Chapter 11

James came back into the kitchen about 10 minutes later, dressed in casual jeans and blue shirt. When M saw him enter, she couldn't remember him looking so relaxed. He gave her a small smile before joining her at the table.

"Where are the kids."

"Sitting watching some cartoons before we leave. Are you sure you don't mind giving up your free weekend for them."

"Will you stop, ofcourse not. They're great kids."

"They seem to like you."

"Thank god for that because I've no plans on going anywhere."

"Well that's good to know." She said, leaning over to kiss him.

"Shall we get going."

"Lets go. Mary, Ethan, come on you two we're going." M yelled through.

Mary and Ethan came running through as M attempted to get their coats on. James couldn't help but smile at the image before him. He could just picture what M had been like when her own children were young, it suited her.

"James, are you goning to help me with these two or what."

"Sorry, my mind drifted. Come on Ethan, get your coat on."

"What are we going to see first Granny." Mary asked.

"What ever you like darling."

"Penguins, I want to see the penguins." Mary squealed.

"No, no Mary Lions first. Tell her James, has to be Lions first."

"Okay you two, no fighting. Now come on."

They made it to the Zoo in one piece, just. Mary and Ethan had started arguing in the back of the car but one glare from M had silenced them fairly quickly. They went to the cashier and paid for their tickets. When they entered the Zoo, the first thing they had spotted were the Lions, which Mary and Ethan ran over to immediately, Mary clearly forgetting that she wanted the Penguins first.

"Look Granny, look at that Lion in the corner." Ethan said.

"It's very big isn't it, scary." M replied, kneeling beside Ethan.

When she went to stand up, she nearly toppled over but luckily James grabbed her in time.

"Hey, you okay." He asked, laughing.

"Shut up you, I'm fine."

"They seem happy."

"I know, it's nice to see them smile."

"Haven't they been."

James could see tears threatening in M's eyes. He guided her over to the bench just by the Penguin sanctuary.

"Mary, Ethan, why don't you check out the Penguins." James smiled to them.

The ran over to James and M and handed James their coats as the sun was getting hotter. Mary looked at M and could see she was upset.

"Granny, why are you crying."

"I'm fine darling, just the summer air, allergies."

"Love you Granny."She smiled, clearly not believing her.

"I love you too darling." M replied, hugging the child.

"Mary, come on, the Penguins. Look they're flapping. Hehe, their funny." Ethan giggled.

Mary ran over to where Ethan was standing, the pair mesmerised by the Penguins. James put their coats to the side and pulled M into his arms.

"M what's wrong."

"Joanna's having problems in her marriage. Before you got up this morning, Mary was telling me that Mummy and Daddy fight a lot. He works to much, that's his problem."

"We can't exactly critisize, can we."

"James if I'd known all those years ago that Joanna and Paul were effected by my being away so much, I would have given it all up in an instant."

"They didn't."

"They always accepted my work. David explained it all to them when they were young and they learned how important my work was. They dealt with it. Mary said she over heard Daddy on the phone to Sarah the other night, telling her he loved her."

"Sarah?"

"His secretary."

"Jesus M, I'm sorry. Do you think Joanna knows."

"More than likely. She's not foolish."

"Takes after her Mother then."

"Mary and Ethan look so happy."

"Maybe they could stay with us for a while. Give Joanna and Simon some time alone for a while. A week or two."

"You wouldn't mind."

"Ofcourse not. They're your Grandchildren for god sake and they seem to have taken to me. They go to School don't they."

"Yes."

"Well, you and I can to a regular 9 to 5 for a few weeks, be home in time for them, spend time with them."

"Anything so you don't have to do the nightshift, looking after Connie James."

"Well, an exception."

"I'll suggest it to Joanna. You'd make a great Father James."

"Never thought of myself as a Father before. Come on, we still have the rest of the Zoo to explore."

He got up and ran up behind Mary and Ethan, picking Mary up in his arms. She wrapped her arms firmly around his neck and hugged him. Ethan walked upto M and took hold of her hand as they made their way around the rest of the Zoo. The last thing she heard was Mary asking James if he was going to marry her Granny.

"Well, you know what Mary. You never know."

"I hope so, Granny loves you. Maybe you'll have your own little girl someday and we can play with her."

James never said anything after that, just walked around smiling and carrying the precious child in his arms.

To Be Continued.

Prosper-the-XVII, I think you may know where I may go with this. It's your fault for giving me the idea but maybe not, I'm not sure. Let me know. Hope you had a good time at Les Mis xx