Henrik let out a low breath of relief as he packed the third large case in the boot of his car, making room for their vacation luggage on one side of it. "You weren't kidding when you said that you were bringing the majority of your things back with you," he said as he closed the boot, patting the metal with his hand a few times before making his way to the driver's seat and getting behind the wheel.

"Most of it will probably stay in those cases until I move in with you. That, that still is the plan, yes? I mean, it will be crowded with my things, but we can always look for something slightly larger, if it feels like we're tripping over one another. I just, I really want this to work?"

"I do, too," he replied before leaning over and kissing her gently. It was a balm to his troubled heart that Roxanna was just as nervous about the next chapter of their life together, since he had been thinking he was the only one that was so on edge over the thought of sharing a living space with her. "And you're not bringing any furniture with you, since we'll need a bed to share when we spend time with your father. Right?"

"Right," she replied before kissing him once more. "He's still not the happiest over losing his little girl, but he likes you, so it will all wash out in the end." Roxanna caressed his face before settling back into her seat as he started the car. It was a long drive to her father's home, but as she talked about her time spent in America with David, he found the time passing quickly.

"David's graduating, too, yes?" he replied when he could get a word in edgewise, and she nodded, giving him a smile. "Good. I'd hate for him to be alone in the lab, like you were."

"But I made due, and became gained a lifetime friend. I know that David probably won't find a placement near us, but I think that I might like to get together with him every so often? Friendships are so important, after all. And perhaps, once we've settled into a routine, we could reach out to John? I know, this is crazy, but I miss having him in our lives. His focus, his drive, they really held hone my own skills in the lab, and well, haven't we punished him enough for the way he treated us at Rigden?"

He cocked his head to one side as he parked on the street in front of her father's house, turning off the car as he tried to think of a response to her question. She was right, in a way, they had punished him for far too long, but he didn't know if he was quite ready to welcome John back into the fold after everything he had done to split them up. "Perhaps we can think about that, yes. I'm not certain I want to say yes or no right away, since I think I'll need time to think about this. Would that be okay?"

Roxanna's face softened into a smile as she nodded. "I wouldn't ask you to do anything you're not comfortable with, Henrik, ever. So take your time, and I'll follow your lead." Leaning in, she kissed him quickly before climbing out of the car and bounding up the stairs and into her father's house. Henrik shook his head a little before he followed after her, trying not to hesitate as he crossed the threshold into the house. "Henrik, hurry! Dad has lunch just about ready!"

Stepping out of his shoes, he made his way into the kitchen to see Roxanna was pouring them glasses of water, whilst Callum was stirring something that smelled absolutely delicious. "I'm glad that you've made it here safely, Henrik! Roxanna mentioned that you were going to head out for Bath in the morning?"

"Yes, sir. I thought, since it was quite the drive from Sunderland, it would be best to be well rested before we continued on."

"A wise idea. And I couldn't help but notice that there's a new ring on her finger."

Henrik's eyes widened a little as he threw a desperate glance at his fiancée. "Roxanna didn't call you?"

Callum burst into laughter as he shook his head. "You should have seen your face, Henrik! Of course she told me, she was bursting with joy when she called me. I just wanted to tease you a little."

Henrik nodded before letting his shoulders sag. He wasn't accustomed to being teased, but a part of his heart warmed at being included in the family in this way. "I see that I'll have to stay on my toes around you, Callum."

"That you will," he said with a smile as he began to portion their food out onto plates before handing them to Roxanna to place on the table. "Though I hope, in time, you'll give as good as you get."

"We'll have to see about that, Dad. I've told you that my Henrik is the serious, stalwart, person in my life. He grounds my levity in a way that I am ever so grateful for." Roxanna leaned over and kissed him gently before taking a seat at the table. Henrik let Callum sit as well, before taking the chair next to Roxanna. He knew to hold out his hands to her and Callum, and waited for one of them to bless the meal. "Henrik, I know that this is a little out of your comfort zone, but would you say the blessing today?"

He nodded slightly, trying to find the right words to say. Taking a deep breath, Henrik bowed his head, staring at the table as he spoke. "May this food, so kindly prepared, nourish and sustain us as we go about the rest of our day. And may we find our footing together as we start the journey to become a family. Thank you for bringing these wonderful people into my life, and allowing me to find a place here. Amen."

Roxanna squeezed his hand tightly as she raised her head to look at him, tears gathering in her eyes. "Well, now I know why my girl said yes to marrying you," Callum said softly. Henrik turned his head to look at his future father in law, and saw the approving smile on his face. "I didn't quite see it until now, but you are the gentle person that she needs, aren't you?"

"I hope to be, sir," he replied before squeezing Roxanna's hand in return and then picking up his fork to start digging in. The food was delicious, and he found himself growing more and more comfortable around Callum as the meal went on.

"Dad, we're going to head to the park, and bring back food for supper, okay? I, I…"

"I understand, luv. Go."

Roxanna nodded as she got to her feet, pulling Henrik to his feet as well before heading towards the door. He tripped after her, giving a small wave to Callum before they were stepping into their shoes and heading out the door. "Where are we really going?" he asked as they started down the pavement.

"Well, we're going to the park first, and then to the kirkyard. Mum has to know that we're getting married, after all, my love." He nodded and took firmer hold of her hand, wanting to let her know that he would always support her. From the look of love she threw his way, he knew that she understood entirely.