The limo drew up outside the courthouse wedding chapel and with a grin Lee exited followed by the babysitter - who Jeff hadn't introduced - and then Jeff went to help Scott out.

Lucy's hand on his arm stopped him. He looked at her quizzically and she flashed him a small, quick smile.

'Jeff, this has all happened so fast. I - I need a minute with Scott, please.'

Jeff paused. This was the moment he hoped he'd avoided but he couldn't say he was too surprised at her request. He smiled at her and went to sit back, hoping his presence would sway anything…negative the child might say.

'Alone, Jeff. Please. We won't be long.'

He kept the smile on his face with huge effort and was pleased he kept his voice even.

'Of course, my love. I'll be just outside the door with the chair.'

He threw a glance at the boy. Scott seemed to have picked up something was happening, but his grin at Jeff gave him hope that all his plans were not about to be ruined.

Jeff gave Lucy a kiss on the cheek as he climbed out.

And then they were alone.

It felt like an age since it had just been the two of them. The reality was under 24 hours but she'd been still a little out of things.

'Scott?'

'Mamma?'

She patted the seat beside her, mindful that she was still healing, and Scott immediately scooted over and hugged her, looking up at her with nothing but the love he always had shown.

When she'd found out she was pregnant Jeff was already on his way to Mars. Even though she knew they both worked at NASA she didn't hold out any hope of ever seeing him again.

Not keeping Scott had never been an option once the doctor explained that the nausea she'd been feeling was caused by being pregnant and had brought in a sonogram and shown her.

That tiny scrap of life growing inside her.

She'd never regretted that decision. Not through the sixteen-hour labour, nor the months of colic, teething, vaccinations and balancing all of that and work, alone in a land not quite her own…not once.

And Lucy had to be sure that now, even as it felt like the world was against her - against them - that Scott would be alright with the changes Jeff was proposing. Because, despite everything, if Scott said no then she would too.

They'd face the consequences together as always.

'Scotty, baby?'

'Yes, Mamma?'

'How have you been getting on with…er…Jeff?'

Scott's face wrinkled in concentration. It had only just dawned on Lucy that she'd not properly introduced the two most important men in her life, and although she knew Scott was smart, she wasn't sure what exactly he'd put together.

'The man who made you better?'

'The man…?'

Her son's answer puzzled her, but she didn't have time for details now.

'The man you stayed with last night.'

'Yes, him.'

'Scott, I want you to think very carefully about my next question.'

Ah - Scott knew what this meant! He immediately sat up, hands clasped in his lap and listened very closely to what his Mamma was going to say, head tilted to one side as he did.

It was a sight that never failed to lift Lucy's heart, and it did do now. She hoped he'd understand most of what she was going to explain in what little time they had.

'Jeff, um, Jeff has offered to marry me and the three of us can be a family.'

'Like Roberto and his Mamma and Pappa?'

'Yes, love. Like Roberto. What do you think about that?'

'Is - is Jeff my Pappa?'

'Yes, Scott. Jeff is your real Daddy.'

'Ok.'

'Ok? Do you understand what I'm asking you?'

'You're asking if we can live together like Robert's family. Does that mean Daddy will come and live with us?'

'We haven't discussed all the details yet, darling, but is this what you want?'

'Yes, Mamma. Daddy made you better. I don't mind living with him.'

Lucy pulled Scott close and kissed his head as the tears threatened again. The D'Angelo family next door had been a godsend to her and Scott. Roberto was six months older, and sometimes they'd have Scott over to give Lucy quiet time to finish a project. She'd often wondered if he understood the family dynamic because he'd never once asked why he didn't have a Daddy like Roberto did, but maybe Scott hadn't needed an answer to a question that didn't bother him.

A tap at the window reminded her why they were there, and she disentangled herself from Scott as Jeff opened the door. He looked a little worried at her wet face and passed her a handkerchief, and she gave him a watery smile as she helped Scott out first.

As the minutes ticked over Jeff began to get nervous. It would just be his luck if the boy decided he didn't want his Mom to marry and Jeff's plans would be thwarted by the brat for a second time. He tapped his foot. In reality he knew it was less than ten minutes, but time was ticking and the longer he wasn't part of the conversation the more concerned he felt.

So when he tapped and opened the door and saw Lucy's wet face it felt like all his life plans had gone awry for the second time in less than a week. But then she smiled and helped the boy out and he could breathe again.

Jeff promised himself he'd never let anyone put him in such a position again.

Settling Lucy in the chair, he set off for the side entrance, explaining that there was some legal paperwork Lucy had to sign before they could marry. She nodded, knowing that was coming.

Lucy shuffled through the paperwork, noting tiny green dots where her signature was needed and skim-reading as fast as she could. She could tell Jeff was getting a little impatient, but that was understandable really, she supposed that they had a timeslot and she'd eaten time up talking with Scott in the car. Eventually she'd signed everything, making a mental note to go over some of the papers later when there would be time.

A tall, well-dressed man in a suit that screamed money took the papers away with a curt nod to her and suddenly Jeff was wheeling her into the chapel.

It was simply set up. A short red carpet lead to an arch of white flowers and greenery from which hung two diaphanous white curtains. There were plenty of seats at the back, but only three lined up facing the arch. On these sat Scott, the babysitter and Lee, who sprang up and stood beside Jeff once he'd positioned her chair.

A kindly-looking older woman came out and bestowed smiles on them all.

Lucy didn't really remember much about the ceremony. She'd kept her eyes firmly on Jeff, had only needed to say 'I do' and then he was kneeling in front of her, placing a band on her finger that fit around the solitaire perfectly.

And then they were leaving. Everything had happened so fast and was still happening quickly.

Jeff was sitting in the middle, Lucy on his left and Scott on his right. Lee sat opposite them and the two men were chatting. Scott was looking out the window, legs occasionally kicking the chair. Every now and then he'd look around Jeff to see his Mamma, and some of the time she'd be looking at him, smiling.

Sometimes he would look up at the man who was now his Daddy. Scott didn't really know what to think of that. Roberto's Daddy was very nice to him, had played planes with them both and taken them swimming. Jeff wasn't like that man at all. Scott wondered how long it would take Jeff – Daddy – to play planes with him and take him swimming.

'Jeff?'

Lucy's voice cut through the men's chatter and Scott's thinking, and everyone turned to look at her. She had a small frown on her face.

'What is it, Sweetheart?'

'Where are we going? This isn't the way to the hotel?'

Jeff coughed to clear his throat. Smiling, he brought her hand up and held it in both of his.

'I'm taking you home.'

'But my stuff…'

'It's all been taken care of while we were getting married. Everything is in the jet already.'

She blinked. She thought that she was super organised – Jeff was on another level altogether. Wait – had he said jet?

Jeff laughed, and Lucy realised she'd spoken that last bit out loud. She blushed as Scott grinned at the laughter.

'Yes, I have a jet and we are going to fly home to Kansas in style.'

A jet? Daddy had a plane? Scott's ears pricked up and his eyes became wide as saucers. Lucy, catching sight of him, grinned. She knew how much Scott would love that. Her son had been obsessed with flying from the get-go, playing planes around the house whenever he could. He started bouncing even more.

Jeff, momentarily having forgotten that 'we' didn't mean just him and Lucy, broke into a bigger grin as her blush turned into a smile. But then he realised that Lucy wasn't looking at him but past him. Mentally he cursed. He hoped it didn't show on his face as he slowly looked around, catching Lee's amused expression as he did. Even Lee was looking at the boy.

If it was at all possible Scott's eyes were even wider than before. The boy was positively quivering on the seat next to him, and as their eyes met Jeff wondered what was wrong with the kid. Then he realised.

It was a feeling he'd had himself at a similar age.

From the moment he was old enough to work out that the blobs in the air were flying things it was all he was interested in. At seven years old he'd been too young to take up in their prop plane but it hadn't stopped him stowing away in the back, hidden under some tarp. His father had flown the plane over to the town, gone shopping after locking the door carefully and returned what felt like hours later to fly them home.

When he got home his father had left the plane door open when he left. Jeff had waited until he heard the kitchen door slam before he left the plane, closing the door carefully and creeping around the farmhouse until he could get into the house through the basement window he'd carefully propped open.

He washed his hands and made his way to the kitchen, hoping that his absence had not been noticed. Ma and Pa were sitting at the table waiting for him. Nothing was said other than usual conversation.

Jeff had believed he'd gotten away with it all until his father asked how his chores had gone just after they'd finished eating. He'd tried to bluff his way out of it, but somehow his parents just knew. He had to do all his chores before he could get to bed.

They were the only people Jeff had never been able to sweet-talk his way around.

They had been the standard that he used to practice his oratory skills on. He never did fool them for a second.

He shook himself. If Scott was anything like himself at that age…this could make things interesting. Well, he knew how he'd been which meant he knew how to handle Scott. If it came to it.

Lee bade them goodbye at the airfield with a promise to 'be there on the day' whatever that meant. He then called Scott 'Simon', ruffled his hair and left. Lucy had no idea what he meant at all.

All thoughts of what Lee had been talking about fled when they turned the corner and saw the jet on the runway ready.

She was sleek, all white with a blue stripe running the length of her. She had three jet engines set back on its roof just in front of the tail.

Jeff stood back and watched Lucy's face. He'd been right – she was as enraptured with the jet as he had been.

'A trijet!' Lucy breathed.

'A jet! A jet! A jet!' Scott was chanting, hopping from foot to foot, clinging onto his mother's hand.

'A Falcon 7X?'

'Yep. She'll travel at…'

'Almost Mach 1!'

Jeff and Lucy laughed. In her excitement she'd stood up from the wheelchair and stepped forward, one hand out as if she was going to touch the jet. The step forward was too much, though, and her body let her know it, tearing into her.

Strong arms caught her and held her steady, Jeff's voice murmuring in her ear. The pain caused tears to flow, but instead of seating her back in the chair Jeff carefully lifted her up and climbed the stairs into the jet.

The inside was opulent. Soft cream leather seats and mahogany wood sides, a deep pile carpet…Jeff lowered Lucy into the nearest seat and she sighed as the position took the weight off her injuries. He brushed her forehead with a kiss and turned to get the jet rolling.

He'd forgotten about Scott.

Scott, who had followed them closely, fear for his Mamma clear on his face.

As he turned he barrelled into the child, knocking him over and once more Scott let out a piercing scream as he fell on his broken arm. Jeff grit his teeth. He hadn't meant to do that at all. At Lucy's gasp he carefully picked Scott up and carried him over to his mother. The child was crying hard, and Lucy immediately hugged him close.

'I'm sorry, Luce! I'm so sorry! I didn't realise he was right behind me!'

'It's ok, Jeff. I saw. It was an accident. Will we be able to get someone to check it out?'

'We will. Once we're home I'll get Ma to take him to the clinic and get it scanned.'

'How long, Jeff?'

'90 minutes, Luce. Let me get us up in the air.'

He bustled off as Scott clung to his Mamma and Lucy tried her hardest to calm him down. Thankful for how padded the chairs were, Lucy shifted until Scott was cradled against her. Gradually he quietened down and then drifted off, completely oblivious to the jet taking off.

In the cockpit Jeff was cursing. Of all the idiotic, stupid things to do…didn't the kid have any brains at all? Well, it was too late to worry about that as the tower gave him the all-clear and Jeff nudged the jet into take-off. God, he hoped the kid wasn't thick. He didn't think he could abide that. As he flew Jeff went over the plans in his head. Yes, the next twenty-thirty years he'd pretty much got mapped out by the time they came to the town he still called home.

Ninety minutes passed quickly. Lucy, switching between watching the clouds and watching her sleeping son, gradually became aware of the change in the engine and orientation that told her they were coming in to land. Part of her wondered if she should wake Scott so he could experience it, knowing that he'd be disappointed to have missed the entire flight. But as she watched him sleep she decided not to. He was positively pale, the pallor of stress and lack of sleep, and who knew what being here was going to be like. No, there would be plenty of other opportunities.

Staring at the scenery outside, Lucy frowned. This wasn't an airport! There wasn't a building in sight for miles, just a blanket of ploughed ground as far as she could see. She assumed that there was at least a runway to land on, and the smoothness of the landing told her she was right. They stayed stationary for a few minutes before Jeff appeared and smiled down at them.

'I'll just get the chair out and then we can get going.'

'Thank you. Jeff, will it take long to get to your parent's farm?'

He gave her a blank look that then broke into a smile as he realised she didn't know.

'We are already here, honey. When I joined NASA I bought the neighbour's farm and turned it into a landing strip with a hangar for my jet so I could come home whenever I pleased.'

'Oh. That explains the fields.'

'Yes. It will take only a few minutes to reach the farmhouse. My parents will have seen us land and they'll be waiting.'

'Wait – seen us land? Jeff – please don't tell me you didn't tell you Mum and Dad that we were coming?'

The sheepish grin he gave her as he jumped from the doorway did nothing to reassure her, and Lucy began fretting all over again. How would his parents react to him bringing home not only a woman and a child, but a wife – and an injured one that he'd promised his Ma would look after…this was not going to go well. But Jeff was whistling as he worked, so maybe she didn't need to worry. Maybe his parents were used to him turning up out of the blue.

Jeff, completely unconcerned about Lucy's fears, set about getting the car ready, placing the chair in the trunk. They would be able to sort out a better one tomorrow if Ma said Lucy needed it, but he was confident only a day or two and Ma would have her up and about. Ma had the magic touch like that.

He found he was actually looking forward to introducing them all. Ma was always asking when he was going to settle down, she hadn't taken his plans to move to Mars well at all. But then he supposed he was their only child. Pa was easy going and as long as Jeff was happy then Pa was too. He'd never expressed disappointment that Jeff hadn't been interested in the farm and Jeff appreciated that. Yeah, his parents would love Lucy!

Chair ready, he climbed back up and gently took the sleeping child from Lucy and laid him in one of the chairs. Picking his wife up – god he loved saying that. Another status achieved – he carefully carried her across the tarmac to the car that was always there waiting for him. He went to settle her in the front with him, but she requested the back so that she could have Scott with her. Jeff supposed that made sense and helped her in before going back for Scott.

The child weighed next to nothing and as he picked Scott up Jeff noticed that he didn't look too good. He hoped the kid didn't throw up in the car, but they would cross that bridge if and when they came to it.

The trip to the farmhouse indeed only took minutes. By the time the car pulled up at a beautiful white cladded, grey-slate roofed farmhouse with a large porch the ornate door was open and a couple stood on the threshold, watching them. As Jeff busied himself with the wheelchair Lucy smiled bravely at the couple.

The man was – impossibly, Lucy thought – even taller than Jeff but where Jeff was a little wide across the shoulders his Dad was huge. In complete contrast his Mum was tiny, although she probably was actually around Lucy's own height of 5' 7" the giant behind her made her seem much smaller.

As Jeff brought the chair round the man immediately started forward to help, but Jeff shook his head and the man stopped. Jeff had pushed Lucy a couple of steps before her hissed 'Scott!' stopped him. He'd thought to take her into the house and then fetch the boy, but Lucy was insistent and so he lifted the child up and out into her arms.

Scott stirred this time, the change in air and orientation finally waking him. He found himself in his Mamma's lap, which he was very happy at, being taken up to a large white house. There were a man and a woman at the door waiting for them. He yawned, shrinking back into his Mamma as much as he could. Scott didn't like the look on the face of the woman.

Grant's face broke into a huge grin as his son arrived at the porch, stepping forward to help the woman and child up the two steps to the door. The boy's bright blue eyes, so reminiscent of his own, looked at him in awe and not a little fear and Grant, used to this reaction, knelt down to say hi while Jeff went to greet his mother after setting Lucy back down in the chair.

'Hi, little man.'

'Are – are you a giant?'

'Ahaha, no. My name is Grant. What's your name?'

'I'm Scott.'

And just like that Scott was off, chatting to the man as if he'd known him all his life. He even allowed Grant to take his hand, a gesture that touched Lucy deeply. But she stood and watched Jeff talking to his Ma and her heart began to sink. The woman did not look friendly, not that she could blame her. Eventually they stopped talking, Jeff bestowed a kiss on the woman's cheek and stepped aside as she advanced on Lucy.

'My son tells me you've come to stay for a few days.'

'Yes, ma'am. If that's alright with you.'

'Can't say as I like surprises, but you're here now. Come inside, child, and tell me about yourself.'

With a fearful glance at Jeff, Lucy found herself pushed inside.