Jean opened the front door expecting it to be Christopher and his family, but she was thrown for a loop when she saw the Lawson girls. She really hadn't seen them since well ages she thought. Matthew had not told her to expect them, so maybe he was unaware. She quickly stepped aside to let them gain entrance. Elizabeth smiled as she whispered, "Dad didn't know we were coming so we want to surprise him". "You are looking well I might add Mrs. Blake is it now" smirked Victoria. Jean led them towards the living room where Lucien and Matthew were having a fierce discussion on the best Christmas carols. The girls rounded the corner and as they did yelled, "Merry Christmas, Dad". Matthew leaped from his seat as fast as he could since his accident and wrapped his arms around both his daughter tightly. "Oh girls why didn't you tell me you were coming" smiled Matthew. "Then it wouldn't have been a surprise Dad" smiled Victoria.
Jean went to prepare tea for their visitors and Lucien took it as a cue to leave the family so they could reacquaint themselves. Lucien a course new Matthew had daughters, but he rarely spoke of them. He brought this to Jean' s attention while sitting at the table leaving them to talk. "Jean why haven't we seen them before now' asked Lucien. "Lucien, Matthew has been a single father for quite some time and the girls both graduated from uni and moved on were their own lives I would imagine" spoke Jean. He would leave it alone, as long as Matthew was happy and at the moment he seemed extremely happy.
At breakfast the next morning Matthew could not keep the smile off his face. His girls were home for at least a little while and he couldn't wait to introduce them to Alice. Lucien broke into his thoughts to ask how long they were planning to stay in town. Matthew just shrugged his shoulders in not knowing and left it at that. He didn't care how long he was just happy they were.
The girls had stayed at the Royal Cross for more than one reason. Victoria's husband was with her and they had a surprise for her dad. Elizabeth on the other hand had other reasons why, but was sure he would be shocked.
They were meeting later at Jean and Lucien's for lunch and the girls had called Jean to let her know to expect other guests. Jean didn't mind she was happy to have the company.