Jean's hands play with the strap of her purse. Her nimble fingers in continuous motion, an outlet for the nerves and anticipation that fills her. Lucien takes one hand off the steering wheel to place on top of hers. "You are going to wear a hole in the leather if you keep that up."

"Oh!" She gives a sigh and a knowing smile. "I should have brought my knitting."

"We are almost there."

"Yay!" Amelia bounces in the back seat. "Papa, will we see the airplanes?"

"I am most certain that the airfield will have airplanes." Lucien looks in the rear view mirror to catch the smile on the little girl's face then catches a similar smile on his wife's. He says a silent thank you for the family that Jean has given him, for the family they have become.

"Did you hear that Uncle Jack?"

"I did, squirt." Jack sits holding his niece next to him, trying to contain her excitement to the backseat of the car.

When his mother phoned him a month prior telling him of Lucien's return. He felt the frightened angry little boy rise up in him once again. He let those feelings stay there, festering for a few days, wanting to be angry with his mother for taking that man back so easily into her life but he couldn't. That isn't the man that he is now. The man that wants, and needs his family. The angry little boy is gone leaving behind a man that isn't afraid or ashamed to love his mother for the woman she is or who she loves. Any bit of animosity that he clung to towards Lucien Blake disappeared the moment he saw his mother's face, the sparkle of happiness once again in her eyes.

Jean reaches out to Lucien, smoothing a nonexistent wrinkle from his pant leg, thinking how in a month's time his best blue suit once again fits him as it should. Her mind wanders to the day he puts it on to confront General Graham resolve things, to bring Christopher home.

They arrive at General Graham's office before afternoon tea. The formidable secretary insists that the general is busy but Lucien urges her to inform the general of his presence. The secretary is behind the closed door only a moment before the general is in the doorway.

"Blake? Bloody hell."

"General, we need to talk."

"I would damn well say so."

Lucien heads towards the open door, Jean close behind. He turns, placing a firm hand on her upper arm. "No Jean. Wait here. I need to do this part on my own."

She hesitates a moment before closing in to rest her cheek against his, whispering in his ear. "Don't lose your temper. I'll be right here."

Jean sits, back straight, trying to will her body not to reflect the nervousness that she feels. She says a silent prayer that Lucien can remain calm, that he can let his head lead him not his heart. The outer office door opens, the break in the silence allowing her a moment to shift in her seat. It isn't until the footsteps come closer that she looks up from her hands.

"Major, I was wondering if I would see you."

Hannam takes the seat next to Jean, so close that his knee brushes against hers. "Your husband with the General?"

"Yes but you know that already don't you?"

"I assume he will be discussing getting your son back on Australian soil amongst other things." Jean nods. "Good. I have already started drawing up the paperwork. It doesn't happen overnight but he should be home soon."

Until this Jean's eyes remain straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with Hannam, not certain if he really is a friend or foe but with these words she turns to face him. "Why are you helping us?"

"I told you last night, Mrs. Blake, I am not the enemy besides it isn't right that your son got caught in the middle. He never should have been sent to the embassy in Saigon. It is a mess over there and only bound to get worse. The general was very upset when Major Blake didn't show up and he took it out on Captain Beazley. We can't change that but we can make it right."

"Why are you telling me this?"

For a moment a rare smile comes to his face, "I have seen men twice the size of you, trained to kill with out a second thought, quiver at my feet and yet you show no fear. You deserve to know the truth."

"You say I deserve to know the truth, then tell me why Lucien?"

"Because he was, is, one of the best we have. Even when he was a drunk and broken he could do the job like no one else."

"But that isn't him anymore. He doesn't want that life."

"I know."

"I sense a but in there."

"It doesn't go away that easily. There are many players in this game as you well know. Your husband knows things, things that he doesn't even know are important and some people out there don't like that. I will do what I can, Mrs. Blake, deflect interest if his name should be mentioned. I want the Major to live out his days as the country doctor, family man that he longs to be." Hannam stands to make his way into the general's office.

Jean quickly gets up, stepping in front of Hannam. "You know all the sides don't you? The players as you called them?" Her eyes fill with fury.

"Mmhm. Lucky for you then that I am a friend." Then much to Jean's surprise the sizable man gives her a bow.

She hasn't told her husband about what Hannam said to her that day. She tells herself that it is for his own good, protecting him from what she is not sure. Sometimes she try's to thinks of what it is she would even tell him; that all of their lives are expendable if they don't play by the rules. She thinks of Alderton and Sullivan, how they were taken care of in order to protect Lucien, protect secrets. She can't have him discontent with the second chance that they have been given. She must continue to be the steadfast strength, the voice of reason for them to have their happiness.

Lucien flashes Jean one of his widest grins. "You three stay in the car out of the cold while I check on the plane's arrival."

"Can I come Papa, please."

Lucien shrugs, Jean shaking her head at the pair. "You keep a hold of Papa's hand."

"Yes, Nana. I won't let go, promise."

Jack leans his head over the seat, "He looks well, stronger than the last time, not so thin."

"He is and he certainly has been eating well."

"I'm sure you are making him all his favorites."

She shifts around to see her son better, "I do for all my boys. I'm glad you came today. Jack you know he…"

"Here they come back already."

They get out of the car to meet up with Lucien and Amelia. The young girl pulls her grandfather along, not wanting to disobey by letting go of the large finger that she is clinging to. There is a loud rumble in the sky at a plane's descent.

"That is Christopher's plane now."

Lucien picks up Amelia, holding her with one arm while pulling Jean close with the other. The wind and dust swirling around them, When they get the all clear signal the family makes their way towards the plane. Christopher emerges to the squeals of his daughter. Amelia wiggles her way to the ground running to her father's open arms.

Jack continues on to meet his brother but Jean pauses, her feet feeling too heavy to move, overcome with gratitude and relief.

"Jean, are you alright?" She can only nod, "come here, you." Lucien pulls her close while she composes herself.

"Mum?" She can't hide the tears that stain her face. Christopher gives his mother a long hug before pulling back with a questioning look. "Where's Ruby?"

"I'm a big sister!" Amelia exclaims skipping around the family.

"What?"

Jean takes her son's cheek in her hand, "You have a son. Born last night."

"But she wasn't due for a couple more weeks?"

"Well it seems David Christopher Beazley, after the grandfathers, wanted to be here for his father's arrival home. He is perfect and Ruby is doing well. Alice is with her at the hospital now."

Lucien grabs a hold of Amelia on her next pass around, "I think we should move along don't you agree?"

The brothers head to the car with Amelia between them swinging their hands as she goes. Jean and Lucien's fingers entwine tightly together watching from a distance.

"Thank you my darling."

"For what?"

He chuckles, "What isn't there to thank you for but at this moment for giving me all that a man could ever want. I love you." He pulls her close, kissing her deeply; she responds willingly to his touch, the softness of his lips, the scratch of his beard, everything that makes her lose herself to him once again. They reluctantly part to join their waiting family, content in the knowledge that in this moment everything is as it should be; that ahead of them is a life, a future that fulfills all their dreams.

"Alright you lot, let's go home. My rabbit stew will be ready."