Evelyn fumbled through the darkened room and practically collapsed onto the bed, not even taking the time to remove her shoes before burying her face in the pillow to sleep. It had been a long plane journey and she'd been so looking forward to crawling into her own bed.

Douglas chuckled. "Still drained from the zoo?"

"That and the plane," she murmured. "I don't think I've ever had jet lag this badly in the past."

"You also didn't have two grandchildren to look after back then." He took off his jacket and flung it across the chair by the bedroom door.

"All I can say is thank goodness mine are well past that age." She rubbed the back of her neck. "They're adorable little creatures, but they really take it out of you."

Douglas chuckled as he switched on the bedside lamp. "And we only had them for half a day."

"I do love them though," she smiled fondly. "And Emily's handling all of it really well, I think."

"Yes. She is. Though I think she just enjoys not being the smallest for a change," he smirked. "I don't know that she's fully grasped the concept of what being a big sister means."

"Yes she has." Evelyn rolled over to face him, watching as he toed off his shoes to climb into bed with her. "I'm sure when the time comes, she'll be very protective of her little sister. You can see it already. She watched Laura like a hawk when she came to give Jenna her bath. Didn't you notice?"

"Oh, yes," he tilted his head thoughtfully. "I was wondering why she was following her so closely."

Evelyn smiled at him. He reclined against the pillows, getting himself settled before pulling her to snuggle up to him. She closed her eyes and laid her head on his chest. "She wants to be sure nothing happens to her sister. I think it's sweet."

Douglas snorted. "We'll see how sweet you find it when they start arguing over toys."

Evelyn chuckled softly. "Yes. I think we should enjoy the peaceful period while it's still with us."

She nuzzled into him and he gave a faint sigh.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You never sigh that way over nothing. What's wrong?" She poked his side, making him giggle.

"It's silly."

She opened her eyes, turning her face up to look at him. "I bet it isn't. Tell me."

"It was great fun coming back to visit and everything with the baby has been lovely. Jenna's so small and cute, and Emily dotes on her and it's all very precious but…"

"But?"

He sighed again. "Well, to be honest… I'm a bit jealous."

Evelyn frowned. "Of what?"

"Their family… their happiness… the children." He looked straight ahead at the door, trying not to meet her eyes. "I can't help wondering what it would be like to have a family with you. I know we have Kenneth, and Laura, and Emily, and now Jenna… but… I can't help wanting children of our own. Children that are yours and mine... and grandchildren."

Evelyn smirked. "Not to take the wind out of your sails, darling, but we're about thirty years too late to start on that particular project."

Douglas chuckled, the movement of his chest shaking her gently. "I know, I know. But I do wonder about it sometimes. What it would have been like if I'd met you sooner... if I'd started a family with you all those years ago."

She hummed her acknowledgement. "Tell me?"

"Really?"

"Yes. I'm intrigued now," she giggled.

He smiled. "Alright. First, I'd want us to have a large house in the countryside. And a dog."

She laughed. "Why a dog?"

"I've just always pictured us with a dog. A red setter."

She giggled. "Fair enough. Go on."

And I'd want our baby to have your eyes… and your laugh… and the little thing with your ears-"

She quickly sat up to look at him properly "The little thing with my ears? What 'little thing'? Since when do I have a 'thing' with my ears?"

He laughed. "You don't know?"

"No," she sat up fully and covered her ears with her hands.

He chuckled, gently pulling her hands down. He kissed her palms. "Relax. It's nothing really. It's just when you blush… the tips of your ears go red. It's quite cute."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?"

He shrugged. "I thought you knew about it."

She began to blush then, but he thought it best not to point it out.

"No, I didn't."

"Well, I think it's beautiful."

He smiled and pulled her back down to cuddle on his chest.

"So, this baby… boy or girl?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think I would have cared either way, so long as it was ours. I would have wanted it to be just like you." He nuzzled into her hair. "We would have been so happy."

"Perhaps," she smiled. "We can never know how it would have worked out. I'd like to think we would have been just fine. But I, for one, am very happy with the life we have now and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

He smiled. "Neither would I."

There was silence for a moment before Evelyn spoke up again.

"Did you really imagine all that?"

"Almost every day," he admitted quietly. "But I am happy with what we have now."

"And the bit about the baby… only one?"

"Sometimes I'd imagine us with two. A little boy and a little girl. They both had your eyes. Bright blue. But they were blonde like me."

She tilted her head up and kissed him, smiling against his lips. The kiss grew deeper, the jet lag quickly fading and desire taking it's place.

He smiled. "Not sleepy anymore, I see."

"Not really, no." She draped a leg over his thigh, moving her leg to tease him.

"And just what do you think you're doing down there, Mrs. Ainslie?"

She smirked, walking her fingers up his chest and gently undoing his top button. She felt his breath hitch and moved to nibble on his ear.

"What does it feel like?" she whispered.

He groaned. "You're a tease."

"You love me for it."

He pulled her back to his mouth for a fiery kiss, letting her feel just how much he loved her.

She chuckled in that low, throaty way of hers that always made his knees quiver. Then, she pulled him on top of her and wrapped her arms around his neck, curling a finger in his hair.

"What do you say we try for those little ones?"

He raised an eyebrow. "We won't actually accomplish anything, as you pointed out earlier."

"Yes…" she ran a finger over his lips and shrugged. "Doesn't mean we can't still have fun trying though, does it?"

She bit her lip, blushing beautifully as he laughed.

"Are you sure you're up to it… Nana?" he smirked.

She chuckled and narrowed her eyes at him. "You'll pay for that…" She reached down between them and squeezed his erection, not enough to hurt, but enough to hold his attention.

He groaned and blindly felt for the switch to the bedside lamp, switching it off before wrapping his arms around his gorgeous wife.

They undressed slowly, the darkness of the room making them more sensitive to the gentle caresses of fingers against soft flesh as they carefully removed various articles of clothing. Their desire for each other had not diminished by the years, or the grandchildren they now shared. They decided not to rush and took full advantage of the opportunity to really enjoy being with each other as it was the first time in a month that they'd had any real time to be alone. The evening was filled with tender kisses and caresses, until they finally had to relent to sleep.

He nestled his body behind hers, his fading hardness pressing into the small of her back.

She snuggled back against him until she was comfortable and he kissed the top of her head as he always did before they slept.

"So… shall we try again in the morning?" he whispered.

She chuckled softly. "Of course."

She took his hand from her hip to wrap his arm around her waist properly. Then, placing her hand atop his, she laced their fingers together, whispering one final 'I love you' before sleep claimed the both of them.