A little domestic interlude, but it ties in with the next chapter of 'There's a New World...', my Frank and Alice story.

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Jean stretched in bed. It had been an eventful two weeks, she had given birth to a beautiful baby girl and Lucien had become an even more attentive husband and father, if that were possible! Jenny was in a nice routine, Bobby had taken to being a big brother rather well, although he was little confused at times. Where had mama's big belly gone and where had Jenny come from? Jean could see him pondering sometimes when he snuggled up to her in bed or on the couch, he would stroke her much flatter stomach while she read to him. She smiled, he was such a dear little chap.

Lucien was almost too attentive. Jean was fiercely independent and didn't like being smothered, even if it was with the best intentions. He tried his best to do the right thing by her; on the night Jenny was born he had decided he should sleep in one of the guest rooms. Jean was upset about this, she wanted him with her, they hadn't slept a night apart since, well to be honest, since before they were married.

'I just thought...,' he said, though he couldn't exactly say what he thought.

'Please, Lucien,' she held out her arms to him, tears in her eyes, 'I won't break.'

And so he had held her very gently during the night, getting up to get the baby when she wanted feeding and changing the nappy for her. He didn't suggest separate rooms again, but being woken up by Jenny every three hours or so when he was back on call was a little wearing. But if Jean could do it so could he.

Jean had managed to persuade Lucien that she didn't need to stay in bed for a week after Jenny was born. She'd promised to have lazy mornings, relaxing afternoons and the most taxing thing would be to organise Mrs Toohey. Because there had been complaints about Evelyn's cooking in the past before Jenny had been born Jean had had the forethought to load up the freezer with casseroles and precooked vegetables. Charlie volunteered to do his famous roast when required, and any cold meat could be used in sandwiches or salads as the weather got warmer. Jean had told Evelyn, with her sweetest smile, that it was to make things easier for her, she wouldn't have to stay too late to do the cooking. She didn't want to hurt the poor woman's feelings, she obviously found the relationship between Jean and Lucien quite alien; they were so ...physical, always touching, hugging; she'd even seen Charlie give Jean a peck on the cheek. How forward, he was only the lodger!

Lucien went back on call after a week, so Jean had a little more freedom. She didn't want to see it like that but, really, he treated as if she was a china doll. On one of her visits Alice had suggested it was because he had lost his first family and was damned if he was going to lose this second chance of a family life. Jean said she was probably right and gave up letting it bother her. The midwife had been right when she said she was a very lucky woman, and she was.

Agnes Clasby came round every day to entertain Bobby for an hour, he loved hearing her read to him, and she taught him old nursery songs that Jean didn't know, although Lucien had noticed she sang to him a lot, and if he played the piano he would choose things like 'Twinkle, twinkle little star' that Jean would sing along to. It amused Jean to see the bond between the older woman and the curly headed boy, as Agnes read, talked and sang to him he would watch her with his big dark eyes. She felt he filled the hole in Agnes' heart that was there since the murder of her nephew Alex, who was a jockey at the local racetrack. She had an idea how to make this a more permanent bond, but wasn't sure if Lucien would agree or that Agnes would.

'Lucien,' she curled up close to him in bed one night.

'Yes?' he stretched the word out, knowing something was coming, he raised an eyebrow.

'We need to see about baptisms.'

He was wondering when she would broach this. Jean's faith was important to her, even though that faith wouldn't let her take communion anymore because she had married a divorced man, and he knew she would want Jenny baptised, but she had said 'baptisms' meaning more than one.

He looked down at her.

'Jenny, of course, but I don't think Bobby has been baptised and I'd like him to be.' She smiled sweetly. She knew just how to get her way. He wondered if she would use 'that' smile on the priest!

'Probably hasn't, so yes he may as well be done at the same time. I bet you've already thought of godparents too.' He smiled, Jean had probably got it all sorted apart from talking to the priest.

'Well, I thought Charlie and Mattie for Jenny, and, Matthew and Agnes for Bobby.' She looked up at him, waiting for his response.

'Agnes!'

'Shh! You'll wake Jenny. Why not, Bobby adores her, she loves him; I think he's a substitute for Alex. If she says no, or if you don't think it's a good idea, I'll ask Alice.'

'No it's fine, I just didn't think of her as a godmother, but you're right, she misses Alex a lot. If she doesn't want to you're going to scare Alice. But Mattie, Mattie is a lovely idea for Jenny. How can we manage it with her being in London? She won't come back just for a baptism, she wants a longer holiday and is saving her leave.'

'I think it can be done if the other godparent stands as proxy, but I'll check with the priest first.'

'Ok, you ask them, then.'

'Lucien, you coward!' and she playfully slapped him on the chest.

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Agnes did say no, she was far too old to be a godmother, she was happy being 'Auntie Aggie' if that was alright with Jean. Jean said it was perfectly alright, she just had to ask.

Alice was stunned to be asked to be his godmother, what on earth gave Jean the idea she'd be any good as a godmother!

'You are trustworthy and honest, you are our friend, and you don't spoil him or feed him too many sweets!'

Matthew was equally surprised but said he'd be delighted. He left the house with, thought Jean, a very silly grin on his face and a spring in his step. 'It was nice to feel useful again.' He thought.

Charlie was a little embarrassed but also said he'd be honoured. Now all she had to do was to get the priest to agree that he could stand proxy for Mattie. She's better ring Mattie tonight to check she was happy. She hoped Lucien wouldn't mind, calls to London were expensive. The only time they'd phoned her was to tell her Jenny had arrived.

When she called that evening Mattie was just getting ready for her shift, it was six in the morning in London. Jean apologised but when she told Mattie why she was ringing Mattie said she could have rung anytime. She'd be absolutely delighted to be Jenny's godmother and was pleased that Charlie was to stand proxy for her.

Lucien was late home that night, he looked tired.

'Anything wrong, sweetheart?' she asked.

'Alice has a problem that could escalate if we're not careful.' He took the whisky she offered.

Jean inclined her head, the way she did when she knew he was going to tell her all about it, ready to listen.

'There's a new consultant at the hospital, came from England. He's a arrogant swine, according to Alice and has called her professionalism into question. She did an autopsy on one of his patients and reported it due to surgical incompetence.'

'Who do you believe?' she asked, Alice told it like it was, but if she said it was incompetence she was probably right. In some ways she reminded Jean of Lucien.

'Who do you think?'

'Mmm...'

'Frank had to defend her to the hospital board. Smith, that's the new chap, wanted her dismissed, but apparently Frank said she was vital to the team.'

'Frank?!' Jean opened her eyes wide. They liked Frank Carlyle, he was a good copper, fair in his dealings with his team, as he called them.

'Mmm...I think he's sweet on Alice.' Lucien gave a smile.

'Oh how lovely,' Jean smiled too, she often worried that her friend was lonely.

'Don't you say anything.' He warned.

'Lucien Blake, I'm not the one who's likely to be indiscreet.' She dug him in the ribs. Lifting her head to kiss his cheek, 'Dinner won't be long.'

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When Lucien came home the next day the priest was sitting with Jean in the living room. Bobby was playing with his wooden police car, the latest offering from Bill Hobart, on the floor and Jenny had the baby sleeping on her lap.

'Lucien, you remember Father Emery, don't you?' Jean got up to greet him with a kiss.

'Father,' Lucien held out his hand to the priest.

'Doctor Blake, nice to meet you under such pleasant circumstances.' The priest was smiling, Lucien nodded.

Lucien, we were just wondering if two weeks time would be ok for the baptisms.' Taking his hand in hers and smiling. She got the impression something was wrong, not more trouble so soon with the new consultant?

Lucien brought himself to the here and now and agreed that he had nothing arranged for then, and it gave him time to find an on call police surgeon for the day.

'Good, well I'll leave it at that. I'll speak to you during the week, Mrs Blake. Thank you for the tea.'

Jean showed Father Emery out. Turning back into the lounge, Lucien was being shown the car by Bobby, he was smiling. Playing with the child almost always relaxed him and it appeared to do so this time.

'Sorry, Jean, I've just met Irwen Smith; Alice was right, he is an arrogant ba...er man.' Suddenly remembering Bobby was listening.

'Oh dear, let's hope he doesn't have to deal with you and Alice again, then, he won't stand a chance.' Jean smiled. She trusted Lucien and Alice to do what was right, in spite of Lucien's previous high handed behaviour. He had mellowed, Jean thought, must be fatherhood and love.

Unfortunately, Jean's hopes weren't proved right this time.