Tommy and Barbara looked at each other and laughed. Matthew and Emma were speechless, and Tommy recognised the look in Tim's eye as the young man looked at Emma.
"Did we shock you, dear children?" Barbara teased.
"Mum!" Matthew protested.
"Oh, don't be so prudish. Did you really think the stork brought you?"
"No, but you two were about to... in our kitchen! Every year?"
"Hmm, yes. Here or Howenstowe."
Tommy smiled at Barbara's smugness and waited for the penny to drop with his children. He did not have to wait long.
"Oh!" Matthew's face screwed up in horror.
Emma looked over. "What?"
"Our birthdays. September 26 and October 4. Were we...?"
Tommy and Barbara looked at each other and smiled. "We like to think so," Barbara replied. "Emma was certainly conceived that first week we were together. We were at it like rabbits until New Year, so hard to tell exactly when. It was easier with you. We had deliberately abstained in the fortnight before and then the week after, your father developed the flu. You were conceived right here." Barbara patted the bench.
Everyone laughed, and after a few seconds, Matthew joined in. He looked over at Tim. "Welcome to our family. Em told you they were quirky."
Matthew hopped off his stool and went around the bench and hugged his mother. Tommy moved closer and Matthew's extended his arm around his father's waist. Emma joined in, dragging Tim into the group hug.
"Merry bloody Christmas," Barbara said.
Everyone answered in unison, "Merry bloody Christmas."
