Title: Day of anticipation
Chapter: 1/3 - a day for surprises
Fandom: The Doctor Blake Mysteries
Author: Ceindreadh
Type of Story: multi-part
Characters: Mattie, Jean, Lawson, Blake, Danny, Rating: 15
Spoilers: Set post S2
Summary: It's the eve of Blake and Jean's wedding, but they're not the only ones whose hearts are touched by romance.
Word count: ~ 3,000
Genre: Romance

Sequel to s/10651349/1/An-unexpected-gift-of-fate
Notes: This is a sequel to 'An unexpected gift of fate' which was written between Seasons 2 & 3. As such, I've ignored most of S3 in writing this fic.
Disclaimer. I don't own the characters, I'm only borrowing them, and no copyright infringement is intended.

"Mark my words, there'll be wedding bells ringing in this house before the year is out." – Lawson (An unexpected gift of fate)

In the end it was only about six months later when the wedding bells were ringing for Blake and Jean. Mattie couldn't help but think of Lawson's words as Jean put the finishing touches to the bridesmaid's dress she was wearing.

"I really appreciate you helping me like this, Jean," said Mattie, as Jean stood back to look at her handiwork. "I know you've got so much to do already, but I'm just no good with a needle and thread."

"Better not let your patients hear that," said Jean crisply, as she turned Mattie around so she could see herself in the mirror.

"Oh I'm perfectly fine doing sutures," said Mattie as she smoothed down her dress. "But something like this..." She almost gasped as she looked in the mirror. "Oh Jean!"
Then she caught the pensive expression on Jean's face. "Is everything all right?"

Jean sighed, "Oh yes, I was just thinking...all this planning...all this fuss. Maybe it's all a bit foolish, going to so much trouble at my age."

"You mean because it's the second time, for both of you?" asked Mattie.

"Well there is that," said Jean, "But it just seems so frivolous, not to mention expensive as well."

"You know that Lucien would give you the moon if you wanted it," said Mattie, reassuringly. "And it's not as if you're having a *big* wedding. I am your only bridesmaid!" That was true, thought Mattie. While Lucien had told Jean to spare no expense in planning things, the numbers were going to be small, being confined to their friends and some family members. One family member who was *not* going to be there, was Jack. Jean had written to him at his last known address to tell him the news of her engagement. She hadn't held out much hopes of a reply, but to her surprise, Jack had indeed written back. He'd sent her his best wishes for the marriage, but had said that given the circumstances surrounding his last visit to Ballarat, he didn't feel it appropriate to come back again.
Jean had been visibly upset by the news but Mattie had been somewhat relieved. Jack may have been Jean's son, but trouble seemed to follow him wherever he went and the last thing Mattie wanted was for anything to darken her friend's big day.

"I'm being silly," said Jean. "It's just that my first wedding, well, we couldn't really afford much, and of course we didn't have a lot of time to plan it." Jean bit her lip.

Mattie saw the look on Jean's face in the mirror and turned around quickly, "Jean Beazley is there something you're not telling me about your first wedding?"

Jean blushed slightly, "We didn't exactly tell anybody...as far as the people of Ballarat knew, it was just a premature birth. And if anybody started counting months, well, Christopher had done the decent thing and that was all there was to it. But it was just so rushed; we didn't really have time to think things through." Jean caught Mattie's sympathetic glance. "I didn't regret it for one minute. Christopher and I were very happy together. But sometimes I wonder if things might have been different, if we'd waited...if we'd been able to wait..."

"Oh Jean!" said Mattie, sympathetically.

"It's all water under the bridge now," said Jean, firmly. "I was happy with Christopher and I know I'll be happy with Lucien."

"I know you will," said Mattie, "And you've done wonders organizing everything. Even getting me organized." She pulled at the skirt of the dress, "I don't know how you had time to make my dress as well as your own outfit."

"Well, I do have to have my bridesmaid looking the part," said Jean, with a smile. "That reminds me, there's some remnants from the material left over. If they're cut to size and hemmed, they'll make a nice pocket handkerchief for Matthew to wear tomorrow. And it'll give you something to work on tonight with my sewing circle."

Mattie pulled a face, "Are you sure I should be there? You know I'm not really one for sewing, and besides, they're *your* friends."

"And so are you, Mattie," said Jean, firmly. "You'll be more than welcome."
The buzzer from the kitchen timer interrupted them. "That'll be the biscuits," said Jean. "You stay here; I'll be right back to finish that seam."

Mattie admired herself in the mirror for a bit longer, "Jean Beazley, you're a genius," she said to herself. The sound of a knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. "I'll get it," said Mattie, "It could be Matthew; I told him dinner was going to be served early tonight." Glancing at her watch as she walked down the hallway, "Although this would be unusually early, even for him!"

Pulling open the door, her intended comment died on her lips as she saw Danny Parks standing there, a suitcase by his side.

"Danny!" said Mattie, a smile on her face. "We weren't expecting you until tomorrow."

"Well my Boss sorted the rosters so I pulled the early shift today," said Danny "Didn't want me being late when I'm going to be giving the bride away." He looked Mattie up and down, "You look amazing!"

Mattie looked down at the dress and smiled, "What can I say? Weddings seem to bring out the best in my wardrobe."

"I wasn't talking about the dress," said Danny, looking her in the eye with an air of confidence that hadn't been there before he'd been transferred to Melbourne.

Mattie blushed slightly, "Well it is good to see you again, Danny." She put her arms around him and hugged him, "We've all missed you."

"I missed you too," said Danny hugging her back.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Parks, manhandling Miss O'Brien like that?" Lawson's voice cut through the moment and made Danny jump. "Unhand her at once!"

"Sir! I wasn't," Danny hurriedly took a step back. "We were just...she was just...I...I'd better go...go and say hello to Auntie Jean..." He nearly tripped over his suitcase before picking it up and hurrying inside away from the Superintendent's glare.

Mattie had her hands on her hips as she glared at Lawson. "Unhand her at once? That was mean of you, scaring poor Danny like that!"

Lawson shrugged, "If Parks wants to make a good copper, he'll have to learn to pay more attention to his surroundings."

"And I suppose you're always aware of what's going on," said Mattie, "Even when you're kissing me."

"Want to try it and find out?" Lawson smiled at Mattie, who laughed.

"*I* have to get back inside and let Jean finish this dress," said Mattie, "And there's still a lot to be done. Besides, shouldn't you be off catching criminals or something?"

"Reckon I could start right here," said Lawson as he stepped closer to Mattie and put his arms around her, "Run you in on a charge of stealing my heart."

"You'd never make it stick," said Mattie as she stretched up to kiss him. "You can't call it stealing when it's something that's already been freely given to me."

Lawson returned the kiss and held her for a few moments more before reluctantly pulling away. "I should go," he said. "I was just passing, figured I'd call in and check what Jean was dishing up dinner."

"Mmm, phones not working in Ballarat police station?" teased Mattie. "Well dinner should be ready by six, so don't be late, otherwise Jean won't trust you to get Lucien to the church on time tomorrow!"

"He'll be there if I have to carry him!" said Lawson. "I'll see you later." Lawson smiled as he tipped his hat to Mattie before walking away.

Lawson's smile faded as he walked back to his car. It wasn't that he had deliberately set out to scare young Parks like that, but the sight of him with his arms around Mattie, well, that had stirred up some unpleasant feelings in Lawson, and he had to admit to himself that he had come across as more aggressive than he'd originally intended.

Not that he was jealous as such, thought Lawson as he started the ignition. Mattie was an independent young woman, and if she wanted to hug an old friend – and Lawson was pretty certain that Parks wouldn't have been forward enough to make the first move – well, she had every right to do so. "Young," thought Lawson, and that was the crux of the matter as far as he was concerned. He knew that Mattie would never willingly hurt him, but she was a young woman and he was a far from young man. From that point of view, Parks would be a much better match for her than he was.

Lawson had been thinking quite a lot about his and Mattie's relationship the past few months. If truth be told, in spite of his initial agreement to 'see where it took them', Lawson was a man who liked to know where he was going.
Maybe it was Blake and Jean's impending wedding that had sharpened his focus, but he was giving serious consideration to popping the question. He'd even had a quiet word with one of the local jewellers. The man had come to the station to try and help identify some stolen jewellery that had been recovered and Lawson had ascertained that there was a nice selection of rings in stock that he and Mattie could choose from. That was of course, if Mattie said yes, thought Lawson. He wasn't sure what worried him more, that she would say no, or that she would indeed say yes.

"Well I'm certainly not asking her until this wedding business is out of the way," Lawson told himself as he pulled into his parking space at Ballarat police station. He admittedly wasn't that well versed in the workings of the female mind, but he knew enough to know that romance was contagious and a proposal made at or near a wedding, when a bridesmaid might have her head turned by the spectacle, well, it wouldn't be the first time a second wedding had quickly followed a first. Lawson didn't want that for himself and Mattie. Level headed though she might be, the last thing he wanted was for her to say yes in the heat of the moment, and then regret it in the cold light of day. "No," thought Lawson firmly, as he locked the car door, "When she says 'yes'...if she says 'yes', I want her to mean it. And if seeing Parks again makes her think twice about things...well, better it comes out now, rather than later."

With an effort, Lawson forced his mind back to his job. There were phone calls to make, paperwork to complete all before the end of his shift, not to mention the best man's speech which needed a bit more polishing. "Certainly not going to be able to work on it tonight," he thought with a smile.

While it wasn't going to be an official 'bucks night' as such, Lawson, with some help from Cec Drury at the club, had invited a few of Blake's friends to join them in commemorating his last night of 'freedom'. Lawson was going to put Blake up for the night, and fulfil his best man duties by getting him to the church on time the next day.

Blake had initially grumbled somewhat about being effectively banished from his home for the night.

"It's a ridiculous superstition," Blake said a few evenings earlier, although carefully waiting until Jean was out of earshot. "Not seeing the bride the morning of the wedding. Obviously I understand it wouldn't normally be the case where the bride and groom were living under the same roof beforehand, but I hardly think it's necessary in this case."

"Don't think of it being ordered out of your home," Lawson had said, patiently. "Just think of it as keeping out of Jean's way while she finishes up her wedding preparations. Last thing she'll want is you underfoot. Besides, her sewing circle are going to be there that night and I'm sure you don't want to be around for that!"

"Hmph," Blake had grunted, "Well I suppose that is only fair."

So all the arrangements had been made, and Lawson had to admit he was looking forward to the evening ahead. "Suppose I'd better invite Parks as well," he told himself as worked his way methodically through his paperwork. "Blake is fond of the lad." And if Lawson was being honest with himself, he'd much rather have Parks where he could keep an eye on him, rather than let him spend the evening in Mattie's company.

The dinner went well that evening. Jean, in spite of all her wedding related workload had produced a meal fit for a King, as Blake had said before proposing a toast to her. Danny had added his own toast to the happy couple. "Hear hear," said Mattie as they all raised their glasses.

"Matthew," said Blake, as he put down his glass, "You're being very quiet over there. As best man, don't you have anything to add?"

Lawson smiled, "I was just thinking about my speech for tomorrow."

"Oh I'm sure you'll do a great job," said Blake as he topped up the glasses.

"Well I thought that maybe I'd just do a list of all the times you've given me a headache these past few years!"

"Steady on there," said Blake, smiling. "I don't think Jean would approve."

"I certainly would not," said Jean, "Your speech should only be five minutes or so. That's nowhere near enough time for *that* list!"

"Thanks a lot, Jean," said Blake as the others laughed.

Once the meal was over, Danny offered to help Jean clear the table. "It'll be just like old times," he said, smiling as he carried plates to the sink.

"I've missed having you around," said Jean, affectionately as she washed the dishes. "But you seem to have settled in well in Melbourne."

"Melbourne's good," said Danny as he dried, "But Ballarat has always had its attractions."

Jean looked at him suspiciously but Danny changed the subject and started talking about the wedding. "I just hope I don't trip or anything when I'm walking you down the aisle!"

Once the kitchen had been tidied to Jean's satisfaction, she looked at her watch and nodded approvingly. "You should probably round up Lucien and Matthew. My sewing circle should be here soon."

"Yes Ma'am!" said Danny, snapping off a mock salute. He whistled to himself as he walked down the corridor, wondering where the others had disappeared to. There was a light under the door to the good parlour, a room which to Danny's knowledge had never been used while he had been living there. "Auntie Jean must have opened it up for her hen night," thought Danny. Curious as to what it looked like, and guessing that Mattie was probably in there, Danny turned the handle quietly and opened the door.

Danny's jaw dropped as he saw the scene within. Too surprised to even swear, he stood there watching Mattie and Lawson for a few seconds, before closing the door quickly. "Bloody hell!" he said quietly.

"Danny? Is everything all right?" Danny looked up to see Blake approaching him. Blake looked at the closed door and then at Danny and smiled, "Ah, I see. Come with me, you look like you could use a drink."

Blake escorted Danny to his study and poured a small glass for him, and a larger one for himself. "So, I see you've discovered the other two lovebirds in this house. I take it Jean hadn't mentioned it to you."

Danny shook his head, "Not a word. How long has it been going on?"

"Oh they've been walking out together for, well it must be almost six months now," said Blake, taking a drink.

"Looked more like staying in together to me!" said Danny, sipping from his glass. "I mean, the Boss...and Mattie. He's so old!"

"Lawson's the same age as I am," said Blake, with mock indignation.

"Oh I didn't mean old...old," said Danny, quickly. "But he's so much older than Mattie...he's old enough to be her father!"

"Well, yes," said Blake, "But he *isn't* her father. And the important thing is, they're very happy together."

"Still a bit weird," said Danny.

"That's love for you," said Blake, raising his glass and toasting, "To love!"

Oblivious to the near interruption, Mattie and Lawson were making the most of their time together. "I know you're the strong silent type, Matthew," said Mattie, "But don't tell me you're still thinking about your best man speech! Penny for your thoughts?"

Lawson smiled, "I suppose I was thinking about Parks, and how maybe he should the one in this parlour."

"Hmm, I somehow don't think you're his type," Mattie spoke in a teasing voice, but her smile faded as she saw the serious look on Lawson's face.

"You know what I mean," said Lawson, looking away. "He's your age, well almost your age, and he's certainly a damn sight closer to it than I am."

"Chronologically, maybe he's closer to me," said Mattie. She put her hand on Lawson's face and turned him back to face her. "And I'll admit that he's a lot more mature than he was before he was transferred to Melbourne. Danny is a good person, and I'll always be fond of him. Someday he'll make some woman a good husband...but not this woman. He's not the man I love...the man I want to spend the rest of my life with..."

There was a sudden intake of breath from Lawson, "Mattie...what are you saying?"

Mattie had spoken from the heart, and hadn't considered the significance of her words until she saw the look on Lawson's face. But even as she opened her mouth to downplay them, she realised that she didn't really want to. "I'm saying..." she said carefully. "I think I'm asking you to marry me..."

to be continued