Distant Plans

Genre: Family, Humour, FUTURE FIC

Pairings: Greg and Molly, Greer and Sam, John and Josie, all background

Main characters: Adults Greer, John, Sam

"So," Greer mused, as she allowed John to lead her around the dance floor.

"Tell me big brother, have you and Josie any… OTHER plans?" she asked curiously.

"If you mean, do I mean to marry her… I haven't really put as much thought into it as I might have, no," John replied, gazing at this sister in their mum's wedding gown.

"And why ever not, John William Lestrade?" she teased lightly, dark brown eyes shining.

"Well… we only found out around the time the wedding preparations were being finalized, and it was a particularly busy time at work for me. Neither of us have had much time to even absorb the reality that we're having a baby… I would imagine later in the week when things have settled we'll better be able to take stock of things." John twirled Greer around and led her into a gentle dip.

"Well… see Sam and I were discussing it," Greer answered, as she tightened her grip on her older brother. "Of course we're all taking that group holiday to Saskatchewan in a few weeks. A delayed honeymoon and a sort of repetition of our vows for our family and friends in lake and bush country who weren't able to attend the real ceremony here in London…"

John gazed down at his sister, his expression increasingly curious.

"Greer Sherla Lestrade-McTavish. What are you up to?"

"Oh nothing, Johnnie, nothing at ALL. It's just that Sam and I were thinking, is all. You remember how beautiful the sunsets are on that beach… especially when the loons are on the lake… how utterly romantic they can be. Ask Mum and Dad, they love that beach, oh they made some memories there…"

John cleared his throat loudly. "Yes. Well. Thanks for the visual darling Sister."

Greer, single minded as always, noted her brother's reaction with more than a little bit of private satisfaction, but chose to openly disregard it otherwise. "I know a few couples where Sam grew up who were married there," she hinted slyly. "Of course, I'm not SUGGESTING anything. Perhaps Sam and I repeating our vows with all of us there for the benefit of our Canadian friends and family might be… inspirational. And convenient. And we could make a proper weekend of it."

"You're a scamp, little sister," John laughed lightly. "And you're as subtle as a bloody heart attack. I'll think about it, alright? Look, it's not that I don't want to marry Joey… it's just that it seems like it would be an awful lot for her to process. She's only just begun to adjust to pregnancy. She's a bit overwhelmed at the moment. And I don't want her to think I think she HAS to get married or that the baby is the only reason I'd be asking."

"Fair enough," the bride conceded, smiling. "Just bear in mind you have options and you have people willing to make it happen at literally a moment's notice with little to no stress or effort from either you or Josie. I know you John. I know your heart as well as I know Daddy's heart and Scott's too. All three of you are cut from the same cloth."

John sighed deeply. "You and mum, could never hide a damned thing from either of you. Hell hath no fury like a Lestrade female on a bloody mission," he laughed sardonically. "YES, then. I want to marry her." Greer noted how her big brother's deep brown eyes suddenly glistened with adoration for Josie. "I want our baby to grow up knowing his mum and him were important enough to his dad to make them family, legally and officially. We can easily raise family and grow old together without being married, of course."

Greer snickered. "Yes, you could. But that's not really what you want, is it? You know that level of commitment is important and meaningful. It tells her she's not your option, she's your choice, always and forever, you choose her and your children."

"Exactly, Greer," John replied softly. "Mum's heart and Dad's wisdom. You've always had that."

"So've you and Scott," Greer smiled, bringing her hand up to pat his cheek. "So then, if you ask her, and if she says yes, run it past her. We can make this happen John, I've already said it. No effort from you, she's exhausted already so we can all do the grunt work."

"Saskatchewan, you say then," her big brother said whimsically. "I remember Saskatchewan. More trees than I'd ever seen in my life and have ever seen since. Every time of the year is beautiful where Sam grew up. Haven't been back there in years. I think Joey would love it, really... So you're seriously suggesting…"

"YES, I am seriously suggesting," Greer insisted gently, bringing her hand up to place on John's cheek. "And not just me. My husband is quite agreeable, in fact it was mostly HIS idea. Come on, let's make this special for Jose. Come on," she nudged, knowing her brothers were putty in her hands in those brief hours she was a blushing bride. "You know you want to, John William Lestrade."

John said nothing to this, merely dancing his sister over towards where he had spotted Uncle Phillip and Auntie Jackie visiting with Scott and his date for the evening.

"Word has it Uncle Phillip hasn't had a dance with the bride yet. After all, it was his daughter who served as your maid of honour," he said lightly, with a small grin.

"You're deflecting," Greer said, flatly. "But as it's MY wedding and I can do whatever I bloody well please, I'll allow it, because it pleases me to do so. But DO give it thought, Johnnie. Please?"

John smiled at his sister, then glanced over to where his Joey was sitting with Ciana and Rosie. "I will. I promise I will."

Later, when Samuel had managed to wrangle his bride from her adoring family and friends, he pressed in close to her, nuzzling her neck and whispering to her softly.

"So, my beautiful wife, we have a date in a few weeks on a certain beach in a certain province with certain absentee loved ones. Tell me then Love, are we planning another celebration as well?"

Greer pulled back to look at Sam, bringing her hand up to cup his cheek and stroke his cupid's bow with her thumb.

"I can't be sure yet, but I think so." Greer smiled at him. "Perhaps we might start preliminary preparations… you know, just in case."

"Just in case," Sam laughed. "Indeed!"

"Is a Lestrade ever wrong?" Greer asked, winking.

Sam had nothing to say to this, other than, "I can't speak for all of them, but I know MY Lestrade isn't," he murmured, as he leaned in for a kiss.