Dear Mother,

I apologize for the lack of communication, I have been very preoccupied with my new life. I would like to talk about what has occurred in the months of my absence, but only in person. If it isn't an inconvenience I would like to come in a week with a few people that are very significant to me.

Love,

Inara

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Inara and Mal danced until Cash and Sissy sang the last song.

As did Simon, Kaylee, Pike and Wren. The barn dance ended with everyone singing ‘You’re Never Lonely In Shadow’, half of the words drunken slurs, but one a song that brought tears to many a cowboys eyes. Inara retrieved Meilin from Zoe and they all piled into the wagon, exhausted, happy, ready for hard sleep and sweet dreams. When they got home, Simon had to carry Kaylee in, who was tired and tipsier than Wren all at the same time. Meilin was fed, everyone else was put to bed and eventually Mal headed up the stairs with his daughter snoozing on his shoulder and Inara leaning on him as her poise had been zapped by exhaustion.

In the morning, there was a bustle about the homestead that was not routine. As the skies were hazy with snow clouds Mal came down the stairs with four suitcases, the rest of the household staring as Inara descended a few seconds later, dressed warmly and holding and equally toasty Meilin who's head was covered with a cap that had a penguin embroidered on it.

Kaylee grinned. "All set?”

"Pretty nearly." Inara sighed back, setting Meilin in her basket before going to get herself some breakfast as Mal stumbled along with their luggage. The rest of it, as a stack for three other parcels were already at the door, including the shabby military issue duffle he had packed all of his wardrobe into.

“Do you have enough?” Mal asked sourly. “I mean really, you two girls are only gonna be gone for a few days, we ain’t tourin’ the whole system.”

“Cap’n, dontcha know us girls gotta have everything just in case?” Kaylee chirped, heading over to the basket and lift