Laura told Liv that she hadn't known her mother very well.

"You have a connection with her though, well two really. What happened with the maths teacher…" Liv saw Laura tense up. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought it up. It's just that sometimes I think I want to know more and she can't tell me and maybe you can."

Laura hugged herself to keep her hands still. "Perhaps one day if you are really sure, I can share some of it with you. It is my understanding that your mother and I had similar bad experiences."

"Yeah, I might regret hearing about it and I wouldn't want to cause you any pain, going over it." Liv shook her head. "The other connection is more in your area of expertise. You held her while she died."

"Yes, at Gresham College, after my orchestra rehearsal. Unfortunately death was nearly instant after the second shot. I didn't even have time to try and find something in her bag to help her with." Laura touched her arm. "I'm sorry Liv. I can tell you that she didn't suffer much."

"That's good to know." She hesitated, unsure of whether or not to confide in Laura. "I have this fantasy that I was on her mind when she died."

Laura could see the hope in Liv's eyes. "I can tell you this." She shivered at the memory. "There was a time when I was certain I was going to die. When it happened to me, I thought about the son I gave up. This was before James even knew I was his mother."

"You did?"

"Yes, and I expect she thought about you." Laura hugged Liv. "And I expect she always wanted to do this." After a few minutes Laura let go and they each tried to compose themselves.

"Her name means 'beautiful fairy'. It's lovely." Liv fought back tears. "I call her that. You don't think that's weird do you?"

"Not at all. James calls me Laura now. For the longest time, he called me Dr. Hobson. That's how he first knew me and that's what he was comfortable with. I'm just happy he talks to me and we've carved out a unique relationship."

"James is lucky, that he got to know you. And Fiona, well she was lucky both ways. Her adoptive family is lovely and she has the chance to know her birth mother. She has not wanted to have a relationship with her though. It doesn't seem fair when I wanted it so much."

"Yes, life isn't fair. We have to appreciate the parts where we are lucky."

"You're right. I mean, I have a great family while James…"

Laura inhaled sharply. "Did he tell you about his family?"

"No, not really. James has this way of telling you something without actually saying anything. It appears that he had an unhappy childhood and is not close to his parents."

"Yes, he avoids talking about himself by spewing out facts and quotations."

Liv nodded. She had made that same observation about James. "Before she died, did my mother have the chance to say anything, anything at all?"

"I'm sorry, no."

They heard Osborn outside the door and Laura let him in. Osborn had a quick greeting for Laura then headed straight for Liv.

Liv stared at the dog, and then dug into her bag for something. "I don't believe this!"

Robbie was sure there was more to the story James was telling.

"What happened to Medea's dog?"

"He looked forward to a long and happy life with her until…"

"Until what?"

"Hecate's daughter came to claim the dog."

"And Medea just gave it up to the daughter?"

"Yeah, she gave to dog to Hecate's daughter, Lyvus."

Robbie stared at him and opened his mouth to speak. Before he could express his disbelief, Liv came out of Laura's office, carrying Osborn.

"Oh James, you are never going to believe this. My mother's dog has been missing since her death. He found his way here and now Dr. Hobson has offered to let me keep him."

Laura walked into the room with a smile forced onto her face. Robbie looked a question at her and she answered. "He should be with Liv. I think her mother would have been very happy about that."

Liv sat down with the dog on her lap and hugged him.

Laura handed her some papers. "Here are Osborn's care instructions. You'll need these when you…take him..." Laura couldn't finish that sentence.

Liv scanned the first page. Her eyes grew big. "Look at the doctor's name. It's Leal!"

"Yes, do you know her?"

"No, it's just that, well I am always playing word games. And lately I've been fixated on my birth mother. I saw the sign for a pub called the Oarsmen and realized that if you rearrange the letters you get Ransome. So now I see Dr. Leal and-"

Laura saw what she meant and cut in. "Leal transposes into Ella. It's as if you were meant to see signs of your mother, Dr. Leal, Oarsmen, Dr. Ella Ransome."

"Yes! Oh sorry, it's just nice to find someone who understands. I used to do all the word puzzles in the newspaper with my Gran and now well, it's become a habit."

Robbie came and stood behind Laura, wrapped his arms around her waist, and whispered in her ear. "Are you sure about this, giving up the dog?"

Liv was overwhelmed. While she didn't get to hear her mother's last words she got an even better gift, Osborn. She talked to one of Ella Ransome's neighbors a few years back and that's when she learned about the dog and was given a photo of her mother with him. Ella adopted Osborn from the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary. Osborn had been there most of his first year and was not chosen because of his unusual appearance. She wanted him just for that reason; he looked like he needed someone to love him.

Her excitement waned as reality set in. "Oh, but I don't really know how I can keep him. I've started a new job and I'm going to be traveling a lot and I don't even know if dogs are allowed where I'm living now." She looked panicked for a second then it passed. "Dr. Hobson, I know it's a lot to ask. Would you be willing to keep Osborn and let me visit him?" Laura nodded, afraid to speak and become emotional. "And when I can I'll keep him for you if you want to go on holiday. James said you are planning a trip to Italy. I mean if I'm not on the road then. Oh dear, I'm not really prepared for the responsibility of caring for him."

Laura found her voice. "That will be fine, Liv. If Robbie agrees, Osborn can stay with us and you can visit whenever you like and keep him when it fits into your schedule." Robbie nodded. He too was at risk of becoming emotional.

"You mean share him? Oh, that would be wonderful. I wouldn't want him to be with just anyone and you've done so much for him already."

"And if we need backup I'm sure Osborn could stay with Donald from down the road on occasion." Laura was beaming now.

"Oh that's perfect, thank-you." Liv set the dog down and showed Robbie and James the picture of Ella Ransome with her dog. "I wonder why she named him Osborn?"

Laura first fell in love with Osborn for the same reason as Ella Ransome. "It is an unusual name for a dog." Osborn went over to Laura and licked her hand while wagging his tail vigorously.

Liv studied the back of the picture where Ella had written the date and the dog's name. "You know, if you rearrange the letters in Osborn, you get…" Liv looked from Robbie to Laura and smiled.

A/N: I am going to take a break from the story for now. I hope to come back with some fresh ideas for additional chapters or a new story. (A threequel perhaps?) Thanks again to the person who suggested I write a story about James being Laura's son, madmother2 for very helpful advice along the way, and Givemebritcopsnow for allowing her canine character Donald to become Osborn's friend.

And Asimurcwwt was right. I did enjoy this, especially the way LewisHobsonFan and Muffinzelda worked through my clues and silly word games.