Jean woke suddenly as the sun streamed through a gap in the curtains. She stretched and smiled as she realised where she was, and that it was some weeks since she had woken up without her nightclothes on! She was wrapped in Lucien's strong arms; draped over him. She lifted her head to see he was awake and smiling also.
'Good morning.' He whispered, 'sleep well?'
Her answer was to move up so she could kiss him. Her wriggling up his body was enticing and he was more than willing to give in to the unspoken invitation.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lucien looked at her, sleeping. A slight smile on her lovely face, her lashes bouncing up off her cheeks. He slid his hand under the sheet and pulled her naked body close to him, she stirred and turned to rest in the crook of his arm, but did not wake. Lucien could just see his watch, it was seven thirty, Jean never slept that late, he grinned, glad that she could relax enough to sleep without worrying about Amelia, Christopher or Ruby. She badly needed the sleep. At times in Adelaide he had worried for her, she had worked so hard to keep from thinking about what was happening, sleep had eluded her night after night, tears and temper had replaced it. Now she could sleep as long as she wanted. Mattie would see to Amelia, she didn't have to rise at the crack of dawn, if she didn't want to.
A soft knock at the door brought him out of his reverie.
'Yes,' he answered softly.
'It's only me,' Mattie called through the door, just loud enough for Lucien to hear. 'I've made some tea. I'll leave the tray outside the door.'
'Thank you.' How sweet of her, not to want to embarrass Jean, or himself, by seeing them as they were.
He slid out of the bed, doing his best not to disturb his wife, and went to get the tea.
As he took the tray back to the bed, Jean stirred and opened her eyes.
'Tea? Lovely.' She smiled.
'Yes, Mattie left the tray outside the door.' Lucien answered.
'Just as well,' Jean raised her eyebrows, Lucien hadn't bothered to put anything on.
Lucien actually blushed at the thought that Mattie might have see more than was seemly. Jean burst out laughing and Lucien joined her, almost dropping the tray.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
'Thank you for the tea, Mattie,' Jean said as she appeared in the kitchen, washed and fully clothed.
'My pleasure.' Mattie smiled. 'Amelia's had her breakfast, I thought I'd take her for a walk into town. Would you like to join us?'
'You know I might,' Jean said. 'The house is tidy and there won't be surgery 'til this afternoon.'
'Good,' Mattie grinned. We could have a stroll round the gardens.'
'I'll just get breakfast sorted.' Jean said, she was more hungry than she had been for weeks.
'I'll do that, why don't you play with Amelia?' Mattie suggested and while Jean was surprised at the reversal of roles she agreed. 'Lucien said you were to be pampered for a while, allowed to take it easy. You deserve a break.'
'Thank you, I think.' Jean smiled and lifted her granddaughter out of her high chair. Amelia giggled happily and reached her arms round Jean's neck. Jean took the bib off her, wiping the last remnants of her breakfast off her face with it and took her into the living room. While she sat on the floor playing with the baby she mused they needed a safe place for her to play when surgery was in progress. They couldn't have a baby crawling around, unsupervised. She'd either hurt herself or break something. She supposed that would be when Mattie really took over. Her thoughts were interrupted by Lucien wandering through for his breakfast. He crouched down to her level and stroked the baby's head.
'Alright?' He whispered, she looked very thoughtful.
'Mmm...I was thinking, when surgery is on Amelia needs a safe place to play where she can't hurt herself or break something.' Jean looked into his eyes.
'Oh, we'll think of something. Anyway, we have a nanny, don't we? Maybe she can come up with an idea.' He leant forward and kissed her. He'd missed the spontaneous nature of their relationship and was going to take every opportunity to show her how much he loved her, even if it was just quick kisses as they passed around the house, touching hands, a quick squeeze when no one was looking, and even if they were, he needed her to know, that whatever life threw their way, he would always love her.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They had been home for three weeks when Jean suggested it was time for her to make her first visit to Ruby. She had phoned the home twice a week to check on her condition, and to ask if there had been any change. Always it was the same reply, she was comfortable, but no change. Lucien worried that this depressed her but she assured him she would learn to cope with it. She was not going to abandon the girl, she was family, and you do not abandon family.
They arranged a weekend in Adelaide, taking Amelia with them and giving Mattie the time off. They would visit Ruby, taking anything she needed in the way of toiletries and clothes. The home had said she was low on toothpaste, soap and shampoo. That showed they were taking proper care of her , Lucien said. They had found a hotel that had a cot they could put in a double room, which suited them, it was only for two nights. They travelled by train, it was a shorter trip than by car.
The hotel was a small family run establishment and was used to having small children as guests. Jean and Lucien found it suited them nicely.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They decided to visit Ruby the following afternoon and spent the morning strolling round Adelaide, the hotel had lent them a pram so at least they didn't have to carry Amelia everywhere.
After a light lunch at a small cafe they headed to the Nursing Home with some trepidation. Jean was more nervous than Lucien; he put his 'doctor's hat' on, it was easier that way.
Lucien took her hand and smiled, 'It's alright, Jean.' She looked up at him, 'You're just visiting a sick relative.'
'I know,' she picked Amelia out of the pram and took the required toiletries resting in the basket under the pram. She took a very deep breath, squared her shoulders and entered the nursing home.
'Good afternoon, I'd like to see Ruby Beazley,' she said to the nurse on the front desk, 'I'm her mother in law.'
'Of course, it's Mrs Blake, isn't it?' The nurse was bright and friendly, instantly putting Jean at her ease. Lucien was close behind, just in case Jean needed support. 'Dr Blake?' The nurse noticed him standing there, apart but close.
'Yes,' Jean replied, holding her granddaughter tight, 'This is Amelia, Ruby's daughter.'
'What a sweetie!' The nurse smiled.
Jean was shown through to Ruby. She was in a room with two other women in a similar state.
Jean smiled at her, she looked clean and tidy. Her hair had been brushed and her clothes were clean and pressed.
'Hello Ruby, how are you?' Jean did not expect a reply and didn't get one. She sat down in the chair next to Ruby's bed and held Amelia up to her. 'I've brought Amelia to see you, she's been ever such a good girl, you should be proud of her.' Jean lifted the child up and placed her on her mother's bed. Amelia snuggled close, it was nap time and any warm place was good enough for her. Jean lifted Ruby's arm and wrapped it round the baby. Ruby's eyes were almost dead but Jean thought there was a very faint flicker of recognition. It could have been her imagination, her hope, but Lucien had said that where there was life there was hope and she had said that if Ruby was to have even the smallest chance of recovery she had to do this every month.
Jean chatted to Ruby, telling her what Amelia had been getting up to, that she had a part time nanny who loved her, that she was loved by her and Lucien. She said Amelia seemed happy and contented. She was cutting teeth quickly and each one caused her some pain, but they had found a way to help her through it. She told anecdotes about people Ruby had never met but she felt she had to let Ruby know there was a world out there that would wait for her to rejoin it, if she wanted to.
They left after an hour. Amelia had woken up and was fidgety so Jean reckoned it was time to go. she handed the baby to Lucien and leant over to kiss her daughter in law.
'We'll be back soon, Ruby,' Jean whispered as she squeezed her hand.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
'Do you think she heard me?' Jean asked her husband as they walked away from the home.
'Honestly, Jean, I don't know, but we have to try. We can't give up hope, can we?' Lucien accepted that Ruby would never fully recover, or even recover enough to communicate, but Jean didn't need to know this. What Jean needed to believe was that maybe, just maybe Ruby may one day at least make one small gesture that would let them know she could hear them. Lucien felt the visits would do Jean more good than Ruby, and he was happy to indulge her.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They left Adelaide after Jean had been to Sunday Mass. It was important to her to try to believe in a god of some sort, but after all these years she was now worried that really god was something inside you. Not a higher being but the way you loved others, believed in them, that was faith. Lucien had lost his belief in god, and after what had happened she understood him more. He had more faith in his fellow man, which given what he had gone through was interesting, than in the almighty.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The taxi dropped them back at the house after a delayed train journey. Amelia was fractious and Jean wanted to get her fed, bathed and into bed. She herself wanted to curl up next to her husband and reflect on their trip. She doubted it would get easier but she was determined to continue as long as Ruby was with them.
Mattie and Charlie were waiting for them when they entered the house. Everything they needed was waiting for them, a meal in the oven for the adults, once the child had been attended to. Jean and Mattie fed and bathed Amelia, it gave Jean the time to talk to her young friend and tell her how Ruby was. Mattie noticed Jean seemed happy that Ruby was being taken good care of. The home had told her that Christopher had actually visited once. He'd not been available to see them, he'd told them he was busy with work. Jean accepted it sadly, but Lucien wasn't so sure and decided he'd put a call in to his CO. He was a reasonable man and had been kind the day they'd had to fend off the Liaison Officer. The officer was surprised Beazley had not asked for at least an hour's leave to see his mother when she was in town. He suggested that next time they planned to visit Lucien contact him and he would ensure he could meet up with them.
'Thank you, Sir.' Lucien said, 'I know my wife would appreciate that. I'm going to take her away for a well deserved, but belated honeymoon, soon. I'll arrange to be in Adelaide on the way back. If you need to get a message to us you have my number. There will always be someone in the house. While we are away Mattie, Amelia's nanny can always take a message.'
'I'll make a note of that. Enjoy your holiday.' The CO signed off cheerfully.
Lucien hadn't told Jean about their trip, he was going to surprise her a couple of days before they went. She'd bemoaned the fact that he had insisted she get a passport when they married and she'd never had chance to use it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jean caught Lucien getting suitcases out of the loft. Bigger than the ones they used when they went to Adelaide.
'Lucien?' She questioned him, 'what are you doing?'
'Oh, hello Jean.' He turned and passed her a case, 'here grab this will you.'
She took the case and put it on the floor.
'Right, that should be enough.' He pulled the loft hatch back on place and picked up the cases to take them to their room.
Jean followed, what on earth was he up to? 'Lucien?' She called.
She caught up with him in their room. 'Lucien, what's going on?' She put her hands on her hips, defying him to continue ignoring her question.
'Thought it was about time you used that passport of yours.' He kissed her cheek and went to get clothes out of his chest of drawers.
'What?' She took his arm and turned him round to face her, she noticed he had that cheeky look in his eye and she thought she was going to like his explanation of his behaviour.
'Well, Amelia is settled, she and Mattie get on well together, so I thought we'd go on that belated honeymoon. We'll be gone a month, finishing our trip in Adelaide.' He smiled and wrapped his arms round her.
'Oh Lucien.' She breathed.
'How do you fancy Paris and London?'
Her answer was to pull him into a passionate kiss. 'Thank you.' She whispered as she broke the connection.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jean waved as she got into the taxi with Lucien. She was as excited as a child, he thought. Mattie had assured them that Amelia would be fine and given the way she had bonded with the child even Jean was content to leave her granddaughter with her for a month.
She sat holding Lucien's hand, they were finally going to get a honeymoon. No one was going to interrupt their days and nights with urgent calls to attend dead bodies or panicking children. Just the two of them for a whole month.
Everything was going to be so new; she'd never flown before, never sailed before and she was about to do both. Lucien had said it would be a long flight before they landed in France. Then he'd show her Paris before whisking her off to London.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
She had to admit, to herself only, she wasn't keen on flying. It was long and tedious, even with Lucien suggesting places they could go, and the break in the flight, she would be glad when it was over. They landed in Paris and she couldn't be happier to be on terra firma again, even if she wasn't sure what day it was.
Lucien had booked a lovely hotel, their room had its own bathroom, a luxury. He suggested she treat herself to a long soak to ease the tension of the journey. She liked the idea very much and went to fill the bath. It was huge; room for a small family she thought, or two adults!
She added some bubble bath and slid into the warm water. She sighed and closed her eyes. In the back of her mind she thought she heard a pop. Moments later the bathroom door opened and Lucien poked his head round, smirking. He'd had pretty much the same idea about the size of the bath but was unsure if Jean would appreciate being disturbed at a time like that. He'd decided he's risk it, but he was feeling terribly romantic and the pop that Jean thought she'd heard was the sound of a champagne cork.
Jean turned her head, slowly. Lucien never came into the bathroom at home when she was in there, but there he was, smiling, holding two glasses of champagne and looking hopeful.
She smiled and lowered her eyes seductively. He took the drinks over to her and leant down to kiss her.
'Need a back rub?' He asked, suggestively.
Jean smiled and inclined her head towards the water. 'You'll get wet.' She whispered.
'Oh I think I can sort that out.' He left the room and returned swiftly wearing his robe and carrying the bottle of champagne. Putting the bottle down within reach of the bath and slipping his robe off he slid behind Jean and proceeded to massage her tired shoulders.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lucien realised the water had begun to grow cold, he'd been so intent on ministering to his wife's wants and needs that he'd not noticed until Jean gave a slight shiver. He got out of the bath and wrapped a towel round his waist and grabbing a large towel for Jean held it out to her while she also got out. He wrapped the towel round her and lifted her into his arms, carrying her through into the bedroom. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly.
Lying her down on the bed he thought she looked so beautiful. Her hair was naturally curly and she had taken to allowing it to dry naturally after washing it, instead of going to the hairdresser every week. Now as she lay there her damp curls slid away from her face and spread out, like a dark halo, round her head.
He lay next to her and kissed her. She put her arms round his neck and pulled him down to her. He moved one hand inside the towel to touch her warm, still damp skin and she moved her hand down to his towel and undid the roll that held it in place.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lucien leant up on his elbow to gaze at this wonder before him; sleeping, her chest rising and falling under the sheet he had draped over her. How did he manage to get so lucky, a beautiful woman who stood by him, even when he made the biggest of 'stuff ups' as Matthew would call them. Maybe, just maybe there was a god, after all! She stirred and turned towards him, moving against his chest and placing her hands on him. He wrapped his arms around her, he didn't ever want to leave this moment.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
He didn't know how long he lay there gazing at her, but she eventually opened one eye and smiled and stretched. He loved the way she did that, stretched. She somehow managed to lightly touch his legs and run her feet down as far as she could and tantalised him. Sometimes it was a tease, sometimes she meant it.
'Hello, lover.' She murmured.
'You lovely, wicked woman,' he smiled lovingly.
Her only reply was to giggle and roll out of bed taking the sheet with her, leaving him wearing nothing but a smile. While she was in the bathroom Lucien turned to the clock on the bedside table; six-thirty, and judging by the light outside, evening, not morning. Jean would be needing dinner, and come to think of it, he was pretty hungry, too. She came out of the bathroom wearing the robe she had retrieved from the back of the bathroom door.
'Dinner?' Lucien asked.
'Ooh, yes, I am a bit peckish,' she admitted with a grin, though she wasn't sure what she would be given to eat in France.
They dressed and went down to the restaurant and were accommodated at a secluded corner table. Lucien ordered for her, choosing food that she would like, rather than something completely odd, such as escargots. He'd always rather liked the earthy taste and determined to order them at some point and get her to try one.
Lucien poured her a second glass of wine,
'Are you trying to get me tipsy, Dr Blake?' She laughed.
'Didn't think I needed to.' he opened his eyes wide at her and grinned.
After dinner Lucien took her for a walk. The strolled arm in arm along the banks of the Seine, Jean drinking in the twinkling lights reflected in the water, and the sounds of the odd singer, serenading the public from under a bridge or sitting on a wall.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They spent over a week in Paris. Lucien took her to the theatre, on a riverboat down the Seine and over to Notre Dame. She drank in everything, gazing in wonder almost like a child. Lucien enjoyed her wonder. She had asked to be 'educated', to be shown art and architecture. They had wandered through Montmartre and she had wondered at the artists working. Lucien had made her sit for an artist and to humour him she did. The finished picture was of a pretty woman with loose curls and a charming smile, and over her shoulder peered a proud man with beard, twinkling eyes and adoring smile. The artist had noticed the relationship and the love between the two and had decided to add a little extra into the picture which he hoped would please Madame. Lucien paid him almost twice the asking price and Jean gave him a beautiful smile and a 'Merci.' The artist rose and kissed her hand saying she was 'une belle femme'. Jean looked at Lucien for reassurance and he beamed proudly that another man thought she was beautiful. He took the picture and thanked the man, shaking his hand.
Jean and Lucien walked hand in hand back to the hotel where Lucien found it fitted nicely into the base of one of the suitcases. He would have it framed when they got back home.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They boarded the Golden Arrow train from Paris to Calais, then on to London from Dover. The journey was overnight, which suited them both, allowing them to sleep instead of wasting precious daylight hours. Jean wanted to see so much, sure that this was her last chance to see something of the world. It made Lucien laugh sometimes and she chided him for making fun of her. But he said it made him see things in a different light, showing someone else places he had seen, and seeing those places through her eyes. The sailing from Calais to Dover was relatively short and smooth. Lucien and she stood on deck and he pointed out that as soon as the coastline of France disappeared the White Cliffs of Dover rose into view. It took her mind off her slight seasickness!
As they disembarked from the ferry Jean looked around her. the only time she saw the coast was Adelaide or some sandy shore. Dover was a seaport with containers, other ships, very industrial to her eyes. Lucien guided her through customs and on to the train for the second part of their trip.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Their next hotel was luxurious and although their room again had its own bathroom the bath wasn't big enough for two! 'Shame,' said Jean, smiling cheekily.
'S'ok.' Lucien replied, 'I can still rub your back!'
She laughed and agreed that would work.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
London was quite different from Paris, the streets were less wide for a start. They were busy and Jean found herself holding Lucien's hand tight as she was jostled with the ever present calls of 'Sorry,' and 'Excuse me,' and 'Pardon me,' ringing in her ears. True to form Jean wanted to learn about the history of London so Lucien took her to galleries and museums. But Jean loved music, her love of music had become apparent to Lucien when she sang to Bobby Lee's song as he played, turning a rock and roll tune into a ballad. Lucien managed to get tickets to see the newest musical showing, 'Oliver,' as well as 'The Mousetrap.' 'The Mousetrap' intrigued her but she'd know Lucien too long and worked out the answer before the end, he laughed and congratulated her on her detecting skills, suggesting he ask Matthew, or whoever was in charge of Ballarat Police, to enrol Jean as a Senior Detective. Jean playfully hit his arm and said all they wanted was a regular supply of shortbread! She loved 'Oliver!', she cried when 'Where is love?' was sung, telling Lucien later that night in their room that maybe that should be her song, because she had wondered for a long time, where love was. He'd kissed her and told her he would always love her.
All too soon their trip was over and they were heading for Adelaide. This time Jean really didn't cope with the flights. She was airsick, very airsick. Lucien was sorry that his was how her trip of a lifetime ended.
'Sorry,' she gulped, 'It wasn't this bad last time.'
Lucien had another 'light bulb' moment. Since they had come home from Adelaide after Ruby's accident there hadn't been a time when Jean had 'refused' him. He was a doctor, for heaven's sake. Get a grip Lucien! he told himself, she can't be! But there again, why not; she wasn't that old.
He leaned over to her and whispered a question in her ear.
'Don't be ridiculous, Lucien,' She paused to vomit again, 'I'm forty six!'
'Jean...' He mentioned certain things he had noticed.
'Oh, god!' She looked at him in astonishment, he could be right. There was nothing to suggest she was going through 'the change'; no hot flushes for instance.
He leant back with an infuriatingly smug look on his face. 'Just saying.' He closed his eyes for a quick nap.
Jean also leant back in her seat,' Bloody hell!' She cursed, and that was not something Jean Blake did.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OK so now we get to the usual conclusion, but I'll try to put a twist on it.