At the airport the next day Catherine rushed in, trying to find her father and stepmother in the departures lounge. She was saved the trouble of looking very far by a cry from Jamie. He was pointing at her and said "Ca!" very loudly. Both Ruth and Harry turned to see Catherine making her way through the muddle of people.
"Clearly I'm popular," Catherine said ruffling the little boys hair as he giggled.
"We thought you were going to miss us," Ruth said. "We're boarding our flight in five minutes.
"Overslept at the hotel," she said, without getting into quite why. Tactfully no one else mentioned it either. "I'm glad I didn't miss you. I wanted to say goodbye to my baby brother."
"Glad to know I'm wanted," Harry said. Catherine rolled her eyes and gave her father a hug. "I want you to take this and memorise it," Harry added. Catherine looked at the scrap of paper and opened her mouth to speak when Harry interrupted. "Seriously. Its an untraceable email account and I'd feel better if I knew you could contact me if there's a problem. Its perfectly safe."
"Dad, everything will be fine," Catherine said. "He isn't evil just because he's Iranian. I know you couldn't do it, but believe it or not I love this country. I love living here, and I'm in love with my husband."
"Take it," Harry said. "I'll miss my flight trying to convince you if you don't."
"Fine," she said. "So who set this up? Ruth or you?"
"I did," Ruth said. "He couldn't be talked out of it last night and I thought it was best I did it rather than the botch job he'd do."
"I'm not completely incapable," Harry said indignantly, as both women laughed at him.
"Da?"
"At least I have someone on my side," Harry said raising his son in the air as he kicked his legs hard. They were getting stronger everyday. Ruth listened to the PA system which had started speaking fluent Persian Harry didn't understand.
"That's us," Ruth said collecting their hand luggage.
"Use that email address, even if you just want to say hello. I'd love to hear from you."
"That's what the telephone's for," Catherine said dryly. "But I'll keep it if it'll give you peace of mind."
"Thank you sweetheart," Harry said giving his daughter a hug. When he released her
Catherine went over to Ruth and spoke in a low voice. "Look after him," she said. "He isn't as tough as he'd like everyone to believe and I know he loves you."
"Goodbye Catherine. You're always welcome whenever you're in London you know?"
"Thanks." Catherine gave her stepmother a quick hug before they left. She was touched that Jamie was waving at her. Ruth smiled at him before they vanished from sight.
Over international waters Harry let out a deep heartfelt sigh. "Are you alright?" Ruth asked, Jamie lolling on her lap in sleep.
"Yes," he said. "Relieved to be going home, but yes. She seems happy."
"I think she is," Ruth said. "You should let go of your prejudices, it could always be worse."
"How?"
"She could have married a terrorist."
"Such a positive thought," Harry said sarcastically. She leaned over and kissed him.
"Your daughter is a grown woman and she's happy. Leave it be."
"I'm never going to be happy that my son in law is an Iranian," he said making sure to speak quietly.
"I know, and Catherine knows that too, which is why it meant so much to her that you stayed quiet over the last few days. You can't choose who your child falls in love with. Do you really think my father would have wanted me to marry a man fifteen years older than me, already divorced and with three children by two different women?"
"I hope there's some good points in there too!" Harry said offended by her insinuation.
"The good point is that I love you more than I thought I could love anyone, ever. And I don't care who knows it." She smiled and kissed him lightly.
"Much better," he said. "I wish I could have met your father."
"He'd have hated you," Ruth said instantly
"This conversation just gets better and better," Harry said.
"He'd have warmed to you eventually, trust me. He would have wanted to make sure that you'd never hurt me."
"Its what fathers do isn't it?" Harry said deep in thought. "Have I hurt you?"
"Yes," she said, thinking about it. "Just occasionally. When I found out Rose was pregnant. When I found out Jamie was yours. But I do know none of this… you don't do it on purpose."
"I'm sorry."
"No, I'm not after an apology," she said quietly. "Because I love where we are right now. I love that we're together and happy and have a beautiful baby boy who is an exhausting joy to look after. And if you really were truly sorry, Jamie wouldn't exist for us and I can't wish that. I would never wish that."
"I love you," Harry murmured, kissing her lips softly. When they parted Ruth turned and settled her head on her husbands shoulder. Harry looked at Ruth resting on him, and Jamie asleep on her and smiled. He was truly lucky and blessed to have both of them. He tightened an arm around them both and let his eyes close.
A little bit of a sandwich chapter I feel but hope you liked it anyway. When they get back to the grid Dimitri and Erin will have arrived at Thames house. Poll: Do I mention Elena or not...?