Li had well and truly settled in with her father and Jean. She helped Jean in the house, learnt to cook the dishes they all like to eat, and showed Jean one or two of her own recipes. The guest room was turned into a bedsitting room for her so that when the baby was born she could have some privacy or time to herself if she needed it. Jean privately suggested to Lucien that at some time they move the house around and give Li the two rooms Charlie and Mattie used and put Charlie in the guest room. That would give Li's baby its own room. To all intents and purposes Jean still slept in her own room, or as far as Charlie and Li were concerned, anyway.

'What about if Mattie comes back?' Lucien asked innocently, as they sat over their evening drinks.

Jean shot him a look then smiled at his schoolboy charm.

'I expect we'll find somewhere for her.' Jean said, airily.

'Hopefully we'll be married by then, anyway.' Lucien moved over to sit next to her, now he was in less danger of being stabbed with the needle she had been using to mend his shirt, again!

'Let's wait until Li has had her baby, it won't be long now.' Jean would like to have been married by now, a swift wedding to be sure but why not? However, their first concern was Li and the baby, getting her comfortable, which she now was, and at ease around Ballarat. There was still some gossip, but she would just say something in Mandarin under her breath and some thought she was insulting them. Generally she just replied that 'it was true', whatever they said, but as they didn't speak her language...

'As you wish, my dear. But until then...'

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The case of the two unknown boys came back to haunt Lucien, finally, after much searching their parents had been found, living near Sydney. The boys had, supposedly, gone to Melbourne to meet some friends and look over the university with a view to studying there. They had no idea they were in Ballarat or what they were up to. Unfortunately, this was a case that was never going to be solved, who the boys had been involved with and what they were doing in Ballarat, but at least now they could be buried properly. Lucien and Alice were thanked for their care and the amount of time they had spent trying to identify the boys. Lucien felt for them, now he had Li back in his life it hurt him more than ever and only Jean could soothe that hurt, which she did in her own way.

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Lucien's dogged determination to get at the truth and his methods, although sometimes unorthodox, were well known in Victoria and he was invited to lecture at the University of Melbourne. It would mean an overnight stay, not usually a problem, but Li was close to giving birth.

'Father,' Li had felt she was little old to call him 'daddy' anymore and Jean always referred to him as 'your father', 'please go. You have so much knowledge to give to the students, I can't deny them that. I'll be alright, I have Jean.'

'Lucien,' Jean was touched that Li had such regard for her, 'Li's right. As you are staying at the university we can call if we need you.'

'Well, if you're sure, but I'll go by train, then you can have the use of the car.' He had two lovely ladies in his life and he trusted Jean to care for his daughter as if she was hers.

Lucien still fussed before he went, ten times or more he had made sure Jean had the number of the university and the name of the faculty he would be in. Jean rolled her eyes and on the day practically pushed him onto the train, with Li laughing at him. He was to get there for dinner with the faculty team and give his lecture the following day, then come home that evening. He would take a taxi home as it would be late.

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'Blake residence!' Jean answered the phone just as she was pouring her evening sherry.

'Jean,' Lucien found time to ring before he went into dine, it was good to hear her voice.

'Hello, sweetheart.' Jean smiled, 'good journey?'

'Yes fine, how are you and Li?'

'Lucien we're fine. You've only been gone four hours, how much trouble can we get into in that time?' Jean laughed, honestly, did he think they were going out on the town in his absence?

'Well...' he grinned, she was right, as usual. 'I just wanted to hear your voice, I miss you already. Will you sleep in our bed tonight?'

'Probably, in fact, yes.' Silently praying Li didn't need her in the night and discover the truth about the sleeping arrangements.

They exchanged sweet nothings until Lucien was called through to dine. He told her he loved her and promised to ring in the morning, before lectures started.

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She was awoken in the small hours by someone shaking her shoulder and whispering, urgently,

'Jean, Jean.'

'Mmm, wha.., Li?' She rubbed her eyes, her first thought was, 'Damn, caught!'

'My baby...I think it's coming.' Li's eyes were bright with unshed tears.

Jean sat up, typical Blake, she thought. She switched on the bedside light and blinked.

'Sit down, here.' She indicated the side of the bed next to her. 'Tell me what you feel.'

'A pain, my back and across here,' Li moved her hand over the top of the bump.

'How many times?'

'I don't know.' Li started to cry.

Jean put her arm round her, 'Everything's going to be fine. Now, have your waters broken?'

'No.'

'Good. Now, I need to put some clothes on, I'll be quick. Do you think..,' she was about to suggest Li get dressed, 'no go and get your robe and your bag. I'll take you to the hospital before I ring your father.' Lucien would not be happy if she didn't alert him, although he wouldn't be able to get to them any time soon, the trains didn't run that late.

'Don't ring him, yet. He needs to give the lectures.' Li was feeling better now, Jean knew what to do.

'Well, let's see what the midwife says, how long she thinks you're going to be.'

Jean ran up the stairs and knocked on Charlie's door.

'Charlie!' She pushed open the door. 'Can you ring the hospital, I'm taking Li in, early stage labour.'

'Uh? Right, will do.' Charlie sat up and rubbed his eyes. She was gone but somehow he didn't think he was dreaming and he could hear noises from downstairs.

Jean found Li at the door, she had time to put on a dress, but, mindful of Li's apparent fear, had not done anything more.

She gently ushered Li into the car and drove her to the hospital. Waiting for them was a midwife and orderly, ready to wheel Li in a chair into the maternity ward.

Li was settled and examined and told she was some way off giving birth so Jean was able to stay with her.

Li dozed and groaned every time a pain gripped her, Jean surmised it was going to be a long labour and Li told her not to ring Lucien until things started to get moving. Jean knew Lucien's lecture was due to be given in the morning and hoped that she could delay her call long enough for him to deliver it. Two Blake's, one either side, and pulling her in opposite directions. She sighed.

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'Dr Lucien Blake, please.' Jean requested as her call was answered by the receptionist at the university. 'He's lecturing in forensics.'

'May I say who's calling?' The professional, authoritative tone asked.

'Jean Beazley.' Jean hoped there wasn't going to be a long list of probing questions.

'Please hold.'

It seemed like an eternity before Lucien's voice came through.

'Jean? What's the matter?' Lucien sounded anxious.

'Li is in labour, she's doing fine and in hospital.' Jean spoke, clearly but softly, not wanting to worry him, 'she wouldn't let me ring you until your lectures were over.'

'I'll catch the next train. Tell her I am so proud of her, and I love you both.' He gulped down the phone.

'I'll stay with her, see you later, and don't worry!' Jean replaced the receiver of the phone and went back to Li.

'Your father will be on the next train.' She took Li's hand. 'Now you have a job to do and I will stay with you, they'll have to carry me out of here, kicking and screaming.' Jean grinned at her, the midwife in attendance raised her eyebrows. Jean looked at her,

'Li is Dr Blake's daughter and relatively new to Ballarat. The doctor is in Melbourne and has asked me to look after her.' Jean's expression and tone of voice said it all, 'I'm not moving.'

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'Doctor Blake!' A shout from outside Li's room alerted Jean to his presence as Lucien burst through the door.

'One more push, Li.' The midwife called over the intrusion, and the cry of a newborn cut through the air.

Lucien stood there, mouth open, there, in the midwife's hands, was his grandchild.

'You've done it, Li.' Jean glanced at the midwife for confirmation of gender.

'A girl, Li you have a daughter, and she is beautiful.' The midwife smiled as she cut the cord and wrapped the baby up in a sheet, ready to hand to her mother.

Li relaxed onto the bed and held her arms out for her baby. She smiled as she cradled the infant and looked at Jean who leant over and kissed her forehead. Li looked up and realised her father was there.

'Father.' He was at her side before she had finished the word.

'I should have been here for you.' He touched her cheek and kissed her.

'I was fine, I told you, I had Jean.' Li smiled back.

'What are you going to call her?' Jean asked.

'She is Jean May Blake.' Li whispered, 'after my two mothers.'

Jean put her hand over her mouth, it was all she could do to stop the tears.

'Li.' She hiccupped, 'I...'

'Jean, you have been more than a mother to me, you have been a friend too, it is fitting your name should come first.' Li sighed, tired after so long without sleep.

'Get some rest now, dear.' Jean squeezed her hand as she looked at Lucien. His face was full of wonder and admiration for these two women, from completely different cultures, who had formed a bond he would never cease to be amazed at.

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The end. A story that could go on and on and on, but should end here. Lucien would always wonder at the women in his life, from Jean to Li to Mei Lin to Agnes to Genevieve, the women that make him who he is. xx