Looking up at the moon Maggie slowly lifted her mug to her lips
"What you doing out here?" he leaned against the door frame
"Just looking at the moon" she smiled hearing the leaves crunch under his feet
"It's past two am why don't you come to bed"
"Yeah I will soon"
"Maggie" he placed a hand on her shoulder stopping next to her
"I'm fine I just couldn't sleep" she moved to stand tipping the rest of her drink in the garden bed
"I can tell somethings bothering you"
"It's nothing"
"Is this about your Dad?"
"I just can't help but wonder how this is going to work…"
"Work?"
"He needs my help PJ, but I want to be here with you what kid of daughter does that make me?" she sighed
"The kind who is trying to create a life for herself" taking the mug from her hand he placed it on the bench before interlocking her hands in his
"I get your worried about your Dad, worried about him drinking and how he's going to react when he finds out you left"
"I didn't even say goodbye"
"And that's okay because you'll see him again Mags"
"You really think so?" she looked at him sadly
"Yes I do, your Dad loves you and he'll realise that all of this he's doing is causing him to loose his little girl"
"What if he never comes around…"
"He will" PJ smiled sadly brushing a piece of hair behind her ear
"I get your trying to make me feel better…"
"Is it working?" he smirked running his other hand across her back and under her shirt
"Thank you" she brushed her thumb across his chin
"Mick is there Maggie he will look out for your Dad"
"They never see eye to eye why start now"
"Because Mick knows how important this is to you and I may or may not have called him last night to make sure"
"You really are amazing you know that…"
"Ehh I try to be, now will you come back to bed?" he began walking her backwards
"For sleep?" she grinned running her hands across his bare chest
"If your lucky there might just be some ice cream and two spoons waiting on the kitchen bench"
"How about we forget the ice cream?"
"Forget the ice cream" he nodded meeting her lips in a slow kiss.
Four Years Later-
"Whoosh!" he smiled playing aeroplane with the three-year-old boy who was giggling loudly
"Again Daddy again" he squirmed
"How about we go see Mummy"
"Boss lady, Boss lady!" he yelled
"That's right Mummy's the Boss lady" he slowly opened the office door placing the rowdy three-year-old on the ground
"I understand that" she had her back to them
"Go get her" he knelt next to him whispering, giggling slightly the blonde haired boy ran around the desk and jumped into the arms of his Mother
"Oh" she jumped trying to catch his little body "Look Keith I've got to go you know work stuff to do" she turned around in her chair placing the phone down
"Hi Boss lady" he giggled once she'd placed the phone down
"Your responsible for this are you?" she looked across at him arising from her chair with the little boy in her arms
"Ahh no think you'll find that was all Tommy" he grinned
"Mm-hmm" she stopped across from him
"You've settled in well here Mags"
"Well no one can really take over from the Boss but…"
"He had to retire sooner or later he couldn't sit behind a desk all day"
"I know" she shrugged
"Mags we still see him at the Pub after work and every time he babysits this one" he ruffled Tommy's hair
"It just feels weird around here without him"
"I know what you mean but for me well… it's seeing another member sitting at your desk"
"I had to move up through the ranks eventually couldn't stay a Senior Connie my whole life"
"No now you're a Senior Sergeant a…"
"Boss lady!" Tommy interrupted his parents
"That's right Boss lady who is perfect for this job" PJ laughed
"Well why don't you take Tommy and Boss lady will just finish up and meet you at the pub" she passed Tommy to him
"Mags you've been working since seven this morning" he lifted Tommy comfortably in his arms
"PJ you know how the job is"
"Your Dad's gonna be there"
"You mean he's finally out of rehab?" she crossed her arms
"Mags.. you know he's trying his best…"
"Four times PJ, four times he's been in that place after lasting only six months before getting onto the grog again"
"It's been hard for him you know that.."
"For him?" she huffed stepping back
"Where was he after Robbie died, after I came back to Mount Thomas to be with you, he wasn't even there for the birth of Thomas and the…"
"I know it's been hard for you too okay I get that I do but he's trying Maggie showing up here to celebrate your promotion this is his way of trying"
"He didn't even come to our wedding PJ that was three years ago I mean I went into Labour on our wedding night and he wasn't in rehab at the time..." she looked at him sadly
"Mags.."
"Just go I'll meet you down there" she turned her back to them
"Can we see Pop?" Tommy gave his Dad as soft smile
"Sure bud, seems like your Mum's busy anyway" he brushed the slight curl from Tommy's eyes
"I'll see you down there" he answered moving out of her office watching her through the office window sadly as they walked past.
"She coming?" Tom questioned when PJ entered the pub
"My wise advice falls on deaf ears" he rolled his eyes
"Maybe I should have a word to her?"
"You'd be wasting your breath" PJ passed Tommy to him
"Stubborn as her old man that one"
"Pop, Mums the Boss Lady now" Tommy giggled in his arms
"I don't know what to do with her anymore"
"Maybe now's your chance to make it up" Tom pointed to the entrance where Maggie was standing near the curtain,
turning to look at her PJ smiled sadly he motioned towards the stairs following after her "You made it"
"How's Tommy?"
"Sucking up to his Pop" PJ placed a hand on her arm
"I hate fighting in front of him…"
"I know" he pulled her into a hug
"I'm sorry…" she mumbled into his neck
"I know this has been hard for you Mags, having to raise Tommy without him grandpa getting to know…"
"And you've been so supportive these past four years I shouldn't be taking it out on you" she pulled back to look at him
"What else are husbands for"
"If he's willing to try then I will too I mean he's my Dad"
"That's my girl" he kissed her forehead before a clear of the throat pulled them apart
"You got a minute?" Pat asked from in the doorway
"Yeah"
"I'll leave you too it" PJ moved back from her and into the bar area
"Look at you" he smiled sadly
"And you you've… well you still look the same"
"Maggie… I'm so sorry" he stepped forward
"Oh Dad" she wrapped her arms around him in a hug
"I love you kiddo I never meant to push you away"
"And the grog?"
"Been sober a year now… I don't go near the stuff"
"Really?" she pulled back to look at him
"I want a second chance; I want to know my grandson"
"I think that can be arranged"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, come on" she moved them towards the bar area "this can be your future Dad, a future with PJ and I with your grandson"
"A fresh start" he asked hopeful
"A fresh start" she nodded.