly at her and River returned the look.

Kissing him again, River tried to focus on her husband and his love for her and not dwell on what kind of reception she would receive from her brother once the