William walked along the footpath pushing the pushchair with his baby sister facing him in her carseat; Roxy walked besides him- the pair revelling in Elliott-McKenzie family time. Several feet behind them Caroline and Kate walked hand-in-hand. Behind them was Thea, Ceila, Alan and Lawrence whom had a football at his feet. The weather had started to change; the summer sun being swapped for an autumnal feel. The whole family were wrapped up in their chosen coats and sensible footwear.

'Florence' called William as they strolled, trying to get her attention as she gazed at the outdoors. She gurgled as Roxy pulled a comical face in her direction and took hold of the older girls little finger. 'Who's a beautiful girl?' he question, the intonation in his voice rising.

Caroline watched from a safe distance with Kate, observing how happy her son seemed to be. Since John had destroyed the safe haven of the former Elliott home it was no secret that William had struggled to cope. To see him so at ease with his girlfriend was a comfort to both women.

Once the ladies of the group had taken a seat at the outdoor picnic tables and taken refuge in cups of hot tea, coffee and chocolate accompanied with cakes and sandwiches from the nearby coffee bar, the boys went off for a kick about. Lawrence, ever the sportsman, led the game with William and Alan following him. The two younger boys immersed themselves in the fun; both were pleased be spending time with one another. 'Over here!' shouted William, calling for the ball from his brother. Lawrence pounded the ball towards him and watched laughing as Willie skidded on the damp grass and landed flat on his bath.

The entire congregation burst out laughing with Roxy grabbing her phone to capture. Alan, ever the sensible gentleman, helped his grandson up. 'Good catch!' giggled Lawrence, hardly able to contain himself. William responded by lobbing the ball at the younger boys head, missing by metres, and then winced at the pain it caused.

That afternoon, having left the rest of the family at home to rest and cook an evening meal, Caroline took William out for a coffee. Roxy had been left to add the finishing touches to an assignment and then she would join Kate, Thea and Florence. Alan and Celia had headed home for the evening, exhausted from the morning's family time.

Sat in the Jeep together, William was thrilled he was able to spend some much needed time with his mother. Caroline was just as pleased, she missed her son's warming and caring personality about the house but knew he was doing what he wanted.

'You and Roxy seem happy-content' she commented as they sped through country lanes. William smiled at the remark.

'We are'

'So it's serious then?'

He paused briefly whilst running through what he should say without sounding like a fool 'I love her, mum. Up until know I'd never been any good at relationships-'

'Oh I don't know' cut in the woman 'I thought you and Sophie got on rather well' she joked

'You only liked her because of her fascination in chemistry!'

'Maybe' she giggled a little

'And I guess, like you can with Kate, I can sort of see a future with Roxy' he admitted. Caroline looked at him quickly, smiling.

'If I've learnt anything, William, it's that you have to follow your heart and bugger everyone else. Promise me you'll always do just that?'

'I promise mum' he uttered back 'Do you regret marrying dad?'

'No-no I don't. If I hadn't of married your dad I wouldn't have had you or Lawrence. You two, and Flo, are my world. Not for one moment will I ever regret having the three of you. And believe it or not, your dad and I did have some good times. There was a point when I did truly love him' she confessed, her eyes fixated on the road. 'But sometimes people change, and when that happens you're not always compatible as a pair anymore'

William sat quietly, unsure of what he was meant to say next. 'One day, in the future, I hope I can give my children the same start in life that you have given us'

'Oh you will, don't you worry' winked his mum as they pulled up in the car park. She stopped the engine as they both climbed out of their doors and headed for the coffee bar. Once inside they mused over the past; child hood memories, what the future held and William's studies. Caroline knew that her son wouldn't rush into anything with his relationship with Roxy. She knew she could trust William's thoughts and feelings, and be completely sure that he loved Roxy as much as he had said he did. She saw it in both their eyes when they looked at each other and the way they acted in one another's presence. In some ways it reminded Caroline of the relationship she had with Kate; how utterly in love they were.

'Lawrence!' Caroline called up the stairs 'Can you bring Flo's rabbit down as well please' she requested, having already sent him upstairs to chance out of his muddy joggers. William and Roxy sat in the living room. Willie had his legs bent up towards him with Florence rested on them, gurgling away. The fire roared away and Kate's iPod played classical music quietly.

In the kitchen Kate, Caroline and Thea passed the time over a glass of wine as the final preparations for their evening meal were under way. Thea and her daughter had spent the afternoon concocting roast pork with all the trimmings for the family. With Lawrence's help Kate had pulled together her famous mascarpone cheese and chocolate truffle cake.

'Peek a boo!' cried Roxy as she hid her face behind her hands and then jumped out again, causing the baby to look around curiously and her wonky smile made an appearance. The girl stroked Flo's feet as she kicked them around. William watched how this little human seemed so at ease with the world.

'She's so beautiful- so amazing' whispered William to his girlfriend who in return kissed him gently on the cheek.

'She makes me broodier than she should' teased the laughing teenager. Her boyfriend couldn't help but laugh with her. 'Don't you Flo? Yes you do!'

Lawrence crept up behind the pair and positioned the rabbit behind William's head. Florence instantly started reaching her arms forwarding towards her cuddly toy. The older boy turned around to see his brother who flew the rabbit over his head and onto Florence's lap, blowing a raspberry on her belly. The teenager joined the loved up couple of the sofa, perching of the arm of the chair and watching Florence attentively. Roxy, sensing they needed some time alone, got up off the sofa and made her excuses about helping Caroline and Kate in the kitchen. 'So, little brother, how is it going?' William asked. He was more than aware that the changes that had taken place in the last twelve months had affected Lawrence more than anyone. For William it was easy, he came home as often as he could and then flew back to Oxford to carry on with his studies. Lawrence however had had to get used to living with his mum whom was now married to someone else, a woman in fact, and the arrival of their baby sister. The older brother sensed that their relationship had matured in the year that had passed and wanted to take full advantage of that.

Lawrence, with Williams blessing, scooped Florence into his bulging arms and cradled her lovingly. 'It's- it's going rather well' he replied grinning 'Mum and Kate are happy and little Flo is...' he paused, unable to find the right words.

'A real little monster?' filled in Willie. His brother nodded in agreement. 'Have you seen dad recently?'

'Last week, he managed to make the last five minutes of my rugby training and then we went for pizza. Thankfully he'd left Judith and Sebastian at home'

'She's still on the scene then?' he didn't get a reply 'Next time I'm over this way you and I could go and visit him together; or we could come and watch you playing rugby' it was time he made amends with his father. He could never forgive him for the hurt he had caused Caroline, but life was too short to hate one another.

'Mum really loves Kate' the content teenage boy changed the subject. William looked up at him, in awe of how much he had changed recently 'I can see it in the way she looks at her. I've never seen her this happy before'

'I know-I know. To start off with it was a little-a little weird, wasn't it? But all we ever really wanted was for mum to be happy and she is now' remarked the curled haired man. Just like his younger brother he had opted to his surname to 'Elliott-McKenzie' and decisions that John had supported.

'And dad- well dad's dad; he and Judith seemed to be settled with the baby. I thought that when mum and Kate got together I would be left out, and with Dad's eyes elsewhere I felt- You had gone off to Oxford and I was left here with a situation I couldn't quite understand'

'One you weren't willing to accept, maybe?' a suggestion which Lawrence could only support.

'But then I realised, almost overnight, mum changed. She smiled more. Then Flo came into our lives and somehow everything seemed to fit into place'

'She's magical, isn't she?' a brief pause stood in the way before he continued 'I know I don't say it enough, and we've had our differences, but I'm proud of you Lawrence and the man you're turning into'

Their 'moment' was interrupted by the serving of food and Kate's voice 'Dinner boys!' Lawrence carried Florence into the kitchen and let Kate put her into the highchair. The two boys joined the women at the table just as Caroline and Kate were plating up the slices of pork, apple sauce and vegetables. Kate sat at one end of the table with the highchair besides her; combining eating her food with spoon feeding her daughter pureed baby mixture. Caroline sat at the other side. On one side were William and Roxy, and then Thea and Lawrence.

Caroline stood up holding her wine glass 'Before we start I'd like to raise a small toast' her chat with William earlier had urged her to. She had spoken with Kate and the pair were pleased he was so smitten and settled with Roxy 'To William and Roxy' they all followed her words, even Lawrence whom was eager to eat as much as he could. Willie's cheeks blushed a little but that didn't stop him from shyly kissing his girlfriend.