When Hugh pulled the car up carefully in front of the house he could see Maggie and Grace peering out the window eagerly, and knowing they wouldn't get another moment alone for hours, he leaned over and kissed his wife tenderly; "Welcome home love"

Elaine smiled against his lips, "Thank you, we'd better go in before the girls break down the door"

Hugh grinned, "I think Christopher would be able to stop them but you're right." With a final kiss he got out and hurried around to open her door and help her do the same, smiling at their son as he slipped an arm around Elaine's waist "Welcome home Jimmy"

By the time they reached the path the girls were standing in the doorway, Grace was bouncing with excitement and only Maggie's hand on her arm was preventing her from racing down the steps, while Christopher stood behind them smiling softly.

As soon as he'd heard the plan Foyle had offered to come over and stay with the girls while Hugh went to get Elaine and Jimmy. Hugh had tried to point out that it would interfere with his fishing but he just smiled "River's not going anywhere Hugh and I'm happy to help. Wouldn't mind seeing Jimmy again either"

Hugh couldn't argue with that and now, as he contemplated how best to get Elaine and Jimmy up the stairs, he was grateful Christopher was there.

As soon as they reached the foot of the stairs the girls could no longer contain their excitement and came racing towards them, although Hugh was pleased they didn't tackle Elaine but instead danced around them both chanting, "Mummy! Jimmy! We missed you!"

"I missed you too my darlings! Now let's go inside and you can tell me all about your week over tea alright?"

"We helped Mr. Foyle make tea Mummy! Me and Maggie both!"

Elaine smiled, "That's wonderful Gracie, I'm sure it's delicious"

The girls beamed and Elaine turned to Christopher, who had come down the steps as well, "Christopher, how lovely to see you."

"And you Elaine" He titled his head slightly as he took in the girls' excitement and the slight frown on Hugh's face. "Shall I take Jimmy while you get inside?"

Hugh nodded immediately, "If you don't mind Christopher"

Foyle shook his head, "Not at all" He held out his hands and a moment later had the baby settled in his arms with practiced ease. He looked down at the girls and smiled, "Shall we go and show your brother the lounge?"

They nodded eagerly and raced back up the steps just as he had expected they would and he turned to Hugh murmuring, "Take your time" before following them into the house.

Hugh glanced around quickly to make sure there wasn't anyone watching and then turned to Elaine, "Alright sweetheart, just put your arms around my neck" She blinked and looked ready to protest but Hugh shook his head firmly, "White said you're not well enough to go up and down stairs yet love"

Elaine could tell that he wouldn't be swayed so she nodded and looped her arms over his neck allowing him to carefully sweep her into his arms. She winced a little and Hugh frowned, "Alright?"

"Fine darling. You really just want to prove that you can still carry me don't you?"

Hugh snorted, "Didn't think that was ever in doubt love, certainly not for your half of it anyway."

Elaine blushed and laid her head on his shoulder as he carefully carried her up the steps, "You are ridiculous Hugh David Reid"

"Yet you still love me" Hugh pointed out, as he maneuvered them through the doorway and headed straight for the stairs, "I'll bring your hat and coat down when I come down to get tea" He explained in an effort to head off her protest, "You know what White said Elaine, this isn't just me being a worrygut."

Elaine sighed, "I know but I feel fine"

"I'm very glad to hear that and I'd like to keep it that way. I'll bring Jimmy and the girls up as soon as we get you settled darling" Elaine nodded against his shoulder and before long she was in a nightgown, leaning against a carefully arranged stack of pillow while Hugh fussed with the blankets.

Elaine put her hand over his, "Hugh, they're fine. Now you'd better go and rescue Christopher from our children." Hugh chuckled a little wetly and Elaine tightened her grip on his hand, "Hugh?"

He scrubbed his free hand over his face and forced a smile, "You're right I should go down."

Elaine shook her head, "No, you should tell me what's worrying you. Is it just my coming home early? Both Dr. White and Matron approved Hugh and Jimmy is doing wonderfully."

"I know, it's just…" Hugh took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, "I was so frightened Elaine, I've never been more scared than I was in that waiting room. It was worse than with Gracie because I knew what might happen, knew how lucky we'd been…"

"Oh Hugh"

He blinked hard and continued his voice low, "And then I saw you both and I was so happy, I am so happy" He looked up, eyes shining with both sincerity and tears, "I love you so much Elaine I can't even begin to think what I'd do if…"

"You don't have to Hugh, I'm fine" She tugged on his arm until he moved close enough for her to hug him, "Have you been worrying about this all this time darling? Why didn't you say something?"

"I didn't think I was, I mean I was worried but I think it's just this," He waved a hand to indicate their current surroundings, "It reminds me of sitting here after Gracie was born…"

His voice was rough with emotion and Elaine shushed him gently, "I'm so much better than I was after Gracie was born Hugh, that's why they did the surgery instead, so there would be no risk of that."

Hugh nodded, "I know" he drew back and wiped his face on his sleeve, "Now, I really do need to go down and rescue Christopher before Gracie talks his ear off and I know we could both do with some tea."

Elaine nodded but drew him back down for a kiss before he could get up, "I love you Hugh and I promise I'll tell you if I feel ill alright?" He nodded and kissed her one last time before gathering her hat and coat and heading downstairs.

After bringing Elaine's bag in from the car Hugh followed the sounds of his daughters voices and found them in his small study, stepping into the doorway in time to hear Grace explaining; "This is Daddy's room Jimmy, but not his bedroom, he sleeps with Mummy. This is where he comes if Mummy has lots of ladies over and he doesn't want to hear about dresses"

Christopher appeared to be trying very hard not to laugh, his lips pressed together, as he stood in the middle of the room holding Jimmy. Before Hugh could announce his presence Grace ran to him exclaiming, "Daddy! We're showing Jimmy the house!"

Hugh bent and swept her into his arms, holding her close and relishing the fact that she was still young enough for this, still his little girl. "That's wonderful Gracie! Now why don't we take some tea up to Mummy?"

Both girls nodded eagerly and he looked questioningly at Christopher, "Alright?"

"Yes, shall I take Jimmy up to Elaine?"

Hugh shrugged, "If you want, he seems happy where he is; you're welcome to hold him a while longer, up to you."

Before Christopher could reply Grace tugged lightly on Hugh's jumper, "Daddy I'm hungry and I want to see Mummy!"

"I know darling, we'll make Mummy up a tray and then go upstairs" He glanced at Christopher who nodded and turned his attention back to Jimmy as Hugh and the girls left the room.

15 minutes later, after reminding the girls yet again that they couldn't jump on Mummy, Hugh had allowed them to race ahead while he followed more slowly with the tray and he couldn't resist peeking into the study.

Christopher had settled in the armchair and appeared to be giving Jimmy a detailed description of fly-fishing. The baby was captivated by his voice and Christopher was smiling down at him in a gentle way that Hugh usually only saw directed at Andrew.

It was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time and Hugh swallowed hard before continuing on his way, not wanting to interrupt. There were very few things that could bring a true smile to Christopher's face these days and Hugh was very grateful that his children seemed to be one of them.

Upstairs he found the girls sitting on his side of the bed, eagerly bringing Elaine up to date on everything that had happened since Jimmy was born. "Daddy read to us every night, except the first night 'cause he wasn't home but Sam read to us then." Maggie paused considering, "I like Sam but I like Daddy reading to us best, he does the voices and holds us tight if there's a scary part."

Grace nodded, "I like Daddy reading best too but Sam did our hair in the mornings 'cause the hairbrush doesn't like Daddy"

Elaine laughed her eyes shining and Hugh knew he'd be being teased about that for years to come. "Right, who's ready for tea?"

That set the conversation on a different track and once the girls were distracted with their sandwiches Elaine turned to Hugh, "Christopher's alright?"

Hugh nodded and leaned closer so the girls couldn't overhear, "He was telling Jimmy about fishing last I saw, looked happier than I've seen him since Andrew last had leave."

Elaine smiled, squeezing his hand briefly before turning towards their daughters again, "Yes, it's a very nice sandwich Maggie, you girls did a wonderful job."

The girls were eating their biscuits while he and Elaine finished their tea when Hugh heard footsteps on the landing and turned to see Christopher standing in the doorway, "Sorry to interrupt but Jimmy needs a fresh nappy and I couldn't find any downstairs."

Hugh nodded and setting his teacup down crossed the room to take his son, "Right, high time I dealt with one of those isn't it Jimmy?" He smiled at Foyle, "Thank you for minding him Christopher, did you get some tea?"

"Not just yet"

Maggie immediately sprang off the bed and came over and took his hand, "You need to have tea Mr. Foyle I'll make you a sandwich"

Hugh smiled, his heart swelling with pride and love, Maggie was so like her mother and so very much herself at the same time. Before Christopher could respond Grace skipped over and slipped her hand into his free one, "I'll help you fill the kettle Mr. Foyle, Mummy lets me help with that but not the stove part"

Christopher looked from one earnest little face to the next and nodded, his lips pulling down in a smile, "Very kind of you"

The girls beamed and Grace tugged on his hand, "Come on Mr. Foyle, Mummy says no biscuits till after tea so you need to have your sandwich first."

Christopher smiled softly, "I see" and with a final glance at Hugh and Elaine he allowed himself to be led out of the room by their daughters.

There was a sniff and Hugh looked over to see Elaine wiping her eyes, "Just hormones" he nodded and turned his attention back to the baby who was expressing his displeasure at ever increasing volume. "Alright, just a minute little one"

He crossed to the table they had cleared off earlier in the month for this exact purpose and set about getting Jimmy out of his blankets, murmuring soothingly to him all the while. "You want tea too? Well you need a clean nappy first son…"

Hugh undid the soiled nappy and went to replace it with a clean one as he'd done countless times before with the girls, he had never changed a little boy's nappy before though and as such was completely unprepared for the stream of urine that hit his shirt.

"Blo…what on earth?!" He looked from his damp shirt to his son and then over his shoulder to his wife who was giggling, "It's not funny!"

Elaine shook her head still laughing, "Sorry love, you'd better finish before he gets you again"

Hugh blinked in surprise and immediately turned his attention back to Jimmy, getting the clean nappy in place quickly and setting aside the soiled one before picking his son up, careful to hold him away from the damp spot and turning back towards the bed. "You might have warned me"

"Sorry darling, you didn't really give me a chance"

"Suppose not" he handed her the baby and then looked at his shirt again, "The girls never did that"

Elaine smiled, adjusting her nightgown so the baby could nurse, "No girls don't but I gather it's very common with boys."

Hugh nodded slowly, "Right, well I'll have to ask Christopher for some tips then." He glanced at his shirt and crossed to close the door, "I'd better change and then I'll go check on Christopher and the girls. Do you need anything?"

Elaine shook her head, "No, Jimmy and I are fine. Very happy to be home"

Hugh smiled as he finished buttoning his clean shirt and crossed to kiss her tenderly, "I'm happy you're home too love. Have a rest if you can once he's finished I'll keep the girls downstairs for a bit."

And gathering the tea tray he quietly left the room only to pause on the landing; he could hear the rise and fall of his daughters voices from the floor below and Elaine murmuring quietly to their son and he closed his eyes in silent gratitude.