This is the final chapter for this story. I am a little bit sad to be leaving George and Ava so this is a little epilogue for them. I want to say thank you very much to all you lovely people who have kept on reading this story; fifty five chapters has been quite a long journey! The reviews I have received for this story have been absolutely amazing and I've been astounded how many of you have liked my writing. Your reviews have given me the confidence to keep writing and to continue plodding on with the novel I have siting half written, forlorn and abandoned on my laptop. So thank you, thank you, thank you; you have all made me a very happy writer! :-)

George Burrows smiled to himself as he walked up the pathway to Ava's birthday picnic. It was a warm sunny Sunday in June and the park was full of happy families enjoying the fresh air of a new summer. He watched his granddaughter Jac laughing with Mo as they placed their hands on the expanse of Mo's stomach feeling the baby kicking and moving. He was pleased to see Jac looking so well, her long red hair shone in the sunlight and she had even managed to gain a little weight. She had confided in George a few months ago that she had started counselling which was finally helping her come to terms with her past. On the whole, putting aside a brief wobble in February when the anniversary of Amelia's death had loomed, George had most definitely seen Jac becoming more relaxed and naturally smiling more often.

'Granddad!' Ava squealed as she ran up to greet him. He hadn't been able to make it to Ava's official birthday party, organised by Jonny and Sacha and held in the church hall yesterday, as he'd promised a friend he'd take wedding photographs. However he wouldn't have missed the little girl's actual fourth birthday for anything.

'Happy Birthday, my beautiful Ava!' George exclaimed as he bent down to hug the child. 'Are you having a good day?' Ava nodded her head as she proceeded to tell her great grandfather everything that had happened to her in the last twenty four hours. It had only been as little as a week and half since he'd last seen Ava but he was sure she'd grown a little taller in that time. The child was growing up fast, leaving behind her cute chubbiness of her toddler years and growing tall and thin like her grandmother had been. Her red hair was starting to lose its curls and now hung straight and long down her back. With her light green eyes and developing cheekbones there was no doubt this child belonged to his family George mused, thinking how much Ava reminded him of his Jacky girl. Ava slipped her hand into his and continued to chatter away to him as she led him over to the picnic table they had commandeered for the day. Eventually Jac had realised Ava was rapidly becoming bored at nursery and so the child now attend a private pre-school Jac had discovered fairly locally a few days a week. Despite his initial opposition George had to agree the decision had been right as Ava was blossoming and growing in confidence. An in attempt to ensure Ava didn't become socially awkward and snobbish Jac and Jonny had agreed Ava should attend clubs and classes outside of the school so she would still keep in contact with the friends she'd made in nursery. Thus every Friday afternoon Jonny could be found taking Ava to ballet classes and every Saturday Jac took the little girl to taekwondo, a pursuit Jac thought was both healthy and practical.

'Auntie Jac, look its Granddad!' Ava announced her great grandfather's arrival to the group. Jac smiled warmly as she greeted her grandfather, scolding him for not letting Jonny pick him up the station. George laughed away her concerns, reminding her that he was not yet as old as his as his age suggested.

George sat down next to Mo and Jac, watching Sacha and Jonny putting together the new bike Ava had received for her birthday. They chatted companionably about the arrival of the baby, due in just over a months' time. 'Of course Jac will be there for the birth won't you Jac?' Mo smiled at the horrified expression on Jac's face.

'After the last time? You must be joking' Jac laughed 'you can crush Sacha's hands this time and yell obscenities at him.'

'Happy Birthday Ava!' an American accent suddenly called out. The group greeted Michael Spence warmly. They laughed at his choice of gift for the little girl. 'You gotta get them young, right Jac?' he grinned cheekily as Ava tore at the wrapping paper to reveal the game Operation.

They ate a hearty but healthy picnic lunch, mostly prepared by Mo, and then argued over the fairness of letting skilled surgeons play the operation game against non-surgically trained players. Things got a little competitively heated when Jac and Michael were playing against each other using their left hands. After Jac had accused Michael of faking a sneeze to put her concentration off Ava had declared in a very grown up voice if they couldn't play nicely then they wouldn't play at all and so the game was put away.

'Come and take a walk with me' George smiled at his granddaughter after Jonny and Michael had taken Ava off to practise riding her new bicycle. Sacha and Mo were laid together on a picnic blanket, discussing baby names, both of their hands pressed against the vast bulge of Mo's stomach. George had been watching the wistful expression on Jac's face and guessed correctly that she was thinking back to the times she and Jonny done similarly when she had been carrying her own baby.

'It must feel strange seeing Sacha and Mo preparing for the new arrival' George broached the subject frankly as they walked towards the duck pound.

Jac shook her head as she answered 'it brings up memories that's all, a lot of them happy.' They walked in silence for a while before Jac added 'I sometimes think Ava would have made a brilliant older sister, I know it would be impossible to give her a sibling but I worry sometimes she might be lonely being just her'

'She has a lot of friends Jac' George reassured the woman.

'I know' Jac smiled sadly at her grandfather 'maybe it's just me missing Amelia and wanting something I can't have.'

'I think that's only natural' George smiled reassuringly.

'That's what my counsellor said' Jac nodded.

'Ava looks happy' George commented as they strolled past the duck pond.

'She had a great time yesterday' Jac smiled at the memory of Ava's excited face all the way through her birthday party. 'Although we had a few tears this morning when we read the first of Jasmine's letters, it's hard to know what to do for the best sometimes.'

'You know she told me all about that letter earlier, she seem quite pleased her Mummy had written to her on her birthday' Granddad George mused 'I think it's a good thing she is reminded of her mother, they had so many good memories together'

Jac nodded her agreement 'it just breaks my heart to see Ava upset though'

'That's called love Jac' George chuckled 'you feel every little joy or torment with them.' They walked in a companionable for silence for a while. 'How's work?' George eventually asked.

'Good, the Hertzig project is still going strong.' Jac smiled wryly 'I'm still resisting going back to full time, I never would have thought it but I actually prefer spending time with a four year old child than in the operating theatre'

'That boss of yours isn't pressuring you is he?' George asked concerned, remembering the persuasiveness of Mr Hanssen.

'No' Jac chuckled 'at least not directly, I think Ms Campbell is keeping him in check. I just get the feeling Mr Hanssen wants to get his money's worth.'

'Well I'd say you're more than worth the money he pays you' George spoke proudly 'you can't put a price on genius.'

'Alright Granddad, I think you might be a bit biased' Jac blushed embarrassed by her grandfathers prise.

'I'm allowed to be proud of my granddaughter' George laughed hearty 'and this coming from the woman who displays every drawing, test score and handwriting practice sheet belonging to a certain Ava Naylor-Maconie around her office.' George adored teasing Jac, he loved to see her wry smile when she knew he was right.

'So what have you been up to?' Jac decided to change the subject.

'The usual, chess club, wine-ing and dining my lady friends, getting out and about with my camera' George shrugged contented with his simplistic retirement. 'I met up with an old friend of mine, Timothy Benson, we worked together years ago taking photographs for travel guides. His wife died a year ago and now he's planning on doing a bit more traveling. Wanted to know if I'd go with him'.

'Sounds like fun' Jac smiled at her grandfather, pleased he'd finally started settling back into his retirement after Jasmine 'are you going to go?'

'I said I'd think about it'.

'Why? You were saying to Jonny not long ago that you miss the old life of traveling the world, having the opportunity to photograph the most wonderful things.' Jac frowned at her grandfathers reluctance.

'What about you and Ava?' George mumbled

'We'll miss you, but we'd cope' Jac rolled her eyes 'how long were you planning to be away for?'

'Just a few weeks here and there' George looked his granddaughter in the eye 'you really wouldn't mind?'

'No, you should go and travel; it's what you're used to. I bet this is the longest spell you've had in England.' Jac spoke as she linked her arm through her grandfathers.

'I haven't flown for about four or five years' George admitted 'not since Jasmine fell pregnant with Ava. I have to say, I do have itchy feet.'

'So that settles it then' Jac squeezed her grandfather's arm lightly 'just promise me you won't get yourself eaten by a tiger or buried in a sandstorm or something'

'Oh my Jacky girl!' George laughed heartily 'I'm into my seventies, I can promise you my thrill seeking days are long behind me.'

'Good' Jac stated 'and you'll skype us when you can?'

'Absolutely.' George grinned, the prospect of adventure exciting him now he had been persuaded into it 'there's a little part of me that would like to see one more of my photographs printed in the press, just for old time's sakes. If I could do that I'll be a happy man.'

'So go and do that' Jac grinned back at her grandfather, recognising for the first time just where her career ambitiousness and drive came from.

They rounded the corner, walking back to the picnic area, when they both spotted Ava being comforted by Jonny whilst Michael searched through the first aid kit. Jac rushed forward to investigate what had happened to her little girl in brief time she'd been away walking with Granddad.

'Auntie Jac!' Ava wailed as she spotted her aunt approaching the picnic table where they were seated. The child held her small arms out to Jac as tears rolled down her petite cheeks.

'Oh Ava, what's happened?' Jac spoke comfortingly as she lifted the child off Jonny's lap and into her own arms.

'She fell of her bike and grazed up her knee and her elbow' Jonny explained as Jac took a seat beside him, placing a tearful Ava on her own lap.

'Well it doesn't look too bad Pumpkin' Jac spoke to the child as she inspected the damage for herself. She removed the child's cycle helmet and kissed her on the top of her head.

'This may sting a little bit Ava' Michael spoke softly to the child as he crouched in front of her with an antiseptic wipe in his hand.

'No!' Ava wailed and shook her head firmly.

'Come on Ava, it'll only sting for a little bit I promise' Jac tried to persuade the child.

'No, I want Uncle Jonny to do it' Ava sulked firmly.

'I guess you're doing the honours then Maconie' Michael laughed as he passed Jonny the wipe.

'I'm never riding my bike again' Ava cried as she winced at Uncle Jonny's careful cleaning of her wounds.

'You say that now Ava but I bet you'll change your mind' Jac spoke as she smoothed the child's hair, impressed at the four year old's bravery with the cleaning of her smarting grazes.

'No I won't' Ava spoke determinedly. Jac could see Jonny grinning at Ava's sulkiness and knew he was thinking how much Ava's personality was like her own. She gave him a swift kick with her foot to let him know she wasn't impressed. Unfortunately this only caused Jonny to grin more broadly.

'I came off my motorbike once' Jac spoke softly to her niece, hoping her grandfather wasn't listening in as he already disapproved of her love for speed. 'I was really badly injured and Elliot Hope had to operate on me to make me better. But you know what? It took me a while but eventually I was well enough to get back on that bike and I'm glad I did because otherwise my fear would have stopped me from doing something I love.'

'All done Ava' Jonny spoke softly to the child as he finished up cleaning her wounds.

'Can I feed the ducks with Mo now?' Ava sniffed, feeling comforted by her auntie's cuddle.

'Sure, but we can't be too long' Mo smiled offering her hand out to the child 'because Elliot will be here soon with another surprise.'

Ava hopped down off Jac's lap and took hold of Mo's hand. Jonny and Jac watched as Mo slowly walked with Ava to the duck pound, waddling slightly from the weight of the baby still growing in her womb. 'Mo's going to make such a good Mum, don't you think?' Jac spoke to Jonny as she leant against him.

'Hmmm' Jonny murmured his agreement as he put his arm around his wife. 'I thought you said that motorbike accident was a minor prang?' he asked causally.

Sacha laughed unhelpfully, having overheard the couple whilst he was packing away the picnic. 'Minor prang? That's taking it a bit too lightly even by your standards Jac.'

'Ok it was a major accident, a stupid accident that was my own fault at that' Jac admitted 'but I haven't had any accidents since then' she leant forward and kissed Jonny softly on the lips 'I no longer take stupid risks'

'Every time you get on that darn bike is a stupid risk if you ask me' George grumbled loudly.

'How about you tell everyone about your travel plans Granddad?' Jac rolled her eyes at her grandfather as he took her point and changed the subject, discussing his recent plans to travel.

By the time Ava and Mo had returned from the duck pond Malick, Chantelle, Elliot Hope and his dog had all joined the party. A large birthday cake now sat on the picnic table. Jonny lifted Ava up onto the seat as Jac lit the candles, ready for the birthday girl to blow them out. They sang a rousing chorus of 'Happy Birthday to you' and Ava blew out the candles having been reminded by Jonny that she was to make a wish.

'What did you wish for Ava girl?' Granddad George asked the child as he sat down next to her whilst they waited for Jac to cut the cake.

'I wished we could have a dog like Elliot's' Ava whispered to her grandfather confidentially 'Auntie Jac says the flat is too small for a dog but you never know what could happen do you?'

'That is quite right Ava' George laughed at the child's wisdom 'you never do know what's just around the corner'.

'Here you go Pumpkin' Jac smiled at the child as she placed a paper plate with a slice of cake on it in front of the child.

'Thank you' Ava politely responded and smiled at her aunt as she watched Jac pass a plate to Granddad. 'I love you Auntie Jac' she spoke quietly still smiling at her aunt.

'I love you too my Ava' Jac grinned, pausing briefly to kiss the child's cheek before continuing on her rounds to serve Ava's birthday cake to her guests.

'Have you had a happy birthday Ava?' George asked as he and child watched Jac and Jonny sharing a slice of cake. Jonny put his arm around Jac and the couple leaned against one another at perfect ease in each other's company.

Ava nodded her head in response to her grandfather's question. 'I'm quite lucky really aren't I granddad?'

'What makes you say that Ava girl?' George asked as he finished off his slice of cake.

'Well, I've got you and Auntie Jac and Uncle Jonny and Mo and Sacha and Elliot and lots of people. Some children in my school only have a few people in their families and some children have mummy's and daddy's who are cross all the time and don't see them very often. So I think really I'm quite lucky.'

'Yes you are my Ava girl, yes you are' Granddad George was struck by the child's maturity and how she could tell herself that she was lucky after losing her mother like she had was more than a little bit miraculous. He put his arm around the child and smiled as Ava cuddled in against him 'you know I feel lucky to have you too Ava? And I know Auntie Jac and Uncle Jonny feel like all their Christmases and birthdays have come at once because you came to live with them.'

'That's a silly saying' Ava laughed. 'Sometimes I still feel sad that Mummy couldn't live with us too but Auntie Jac says that she feels like that too and she misses Mummy lots and lots so I guess that's ok' the child sounded content rather than confused as she spoke these words, not realising how reassuring she was being to her great grandfather. They watched as Jac and Jonny laughed together as they talked, lost for a moment in their own little world away from the other picnickers. George smiled to himself as he watched the couple, he was confident that their love would last them a lifetime.

'I think everything will be ok now Granddad, don't you?' Ava yawned sleepily, the events of her birthday catching up with her.

'Yes Ava' George kissed the top of the child's head 'I think everything will be just fine, absolutely fine.'