we've arrived at the last chapter of this story and I'm so glad you've all stayed with me throughout this story (and unlikely AU), keep an eye out for the next story in this series, but it's not likely to come until after I'm done with the GRE later this month! - Dee
Alice fought the urge to kick off her shoes the second she entered the house; pushing her hair back from her face with a sigh as the world swayed a little bit, she made herself walk into the house proper after hanging up her coat.
"Is that you, Alice?" Jean's voice called from the kitchen.
"Yeah, it's me," she called back - feeling the exhaustion in her bones as she made her way to the kitchen.
"Dinner's on the stove for you," Jean's smile was warm and welcome after a long day in the police station and morgue. "Sit and eat before you keel over."
"Bless you, Jean," she sighed as she slumped into the chair across from her friend after picking up the still warm bowl of hearty soup.
"Should you be back at work full time so soon? I know Lucien had to leave earlier for China than he thought he would, but surely you could have asked for a locum to fill in as police surgeon until the end of the month."
"No, it's alright, Jean… it's just taking some adjustment to balance looking after Joan and being police surgeon while Lucien's in China. He won't be gone long and I can get back to just being a registrar soon."
Jean didn't look convinced, but she patted Alice's hand, "Alright… but you'll let me or Matthew know if it gets to be too much? You don't have to do this alone."
"I know and I promise, Jean."
"Good, eat up and go cuddle your daughter before bed."
Alice smiled and did as she was told, the soup warming her to the bone as it filled her growling stomach - she really needed to remember to eat more throughout the day. Jean took the empty bowl off her hands and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"Sleep well, Alice, Leah's coming over before your shift starts to look after Joan since I have a council meeting first thing."
"Okay," Alice nodded and stood with a faint groan; Jean's hand was warm on her back as she gently pushed her towards her bedroom. Shuffling into the dimly lit room (which did wonders for the headache throbbing behind her eyes), Alice finally kicked off her shoes with a relieved sigh and pushed them to the side so she didn't trip over them during the night.
"Hey," Matthew whispered from the rocking chair - Joan sleeping in his arms as Alice walked over to kiss his cheek. "Finally finish up?"
"Yeah," she whispered back. "This one was a difficult case."
"Abusive fathers always are," her husband agreed. "I know Joan should be in her bassinet, but I… I just wanted to hold her a little longer."
"It's perfectly alright, dearest," Alice tilted his chin up to kiss him softly. "Why don't we bring her to bed?"
"Won't we squish her?"
"Not if we're careful. It'll be good for both of us to have her close, I think."
"Okay," he nodded and handed their daughter over.
Alice held her close - kissing her daughter's curls and breathing in that comforting smell of baby mixed with the laundry soap Jean used that was quickly becoming one of Alice's favorite scents. Joan fussed a little as she woke, but Alice just bounced her a little and kissed her forehead, "It's alright, my girl, it's alright… are you hungry?"
Matthew stood from the rocking chair and wrapped his arms around Alice from behind as they looked down at Joan. Swaying slightly, Alice leaned back against him - seeking the comfort of his familiar warmth.
"How are you doing?" She asked him as she unbuttoned her blouse so Joan could nurse.
She felt his sigh more than she heard it, and Matthew leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek, "These cases are always hard, and this one was no different… but I'm glad he's locked up."
"Me too."
"You did fantastic work, sweetheart, are you doing okay with all the extra duties?"
Alice bristled a little at the questions that she'd gotten both from Jean and Matthew about her workload - it didn't help that the whispers about her (and the insinuation of how she got the police surgeon position) cropped up again ever since Lucien left for China - but she willed her hackles back down; Jean and Matthew were just looking out for her, like they always had been. They weren't criticizing her work ethic or her, and she was more tired than usual between an increased workload and Joan. A small part of her still rankled at the questions, but Alice just leaned against Matthew.
"It… it was a long day, a difficult case, but I'll get used to working again. Even with this little one still keeping us up at night."
She tickled the bottom of Joan's feet, smiling when her daughter kicked at her even as she remained firmly latched on. "Yes, you, my darling, Mum and Dad are exhausted because of you."
"She's worth it though," Matthew kissed Alice's cheek again and held her close as their daughter ate. "Our Miss Joan."
"She is," Alice agreed. "Go change, dearest, I'll burp her and then we can go sleep."
He kissed her cheek and then her temple before letting her go; she heard him shuffle around behind her as she pulled out a cloth and hoisted Joan up on her shoulder. The baby fussed a bit, but soon she was done and wriggling as usual in Alice's arms.
"Joan, you need to figure out your schedule," Alice teased as she changed the nappy and slipped one of Joan's little nightgowns (which she was already starting to grow out of) over her head. "You can't always be awake when Mum and Dad want to sleep; it's not fair because we just want to watch you instead of rest."
Matthew chuckled behind her and she turned with a tired smile; he opened up his arms and Alice stepped into them willingly, "C'mon, sweetheart, put her down on the bed for a bit and let's get you into something more comfortable."
"I've half a mind just to strip down to my slip and be done with it," Alice grumbled as Matthew lifted Joan out of her arms and laid her down on their bed.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and finished unbuttoning her blouse. Pulling it from her skirt, Matthew gently pushed it off her shoulders with another kiss. Her skirt soon followed - pooling on the floor with her blouse, then her slip on top of that. Matthew's warm, calloused hands smoothed over her skin, making Alice sigh as he finished undressing her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and relaxed against his chest as he smoothed his hands up and down her back.
"I'm almost done, sweetheart," he whispered and kissed her forehead.
Alice hummed and held him tighter, "Just a moment."
Joan gurgled and let out a squeal on the bed; Alice could feel Matthew's laugh under her cheek as he trailed his fingers up and down her spine, "Just a moment, Little Miss, Mum and Dad are moving a little slow today."
Leaning back from him, Alice smiled when he dipped down for a kiss - nipping lightly at her bottom lip just to tease before he slipped her nightgown over her head.
"Bed?" She asked quietly.
"Bed, and snuggling with our rambunctious little girl."
"I'm just hoping she won't smack us awake in the middle of the night," Alice laughed as she picked up Joan. "Come on, missy, it's bedtime."
Their girl squealed again and Alice smiled when Joan's little hands patted her face as she leaned down to kiss her daughter's forehead and cheeks. Matthew slipped under the covers first and held his hands out for Joan, "My turn."
Alice giggled and handed the baby over to him before she crawled in next to them - Joan patted Matthew's face too alongside kicking at his hand when he tickled her belly. She let out a little huff of indignation that made her parents laugh.
"She got that from you," Alice teased as she laid down on her side facing him.
Matthew just grinned and settled Joan in between them - his hand resting on top of Joan to keep her in place; she wriggled on the bed, kicking her legs in the air and grasping on to Alice's finger. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, Alice smiled when Joan pulled her finger into her mouth and let out another huff around the appendage.
"Ah, she's starting that already, hm?"
"Seems so," Alice hummed. "A curious girl already."
"I think her hair is getting darker."
"I think we both might be seeing things from sleep deprivation."
Matthew giggled with a nod, "True, that's probably very true. Alright, Joan, we gotta sleep, are you going to behave?"
Joan blew out a spit bubble in response.
"I'm gonna take that as a yes, sweetheart," he groaned and shifted on the bed into a more comfortable position. "Rest, Alice, you need it."
Leaning over Joan (who's eyes were starting to droop again), Alice gently kissed him, "Both of us do."
He tucked some of her hair behind her ear - his thumb caressing her cheek before he twisted behind him to turn off the bedside lamp and then let Joan take a finger with her free hand. Alice kissed him again and settled back on the bed as their daughter drifted off - both her hands above her head as she gripped their fingers tight.
"I can hear your brain from here," Matthew whispered after a few minutes.
Alice hid her smile in Joan's curls as she kissed her daughter's head, "An old habit, I'm afraid. I'll try to think quietly."
"You should try to sleep instead. Why don't you take the morning tomorrow? You can sleep in a little and that new doc can cover the registrar duties… I won't even call you in unless a new case pops up."
"I might," Alice yawned. "Dr. MacRae was the registrar while I was on maternity leave, he's a good head on his shoulders."
"Then let him help, sweetheart, I know you can handle stuff on your own, but I hate seeing you this tired."
She huffed a sigh, but nodded in the dark, "Alright… no sense in letting my pride get in the way of being able to work."
Matthew shifted closer and she felt him press a kiss to her forehead, followed by one to her lips, "At least you aren't likely to show up drunk to work like Lucien could."
"He hasn't done that since before his wedding, Matthew; he's gotten a lot better."
"I know, I know," he grumbled.
"My grumpy man, always holding on to grudges," Alice teased as she kissed him.
"I'm trying not to."
"I know you are, dearest. I'll take the morning tomorrow, but you will call if I'm needed before lunch?"
"Of course, sweetheart."
"Okay."
Matthew kissed her again, "I've an idea."
"What is it?"
"When Lucien comes back, the three of us Lawsons take a vacation - we've earned it."
"Sounds wonderful!" she grinned.
"When he comes back, we'll figure out where and how to travel with a baby, but in the meantime we need to sleep."
With one last kiss, Alice settled down on the bed. Matthew fell asleep first - his snores mixing with Joan's quiet snuffling as Alice kissed her head with a smile. She drifted off, dreaming of the sea.
"Thank you for coming here, Mac," Alice smiled as she drew back from the tight hug her mentor had pulled her into upon arriving at 7 Mycroft Avenue.
"Of course," Mac smiled back and hung up her hat next to her coat, "I can always make a house call for you, Alice. How is everything?"
"A bit… tense. Lucien's arrived in China - he sent us a telegram once he'd gotten there, but we've not heard anything since and it's been almost three weeks - Jean's starting to worry."
"I can look into it for you all, or Jack can."
"Thank you, but I think we'll wait to hear news from either Mei Lin or Lucien himself."
Her mentor squeezed her shoulder and followed Alice back to her bedroom where Joan waited in her bassinet. Mac put down a sheet on the bed and let Alice lie back for an examination - all the while asking her questions about her recovery from birth as well as how Joan was doing.
"She's lifting her head more and getting more active for longer periods at a time," Alice answered as she shifted under Mac's prodding.
"Stop moving," the older doctor chided lightly. "That's wonderful, Alice, Joan's progressing as she should, you might be able to start her on mashed or mushed food in the next few weeks. Start with small quantities to see if she develops any allergies - as she eats more solid foods, Joan will start to wean off breastfeeding. You're healing nicely as well, but still no intimacy for another four weeks - if Lucien's not back by then, I'll come back to clear you."
Sitting up as Mac pulled off her gloves, Alice pulled her underwear back on, "Oh good."
"Want to discuss family planning?"
"Actually, yes, I'd like to know my options."
"Not keen on adding a sibling for Joan?" Mac teased.
"No, I'm not doing that again."
Her mentor laughed, "Well, there are more options nowadays for women - internal devices, a hormonal birth control in the form of a pill, and if you don't like either of those, Matthew can always go to the chemist until you start going through the change."
"Which would you recommend?"
"The pill, it's been the most effective form of birth control we've seen in quite some time. I can write you a prescription once you've been cleared for intimacy."
"That's a lot easier than I thought it would be."
Mac laughed again as she picked up Joan from her bassinet, "I'm always happy to help. Now, Miss Joan, are you going to behave for Auntie Mac?"
The baby cooed and squealed when Mac bounced her a bit. Mac laid her on the bed and took a look at the baby's eyes, ears, mouth, and listened to her heart and lungs as she wriggled around.
"Miss Joan," Mac looked down at the baby over her glasses with an amused smile, "you are just like your mother."
"In what way?"
"Moving around too much," Mac grinned.
Alice just smiled and tickled Joan's foot - her daughter huffing as she kicked out at her hand. "God help us when she learns how to walk."
"Or crawl, hopefully she's one of those babies who makes a lot of noise and stays put."
"I doubt it, Mac," Alice laughed. "Joan's going to keep both of her parents on their toes as she grows up."
"You always liked a challenge, Alice, meet your biggest one yet."
"She's lucky she's cute," she teased as she picked up her daughter. "Yes, you, missy, even if you keep me absolutely exhausted."
Mac sat next to her on the bed as Joan cooed up at her mother; she smoothed back Alice's hair from her face and tilted her head up with a hand under her chin. "I'd noticed the dark circles under your eyes, Alice… are you getting any sleep?"
"As much as I can," Alice sighed. "Joan's starting to sleep for longer, but with Lucien gone I've had to take over his police surgeon duties - which means odd hours and long days on top of registrar work. If… If Lucien takes longer in China than planned, I'm going to ask Dr. MacRae to take over the registrar work full time."
"You should probably ask him before then, Alice - you look exhausted."
"I'm fine," she shrugged and held Joan close. "Knowing Lucien he's gotten so wrapped up in visiting Li and Mei Lin that he's forgotten to keep us updated - for all we know he could be on his way back already."
Mac gave her a disbelieving hum and tucked Alice's hair behind her ear, "Don't be so stubborn, Alice."
"I'm not."
"Mm-hm," Mac's eyes narrowed. "Just… keep in mind you've got more than yourself to think about these days. I know you're used to doing things your own way and on your own, but Joan needs you and so does Matthew. You're not alone in this."
"I know, Mac," she told her mentor softly, "and I'm trying, it's just… it's taking some time."
Mac's warm lips pressed against her temple, "Take care of yourself, my girl."
The front door opened and Jean's bright welcome echoed down the hallway. Alice got up with Joan in her arms and went out to greet her friend - Mac not far behind.
"Hello, Alice!" Jean smiled as she hung up her hat. "Oh, and hello, Dr. Mac, I didn't realize you'd be here today."
"Just making a house call for Alice and Joan," Mac smiled back.
"Stay for some tea before you go?"
"Of course!"
Jean beamed and turned to Alice, "Have a good day?"
"We did," Alice grinned as she bounced Joan on her hip. "Oh, you got a telegram earlier."
"You could have opened it, Alice."
"It wasn't addressed to me," she shrugged. "I left it on the kitchen table for you."
"I hope it's news from Lucien, this is a long time even for him to go without contact."
"I'm sure we'll hear from him soon, Jean," Alice soothed her friend. "How about some tea?"
"Can you put the kettle on while I freshen up a bit?"
"Of course, Jean, I think you might even have some shortbread left."
Jean's laughter echoed down the hallway as she hurried to the studio; Alice smiled and led Mac into the kitchen - her mentor taking Joan as Alice prepared tea for all of them. Joan's coos and laughter filled the kitchen as she and her "Auntie Mac" traded spit bubbles and blew raspberries at each other.
"How's little Miss Joan today?" Jean asked as she entered the kitchen - Alice shooed her away from helping her prepare the tea - and sat next to Mac and Joan.
"Having fun," Mac laughed as Joan squealed. "Alice, I think she's going to get your red hair."
"Oh?" she brought the freshly brewed tea to the table with three cups already prepped with each person's preference. "What makes you think that, Mac?"
"I spy some bright red hair at her roots - her blonde's darkening."
"So, she'll look like Alice but with Matthew's eyes?" Jean asked and poured tea for all of them.
"Potentially," Mac smiled. "Whoever she takes after, Joan's going to be adorable."
Her mentor kissed Joan's cheeks as the baby squealed and patted her face. Alice hid her smile in her cup and warm conversation passed around the table (as did Joan) as the tea disappeared. Mac bid her farewells once the pot finished - ruffling Joan's curls and kissing the top of Alice's head as she left.
Jean cradled her goddaughter for a bit longer before she handed the baby back over to Alice and picked up the still waiting telegram off the table with a sigh. She turned it over and over until Alice reached out and held one of her hands.
"It might be good news, Jean."
"What if… what if it's not good news, Alice?" her friend asked quietly.
"Then we'll find out all we can and go from there… but we won't know what to do until you open that telegram. Whatever happens, I'm here."
Jean squeezed her hand just as the front door opened and they heard Matthew enter the house.
"We're in the kitchen, Matthew!" Alice called out to her husband and he soon joined them.
"Something wrong?" he asked - picking up on the slight tension in the room.
"Jean's gotten a telegram, we were just about to open it."
"Ah, I see," Matthew sat on the other side of Jean and Alice scooted her chair closer.
"Everyone ready?" Jean asked - holding onto Alice's hand like it was her lifeline; Alice nodded as Matthew put a hand on Jean's shoulder.
"Whatever happens, Jean, we're here," Matthew told her.
Taking a deep breath, Jean opened the telegram with shaking hands and Alice watched her eyes move rapidly over the message. Her friend dropped the paper like it had burned her and covered her mouth with her hands to stifle a sob.
"It's… it's from Mei Lin," Jean said.
"What does she say?" Matthew asked.
"Lucien's missing," Jean cried. "Lucien's missing and they don't know how."
Matthew wrapped an arm around Jean's shoulders and kissed the side of her head as Alice hugged her from the other side - Jean leaned into their comfort and wiped away her tears.
"He can't be missing, he can't… not after all we've been through."
"We don't have all the information, Jean," Matthew soothed. "Mei Lin might not have included everything in the telegram."
She pushed the paper to Alice - who read it out loud, "Lucien missing STOP Not sure how yet STOP Will write letter with news soon STOP Li and Yu are safe STOP Mei Lin"
"So we wait for Mei Lin's letter," Matthew held Jean tighter.
"Maybe I should go to China, try and help?"
"That's not wise, Jean. China's unfamiliar to you, so is the language… we have to trust Mei Lin in this."
Jean sighed, "You're right… of course you're right, Matthew. I just…"
"You don't like sitting on your hands, I know."
"We'll wait for Mei Lin's letter and go from there, Jean," Alice kissed Jean's cheek as Joan cooed in her arms. "Do you want me to ask Jack and Phryne to look into it when they get the time?"
"No, not yet… like both of you said, we don't have all the information yet and we shouldn't jump to conclusions prematurely. Lucien's missing, but it could just be that he got stranded or got stuck in an area without a way to contact Li or Mei Lin."
"Or stuck his nose where it didn't belong," Matthew grumbled.
"Matthew," Alice chided her husband even as Jean let out a watery chuckle.
"What! It's true and it made Jean laugh."
Jean pulled them both closer, "Whatever the answer is, I'm grateful that you both are here."
"And we'll stay, Jean, whatever happens," Matthew promised.
As Jean's tears started afresh and the three of them sat huddled around Mei Lin's telegram, Alice laid her head on Jean's shoulder - pondering what trouble Lucien had gotten into now.
'Come home, Lucien, come home safe… we need you.'
FIN