With Lucien due home any minute, Jean grabbed the kettle and went to the sink to fill it with water. She was humming happily; life was good. She had a wonderful husband she adored, and who likewise adored her. Her two older sons were finally settled, Christopher having been promoted and assigned to the Simpson Barracks near Melbourne for the foreseeable future, and Jack was seemingly content working on a cattle station in NSW and keeping company with a lovely young lady there.
And of course there was little Luke, the absolute light of his parents' lives. Nearly nine months old now and showing a real personality: sunny and bright most of the time, with just a touch of willfulness if things weren't as he thought they should be. She and Lucien laughingly blamed each other for that side of his nature.
As she closed the tap and prepared to turn toward the stove she felt a tug on the lower left leg of her trousers. She looked down and smiled at her little one who had just pulled himself into a standing position. Luke smiled back up at her, obviously proud of his newfound prowess. Over the last few days he had been pulling himself upright at every opportunity. Jean realized that all too soon he would be walking, and then there would be no stopping him, what with his limitless curiosity.
"Look at you," she cooed at him. "Something tells me it's time we did some baby proofing around here or our little man will be getting into all kinds of mischief, won't you, my darling boy?"
He babbled happily in response.
"Do you want to walk with me while I put the kettle on to boil? Your dad will be home soon."
Luke's eyes lit up even more. He recognized the word "dad" and knew that meant loads of kisses and cuddles. He let out a squeal, holding tightly to Jean's trouser leg as they moved slowly over to the stove. When she had put the kettle on, she leaned down to pick him up and proceeded to plant kisses all over his face until he was giggling with glee and patting her cheeks.
Lucien walked in. "Seems like I'm missing all the fun," he said, placing his hat on his son's much smaller head. When it fell over his face, Luke's laughing became even more uproarious. Jean and Lucien couldn't help joining in.
Lucien rested a hand on the hat as he leaned in to kiss Jean, then he took Luke into his arms and went to hang up the hat while Luke wrapped his arms around his dad's neck.
Jean watched them, her heart so full of love for her two men that she sometimes found it difficult to contain. After so many years of being on her own, she could never have imagined that she would find this kind of happiness. Her Church may have forced her out, but she still thanked God every day for the life she had now.
Lucien was holding a giggling Luke upside down when they came into the kitchen.
"All right, you two, sit down and have your lunch," Jean said, her voice stern but her eyes twinkling.
Luke quickly became an airplane as his father "flew" him to his high chair and strapped him in. He set to work on his sippy cup and apple slices, never losing his happy smile.
Jean kissed the top of his head before sliding into her chair. "How was your morning?" she asked her husband.
"Would have been better if it had started a little later," he growled. An early morning call had interrupted their amorous pursuits. "But the case was cut and dried, no loose ends so I should be here the rest of the day."
She smiled in delight. "And with no surgery today, maybe we might resume where we left off once this fellow goes down for his nap." She arched an eyebrow.
"What a splendid idea! How glad I am that I married a woman who's not only gorgeous and sexy, but smart." He leaned closer to Luke. "Your mum is a clever lady, son. That's why you're such a brilliant boy, isn't it?"
The baby bounced up and down as if in agreement, causing both parents to laugh.
"And that reminds me," said Jean. "Our brilliant boy is going to be walking before we know it. Today might be a good day to baby proof the house. Gates for the stairs and surgery, latches on the cupboard doors, that sort of thing. I think we have all the supplies in the garage. Baby gifts, mostly."
"Ah, yes, we have very practical friends, don't we?"
Jean nodded. "And who knows when you'll have another free afternoon."
With Luke close by to "supervise" his every move, Lucien made short work of putting up the spring-loaded gates at the foot of the stairs and across the doorway into the surgery area. He would have to thank Charlie Davis, who had the foresight to know they'd be needed and realized it was more practical to use ones that could be easily moved rather than permanently installed. Luke had been their little miracle but there would be no further need of the gates when he was older.
With the gates up, Lucien went into the kitchen to start on the cupboard latches while Jean finished the washing up from lunch. He looked at the diagram on the latch packaging and realized he'd need a screwdriver for this part of the job. He went toward the study where he kept a rudimentary toolbox: hammer, screwdriver, pliers, wrench.
He suddenly realized that Luke hadn't followed him to the kitchen, so he went looking for the baby. Luke had pulled himself upright on the surgery gate, looking none too pleased that his visits to his dad at work would be curtailed.
When he spotted Lucien coming toward him, his discontent seemed to be forgotten. He turned, letting go of his hold on the gate and teetering on his little feet.
"Jean," Lucien called softly. "You'll want to see this."
He crouched down a short distance from Luke and held out his arms.
Behind him Jean approached, drying her hands on her apron as she watched.
"Come on, little man," Lucien urged. "Come give your old dad a hug."
Luke gave him a big grin and was about to clap his hands, but it made his balance uncertain for a moment. Instead he frowned in concentration and focused on the outstretched hands of his father.
Lucien and Jean both held their breaths while he took three tentative steps then lunged forward into his father's arms. Lucien swept him up in hugs and kisses, as Jean added her own. They shared a smile, both with tears in their eyes.
"Our baby boy just became a toddler," said Lucien.
"Yes, he did, clever boy, and heaven help us," said Jean. She took him from Lucien and smothered his face with kisses as Luke laughed. Her eyes glazed over as she saw the future racing towards her: his first words, his first day at school, soccer games, girlfriends, driving a car, getting married...
Lucien knew just where her thoughts had gone. He leaned over to kiss her softly. "He's still only a baby," he reminded her gently. "We have many years to enjoy with him."
"Yes, of course you're right," she said.
She set Luke down on the floor. "Now, let's see you walk to your mum, sweetheart."