The Best of Both Worlds

Genre: Family; FUTURE FIC

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

Main characters: Greg, Sam, Josie cameo

"Are you SURE, Samuel?" Greg asked, concerned.

"Dad…" Sam said, smiling more to himself than anything as he and his father-in-law sat in The Nook, "If I weren't sure I wouldn't be bringing it up to you. I just feel that returning to teaching in a year or two would be far easier for me than returning to duties with the Met would be for Greer…"

"Samuel… son… have you even brought this up with your wife?" Greg asked, as he raised his pint of ale to take a pull. "You know as well as any of us how strong willed she is. If she takes a notion there's no budging it."

"Dad, you forget, I'm a Brit born Saskatchewan raised lad. There's just something about a Canadian prairie boy that makes us rather hardy and determined stock. No mistakes, any given challenge you WILL hear me say, 'Hold my beer and watch this'," Sam laughed lightly. "I believe this is partly why Greer and I hit it off the way we did when I returned to London. She may be a Lestrade but I'm Saskatchewan raised. I just may prevail in the end…" Sam fairly winked.

Greg laughed heartily at this, agreeing in his own way. "So, what you're proposing is simply… for you to take a leave of absence to care for Beth, once Greer's own leave from the Yard is up, allowing her to resume her duties as a Met Detective. I won't lie, Son, I'm in awe," Greg finally said.

"Well, yes, once her own leave expires. A baby needs their mother of course, and Greer WANTS that… but I know her, Dad. She won't be content for long to be sitting at home with the routine, being a little Susie Homemaker. She's loves being a mum, but in the end…" he trailed off, shifting almost uncomfortably.

"In the end, she's a copper's heart. And the lifespan of a copper's career compared to the years actually spent raising a child… I understand your thinking, Sam." Greg shook his head, "it's so much different speaking as a father than as a mother. Molly and I managed, quite well I think. But then we had a lot of support, Mrs. Hudson, Sherlock and Sally, John and eventually Alexandra. Rosie too in time," Greg laughed. "And of course Julian."

Sam glanced over at Josie, back to work thanks to Johnnie cutting back his own hours so they may share the rearing of little Aiden equally. "We have support as well. Oh EVERYONE, Dad. But I just feel… catching up again as a teacher would be a lot easier than catching up as a copper. There are so many factors… and anyway I look forward to the break. To be a daddy and allow Greer to pick up where she left off… well I've got my school kids," he laughed lightly. "They're just teenagers learning to build things and fix engines and such. The current curriculums are easy enough to stay up with, and I can substitute teach and tutor in the meantime to keep myself from becoming a bit rusty... But really I can take a year or two off and still have them there when I return."

"So you've really already decided then, Son," Greg replied, with a smile. "You're taking leave to be the primary caregiver to your daughter. I admit I have no idea where Greer would lean. She's so PASSIONATE, in everything she does. Whether she would insist upon staying home to be a mum or accept your support and return to active duty with the Yard… For as well as I know my Little Love I have no clue what she'd do here…" Greg confessed.

"She's driven, and will become… not bored with being a Mum, not at ALL," he insisted. "But I think rather restless… she's meant to be a copper, and I want to be her support, and when the time comes, to help her see she need not feel guilt or overwhelming responsibility, that she can return to duty without worry if that's where her heart lies." Sam paused thoughtfully. "I've learned a copper's heart, Dad," Sam smiled, as he distracted his gaze.

Greg cleared his throat as he composed himself. "I was married once to a woman who didn't understand that. It's why so many marriages fail within the police force," Greg said, carefully. "I'm not saying it was her fault, really. We just weren't as good a match as we thought at first, was all. Last I heard she re-married to someone more suited to her, and they've been together… well almost as long as Molly and I have been," Greg laughed softly. "I suppose what I'm saying Sam, is that you and Greer have gotten it right. The first try, no less."

Sam grinned at his father-in-law. "I'm glad to have your support, Dad," he said, as Josie arrived to place the last round of her shift in front of them. "Now to see if Greer will be agreeable… if I can show her she can have the best of both her worlds. She may be hard to convince, or she may be an easy sell."

Josie smiled softly at Sam as she placed his fresh drink in front of him. She reached out, squeezing her brother-in-law's shoulder reassuringly. "Greer will agree, Sam. I know her heart as well…" she said. "I'll be back for the evening soon."

Greg smiled after Josie, once again appreciating the blessings life had afforded. "Well, Samuel… time will tell. But she's always been open to listening to reason. She's often been the voice of it as well. I suggest," he said, as he looked upon his daughter-in-law in action, "we wait for Josie to come off shift. She's a mum's perspective on this. If you've any doubts or trepidations, I'm sure she can set them at ease."

"I've gathered she's a voice of reason too," Sam said, as he looked over, smiling at Johnnie's wife. "There's a damned good head on those shoulders, isn't there," he laughed. "Practical and sensible. I know John has said as such here. He loves being more hands on with Aiden," Sam reflected. "And Josie has the freedom to not feel trapped by those so-called traditional roles. I think that's what I want for Greer, really, Dad," he said. He paused a moment to reflect, before raising his gaze up to Greg's waiting look.

"Well, in the end it's her decision to make. But I have to say, son, I'm proud of you for this. I'm sure whatever she decides things will work out as they're meant to."

Sam nodded, grinning at his father-in-law. "Well, they always do, don't they?"