We are Family...

"Can’t you sit down and take a breather for five minutes?" Max asked as his feet were lifted from the coffee table to allow Ceri to dust it for the fifth time in ten minutes. "Baby, there can’t be another speck of dust in the entire valley, let alone in the house. You’ve been at it since dawn."

Ceri sat on the edge of the sofa and patted Max’s knew subconsciously. Max was looking at her over the top of his glasses and she smiled, loving the way he looked at her like that. "I’m sorry, lover. I just want everything to be perfect when they arrive."

Max reached across to give her a hug. "After their long flight, and Ed not being 100% yet, I would think the first thing they will want to do is rest up before they come calling. We’ve made sure the house is stocked up with everything they need, so I doubt Bronwyn will need to ask us for a cup of sugar just yet."

Ceri put her feather duster down and hugged him back, kissing him soundly before leaning back into his embrace. "Why are you always right, you smug sod?" she asked, wriggling around until she got comfy. "Bron will think her sister’s a changeling if I make it too tidy, she spent our early years always having to step over my mess. I wonder when they’ll get here?"

"Depends if they’re driving up, I would imagine. Do you think Ed would be up for that long a drive?"

"I would have to say no. I hope they got the shuttle up to Coffs, a 30 minute drive would be much better for him wouldn’t it. Oh, max. I do hope he’s going to be okay." Tears came into Ceri’s eyes as she turned to bury her face in Max’s chest.

"Hey, none of that, love. What say we take a walk down to the pub. I need to say hello to my girlfriend."

Ceri giggled as she punched him playfully on the shoulder. He’d taken to little Brooklyn as soon as they’d met her and her parents. She didn’t realise he liked kids that much, but she had to admit that Brook was one in a million, and she seemed to like Max as much as he liked her.

They spent more time than they had planned in the pub, talking to Steve and Millie, and meeting their new sheriff. They ended up ordering a bar meal to tide them over until their planned evening meal, and were still sitting on the front porch of the boarding house as the sun sank down towards the horizon.

Arm in arm, they walked slowly back to their place, and as they reached the house on the rise, they both looked down towards the lake and the house they’d had built ready for Bron and Ed’s arrival. There was a car parked very close to the building and lights on in a couple of the rooms. Ceri squealed in delight.

"Max, they’re here!!" They watched as the light went off, leaving the sun’s deep red reflection on the lake. Let them sleep, she thought, we’ll welcome them tomorrow after they’re rested.

Max kissed her gently as he opened the door and carried her inside.