Sally held the hand of her great grandson as he made his way down the steps, one at a time. The boy had been a surprise, but one that had made all their lives better. She adored him and his cheeky personality. A miniature Scott in so many ways that there were times she was transported back thirty years. Sometimes more when bits of Jeff shone through. There were even glimpses of Lucille that slipped through from time to time. Sally was sure she would be able to see the boy's mother in him, if she knew the woman a little more, but the woman had preferred to keep her distance. There had been one visit to the island while the boy was baby, but it had not suited her. Her life was on the mainland.

Considering the state of her grandsons, Sally knew she was going to need to give them time and space to get through the debrief. It was going to be tough one, and certainly not suitable for young ears. Smiling at her foresight, she had the perfect task that would keep the little one busy.

"Go sit at the table, sweetheart. I've got something fun for you that I've hidden in the kitchen."

Sally headed towards the kitchen cupboards, keeping a constant eye on the child as he pulled himself up onto one of the dinning room chairs. It wasn't the most graceful method she'd ever seen, but he managed it. A gleeful smile came her way as he bounced on his knees, hands on the table. Opening the cupboard, Sally carefully retrieved the sprout box from the top shelf and carried it over.

"Sit down properly now, and I'll show you what I've got in here."

Her great grandson lent forward before plopping himself back down on his bottom. She knew he's be on his knees again in no time, but his excitement at what was in the box was winning right now, and she was going to make the most of it. Carefully opening the flaps, with the child straining his neck to peek inside, Sally removed the rocket shaped cookies and placed them before him. The gasp was accompanied by reaching hands, but Sally raised her finger up and he pulled his hands back before she could ask him to. Next to be placed in front of the boy was the tubes of coloured icing and a packet of jellybeans. Sally was relieved to see the vegetable box had done the trick as nothing was missing or opened. The look of pure joy that lit up the child's face was priceless, though what little boy wouldn't be excited with a box of cookies.

"These are not for eating."

The sorrow that filled those blue was genuine as a single small hand reached out. A little lip puckered.

"But cookies?"

"These cookies are for you to decorate for your Dad and uncles. Don't you think it would help cheer them up if you made them some cookies?"

A slow nod was his response.

"And if you ask them nicely, they might let you have one."

"Really?"

"Yes."

The grin was back, and his little hand was reaching for the colourful tubes. Sally nudged the box closer, allowing the child to open the packet. Stepping away quickly, she grabbed a clean tray, chopping board and piled on the ingredients she required for sandwiches. As she approached a blue tube was waved in her direction.

"Open please."

Smiling at him, she placed her tray down and took the tube. Twisting off the stiff lids, she piled them to the side, knowing it was pointless to try keep them in any order. She would be lucky of there was any icing left to save after this little monster had finished with them. Slipping the tray from the bottom of her pile, she placed it before her great grandson before grabbing a wet wipe. She gave his hands the once over and finally opened box of cookies. His hand immediately darted in and grabbed one. As she used the rest of the cloth to clean her own hands, she gazed down at the boy as he squeezed blue squiggles over the first rocket.

"You can put three of these on each cookie, understand?"

Sally held up the packet of jellybeans to some furious nodding. Slipping the zip lock open she lay it beside the cookie box. Probing fingers reached in.

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

There was much concentration on that small round face as he counted, and it melted Sally's heart. He could count so well thanks to the Thunderbirds that were hidden deep withing the island. Each uncle helping by teaching him the number of their craft. Shifting her ingredients to the side, she started to prepare lunch for her family. They may not appreciate her cooking, but she was perfectly capable of making a decent sandwich. As long as she restrained herself from adding any 'special ingredient' the boys would eat them happily. It made food less interesting, but Sally could live with it every now and then. Keeping half an eye on the opposite side of the table. She buttered bread and layered up cooked ham, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese, before cutting the sandwiches into triangles. Before long she had used up and entire loaf and was in need of another packet of ham. Nipping into the kitchen she grabbed what she needed as well as an extra couple of plates. In the reflection on the automated kitchen unit, she spotted a hand dart into the sweet packet before heading straight to an awaiting mouth.

"I saw that!"

She didn't turn around to speak, preferring the element of surprise. Her great grandson's reflection jumped as he turned her way, a face etched with shock. Picking up the items, she turned to face him. She fought the smile that always threatened when she'd caught someone in the act. Big guilty eyes pleaded with her.

"How?"

"I see everything. I thought you would know that by now, young man. If I see you do that again you'll be getting no cookie today, understand?"

He responded with a small pout and solemn nod.

"Good. Do you want to finish those up? It'll be lunch time soon."

"Yes, Grammie!"

The two of them finished their work in companionable silence. The little boy's tongue was sticking out the side of his mouth as he concentrated on making colourful patterns on the rockets. There was no repeat of the sneaky escapade and Sally was able to tidy up as he finished the last one.

"All done!"

Sticky hands were thrown in the air with the exclamation. Sally grabbed a damp soapy cloth and headed over to the beaming boy for the inspection.

"Very good! I think your Dad and uncles are going to love them. Now, time to clean you up."

Sally grabbed the boy's arms and swiftly wiped the multicoloured stains from them, as well as the icing that had managed to get all up his arms and onto his shirt too. Once he was all clean, she playfully wiped his face, getting a disgruntled pout back. She gave a quick wipe over the few saveable tubes; black, brown and white. Sally slid the tray to the side and removed the temptation of the jellybeans.

"How about you help me prepare for lunch?"

"Okay."

Sally ruffled the boy's soft locks before retrieving two big sharing bags of chips and some bowls. Passing one to her great grandson, she observed him trying to pull it open. Opening hers, she offered it to him. The swap was accepted, and he gave her a cheeky grin as he snatched one out and ate it. Sally gasped comically, causing giggles to echo around the room.

"Put them in the bowl, please."

Upending the bag over the bowl, the boy filled it up with some almighty shakes. Sally took the empty bag and turned a blind eye to the eating of the three chips that had missed their target. With footsteps approaching, Sally tipped the other bag into the remaining bowl. Her boys would be hungry. It was Scott who appeared first, his eyes already spotting the food on the table, though he headed straight for his son. Sally stepped away to fill a jug with water.

"Did you decorate all those cookies?"

Scott's voice was filled with the excitement and pride all parents expressed for their little one's achievements.

"Yes!"

Sally cast a loving eye over the pair. Her grandson knelt next to the chair, so he was the same level as his son.

"You haven't eaten any already have you?"

"No."

There was so much pride in the little boy's voice as he soaked up his father's attention. Scott lent in close and put his hand to the boy's ear.

"Did Grammie make them?"

Scott had hushed his voice, but she still heard. Sally held her tongue, holding in her normal response of 'I heard that'. Her great grandson was chuckling. She headed over and slide the tray from the table.

"I did not make them, and they are for after lunch. Now sit down, young man."

"I think I'm in trouble."

Scott whispered loudly to his son, before he scooped up the happy toddler and slipped into the vacated seat. There were enough chairs for everyone, but Scott needed the closeness. She could see the sadness in her grandson's blue eyes as clear as day. There was still healing that needed to be done. The rest of the family started to take their places at the table. Virgil joined her in the kitchen to grab plates and the jug of water. Sally carried glasses and joined her family for lunch, smiling as she watched many hands diving into the bowls of chips.