Disclaimer: I do not own Lie to Me or any of the characters in this story.

Ok, I don't know how you guys are feeling about the baby drama and if it's getting old. Of course, the whole point was to get back to where they were in Chapter 1, but I don't know if you think things are taking too long, or if I should make some detours on the way. Right now I have a few more chapters to come of baby stuff, then one that I don't know if I'll post (in case you're bored of it) and that'll be followed by chapters that are focussed on other things with a fleeting mention of having kids, or no mention at all. If you could hit the little review button at the bottom of the page and let me know where you stand that'd really help. Thanks!!

In this chapter I'm delivering on the promise for more Cal/Gill's Mum. Enjoy!

* * * * *

Cal and Gill had waited for Emily to wake up of her own accord, talking on the balcony until she did. Cal didn't expect they'd start trying for a child right away, but he did feel more like Gill was coming around to his way of thinking. By the time Emily came out to find them they were talking quietly to each other, Gill touching Cal's arm and chest gently as she spoke, while Cal had his arms around her holding her close and occasionally planting a kiss on whatever p art of her body happened to be closest at the time.

"Morning," Emily announced her presence innocently, glad to see her father and Gill were getting along again.

"Sorry Em," Gill apologised, getting up off Cal's lap. She didn't want to make Emily feel uncomfortable, although she didn't really think there was any reason for her to feel that way. They weren't doing anything inappropriate, and it was probably good for Emily to see two adult influences in her life being affectionate and caring. "Did you sleep well?" she asked, her voice and posture extremely relaxed as she sat down on a chair by herself.

"Yeah, thanks," Emily replied, walking over and kissing her Dad's cheek. "You didn't have to move, Gill. It kind of weirds me out, but it's better than seeing you fight. It's kind of sweet... You know, if Dad wasn't my Dad."

Gill laughed and Cal looked perplexed. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable," Gill told her. "I think it's best if I just stay here."

Emily shrugged, not willing to argue the point. "So, beach today?" she tried. "Or the pool, maybe? Gill, you could work on your tan for the wedding."

Gill smiled and shook her head. "Emily, you know your father said no to the pool," she reminded her. "And you shouldn't be tanning. It leads to premature ageing and skin cancer. I know you don't want to get sick, and I'm pretty sure you don't want to end up with wrinkles and bad skin before you really have to, do you?"

Emily looked at Gill sceptically. "Seriously?" she asked. Everybody did it.

"Yes, seriously," Gill replied. "You have lovely skin, you should protect it."

Emily fought the urge to roll her eyes, but had to admit that Gill did have a point. "Okay, no tanning," she agreed. "Please can we go to the pool, though?"

"Gill's parents have a pool," Cal spoke up. "We're going there today so she can spend some time with her family."

"Family?" Emily asked. "More than just your parents?"

Gill nodded. "David, Joanne, Benji and Jamie will be there, too," she told Emily, referring to her brother, his wife and their two children.

"Oh..." Emily replied. This probably wasn't going to end well.

"Emily, don't," Gill told her gently. "It's fine. I love my niece and nephew. I'm excited to see them again. I wished I saw them more often, they're growing so fast these days."

"Okay," Emily replied, half defensive, half sceptical. "I'm just going to have a shower and get dressed, then can we get some breakfast, please?" she requested. "I'm starving!"

"Yep," Cal replied. "Pack your stuff, too, Em. You've got twenty minutes before I want to be out the door," he called after her as she disappeared inside. He refrained from asking Gill exactly how much Emily knew about their situation. "You covered your love bite," he commented, touching it lightly so he wouldn't disturb the make-up she'd used.

"I couldn't let your bad boy behaviours affect my good girl reputation, could I?" Gillian asked with a smile.

"Point taken," Cal agreed.

* * * * *

Upon arrival at Gill's parents' house, they were greeted by two very excited children, both of whom launched themselves at Gill the moment they saw her.

"Unnie Gill!" Jamie yelled excitedly, still unable to pronounce the word 'aunty'.

Gill bent down to hug and kiss her niece and nephew, picking Jamie up easily and letting her settle on her hip as she stood. "How's the most beautiful little girl in the world?" she asked Jamie, her free hand brushing brown curls back off the little girl's face.

Jamie grinned. "Gooooood," she told Gill cheekily, placing a slobbery kiss on her aunt's cheek.

"Do you remember Cal and Emily?" Gill asked, gesturing to them.

Benji nodded and walked up to shake Cal's hand the way he'd been taught.

"Well, those are some nice manners you've got there," Cal smiled, shaking Benji's hand. "How are you doing, young man?"

Benji shrugged a little and smiled before turning his attention to Emily and squinting at her. "Who dat?" he asked Cal curiously, tugging on his jeans.

"That's my daughter, Emily. You met her when you were very little," Cal informed him.

Benji shrugged again. "'kay," he replied. "We play trains now," he instructed Cal, grabbing hold of his hand and attempting to pull him into the living room.

Cal glanced at Gill, then said a quick hello to her mother before allowing himself to be tugged into the next room.

Gill smiled and kissed Jamie's cheek before kissing her mother hello. "Hi, mum," she said, doing her best to hug her with the toddler in her arms.

"Hello, sweetheart," Gill's mother replied. She was amazed at how naturally being with children seemed to come to Gill. She couldn't believe her daughter was actually considering giving up on having a family. Seeing Gill with children was like seeing most people with arms or legs. They were completely natural and an effortless extension of their bodies and who they were. "Hello, Emily," she said, turning her attention to Cal's daughter. "Please, come in. Can I get you something to drink?" she asked.

"No. Thank you," Emily replied, shaking her head. Gill's family had always been incredibly welcoming towards her, and she enjoyed spending time with them, but she was still a little shy when it came to speaking to them- she didn't, after all, know them very well.

"Well, everyone's in the living room," Gill's mother said. "Come in, make yourself comfortable. Do you want to put your bag somewhere where the children won't get at it?" she offered. "There's a room just down the hall. If you close the door it will be safe there," she assured Emily.

"Here, Em, I'll show you," Gill offered, walking towards the room and waiting for Emily to follow.

Emily walked a few paces behind Gillian, her bag in tow. "Your family's so nice," she commented, stepping into the room behind Gill and setting her bag down on the floor just inside the door.

"Thank you," Gill smiled. "They all like you a lot. Even you, don't you, munchkin?" she asked Jamie, tickling her a little.

Jamie giggled and hid her face against Gill's shoulder, suddenly shy.

Emily nodded a little and offered Gill a half shrug. "Come on," Gill encouraged. "Let's go back out and you can see everyone else," she encouraged Emily, stopping to make sure Emily closed the door to the room as they left.

When Gill stepped into the living room her father was up off the couch in half a second. It had only been two days since she'd seen him, but every time he greeted her he acted like it had been years. "Gillybean!" he said, wrapping her up in a firm hug. "How's my favourite girl?" he asked, backing off to let Gill move.

"I'm good, Dad. How are you?" Gill asked.

"Good!" he replied, turning his attention to Emily. "And here's young Emily. How are you doing? Did you have a good flight?" he asked, not quite feeling she'd be receptive of a hug.

"I'm good, thanks, Mr. Buchannan," Emily replied politely.

"Please, call me George," he instructed her with a smile. "Now, sit down, make yourself at home," he told her, expecting Gill to do the same without being instructed to do so. When he turned his attention back to his daughter he noticed she'd greeted the rest of the family and was now settled in peacefully with Jamie on her lap.

Emily took a seat near Cal, watching him play trains with Benji, and couldn't work out why either of them could possibly not want children. Her father was good with them, and it seemed he always had been, and Gill's ability with them was obvious to anyone. She sighed quietly, perplexed.

* * * * *

After lunch Cal had volunteered to help Gill's mother with the dishes while the others played with the children outside. While he was meant to be drying, Diane Buchannan caught Cal staring longingly out the window at them.

"I'm sure she'll come around," she told him gently.

"I hope so," Cal replied quietly, continuing to dry the dishes and stack the plates as he went.

"Just look at her," Diane said. "She can't help herself. I've never met someone more suited to motherhood in my life. It makes you wonder what God was thinking, making it so hard for her to conceive. The Lord works in mysterious ways," she sighed, shaking her head.

Cal wasn't sure he really believed in 'that religious mumbo-jumbo', as he called it, but he did respect Gill's mother's beliefs. "Life can be a real b..." he trailed off. He hadn't meant to swear in front of her.

Diane smiled reassuringly. "You can say it. It's a bitch sometimes," she said, laughing gently and Cal's discomfort.

"I just don't get it," Cal admitted. "She does every bloody thing right." His frustration was showing in his choice of language, even with Gill's mother. He'd normally be a lot more careful with the words he used. "She studied hard in school, she's generous, friendly, polite... She volunteers her time for charities and there's nothing she wouldn't do to help a friend in need. Why can't she have the one thing she wants?" he asked. "How is that fair?"

"It's not," Diane agreed. "But right now Gill's her own worst enemy. She's what's stopping her from having a family. She can't expect to get what she wants if she refuses to try for it," she said, handing Cal the last of the plates.

Cal took the plate, drying it carefully. "We promised we wouldn't talk about it again until after the honeymoon because it was upsetting her, but it keeps coming up," he told Diane. "I don't want to see her upset, but I know how much we both want this. I'm trying to push gently without hurting her, and every now and then it feels like we're getting somewhere, but it's like chipping away at Mount Rushmore with a toothpick. This could take years, and it's not like we have that sort of time. I'm not getting any younger, and Gill'll be 40 in a year or two. It's only going to get harder the longer we wait."

"Maybe she just needs the right sort of encouragement," Mrs. Buchannan suggested. "My Gill's always been a stubborn one."

Cal scratched his cheek. "Yeah," he agreed. Her words made him think. He just wished he knew what the right encouragement was.