ANDY

My dad says I have to be nice to Lily. He says she's like my cousin and that means she's family so I have to let her bug me and stuff.

By bug me, I mean that he says I have to let her follow me around and I can't make faces at her. Even though she's way littler than me and she talks a lot.

My mom says I'm the little man, so that means I have to start learning how to treat little ladies the right way.

Uncle Terry says it's not true what Dad says about cooties. He says girls have cooties, all right, mate, but that girl cooties are good things. He also says that he's going to tell me all about kissing cousins some day when my Dad's not around.

Auntie Ann says someday I'm going to appreciate girls and that I'm going to be looking back on this week and wishing I'd been nicer to Lily.

Seth says Lily wants to kiss me and that she thinks it's us who should have gotten married tonight on the beach instead of Uncle Jack and Aunt Angelique.

Uncle Jack says little girls someday become the finest things in life. Course, he would say that because he has to; Aunt Uma says that on a man's wedding day, it's his job to make everything perfect for his new wife. She may be right because later I saw Aunt Angelique was crying and he was patting her on her chest to try to get her to stop. I'm not sure why he was kissing her when I first saw them. I asked Uncle Lachlan about that and he said maybe Uncle Jack bit her tongue and that's why she cried.

Know what I think?

I think grownups don't always realize I'm old enough to understand a lot more than what they're willing to really tell me.

And ... I think Lily is okay ... for a girl, I mean.

ANGELIQUE

"As the best man, I believe it is my great honor to claim the first kiss?"

"Oh, Stephen! Here, come and let me have your arm, if you please. I am afraid I cannot see so clearly just now."

"There, there. Perhaps a stray piece of sand has lodged in your eye? Come over here into the light and let me take a look."

"It's not sand, Stephen. Don't all women cry on their wedding night?"

"Perhaps it is the thought of spending eternity with that great scoundrel of a beast you have unhappily just wed?"

"Stephen! How you make me laugh. Thank you. I have just been so overwhelmed but you know just the thing for my high emotions." I kissed him softly on the cheek. There was no trace of lipstick to wipe off ... but then I believe Jack's lips had already wiped mine clear of color. I dabbed at my eyes and wished nothing more than to sneak into a restroom and repair the damage.

But before I could, Stephen took me by the hand and led me toward the open-air pavilion where our reception would be held. "Now, you must tell me all about this new lady friend of yours. Stephen! How utterly charming you look when you blush like that! Please tell me this is love that makes you smile so sedately every time you look her way? If so, I pray Julia is the finest of women ... else wise, she surely cannot deserve you."

"My dear Angelique, a gentleman would never be so low as to brag upon a woman of Miss Dermody's undeniable qualities ... Stop, my lady, your tender smiles will earn you no untoward information from me. You know very well that I am quite capable of keeping secrets, unlike your husband."

"'My husband' ... Oh. How lovely that sounds to me! Oh, Stephen!"

"Now, now. No more tears, even those of happiness. Come, I'll just order us a drink from the bartender ... Here we go, then. No, I insist. A healthy dram of whisky ... nothing more than a medicinal amount ... just to calm the nerves of a bride about to receive her guests," he whispered.

We stood there together and watched as Jack entered the area ... his eyes swept over it swiftly until they alit on me ... but before he could rush toward us, he was stopped by Faye, who hugged him and whispered words in his ear.

"I cannot believe I have been this blessed."

"He is a lucky man to have found you, Angelique."

"Do you remember, dear Stephen, what you told me in Cherbourg? You said, Jack Aubrey is the finest of men. I thought of your words today as I stood next to him and entered into matrimony with this man. I wanted to grab you and tell you how very right you were about Jack."

"I must tell you, my dear, that seeing Jack happy fills me with joy for my brother."

"Look at him, will you? See that smile? Could there be anything grander?"

"And look at the rest of this family. It has been years in the making ... time has taken its toll but it is well and good to have learned the valuable lessons and found the way through. There is not a soul here with us who does not count themselves among the luckiest people they know."

"Amen."

"This was a good thing you did in setting in motion this gathering on Reunion, Angelique. For Jack ... and for the rest as well. It does my heart good to see the restoration of the family."

We stood there watching as small groups straggled in toward us. Couples with arms round each other. Children playing as they charged in from where we'd married on the beach at sunset.

Jack neared me; all I saw was him. This must be what it's like, do you suppose? To be punch drunk with love. I wished to shout it from the rooftops: I was married to Jack Aubrey!

ANDY

Standing on the beach watching the wedding was kind of boring. But then, I think most things the grown ups do is boring. Or disgusting.

Lily kept trying to hold my hand during the ceremony. She pretended she knew more than I did ... said her mom told her we had to hold hands because we were in the wedding party. I don't know what that is; maybe she means because I carried the ring and she carried flowers.

Sometimes when she wasn't looking at me, I watched her. I've never been around another little girl quite like her. I have girls in my class at school but they don't like to do things like Lily does. For a girl, she likes to do things I thought only boys did.

Like, she really liked going parasailing with me and Uncle Terry. And she eats more ice cream than I can. Yesterday, she beat me at swimming underwater without taking a breath. And when I wanted to go exploring, Seth whined because he was scared to go climbing up in the rocks, but Lily had no problem doing it.

That's where me and Lily saw Uncle Stephen again. We've seen him a few times when we've been out exploring. But this time, since we left Seth behind, we got further up into the hills. I was picking some pink flowers for Lily when I saw Uncle Stephen sitting under a tree with that woman.

I've seen him with that woman almost every time we see him when we're out like that. He says she's helping him conduct research, whatever that is. They both were all excited about showing us these clear boxes that had bugs and leaves and sticks in them. I liked the bugs but they wouldn't let me play with them.

He said we shouldn't tell anyone else about what he was doing with the bugs because it was a secret that only special people like us could know. I kinda think he just doesn't want my dad to know he was kissing that woman. And other things.

Yesterday when we saw them, before I got a chance to go say hello, he started kissing on the woman again only this time, he never heard us like he usually does. Lily and I made faces at each other. She likes to kiss but I don't. I can't figure out why people do that. Dad and Mom do it but I think they have to; I think it's a law or something.

Lily wanted to kiss me when she saw them. I said no. I don't want cooties no matter what Uncle Terry says.

After the wedding, they let me and Lily sit at the table next to Uncle Jack and Aunt Angelique. Uncle Stephen was there, too, and so was that woman he picks up bugs with. Seth and Aidan had to sit next to Mom and Dad. I made faces at Seth; I told him he had to sit next to Mom because he was a baby. Dad told me I'd better be careful because Seth was going to clean my clock when he got a little older.

Yeah. Right

ANN

He was standing alone, off to the side, watching everyone sitting around the tables as dinner was winding down. I noticed him there when I snuck off to the bathroom; when I came back, he was still there.

"Max, we've barely had time to talk on this trip," I said to him. He gave me that little bow of his and took my hand between both of his.

But I had known another Max well enough to know this one was just the least bit nervous, uncertain.

"You look lovely this evening, Ann," he said.

"You look quite nice yourself." I turned to look where he was, at the gathering. It overwhelmed me to see this. "Isn't that the best sight in the world?"

"It is more than I could have hoped for ... our family, finding its way again."

"The gods must be smiling on us."

"They have been generous of late."

There was a comfortable silence between us. When I glanced back at him, he looked at ease. Our eyes met; our smiles were soft.

"I want us to grow to be friends, Max. In my other world, Maximus and Uma were very important to me. He was very good to me. She and I were so close. I miss that more than I can say."

"Am I very different than him?"

"Not really. Not where it counts. You are both men of honor and strength. You both feel deep and abiding passion to care for and protect those you love. I imagine the differences are more a reflection on who shaped your entry into this modern world ... and in that way, shaped the road you took. Does that make sense?"

"It does. I would wish for him that he has found a similar peace as I have."

"I wish the same thing for him. Thank you for saying that."

"I have often wondered how you were faring, if you had reconciled to your fate in coming into our world. It's been good to observe you during this time and see that all seems well for you. He's good to you? Your life is as you wish?"

"He makes my life incredible ... I am so grateful to have found him at last. And you, Max? You and Uma ... you have no idea, I think, no idea absolutely how happy it makes me to see the two of you ... and Lily and your boy on the way ... Just looking at you, I can see how right things are. It's amazing."

"We have earned this life, each of us, would you not say?"

"I would."

ANDY

You know what I hate maybe worse than kissing?

Dancing with girls.

Man, I don't know why grownups do that.

After dinner, there was some music ... and, of course, you'd know the grownups would start acting like they did. Dancing with each other. It was stupid.

Lily wanted to dance real bad. I still don't know why my dad made me dance with her. He said he'd tell me later and to just do it like an O'Leary.

He says things like that to me a lot ... I think it's whenever he just can't tell me 'why' I have to do something so it's like an excuse. Because I am an O'Leary so don't I just kinda have to do things like an O'Leary? That makes sense to me.

So we were dancing and Uncle Terry told me I was making him proud.

I like Uncle Terry. But he likes to dance, too. When he dances with Auntie Ann, he makes silly sounds sometimes. Like sometimes, he sings to her, right in her ear. I bet that bugs her. She tries to pretend it doesn't.

Aunt Uma likes to dance, too. She looks funny when she does, with her big old belly. Mom told me I can't laugh at her, that it's rude.

But when she and Uncle Terry danced together, Lily and I thought that was really funny. 

UMA

"May I?"

I glanced up and there he was smiling down at me. Terry. Asking me to dance. Like he had done all that time ago and the whole crazy ball had started rolling. I heard a little giggle on my right and turned my head. Lily was snuggled on Max's knee and seemed to find it all very amusing, whispering something in her Daddy's ear. They still can be pretty conspiratorial at times. They are still such a close pair. I looked at Maximus and he smiled. His eyes said it all.

"I'd love to...but my centre of gravity seems to have moved..." Terry put out his hand, nodded at Max, winked at Lily and raised me from my seat. I hadn't danced much today. Just a turn around the floor with Lily while she was trying to catch Andy's eye - Dino had brought him over and they had cut in, so I had got to go round with a real man for a little while but when the dance was finished, I had sat down again and preferred to watch. I think things are catching up with me. I feel tired and Maximus won't let me overexert myself. The baby is strong and lively and taking it out on me already. I am not as young as I was.

But I will make an exception for Terry.

He led me to the floor, dragging gently on my hands, drawing them into the base of his spine, playfully. On the floor he swung round and took my arms but I was somewhat hard to hold - my tummy clearly in the way. It made us both laugh. But he managed anyway and we began to move softly side to side, dreamily almost, lost in our own thoughts as we gave into the music.

"It's good to hold you again..." he said suddenly. I looked up and caught his gaze. There was so much I wanted to say.

"None of this would be happening for me if it wasn't for you, Terry. I want you to know how much I know I owe you...there is no way I would be here today if...."

"Hey....hey! None of that...life happens. You're here now. That's all that counts. We're past all that now. All I need to know is that you are happy..."

"I am!" My eyes shone with the prickle of tears but I forced them back. Not here. Not now. But he recognized my predicament and swung me away from prying eyes.

"Good. He loves you and that little girl so much. Makes my heart sing to see you all together. How's it been?"

I smiled at the memories of the past few months. "So good. Better than ever maybe. I don't know. I just think that we both appreciate it all more. Neither of us would risk it ever again, you know?"

"Just see that you don't! That's an order..." he smiled that sweet smile he has and I wished I could tell him what a place he will always have in my heart. But I think he knows that. I watched as his eyes traveled down to the swell of my child; he seemed as if he would touch me but had thought better of it. I remembered his intimate touch and it felt strange to deny him this more innocent one.

"It's okay. Touch me. Feel the baby. He's very active at the moment, wearing me out..." I took Terry's hand in mine and placed it gently on my stomach and he left it there; our son turned somersaults and kicked and he felt it, laughing and massaging softly. "Reckon he'd kick a good penalty..."

"Goal. He's going to be a soccer player with a genetic predisposition for sword play..." I giggled.

"Max must be overjoyed. He always wanted a son..."

I nodded. "He is. But, you know, he wouldn't have cared if it had been another daughter. He's learnt a few things over the years himself. But I want to give him a son. He deserves that. He deserves immortality by his own lights..."

"I think he's already got that, love," Terry grinned. "He was born two thousand years ago, give or take a century..." We both laughed and it felt so good. Somehow the last piece slotted into place that moment.

"You and Ann...It's wonderful...all of it....how did we ever find our way back?" I murmured as we moved on.

"I dunno...but we did. I don't regret it, Uma, despite all the pain and damage...You know what they say...What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, hey?"

The old adage. How true for all of us. 

And I looked into his eyes and we both allowed ourselves to remember. His hand brushed my child and I knew that he was telling me that maybe, in some other place or time, that could have been us.

And I'm glad we can face that truth now. 

Returning to the table, Terry kissed my hand and went back to Ann who raised her drink to me. Lily giggled and covered her mouth. "Uncle Terry kissed your hand! Dad...did you see? He touched Mum's tummy..."

Maximus laughed at her softly and reached for my hand. "Uncle Terry is very fond of your mother...as he is of you..."  

ANDY

Lily finally got tired of dancing. But only after she made Uncle Terry and Uncle Lach dance with her. She was going to dance with her dad but then when she saw me and Seth getting ready to sneak off behind the cabana place, she told him to dance with her mom instead.

Uncle Jack showed us where he was going to set off the fireworks. But he said we had to wait and to be very quiet or we may not get to watch them. We got bored watching him walking around. He kept pacing, back and forth, back and forth. Uncle Stephen gave him a hard time about that, which made us all giggle. He asked Uncle Jack if it was okay for him to enter the lee side of the quarterdeck, whatever that means. Uncle Jack didn't think that was funny though. He glared at him and told him a man can only wait so long before nature takes its due.

I don't know what he meant by that, to be honest. Uncle Stephen made us leave. We tried to sneak back to hear them but Seth started laughing and Uncle Jack yelled at us. He really yells loud. I never heard anyone yell that loud.

Me and Seth have taught Lily how to play commando mode. Dad taught us. That means going quiet and walking without noise and listening careful until you figure out how to spring out and grab somebody. Lily likes doing it okay but she gets it wrong sometimes and will grab me instead of grabbing the person we're trying to surprise.

Girls.

So we saw Mom. She says she hates commando mode but I know she doesn't mean it. Not unless she's on the phone and she hates it if we make her scream when we jump at her.

She wasn't on the phone this time.

I think my mom likes Uncle Lach. She always smiles when he's talking to her. Even when Aidan's crawling all over her and whining for Uncle Lach to hold him.

I like Uncle Lach. He sounds a lot like Uncle Terry and he likes to wrestle us like Uncle Terry does. But he and my dad don't play tricks on each other like me and Seth do.

HEATHER

I settled myself on a private bench outside under the stars and cuddled Aidan close.  I'm lucky he took to breastfeeding rather than a bottle or I might never pry him away from his father.  I bared my breast and draped my soft blue wrap around us for a bit of privacy while my hungry son made a little piglet of himself.  I stroked his satiny cheek and hummed softly to him, rocking him gently.  The wind blew, teasing the fringe of my shawl and bringing with it the scents and sounds of the ocean. 

Across the way, I saw Andy and Seth in commando mode, sneaking around in the bushes surrounding the lavish pool.  I smiled to myself.  They were unaware their father was in commando mode behind them.  He winked at me and smiled.  I winked back.  He watched over all of us and went back inside shortly after Aidan had finished and I'd rearranged my dress.  Not long after, he reappeared along with Lachlan, pointing to where I was and then chased Andy and Seth back inside with an easy grin.  It amused me.  Despite the fact he'd let the past go and embraced Lachlan as a friend, he was still protective of his breastfeeding wife.  I wouldn't have him any other way.  

Lachlan strolled over, carrying a sleeping Ella on his shoulder and radiating a peace and contentment where he'd once radiated a nervous, fidgety energy.  I felt the same peace inside of me.  I guess we'd both grown up. 

"Mind if I join you, love?" he asked softly, in deference to his sleeping baby.  I shook my head and he sat down on the bench next to me, absently rubbing his little daughter's back.  He smiled at me and it was as if all those years had rolled back.  In my eyes, he would always be the charming, soulful young man I'd met that night among the fallen petals of Anzac Day.

I smiled as his daughter yawned and pursed her lips with a little sucking motion as she settled again.  "She's beautiful, Lach."

He nodded, still the proud papa.  "She is."  His infectious grin widened.  "So are you."  I blushed at the easy compliment.  "And that's a fine little lad you have there."

"He is."  I smiled back.  But then, I always smile when I'm with Lach.  Enough time has passed that my memories of him are no longer bittersweet... they are simply sweet. 

Lachlan and I, we've never been much for small talk.  What time we've had together has always seemed to be distilled down.  Concentrated.  As if it was whittled down a handful of poignant moments, good and bad.  And this time was no different.  "I'm so glad you found her." I said softly.  He would know who I meant.  The one he'd been looking for.  The one who'd put him first in her heart above all others.

He ducked his head and I saw a bit of color rise in his cheeks, but when he met my eyes, his were bright and warm.  "More than luck, I'd say."  He nodded, looking out toward the sea.  "A blessing."  His gaze swung back and he cocked his head as he appraised Aidan and I.  "Motherhood suits you."  His smile softened.  "As I always knew it would."

I smiled too.  It no longer hurt to be reminded of the ghosts of our shared past and the nights we'd spent baring our hearts in each other's arms.

"Do you ever think of it, Lach?" 

He nodded.  "I do.  Feel it too.  Like some shadow child walking by us from time to time." he said quietly.  "With all of the kids running round this trip, it's hard not to think of the one we might have had."

I knew what he meant.  I've felt that shadow child too.  "Our son or daughter would have been nearly the same age I was when you found me that night."  It's hard to imagine so many years have passed since that night.  I held Aidan closer.  So many good years.   

He shook his head and the poignant moment slipped into something else.  Something warmer.  Lighter.  "No red hair though." He said with a cheeky grin and a soft chuckle that rumbled in his wide chest.

The happy sound made me laugh too.  Lachlan Curry.  How lucky I was to have met him that night.  And how lucky I was to have this night to make a different sort of moment with him.  All the others that we'd ever shared, though heartfelt, had been tinged by sadness.  This was the first one that was wholly joyous.

And for the first time in sixteen years, we laughed together under a starry sky, content in life and love.                

ANDY

Grown-ups!  I am so tired of listening to them raising up their glasses and making boring toasts.  Especially after my Dad stopped me from convincing Seth to make a tower out of the empty wine glasses when nobody was looking.  It wouldn't have fallen.  I know it wouldn't have!

This time it was Uncle Terry who was telling the rest of them to quiet down.  I like it when he says: "Softly, mate, softly....." though.  It always makes my Dad laugh.

"Move it along, Uptown.  I'm not getting any younger here...." 

That's my Dad again.  He says winding up Uncle Terry is his job and that I better pay attention, cos one of these days, it's gonna be my job too.  I think it's another one of those things I gotta do cos I'm an O'Leary.  But at least it's a fun one.

"Good.  You don't need any youthful advantage, mate.  Any more of that and you lot will be the bloody Family von Trapp."  I love it when Uncle Terry makes my Dad's ears go all red.

Uncle Terry stood and all the laughing sort of quieted down.  Except for my Mom.  She was whispering something in my Dad's ear.  He whispered something back that made her cheeks even redder than his ears. 

"Now, while I don't do heart to hearts as a matter of course, even I set aside the veil once in a while, and this is one of those times."  He smiled at Auntie Ann, who squeezed his hand.  "I've had a bit of contact with the world.  My son Henry rang last night."  Everyone was looking at him and he just shook his head.  "Seems he's asked a young lady to marry him."  And then his face changed and he looked kind of funny.  "It also seems they've plans to make me a granddad."

Everyone clapped and cheered. My Dad whistled so loud it made Aidan cry.  He is such a baby.

Uncle Terry raised his glass.  "To wives and sons."  And then he looked at Auntie Ann.  "And the next generation."

She got all sniffly while everyone drank to his toast.  Geez.  Girls.  They always have to go and ruin everything by blubbering.  I'm never going to have kids.  Especially not girls.  Besides, I know all about sex and it's just plain yucky.  Who'd ever want to do that with a girl?       

FAYE

I love a man who can dip a girl with style.  He let me hang there, suspended in his strong embrace for just a moment more than was proper before drawing me back up again with a little flourish that's uniquely Lachlan.

"You dance pretty well for an Oz,"  I teased, enjoying his warm enjoyment of the moment.

"You're not bad either, love."  His lips twitched.  "For a Pom."

Nobody was looking so I bit him and giggled at the way his eyes widened.  And then, of course, he seemed to settle back into this relaxed smug virility, leading us easily into the measures of the next song.  He is so bloody cocky.  He gave me a twirl and pulled me back into him.  Showoff.  Good job for him I like cocky showoffs.  Especially when they can dance like he can. 

"So, you think we should take this act on the road?"

I smiled at his teasing.  "I ain't your Cher, sonny."  

His eyes danced.  "Okay, gorgeous.  You be Sonny then." And then he whispered into my ear that I could have most of Sonny but he had no intention of giving over the best bits.  Like his dick.  He is so cheeky! 

I just smiled up at him.  "I'd rather just be your Faye."

He flushed with pleasure and his smile was wide and somehow both boyish and intensely male.  "Yeah?"  He phrased it like a question, but it wasn't.  Not really.  He knew he was first in my heart.  Ella was proof.  He'd have never made a baby with me otherwise. 

"For ever and always, Lach."

He pulled me closer and tucked my head under his chin.  "Come on now, stand on my feet, hey?"  I knew him too well to know he was teasing just then.  The rough catch in his voice gave him away.  Words always fail him when he's deeply moved.  I put my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.  Just let him lead us around the floor in slow spinning spirals.  I think that's how flying must feel to him.  Weightless and floaty.  Comforting and exciting and invigorating and peaceful all at once.

His hand was warm in mine and I could feel the heat of his palm through the thin silk of my dress.  He smelled good.  Like cologne and man and a bit like Ella's baby powder.  That's how a real man smells.  Like passion... but also like responsibility. 

He says he's lived most of his life with his head in the clouds.  Now he knows he needs a solid foundation underneath him.  A place to launch from.  And a place to catch him when he floats back to earth.  Although these days, he's more inclined to curl up with me in the soft warm earth and daydream as the clouds drift overhead.  He told me once he thought the happiest he'd ever been was when he was hovering there in the sunlit silence, lost in that delirious burning blue.  After Ella was born, he changed his mind.  Holding her in his arms, he looked up at me and said he reckoned he didn't need to leave the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God after all.

I'm inclined to agree.  And I am so very glad we came.  I'd wanted to meet the people who inspired such loyalty in him and seeing him here, among them....happy.... it was such a poignant moment for me; second only to the birth of our daughter. 

Lachlan Curry had finally come home.

And for the first time ever, he hadn't had to leave anyone behind.               

ANDY

One thing I've noticed is that grownups all get louder when they've been drinking at something like this.

Uncle Jack was pretty loud. But he was laughing a lot and telling stories. 

He told some joke about dogs and watches that he said Uncle Stephen used to say when they were in the Navy. I didn't understand the joke but then I don't think some of the grownups got it either.

Seth fell asleep under the table for a while. Even Uncle Jack laughing at his own joke didn't wake up Seth. But then later, after most of the grownups were up dancing, Seth woke up and started tagging along with me again.

We were going pull a joke of our own on somebody. We tried to think of something to do with Dad but he was dancing with Aunt Faye at the time so we knew he wouldn't like it too much. Now they're sitting over there together with the two babies and there's no way I'm taking the chance we do something that would end up hurting Aidan.

Seth wanted to pull a trick on Lily. But I said no because Mom said I have to be the little man with Lily and, besides, I didn't want to make Lily cry. Not on this night. Not when everyone else seemed to be smiling.

That's something I guess I hadn't thought about until now. 

At our house, we have lots of fun and my parents don't make me worried they'll split up. Lots of kids in my class don't live with their dads; they only live with their moms. I can sometimes think I remember back before my dad lived with us. Mom was different then. But sometimes, I think maybe it's just a bad dream. Like the one I used to have of the witch. I know she doesn't exist, but when I was little, I used to think she did.

When we first got here this week, I didn't really know too many of these people. I knew Uncle Terry and Auntie Ann. I remember seeing some of these people a long time ago, the same time I thought I knew there was a witch. It was really cold; I do remember that. Mom says I met Lily then but she was almost a baby so I don't think I played with her that much then.

I don't remember having this much fun that other time. I don't remember people smiling like they have been, especially tonight.

Maybe I just don't remember it right. But I think I like it better now.

ANN

"Having a good time?"

"Yeah. Hey, come here and dance with your old man. Haven't seen you in a while."

"Only if you promise to hold me close and whisper in my ear."

"You always drive such hard deals."

He looked incredible. He just did. I had watched him at odd times that evening and every single time I just couldn't help noticing his ease and his enjoyment of where he found himself.

"We keep talking about finding our roots. Tell me I'm not the only one who feels like we've finally found them."

"You're not the only one, babes. This is it, then, isn't it? You really want to do it?"

"Everything's going to change. We both know it. But we also both want it." He danced me around under stars and I found myself burrowing in against his sports jacket. It felt safe and steady in his arms. "Terry?"

"Mmm?"

"I never thought I'd feel this way. That we'd have this chance. I have to admit ... I'm a little scared. But I am also so happy we're going to do this. It feels so incredibly right for us."

"You'll be such a good mum."

"I guess you'll be an okay dad."

He started giggling and suddenly spun me in this series of tight turns that took every bit of skill I had to keep up with him. But he's a good dance partner ... he never lets you down if you falter.

When I felt his lips at my ear, I wasn't surprised when he crooned the lyrics of the song that was playing ... soft and low, an intimate moment just for us, in that voice that makes the world disappear ...

Till the end of time, long as stars are in the blue
Long as there's a Spring of birds to sing I'll go on loving you
Till the end of time, long as roses bloom in May
My love for you will grow deeper with every passing day

Till the wells run dry and each mountain disappears
I'll be there for you to care for you through laughter and through tears
So take my heart in sweet surrender and tenderly say that I'm
The one you love and live for till the end of time

"I love when you do that ... you always know how to make me melt."

"I'm good that way, Annie."

"You're such an old softie ... Who'd ever figure you for a Perry Como fan?"

"There's a reason it's a classic. 'Cuz it always works a treat, love. In this case ... also happens to be true."

When the song ran down, I let him lead me off the dance floor and I snuggled in his lap to watch a scene I suppose I'd given up hope seeing here. I lay my head on his shoulder. "This wouldn't really have been possible there."

"Which place has got it better, do you suppose?"

"I don't know that one is maybe better than the other. But I do know this ... I feel like I graduated from there and entered the better place for me." I looked up into his eyes. "I did voluntarily leave there, if you remember, so maybe that says something about how I felt about it. But the important thing is this: here's where I met you. Here's better for me."

"And I'm better for you being here."

"There you go."

"Guess what I did this afternoon while you slept in?"

"I did not sleep until the afternoon! Give me a break."

"Right." He gave me this mock glare. I gave him a little kiss of thanks for carrying me back to the room the night before when I'd had just enough champagne to feel goofy and  totally amorous ... and kept trying to talk him into doing it with me on the beach after the others left the bonfire. "As I was saying ... I was watching you sleep ... did you know you have a most unflattering tendency to snore, by the way?"

"Terry! Why would you say such a thing? You know ladies do not snore. We may purr in our sleep but we do not snore."

"Purr? Like a fucking jackhammer purrs, you mean, mate? ... Hey, now, stop hitting me or I will not tell you the perfectly wonderful thing I did only because I watched you sleep and thought about how much I love you. Stop now."

"Wait ... what's that? You did something wonderful ... for me? Do tell."

"Here in my pocket, I have the phone number of a lawyer in Chechnya who specializes in streamlining the adoption process for people like us. You get my drift, Annie?"

"God. You mean ..."

"That's exactly what I mean."

"How long will it take?"

"Two, three months at the outside."

"So fast? We have so much to do to get ready. We have to find a new place and we have to move and we have to ..."

"We have to enjoy this. We deserve it."

It's true what he once said. He is for real, mate.

LILY

I think I like weddings. When I get married I am going to have it here on Réunion and I shall be the bride. Everyone will be looking at me. I want a dress with jewels all over it and a long, long veil and a big diamond ring. And I want to marry my Daddy. But I also want to marry Andy. Can you marry two boys? My Mum likes Uncle Terry as well as my Dad. I can tell. She always looks a bit shy when she's talking to him; she puts on this funny face that isn't like her. I would quite like to marry Uncle Terry too but I don't think Auntie Ann would let me.

I saw them kissing. Uncle Terry and Auntie Ann were kissing and he was singing in her ear. It was funny. It made me go all wiggly inside like when you watch a movie and they kiss and there is romantic music and Dad says "What is this rubbish? You should go to bed." He always says that. He thinks I don't know about sex. Well, I don't really know about it. But I know that's what grownups do. When you go to bed.

Sex makes babies. Mummy told me. I didn't like all the bits she said. She's having a baby so Dad must have had sex with her and it's a bit disgusting really. But Mum says you like it when you're married. I expect Uncle Jack is going to do that to Auntie Angelique later. That's probably why he's drunk. I bet he's a bit scared he does it wrong or something. Auntie Angelique's from France. That means she does French kissing. Is that the one where the boy puts his willy in your bum or where he puts his tongue in your mouth? I keep getting them mixed up. Maybe Uncle Jack gets it mixed up at well? He gets a lot of things mixed up and talks funny. I think it's because he's a sailor.

Uncle Lachlan and Auntie Faye are always having sex, I think. That must be why they always take their clothes off - I suppose it's easier to do then. They must want a lot of babies. Ella is so pretty. If I was them I'd want another Ella too. She isn't like most babies, all smelly and crying all the time. That's because she's a girl. They're always nicer. Boys are pretty disgusting really. Like Seth and Aidan. I mean, they're cute, but they're always dirty or wetting their pants or playing with insects and worms. I think they get better when they get older. Andy isn't like them. He's cool. I think he's sexy. Mum says I shouldn't say that word so I just think it. But he is sexy. He's really tall and he can do all sorts of things and he always has great ideas. And he looks after me even when I get on his nerves. And he's got hair like gold.

I like Uncle Stephen. He's kind of shy. But he talks a lot if you ask him things although sometimes I don't understand what he's on about. Aunt Julia's nice. She's young. I think she's got great hair. I wish I had hair like that. I bet they get married and have a baby next. They want to have sex, I think. They're always kissing when they think no one's looking. Uncle Dino and Auntie Heather have loads of sex. They've got three children which is a lot and Andy says they'll probably have about ten more because they're always doing it. He says he can hear them but I think he's making that up. I've never heard my Mum and Dad. But then they probably don't do it much. My Daddy wouldn't really like things like that. But he does what he has to. He calls it duty.

I wonder what it sounds like anyway?

It's nice watching everyone. Grown ups can be boring but everyone here is so nice. I think it's because they're happy. I am happy. Every time I see my Mum and Dad I am happy. My Mum went away for a long time but she isn't going away again. At first I used to be scared that she would. I used to wake up at night and creep into their room and make sure she was still there. But Dad always holds her when she sleeps. I think it's so she doesn't get lost again.

It was a bit strange when she came back. I had always wanted a Mummy like other kids. I used to make her up in my head and pretend I remembered things about her. But my real Mummy is even nicer. All my friends say she is really beautiful, like a film star. Which is kind of funny because Dad is a sort of film star. Well, he was in his film. He played Russell Crowe or something. I don't understand it really but Mum says I will when I'm big. They always say that.

I like Mum being here. She is so nice to me. She lets me grow my hair and buy pop magazines but she agrees with Dad about not having my ears pierced. So she is quite strict too. But she tells me stuff that Miss MacAlister won't talk about. And we giggle lots and do fun things. And she loves me and holds me when I'm scared or ill and makes me feel special. But best of all she makes Daddy happy. He always smiles now. He is so handsome when he smiles. Before he only used to smile a bit like when I said something a bit silly or mad. Now he is silly and mad too sometimes. I think Mummy makes him feel like that.

When my brother comes that means there will be four of us. I'm not sure if I want another baby but if it's a boy that's not so bad. I wouldn't like another girl much.  Mum and Dad might prefer her to me. But a boy is different. They are smelly and Daddy likes girls best. He told me. Mummy likes girls best too. She cries sometimes when she puts me to bed. I ask her why and she says because she loves me best in all the world. I like it when she says that. I like her best in all the world. Well, after Daddy, of course.

I like Andy a lot too. 

Liking people makes me happy.

HEATHER

"Hey there, soldier..."  I grinned at Dino who rubbed a hand over his newly shorn hair.  Marine cut.  He looked like a new recruit.  So did Andy.  And Seth.  Dino had come across Andy early this morning after he'd taken a pair of scissors to his hair.  It just broke my heart.  Lily had told him over and over how she wanted to marry her Daddy.  And Uncle Terry.  Despite Andy's very vocal protests to the contrary, he didn't like being left off that list and figured maybe it was because his hair was the wrong color.  So he tried to cut it off.

I had no idea what Dino was planning when he took them all to the barber... but he'd just poked Andy out of the way so he could be first, plopped down into the chair with a grin and ordered up a Marine special so his son wouldn't feel so self conscious at the wedding.  After seeing that, Andy and Seth were fighting each other to be next.  He is such a good father.  And I have to admit, seeing him looking like some Marine recruiting poster sure did give my libido a charge.  But that was nothing to the charge it gave my heart to see the kind of man he was for our boys. 

I smiled at him and couldn't quite keep my fingers from tickling over his nape to feel the soft bristly stubble the clippers had left behind.  I melted.  He grinned.  "Hey there, honey.... I got a little shore leave.... on a pass, you know?"  He pulled me into his arms and onto the dance floor with one of his goofy little winks.  "You support our troops, baby?  Cos I know of this one poor soldier who hasn't held a pretty girl in his arms for so long...."  He nuzzled my neck and then spun me around.  "...and it's even his birthday, too...."  He is so shameless.

"Oh yeah?"  We swayed gently to the beat.  "I'm pretty sure that soldier you mentioned got a really nice birthday present this morning... in the arms of a pretty girl, no less."

"Well....yeah.  But he's a greedy bastard."  He chuckled softly into my ear and kissed me tenderly.  It was intimate but not lewd and we slipped easily from that silly teasing to something soft and warm.  It was a special time for us.  Things had been really good between us for a while now, but even that had changed for the better since coming to this place. 

I had a wonderful husband who was my friend and lover and partner and father to our children.  And now we had stepped even deeper into that, steeping ourselves in the heart of what we were to each other as we tried to turn the beautiful thing that happens in each other's arms into the divine spark of life. 

It was such a sweet and soft time for us.  We were closer than we ever had been.  Andy had been a gift given to us both, a child of our hearts- if not our bodies.  We'd tried for more than a year to have Seth and he'd come of the one night Dino touched me in anger, distraught by our failures and in the grip of some dark spell.  Aidan had been unplanned but most certainly not unwanted; the result of the passion and love we felt for each other.  And a condom that had slipped, though every time we held Aidan, we both couldn't help but be thankful for that. 

Now things were different.  We were different.  We'd struggled through so much to get to this place.  And I knew there were times in the future where we would struggle again.  But for now, we were free to revel in this special time of heightened intimacy we had bought with our own suffering.  There were no guarantees it would all work out this time.  The idea of making a baby here was romantic, but we'd already learned our lesson on that score.  And being here, among the others, only drove that home to us in a way that was incredibly personal.

We can't choose who we love.  They are who they are and we accept them into our lives no matter how they see fit to join our family.  No one can say what the future holds, but as I danced in my husband's strong arms and thought of my past, I knew this.  We are nurtured and we grow.  We suffer life storms and are stronger for it.  Over time, what was delicate and fragile flourishes and becomes established and hearty.

For me, it is simple.  I am finally grown up.  I am ripe with life and love where I was once just a girl, green on the vine.      

ANDY

They were all toasting again.  Sheesh.  This time it was my Dad's turn.  He let Seth bang a spoon against his glass to get everyone's attention.  I wanted to do it but he said I had to wait.  That I could do it on Mom's glass when it was her turn.  Sometimes being the big brother really stinks.  But still I laughed when he had to pry the spoon away from Seth cos he wouldn't stop banging.

"Must be a family trait."  That was Uncle Terry.  His comment made everyone laugh, but I'm not sure why.  My Dad just laughed and said "Well, yeah."  He says that a lot.  He told me it's cos Mom thinks it's cute and that it gets him out of trouble.  I'm not so sure.  I think he does it just to make her smile.

My Dad stood up.  "On this most auspicious day.... my birthday..."  Everyone laughed and he raised his glass to Uncle Jack and Aunt Angelique, "...may I wish you both an abundance of children...."  Then he laughed.  ".... all with red hair."  My Dad says it's the best color.   I'm not sure about that either.  Lily doesn't like it.  But what does she know?  She's just a dumb girl.  She doesn't make any sense either.  She cried when she saw my buzz cut and yelled at me for cutting off all my pretty hair.  Pretty hair?  Boys don't have pretty hair.  Especially tough boys like me.  All the adults were laughing at what my Dad said and they laughed even harder when he added: "Angelique, honey... you can see me later for the secret ingredient."

Everyone else laughed.  Uncle Jack called Dad a 'scurvy dog'.  Then Uncle Lachie got up and said a poem.  And then Uncle Stephen got up and started talking about love.  That's when I left. 

My Dad found me outside, playing in the sand under a tree.  Well, I wasn't really playing.  I was thinking.    

"Hey, buddy... what's up?"

I poked a stick into the sand.  I'd been doing a lot of thinking.  "What's love, Dad?"

"That's a good question."  He sat down in the sand next to me.  I gave him a stick so he could play too.  "All this love talk got you thinking?"

I nodded.  "Yeah."  

"Well, the truth is love is pretty tricky, even for grown-ups."  That's the thing that's cool about my Dad.  He always tells me the truth when we talk.  You know.  Man to man.  "Love can mean different things to different people."

"It can?"  He nodded at me but didn't make me feel all weird or anything.  He just kept poking his stick into the sand and drawing circles and stuff.  "What's it mean to you, Dad?"

That made him smile.  "For me?  It means that I put someone else's feelings before my own.  That I think of their happiness first."  His smile got kind of mysterious just then.  "But there's this special thing that kind of happens when it's real love.  Somehow, making that other person happy makes you happy inside too."

I thought that over.  "What else?"

He shook his head.  "Let's see here.... Well, being with that person makes you feel good and you think about them when you're far away.  And if you're really lucky, even while you're trying real hard to make them happy, they're trying just as hard to do the same for you."  And then he smiled.  "And you appreciate the things they sacrifice for you, buddy.  Like your Mom.  Having babies and raising them is hard work.  It's hard for you to appreciate now, but someday you'll understand when you have a wife of your own."

"I'm never gonna get married."

He laughed.  "I'll remember that, pal."  Now, don't think I'm a baby or anything, but I cuddled up close to my Dad just then.  He's real strong and it feels good when he hugs me tight and when I hold his big hand.  Just so long as nobody sees us.  I like it how he does it.  He hugs me rougher than Mom does and he doesn't try to fix my hair when he messes it up either.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, buddy?"  

"How do you know if you love a girl?  How did you know you loved Mom?"

I felt his chest rumble when he laughed.  "Well, I saw her and it felt like I was gonna hurl."  

"What?"

He laughed again.  "I told you it was tricky.  Girls can do strange things to a boy.  When I saw her, I felt something tickly here,"  He tapped my head.  "And here."  He poked a finger over my heart.  "And here too."  He poked my belly and made me laugh and squirm away.  He's strong though and I didn't try too hard to get away. 

"In your belly?  Really?  Like the time I swallowed that cricket?"

He laughed really hard then.  "Kind of.  Only it's a lot better than that.  And you don't get sick afterwards.  It feels more like when you spin around really fast or when you win a tough race or when you do something really scary and it turns out okay or when you pull a really, really good prank and get away with it."

"As good as all that stuff?"

"Better."  And then he ruffled my hair and let me squirm away, even though I could tell he still wanted to hug me.  And his eyes were kind of wet.  He told me that was okay too.  That sometimes even really tough old guys cried when they had a good reason.  "That answer your questions?"

"Yeah.  I still don't want to get married though."

He snorted.  "Course not.  You can't fall in love till you finish school, anyway.  It's like a rule or something.  Until then, you just want to be pals.... besides, girls have cooties.  Especially girls like Lily."

The stick I was digging with broke.  I dusted off my hands on my pants.  "Does Mom give you cooties?"

He laughed and hauled me up really fast, throwing me up high and then catching me with a big grin.  "Oh yeah.... all the time.  That's why my hair's red."

"Why's mine red then?"

"Cos you're lucky."

"Dad!"

"Heh.  Well, that's the real mystery, now isn't it?  When you figure that one out, pal, let me know and we can compare notes."  Mom is right.  Dad is a goof.  And he's also pretty cool. 

I want to be just like him when I grow up.         

UMA

He's been in a strange mood today. Not a bad mood or anything - very much to the contrary. But since he woke up this morning, Maximus has been pensive and far away at times. I know most people think he has a fierce single-minded concentration and he is not easily distracted and that, of course, is true, but there is a very poetic side to him which is given at times to reverie. He mostly suppresses this trait and regards it as rather a feeble side of his nature, one that he tries to conceal - but it has its way of stealing up and catching him unawares. What has never occurred to him is that it is, of all his many wonderful qualities, the most wonderful of all.

I think I know what has caused him to be this way today. He is simply overjoyed by the place we have found ourselves in - and joy is something which he finds hard to deal with. I can hardly blame him. Life has taught him that moments of happiness are carefully rationed and are often granted to him at great cost. He guards those times warily, always looking behind him for the evil spirit stalking. It is my life's work to keep those nightmares at bay and let him luxuriate in a sense of freedom and safety.

But I will never change his nature.

He is a sentimental man, much given to emotion whether or not he is willing to show it to the world at large. I see it when he speaks of Lily or watches her or reads the little stories that she writes. His eyes are full of wonder and innocence, those eyes that have seen such monstrous things and witnessed such cruelty and brutality, pain and suffering, can be made to mist over when he sees his little girl dance in her ballet class or clear a jump on her pony. Every time his hands touch my body and he feels our son quicken beneath his strong palm, I observe the overwhelming elation that this brings to him. Imagine a man who was once in the jaws of death, alone and abused, his family brutally tortured and killed - and here he is, aeons later, blessed with a chance to start again.

Would that I was worthy of his love! I shall try to be. For I know I have it, however little I deserve it from him.

All day he has watched the others in his intense way and I am sure I can divine what is taking place in his mind. I think he is beginning to believe that all may be right in this world after all, that the gods might just love us and that in the end merit brings its own reward.

For Jack

For Lachlan.

For Dino

For Stephen

For Terry

And even for himself.

"You seem pensive..." Maximus leaned over and nuzzled at my ear, his hands slipping to my stomach as they always did these days.

"Me? I was thinking you were the one who had been rather quiet! Thoughtful..."

He nodded. "We have much to think on. I was thinking of our wedding day and how perfect it had been. I hope Jack and Angelique find what we have discovered together. I would wish that on all those I love..." he murmured, voice deep and low so that only I could hear.

"I pray they never have to test each other as we have done..." I whispered back, sending up a prayer to the gods to protect them on this night and for evermore.

At that he shrugged and gave a deep sigh. "Who knows what the gods bring us? All we can do is live each day as if it were our last, and make sure that we never waste a single moment on pointless might-have-beens..." Sometimes he has the facility to simply put the world in a nutshell and say something that sounds as if it has never been said quite like that before. "And speaking of wasting time. Our daughter is watching Jack and his fireworks, which gives us a few moments to ourselves. May I take you for a gentle stroll on the beach by moonlight? I wish to remind you of what you mean to me."

He took my hand and we slipped away, leaving the laughter and the lights behind us. He walked by my side, relaxed for once, his arm thrown around my shoulder, just like all the other lovers out and about in the warm night air. But like no other man. I turned to gaze upon him and caught him stealing a glance at me, his eyes reflecting the shimmer of the dark waters as the waves slapped lazily upon the shore.

"Do you know how much I love you?" he whispered. Then he knelt down and picked up a handful of the sand, letting it slip through his fingers as he quoted from that ancient poem. ".. I might just as well count each grain of sand in Africa, or the shining stars in the heavens above..."

I laughed out loud at his words. "You are such an old romantic, Maximus! Thank God for romantic fools!" I exclaimed and he rose and held me close in his arms, reaching to kiss me as the first explosion of fireworks lit up the night.

We watched as one particularly impressive starburst arced above us. "Maximus...I wish I could tell you how much I love you. I wish there was a way to say what I feel for you inside but everything I try to say seems too shallow or hackneyed. I just don't think there ever has been, or ever will be, another man like you. I don't even know why you love me. But I know you do. And until the end of time, I shall love you...even though that sounds pretty stupid, like some pop song that Lily would sing or something..." I giggled.

He slipped his arm around my waist and whispered into my ear. "It is more than I ever hoped for. More than I ever dreamed possible. We are only human. All we have are the limits of our human tongue to try and express the moments when the divine touches our lives. You are my goddess. I am your god. Together we make the world..." and he touched his son in love and wonder to show me that each and everyone of us is imbued with immortality through our progeny.

"The other night, the women spoke of where they had conceived their children. There were some beautiful stories. Then I thought of Lily...made on the floor of our hallway when neither of us could restrain ourselves, and this child...in that awful place and you so full of bitterness..."

He placed a finger on my lips. "Hush...whatever we were doing our children were both made in love. It was love, wild tempestuous love, that drove everything we did together. Even the mistakes we made, were made because we loved too deep, too intensely..." he stopped and smiled to himself. "I named Lily and I wanted you to choose our son's name when he is born - but I had an idea the other day. When I was watching us all together and saw the future generations we had all made..."

"You thought of a name for him? What name?" I asked curiously. Such things have almost sacred significance to Maximus and I would not take lightly this revelation.

"Benedict."

I smiled softly and teased him. "The Americans will struggle with that name!"

"Why?" he asked, his eyebrow cocked in wry amusement.

"Because it is the name of a famous American traitor. Benedict Arnold. But don't worry...it has no such meaning for me. It is a beautiful name...what does it mean to you, Maxime?" I called him in the Latin way, an endearment that I use sparingly but which suggests indulgence and love to us both.

"Blessed. He whom the gods bless...for I believe the time for sorrow is at an end and we are among the favoured ones, here in the Isles of the Blessed..."  He blushed slightly and looked away, as if a little embarrassed even with me at the revealing of his heart so patently.

My eyes filled with tears as I pressed my hands over his that were still resting on my swollen belly. "Benedict. It is a good name. A strong name." At that moment another shower of stars burst high above us and the oooohs and ahhhhhs of the children could be heard across the beach. Maximus looked upwards and followed the trail. "An auspicious sign. Jupiter approves..." he teased and then his eyes danced mischievously as he took my hand in his. "Tonight, I shall be the firework in your night sky...' he spoke in florid vein, aware that he was being trite and cheesy, laughing at himself. "And I shall show you why you said yes to me. Again and again and again...but not yet...not yet...."

As his deep voice trailed away into the night, he took my hand, raised it to his lips and kissed then drew me into him to walk back to the others and finish off the night. What a prospect! The delight and warmth of our family on this auspicious evening to be followed by torrid passion on a glorious night!

Who could ask for anything more?

ANDY

My dad let me have a taste of his drink tonight. He's let me sip his beer once or twice when I asked him why he liked it. But he says I'm old enough now that it's time I learn something about Irish whiskey so he handed me his glass and told me to take a sip.

It was foul. I choked and my throat hurt.

That's the first lesson on Irish whiskey, Dad told me. You have to wait until you're a lot older to drink it and not have it taste so bad.

He told me that when it was time for me to drink it again for real, he'd tell me. Just like he said he'd tell me when I could like girls and take them out on dates like Uncle Stephen is taking Miss Julia on a date tonight. Dad says I have to wait until I'm 18 or maybe until I'm 30 if I'm lucky.

Thank God.

Can you imagine having to like girls? Or to have to sit with them and listen to them? Or to have to kiss them and pretend you like it? Or to have to dance with them as if you're having a good time when you'd rather be playing football or something normal instead of being a sissy?

I mean, what's in it for me to do that?

ANGELIQUE

"Do you know that when you looked at me and recited your vows ... Jack, I have never in my life been in love like this. I adore you."

"I would adore you all the days of my life ... I would not mind beginning now, if you catch my meaning, my little dear."

"Jack! We cannot ... our guests ... your family ... Jack ... have mercy on me, cherí... mercy ... no! Don't stop!"

"Shall we away, Mrs. Aubrey? Will you give leave to your groom to take his wedding privileges? Or must he take them by force?"

"Cherí ..."

All these long days and longer nights ... my fast was about to be broken ... it would have been so very rude, but I would have allowed Jack to talk me into abandoning our reception ...

Except ...

Oh, how unkind circumstances can conspire against lovers who are most desperate ...

Andy, Lily and Seth bounded around the corner of the cabana and if not for their shrieks of childish delight at being free of parental oversight, we might not have been able to stop in time. Jack had me pinned against the wall by then and my dress had somehow been hiked up to mid-thigh and his hands ... And that is not even mentioning what his mouth was even then engaged in undoing.

When we heard their noise, we broke apart as quickly as we could. Thankfully! Because Maximus came round the corner, no doubt checking on the children's welfare ... and I do not think Maximus is the sort to take kindly to amorous displays before his daughter.

He frowned mightily at us ... I am sure he saw me straightening my dress and Jack's high color and ... perhaps other evidence of what we might have been feeling at that moment.

We greeted him as jovially as we could, considering our frustration ... when at last we were alone again, perhaps the mood's change had sobered us. Jack took my hand and raised it to his lips.

"My wife," he whispered. "No sweeter words to me."

"My husband," I whispered back. "No sweeter man to me."

"I will love you forever and even that will not be long enough."

"I shall love you as if my next breath depends upon it ... for it does, cherí, it truly does."

"After the fireworks, Angelique ... our official departure from these festivities? And then, my little dear, I shall endeavor to create still more fireworks within our wedding chamber."

Special memories, like these, are worth living your whole life just to create.

Now ... don't say that wasn't fun!

ANDY

The fireworks were cool. I like the way they are so loud and the ladies all jump when they go off. These were a bigger kind than the ones Dad sets off on July Fourth. I asked Dad why Uncle Jack's was bigger than his was but he put his hand over my mouth and told me not to say that so loud in case Uncle Terry or Uncle Lachlan heard me.

Every once and a while, I watched Lily when the fireworks were going off. I thought maybe she'd be scared but I should have known better. She doesn't seem to get scared too easy. I bet it's because her dad lets her hold his sword or something. Her dad doesn't really like me very much. You should see the way he looked at me when I was standing by Lily when the biggest fireworks started going off.

I was only standing by her because ... well, I mean, she's been pretty nice to me and all. Mom said we wouldn't have too many more nights before we'd be leaving this island.

Lily let me kiss her tonight. Back behind the cabana. Usually she's trying to get a kiss off me but this time, she just stood real still after I said I wanted to see what it felt like to do this. I mean, I've kissed my mom and stuff, but I hadn't ever really kissed a girl. Not on the mouth like that.

She smells good. Lily, I mean, not my mom. Well, my mom smells good, too, yeah. Well, she's my mom and I think she has to smell good. Sometimes she doesn't, like when she's been cleaning up after Aidan. But when she gets all dressed up like she is tonight, then she smells really good. But Lily smells different. Still good, but different. I asked her tonight why she smells like she does but she punched me in the arm. I told her I wasn't picking on her but she got all sniffling and stuff. Like I hurt her feelings and no matter what I said, it didn't do no good.

Not until I told her I wanted to kiss her but only if she stood still and let me.

Which she did.

It felt ... I dunno. I hope Uncle Terry's right, though, about girl cooties.

Because I think I got some from Lily. But I didn't really mind so much, mate.

She's okay. For a girl.

But she kind of thinks funny. You know? Like after I kissed her, she said to me that she asked her dad about why Uncle Stephen and that woman were kissing so much.

"My dad says they're going to get married, that that's what you do when you feel that way about each other."

"Uncle Stephen's not getting married."

"I bet he will. They're always kissing. And he bought her a three-scoop ice cream. I bet they get married next."

"No way."

"Yeah. And you know what else?" She reached over and took my hand. I was going to take it back but she'd just let me kiss her so I thought maybe I shouldn't. "We're going to be next after them."

"No way."

"I let you kiss me, Andy. Plus, you bought me five scoops of ice cream, remember? That means we have to get married. We can do it after Uncle Stephen gets finished."

"Shut up! You don't know anything. I'm never getting married. Ever. And if I do, it won't be to some smelly girl named Lily."

Girls, huh? Who needs 'em anyway?

LACHLAN

And so it came to pass that a few words on a wedding invitation put into motion something quite extraordinary.  Reunion.... in every possible meaning of the word.  It wasn't the stuff of magic or fairytales.  This time there were no dark princes or evil witches or maidens under a spell.  Nobody was under a spell.  I reckon that was the point.  We were all just a bunch of men and women who'd got where we were from bloody hard work and the sweat of our own brow.  All of us had suffered and struggled, wrestled with our darkest demons and managed to make something new and good from the ashes of the old.

I guess it's a bit like dancing with disappointment and surprise.  Without the darkness, there is no light.  Fair dinkum.  What a place for the sun to finally shine on all of us.  Paradise.  It wasn't just a gorgeous holiday we found here; it was our place in the greater scheme of things.  We had woven a new tapestry from the tatters of the old and secured for ourselves, and more importantly for our children, an extended family that would only grow stronger over time.

And grow it did, in number as well as strength.

We welcomed a handsome little bloke called Benedict North that year followed by Gregori Dean Thorne, adopted from Chechnya, and sweet Seana O'Leary, apple of her Mum's eye... who also happened to be the first of the babies to be conceived on Réunion.  But certainly not the last. 

The following January, some of us returned to Réunion.  Julia and Stephen Maturin were happily settled in a modest home they'd purchased after deciding to make the island their permanent residence, but I'd wager the pair of them had given up the study of birds and bugs for that of anatomy if her gently rounded belly was anything to go by.... though the good Captain seemed to have him beat.  He and Angelique had certainly not lost a moment.  Her belly was swollen and ripe and her face was so round and soft, glowing with motherhood and pride in her husband.  You couldn't look at them and not smile.  And then there was my Faye.  That year we left the island with one extra passenger.  In her flat little belly was the second baby I'd given her on a sandy windswept beach.

Over time, taking a holiday there became habit.... at first it was an impromptu gathering of families that seemed to happen more by the way of my old mate luck than by any sort of planning, but as the years passed, we took to organizing it a bit better; cards sent round and made reservations at the same hotel, always scheduled for the same few weeks every January.

Not all the families came every year.  Some couldn't make it.  Some preferred a more private holiday now and again.  There were some new faces, too, as time rolled on.  Hando turned up out of the blue with Jodi and their children one year.  Colin's ex-wife came with their two little girls and her new husband Richard.  When my boys were old enough to know the truth, I brought them. 

There were other new faces as more men crossed, but it was the core group of us who'd been at Jack's wedding that almost always returned year after year.  What a way to mark the passage of time.  The women changed as they bore and raised our children.  We changed as we bore the rudeness of life on our broad shoulders to keep it from touching the ones we loved.  Our children changed.  Grew.  Bottles and nappies were exchanged for homework and music lessons and footy practice.... which became school dances and driving lessons and graduation.

It felt good to share it amongst friends.  Some got fatter, others thinner.  Gray began to touch our hair and we got laugh lines and crow's feet from smiling at the unexpected places life took us from one moment to the next.  Circles within circles, unbroken.  And we all made golden moments together on the sandy beaches of Réunion, sharing the sorrow of disappointment and the joy of surprise as the years passed. 

We laughed and loved and lived... and watched over the next generation as it came of age.  My boys, now strapping young lads, began crying off, wanting to spend their holidays with their mates, as footloose as I was at their age.  Lily went off to University.  Andy turned up one year, a young Marine fresh from boot camp, as wild his father ever had been- with an eye for the ladies and a warning from the General that he'd lose more than his hands if he sniffed round Lily. 

But then, the heart, well... it's a funny old thing.  Never listens to reason.  At least mine never has.  Thank God.  Two summers later, Réunion's sun set on a new pair of young lovers. 

A fairytale ending?  

Not quite.  But that's a story for another time.

Life went on... and then one morning over tea, Faye slipped a letter into my hand as she'd once done so many years ago, and as I opened it, I had the sense that things had truly come full circle.  For those of us who crossed into this place, it was an unexpected wedding invitation that put our reunion in motion.  And as I held the embossed paper in my fingers, I realized the torch had passed to those who had been born into this place.             

But then, we'd all come to realize that Réunion had never been about endings for any of us.  It had always been about beginnings.  Hope.  Friendship.  Love.