The house is lit in the distance. Like a beacon to wayward and weary sailors, we're drawn to its sultry, warm cadence as a welcome symbol of rest, peace and respite.
Just as a pistol shot, the front door flings open, slamming against the side of the house and ushering out a petite blur of rushing limbs and bright topple of ginger hair. "Jean Luc! Beverly! Wesley! Mon Dieu!" I'm the closest, and in a second I'm knocked back, stunned by the force of her momentum as my arms reach to embrace her of their own accord.
"Marie!" I breathe excitedly against the undone bun. "It's good to see you."
"Beverly," She steps back with tears in her eyes. "My God! Beverly, we were so worried!"
She looks back to Jean Luc and Wesley, respectively carrying Saoirse and Aaron. "Wesley," she moves, more slowly this time to pull him down and kiss his cheek. "Wesley," She cradles his face, "you had us going mad with worry! Renee hasn't stopped asking about you, neither has Robert. Can you imagine how sick we all were?!"
I see a blush creep over his cheeks again, "I'm s-"
"Ah!" She holds up her hand with a tisk and a knowing grin as she scans for Jean Luc.
"And you! Jean Luc Picard, what were you thinking?! How could you do that?" She throws up her hands histrionically. "It was bad enough when we'd heard that you were assimilated by the Borg – what do you think this did to us?!" She looks around at all of us as Robert bounds to meet her. His presence, though, calms her. "We're just so glad" she tears again. "That you're safe here with us."
"Thank you, Marie," Jean Luc bows his head. "Robert."
In one large movement, Robert gathers his brother against him, sobbing. "I won't beat you up like Marie." He laughs amid the tears. "But, mon frère, when will you ever learn to stay out of trouble?" He smiles and wipes the moisture from his wrinkled cheek. "It's good to have you home with us."
/
"Maintenant," Marie starts as she closes the door behind us. "I know it's late, but are you hungry?" She puts her hands around my wait, "You're all absolutely emaciated!"
I smile. "No," and shake my head and rub my tired eyes as I look over at the two sleeping babies. "I think we'd all like to get to bed. It's been a while since we've slept."
"Absolument," Marie nods. "I've kept your same rooms; Wesley at the top right, Saoirse next to him, and Aaron closer to Robert and me. And, we've given you Jean Luc's old room on the third floor, just like last time."
She steps back and gives us one final nod. "Alors," she kisses my cheek, then Wesley's, Jean Luc's, and lastly Saoirse's and Aaron's sleeping brow. "Bon nuit. We love all of you."
"Thank you, Marie," Jean Luc yawns. "I really don't know how to-"
"Shh! Jean Luc – you are family and this is as much your home as it is ours. Now," She winks. "Get to bed."
Lads, I was watching All Good Things and Data mentioned the Daystrom Institute and I momentarily had PTSD... until I realised that none of this is real. :)