Chapter 37

Meg had an enjoyable lunch with friends, they'd whooped congratulations to her as soon as she saw them and after that it was gossip and plans for Christmas between mouthfuls of food, which of course led to how to get their presents to her. That was easy Robert had promised to play postman and drop them off in either direction and as it meant no postage on either side it went down a treat. Though, remembering his wicked smile as he suggested it, she wasn't too sure whether it was a threat that he would 'drop' them off without landing or he thought it was a good excuse to see John again.

Now as she walked along the beach watching windsurfers memories of their walks and Ben windsurfing surrounded her. This was meant to be a short break in which those elusive ideas for presents would spring to mind. She'd been in a lot of shops hunting for them found a couple but she needed more including Sara's and the twins. She wondered if her friends would really mind if she cheated and went to Sunset Sisters, she was after all a visitor in the town so could claim she found them more interesting than the ones from home.

The thought of home made her mind jump to John; she was going to pop back to her parent's house a bit later when she knew they would be otherwise engaged and send him the news about the twins. She sighed remembering the tiny beings and could imagine his smile as he read the mail. And came out of her musings on hearing a yell of delight, laughter and chatter further up the beach and saw a family group flying a kite which soared on breeze showing off its beautiful coloured streamers.

She recognised his figure immediately and realised his yell of delight had brought her out of her musing and consciously thought his name …Ben. She knew she'd had to get used it as she like the others around watched the happy group. He was carrying Sammy and Maria was helping Benjy with the kite and glancing on round she smiled as she spotted a certain couple on the pathway filming the whole beach scene so no one would notice that they lingered on the family group. It was a good; they were a happy family group enjoying time out, she unconsciously nodded to herself and then not wanting to disturb the family made her way up the beach and across the road back into the shopping area, determined to find something… not too sure what … but something.

She drifted around some more shops, chatting with people and bought some more presents and a couple of things for herself but not the ones she really wanted … those elusive ones for Sara and the twins or her parents come to that.

Walking into Sunset Sisters she saw a new assistant at the till, that was okay she would be left in peace for a while to browse. She started looking and idly wondered what to do when it came to 'buy' her gift from her sister and spotted a beautiful red rose bud in a paperweight. Yeah, that was a must for John from her and beside it was one with a white rose bud … that would be hers from Sara then she nearly chuckled out loud there were some other bits and pieces she really could not resist. Gathering all the things she wanted in her basket she looked around and pondered about the 'till' problem. She couldn't just walk up to the unknown assistant and say 'Hi I'm Meg Cummings; Sara your boss is my sister and said I could put this on her tab … now could she…

Her thoughts stopped and the problem was solved as Emily came in and spotting her smiled and exclaimed "Wonderful news about the twins Meg."

"Yes, they are beautiful and Sara is fine and champing at the bit to get home. She said I could take something from here as a present from her and to put it on her tab. I'll pay for the others now as it will be easier."

Emily laughed and walked over to the till as she answered, knowing doing it the other way would mean paperwork. "Okay if that's the way you want it, but I'll give you the staff discount otherwise Sara will kill me." Seeing Meg's smile and nodded she carried on. "This is June our new student, I think Sara is carrying on the tradition of using students as slaves. Are you staying long?"

Meg gave a nod in acknowledgement and as she handed over her basket of goods said. "No just today and tomorrow. You and Sean keeping well, I know Bette is I saw her at the hospital getting news."

Emily smiled expertly dealing with the till. "Yes we're still together and fine thanks." Letting June do the wrapping she and Meg sorted out the cash and as she handed over Meg's change added. "Have a good stay."

"Thanks I will. Good luck June." Meg said as she gathered up her bags ready to leave and with a smile she let Emily hold the door open for her.

oxoxo

Needing to find that extra bit of inspiration for those awkward family presents that still eluded her she decided to walk along the beach. That was a good idea but her mind went 'flit about' instead and compared the differences between her new and here… she found she missed the sea and the space it gave her, which was strange because she'd never been to the seaside before coming here and had loved the countryside back on the farm. She walked and gazed out to sea wondering if she could somehow bottle that 'something' so she could take it to John because he'd been by the sea longer than she had so he must really miss it…

A child calling her caught her attention so she stopped and watched Benjy come running towards her with his family closely behind.

When he got close she greeted him with a smile. "Hi Benjy getting ready for Christmas."

"Yes thanks, how's Sara." Benjy asked between gasps.

Ben and Maria caught up as she answered. "She's fine, so are the babies, Susan and Mark." She looked at the couple and commented amazed at the change. "Gosh Sammy's growing fast, how are you all?"

Ben shifting his daughter into a more comfortable position, so she could see what was going on and answered a bit breathless. "Fine thanks. I see you've been buying. I've tried selling Sammy twice but not takers."

Maria laughed at Megs questioning look and explained. "He means charity auctions and of course he out bids everyone each time and everyone knows he will, luckily no ones pushed him too high. You're looking good and I hear you are starting a family as well."

Meg laughed, things certainly got around and rested her bags against her legs realising they would stop and talk a while. "Yes, everyone seems to know and I've only just found out myself."

Ben gave a chuckle as he said. "You're blooming and that smile is well and truly back. I'm glad. I suspect you'll be with the family tonight but it would be nice to see you at The Deep. I assume your here for a couple of days is John with you?"

"You're right I expect I'll be with Sara tonight. John's not here and I'm going back late tomorrow as Robert is taking his friends back." She was surprised how easy it was to be near him, there was not under current like there was last time and as she looked at him she realised there was real deep pleasure in his eyes just like there was with John when he was really happy.

"I heard he'd been ill I hope it's not too serious."

She heard the genuine concern in his voice and answered truthfully without any hesitation. "John's steadily recovering thank you."

"Good and no doubt your news will help him. I don't know if you've heard, Maria's exhibition will be open in a few days time. We've got one of the famous artists to open it and give support to some of the newer locals."

"Yes Mum told me but I'm afraid I'll be gone before then opening. I hope it goes well for you Maria."

"Thank you." Maria smiled and suggested, "If you've got five minutes I'll let you have a sneak preview. We can take the short cut through the arcade; Ben will look after the kids."

With real interest Meg answered. "Yes I'd like that thank you."

As she started to gather up her bags Maria said. "I'll take a couple for you Meg. See you later Ben there's food in the fridge if Benjy wants a treat."

With that the group broke up.

oxoxo

Meg let herself into her parents' house and put her bags and jacket on the chair and table glad she had decided to take the taxi from the Gallery. Her arms and legs would never have lasted; she filled and put the kettle on then found and plugged the laptop into the phone line as her parents were still out.

Maria's tour had lasted longer than five minutes but it had been good and she'd found it easy to chat with her about the exhibits. There had been an easy unspoken understanding that neither talked about their home life, and for a while she found herself in the easy friendship they had before they knew about Ben and his relationship to them both. As they'd passed out through the shop part of the gallery, which sold materials for paintings etc she was pleased to see it was busy and caught a glimpse of Mat going through some arty things and saw some shopping bags and knew his trip had not been wasted.

She checked the mail and found nothing interesting so clicked on new message and wrote.

Hi Sweetheart.

Been good to everyone? … … Good.

Sara beat the doctors to it in the early hours of the morning, so no operation.

Okay … she started early and finished late morning … ummm ... Left Casey to that bit.

Twins Susan and Mark arrived yelling and healthy; Saw them … handed Susan to Sara… new Mum and Dad are proud so are the grandparents. Antonio did a family naming and blessing which was nice. There will be another one at the Mission which will include Godparents etc fairly soon.

Everyone knows about me and my 'condition' talk … about bush radio more like fire or wind. Yeah that's right they all saw it! Surprisingly it's taken all the pressure off me everyone can see I'm happy and leaves me alone … no more questions.

Well one mainly … how is John and I say recovering and they wish you well.

Saw the other family and they are fit and happy helping Benjy fly a kite. Maria took me round her gallery - good exhibition so is the shop part. I can understand everything now and agree with it totally.

My friend Bette said she is very happy for me … says my mystery partner is good for me. Yes she is her usual bright bubbly self and is very happy with AJ.

Well kettle has boiled and doorbell is going, so will I. See you in my dreams tonight.

Love Meg

She sent it and deleted the copy then closed the laptop down and answered the door and exclaimed in surprise. "Mandy! Jack. Come through into the kitchen, I'm getting a drink want one?"

Jack did an impersonation of a panting dog as Mandy said with a huge smile. "Please. Jack's been doing his lets hunt out the odd places, and I know you wanted a special present for Sara. Well there's a shop on the outskirts selling furniture and they make rocking chairs, I'm sure they'd love to have one to rock the babies off to sleep in. What do you think?"

Meg laughed she could see them sitting in the lounge looking down the garden it was a wonderful idea. "I'll have to get two one each otherwise there be arguments." Then she became serious "How much I cannot use my card here and Robert might be a bit miffed if I used the works one for something that big."

Mandy took a sip of her coffee then said. "Robert will not mind, he knows it will be cleared by you as soon as possible. He did say you could use it so why not. I was also thinking we can put on one the plane for you." Jack was shaking his head and smiling as his wife spoke he knew what was coming from Meg's expression.

"Two for here I could get away with but three Mandy!"

Mandy chuckled. "No, sweetheart we will buy the third as a present to you and John and don't worry it will clear though Boston as well."

Meg knew when she was beaten and she could even see herself sitting in one in the apartment and said with a smile "Okay"

As they drank they exchanged stories of the day and were interrupted when Hank and Joan returned home. This meant more chatter and at the mention of the rocking chairs it was decide they'd all go together … after all Hank had transport a new people carrier to try out. They got over the third chair problem by Mandy explaining it was for their daughter as a kind of hint … that nearly creased Jack and Meg up in fits of laughter.

The so called drop in chat ended up in a meal as well, the group finally breaking up when she and her parents went to see Sara and Casey having dropped Mandy and Jack off at the hotel first. Meg was really pleased how things had turned out; she knew Mandy and her mum would get on all right. As for her father and Jack well she could see a bond growing. She knew he'd missed the farm though never would admit it. As soon as Jack had mentioned horses her father's eyes had light up and his voice had showed excitement and there was no stopping the pair.

oxoxo

The house was silent and it was dark outside and Meg knew it was late she should go to bed. They'd spent a special time with the twins and new parents and when they'd taken Casey back to the apartment they had sorted things out and discussed what to do tomorrow.

Now her parents had gone to bed leaving her as her mother said some quiet time. She knew what her mother meant and looked at the laptop and decided she would check it.

She found one with Paul's mail address and trying not to worry, she opened it and did a quick scan in case of bad news then sighed and was slightly pleased that she would see more of the twins and read the rest.

Hi Sunshine

Hate to tell you this we are snowed in.

A lot of the stuff and trees are blocking the main road up the top and just the white stuff is on the road into town and needs to be cleared. I don't know if I should brag but our part of town is not too bad.

I think you have an extra day, especially as there is a storm warning as well. Have told Robert, no doubt he will check and decide. The wind is bitingly cold they say it should lose its chill sometime late tomorrow … I hope so.

I did try to be good … honest.

Paul and Val still in one piece, two pieces …. if you know what I mean, so are my carers in case you were worried.

Shep sends a tail wag or two.

Hey, managed to drive the carriage for a couple of feet! … That will take longer than I thought perhaps spring would be better! … We did it in the barn not outside, though the drive has been swept clean and I do mean clean!

Goodness knows what HE said to his men before he left but they are the ones who did after each flake came down.

Unfortunately my chief carer blew up when she found out (the barn thing not the drive thing) trust her to walk in at the wrong time. Even poor old Sandy looked guilty as she yelled - just as well Sandy's not a spooky horse or we really would have had fun.

So my other carer and I are in the doghouse. (Umm that would be the apartment right as a dog lives in it.) Anyway I'm grounded till she's happy about my back; think she just likes the power as back is fine. As for my other carer he's on kitchen duty … poor lad. The other one … she could not touch, as he's a guest.

Door is working much to Shep's delight and before I got grounded manage shuffle with sticks in the garden but not much and worried guest as I zoned on him. Opps.

Guess I missed your special touch and I'm going to need that 24 hr guard. My carer caught me if you were wondering … well he's good at that.

Not surprised everyone could see you were blooming and we did warn you.

Last but no means least glad twins and Sara therefore Casey are fine. Guess we'll have to have another name if ours if it is a boy Mark one and two might not go down very well … at least we have a while to think about it. Glad our friend was happy I miss her.

Miss you as you know. See you soon and in my dreams. SM.

She could not believe he tried to drive the trap, but then again Paul was around and he could wake up different ideas in John. Perhaps they thought he might do that rather than walk, but if he zone out in that. She could well imagine him being a 'little' awkward he hated being grounded by Jackie, but then again the others would be around so that should ease the pressure. She liked the idea he'd managed a shuffle in the garden and the door worked as well. But he'd zoned out on them that could mean problems or it could mean he was cold, perhaps they should add another stove. She reread the last bit and smiled at the SM for Soulmate and suddenly wanted him desperately but she knew she couldn't and cleared the mail and closed everything up.

As she changed for bed she felt that more peaceful longing for home, she knew everything was all right here, that everyone knew she was okay with her knew life and she knew everything was all right back home. When she finally slept she dreamt of home in the snow.