The house was large and homey, although it wasn't flashy. It was conveniently situated too, he had seen the train platform just down the road as he drove up. They had decided on the country with easy access to the cities.

As he got out of the car he realised that he was nervous. He should have come with his wife; she had been to the wedding, been at the hospital and visited them here several times. He hadn't seen his daughter in over a year.

Laughter was coming from inside. It was amazing how laughter could sound daunting, he decided. Finally he rang the bell.

A dark haired boy answered the door, opening wide with a welcoming smile. "Hello, can I help you?"

"I was looking for Marian," the old man said.

The boy nodded, smiled and disappeared into the house crooking a finger at the man to follow him. "Mariaaaaan." The boy called out.

"Thanks David," Marian said appearing from around the corner and ruffling the boy's hair indulgently. Her hair was shorter and curlier and she seemed more at ease with her new life. Indeed, her father hardly recognised her.

Looking up her smile faded as she realised who it was.

"Marian…"

"What are you doing here?" She asked accusingly.

"I came to…apologise."

"Apologise," she whispered incredulous. "You kicked me out. You practically accused me of being a slut! I haven't seen you in…"

"I know," Edward said hurriedly stalling his daughter's rant. "I am not proud of what I did and how I reacted. I didn't come here looking for forgiveness…"

"Good, cause you won't get it here," Marian said firmly, her arms crossed.

"I just came to say I'm sorry. I was wrong and I want to make things right." He said a little helplessly.

Marian looked at him closely as the silence grew. "Things are going to take a while…but apology accepted," she said grudgingly, then turned on her heel and disappeared further into the house.

Edward was left indecisive for a moment then followed. He entered a room that was overflowing with people and noise. The television was on but no one was watching it. A giant of a man sat at the table playing with a gurgling baby, the boy who had opened the door was sitting at the other end of the table colouring in pictures with a black haired girl. A brown skinned woman was sitting by the window bent over studying while a man sat beside her distracting her. A blonde haired man and a reddish haired man were arguing in the kitchen:

"We just need to add some spice…"

"It still needs to be edible Allan!"

"Calm down Much, it just needs some zing, some snappy…"

"I don't want zing, I don't want snappy…"

Marian sat down opposite the giant man, a place she had obviously recently vacated as a half drunk cup of tea sat in front of her.

Edward's gaze was occupied by the chubby baby with its thatch of dark hair.

"I think he's hungry again Marian," the man said handing the baby over to her.

"Thanks John."

"And talking about food," the big man said vacating his seat and entering the kitchen.

"Is that him?" Edward asked softly. His grandson!

Marian smiled at the gurgling baby she juggled on her lap. "This is James." Looking up at her father she asked, "Do you want to…" she lifted the child in his direction.

"Oh…I…" with the smiling baby in his arms Edward felt very old. He could see his own daughter in this child. "I am sorry," he said sincerely.

Marian nodded in understanding.

"Robin's home!" David shouted zooming out the back door and across the lawn. There must be a back path up from the platform, Edward surmised. Robert Huntingdon was walking through the fields, his shirt sleeves rolled up talking to a smaller boy at his side. When David reached him he scooped the little boy up and threw him over his shoulder. The whole house could hear the little boy shrieking in laughter as he was carried inside. The other boy at Robin's side entered smiling and shaking his head.

"Allan? What are you doing here?"

"Stutley, how was school?" the red haired cook deflected.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"I felt that I was coming down with something," Allan said indignantly giving an unconvincing cough. "And I thought that I would come and check that it wasn't catching."

"How benevolent," Robin muttered as he put David down and leaned over to kiss Marian. "I'm sure it had nothing to do with our cooking."

"Our cooking," Much exclaimed in horror. "The rate he's cooking he'll be the only one who can eat the stuff."

Robin smiled looking up at the stranger in the group and recognised him. "Sir." The word was slightly defiant, but not openly disrespectful.

Marian looked between her husband and her father. "Do you…do you want to stay for dinner?"

Edward handed the child to Robin who placed a kiss on the baby's forehead making him giggle and flail his arms.

"I don't…"

"You might as well," Robin said. "We may need help eating whatever it is that they are cooking."

Edward looked at the happy couple, secure in their friends and family.

"Sure…sure, I'd love to."

Phew...that was challenging. I kind of miss my old Robin Hood in ye olde English. Just like to say thankyou to all your lovely reviews, its been overwhelming for a newby like me. So thankyou and I hope you enjoyed it.