Margot King re-read the email from her younger sister. She and Janet had never been close and although they kept in touch, Janet had never said much about her relationship with Bianca. Until now - casually dropping that the referendum had passed, and they could get married.
An email reply would not do, this called for conversation.

Bianca and Janet were having a quiet celebration over a bottle of 19 Crimes when Margot called.
"What's this about getting married? You've never said it was that serious."
Janet put the phone on speaker, winked at Bianca. "Yeah, it's that serious but we're not in a hurry."
"I hope not. It would be nice to be at my sister's wedding."
"When are you due home?"
"Two months to go. Is that what you call not in a hurry?"
Janet chuckled. "I reckon that might be just about right. We were planning to ask you to be a witness."
Margot put on her "royal" voice, as Janet called it. "I would be delighted."
"How's it going down there? Bet you'll be glad to get back to some shorts and t shirt weather." Margot was coming to the end of a year of being a medical practitioner in the Antarctic.
"Oh, yeah. I love the work here, but a year on the ice certainly is enough."
"What's next?"
"Not sure. I might look into doing some time with the Flying Doctor. Will think about my options after I've had a break."
"Well, we'd better make sure we get on with the wedding before you flit off again!"
"You had. And I'd better hit the sack. Never know what's around the corner in this job." Then she remembered. "Oh, and how is Finn?"
"He's doing well. Not yet out of the woods but it's looking positive."
"That's very good news. I'm off to Dreamland. Keep me posted."
"Will do."

Finn was indeed doing well. There had been many anxious moments. Janet had even taken two weeks leave to support Deb. Bianca marvelled that after all the trauma over the embryo, the sisters-in-law had forged a strong bond.

Liam got his wish to help, chuffed at spending time entertaining Finn in hospital. Janet had schooled him in the need to be quiet and gentle while Finn was recovering. Emma was upset and fearful, not wanting to spend time at the hospital but happier once Finn was home, when she would join in little games with Liam.

The necessary restraint left Liam full of boisterous energy at home and he was allowed to get away with more than he usually would have.

One evening he was being a bit too silly and Janet had to read the riot act. When both children were finally asleep, she sprawled on the lounge, letting out a sigh of relief. "That boy is like an out of control freight train."
Bianca laughed and poured the wine. "But he's been absolutely wonderful with Finn, so I guess we get the trade-off."
"Mmmm. He has at that." She paused, a little teary, swinging her legs down so that Bianca could sit next to her. "I'm so proud of him."

As Bianca handed her the glass and sat beside her, Janet swung her legs back up into her lap. "Emma's still worried, even though Finn is improving all the time. When she asks, I can't tell her categorically that he isn't going to die, even though it's unlikely, so she stays afraid."
"I know. She's a perceptive kid, sensitive as well. Look how insecure she was when I first turned up. We can at least be thankful that's behind her."
"Yes, we can. And you do the weird things with her, like ice skating and cricket."
Bianca stretched, stifled a yawn. "Ha! Weird, my arse! And we haven't done the cricket thing yet. Apart from knocking the ball around on the park a couple of times."

They finished their wine in comfortable silence. Janet collected the glasses, took them to the kitchen then came back and pulled Bianca to her feet. "I"m so glad you're here."
"I'm glad, too. And I'm glad you were brave enough to give us another shot."
"You were the first one to be brave. You made the move."
"Yeah, I did, didn't I?" That little half smile again. "You don't know how terrified I was that you wouldn't even reply."
"Funny, that's never come up before. We must have been too busy with important things."
Bianca blew gently in her ear. "I can think of one important thing."
"Stop it! You know that sends me wild."
Bianca blew again. "I do. I want you wild."

Two days later Bianca's work again interrupted their "domestic bliss", as they liked to joke. This time it was Melbourne but not as intense as the Queensland stint had been. The twins had quickly become used to having her around and clamoured to talk to her before bed each night. They took turn about being first to start the chat. Thank goodness for zoom! What had started as a week stretched into three. Emma became fretful, wanted to send Bianca a photo to have with her.

Bianca looked the envelope on her desk - addressed in Janet's handwriting. Why would Janet be writing to her? Hastily she tore it open. Delight spread across her face as she read:

"My darling, Emma wanted you to have a photo of her. She is missing you almost as much as I am. Today she asked when we're getting married. I think she needs to know we're permanent! Here is a pic of the two of them, until we can take the "proper" family one that Em really wants.
Love you. Forever. xx"

Forever. She thought back to the day they went to the beach. How, in spite of their closeness at her place, Janet still couldn't bring herself to commit to "forever".

Briefly, she held the note and the photo to her heart. As she put them back in the envelope, she closed her eyes tight to clear her head, and got back to work.

On the way home (if one could call the motel home), she bought a double frame to take the photo and note - a few happy tears as she placed it on the bedside table. There were plenty of photos of the twins, and of Janet, in her phone but this one, from Emma's heart, filled her with joy. And a forever note as well…

She sent a photo of the photo in the frame, minus the note. When they hooked up for the bedtime chat, Emma was quick to point out that the family photo could go in other side of the frame. Bianca enthusiastically agreed. They both got all their news out, then took off for screen time.

Janet lowered her voice. "Are you coming home for sure this time? No more extensions?"
"Yep. Day after tomorrow, for sure. Just some paper work to be finalised tomorrow and I'll be on that plane."

Emma came downstairs trailing a blanket behind her, upset by a bad dream. "Bianca had an accident and was lying in the road, with people all around. Liam was running around yelling. I don't know where you were." Janet wrapped her in the blanket, cuddled her close, stroking her hair, reassuring her that Bianca was fine and would be home in a couple of days.

When she was finally relaxed and getting sleepy, "You're a bit too big to carry upstairs. Back to bed. I'll sit with you until you get back to sleep." An all too frequent routine since Finn's illness.