The sun shone through the window and onto the bed. Emma woke with a start, her eyes a little blurry before she rubbed at them. Before she started to get up and worry about the day, she remembered that it was summer. And that she was lying in Grandpa and Grandma's old room.

Grandma had passed away in her sleep one cold morning in February 1946. John had insisted that Ben and Emma take her room and keep it filled with love. She missed the old couple every day and couldn't believe they were truly gone.

She peered at Charlie, who was lying in his crib sleeping. The one year old looked so peaceful, and Emma now knew why she loved being a mother. Being to stare down at the creation of her love for Ben.


"Mama, I'm not hungry." Ginny pouted at breakfast. Emma sighed and turned to her daughter.

"Ginny, you have to eat. It isn't a choice. Anyway, you want to be full when Paul and Erin come over!" She tried to say as cheerfully as possible.

Jonsey walked through the door. "Morning." He smiled, winking at John Curtis. "Where is Mary Ellen?"

"At work. Why are you off?" Jeffrey said, his eyes widening with suspicion. Then he remembered. "Oh yeah, you're starting your new job next week."

"I did tell you." John Curtis teased.

Ginny hopped out of her seat and ran towards the door, starting to jump up and down. "Aunt Erin! Aunt Erin! She's here!" The little girl clung to Erin's leg, who laughed and picked her up.

"Hi Ginny. Hi all." Erin kissed her niece's head and crossed the kitchen. "Paul went out to work with daddy and Paul. I hear Drew is starting work there too." She sent a look to her youngest sister, who blushed and glared.

Olivia hugged her daughter. "I'm so glad you could come. Do you want any breakfast?"

"No thanks." Erin set Ginny down on the bench and smiled at Emma who was feeding Charlie. Erin bit her lip as she looked around the table, seeing the empty seats of Grandpa, Grandma, Jason and Mary Ellen who were at work, and John Boy who was back in New York.