Lucien slipped into the passenger seat next to Christopher and silence descended on the occupants of the car. Not one to fidget, Lucien found himself anxious as he thought of how to approach explaining to Christopher about his sudden arrival with Jean. For his part, Christopher remained very quiet, eyes focused on the road. He made his way out of the base and took a left toward the heart of Adelaide glancing to his passenger.
Lucien felt he should break the silence and felt starting off with an apology would probably be the surest way to get a conversation started. He rubbed his hands along the top of his thighs and He cleared his throat, "Thank you Christopher, I know this is an inconvenience. I'm sorry to pull you away from the family. I must say Amelia is lovely. Congratulations." He smiled.
Christopher cleared his throat before responding, "Well we are happy." He said slowly, "will you be staying Adelaide long Doctor?" He glanced to see what the Doctor's reaction would be, then moved his eyes back to the road.
"I'm not really sure, It will depend mostly on your mother. I can't stay too long without having someone cover my surgery but…." As he looked at the lad next to him he noted Jeans high cheekbones and well formed mouth. His eyes were more like his father he assumed as they didn't have the grey blue of his mother. He was definitely Jean's son, in temperament at least, not effusive and very speculative always observing the world around him. "I want you to know that your mother didn't plan my traveling with her. I took her by surprise, hopping on her bus as it was pulling out of town. I want you to know that I think she's a wonderful woman, your mother, and frankly I would be lost without her."
The corner of Chris's mouth quirked up in a half smile. "Well, I think that mum is rather fond of you as well." Lucien cleared his throat and blushed a smile gracing his lips.
"I hope so, I intend to ask her to return to Ballarat. When she's ready, I mean. I'm very much in love with your mother and If she'll have me, I'll travel to the ends of the earth for her." He was watching Christopher intensely. Having laid his feelings out so bluntly he wasn't sure what the reaction would be. He hadn't even told Jean he loved her though he hoped she understood that he did. After all he'd chased down a bus to be with her. He hadn't wanted to tell her while there were other ears so close by, able to overhear the intimacy and watch the interaction that would result. He knew that Jean would not appreciate an audience, she was a very private sort of person. It had taken their daily presence in each other's company to witness the little beautiful nuances and details that she was willing to share to his delight. Always she comported herself with dignity and grace and she wouldn't be pleased with him if he tried to expose her heart to witnesses. Telling her he loved her, that was something he wanted privacy for. He didn't want Jean to feel put in an awkward situation or make her feel vulnerable or obligated because they were not alone.
Lucien sat quietly fidgeting, waiting for any response from Christopher who steadfastly looked straight ahead navigating through the streets. Yes he was very much like his mother, he seemed to inherently know how make Lucien sit on the edge of his seat waiting for the inevitable fallout of whatever mess he'd got himself into.
Within a few minutes they turned into the drive of a large hotel, beautifully landscaped but not overly elegant and parked in the entry to allow Lucien to get out. Christopher turned toward Lucien, "Why don't you come to dinner tomorrow night Doctor. That'll give Mum time to get settled." He seemed to be contemplating how to continue, "I think you could be good for her, perhaps we should all get to know each other better." To Lucien's surprise Chris held out his hand to shake. Thrilled with the reaction Lucien smiled and took the boys hand in a hearty shake. "This is a nice place," Chris commented looking back at the hotel, "I think you'll find it comfortable." Then before Lucien could exit he took out a piece of paper and wrote down the phone and address of the little bungalow. "Here," He held it out so Lucien could take it. "so you can make your way to our place and call mum if you want, 6 o'clock tomorrow?"
Lucien's smile grew. "Thank you, Christopher, I'll see you tomorrow. Take care of those lovely ladies." Lucien climbed out of the car and held the little slip of paper that represented the tacit approval of Jean's oldest son. He knew that Jack wouldn't be happy about any change in his and Jean's circumstances but Jack already thought that something was going on so this only served to confirm whatever ill thing he was thinking. Lucien waved at the back of the car as Christopher pulled away from the hotel and looked down at the paper wondering if calling tonight would be too soon? He should let Jean know how to contact him after all. He bounded up the stairs and thru the main doors to go to the front desk.
The manager directed Lucien to a local department store where he could pick up a few necessities and after having supplied himself for a stay of a week he'd settled into his room and looked at the phone. It wasn't quite time for dinner and though there was a restaurant in the hotel, while he'd gone to get what he'd needed he'd noted a few restaurants near to the hotel that he hoped to entice Jean to for dinner some night while he was here. He wanted more than anything to be able to get her alone and have a proper unwitnessed conversation about their future.
He took the paper out of his pocket and looked at the number. Would it be to early to call? Maybe he should wait till after dinner when the household had settled down somewhat and perhaps Amelia had gone to bed. His watch showed just after 4:30 and he had no Idea at what time the Beazley's had their meals. He decided that he needed to settle his nerves down. He was far too wound up. Perhaps a drink and maybe a map from the front desk to orient himself to town. He hadn't really paid any attention to how they arrived at the hotel in relation to the military base, it had gone by in a blur of anxiety. Is there a bus, how much for a taxi, was there a bank nearby to replenish his funds? He did need to call to the house and station to let Mattie and Matthew know he would be unavailable for a short time. Best get that done before the drink.
He picked up the handset and told the operator what number he needed and waited for the call to go thru. He tried the station first. Matthew would surely still be on duty, he had no idea what Mattie's schedule would be, but perhaps he could leave a message for her with Charlie. Three rings and he heard the familiar voice of Bill Hobart on the other end of the line.
"Bill! It's Doctor Blake, is Lawson available?"
"Sure Doc, just a minute." He could hear muted voices in the background, then suddenly Matthew's impatient clipped voice came on the line.
"Where the hell are you? I've been trying to get a hold of you for hours?"
"Matthew, I'm in Adelaide.
"What the Hell!" Matthew shouted into the handset making Lucien move the receiver away from his ear.
"I'm here on a personal matter. I shouldn't be more than a week. Can you get Alice to cover for me if a death comes up?"
Matthew sighed, "I need you to give a statement about Doug Ashby's death. You took off before we could take it. You gonna tell me what's going on when you get back?"
"It's nothing to do with any of our cases Matthew. Is Charlie there? I want him to deliver a message to Mattie and I'll leave my contact information with him. Thank you Matthew." Lucien could hear Matthew bark "Davis" in the background and soon Charlie came on to the extension.
"Doc." He looked at his boss. "What can I do for you?"
"Charlie, I'm gonna be in Adelaide for a few days. Can you let Mattie know? Take down these numbers. One is the hotel I'm staying at and the other is Jean's son Christopher's number should either of you need to get ahold of us. I don't have any patients for the surgery for the next 2 weeks so I won't need Mattie to reschedule anyone."
"Alright, anything you want us to know beyond your contact information?"
"No Charlie." Lucien responded. The curiosity was killing Charlie and he wasn't about to give up without seeing if he could get more information.
"How's Mrs. Beazley? Did she get to Adelaide alright?" Everyone nearby heard the question and all were watching for Charlie's reaction to the answer.
"Mrs. Beazley's just fine Charlie, now take this information and pass it to Matthew and Mattie if you please." Lucien hung up the receiver after he'd confirmed the contact info Charlie wrote down and looked at his watch.
Just after 5, not an unreasonable time to go get a drink in the bar and maybe see about dinner. Making his way downstairs he turned to the front desk to ask for a map and confirmed that the bar was open. As he strolled into the bar His thoughts inevitably drifted to Jean. It was oddly agonizing to be so near her but not actually to be WITH her.
She looked so lovely holding the baby in her arms. He knew she was fond of children but other than baking biscuits and chatting sweetly with the young ones that came thru the surgery he'd never seen her really take care of a child. Of course, their own children were grown so this was his first opportunity to observe her. She was a very nurturing sort of woman was Jean and he'd been very curious about her sons. For all she talked about them they never seemed to call or visit with their mother. She obviously loved them and the look of joy on her face when she saw Christopher in the audience the night of the Jacqueline Maddern's death confirmed for him that she didn't see nearly enough of them.
He was pleased to note that Christopher was far more willing to visit with his mother than Jack. Jack hadn't seemed to even want to see her and simply did so for the free place to stay as far a Lucien was concerned. Jean seemed rather disquieted about his sudden surprise appearance and He put no effort into actually visiting with her; then the Denison's were murdered. He would never get out of his mind the disappointment on her face to find Jack had been travelling with two criminals and got the girl pregnant to boot. He wanted to comfort her, even with Mattie and Charlie witnessing the affection he held for her, but he ventured only to caress her cheek.
Lucien sat down at the bar and ordered a whiskey, taking a sip and thinking about tomorrow evening. In that moment he knew he'd be calling the Beazley's this evening and letting Jean know how to get ahold of him should she need. A soft smile lingered on his lips as he recollected holding Jean's hand and her cuddled into his chest during the bus ride. Oh he had wanted to kiss her.
He longed to hold her in his arms again, as he had when Jack left and in her despair Jean fell into his arms. It surprised him, this woman who was a cornerstone to his life, who seemed to be a pillar of strength and fortitude, had fallen apart in front of him and sought comfort in his arms. It was that moment, that singular visceral experience, that cemented his love for her. Up till that point, Lucien was certain that she had no interest in him, but she had clung to him fiercely. He had wanted her to understand that she belonged there in that house and that they could manage to comingle their lives and lend support through the trials and tribulations.
That moment had dominated his heart and mind after. He had to know how she felt but there was a fear of being direct and maybe scaring her or more importantly being alone in these feelings and spurring her to leave needing to escape an uncomfortable situation. The moment lingered and created a perpetual longing in his being. He hadn't been prepared for how soft and warm she felt and her natural fragrance of subtle flowers seeped into his senses to become his favorite scent. Her hair was softer even than he imagined, and she fit so well in his arms he had a hard time keeping his hands to himself afterwards.
After that he had tried to get a sense of her feelings about him and them. He'd told her about Monica Goodman, carefully watching her face for any indication of well…. anything really. He was fairly sure she wouldn't be jealous, but he'd hoped for a little more curiosity in her response. Instead, they'd shared a moment about how life can change in a moment from a single decision. Was she thinking about that moment in the sunroom when she'd answered him? He couldn't be sure because like a trapped animal she ran off upstairs to bed and left him longing in the kitchen no longer interested in having a cuppa. After she had teased him in a familiar affectionate sort of way that had him hoping that she might be warming to the idea.
It wasn't until he'd held her hands and dried her tears in the garden that he knew she had not missed the change in his affections. She told him she was not ready to move on and all he could do was encourage her to think about it and maybe give him a chance. To that end he was trying to bring them closer. He'd contacted Christopher and cajoled the boy to come home to see his mother for her birthday as a surprise. Chris seemed initially reluctant but finally agreed to make the trip. He'd hoped that he could see how this son was with his mother, but he kept getting pulled away to deal with the murder and in the end the best he could do was encourage Christopher and his wife to let Jean share in the joy of her new granddaughter.
It all fell apart after that. He'd not included Jean in his concerns about his mother's demise and she'd not involved him in her quandary with Christopher's request for help. Ahh well, they'd have make sure never to repeat those mistakes. He finished his drink and went to the restaurant, had a serviceable dinner and made his way back upstairs to make his call to Jean.