For All Eternity

Communication

"Are we there yet?" An excited voice from the back of the car asked, as it turned off Bussell Highway.

"5 minutes maybe," Dianne said, taking hold of the Englishman's hand, as it started to shake.

"You excited Connie?" Andrew asked, looking in the rearview mirror.

"Bery. I habn't seen Rina and Mark in ages. And I never met Mia and Billy and Brendan and Annie ever."

"That's good, you'll see them tomorrow," he replied. Connie looked over to see if her Daddy was as excited as she was but saw that he was currently getting a hug from Mummy.

"Otay Daddy?"

"Yeah sweetheart, very excited," Joe said, patting her head, sitting up straighter, as the car came to a slow, finally stopping outside a stilted house that had flowers and plants all over the balcony and patio.

"We're here Connie," Dianne said, opening the car door, getting out. As she did she turned her face to the sun and inhaled deeply, a familiar scent of incredible italian food mixed with botanical heaven enveloped her.

This was it- she was home.

"Dot!" A pair of familiar arms wrapped around her tightly, causing her to stumble into the car slightly. She relaxed into them, biting back tears, now, she felt, was not the time to delve into their past few days.

"Hiya mum, how are ya?" She said, as her mum pulled back to look at her face.

"I'm doing very well. How are you? You look tired," she said. Dianne was very used to her mum stating things with little filter- apparently it was what came with being half Italian. You get amazing food but have to deal with the brutal honesty.

"We had a tough day yesterday. And we've both been working none stop. We'll be okay though won't we Joseph," Dianne said, holding her hand out for Joe who had just popped a suddenly shy Connie onto his hip.

"We will. Hi Rina, how are you?" He said, feeling Dianne take Connie off him, as he hugged her.

"Much better for having all of my kids in one place. Hi Connie," Rina waved, catching her daughter planting a kiss on Connie's cheek.

"Hi Rina," she said quietly, returning the wave.

"Oh you've gone all shy, where's Dad, Mum?" Dianne asked, as Rina hugged Mel and Andrew.

"Working my sweet. He'll be back in gosh, only about an hour. Do you want to come in get settled? Connie I believe that Mark's left you an ice lolly in our freezer," Rina said, as Joe began busying himself with the cases.

"Hmm, what flavour?" She was a little louder this time, still attached to Dianne's side.

"Ooh quite a few. Come on chuck, I'll show ya," Rina waved, already on the steps.

"Do you want to go with Rina and Mel Con, Mummy and I will be just up. Okay? That's it good girl," Joe said, seeing his daughter timidly holding onto Rina's hand.

"Here, I'll take them, I know you two want five minutes," Andrew said, taking Joe and Dianne's cases from their hands.

"You alright?" Dianne asked, as soon as Andrew was out of earshot. The answer was obvious but it seemd to ne the only thing she could think of to break the ice.

"Nervous. Ready and stuff, but really really nervous. A bit sort of fuzzy too. You?" Joe asked.

"A little worried. Are you okay now you didn't sleep great?" Dianne asked, stroking his face.

"Yes, tired but that's a standard. I'm going to email Lillian see if she'll do a session with me. I think I need it. I wasn't expecting to feel like this being with you but I do. Which is frustrating. I just want it to be a happy Christmas," Joe said, putting her hand on hers, an overwhelming feeling of relief that he had her close when he was feeling like this washing over him.