3 years later:

'Amelia Jean, hands off those biscuits!' Jean called through from the living area. Really the child was a bad as her father, Christopher.

Amelia turned round and climbed down off the chair. How did mama do it? She thought she wasn't anywhere near the kitchen. She knew Thomas was just waking from his nap, tired from insisting on walking from town earlier. He was usually her partner in crime, keeping a look out while she pinched fresh biscuits or shortbread. Jean came up behind her and helped her.

'You must wait until Christopher gets here, young lady.' Jean said, then, if you're very good you can have one with him.

'Yes, mama.' Amelia looked her grandmother in the eye, she was a mixture of her father and uncle Jack, cheeky, adventurous and stubborn. Although Lucien said there was a lot of Jean in her. They struggled to see anything of her mother, Ruby, in her; privately both thought that was no bad thing.

'Now, you and Thomas can go and play in the garden, I'm going to vacuum before papa's surgery.' She kissed the little girl and sent her off to play.

As she vacuumed, Jean thought about the last three years, the years since Ruby had died and she and Lucien had got married, just in time for the birth of Thomas not to cause too much gossip. When anyone noted that he was an early birth, Jean just nodded, knowing she had been six weeks pregnant when she married. Life had settled down. She had raised Amelia as her own, added her own son to the mix, always aware that she was lucky. Lucien had proved himself to be a considerate and loving husband, she couldn't be happier.

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They had visited Christopher regularly in Adelaide, and he them when he had leave; travelling by train these days. He had got over Ruby's death, especially after Lucien had told him in no way was it his fault, and immersed himself in the army. He had told them it would be a long time before he considered dating again, never mind marrying. He missed Amelia, and this was, in part, the reason for Jean visiting as often as she could, sometimes with Lucien, sometimes just with the children Amelia was too young to have things explained to her, so she grew up regarding Jean and Lucien as her parents and Christopher as a benevolent elder brother or uncle. Indeed although he did not spoil her, he did show he loved her with hugs and kisses and reading stories to her. She just accepted it.

He was due to visit that day and stay for a week. He'd said he would like to bring an army friend, if that was not too much trouble. Someone who had been through as much as he had and needed a break. Jean was delighted, she loved filling the house. She had plenty of room for guests these days. Mattie was in London and Charlie had moved out to his own home with his wife, Rose. Thomas and Amelia now occupied their rooms and her old room was reserved for Christopher. His friend could have the guest room, and all was set, clean and tidy.

With the children so young, they had decided to employ a receptionist for the practice, a young girl just out of school not sure what she wanted to do with her life. So a part time job for a well respected Ballarat citizen was just the thing. She was a quick learner, pleasant and polite to the patients and Jean had taught her the duties she would have to carry out. Jean still did the books, but she could do that at night when the children were in bed, her nightly sherry had no effect on her mathematical skills!

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Surgery over, early. There was always one day of the week that was quiet and it was today. Just a couple of patients and Agnes Clasby; who always stopped for a cup of tea and to see the little ones, as she called them. Once she had gone, Jean concentrated on preparing dinner while Lucien played with the children, the highlight of his day and the reasons he drank so little and rarely stayed out late on a case, if he could help it.

She heard him start to play the piano and laugh as Amelia scrambled up to be with him and Thomas was lifted onto his knee. They both hoped that the children would learn an instrument, they would certainly not put anything in their way. Some would say that they were indulgent parents, and perhaps they were, but the children were not spoiled, were well mannered, it was just that they could afford it.

She was just washing her hands when there was a knock at the door. Looking up at the clock she knew it would be her son and his friend. She dried her hands on her apron, untied it and threw it over a chair, calling,

'I'll get it.' At the door, smoothing down her skirt she prepared to greet her son and opened the door.

'Chris...' She gaped, there stood Christopher of course, and Louise. She hadn't seen Louise much in the last three years. She had popped round very rarely when Jean was visiting but had kept a very low profile. Jean's face lit up, she had developed a fondness for the young widow, and was pleased to see her.

'Louise!' She cried, 'how lovely to see you.' Jean turned to Christopher, 'why didn't you tell me it was Louise you were bringing?'

Christopher bent down and kissed her cheek, 'Wanted to surprise you.' He grinned.

'Come on in,' She smiled broadly, 'Lucien!' She called into the house. 'Christopher's here, and Louise.'

Lucien came through the house carrying his son, Amelia trotting behind him. He grinned when he saw their guests.

'Christopher,' he extended his hand, 'good to see you, and you, Louise, welcome.' He greeted the young woman with a kiss to the cheek.

'Dr Blake, Mrs Blake,' Louise was slightly embarrassed at the subterfuge, 'I'm sorry, Christopher insisted we keep it a secret.'

Christopher picked Amelia up, 'Hello princess,' he said, 'my, how you've grown.'

'Christopher,' the little girl giggled and wrapped her arms round his neck.

Louise smiled, she loved seeing Christopher with his daughter, and as they all went into the house she could see why the child was so happy. There was an air of love in the very fabric of the building, and the smiles of the occupants made it seem as if the sun shone inside.

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Rooms allocated, visitors refreshed, Jean smiled and called that dinner was ready. Amelia told Christopher where he was to sit and shyly showed Louise to her seat. Louise thanked her and sat down, surveying the table. It was a long time since she had sat down to a proper family meal, and the last time; well really, she didn't want to think about it.

The food eaten, the dishes washed and the babies put to bed, the adults sat down for a post dinner sherry or whisky.

'I'm so glad you've finally come to us, Louise,' Jean said, 'you know you've always been welcome.'

'Mrs Blake...' She started,

'Please, it's Jean,' Jean interrupted.

'Jean,' now Louise was stumped, she didn't quite know what to say, Christopher touched her arm and smiled.

'Mum, Lucien.' He took a deep breath, by which Jean knew he was not to be interrupted once he started, 'I said it would be a long time before I dated, never mind married after Ruby; well, Louise has always been there, she would ambush me when I was out for a walk, off duty, drag me off for a meal, cooked for me at her place. Mum, I've asked Louise to marry me.'

Jean shrieked with delight but Christopher held up his hand, 'She won't say 'yes' until you give your approval.'

'Approve, of course I approve!' She shouted with glee and went over to hug her prospective daughter in law.

'Phew!' Christopher exhaled, 'that's a relief.'

'Why?' Jean looked at him from under her brow.

'Well,' Louise looked shamefaced.

'I'm going to be a grandmother again, aren't I?' Jean grinned.

'Well. I kept telling him I wanted children, lots of children, and I'm afraid I...'

Jean held her hand up, 'How do you think Thomas happened? I let nature take its course. Thank you Louise, for being there when I wasn't and for this and more.' She hugged her that bit tighter.

'Mum,' Christopher raised his eyebrows, 'are you telling me...'

She opened her eyes, 'might have been.' and tried to look innocent.

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Well there you have it, I hope, nicely tidied up. Christopher settled, Jean and Lucien sorted with their own child, and Amelia, who I always feel should be raised by her grandmother.

Hope you've enjoyed it and thanks again for the reviews and comments. They mean an awful lot. x