'Make sure that you're holding on to something substantial, or better still, wait until I'm there,' June had told him that morning, when they had discussed the fact that he was within days of being able to stand. 'There's every chance that your knees will lock,' which of course they had. Trying desperately to remember what she had told him to do, he took a deep breath and tried to concentrate. 'Forget about your legs and gently lower your bum,' was all well and good in theory, but it was easier said than done. The something substantial wasn't there, it was Ruth who having returned his kiss with all that she had, was now gripping his hands like a vice.

Ruth, it's fine,' he whispered to her, smiling at Nico who was standing just inside the door and watching them. How long he had been there he had no idea but just at this moment he had more important things to worry about. Ruth, who was terrified that he was going to fall finally did as he was asking and released one of his hands, dragging the table so that it was part way in front of him. Fortunately his confidence wasn't misplaced and after what seemed like an age, he lowered himself into his chair.

Harry called Nico, motioning for him to come over in an effort to involve him and prevent Ruth who hadn't yet seen him, from instigating what would quite probably been a re run of the kiss.

Seemingly unperturbed by what he had witnessed other than the fact that Harry had been standing up, Nico was at his side in an instant and very gently put his hands on Harry's legs.

'Are you mended?' he asked him in a small voice.

Harry was annoyed with himself. He'd snapped at Ruth which was so far removed from the grand gesture that he had planned when he stood up. He certainly hadn't been angry with her, he'd been frustrated by her sheer lack of confidence and that a word from Ros could still bring her down. He wanted no he needed them to be a family and as always, she'd under rated herself and her ability to explain this to Nico. Added to that, he'd only known Nico for a few months and the bottom line was that he had absolutely no claim on him, whereas Ruth who had known him for three years, was in all senses of the word his mother.

Ruth took their lunch through to the sitting room and lit the fire. It made the room look so much more cheerful, besides which she needed to keep busy in the build up to her conversation with Nico. She and Harry had discussed what she should say and if she faltered as she fully expected to do, then he would step in. Nico, who was sitting on the sofa next to Harry was oblivious to her turmoil and was tucking into his sandwiches as Ruth dragged an armchair in front of them and sat down. Wondering why on earth she ever had doubted her ability to deal with this, Harry sat and listened and breathed her in. Not in a million years could he have explained it in the simple terms as she was doing, pausing to allow Nico time to absorb what she was saying and to ask her questions if he wanted to. In reality she was speaking to both of them, with the clear message that whatever happened she would never leave them. Had she been able to say what she really wanted to, then she would have used words like forever and family. But in Nico's short life, nothing had lasted forever and she had to protect him. 'Harry and I love each other and we're going to get married,' was followed by, 'and we both love you too.' Trying to avoid anything that sounded remotely like his life in Cyprus, she told him that they were going to sell Harry's house and move to somewhere quieter where they would be surrounded by countryside. What she wanted to add was beside the sea but that was definitely a no. He would have to go to a different school but that would be fun, because he would be able to make new friends that he could bring home to play, brought to an end what for Ruth had been a fear filled morning.

The entire time that she had been talking Nico had said nothing his only movement had been to take Harry's hand. The silence was deafening and it needed to be broken, but Ruth was beyond that.

'Nico, you can ask us anything,' offered Harry.

'Will Catherine be able to come too?' was his only question.

When Nico's bedtime finally arrived Catherine was still out and to be honest Ruth was grateful. She had spent so little time with him in the past few weeks and she felt this overwhelming need to sit with him until he fell asleep. It was a bitterly cold night and as she drew the curtains, she was sure that she could see snow in the air, but the house was warm and cosy and Nico soon settled down. Curling up beside him, she picked up the book that Catherine had bought for him and turned to the first page.

'Take as long as you like,' Harry had told her, ' I'll be fine.'

From the moment that her dad had proposed to Ruth, Catherine had started to think about New Year's Eve. They had told her that they planned on talking to Nico today and despite them telling her otherwise, she knew that they were worried. Ignoring Dimitri's more than persuasive charm had been difficult, but she had called a taxi and was on her way home.

'I don't care what you say, this house has never hosted a party and there certainly isn't going to be one now,' came from Harry, as Ruth arrived at the bottom of the stairs.

'Don't be such an old stick in the mud, you've just got engaged,' stopped her in her tracks as she paused to listen.

'Stick in the mud I accept, but I resent the old,' had Ruth giggling.

'Well tough, because it's all arranged,' Catherine countered. 'I've waited twenty years to see you this happy and I'm not talking about a bloody banquet, just dinner with a few friends and before you say anything else Nico already knows. You're not the only one who can keep secrets.'

The few friends that Catherine had invited were Malcolm and Jo who was going to help her with the cooking and Tariq and Dimitri. Catherine was if nothing else tenacious and had also invited June. She was close to Malcolm's age and would otherwise have been spending New Year's Eve alone and you never knew.

Having conceded defeat, Harry contemplated Catherine's words. As much as he hated to admit it she was right, he did need to come out of the dark ages. The next few days he spent with Nico as they finished and played with the train set, watched videos and looked at endless websites with houses for sale. Ruth meanwhile, egged on by Catherine had gone into party mode. She felt years younger all of a sudden had a new spring in her step as though the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. Harry was revelling in watching her and certainly enjoying bedtime. Ruth was right, they did have to let people know and with the house on the market and a wedding to plan, New Year's Eve was a good a time as any.