The aroma that radiates from the kitchen make the house smell like home. Jean pulls an apple pie out of the oven to cool alongside a fresh batch of biscuits. Amelia has the radio on, a station with modern music that Amelia calls fun. She is dancing around the kitchen, her little apron billowing as she twirls around the table. Jean gets the vegetables out of the refrigerator to prep for dinner when Amelia jumps up on a chair startling her grandmother.
"Be careful, Amelia."
"Dance with me Nana! I like this song." as an Elvis song begins to play. Jean hears the lyrics and for a brief moments thinks of the box of Thomas's letters to Lucien. Those thoughts are quickly vanquished by the little girl leaping in her arms. "Oh! Let me put the veg down first."
Amelia giggles as her and Jean dance around the kitchen making their way to the parlor. Singing along to the song, being silly. "Nana, do you like these songs now?"
"They're growing on me. It's not all bad." Jean winks at Amelia. The pair have been playing tug of war with stations for two weeks. Amelia switching the sation to have fun music. Jean often relinquishing control of the radio seeing the smile on her granddaughter's face.
Christopher and Ruby stand on the porch waiting having knocked several times. They can hear rock and roll music coming from inside. They both look at each other questioningly. Finally, Ruby speaks, "What do you think is going on in there?"
"I have no idea, but my mother does not listen to rock and roll."
"Should we go in? Your mum obviously can't hear us."
"I guess so. It just seems odd to just walk in. Doesn't it?" Christopher looks at the large door of this house that always seemed so foreign to him yet it is his mother's home.
"Chris, this is silly. We are earlier than we thought we would be. The music is playing. I'm not going to stand on the porch for hours." With that Ruby opens the door and heads in the house, Christopher following behind.
Immediately their senses are struck with the scent of baking, sounds of laughter, and warmth of love in the home. The Beazleys look at each other both wearing big smiles. Ruby puts her hand on her husband's arm. Chris nods, "This is the right decision."
Jean is spinning Amelia when her son and daughter in law round the corner. Catching sight of them in the corner of her eye, Jean sees the look on Christopher's face remembering a time when he was the little one spinning in her arms.
"Look who's here to join the party." Jean says to Amelia as she turns the child to see her parents.
"Mummy, Daddy!" Amelia runs to her parents, wrapping her arms around their legs.
"Look at you Little Miss with your apron that matches Nana's and," Ruby looks up at Jean. "red shoes?"
Jean looks away innocently making her way to turn the radio off. "Christopher didn't tell you about the shoes?"
"I may have forgotten to mention them." Christopher gives his mum a shrug and the look letting her know he didn't want to get an ear full.
Amelia starts pulling on her parents' hands. "Can we tell Nana the secret now? Please! I've been so good. I didn't say one word." Amelia holds up a single finger high in the air.
"Tell me what?"
"Amelia, patience. Mum, why don't we sit down?" Amelia makes her way back to her grandmother, dragging her over to the sofa. Christopher and Ruby following along into the parlor.
"Now Mummy?" Amelia looks at Ruby, the child bursting with the secret that she has been laden with the past few weeks. Ruby gives her a nod.
Amelia turns to Jean and comes in real close to her face, a move that Jean has come accustomed to when Amelia wants her grandmother's undivided attention. Coming in close expecting a deep secret to be whispered only to be startled at the little girl's enthusiasm, as the words sink into Jean's brain. I'm going to be a big sister!
"What?" Turning now to Christopher and Ruby. "Is it true?"
"Yeah Mum. Your going to be Grandmother again." Christopher seems to say the words rather solemnly but Jean is too happy at the joyful news to give it much thought.
"How on earth did you keep that a secret from me?" Jean says while tickling her precious little girl.
Amelia's eye grew wide, with a hand on her hip, she proclaimed, "It was hard, Nana." Laughter fills the sitting room for some time.
Amelia and Jean share their adventures and escapades. Realizing the time, Jean makes her way to the kitchen to check on dinner. She notices Christopher and Ruby's happiness evident on their faces as they watch their daughter relay another adventure. Jean chuckles to herself that Amelia is smart enough to leave out the bits that will get them both in trouble.
Jean's Sunday dinner is abundant and delicious as always. Christopher eating more than his share, missing his mum's cooking, pleasing her more than it should. Ruby is a fine cook but Jean has learned through the years that her daughter in law is rather unadventurous in her cuisine choices. With Amelia's help Jean puts away the leftovers. The little helper reminding her grandmother to feed them to Uncle Matthew when he gets home.
"Ruby, you look tired dear. Why don't you lay down before you need to head out." Jean noticing the fatigue on her daughter in laws face. Just three months gone, Jean remembers the exhaustion that comes with the first trimester of pregnancy.
"That sounds like a marvelous idea. Do you mind?"
"Of course not!" Turning to Amelia, "show your mother to the front room and why don't you rest for awhile yourself, Poppet." Jean knows that the child won't rest long but she wants a few moments alone with Christopher. She has been getting the feeling that he wants to talk.
"That sounds like a good idea Amelia. Go with Mummy."
Once Jean hears the door close down the hall she turns to Christopher. "Now what else is going on? Christopher I know you and you look like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. What is it?"
"I've been promoted to Captain."
"Well, that wonderful news. Isn't it?" she makes her way to him not understanding the look of anguish on his face.
"They're sending me to Vietnam in six weeks, Mum." He looks up at his mother eyes full of worry.
Jeans knees go weak and a tightness takes hold of her chest. She is grateful for her proximity to the kitchen chair. There is a pounding in her head as she realizes that her son is speaking again.
"I'll be attached to the embassy. I'll be housed along with other officers and ambassadors. Perfectly safe. In fact I was told I could bring Ruby and Amelia."
"What? No, you can't bring them." Shaking her head vigorously, Jean feels the dread turn to panic.
"Mum, I know. This is why Ruby and I needed time away, alone. We had a lot to figure out. We both agree that despite this position being safe that there is too much unrest going on in Southeast Asia. To be honest, I'm not sure how or why I got this assignment only just receiving my promotion. It's not like I know anyone to pull strings for me."
Jean felt a wave of nausea take hold. If she didn't know better she would say that Lucien had a part in this trying to keep her son safe. But how could he have helped being gone for so long. That feeling of uncertainty, that something isn't right; that she is missing something hits her again. Shaking it off, "So now what?"
"To be honest Mum, Ruby is a bit frightened to stay alone with a new baby coming. She really did have a tough time when she was pregnant with Amelia. And well, you know Amelia is very busy inquisitive child. So I...we were wondering if they could stay with you while I'm on my deployment?"
"Oh..." Jean takes a moment to process what her son is asking, "of course, I have plenty of room. But is that what Ruby wants?"
A soft smile finally cracks Christopher's face thinking of the strained relationship his mother and wife had before Amelia was born. "It was her idea. Said her parents are too old. She figures if she can manage Amelia, who somehow is exactly like her grandmother, that it will all work out fine."
Jean rubs her son's cheek, "I'll take good care of them."
"No one I trust more than you." Just than the distinct sound of skipping little feet enter the kitchen.
"Nana I tried but I just can't rest. Can I see if Peaches is outside?"
"Yes but try not to get dirty." Jean adds the last knowing it is nearly impossible for her dear granddaughter to resist the temptations that will have her coming back inside in need of a change of clothes.
"She's so happy here. It will make it easier knowing that, while I'm away." Christopher gets up from the table, "I'm going to check on Ruby. Thanks Mum."
Jean gives him a tentative smile and a small nod. There are too many lost years with her sons, too many regrets, she will do anything she can to keep her little family safe. Looking out the kitchen window watching Amelia dancing in the garden, Jean thinks how that child and the new baby to come are what matters. They will be her legacy. They will know her story. They will know her struggles, her joy, her loves. They will learn of their grandfather, the man that they inherited their name from. As she holds the locket in her hand she thinks. They will know about their Papa. The man that taught her it is ok to love and truly be happy again. The man that through his absence brought her family home to her.