Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

by Tanya Reed

Okay, here's the next part. It's very short.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Due South.

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December 27, 1392

The visit had been too short.

Benton Smythe thought this, but did not voice it as he and his wife followed the others to the door. His eyes lingered on his daughter Margaret, named for her mother. She was a pretty young woman, receiving most of her features from Benton's wife, but her eyes were blue instead of that wonderful shade somewhere between brown and hazel. She also had happy eyes, something Benton was grateful for.

When she looked at her husband and their three children, love shone from her face. Benton was glad that Meg had insisted their daughter marry for love.

Rachel, Elizabeth, and Harold were clinging to their grandmother as if they'd never let go. It was too seldom that Stanley managed to bring his family for a visit--only once a year, at Christmas. Gazing at the grandchildren, it was hard to believe they were Margaret's. In his mind's eyes she was younger than they were.

"Come on, children. We have a long way to go," Stanley said firmly and, to their credit, they kissed their grandmother, gave Benton a crushing four member hug, and ran out into the snow. Stanley smiled at both Meg and Benton, and then followed his children.

Left alone with her parents, tears came to Margaret's eyes. "I can't believe it's time to go again. I miss you so much."

Meg reached up and cupped her daughter's face. "And we miss you. It would break our hearts if you didn't come to see us every year."

Margaret wrapped Meg up in a hug. "Bye, Mother. I love you."

Meg kissed her and smiled. "Our love keeps us together."

She nodded and then hugged Benton. "Good bye, Father."

In his arms, she felt strong and capable, but her trembling tugged at his heart. He held her closer, wishing that she and her family could stay.

"Don't cry," he whispered, "Or you'll make me cry too."

She pulled away, laughing but running her thumbs under her eyes. "Take care of Mother. I'll see you next year."

Then she turned and picked her way through the snow. As he watched her and her family leaving, Benton wrapped his arm around his wife. She smiled and leaned into him, making him look down at her. After all these years, she was still beautiful. There was something in her eyes that spoke of passion and laughter veiled by calm serenity and efficiency. She had a rare smile, but when it appeared, Benton was just as lost as he was the first time she had smiled at him.

"Another year gone, Ben." Her voice was soft.

"Yes, another year older and another bit of happiness in my heart."

She chuckled at this, squeezing him tightly. "Someone once told me that the measure of a person is not in what he owns but in the amount of love he has from his family and the amount of respect people have for him."

"Ah, yes. And someone tends to remind him of that every year or two. As a matter of fact, she used it to convince him to let his daughter marry a certain young man."

This caused her to sigh. "The house is always so empty when they leave."

"Yes, I know, but think of the quiet time we get together."

This time when she looked at him, there was a wicked gleam in her eyes. Benton felt himself flushing. She still had the power to make him blush with just a look. "Now, Meggie, I think I know what you're thinking."

"Oh, really, Ben?" she asked in mock horror. "Am I that easy to read?"

Instead of answering this, he gently kissed her forehead. Then, he said, "I don't know what I would have done without the love and happiness you have given me."

"It has been a good life, hasn't it?" She pulled from him and took his hand. He regarded her seriously. When he did not follow, she continued, "It's been a long couple of days, Mr. Smythe, and we are old. Don't you think it's time we went to bed?"

"To bed? With you? I thought you'd never ask."

Smiling, he squeezed her hand and followed her into the bedroom.