Jean needed a new outfit for her wedding but knew she didn't have time to make anything, and didn't really want to go all the way to Melbourne before the day. She talked the problem through with Mattie while Lucien was out.

'Why not Melbourne?' Mattie asked, surprised at her apparent defeatism.

'Well, there's Amelia, the surgery, the house...' Jean started to reel off all she could think of to stop her going shopping for a dress.

'If I come with you, we can take Amelia,' she reasoned, 'the boys can look after themselves for one day, they're not totally useless.'

Jean looked at her. It was true, she didn't want to shop on her own, she would like a second opinion on her choice, but Amelia as well?

'Do you think we could?' She looked a little more hopeful.

'Of course.' Mattie grinned, 'just us two in Melbourne, well, with Amelia, but we wouldn't have to rush.'

'True,' Jean smiled, 'I bet you know the best places for me to shop, too.'

'I might know a few rather good places.' Mattie winked, she knew exactly where to take her.

They decided that they would arrange it for Mattie's next free day, which was a good ten days before the wedding. Lucien was more than happy for her to go shopping with Mattie and even offered to look after Amelia.

'Now Lucien,' she teased, 'I don't doubt your child minding abilities but what if a case comes up? Or surgery gets busy, hm?'

'I suppose you're right, dearest.' He kissed her, 'can I give you some money, to treat yourself?'

'Oh, that's kind of you, but I think I'll be alright.' She blushed, it never occurred to her he would give her some money.

'Call it a wedding present.' He looked at her, he didn't want to offend her but he did know how much she earned. 'Please.' He took her hands in his, 'Jean?'

She looked down. He bent down to look at her face.

'Erm...'

He wrapped his arms around her.

'So far, dearest Jean,' he whispered, 'I haven't given you anything. We haven't even got round to an engagement ring. Let me at least pay for your wedding outfit, please.'

'Alright,' she whispered into his chest, 'if you must.'

'Indeed I must.' He tipped her head up and kissed her, slowly and passionately.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lucien dropped Jean and Mattie off at the station with Amelia and the pram.

'Got everything?' He held her hand and looked at her.

'Yes, I think so.' she smiled. 'Thank you.' She tiptoed up and kissed him, feeling very bold, she never kissed him in public, even though it was common knowledge they were engaged.

'Right, I'll pick you up later, have a lovely day.' He kissed her cheek and watched them go to catch the train.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

With the help of a guard they managed to find a quiet compartment that would accommodate the pram, and sat to discuss where Mattie was going to take her.

'Right, Jean.' She took charge. 'This is the time for you to splash out. How much has Lucien given you?'

Jean showed Mattie the envelope, plenty for a really nice dress and anything else she saw. He'd been very generous.

'Ooh! So let's see if we can replace your robe,' Mattie's eyes positively gleamed, 'as well.'

Jean blushed, she still had her pink robe with the tear at the neck, not having had the time to buy a new one.

'Perhaps.' she smiled.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The guard helped them off the train, and tipped his hat when they rewarded him with a generous tip.

'Ladies,' he smiled, 'enjoy your day.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lucien sat in the car and thought for a moment. It was true, Jean didn't have an engagement ring, and they needed wedding rings. He decided he'd wear one this time, just to prove how much he loved her. He drove home, wondering how he could work this one, without her being with him.

He wandered round the house, so quiet, no radio on, no crying baby. He didn't like it, much. He turned the kitchen radio on, just for company and sat for a while with a cup of tea. The it hit him, Jean no longer wore her wedding ring. When they had decided not to hide their involvement she had taken it off, bravely. He wondered...she had probably put it in her jewellery box, still in her bedroom. Would the jewellers have anything in, in the right size? He could even sort out the wedding rings at the same time, but what he really wanted was to get her an engagement ring.

He bounded up the stairs and into her room, no longer sacrosanct, and opened up the casket. There it was. He picked it up and turned it round in his hand. He also noticed the box with the engagement ring Christopher had given her. He'd never seen it on her finger. Opening the little box he saw a rather nice ring, so at least he knew what not to get, design-wise.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The jeweller was surprised to see the police surgeon enter his premises, he hoped he wasn't looking for stolen goods again. But Lucien was all smiles this time and when he told Sam what he was looking for he was only too happy to show him a selection of rings that were the right size. Lucien's eye was caught with an square cut emerald, surrounded by diamonds, on white gold. It was not too big, Jean had small hands, but he thought it would be just right.

'I'd like to get the wedding rings, as well, please, Sam.' Lucien smiled.

'Rings?' Sam queried, how many women was the doctor marrying?

'Yes, I would like one for me, too.' Lucien confirmed.

'Well, doctor.' Sam mused, 'it's unusual, not a request I get often, not many men want to wear a wedding ring. I do have a nice signet ring, though, that might suit you.'

Lucien thought about this, perhaps that would be more suitable. His father had not worn a ring, and he hadn't noticed any of his married colleagues with rings on either, not wedding rings anyway.

'Let's have a look then, shall we?' He agreed, 'first a ring for Jean. White gold, to match the engagement ring.'

'Right, sir.' Sam pulled out a tray of various designs. 'If there isn't one in the right size I can have it resized for you, in time.'

'Lovely,' Lucien's fingers swept over the tray until he found one he liked. A lattice design, different, he thought, he didn't want an ordinary plain band for his Jean, she needed something special. 'This is rather nice.' He picked it up and turned it round in his hand, 'unusual.'

'Yes, doctor.' Sam smiled, it was one of his favourites. 'You have an eye.'

'Thank you.' He smiled back and put it to one side. 'Now, about my ring.'

'Yes,' Sam pulled a single ring from under the counter. It was yellow gold, fashioned to look like a belt, Lucien slipped it on. 'Perfect, if you don't mind me saying so, doctor.'

'You know, I think you're right.' Lucien slipped it off, 'hope Jean agrees with you.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mattie took Jean to the one shop she was certain they could find exactly the right outfit for Jean. They stood outside, looking in the window.

'Do you think so, Mattie.' Jean had a sudden attack of shyness. She would never have dared even looking in such a high end store before agreeing to marry Lucien.

'I most certainly do.' Mattie was enjoying 'bossing' her friend about.

'Well...' Amelia decided at that moment to wake and demand to be fed. 'typical.' Jean huffed.

'Come on,' Mattie pulled her arm, 'there's a cafe round the corner, we can have a cuppa and she can have her bottle.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As they sat with their tea, Mattie took over Amelia, said she needed the practise, they talked about what Jean would like, style and colour-wise.

'Well, Lucien likes me in greens and blues.' Jean thought about the dresses she wore and which ones Lucien smiled the broadest at. 'Nothing too young, I am a grandmother, after all,' she smiled.

'Ok, fitted?'

'...and flared.' Jean declared.

'That should make your waist look nice and slim,' Mattie agreed.

'Should stop some of the rumours.' Jean snipped.

'You mean..?' Mattie was astounded that it was thought she had to get married. 'Phew.'

'Oh yes.' Jean frowned, 'you should see some of the looks I get.'

'Bloody cheek, as if...'

Jean blushed.

'You are careful, aren't you?' Mattie whispered, Jean just blushed even harder.

Mattie thought she'd better change the subject.

'Right, I'll go and change madam,' she stood up and grinned, 'you wicked woman,' she hissed.

Jean laughed, she'd never been thought of as 'wicked' before, she thought she quite liked it. She knew she didn't have to get married, but Mattie was right, they were not being careful.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As they were about to step into the shop Jean caught Mattie's arm.

'As we have a baby with us, and I don't wish to discuss my family life with all and sundry,' Jean warned her, 'can we just say I'm looking for something for a special occasion?'

'Alright,' Mattie smiled, 'it's the truth, anyway.'

'Exactly.' Jean nodded and smiled.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The store assistant looked them up and down, not sure what type of people had just entered her establishment. Two women, one possibly the mother of the other and pushing a pram. Jean was rather glad she had her gloves on, as she wore no ring. Neither did Mattie, but she wasn't wearing gloves.

'Can I help you ladies,' she peered over the top of her half moon glasses at them.

'I certainly hope so,' Mattie had the lie of the land almost immediately, 'my mother has suggested you may have just the thing for my friend here, for a special occasion.'

Jean looked at her, this was not the casual young lady she knew, Mattie had acquired a snooty tone.

'Your mother?' The woman looked down her nose at her.

'Yes, Maureen O'Brien,' She smiled, 'Minister O'Brien's wife.'

'Oh of course,' the attitude changed immediately, Mrs O'Brien was a good customer, it wouldn't do for an unfavourable report to get back to her. 'Please, come this way.' She escorted them through to where there were a number of smart, elegant costumes, and a changing room where Jean could try on whatever she wanted.

Jean tried to hide her smile, Mattie had completely blindsided the woman, she must tell Lucien later.

Mattie and Jean started to look through the selection and chose three outfits they thought fitted the bill, taking them into the changing room to try on.

The first was an elegant suit, pale blue satin, fitted jacket and straight skirt.

'Hm...' Jean turned this way and that, 'nice, but...'

'Nope, it won't do.' Mattie started to undo the buttons, 'too sober.'

The next was much more what Jean was looking for: a dress. Fitted bodice, round neck, short sleeves, and a flared skirt that, when she put it on, fell to just below her knees. The style was plain but the fabric was a lightly embossed silk, the pattern being small sprigs of flowers and leaves. There was a jacket that went over the top. Full length sleeves, reveres that did not take over the front, fitted to the waist, double breasted, fastened with four self covered buttons and a pleated peplum that was longer at the back than the front, but about half as long as the dress. It was in a lovely aquamarine colour.

'Bingo!' Mattie shouted, 'that's perfect!'

'Do you think so?' Jean whispered, 'it is rather lovely isn't it?'

'You look fabulous,' Mattie smiled, then, lowering her voice, 'Lucien won't be able to keep his eyes off you.'

'Well in that case,' Jean grinned, 'I'd better have this one then, don't want his eyes straying on that particular day, do I?'

'Precisely.' Mattie helped her change. 'Shall I go and pay, while you get dressed?'

'Please,' Jean handed over the envelope with a smile.

Mattie took the outfit and the envelope and found the assistant.

'This will do perfectly,' she smiled. 'Now do you have any robes? My friend needs a new one.'

'Oh, yes,' the assistant took the dress and jacket and folded it into a box.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

'No,' Mattie was saying as Jean came out of the changing room, pushing the pram, 'too, er, granny-fied.' Jean smirked, she was a granny, after all. Mattie looked around, 'Ooh, what about that one.' She pointed to a grey satin with an embroidered shawl collar and deep cuffs.

'Mattie?' Jean touched her shoulder, 'what..?'

'You said you need a new robe,' Mattie grinned, 'I think that one will suit.'

'It's very nice, Mattie but I am...'

Mattie put her finger on Jean's lips before she told the assistant she was a grandmother.

'...of course, it's lovely.' Jean smiled, 'well spotted. We'll take it.' She sounded more confident that she felt.

They left the shop and walked back to the cafe. Jean needed a cup of tea, desperately.

'Mattie,' Jean cradled Amelia, 'the robe...'

'Oh come on Jean, that old pink thing.' Mattie teased, 'you've been saying for ages you ought to replace it.'

'I know, but with something more...'

'...what? The same?' Mattie put her cup down, 'Jean you're getting married, not going into an old folk's home. Live a little.'

Jean laughed, she was right, at least she didn't comment on the rest of her nightwear that she didn't wear, much!

'So,' Mattie changed the subject, 'what next?'

'Lunch?' Jean suggested, 'then I'd like to get a tie for Lucien, that matches my dress.'

'Lovely idea,' Mattie agreed, 'what about Amelia? Doesn't she need something special?'

'I've got the christening robe out.' Jean smiled, with a faraway look in her eyes, 'I kept it for when I became a grandmother, hopeful, wasn't I?' She grinned.

'Oh, how lovely.' Mattie breathed, 'did you have it for Christopher?'

'It was made for us children,' Jean told her, 'by my mother. It's rather lovely, very long and lacy, hand embroidered.'

'I look forward to seeing it.'

They ate their lunch and Mattie again took over Amelia. Jean smiled, one day Mattie would make a lovely mother.

'So, what are you doing about a ring?' Mattie asked, 'Will you go to Sam?'

'I'll drag Lucien out at some point,' Jean grinned, 'it's probably not occurred to him that he can't just buy one and hope it will fit.'

'True,' Mattie laughed.

They left the cafe, and Mattie took her to the tailor her father used. Again she took over and dropped the family name. The tailor couldn't be more helpful. He laid out a selection of ties for Jean to examine and she chose one that was a near perfect match.

'Right,' Jean sighed as they left that shop, 'now, I need to find something for Lucien, out of my own funds.'

'You bought his tie.' Mattie pointed out.

'I know, but I'd like his to have some cufflinks and maybe a tie pin,' Jean smiled, 'a wedding present, but also especially for the day. He does wear cufflinks with his dress shirt, but he's had those sometime, I'd like him to have something...'

'...new.' Mattie supplied.

'Yes.'

'Right, this way.' Mattie turned the pram round and they headed back towards the station. 'We should be in time for the next train after that.'

'Good.' Jean fell into step, 'my feet are beginning to hurt.'

Mattie laughed and took her to a jewellers she knew. They looked in the window and Jean saw two or three sets she could afford and that were smart, just what she was looking for.

The assistant was most helpful, Mattie really did know the best places to go and Jean was so very glad she had agreed to the trip. She chose a set that had an aquamarine stone at the head of the tie pin and in the centre of the oval cufflinks. They were quite expensive and the normally careful Jean took a deep breath before she paid. She knew that she would never have to worry about money again, when she became Mrs Blake, Lucien was taking her on as a partner and her duties would extend beyond the administration of the practice to doing basic checks on new patients and any other tasks well within her capabilities, even some counselling of young wives and mothers.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

'Thank you, Mattie,' Jean said as the guard helped them off the train, again. 'I couldn't have done it without you.'

'Tosh, of course you could.' Mattie grinned and waved at Lucien waiting by the gate.

'No, really,' Jean insisted, 'you knew exactly where to go, and put that assistant in her place. Does your mother really go there?'

'All the time.' Mattie nodded, 'that's why I took you there, I knew there would be something just right.'

'Ladies,' Lucien kissed Jean's cheek, 'good day?'

'Hello, darling,' Jean sighed, 'yes thank you. Did you?'

'Well, I'll find out when we get home.' He started to put the pram in the car, 'Charlie's put dinner in. Did Amelia behave herself?'

Jean had a feeling he wanted to avoid too many questions, 'Yes she did.' She looked at him, he was avoiding her eyes, what had he been up to. 'Lucien?'

'Yes dear?' He opened the car doors for the ladies.

'What have you been up to?'

'Oh, this and that.' He answered blithely. 'Come on, before her little ladyship decides she needs attention.'

Jean's feet were sore and she didn't want an argument in front of Mattie, so she just let him carry on. When he was evasive like this she never knew what to expect, good or bad.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Charlie heard the door open as he finished laying the table. Nice timing, he thought.

'Something smells good, Charlie!' Jean called through.

'You're back then.' He looked round the door and grinned.

Mattie took Jean's outfit up to her room and hung it in the wardrobe, Lucien never went in there, she thought. Just in case she would tell him he was not allowed to.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lucien and Charlie washed up while Jean fed, bathed and put Amelia to bed.

'I'm going to have a bath, Lucien.' She called through to the kitchen, 'I'd love a sherry when I come down.'

'Right ho,' he smiled to himself, once Mattie and Charlie had gone up he could give her the engagement ring and show her the wedding rings. He hoped she would approve. 'Want your back scrubbing?'

'Lucien!' she screamed, trying to sound horrified, 'really!'

Mattie could barely silence her laughter as Jean huffed and hurried upstairs, hiding the enormous smile on her face.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jean lay in the bath thinking how soothing it would be to have him massage her back, but, until they were married she couldn't accept that offer. It was bad enough she shared his bed with the two lodgers in the house, to do more would only embarrass them.

She dried herself off and put her pyjamas and new robe on. She had thought of saving it for their honeymoon but decided not to, that old pink thing had to go! Lucien had threatened to go and get her a new one, himself, if she didn't do so, soon. He had held it over the garbage bin one morning, heaven only knew what the neighbours must have thought as they screamed and laughed together, she trying to grab it back and he holding too high for her. She smiled and then giggled at the memory.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Charlie and Mattie made themselves scarce when Jean came down from the bathroom, Lucien had been pacing up and down while he waited for his lady love to re appear. Mattie complained that Jean had walked her off her feet in Melbourne and Charlie said he had an early shift in the morning, to make up for swapping with Bill that day.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He was standing looking out of the window when she went into the living room. She smoothed down the unfamiliar fabric of her new robe and coughed quietly, not wanting to break his musings.

'Lucien.' Almost a whisper, he turned and smiled,

'At last,' he opened his arms, 'I approve, lovely.' He kissed her softly. 'As is the woman wearing it.'

'Thank you,' she lay her head against his chest, 'you must thank Mattie, she chose it.'

'She has good taste.' He took her to the couch and passed her her sherry. 'I missed you.'

'I was only gone for the day,' she nestled against him, 'so what did you do, to keep yourself occupied?'

'Well, I thought I'd better go and organise an essential part of the proceedings.'

She looked up at him with a shocked and quizzical expression.

He reached into his trouser pocket, 'You know I said I hadn't given you anything, when I gave you the money, well, I hope I've gone someway to remedy that.' He held out his clenched fist and opened it. 'I hope you like it.'

She saw a small ring box, and opened her eyes in surprise. 'Lucien...'

'Open it.' He urged. 'Please.'

She took it and inhaled as she opened it, determined that whatever he had chosen she would love it. She was not prepared for how much she would love the ring.

'Oh, Lucien,' she breathed, barely able to control the tears of happiness that sprang to her eyes, 'it's beautiful.'

'I'm so glad you like it, put it on.' He took the ring and slipped it onto her finger, a perfect fit. 'I used your wedding ring to size it, and...' He pulled out the other box. '...I hope you approve of these, too.'

She opened the box, more confident that his choices were good ones, and gasped again.

'The white gold one is yours.' He held it up and, I wanted to show, not just you, but everyone, that I am spoken for, so...' he held up the ring he had chosen to wear.

She flung her arms round him and kissed him, 'Oh Lucien Blake,' she choked on her tears, 'I do love you.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A bit domestic and sloppy but...

The design of the wedding rings - my mother's is lattice work white gold, dad's was a yellow gold belt design.