A/N: I haven't forgotten about the cabin. Unfinished business there. But this begged to be written - the holidays always make me think about family, no matter if yours are blood-related or not. Let me know what you think! I'll update as soon as I can.

The sunroom in Phyllis and Joe's house was a place often used for gatherings. Elsie had been delighted to have a chance to relax with her friends, all the more so when she saw Thomas Barrow.

He didn't often come back. When they had first met each other seven years previously, he had been bound and determined never to return to his birthplace. There was nothing for him there, he insisted. Too many painful memories. But over time, she had gently encouraged him to maintain ties with those who did care for him.

"One thing's for certain," he said, his hand on Elsie's belly. "Little mister or miss will give me another reason to return to the auld sod."

Elsie put her hand over Thomas's. "Whatever the reason, I can't tell you how good it is to see you. I know it's not easy for you to come back here." She felt a lump in her throat. His family rejected him, as did most of the community.

Now I know what that feels like.

"Now, now," he said, grinning. "No tears, unless they're tears of laughter. You promised," he said, pretending to pout. She laughed.

"That's better." He took his hand off of her belly and kissed her on the cheek. "For you, it's worth it. And to see Phil, of course. And Anna. Even Joe…I never would have graduated if he hadn't tutored me. I saw Mr. Mason in the IGA, he was always nice to me. Except when I was rotten to William, of course. Can't blame him for that."

"There are people here who care about you," Elsie said softly. He nodded solemnly before another smile appeared.

"Who would have thought when we met that you'd end up here!? I'd just started at the Art Institute in San Francisco, and met you while applying for a part-time job at the Fairmont. Biggest shock of my life when you said you knew where I was from!"

Elsie squeezed his hand. "I traveled so much then. I'd only been here a couple of times, but it left an impression on me."

He shook his head. "Someone had an impression on you," he said, grinning wider when she blushed. "Anyone can see it. And from what Anna and Phil have said, he feels the same way."

"Elsie?" Phyllis stood in the doorway looking tense. "Um, someone's here to see you." Beryl appeared next to Phyllis.

"I promise, I didn't know she was coming." She moved, and Becky stepped into the room apprehensively.

"Hello, Els."

000000000000000

Thomas disappeared into the kitchen with the others, giving Becky a steady glare. Elsie could hear quiet chatter from the other room. Becky sat down next to her, saying nothing.

I've got to say something, or we'll just sit here.

"I'm surprised to see you. I thought Jason had a tournament this weekend," she said. Her sister nodded.

"He did. They won one game, but lost the other. If they'd won, they would have been playing today as well." She tugged on her t-shirt nervously. "We were only a couple of hours from here, and…I wanted to see you."

"Adam's here? And the children?" Elsie asked, her eyebrows raised.

"The kids are at Kate's. Adam's gone to John's house. Daisy told us where to find you both," Becky held up her hand at Elsie's expression. "Adam's not going to shout at Charles. I promise."

Elsie couldn't keep the sarcasm from her voice. "And what about you? I thought…you didn't approve of me, of us," she said. "That we're a bad influence." I know you don't approve.

Becky fidgeted in her chair. "No. I mean, I was disappointed, and angry," she replied, looking at her sister. "But I wanted to talk to you. I was afraid if I rang, you'd just hang up on me."

"It depends on what you have to say," Elsie picked at a hangnail. "I don't need a lecture on my behavior, or you questioning Charles's motives." She sighed. "I know what I-what we did was wrong. It was never something we planned. None of it," she rubbed her hand over her belly. "But what's done is done."

"Including, so I hear, Charles's divorce," Becky said.

"After next week. Mr. Napier will have the papers for him to sign by Friday. That should make you happy." Why do I sound so rude?

"It does, but not for some stupid reason. I know what you're thinking," Becky was calm, but firm. "I know I sounded judgmental the last time we spoke. But it wasn't-it's never been about how the situation looks, no matter what I said. I was worried about you, Els. You're my sister, and I love you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

Becky leaned forward on the wooden table. "I wanted to protect you, and when Beryl said Charles wasn't giving up the cabin, it made me think he wasn't going to go through with the divorce. What was I supposed to think?" She ran a hand through her hair. Over her left ear, Elsie noticed several greys that she had never seen before. "It felt like my worst fears would be confirmed – that he was only using you."

Elsie's temper flared. "He never-"

"Let me finish!" Becky snapped, before taking a deep breath. "I know now that it's not like that. I just – wanted him to do right by you." A gleam appeared in her dark blue eyes. "Because heaven help him if he didn't. Adam said the same. He loves you too, you know. He point-blank said if Charles didn't get a divorce, he would drive down here and beat him senseless. And then I'd pick up his rotten carcass and give him another beating."

Elsie's heart swelled at the thought that Adam and her sister wanted to protect her. You've never been alone.

"Beryl know him as well as she knows you. Better," Becky continued. "She said Charles is madly in love with you, and would do anything for you. But I know you, Els. I-I've never seen you this happy. Ever." She looked down at her hands. "Da would be so glad. And for what it's worth, I am too. I hope you believe me."

"I do," Elsie whispered. Shame welled in her. And I thought she only saw me as a homewrecker, someone immoral. "I'm sorry I didn't give you the chance to tell me what you thought." Her voice wobbled. "I thought you were just going to criticize me again."

"No," whispered Becky. She slid her hand along the table and held Elsie's. "You don't need me to do that. Like you said – it's done." She looked down shyly. "If you want, we – Adam and I and all of us – we want to be part of your life like you've always been a part of ours. And that includes Charles and your baby. When you get married, we want to be there. If you'll have us."

The tears would not hold back any longer. "Oh Becky, lass," Elsie whispered, her shoulders shaking. "I would love that." They embraced for a long time.

The rest of the afternoon flew by. There was so much to talk about – Becky raving over how beautiful Elsie looked (Thomas lightened up considerably after she said that); the sisters exchanging pregnancy stories; Beryl, Becky and Thomas discussing moving logistics while Anna and Phyllis asked about wedding plans.

Elsie did shed tears of laughter when Becky told her of her nephews and nieces' reaction to her news. Brandon had been embarrassed into silence, appalled that his Aunt Elsie had actually had sex, while Jason got over his discomfort by asking about Charles's love of fishing. Emily and Liza were over the moon about having a cousin.

That night, Elsie slept better than she had in weeks. Even with the bairn doing somersaults.