'Blake residence!' Jean trilled down the phone, smoothing her apron that Lucien had been trying to relieve her of moments before. 'Hello Christopher.'

She tried not to sound too breathless, but Christopher could hear it even over the phone. He assumed she had run in from the garden!

'Mum, how are you?' He asked, starting the conversation. He hadn't seen her since the wedding but during their regular phone calls she assured him she was happy.

'Very well, thank you, how's the family?'

'Great, Amelia's walking everywhere now, won't sit still.' She heard the laugh in his voice, 'we wondered if we could come over. I've got some leave and as it's Easter...'

'That would be lovely,' she was delighted to think he had come round to her marrying Lucien and would be willing to come over and stay. They could take Amelia to the Easter egg hunt that the Church was organising for the local children. 'When will you be arriving?'

'Wednesday, if that's ok with you and the doctor.' He sounded hesitant.

She giggled, Lucien was nibbling her ear and up to now she had been able to keep a straight face, she nudged him with her elbow and put her hand over the mouthpiece, 'Behave!' she whispered.

'Mum?' Christopher wasn't quite sure what he was hearing.

'Of course it is.' Somehow Lucien had managed to undo her apron and get his hands inside her blouse. 'Are you coming by train?' She wriggled against her husband, which only encouraged him; 'right, we'll meet you. Er... Christopher, I've got to go, something's boiling over, we'll see you on Wednesday.' She put the receiver down and turned round to him, looking, or trying to look, severe.

'Lucien...' but she got no further as he covered her mouth with his and kissed her. She gave in, she couldn't fight anymore, and anyway, she didn't want to.

Lucien pulled away, 'Something's boiling over?' He grinned.

She smiled, 'Well it will shortly,' she looked at him from under her lashes and slid her hands down to his belt. Lucien was terrible when Charlie was on duty; mind you she was no better, they had so much to make up for. Sometimes they only made it as far as the living room, in front of the fire, and it looked like this was going to be one of those times! Lucien had planned it again, waistcoat and tie already off, shoes gone. She started to undo the buttons on his shirt as she slipped out of her shoes, he pulled the zip of her skirt down and it fell to the floor. She stepped out of it and dropped her arms so the apron fell too, leaving her in her open blouse and slip. All the while kissing every part of her he could, he pushed her back towards the living room, she tugged at his singlet and loosened the belt of his trousers, which he walked out of as they slid down to the floor. Their kissing and touching became more frantic, their remaining clothes were discarded and they fell onto the cushions Lucien had thoughtfully thrown on the hearth rug ready. Her breathing matched his now, hard gasps for air as he took her with a kind of urgency she had never known with Christopher senior.

They lay there together, her limbs wrapped around him, her head buried in his chest, panting with exertion. Jean giggled.

'We can't do this while Christopher is here.' she whispered, wondering what her son had thought about the conversation they had just had. 'In fact, don't you think we should act our age, instead of acting like teenagers?'

'Many a good tune played on an old fiddle, my grandfather used to say.' Lucien with a self-important grin.

'Who're you calling 'old'?' Jean teased.

'You're the one that mentioned 'age.' He sought her mouth again intending to shut her up.

'Luci...' she groaned as his tongue stopped her words, whatever they were going to be and, as he kissed her and touched her, she found herself wanting him again and he was ready to oblige her!

She woke sometime later, she didn't know how long she had been asleep, exhausted from making love. She was alone, but her robe was draped over her and the fire had been stoked, so she wasn't cold. She sat up and put the robe on, firmly tying the sash, and looked around. The discarded clothes were nowhere to be seen, Lucien had obviously tidied up for her, it made her smile when he did that after loving her. He would let her sleep, because he liked watching her that way, tidy the clothes away and usually make tea when she stirred. True to form he appeared, wearing his robe, with the tea tray and went and joined her on the cushions.

Lucien sat on the floor leaning against the chair and she leant against him between his legs, as they nursed their tea. Lucien had once remarked that activities like they had just enjoyed deserved champagne, but Jean was happy with tea, and he had soon found he was too.

'I suppose you want dinner,' Jean murmured, staring into the fire.

'Mmm?' He sighed, 'I suppose we ought to eat, keep our strength up!' He put his cup down and wrapped his arms round her, kissing the top of her head. Jean put her tea on the tray, and even though she was very comfortable where she was she pulled away and got up. She looked down at him and smiled, life was never going to be boring or safe with Dr Blake, and in the few months since they had married she had felt more alive than she ever had. He'd certainly shown her what it was to be truly loved, everything he did made her feel wanted in so many ways. With Christopher and the family coming to stay, perhaps her son could see just how happy she was. She took the tray to the kitchen and washed the tea things while wondering what she could make for their dinner that was quick and easy to prepare. It was too late to start the rabbit she had originally planned,

'Will omelettes be alright?' She called through, 'I've got some mushrooms as well.' Before they married she would have just served him his dinner and he would have eaten it; these days when she hadn't much time, she would suggest something quick. But then again, before they were married they wouldn't have been rolling around on the floor, naked!

There was also some fruit that could be used to make a fruit salad for dessert, she'd have to avoid too much apple, it gave her awful indigestion these days, unless cooked in a pie; must be age, she thought.

'Lovely,' he called through as he pulled the cushion covers off. Jean insisted they were washed after... Charlie never commented on the change of furnishings, if he even noticed. Lucien had quickly caught on to some domestic chores and happily did what he could to help Jean if he wasn't too busy.

While Lucien had gathered from the phone call that Christopher and his family would be visiting they needed to discuss which rooms would be appropriate.

'You don't mind, do you?' She asked as they washed up.

'Of course not, I'm glad he feels he can visit.' Lucien put the dry dishes on the table, 'I did wonder if I might be coming between you.'

'Lucien!' Jean was horrified, 'why?'

'Jean, sweetheart, I know I'm not his favourite person.' Lucien smiled, 'that he feels I took advantage of you.'

'Well he'd be wrong then, wouldn't he?' She said, firmly. 'You are my husband, my choice, I do not need my son's permission to marry.'

'Jean,' Lucien urged, catching her in his arms as she made to walk away, 'he is your son, your family; he's only trying to protect you.'

Her shoulders sagged, 'I know, but it's been so long since his father died, I didn't want to be a nun.' She leant against him and sighed, 'I need you.' She couldn't say how much she had missed the physical side of marriage, it was embarrassing. The truth was Lucien taught her much more than Christopher ever had, that love was for two, not for one person to take without thought of the other's needs or desires.

He wrapped his arms round her, understanding completely what she was trying to say. She had changed his perception of life, how to care and look after someone. His first marriage had been too brief and a round of parties, military functions; not staying home and sharing, this was a proper marriage, they were both learning.

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So, how will Christopher feel being a guest of his mother and her new-ish husband?