She knew Matthew had some business dealings to take care of today. Their important meetings were postponed until later in the week. And there was that appointment. With Dr. McDonald.

Rachel found her way downstairs for a cup of hot coffee. Rather than sit alone in the kitchen, she went back to her room and stood at the window, watching the sunrise fade. Before she realized how much time had passed, Matthew was knocking on her door.

"Are you decent Mom?"

"Come in Matthew."

He was dressed and ready to take on the world. At least the business world.

"You OK, Mom? I called to you a few times before you even answered me."

"I'm fine, son. Have you heard from Amanda within the last few days?"

"No…..not since she first arrived in Italy. If you're so worried about her, why don't you call her? You know she'd love hearing from you almost as much as you wanting to call her."

"Matthew……you know the women in your family much too well. Thank you for your approval, but I wouldn't want to bother your sister. She must be extremely busy."

"Not too busy to talk to you. If you don't want to call her now, call her once you get back from your doctor's appointment."

"I didn't think you'd remember I said I had to see Dr. McDonald today."

"Of course I remembered. Now I have to get to the office. Can I get you anything before I leave?"

"I'll be fine."

"I know that. You always are." Matthew gave his mother a quick hug and left. Rachel sat down on the end of the bed and took a sip of her coffee. It was cold.

Rachel's voice trailed off……."I'll be fine…….I'll be fine."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The models made it to the Luna Company in record time. Taj and Pasquale had their cameras loaded and ready to go, when Mariano came in and said there had been a change in plans. His brother wanted more outdoor shots to be taken. Because their work in Italy would soon draw to a close, the models did not argue.

"Where is your brother anyway?" Cameron wondered.

"Oh, he'll be here. He just had some business in town. An old friend is arriving later today and he wanted to make sure everything was prepared to his satisfaction at the hotel."

"An old friend? Do I know him?"

"You're asking the wrong person. He never tells me anything about his personal life……even though I am his brother."

Hearing that reminded Cameron of Gary and their similar friendly 'discussions'. "I understand. Believe me."

Taj was getting impatient and demanded to know the when's and where's of the shoot. "How professional is this? You tell us one thing and do another. Thank God this whole thing will be over in a few days."

Mariano understood everyone's frustration." I apologize for this mix up. I do. But my brother believes he knows best and where this is concerned, perhaps he does. Now, can we proceed to the vehicles and we'll get going."

Walking out puzzled by this last comment, the photographers and the models made their way slowly downstairs.

Whispering in Cameron's ear, Taj mouthed, "What do you make of all this?"

"I think we're in the middle of some big mystery and you know how some of those end!" Taking his finger and making a cutting gesture across his throat, Cameron drew a hearty laugh from Taj. Even Pasquale knew what he meant.

Showing the ladies the way, Taj and Cameron led them to the cars and on to places unknown.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Repetitive knockings at her door woke up a very peaceful Amanda.

"My goodness, Miss Cory, get a move on. The Luna's changed the location of the shoot and the models are already on their way there!" Carson shouted, pushing her way into the hotel room.

"Calm down, Carson….really. It won't take me but 15 minutes to shower and get dressed. Where's Paige?"

"I sent her downstairs to pick up some croissants and some juice for us. You don't mind do you?"

"No." As she grabbed a blouse and skirt from the closet, Amanda wanted to know why they weren't informed of the change in plans. She reminded Carson that this was part of their contract, that they be kept abreast of any and all plans/changes made to the scheduled times of the shoots.

"You know Giovanni better than I do."

"No I don't. Not really. But don't worry. I WILL address this with Mr. Luna when we meet later today."

"So now it's Mr. Luna, is it? What gives, or do I already know the answer to that question?"

"You may, but right now, I want to finish getting ready. Would you mind letting Paige in when she gets here?"

"I guess you have to make yourself beautiful for your new man!" Carson laughed, and Amanda sent her a stern look. Carson knew it was neither the time nor the place to bring 'that' subject up again.

Not now, anyway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The models were surprised to find themselves at the train station, Santa Lucia. Not only were the trains silent, the entire place was deserted.

"What gives?" Taj wondered.

"We decided…rather I should say, my brother decided…that the 1930's-40's were a colorful time in US history and what better way to capture the magic and excitement of that time than on film, and here. So many good-byes were said and so many lives changed back then, and that's the feeling we want to capture with your work today. So, Taj and Pasquale, you may set up your equipment to your left there, near the tracks. Ladies, your dressing rooms and costumes are to your left also. Gentlemen, to your right. Now, the sooner we get started, the sooner we can take an enjoyable midday break. Shall we?" That was their cue. The models each went off into their respective dressing rooms.

The ladies came out first. They were stunning. Long flowing dresses in full, rich colors. Their hair in curls. The corsets were a bit tight, but effective.

The male models appeared and even Alexandra gasped. Most were in the uniforms of the different branches of the service. Cameron came out dressed in a Navy officer's uniform. He kept tugging at the sleeves of the jacket, but Mariano assured him, as well as the wardrobe mistress, that he looked fine.

"Very nice!" Mariano chimed. He directed the men to board the train for the first few shots. He positioned some of the women on the platform, complete with handkerchiefs and 'requested' tears.

"Let's get some of these on film!" Taj and Pasquale snapped away. "Cameron, can you come here, please. Alexandra,…....you too."

Mariano wanted to make Cameron appear to be comforting Alexandra as his train was set to depart. He had Taj position Alexandra's hand on Cameron's shoulder while grasping for a handkerchief. Cameron was to take the handkerchief out of her hand and wipe the tears away from her face.

"Wait!" Mariano instructed. "Wait. Cameron, the look on your face….it needs to be one full of passion…tenderness..You're about to leave this woman who means more to you than your own life and you may never see her again. Now, can you do that for us please?"

Cameron nodded and he tried. Mariano was getting a little impatient so he had Taj and Pasquale switch to some other shots. He came back to Cameron just as a car from the hotel pulled up, with Amanda and Carson inside. Cameron didn't notice them right away.

"All right. Alexandra…..can you put your hand back on his shoulder? Cameron, take the handkerchief slowly out of her hand and look into her eyes." At that moment, out of the corner of his eye, Cameron saw Amanda. The change on his face was immediate.

"THERE!! That's exactly the look I wanted. Taj! You get that?

"Sure did."

"Now wipe the tears away…slowly….slowly…PERFECT! Cameron,Alexandra…… these shots are exquisite. Pasquale, how's your lighting?"

"Perfecto!"

Cameron had to agree, but to be sure, he wasn't taking about the pictures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The waiting room was full of patients by the time Rachel arrived for her appointment. She didn't have to sit long before being taken to an examining room by Dr. McDonald's nurse. He appeared within minutes.

"Good to see you again, Rachel. How's your family?"

"They're doing quite well, thank you. And what about yours? Is your son still involved in soccer?"

"Has been since he was six years old. He loves all sports. When he grows up he wants to play football during the day and basketball at night!……….Now, what can I do for you today?"

Rachel paused for a bit. "Just my regular appointment. And…..I found this lump."

The doctor tried to reassure her."Rachel, most lumps are nothing. Let's just check you over and get you out into this beautiful weather!"

During her physical, Rachel tried to keep her mind occupied. She counted the tiles on the ceiling. She counted the holes in the tiles on the ceiling. Anything to keep her mind busy.

When Dr. McDonald was finished, he told Rachel to get dressed and to come to his office. It didn't take long before she found herself sitting on that cold hard chair and listening to the doctor prescribe some medication for his patient on the phone. When he was done, he hung up and put his pen down.

"Rachel, I'd like you to have an ultrasound on your breast. I don't think there's anything to worry about, but I want to take every precaution just to be sure."

"When?"

"This afternoon if you have the time. I will have my nurse call and make the arrangements if you can make it today. Would that be a problem for you?"

"No it won't. Will you be there?"

"Unfortunately not. But I will get a report from the radiologist later this afternoon or tomorrow, and I will call you with the results."

"Thank you Dr. McDonald."

"Try not to worry Rachel. These things usually turn out to be nothing."

Usually.

Mariano couldn't be more pleased with the day's events at the train station. If he thought one shot was good, the next was even better. Carson and Amanda, too, were encouraged about how well everything went. Amanda wondered if Giovanni's absence had anything to do with it. Only two more days and they'd be on their way home.

The last film was loaded and taken about 1 o'clock. The models and photographers were then given the rest of the afternoon off. However, they were expected to meet in the lobby of their hotel promptly at 7pm, for some local shots around the city. Another early evening was expected.

In their rush to get away quickly, Cameron and Amanda snuck into a cab before he had a chance to change.

"My, there is definitely something about a man in uniform." Amanda whispered, just loud enough for Cameron to hear.

"Ma'am….is this how you address an officer? I am shocked."

"I'm sure you are."

"So where are you taking me?"

"You'll see."

Cameron wondered if Amanda knew what happened to Giovanni today. "He likes to have his hands in everything, at least the John I knew did." Amanda didn't want to talk about Giovanni now. This was their afternoon……..business was over, for now. No interruptions expected.

"This officer, once again, asks the beautiful lady sitting next to him what her plans are for him this afternoon." Cameron teased Amanda.

"Well, you won't have much longer to wait. We're here." The cab stopped. Cameron got out first and took Amanda by the hand. He recognized the place. He and Amanda had been here before. After Giovanni's party.

"Amanda, never let be said that you come unprepared." No, Amanda did not have a picnic basket hiding in the trunk of the cab. But she had spoken privately with the manager at their hotel. He was there, waiting. Before them and the clear afternoon sky, lay a blanket for two. A robust wine was being chilled. There was a zesty pasta dish ready to be eaten along with some garlic breadstick. A feast for a king. Or at least an officer.

"Thank you for your help." Amanda told the manager. He and the cab driver left the two alone.

"This food looks great and I'm starved. This business is harder than it looks." Cameron informed Amanda, plopping himself on the blanket and pouring two glasses of wine.

"I know that, perhaps better than anyone. The magazine business isn't all sunshine and roses either. There are deadlines to reach, board members to please…all of that. Much like what you have to do."

"Then why do we do it? I mean, it's not like there isn't anything else out there to do. I worked with my hands outdoors for a long time and was fairly good at it."

Sampling some of the pasta dish the staff at the hotel prepared, Amanda answered him, "We do it because we love it. It's in our blood. I know you haven't been a model for that long, but my family has been in the publishing world for as long as I can remember. My father, Mackenzie Cory was well known both in New York and all over the world."

"Funny. I never heard of him before." Cameron quipped before she gave him a playful nudge on his arm. "You know what I mean, Amanda. Corporate types have never been what I'm all about."

"So what are you all about then?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"As a matter of fact, I think I would."

"Then come closer, I'll tell you. But you must remain silent afterwards. A secret like this could destroy the free world as we know it."

"Well then," Amanda moved closer to Cameron, and put down her glass of wine and her plate of food; "my lips are sealed."

"Now, that's just the thing I wanted to hear!" He leaned in, taking her face in his hands, and gave her a soft, gentle kiss.

After that, food was no longer on anyone's mind!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rachel arrived at her afternoon appointment early. She was pre-registered, so there was no need to do any of that tedious paperwork. Before she had a chance to sit down, the x-ray technician called her name and took her to another floor where her tests would be performed.

The technician, Terry Miller, tried to make small talk, and Rachel answered but her mind was elsewhere. Terry explained that a mammogram of both breasts would be taken first. When Rachel asked why her doctor didn't tell her about it, Terry told her that the doctors expect, without asking for it, a mammogram before the ultrasound. That made sense. And Rachel knew that Dr. McDonald was more than competent, and if he thought she needed a mammogram, it needed to be done.

Rachel had everything explained to her from the beginning: the breast exam by the technician, so she could say where she had felt the lump, the mammogram and later, the ultrasound.

After the mammogram was completed, Rachel was escorted into another waiting area. She was told that the ultrasound tech would be by within minutes to do her ultrasound. Flipping through a magazine took seconds and changing the channels on the television set could not distract Rachel, no matter how hard she tried to make it so.

The ultrasound tech called Rachel's name and they went next door, where she was told to lie down. The tech opened her half gown and placed some warm gel on her breast. First she examined one side and then, the other, taking pictures of what she found. Rachel asked some questions, and the tech answered them as best she could. She didn't want to alarm Rachel, but the tech knew what she saw on the screen didn't belong there. She left the room briefly, then reappeared within 15 minutes. She told Rachel she could get dressed and leave.

"Will I find out the results of these tests sometime today?'" Rachel asked. The tech told her the tests would be reviewed by a radiologist and the results sent to her regular doctor.

Rachel could do no more. She had to wait.