The pair walk on the seemingly empty sidewalk to the car, fingers interlaced, a lingering kiss before he opens the car door for his wife. The street light gives just enough glow for the lone person walking down the opposite side of the street to recognize the Blakes. One curious observant busybody is all it takes to start the dominos to fall.
The phone calls begin shortly after what is deemed a respectable time in the morning all across Ballarat. By the time the phone rings at the house on Mycroft Avenue word that Lucien Blake is alive and well has reached half of the townspeople. When Jean hangs up the receiver her face tells the men that all is not well.
"Jean, what is it?"
"That was Bill Hobart asking if it was true."
Lucien shifts nervously in his chair, "If what is true?"
Jean throat tightens, "if you were alive. He said it is all over town that you are alive. We must have been seen last night."
Matthew hand bangs on the table. "Bloody hell. This will be a fine mess to deal with. I better get to the station. You two get your story straight."
Jean sits heavily in the chair, "well, there we have it."
"I know this isn't the way we talked about getting the news out but it's done. I need to get to Melbourne before it gets out of control."
"Gets out of control!" Jean abruptly stands, the fire raging in her eyes. "This whole damn thing has been out of control since you chose to leave, Lucien. The townspeople, my friends; my family watched me morn you, bury you, for God's sake!"
"Jean…" He tries to reach out for her but she steps just out of reach.
"No Lucien. It isn't that simple. You can't just think embracing me will fix everything. Yes, WE need to go to the base in Melbourne but," Lucien shakes his head to try and protest. Jean raises a hand to stop him, "but first you need to call our loved ones before the rumors reach them. I will not have Charlie hear it from one of his station mates." She hands the receiver to Lucien while she dials the familiar number. "I will finish getting ready while you talk to him."
"What should I say to him?"
"The truth. None of this is going to be easy Lucien but I am tired of lying to people. You need to make this right with everyone. Start with him." A hello is heard on the line as Jean turns away from the kitchen.
He finds Jean sitting at his desk in the surgery. He watches from the doorway trying to read her face but she is staring into the void of the surgery. One brow arches high with a thought. Lucien can't help but smile at the familiar expression that is so unique to his Jean.
She can feel him watching her long before she reacts to his presence. It will do no one any good to be angry with him. She doesn't have the time or energy for anger. What is done is done and they need to move forward.
She lets out a heavy sigh before cocking her head towards Lucien. "How did it go with Charlie?"
"Fine, good. He asked about you. I'm sure he will visit soon."
"Charlie is a good man. I'll phone Jack and then Ruby. I'm sure Amelia is about ready to bust trying not to tell Ruby that you are home." Lucien steps further into the surgery taking his first good look around the room, at the empty shelves, and cabinets. The walls are bare where once charts hung. "I had to clean out the medical supplies. I donated what the orphanage could use to Sister Josephine. The rest I gave to Alice. Lucien, patients needed to move on to other doctors. People need a doctor that is here to care for them."
"Of course." His hand is rubbing the back of his head. Jean is at his side, her small hand taking a hold of his, pulling herself into the embrace that she denied him earlier.
"I love you." She rubs her hand along his beard, the feel of the coarse hair on her finger tips a comfort that she will never tire of. "Shall we do this?"
He leans down to capture her lips before answering. "Yes. Let's get Christopher home." The phone rings but neither make a move to answer it.
At the front door Jean hands Lucien his fedora and straightens his tie before they exit their home. She can't help but enjoy the flutter in her stomach at the sight of the striking figure of her husband in his best blue suit. "Ready?"
"With you by my side I'm ready for anything, my darling."
They step out in the brisk winter air, the morning sun bright above. They are not even off the porch when a car is pulling in the driveway. "Lucien, just go into the car." She pushes him along.
"Who is that?"
"Someone from the newspaper."
"Mrs. Blake." The annoying editor yells out from the car window. "So it is true."
"Mr. Carver, I don't have time for this now. Lucien, get in the car."
"But Mrs. Blake you are a town council woman and this is big news. Your constituents have a right to know." He gets out of his vehicle. With a few long strides he is by the Blakes, a hand out to shake. "Dr. Blake, pleasure. I am Martin Carver, editor of the Courier. Jean, you know it will be only a matter of time before you will be surrounded by reporters from all over Victoria. Wouldn't you rather have a friend deliver the story first."
Jean continues to maneuver Lucien into the car as if directing a willful child. "Yes, Mr. Carver…"
"Martin." He mumbles.
Lucien continues to watch the exchange uncertain of what the relationship is but clearly aware that his wife doesn't think highly of the man. "Mr. Carver I do indeed want a friend to report this story. That is why last night I spoke with Rose Anderson in depth. She will be running the full story in tomorrow's Herald. Now excuse us."
They drive in silence for a few miles before Lucien feels brave enough to speak. "That man, Martin Carver, you don't care for him?"
"Not particularly."
"Did he do something to you?"
"What?" Jean momentarily glances from the road to her husband, "No. He's just a typical newspaper man. And I'm just not in the mood for it Lucien."
He throws his hands up, "fair enough." He watches her with a sideways glance. She is driving with a determination that he is leery to cross. He finally asks, "Did you really call Rose?"
"Yes. Last night after you fell asleep. I knew it would only be a matter of time in a town like Ballarat that someone would find out something so I gave her a story. I called her after you spoke to Charlie, told her to get it in tomorrow's morning edition. I know this may be difficult for you to grasp but I am a member of the town council with obligations."
"I know Jean. And I am ever so proud of you." He begins to fiddle with a button on his overcoat. "What did you tell Rose? What story I mean."
"I guess you'll need to read the paper to find out." A tear streams down her cheek. He reaches out to wipe it away. She pulls the car over to the side of the road, turning off the engine.
"Jean?"
She lays her head on the steering wheel, her shoulders begin to shake. He aches for the pain he causes her, berating himself for not deserving her. He is about to slide over to her side and once again beg for forgiveness when Jean raises her head. The laughter that fills her takes him back.
She wipes the tears that are streaming as she tries to gain control of herself. "Lucien, I have no idea where I'm going." She burst into another fit of laughter that has Lucien looking at her as if she has lost her mind. Before he can help himself he can feel the pull of the moment in him as the chuckle rises in his throat, following with a hearty laugh that fills the car.
He takes a few deep breaths to calm himself, "I sure did make a mess of things didn't I?"
Jean reaches a hand into his jacket pocket to remove the handkerchief to clean up her face. "You did warn me that life would be messy. I think you should drive now."
They meet at the front of the car. Before Lucien can pass Jean grabs a hold of him, kissing him fiercely for any passerbyers to see. She breaks the kiss for a breath that they both require, a new glow on her face. "My life is certainly never boring with you my love."
"You know Mrs. Blake, I don't think I am entirely to blame for all the excitement any longer."
She smiles up at her husband, a smile that reaches her eyes, a smile that welcomes him home. "That is because you are a bad influence on me, doctor." She gives him a playful swat before continuing to the passenger side. "Come on. Let's finish this."