Epilogue

The next six weeks are busy for Jean between the council, her commitments to the orphanage, a murder that she assists Matthew and Alice in solving, as well as getting her home resituated for her new lodgers. Jean decides to move Peter to Lucien's old room at the front of the house leaving the upstairs for Ruby and the children. A spare room still available for when Jack, Charlie, or Danny want to visit. Through many phone conversations Amelia finally gives in to the notion that she will not be able to continue to share her grandmother's room. Jean sets up her old room for the child, hanging some new pictures and curtains; making it perfect for her little girl. The Ark sits in a corner of the room waiting to be played with once again. With Amy's help, Jean is ready for her family's arrival with little time to spare.

Jean is excited to have the house full again but finds herself sick with worry for Christopher despite his continuous reassuring that he will be safe. She takes a moment from the commotion of the house to compose herself to get through the next couple hours. In the sunroom there are spring bulbs that have been waiting to get in the ground. Picking one up, the papery shell coming off in her hand, she walks to the garden. You'll have to wait a few more days to get tucked in for the winter.

Jack comes in the kitchen to find Christopher at the window. "Where's Mum? We should get going soon."

Christopher motions his head towards the window, "garden."

"Right, where else would she be? Is she ripping out weeds or chopping down the shrubbery?" Jack says jokingly both knowing there mother's passion for taking her worries or anger out on the gardens. Jack's futile attempt to lighten the heaviness of what is happening is appreciated by Christopher.

"Come on, let's go get her."

Jean is so lost in her thoughts that she doesn't hear her boys' footsteps until they are almost upon her. She closes her eyes to will the tears back, puts the well rehearsed smile on her face then turns to see her boys, her men. Seems like just yesterday they were Amelia's age. Jack is the first to reach out for her, putting his arms around her neck his head on her shoulder. Christopher, always the protector encircles both. They hold each other tightly, no words necessary, no words have more meaning than the hold the three have on each other. The moment passes too quickly as Ruby pops her head out the door calling to them that they will be late.

Pulling apart, all three wiping stray tears away, "I guess it's time to go Mum."

"Yes." Jean turns and spots the huge rock that Lucien stuck in her garden over a year ago. He was teasing her that she could even make rocks grow, placing it in the middle of her flower bed. She didn't have the heart to move it for such a long time. Then when she finally decided it was silly to tolerate this boulder any longer she found it too heavy to move.

"Boys wait, could either of you move that rock? Then I don't have to ask Peter." The brothers teasing one another over who is the stronger son. Which will come to the rescue of their poor weak mother? "I'll show you weak" Jean swats at them.

The three enjoy the levity. Jack is the one to lift the offensive stone so that Christopher doesn't get his uniform dirty. With all the joking that is occurring no one notices the reflection of light on a bit of metal that has been concealed for the past thirteen months in the center of Jean's flower bed.

Amelia is chatting in the car, informing the family of all her plans while living with Nana. She is trying to convince Jean to get a puppy and is certain that she will have a brother. The child is a welcome distraction on the drive to the station.

The platform is uncomfortably busy for the goodbyes that must occur. Jean hangs back from her family feeling the need to stand on the peripheral, to watch as if sitting in the cinema. The scene eerily familiar to her. She prays for a different ending.

Christopher addresses Jack first. The boys shake hands, then embrace. Jean honestly never thought she would ever see her boys so close again; grateful that they have all made amends.

She watches on as her son bends down to Amelia, faintly hearing her granddaughter's words. "Here Daddy. Uncle Jack said this helped him stay brave." Amelia's holds out the worn lion, passing it to her father. Christopher scoops up his child whispering something in her ear. Jean can see the curls bobbing as Amelia nods. He pulls Ruby in close to him.

Jean's vision blurs from the tears she is trying in vain to hold back. She watches as her oldest son makes his way to her. "Mum? Will you be alright?"

"Oh, I'll be fine." Jean is finding it difficult to look at her son but keeps her head held high. It's Christopher's turn to wrap his arm around her neck, head on her shoulder. "I love you Mum."

Jean holds him tighter, "I love you too. You come home." Pulling away from him to look in his eyes, motioning towards Ruby and Amelia, "They need you more than you will ever understand. Just come home for them."

Standing on the platform watching the train depart Jean feels the comfort of tiny arms embrace her leg as one small hand makes its way into hers. She looks down at her little partner and vows to keep her safe. The rain begins to fall, lightly at first, gaining intensity as they make their way to the car.

In the garden of 7 Mycroft Avenue the rain washes away the loose particles of dirt. The glimmer of metal begins to take more of a distinct shape as it is revealed by the falling rain. In a shallow hole is a tin box that conceals secrets to be hidden from all but the one person who worships the soil that it is buried in. The one person who will understand what to do. The one person that understands Lucien Blake more than anyone.

Thank you all for reading my first multi-chapter fanfiction. I appreciate all that took the time to read, review, and comment. I do plan to continue at some point soon with the next install that will continue from where this story leaves off.