Hedges passed in a green blur, interspersed with the odd break which revealed a field full of sheep or cows. The isolated roads meant there were no traffic jams and incidentally no possible delays between her and the reunion she was about to have. Betsy had put this off for too long.

Claire stared out of the window before absently commenting, "I can't wait to see Nathan Senior."

Betsy hummed.

"You know how much I love Nathan Senior. His son on the other hand."

Betsy frowned at her big sister. "Claire, you know it wasn't his fault. We grew apart. Losing Peter was something neither of us could come back from."

"No, he abandoned you. Call it what you will." She sniffed and dragged her gaze away from the window. "If something like that happened with this pregnancy, I would expect Ian to be patient and support me through it. Not run off and find someone else to fulfill his fantasies of being a father."

Betsy rubbed at her tired eyes, regretting the mascara she had applied. She pulled out her phone and flicked on the camera. She groaned. Black smears covered the delicate skin beneath her eyes. She rubbed at the black streaks but they only got worse.

Dropping her phone back to her lap with a sigh, she looked over at her sister.

"It wasn't like that and you know it. I was in a dark place. And so was he. We couldn't look one another in the eyes without one of us falling apart." She stated, before staring resolutely at the back of seat in front of her. "It was a mutual decision to separate. It was a mutual decision to get a divorce."

"Mutual decision? As if. You forget I was right there watching you go through it all. No, you decided to separate to heal. And while you were trying to get your life back together, he went and knocked up another woman." Claire replied angrily, her hands bunching into fists in her lap.

"Look Claire, I love you but you were not a part of the marriage. You don't know everything that went on." Betsy replied coolly, her own hands fisted within her lap. "He didn't do anything wrong. It was me, okay? I'm the one who wanted to get separated. He didn't.I'm the one who wanted to get divorced."

"After he had knocked up his bit on the side."

Betsy shook her head. "He tried to keep us together but I couldn't do it."

"You're just saying that so I don't hate him."

Betsy sighed softly, her head dropping down in the process. "The truth is, I had already started to fall out of love with him before I got pregnant with Peter. I thought it was just cold feet. And then when I got pregnant, I was so happy, we both were. But the cracks were still there."

Silence filled the car for solid minute. Betsy had pressed both of her hands over her eyes, guilt and shame warring for dominance within her. It felt good to admit the truth. She hadn't even confessed everything to Nick, or even to Nathan. She had wanted to protect him. It had been almost to easier to blame all of their problems on the loss of her son.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Claire asked quietly, turning the radio off so there was nothing to fill the silence between them.

Betsy shook her head and blinked back the tear that wanted to fall. "Because I didn't want to admit that I was a failure. Not to you. You told me not to rush into a wedding. You said we were too young. But after mum and dad —. I didn't listen. I thought I knew better. We would be together forever and you would know how wrong you were. And yet it was me who ruined everything."

"Don't say that."

"Why not? It's the truth." Betsy sighed and rubbed a tired hand down her face. "I didn't want you to think less of me. A part of me could pretend it wasn't my fault if I kept it all to myself. All it did was make me hate myself."

The car slowed as the car turned onto a pebbled driveway. The stones crunched under the weight of the car. It made the knots in Betsy's stomach tighten.

"You can't blame yourself for this. You can't control who you do and don't love." Claire stated as the chauffeur driven car pulled to a stop. "I mean, of all people you fell in love with Nick."

"Claire!"

"What, it's the truth. You could have picked anyone but you went for him."

"It just happened." Betsy stated. "But I'm glad it did."

"I am too." Claire replied, reaching out to take Betsy's hand. "Are you ready for this?"

Betsy glanced out the window as the front door to the large sprawling cottage pulled open. An older man stood on the stoop and was waving enthusiastically at her. The knot in her stomach loosened at the sight.

"I'm ready."

Claire squeezed her hand in response. "Did I even tell you how proud of you I am?"

Betsy squeezed her sister's hand in return. "Occasionally. I'm proud of you too. You've been there for me through everything." She replied. "I love you."

"I love you too." Claire murmured, her hand coming down to rub at the slight swell of her stomach.

"Let's go in. I can't put this off any longer."

"If you're sure."

Betsy nodded her head. "I am."

The walk up to the front door felt like the longest walk of her life but the welcoming smile on Nathan Sr.'s face was enough to dissipate the last of the tension. Taking a deep breath, Betsy smiled back at the older man. And he did look older. It was like the last year had pressed fast forward on the aging process. There were more lines on his face and his entire frame sagged with fatigue. Yet, despite it all, the smile on his face was just as bright as she remembered.

Nathan opened his arms and Betsy swiftly closed the space between them. She stepped into his hug, her arms coming to wrap around his body. Betsy sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. She had forgotten how much she missed his hugs.

"Welcome home." Nathan murmured, squeezing her tighter for a moment before stepping back. "And is that Claire?"

Betsy stepped aside and allowed her sister to get wrapped up into a brief hug.

"It's good to see you again, Nathan." Claire said, resting her hand on her stomach.

"And it's good to see you too. Now let's go inside. It's far too cold to be stood on the doorstep like we're strangers." The older man said, stepping to the side in order for them to pass.

Betsy allowed her sister to proceed her into the house so that she could take it all in. It still felt the same as it had before. A home away from home. From the familiar fluffy cream carpets and wood paneled walls in the hallway, nothing had changed. At least nothing much.

Her feet led her to the wall of photos. They were a tribute to the Markson family. Her fingers reached up and touched the glass photo still hanging on the wall.

"I'm surprised you still have this one hanging up." Betsy murmured, her fingers lingering on the white dress. It was strange to see a younger and much happier version of herself. It felt as if she was looking at a complete stranger. So much had happened since then. The person in that photo had no idea of the hell she would have to walk through.

"You and my son may have separated but you will always be a member of this family." Her ex-father in law stated, coming to stand beside her. "I will always be grateful for how happy you made him."

Betsy smiled and allowed her feet to carry her along the hallway. She knew what she would see. It was a fight to lift her eyes from the carpet to stare at the photos hanging on the wall. But there it was. Her ex-husband, his new partner, and their baby. It was a picture of perfection. They looked happy.

"They look perfect together." Betsy commented quietly, her eyes drawn to her ex-husband's face.

She was surprised at how much she didn't feel about him. She had expected to feel something more at the sight of his new family. But she didn't. They had spent years together and yet all that remained was a platonic affection and most of all guilt. She had hurt him so much. That guilt would linger for a long time. Yet she could see that he had still managed to make it through and find his own happiness.

"They seem to be doing okay." Nathan commented, coming to stand at her side. "Their relationship is very different to what you had with him. But they make it work."

"I'm glad. He deserves to be happy."

"And what about you." The older man asked, pulling her into a one armed hug.

"I'm working on it." Betsy replied, reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear. Before she could drop it back down, a strong but lined hand gently took hold.

Betsy glanced down at her hand in his hold and the gleaming ring wrapped around her finger.

"Is it that Davenport chap?" Nathan Sr asked, staring at the gem with raised brows.

She nodded as he released her hand. He smiled and gestured them to follow him. He led them into the lounge, quickly settling into his favourite armchair. It had once been a vibrant emerald green but time and use has worn away the bright colouring. He still refused to replace it.

"I was surprised when I saw that you were involved with this Davenport man. The things in the paper did not paint him in the best light."

Betsy opened her mouth to argue but he continued before she could get a word out. "It made perfect sense after I asked around about him. He's a good man."

Betsy's lips tilted up into an unconscious smile. "He is. He's a brilliant father and he's different to what the newspapers print." She took a seat on the sofa. It dipped a moment later as Claire took a seat beside her.

"That's good. You deserve happiness." The older man stated.

Nathan adjusted the cushion behind him and leaned back with a tired groan. His eyes fluttered shut for a few moments.

A frown appeared on Betsy's face. "Is everything okay?"

Nathan lifted his eyes and offered a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. Just getting old. I had the flu and it's just taken me longer than I would like to bounce back."

"You're still young to me." Betsy replied before leaning forward in her seat. "Though if you're still not better soon, please go and see your doctor. You can never be too careful."

"My son said the same thing." Nathan replied with a wave of his hand. "You children worry far too much. I'll be fine."

Betsy exchanged a glance with her sister but let the matter drop. Instead she clasped her hands on her lap and allowed her eyes to wander. "It's all the same."

The older man glanced around and nodded his head. "Why fix what isn't broken?"

"I couldn't agree more," Betsy replied, nostalgia coating every word. "Where's Lydia?"

"She's out with Nathan and the baby today. He visits with the baby quite frequently and we thought it best to keep them away for now." Nathan Sr. said softly, his eyes watching her intently. "After everything, we didn't want to scare you off."

Swallowing, Betsy nodded her head. "Thank you. I think I would have been alright but it's probably best not to test that theory at the moment."

He nodded his head in understanding. Then, resting his hands on the armrest, he asked, "Did you want something to drink? Sorry, I've been terribly rude."

"I'm good, thank you."

"Claire, what about you?"

"I could murder a cup of tea. But you stay there and I'll make them. You two have catching up to do." Claire stated, pushing up to her feet, her hand resting on the curve of her stomach. It was an unconscious gesture that was happening more frequently as the pregnancy progressed. "Do you still take your tea the same?"

"Strong with just a dash of milk, please."

"Coming right up." Claire stated, walking away before anything further could be said.

It reminded Betsy that she wasn't the only one that had lost out in the divorce. Betsy and Claire's parents had passed when they were still teens. Nathan Markson Sr. had filled a void that neither of them realised had existed. Nathan had walked Claire down the aisle. And by cutting herself off from them after the divorce, Claire had lost a father figure too. It hadn't been the intention but the result was still the same.

"So tell me everything." Nathan stated, breaking through her internal monologue.

With a shake of her head, Betsy smiled at the older man. "Where should I start?" She asked.

"Maybe you should start with that," Nathan stated, a twinkle in his eyes and he gestured to her hands.

Glancing down, Betsy realised she had been playing with the ring.

"I didn't even notice I was doing that." She confessed, staring down at the delicate band and feeling her heart warm. "He proposed on Christmas. It was kind of an accident but it pretty much sums up things between us. We can try to plot and plan as much as we like but sometimes fate just happens."

The older man chuckled. "How does one accidentally propose?"

With a chuckle Betsy replied, "When one has a daughter named Delilah."

Nathan nodded his head in response. "You don't need to explain more. My son always had a habit of causing mischief when he was younger." The older man paused and levelled her with an intense look. "Despite the way it happened, are you at least happy?"

Betsy didn't have to pretend at all when she nodded her head. "I'm more than happy. I love him. And I love his children too."

"Then I am happy for you." The older man replied, leaning forward in his seat so that he could get a better look at the ring. "I was worried for you. Especially after everything that has made it into the papers."

Sobering, Betsy nodded. "I was worried for me too. But I'm getting there. Nick and Claire have been fantastic. And then kids -." She paused and smiled widely. "I just love those kids so much. They're amazing."

"I'm so glad you're happy."

Claire chose that moment to re-enter the room. She carefully set down the tea tray and distributed the drinks. Betsy watched it all with quiet patience.

Once she had retaken her seat she asked, "So what have I missed."

The rest of the afternoon was spent catching up with Nathan. It paved over a crack in her head she had been ignoring.  And, if an invisible weight had also been lifted from her shoulders, who was she to complain?