The Alaskans and a Special Visitor

After the departure of Katie, the household had settled back into its routines. Devonte guided expeditions, Douglas did some online legal work for other lawyers, and he and Faith continued to act as sister wives.

A year passed, and half of another. It was summer now, and Douglas could almost feel comfortable in shorts at this time of year. It was a surprise to him to see Katie, with a Black baby in her arms.

He brought her up to the house, trying to disengage and go chop some wood, anything to distract himself, but she insisted he stay.

"I named him Devonte," she told the father of her child, and he smiled brightly.

"Nice name, I approve," Devonte said, chuckling.

"I thought you might," Katie said. "And ... boy."

"Ummm...." Douglas said, hesitating. "Yes?"

"I know," Katie said, fixing her mother's eyes on him. "Who you are. Who you all are. Why you're here. I talked to mom. I talked to Lamar."

There was silence in the room.

"They forgive you, they know what you did for me. How you saved me. So thank you, boy. I mean, thank you ... Dad. And Devonte ... I'd like another momento from Alaska."

They all laughed.