This chapter is not so long you'll all be pleased to hear

Thanks again Sarah. You'll have to wait and see if you're right I won't give anything away.


They dropped the kids at school and their weekend stuff off with her parents before heading off. They arrived at a small hotel in the mountains away from everywhere.

"This place is beautiful" Jess gushed.

"Y'ain't even been inside yet" Luke said getting the bags from the car.

Jess went to help him "Let's go then"

They checked in and went up to their room. They put the bags down and Jess opened the french doors onto a small balcony overlooking nothing but the hills. "I love it"

Luke came out behind her and put his arms round her "It ain't quite Jacksons Hollow"

"But it's just as good. How did you find it?"

"Friend of Steve's has stayed here, he thought you'd like it"

"I love the mountains"

"I know"

They stood for a while looking at the view before Jess said excitedly "Come on. Let's go exploring"

Luke smiled at the little girl attitude she adopted when she had no responsibilities. "Where?"

"We can walk to the village we came through back down the road" she said as she went in.

"OK" He called after her

She came back out "And Luke........thank you for convincing me to come"

"I'm glad ya did"

"Me too" He went to kiss her but she grabbed his hand "Come on"

They walked to the village and had a look around before stopping at a bar for a drink. Jess pulled out her mobile phone and started dialling. "What ya doin'?'" Luke asked

"Just calling the kids they'll be home now" Luke chuckled and shook his head "You don't mind do you?" she asked with a frown.

"Wouldn't matter if I did. If I thought I'd get ya to myself for three days without ya talking to them, I'd be foolin' myself" He smiled

"Thank you" She kissed his cheek

"One quick call Mama Bear" She smiled as she put the phone to her ear. They both talked to the kids and they stayed and ate before walking back to the hotel. It was already quite dark and the country lanes were unlit.

"It's a good job its a clear night or we'd never find our way back"

"We'd've had to get a cab" Luke deduced

"But that's not as much fun" Jess twirled down the road arms outstretched.

"Jess!! You're wild!"

She laughed "Yep, I'm crazy, remember?"

Luke laughed and caught her up He picked her up and span her round.

Back at the hotel, they took cups of coffee onto the balcony. Luke had dragged the small sofa out and they sat cuddled up looking at the stars over the hills. "Luke play something"

"Play what?"

"Anything. You brought your guitar"
"OK" She sat up so he could move.

He came back and sat back down. He had his arm round her and could just reach to play. He sang a gentle song and Jess closed her eyes. When he finished she was nearly asleep. Luke put the guitar down and took her cup from her. "Hey I was listening" She mumbled.

"You need to go to bed"

She opened one eye and smiled. "You need to sleep" he clarified. He helped her up and they went in.

Jess went to her bag to find her pyjamas. "Hey, thought y'all might want this" Luke said throwing her the shirt she'd worn in Nashville. She smiled as she caught it and went to get changed. Luke changed and brought the things in from the balcony. Jess came out of the bathroom as he was about to close the curtains. "Can you leave them? I like to see the mountains." Luke smiled and left them and they got into bed. Jess rested her head on his chest Luke's arms round her. "I could get used to this" Luke said quietly one hand stroking her hair.

"I already have" Jess replied

They woke up the same way they had gone to sleep. Luke was looking out at the view "It's beautiful" Jess said following his gaze.

He looked down "You're beautiful" He kissed the top of her head.

"What were you thinking" Jess asked

"Just that it was like bein' back home" Jess smiled and kissed him. For all his years in Montana, he still got homesick for Hazzard. There was a knock at the door. Luke went to answer it still in his pyjama trousers. He came back with a trolly loaded with food. "Breakfast in bed"

Jess sat up "Let's take it outside"

"Won't it be too cold?"

"Nah," She jumped off the bed dragging the duvet with her.

Luke laughed and went to drag the sofa back out. They huddled under the duvet looking at the mountains, eating and talking."So what do you want to do today" She asked.

"Whatever ya want. We could go climb a mountain I guess."

"There's a path by the gate that leads to some kind of statue at the top"

"Let's go then"

They tidied up the breakfast things and put everything back where it was supposed to be. Jess collected her clothes and was about to go and change when Luke grabbed hold of her. "You sure look good in my shirt"

Jess smirked, "Keith Urban sang that"

"Did he now?" Luke returned the smirk as he kissed her.

He went to put the kettle on. She pulled her hair back into a messy ponytail as she crossed the room and slid her arms round his waist. "I love you Luke Duke"

"And I love you too Jess Aspen" His arms went round her shoulders as he kissed the top of her head. Right then there was such an intense feeling, not just love or passion. But the feeling that they wanted to hang on and never let go, stay forever that closely entwined and never leave each other's sight. But as in all fairy tales, reality always steps in. They drank their coffee as they got ready and went and climbed the mountain.

Standing at the top in the late autumn sun, the view was breathtaking and they felt like they were the only people in the world right then as they stood arms round each other looking out, Jess's head resting on Luke's shoulder. "This is so beautiful" She sighed.

"It's as perfect as God coulda made it". Jess smiled at him as he stroked her hair. "Jess, ya know I love ya right" He turned to face her.

"I hope so"

"Well, I wanna ask ya somethin', somethin' kinda important."

She stopped smiling, slightly worried. Whatever it was he was going to say seemed serious. "Jess, I know things have moved kinda fast and it ain't been that long since ya turned up in Hazzard and I gotta go back soon and......" He stopped realising he was rambling and Jess was frowning. In one movement he grabbed her hands in his and dropped onto one knee on the grass blurting out "Marry me Jess".

She gasped and for a moment did nothing. "Say somethin' " He almost pleaded.

"I.... It's......I..." She stammered biting her lip unable to speak as she dropped to her knees to face him.

"I know it wouldn't be easy.." He began to ramble again but slower this time.

She dropped her head and took a deep breath, "Yes" She said quietly looking back up at him.

"What with kids and all, and livin in two places and......"

"Luke, I said yes" she repeated

He paused "You said yes?"

She nodded still biting her lip.

"Ya mean it, you'll marry me?"

She nodded again.

Luke let out a rebel yell that echoed round the hills as he pulled her too her feet. He promptly swept her off them again as he span her round laughing and kissing her. Eventually, they flopped breathlessly onto the grass. As they sat looking out with his arm round her she said "Luke..... I said yes.....but.."

"The kids, I know" he finished her thought. He kissed the top of her head "It's enough to know ya said yes whatever happens"

He pulled out a ring and slid it onto her finger and kissed her. Jess flung her arms round him and squeezed him tight. "Come on we'd better go"

Luke smiled "Ya wanna call the kids?"

"You guessed"

"Ya gonna tell 'em?"

"Not yet. I don't want to tell anyone just yet."

"I can live with that" He stood up and pulled Jess to her feet.

Back at the hotel Luke sent Jess on ahead to the room saying he just wanted to check the dinner booking. When he got to the room, there was no sign of Jess. He called her but there was no answer. He knocked on the bathroom door and heard movement but got no reply. He poured two glasses of champagne that he'd brought in and peeked round the door.

He chuckled as he carried the glasses in. Jess was lying in the bath eyes closed practically buried in bubbles, with just her head out one end and her feet out the other and one hand flopped over the side in which she held her MP3 player. She was singing along quietly and hadn't heard him come in. He put down one of the glasses before replacing her MP3 with the other. Her eyes shot open. "Good job I'm decent.. well sort of" she said as he sat on the edge of the bath.

"Ya didn't care earlier" Luke replied putting the headphones on.

"That was different" She pouted as Luke pulled a face.

"What is that?"

Jess smiled, "It's rock Luke" She took the MP3 and flicked the song. "That better"

"No"

She flicked again.

"Definitely not"

She flicked again.

"That's more like it" Luke drawled.

Jess looked at the screen "I should've guessed. It's country but not anything that would come from Nashville"

Luke decided he'd heard enough and put it down and picked up his champagne. "Here's to the future Mrs Duke."

"Here's to a new beginning" Jess replied.

They stayed talking for a while and Luke was stroking her ankle.

"Luke would you stop that" she complained wriggling her foot.

"Y'all shoudn't be so ticklish" He said as he tickled her foot some more.

"Luke Duke If you don't cut that out You'll be sorry"

"I will, huh?"

She grabbed the front of his shirt and went to kiss him pulling him into the bath laughing.

"Jess, ya got me all wet" He complained.

"That's the idea" She chuckled.

Jess stood by the dressing table in her boots and black dress brushing her hair when Luke came out of the bathroom."Wow," she said when she saw him. He had a pair of black jeans, a white shrt and his favourite leather waistcoat.

"Wow yaself" He replied "No jeans?"

"I can make an effort sometimes"

He came over to her "Ya look great," He picked up the engagement ring from the table "Just one thing missin' " He put it on her finger and kissed her gently.

"Luke, Its lovely"

"It was my Aunt Lavinia's. Uncle Jesse gave it to me before he died and asked that if I ever did get married, I'd use it. But if you don't like it, we can....."
"I love it and I shall treasure it" She hugged him.

They had dinner and sat out on the balcony again until they fell into bed exhausted by the events of the day.

"Make the most of this" Jess said as they sat in bed with breakfast. "you won't wake up to breakfast in bed tomorrow"

"More like Kait jumpin' on it and Bobby playin' guitar"

"Sounds about right" Jess replied

"And I'm guessin' I ain't gonna be wakin' up with you either" He kissed her as he handed her a cup of tea.

"That would be too awkward with the kids arround. "Do you mind?"

"Not really. But they's gonna have to get used to it sooner or later"

"Yeah but one step at a time" She ran her hand down his cheek.

They finished breakfast and got packed up before going walking again. After a late lunch they headed for home.

The kids all rushed out to meet them when they got to Steve and Sam's and after a quick chat Bobby and Bekka went off and Jess left Luke and Steve talking as she went off with Sam to make some drinks. "Good weekend then?" Sam asked.

"It was great" Jess answered.

"So tell me about it then. Something's happened" Sam looked at her questioningly.

"Like what?" Jess said trying to act nontulant.

"Well the two of you were totally loved up before you went, but there's something different tonight. Like you've got engaged or something" Sam grinned bluntly.

"Sam!!" Jess squeaked in shock "I'm not likely to tell you something like that"

"But.....?"

"But, I'm just not saying" Jess grinned.

Sam looked at her "Oh my God, you didn't?" She squealed as Jess just smiled. "That's brilliant" Sam hugged her.

"Don't say anything just yet Sam please. I need to talk to the kids"

"My lips are sealed. I just can't believe it took you so long" She teased.

"Sam! You know me.."
"Yeah I know, Kids come first"

They took the drinks in and Kait left Luke to come and get a cuddle off Jess. "What took you so long" Steve asked.

Jess and Sam looked at each other and giggled. "Just talking Big brother" Jess grinned.

Steve shook his head and rolled his eyes. He thought it would be best not to ask anything else.

Back at home Jess and Luke sat talking to the kids for a while before they went off to bed. "Good to be home?" Luke asked pulling Jess onto his lap.

"Yes and no" She settled her head on his shoulder.

"What was with you and Sam earlier?"

Jess smiled "She sussed what we'd been up to this weekend"

"All of it?" Luke looked surprised.

"All of it" She grinned.

Jess picked up the post from the mat as they came back from taking the kids to school, flicking through it as she walked into the kitchen. She pulled out one envelope and put the rest on the counter. She ripped it open as Luke came in. Jess squealed and hugged him.

"Jess, what's wrong?" He asked

"Absolutely nothing"

Luke frowned and picked up the envelope "This is post marked Georgia"

Jess couldn't stop grinning as she gave him the letter to read.

"You got a job for the Forest Service in Georgia!" Luke exclaimed.

"The letter and email before were for this. I didn't want to say anything in case I didn't get it"

"What is it you'll be doin' exactly?"

"I'll be the Children's Officer for Oconee. Working with the Rangers setting up children's programmes and activities"

"You're gonna be great" Luke hugged her "Congratulations I'm proud of ya"

"Thank you. Everything is just going too good right now"
"And it's gonna get better"
"We haven't told the kids yet" Jess frowned.

So they decided to give it a few days, then tell them before Luke went back. Jess decided to talk to them first so Luke went off to get some groceries. By the time he got back Kait was bouncing about yelling about being a bridesmaid and Bobby had stormed off to his room. Jess sent Kait off to calm down and helped Luke unload the groceries.

"How'd it go" He asked.

"Fifty fifty" She bit her lip.

"Come here" Luke gathered her up in his arms, "What happened?"

"Kait's fine about it all. You saw how excited she was. But Bobby doesn't want anything to do with it. He doesn't want us to get married. He won't move to Georgia. He's stormed off to his room and isn't talking"
Luke frowned "I thought it would more'n'likely be Kait that had a problem, bein' closer to Joe 'n'all. I thought Bobby and I were friends."

"You are but it's complicated. Kait was worried at first. But when we'd talked about keeping in touch with Joe and her friends and having visits, she was fine. Joe and I have been apart for more of her life than together so she's used to having two different lives. But Bobby, for better or worse remembers Joe being around. He remembers all the stuff that went on. He's taking it out on you because he doesn't want it to happen again"

"So what do I do?"

"Keep doing what you're doing. He knows that Joe would have got angry by now and walked away. You don't. You keep coming back."

Luke nodded his understanding. "Ya want me to talk to him?"

"Leave him for now. He needs some time to think about it all. We'll just keep an eye on him and hope he calms down."

"And if he don't"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Sometimes you just have to stand back and let them try and sort things for themselves. And hope they don't get into too much trouble doing it"

Bobby wouldn't eat dinner with them that night, and refused to come for breakfast. He stayed in his room until it was time for school and didn't want a lift, storming off on his own.

"How long's he gonna keep this up?" Luke frowned.

"Days, weeks, anythings possible with Bobby. We just need to give him some space"

Jess and Luke put the wheels in motion for visas and wedding plans and talked to Gemma about Joe and the children. They had just come back home when the Jess's mobile rang.

"I've got to go and pick Bobby up"
"Is he sick?" Luke asked concerned.

"No. He's in trouble. He got into a fight and has been sent home and I'd better phone Joe"

Coming back from the phone Luke asked "Is he gonna come?"

"Is he heck. He's busy. It's not a good time right now apparently."

"But Bobby's his son" Luke pointed out the obvious.

"That doesn't mean anything"

"Ya want me to come?"

"It's not going to be pretty"

Luke held her, "I can handle it"

They collected Bobby and he stropped of to his room again. This time Luke went after him.

He knocked on the door, but got no answer but he went in anyway. "Bobby, can I talk to you"

"What for? If you're gonna read me the riot act don't bother, I've heard it" Bobby snapped.

"I ain't gonna do that. I just wanted to find out what was botherin' ya"

"Like you care. You got me and Kait on side, But Mum's going to marry you now so you don't have to be nice to us any more."

"You think that's what I'm doin' Bob"

"It's obvious"

"But it ain't how it is. I care about you and Kait too. I don't wanna do anythin' that y'all ain't happy about"

"Yeah right! Now if you don't mind I've got work to do"

"OK, but if ya change ya mind and wanna talk."

"I won't" Bobby said fiercely.

Over dinner Kait was very quiet.

"Everythin' OK Princess" Luke asked.

She nodded.

"Something happen at school today" Jess asked looking at her with concern.

Kait shook her head and promptly burst into tears.

Jess scooped her into a hug "Kait what on earth is it?"

"I don't want you to get married. I don't want to go to Hazzard and never come back. I don't want to never see Grams and Gramps again....."
"Where did all this come from?" Luke asked gently stroking her hair.

"Bobby said you were going to take us there and it was going to be horrible and we'd never see everyone again and we wouldn't be allowed to talk to Dad" Everything came tumbling out all at once.

"Kait, Bobby is just a bit upset right now. He doesn't like what's happening so he's just trying to convince you not too either. You have to make up your own mind." Jess said soothingly "We only have to be there for six months. We can be back for christmas" She looked at Luke apologetically, but he gave a small nod

"Sure we can"

"You can go to school with Ellie-mae and Claire. And Bo and Gaby will be there. It won't be the same, but everyone can come and visit us"

Luke continued "That's right , coz as soon as we've done buildin' Bo's house, we's gonna add some rooms to the farm house."

Kait sniffed and looked at them. "Do you mean it?"

"Yes of course"

"Do you think Bo and Gaby would let me go and see the baby?"

"Yeah, they'd like that" Luke smiled

"So we're going for a while and we're coming back for Christmas and everyone can come and see us" She listed getting it clear.

"Is that OK?" Jess asked.

"What happens then?" She asked

"I don't know. But whatever we decide to do we decide together the four of us. Is that OK?"

Kait smiled "It's going to be great. You wait till I tell my friends."

"Are ya sure Princess"

"Yeah I'm sure, Luke" She hugged him and Jess as they breathed a sigh of relief that at least one of the kids were happy.

Bobby wouldn't join them for dinner and the following morning while they were having breakfast he yelled "I'm going out"

Jess went out after him "Don't forget you're grounded."
"I'm going to see Dad" He glared at her knowing she would never say no to that.

"Does he know you're coming?"

"He'll be there" He said firmly.

"Well, straight there and straight back. If I find you've sloped off somewhere you'll be grounded till you're ninety. Understand?"

"Yeah Yeah" He said flipantly waving a hand as he went.

Jess went back to join the others and Luke stood and put an arm round her not needing to say anything.

A while later, he stormed back in slamming doors and not speaking to anyone.

"I don't think it went well" Jess said as they watched him go to his room.

"That boy's got one heck of a temper" Luke frowned slightly cross at Bobby's behaviour even though he understood it.

"I'd better go see what happened" Jess sighed.

She knocked on his door "Can I come in?"

"If you like" He grumped non commitally.

Jess went in closing the door behind her. Bobby was sat on the end of his bed, elbows resting on his knees. He didn't look up form staring at the floor when Jess came in and spoke.

"Are you OK?" Jess asked.

"S'pose"

"Did you see your Dad?"

"Yeah"

"And did you talk to him?"

"Not really"

"Did you sort out what you needed to see him about?"

"No"

Jess sighed "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

"Nothing happened.............. Dad couldn't talk to me he was busy. He had to go out. He said he'd talk to me some other time"

Jess put a hand on his arm as she sat next to him "Bobby I'm sorry" she said sympathetically

For the first time he looked up at her "Why are you sorry? It's not your fault. You want to make things better for us Dad just makes things worse"

"What did you need to see him about?"

"I wanted to tell him about what was going on. I was trying to stir it for you and Luke and I wanted to hear him say that he didn't want us to go. For once I wanted him to care. But he didn't even have time to listen to me. .......So I guess I got my answer"

"What now?"

"I don't know. I like Luke Mum I really do. And I know he wants whats best for us"

"He wants you to be happy, Bobby. He cares about you and Kait"

Bobby nodded "I know. I need to talk to him"

"You sure?"

"He tried to talk to me but I wouldn't listen."

Jess smiled "He'd like that. ..........About us getting married?........" She asked hesitantly.

Bobby smiled "I'm OK with it Mum."
"Thanks Bobby" She hugged him "Are you hungry?"

"Starving"

"Come on. Let's go and find you something to eat"

They went downstairs and Jess went to make a sandwich. Bobby leant thoughtfully on the living room doorframe watching Luke trying to teach Kait to play the guitar.

Luke looked up at him. "You OK, Bob?"

"Fine" There was an awkward silence "Luke can I talk to you?"

"Sure. Ya wanna talk now?"

Bobby gave a very small smile "When you've finished here"

Luke nodded "Have ya eaten?"

"Just going to"

"Skippin meals ain't ever a good idea" Luke said solomnly. Then smiled "Go on and eat"

Bobby was just finishing his sandwich when Luke and Kait came in.

"Hey kiddo. You up for a little one on one" Luke asked picking up Bobby's basketball.

"Yeah. Are we going to the park?"
"Sure. Let's go Bob"

"Can I come too?" Kait asked.

"Not right now, Darln'. I can take you another time" Luke said softly.

"It's not fair. Why can't I go?" She complained.

"Because Kaitie Lou, I need you to help me make a cake for later, when everyone is coming for dinner" Jess said trying to distract her.

"What sort of cake? Can we make chocolate cake?" It was working. Luke gave Jess a quick kiss and left with Bobby.

As they walked Luke asked."So what did ya wanna talk about Kiddo"

"You tried to talk to me yesterday and I didn't want to listen. I was mad and I took it out on you"

"And are ya still mad?"

"No, and I suppose it wasn't even you I was really mad at. I know you love my Mum and I know you really care about me and Kait too"

"Ya worked it out then?" Luke grinned as they sat on the park bench.

"Yeah," Bobby gave an 'OK so I'm stupid' look.

"Bobby, ain't nothin' y'ever say gonna change the fact that I love you kids as if ya were mine. I ain't ya Dad and whether ya choose to see Joe or not he'll always be I want that you and Kait are happy about this. If y'ain't then it ain't gonna happen."
"I'm OK with it Luke, but I suppose I was just expecting it to end up like it was with Joe"

"It ain't ever gonna be like that. I promise. I can rely on you to make sure of that. It don't matter if we stay here or go to Hazzard or even go someplace else, but what is important is that we do it as a family. I ain't gonna walk out on you, your Mum or your sister."

Bobby nodded.

"I'll always be here for ya and I'll always listen" Luke said gently grabbing the back of Bobby's neck "OK?"

"OK"

Luke hugged him "Come on" He said standing up and bouncing the ball "What about ya show me what moves ya got"

Bobby grinned "I'll beat you hands down Old Man"

"That's fightin' talk Boy" Luke replied with a smile bouncing the ball as Bobby tried to tackle him for it.

All Jess's family were sitting with them at dinner talking when Steve said "It's been good having you here Luke. When do you think you'll be back?"
Luke went to answer but Jess beat him to it. "What makes you think he'll be back?" She smiled.

"It's obvious Lttle sis. The man's a fool. "

Jess looked puzzled "Why?"

Steve grinned at her "Because he's in love with my mental little sister" He teased.

Luke laughed as Jess poked her tongue out childishly at Steve.

"I'll be back soon enough I guess" Luke said as he kissed Jess's hand.

"Actually,We've got some news" Bobby blurted out smiling. He looked at Jess and she nodded.

"Hang on there Kiddo. There's somethin I gotta do first" Luke turned to Jess's Dad "Sir can I talk to you a minute".

"Yes of course. Outside?"

"If ya wouldn't mind" They got up and went outside. Everyone watching them go.

"Kait go get your chocolate cake" Jess said to take their minds away from what was happening outside

"Something wrong, Luke" Gramps asked

"Depends. I was brought up to do things right and there's somethin I need to ask ya"

"Fire away then"

Luke took a deep breath. Why was he suddenly so nervous. He felt like he did when he'd asked the first girl's Daddy if he could take her to the dance. And he'd had a shotgun. But what he was about to say was probably the most important and yet nervewracking things he would ever have to do. "Sir........ I want your permission to marry your daughter"

Gramps smiled "Are you sure it's my permission you need? Jess is more than capable of deciding for herself"

"I know that Sir, and she said yes"

"And the children?" Gramps looked serious.

"We talked to them and explained everything and they're OK with it"

"Well.........If they're happy and Jess is happy, then it doesn't matter what I say. But for the record, you have my permission Luke," They shook hands and Gramps hugged him. " Take care of them...............You know I didn't think that men still had to ask the Father's permission"

"Maybe not, but I guess it's just the way I was taught." Then he said almost under his breath "and Bo'd never forgive me"

"Bo?!. Why?"

" 'coz I made him face her mama, her auntie and two brothers before he could marry Gaby" Luke explained with a grin.

"Looks like you got off light then." Gramps laughed and patted him on the back "We'd better let the kids break the news"

They went back in to find the others eating cake and talking noisily, but as they came in the room fell silent.

"What's going on Dad?" Annie asked.

"Bobby has some news, so why don't we let him tell us" Gramps turned to Bobby.

Luke moved over and stood next to Jess's chair.

"Well......." Bobby started.
"Come on Bobby." Bekka interrupted "What have you done this time?" Jess leant over and whispered in Kait's ear.

"Not me" he grinned "Mum and Luke are getting married"

"And we're going to live in Georgia, coz Mum's got a job there" Kait added

The room erupted with shouts and squeals of congratulations as everyone moved to hug them and pat them on the back.

"You got everything sorted then?" Sam said as she hugged Jess.

"You knew?" Steve said in surprise.

Jess laughed "Sam guessed when we got back last weekend."

"So when is all this going to happen" Grams asked as they all settled down.

"Next year. I have a job out there for six months next Summer and we plan on getting married before we go" Jess explained.

"Before next summer you'll never do it" Annie exclaimed.

"Of course we will" Jess smiled.

"What about Bobby and Kait?" Steve asked.

"We're going to go to school there and Luke said you can all come and stay" Kait smiled.

"Can we Mum? Can we?" Sarah bounced up and down.

"Calm down Sarah," Annie said

"We'll see. They haven't gone anywhere yet" Pete, Annie's husband, added.

"Have you told Joe?" Grams asked with concern.

"Not yet, but we've spoken to Gemma and she is going to sort out all the legalities before I say anything to him."

"I don't want you to go and live somewhere else Auntie Jess" Tom said tugging on her sleeve. "If I promise to eat all my veggies will you stay?"

Jess smiled and picked him up and sat him on her lap " If you promise to eat all your veggies Tom I'll let you come and stay with us for as long as you want. OK?"

He wrapped his arms round her neck "OK"

When everyone had gone home and the kids were in bed, Jess brought some of Luke's clothes into his room."Here you'll want to pack these"

"Maybe I should just leave 'em here for when I come back" He smiled as he took them.

"If you come back" She sat on the end of the bed looking at the floor.

"Of course I'm comin' back" Luke looked her with surprise and concern. "We's gettin' married ain't we? Unless ya changed ya mind?"

"I haven't changed my mind, but somethings wrong.........I've got a bad feeling about this" Jess looked up at Luke and he gently pulled her to her feet.

"Like what?" He said still holding her arms.

"That you won't be back. Whether you want to or not. Something's going to happen"

"Ain't nothin' gonna stop me comin' back. I love ya Jess. I love the kids and I wanna marry you. This is one time I ain't gonna walk away" He wrapped his arms round her shoulders.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just being really soppy" she replied putting her arms round his waist.

"I don't care I still love ya" He grinned

.

Jess Luke and the kids stood together at the departure gate.

"I love you Luke" Kait said hugging him.

"And I love you guys, both of ya" He hugged them both at once and kissed both of them on the forehead.

"I know" Bobby smiled

" I wanna hear how y'all's doin'." Luke told them "And if y'all ever want anythin' ya call me"

"We will, Promise....Dad" Bobby said.

Luke looked at him and hugged him. "Take care Kiddo. I'm gonna miss ya"

"Me too"

Luke hugged kait again and Bobby moved her away a bit.

Luke held both of Jess's hands and she watched as he ran his thumb across her ring. "Ya still gotta bad feelin'?"

"Yes" She said biting her lip.

"Jess Ya got my word." He kissed the ring on her finger.

"I know"

They threw their arms round each other tightly not wanting to let go. Then Luke kissed her.

"Ew" Kait pulled a face "People can see"

Bobby smiled and Jess and Luke stopped kissing and turned to them with a smile.

Luke looked back at Jess "I am gonna see ya again. I'm comin' back and we's gonna get married"

"I know. I love you Luke"

"I love you too" He gave her one last kiss and one last hug for each of the kids before picking up his bag and going through the gate.