The Unknown

Aunt Fay

Shane's pov

"Are you ready to go, luv?" Carrie and I are taking a little road trip this weekend. My cousin Nigel telephoned yesterday to let me know my Aunt Fay had passed away. Aunt Fay and I weren't terribly close, in fact I could count the number of times I'd seen the woman on one hand.

She was my Uncle's second wife and their marriage didn't last long, less than two years I think. Unfortunately, their divorce was rather messy so most of the family didn't keep in contact with Fay. Even though we hadn't spent much time together, Aunt Fay wrote me every month during my first year in the British royal navy. She was married to my Uncle when our family came to visit and the accident with my little brother occurred.

Aunt Fay was the only one who didn't treat me differently after that night. I never did thank her for the emotional support she provided during that difficult time and for all the letters she sent me while I was in the service. She would close each correspondence the same way, "You'll accomplish great feats in your lifetime Shane as long as you stay the path, despite the roadblocks you'll stumble upon along the way. I believe in you. Love, Aunt Fay."

Because she supported me during such a difficult time in my life, the magnitude of which was unknown to me until several years later, I wanted to pay my respects to Aunt Fay by attending her funeral. This trip will also provide me an opportunity to catch up with my cousin Nigel. Even though Fay was his stepmother for a short time, during most of which he was away at boarding school, Nigel still had formed a special bond with Fay and continued to keep in touch with her after she and his father divorced.

Perhaps the best part of this trip will be the time I'll get to spend with Carrie. I honestly hadn't even considered taking one of the girls with me until Mike brought it up. Julie and Stacey have basketball and Lisa has two important tests she can't miss plus she's still on an emotional rollercoaster thanks to her nicotine withdrawal so there is no way both of us would emerge unscathed after being trapped in a car together for eight hours. Carrie was the most logical choice, plus I've been wanting to make quality time with her a priority since the chem lab vandalism incident brought to light her feelings of neglect.

"I'm ready, Shane." Carrie gives Mike a hug goodbye as I put her bags in the trunk.

"I'll miss you, sweetheart," Mike says, looking in the passenger side window. "Remember, I expect you to be on your best behavior."

"I will, Mike," Carrie replies sweetly.

"I was talking to him," Mike says, gesturing to me as he smiles and pats the inside of the door before stepping back and waving goodbye as we drive off.

It was really nice to hear Carrie fill me in on all her teachers, classes, and friends on the drive to the hotel. The daily grind often causes us to miss out on the mundane and minute details but sometimes those details speak volumes about one's state of mind. Carrie was able to get some things off her chest and hopefully I was able to impart some wisdom with a side of good advice.

Since we arrived at the hotel after midnight, Nigel and I agreed to meet at 10am for a late breakfast.

At breakfast

Shane's pov

"Shane, it's so good to see you, mate." Nigel spotted us first and greeted me with a hug and a slap on the back.

"Likewise. Who's this lovely girl and what's she doing with a sod like you?" I asked jokingly, referring to the teen who looked to be around Carrie's age.

"This is my sixteen year-old daughter Ava. Ava, meet my cousin Admiral Shane Donovan and his daughter Carrie." Nigel smiled broadly. "We have so much catching up to do, cuz."