Ashley and Ethan waited another day, and then made arrangements to fly back to Sydney. The Big Guy had offered to drive them to the airport, and several other residents wandered out to the garage to say goodbye while they loaded their bags into the car. Will, Henry, and John were among the last.
"What are all the warnings fathers are supposed to give their children?" John asked Ashley.
She laughed. "Um, be safe, don't forget to call, don't take candy from strangers…"
"Yes, all of that," he agreed.
They all turned at the sound of the door to the house closing. Helen came out, carrying James. "Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?" she asked her daughter.
Ashley shook her head. "I was gonna come back inside." She took her little brother and hugged him close. "Hey, Little Prince, I'll miss you. Be a good boy, okay?"
"Miss you," he echoed and gave her a kiss on the nose. She handed him off to John, who followed Will and Henry back inside.
Helen and Ashley just stared at each other for a long moment before the older woman stepped forward and hugged her daughter. "I love you, Ashley. Be careful."
"I will… Are you mad at me for doing this?"
She smiled and shook her head. "No. You're not the little girl that used to come into my lab with skinned knees. And I think you were right. Maybe more time away will be good for you – so long as it's not permanent."
"I don't want it to be. We haven't really thought that far ahead yet."
"In that case, may I offer a suggestion?" She nodded. "Ethan, once your current research project is over, you'll have a place on the staff here waiting for you."
Ashley looked up in surprise. "Are you serious?"
"I am. Our resident population has grown in the last few years. Having another physician at the facility will allow me more time for the truly important things in my life – like my family."
Ethan smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Magnus."
She nodded. "Please, call me Helen."
Once the car had left, Helen went back inside and headed up to the living quarters. John was in James' bedroom, working on a puzzle with the little boy. She smiled as she watched them together from the doorway. "Hello," she quietly made her presence known.
John looked up. "Hi."
"Ashley's gone."
"I figured… Are you all right?"
She shrugged. "I think so."
"Look, Mama!" James exclaimed, gesturing toward his wooden puzzle board. He'd gotten all of the pieces – shaped like animals – into the correct locations.
Helen knelt beside him and kissed her son's forehead. "Very good, darling." She then turned to her husband and, after sharing a long look, she kissed him as well.
"Helen…"
"I love you. That's never changed, not even when I wished that it would. Letting go probably won't happen in one day, but I am trying. Our future means more to me than our past."
He smiled slightly and his lips met hers once more. "I love you, as well."
They both looked down as James wriggled his way between them. John laughed as Helen pulled the toddler onto her lap. "Were you feeling left out?" she asked him with a smile.
"We love you, too, James," John promised.
Helen nodded and held him a little closer. "Always and forever. Even if you run off to the other side of the world like your sister."
John twined his fingers through hers. "She'll be back."
"I know… Nothing stays the same for very long, hmm?"
"No. But that's what makes our lives interesting."
FIN.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who's been following along, and especially to those who have sent feedback. I've got ideas for a fourth story; now I just need the time to write it. ;-) As always, suggestions are welcome.