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‘Yes, I feel so bad about what happened, but now that he’s gone, we don’t have to worry anymore. Do we?’ Ellie said, snuggling closer to her husband.

‘No, sweetheart, we don’t. Anyway, forget about all of that. Let’s make the most of our last night here in Mexico.’ The faint moonlight coming through the window disappeared as Kane's head lowered to hers, and he gently kissed her lips.

‘I do love you, Kane McLaren,’ Ellie said.

‘And I love you too, Ellie McLaren. It’s going to be good to get home, isn’t it, babe?’

‘Sure is,’ she replied, smiling.

Chapter 39

Darwin Airport - two days later

Excitement bubbled up as the pilot called the cabin crew to prepare for landing. They were only about fifteen minutes out of Darwin, and Ellie was sure there would be a welcoming committee there for them. Mum wouldn’t miss seeing the kids come home.

Dru had gone to hospital last night; she’d managed to last until her due date, and her pains had started when Ellie and Kane had stopped in Honolulu for one night. Ellie really hoped the baby would arrive safely in the next little while.

Emma and Jeremy had emailed and said that they were both off for the weekend and they would be at the airport too. Emma had called Ellie to tell her she was four months pregnant when Gina and David were with them.

‘I knew, Em. I guessed at Dru’s apartment the weekend before we left.’

‘Clever clogs,’ Emma had laughed and then told them that Cy and Tarni, and Dee and Ryan were going to meet them at the airport too.

Ellie grinned to herself. It might be overwhelming with the whole family there, but it was going to be so good to see everyone. Kane leaned over and looked out the window. ‘Look, there’s land ahead. We’re nearly there.’

‘We’re home, babe,’ Ellie said. Matilda was asleep on her lap, and Verity and James were sitting at the end of the middle row. James told her last night that he was now a cosmopolitan traveller, and Ellie hid a smile. ‘Where on earth did you get that term from?’

‘That’s what Juan in the restaurant told me on our last night.’ James was a social child and had made friends with so many of the staff at the resort. There had been a big farewell and a few tears when they left. But the best part of the whole trip has been seeing Gina and David.

Ellie sat up as the plane landed smoothly on the tarmac and taxied to the arrival’s terminal. She could feel the anticipation building up inside her. Gently nudging Matilda, she whispered, ‘Wake up, sweetheart. We’re home.’

Verity and James were jumping with excitement.

As they disembarked and reached the arrival lounge, Ellie scanned the crowd and spotted her family near the viewing window. A wide smile spread across her face as she saw her mother’s familiar figure. Sandra was holding Ruby’s hand. Ellie quickly made her way across to them, Matilda in her arms, and Kane and the children following closely behind.

‘Mum!’ Ellie exclaimed as she embraced her mother tightly. ‘Oh Mum, I’ve missed you so much.’

Her mother hugged them back, her smile wide. ‘Welcome home, darling. I’ve been counting the days until you all returned.’

‘Dru?’ Ellie ventured.

‘A bouncing baby boy, three hours ago. Xander Peter Kirk.’ Mum’s eyes were shining with tears, and Ellie blinked hers away.

Emma and Jeremy approached, and Akasha jumped with excitement between them. Dee and Ryan stood beside them, each holding a twin. Ellie smiled as she saw Cy and Tarni standing a little bit away. Cy’s arm was around her shoulder.

Ellie drew a deep breath and looked at her family. The airport was bustling with activity, but they were surrounded by family who loved and supported them. Her eyes welled with tears, and Kane pulled her close.

‘We’re home, Els.’

Epilogue

McLaren Mango Farm - six months later.

Ellie stood on the veranda of their homestead. Conversations swept around her, but she focused on the land that stretched to the horizon. In the distance, sunlight glinted off the dam Dad had put in many, many years ago. In front of the dam, avenues of lush green mango trees were heavy with fruit ready for harvest.

The children ran around the bushes that edged the circular driveway, playing and squealing. The children of the Porter sisters, and the one brother they had found later in life. The children were playing hide and seek, just as she, and Dru, and Emma had played on this farm many years ago. Ellie smiled as her Verity dropped to the ground and hid behind a bush. Ruby and Akasha, her sisters’ little girls were holding Ryan’s boys’ hands as they searched for Verity. Angus and Wyatt had grown so much this year, they were fast catching their cousins.

‘I see her!’ James came running past them and pointing. ‘She’s behind that bush!’