When Andrew finally made it home from Malta he had the disconcerting sense that he was watching himself from a distance. He figured he could blame the lingering effects of the sinusitis for the moments of lightheadedness but the truth was it as much psychological as physical.

To wander around the little town he'd grown up in and see the shadows of the past everywhere he looked, the bombed out houses, the painful absence of friends he knew he'd never see again. It would have broken his heart except that it was already broken, had been for 5 years, and he was no longer sure if it would heal.

Seeing the familiar faces was also more painful than he'd naively expected, he had been shocked by how much his father had aged since he last had leave and it was the same with everyone else he had run into so far.

No one seemed to have changed more than the Reid children, especially his godson. When he'd last been home Jimmy had been just learning to walk, now he was a four year old who was running and talking. A four year old who had hidden behind his father's legs while his sisters ran into Andrew's arms.

Andrew took another drag on his cigarette, watching the smoke curl in the air as his thoughts drifted back to the day he had seen the Reids again.

Andrew stepped out of church and stood blinking in the sun, his eyes so much slower to adjust since the sinusitis, and when his vision finally cleared his attention was drawn by a peal of childish laughter. He smiled reflexively as he watched a little boy race across the grass, his red hair gleaming in the sun as he revealed in his newly gained freedom.

He had been the same, always racing off to play with his friends as soon as church was over, getting grass stains all over his good clothes. The memory was tinged with the sharp pain of knowing that so many of those friends were gone now.

"Andrew!"

He turned sharply, nearly losing his balance as Maggie and then Grace threw themselves into his arms, "Oh Andrew you're home!"

He held them close, blinking again but this time against the tears, not since he first saw Dad had home felt as real as it did with Maggie and Gracie in his arms.

"Are you really home Andrew? Not just on leave but home for good?" Grace's eyes were shining and eager and the guilt he carried for surviving where so many others had fallen was suddenly easier to swallow.

"Yes Gracie I'm home for good"

Grace beamed and wrapped her arms around him again, "Oh Andrew I'm so glad! I've missed you!"

Andrew smiled and pressed a kiss to her head and then Maggie's startled to discover that he didn't have to lean over half as far; they really had grown since he was last home. "I've missed you too Gracie, you and Maggie and Jimmy"

At the mention of their brother the girls drew back and looked around, quickly spotting their parents and the tuft of red hair that proclaimed Jimmy's presence behind Hugh's legs. "Jimmy, Andrew's home!"

The eagerness in his sister's voice wasn't enough to persuade the little boy to emerge from his hiding spot and Andrew swallowed hard, reminding himself firmly that it was foolish to think Jimmy would remember him, he had been so young when he was last home.

Hugh turned and picked up his son, settling the little boy on his hip and pressing a kiss to his head, "Andrew's Mr. Foyle's son Jimmy, and he's your godfather"

The little boy looked skeptical and hid his face in his father's neck. Hugh rubbed his back soothingly and gave Andrew an apologetic smile. "Andrew, it's wonderful to see you again. Sorry he's just a little shy…"

Andrew forced a smile, "I don't blame him. It's good to see you too Sir, all of you"

Hugh smiled and Elaine stepped forward to embrace him, concerned by how thin he was even as she smiled warmly. "Welcome home Andrew, when did you get back?"

"I got to Hastings yesterday but got back to England a few days ago; I had to debrief before they'd let me get on a train. I know I should have written but there didn't seem much point when I'd arrive at nearly the same time."

Elaine smiled understandingly, "It's a wonderful surprise! You will come for tea won't you?"

Andrew hesitated, his eyes flicking to his godson who was still hiding his face in Hugh's neck and Elaine caught the glance and squeezed his arm gently, "He'll warm up to you Andrew, just give him a little time."

Andrew nodded, "I…he was so young the last time I had leave, I didn't really think he'd remember me"

While they were speaking Maggie and Grace had gone to stand with Hugh and Jimmy and Maggie was speaking quietly to her little brother, "Andrew's the man in the picture Jimmy, the one we say goodnight too."

Andrew looked questioningly at Elaine who explained quietly, "The picture of you Jimmy, and the girls from his christening, Maggie had the idea of saying goodnight to the picture so Jimmy would learn what you looked like."

Tears stung Andrew's eyes and he looked down blinking hard, his hand automatically opening his tunic pocket so he could withdraw his copy of the photograph in question. He unfolded it gently, a soft smile on his lips as he studied it before turning to Elaine, "I don't know how to explain how much this has meant to me, I've kept it with me since I got it."

His voice was low and rough and Elaine smiled, although her eyes were bright with tears, "I'm so glad Andrew and so very glad that you're home again." Andrew could only nod, afraid that he would burst into tears on her shoulder if he opened his mouth.

Elaine seemed to understand because she squeezed his arm again and then turned back to her family and said brightly, "Maggie, could you please go and find Mr. Foyle and tell him that he and Andrew are invited to tea?"

Maggie nodded and hurried away, while Grace skipped back over to Andrew and slipped her hand into his, "Now you're home will you teach Jimmy to ride a bicycle? He's good at riding his tricycle, although mostly he just likes going fast through puddles to make them splash and chasing birds."

Andrew chuckled, "I'll have to speak to your Mum and Dad and see if they think Jimmy's ready to try a bicycle first Gracie. Speaking of bicycles I'm sure you're excellent at riding yours now."

Before long they were all walking towards the Reids', the girls holding Andrew's hands while Jimmy remained in his father's arms, peering back at Andrew curiously. It became a bit of a game of peek-a-boo and when Andrew's grin and raised eyebrow made Jimmy giggle into Hugh's neck the knot of worry in Andrew's chest began to ease.

He knew it would take Jimmy time to get to know him again but as the war wore on he'd started to have nightmares about finally making it home only to have none of the Reid children remember him. The letters he continued to receive from Maggie and Gracie illustrated that it was a baseless fear but the nightmare was not so easily dismissed.

When they reached the house the children were told to go and play and Grace headed for the back garden calling for Andrew to join them, while Jimmy hesitated looking curiously between Andrew, Foyle and his father before tugging Maggie into the lounge.

Maggie went willingly and the three men paused their conversation to watch. Jimmy pointed to the picture of Andrew and the three children from the christening, "An-doo?"

Andrew's breath caught to hear Jimmy say the version of his name he hadn't heard since Gracie was little. Maggie nodded, "That's right, that's Andrew and now Andrew's done fighting the bad planes so he's home."

Jimmy's brow furrowed in thought and Foyle's lips drew down in a smile; it didn't matter how many times he saw it, it was still amusing to see Hugh's expressions written so clearly on his young son's face.

The little boy looked from the picture to Andrew several times and Foyle thought it was probably good that Andrew was still in uniform just as he was in the photograph. After another minute of thought Jimmy crossed to Hugh and tugged lightly on his trouser leg before holding up his arms to be picked up.

Hugh immediately complied, settling him on his hip and then obediently bending his head down so Jimmy could whisper in his ear. It was hardly a whisper but the words were indistinct enough that it had the same effect.

"Of course!" Hugh said, grinning broadly as he stooped and set Jimmy on his feet again. Jimmy took a step towards Andrew and then glanced back to make sure his father was staying close before continuing until he was close enough to tug hesitantly on the leg of Andrew's trousers.

Andrew immediately crouched down, smiling warmly, "Hello"

His voice was gentle as he knew how to make it but Jimmy still glanced uncertainly at his father, reaching out with his left hand to grasp his trouser leg, as Hugh gave him an encouraging smile, "Can you say hello Jimmy?"

The little boy nodded and, as he'd seen his father do many times, held out his right hand, "Hello, I'm Jimmy"

Andrew beamed and shook the little hand carefully, "Hello Jimmy, I'm Andrew"

Jimmy nodded, "You in my picture?"

"Yes I am, in fact" Andrew paused and once again withdrew his copy of the photograph from his tunic pocket, unfolding it carefully and holding it out so the little boy could see it, "Your Mummy and Daddy sent me a copy of it too"

Jimmy seemed to consider this and then he pointed carefully, "Maggie, Gwacie, me and An-doo" he cocked his head curiously, "You?"

Andrew nodded, "Me." He licked his lips, suddenly very aware that his father and Mr. Reid were watching, "You know I said goodnight to this picture every night too."

Jimmy's eyes widened, "Weally?"

Andrew nodded, "Really, I missed you all very much."

"You far away"

"That's right, I was far away but the war is over, well nearly, so I'm home now"

Jimmy thought about this for a minute and then nodded and looked up at his father, "Daddy, can we have biscuits now?"

Hugh laughed and picked his son up, tossing him in the air to make him giggle, "Biscuits are for after tea Jimmy, why don't you go play with Gracie?"

"An-doo come play?"

Andrew nodded, "If you like, what do you want to play?"

Jimmy beamed, squirming eagerly to be put down, "Pwiates! Down Daddy!" Hugh waited a beat, giving him a significant look, "Please!" Hugh nodded and set him down, chuckling as he went tearing out of the room yelling, "Gwacie we play pwiates!"

Andrew rose slowly from his crouch, knowing it would take a minute for him to catch his balance, and then grinned, "Just demobbed and already a villain, don't arrest us before tea alright Dad?"

Foyle smiled, delighted to see Andrew so happy, "Try not to break anything…"

Andrew rolled his eyes, "Dad I was 7, besides the tree did make a good crows nest."

"ANDREW!"

Andrew laughed, "Duty calls" and taking Maggie's hand he headed for the back garden.

Hugh and Foyle managed to wait 10 minutes before they went to look out of the dining room window both grinning at what they saw. Andrew was on his knees, sword fighting with and losing in very dramatic fashion to Grace and Jimmy in turn while Maggie watched, periodically reminding them not to get eaten by sharks.

"Thank you Hugh"

Foyle's voice was low and thick with emotion and Hugh blinked, "Whatever for Christopher?"

Foyle watched his son for another minute and then looked up, "For showing me that my boy is still here…I thought…so many times I thought I'd lose him…"

His voice broke and Hugh gripped his shoulder tightly, "He's home Christopher, he's clearly had a tough go of it but he'll be alright."

Foyle nodded and they stood in silence just watching their children play, it was what they'd gone to France for, why they went to work each day and exactly what the last 5 years had been about.

"ANDOO!"

The gleeful cry shook Andrew from his memories and he looked up to see Jimmy pelting down the street as fast as his little legs would carry him and quickly stubbed out his cigarette on a convenient garden wall.

His balance was improving as the lingering effects of the sinusitis eased but Andrew was still careful to crouch down where he could use the wall to get back up if need be; he didn't care for himself if he stumbled but he wouldn't risk it with Jimmy in his arms.

A moment later Jimmy had barreled into him, throwing his arms around his neck and talking nineteen to the dozen. Andrew laughed happily and got carefully to his feet, settling his godson on his hip and smiling down at him, "What did you get up to today then?"

"Puddles!"

Andrew chuckled, "Puddles? Did you jump in them?"

Jimmy nodded eagerly, "I jumped lots and my socks getted wet and I wished I had my boat cause there were big puddle but Mummy said we had to go to the shops."

Andrew nodded, "That sounds like quite a busy day." He glanced up and saw Mrs. Reid coming along with the shopping. "Shall we go and help your Mummy carry the shopping?"

"Can sail my boat later?"

"I don't see why not. Now come on, a gentleman always helps a lady carry things."

Jimmy frowned slightly, "Mummy's mummy Andoo, not 'lady'"

Andrew chuckled, "True, but she's a woman and a Mummy just like Maggie and Gracie are ladies and you and I are boys and boys always help ladies carry things because it's polite and that's important."

The little boy considered this, "Oh, Daddy carries things for Mummy"

"That's right, that's because he's a gentleman and he loves your Mummy very much."

Jimmy nodded and then leaned up to whisper in Andrew's ear, "Mummy and Daddy kiss lots"

Andrew bit back a laugh instead nodding seriously, "My Mummy and Daddy did that too." By this point they had reached Elaine and he smiled at her, "Hello Mrs. Reid, may Jimmy and I give you a hand with those?'

Elaine smiled, "Hello Andrew, thank you but I can manage."

Jimmy shook his head firmly, "No Mummy, we has to help 'cause we gen-tle-man and we love you!"

Elaine's expression softened as she studied her son and the young man she had thought of as a nephew for so many years, the young man who had clearly just imparted this lesson to her darling little boy.

Andrew nodded in agreement to Jimmy's pronouncement and set him down before holding out a hand, "Exactly right, here allow me" and Elaine let him to take the heavier bags of shopping before handing Jimmy a package of sausages; knowing they wouldn't be damaged by being dropped.

The rest of Andrew's afternoon consisted of sailing Jimmy's boat, helping him get cleaned up for tea after said sailing expedition and then reading to him and the girls before he went home for supper. It was everything he'd longed for when he was homesick and exhausted and Andrew couldn't help holding each of the Reid children a little tighter when he hugged them goodbye.

A/N: Thank you for reading! And huge thank you to eyesforfiction for all the encouragement! I hope you enjoyed seeing Foyle, Andrew and the Reids in a slightly different world.