That evening Georgia was in the kitchen having her supper with Ms. Levitt, Mrs. Charles, and Ruth when Ewan entered in a storm of fury. One look at him and Georgia knew that, if not handled quickly, there would be a yelling match. He wore the same look as the night he had confronted her at Sylvia's home.

Georgia eyed Ms. Levitt and Mrs. Charles to see what their reactions to Ewan were and they were both careful to avoid eye contact as they focused on their dinner. Georgia sipped her tea slowly setting down the cup before turning towards Ewan, her face one of composed calmness, a calmness that she wasn't feeling.

"Was there something you needed Mr. Mailler?" She rose carrying her dishes to the sink.

"What the hell have you been telling Moria, I have spent the last half hour listening to her lay into me about something but I'm not quite sure as to what it is?" His voice was a low growl.

"I simply explained a few things, what to expect now that she was in your home, and how in your home you are Mr. Mailler." Her hands shook as she set the dishes in the sink, not wanting to turn around, she took her time wiping them on a towel but eventually she had to turn back towards him. "I wouldn't worry about it sir, it's probably just hormones."

He didn't say anything he just eyed her, letting his gaze do all the reprimanding, but she refused to cave as the tension in the room grew.

"You'll be at dinner." It was a command not a question,

"I've had mine thanks." She motioned to the dishes on the stove; she swore she heard Ruth give a little squeak as Ewan's face grew even more ominous.

"Well that was dumb." He drawled as he crossed his arms and made his stance wide. He was digging in and she knew she would lose in the end.

Georgia's humor surfaced and her lip twitched. "Yes, I suppose it was."

She couldn't help but let her gaze wander across his massive chest. He had lost his jacket and undone his tie, an unusual look for Ewan outside his private office, he had even rolled up his sleeves and the muscles in his forearms rolled as he clenched and unclenched his fists. She let her gaze wander up to his face, he looked exhausted.

It was so good to see him she forgot about their audience. "You look tired Ewan," she said softly.

"I am, woman, so stop fighting me and get ready for dinner," He stated flatly.

"And have Diana raise a fuss, and let's not mention the looks I'll get from the lovely Isobel and Renee. No, I don't think so," she said softly.

"Fine, let's not mention it and why the hell is Isobel here?" He paused closing his eyes reining in his temper.

"Isobel was made aware that a few of your close friends had arrived and she decided to join the dinner party." Georgia could guess at the reason. The woman had been around a lot lately, she claimed it was to spend time with Diana but everyone knew she was trying to win Ewan, everyone except Ewan.

"Please Georgia, not for me but for them. They're already uncomfortable as it is, I have a feeling that a dinner without your lovely and friendly face would make Moria go into labor early." Ewan changed tactics mid stride. If brute force wouldn't work maybe gentle coercion would.

"Flattery will get you nowhere Mr. Mailler."

"How about a kiss Ms. Dawson? Where will that get me?" He let his gaze wander down to her lips and this time she knew she heard Ruth sigh.

"Damn you Ewan, you shouldn't let a pregnant woman do your dirty work."

"Whatever it takes my love."

"Let me see what I can do. Ms. Levitt, Mrs. Charles and I will think of something to make dinner more relaxed but it will mean moving dinner back half an hour."

"Fine." He nodded and just as abruptly as he had entered he left.

Georgia turned her back to the ladies as she got control of herself. This would be a very interesting evening no doubt. They patiently waited not saying a word while she tried to subdue her emotions. This would be the first time that she sat at the dinner table with Ewan in his own home; but it couldn't be just her there had to be others of her station there. Knowing what she had to do she turned to the women and they hatched a plan. They were without the other two maids that evening so they would have to move fast.

An hour later the terrace was set with a table, chairs, floor lamps and food arranged in a buffet style. It was a casual and laid back atmosphere that was sure to make everyone feel at home. Georgia changed out of her suit and into a pretty sundress letting her hair down.

When she arrived the terrace was full and everyone was accounted for including Carrie and Craig, whom she had called and asked to be there. Craig had resigned himself, probably in an attempt to make up for his past mistakes, but Carrie was beyond excited in the break in protocol. Georgia let he gaze wander across the terrace noting Ewan who seemed to be taking the change in etiquette in stride.

Isobel had latched onto Ewan and was keeping him occupied with a low murmured conversation so Georgia walked over to Collin and Moria and greeted them.

"Who is that talking to Ewan?" Moria hissed, obviously upset by the fact that they seemed so cozy.

"That's Isobel Rossini, she's thought to be a good match for Ewan, her family is wealthy and she has the right family connections," Georgia said softly, "but Renee would also be a good match," Georgia motioned to the young woman talking quietly with Diana, "her family and the Mailler's have just completed a very lucrative business deal of some sort."

Moria took a sip of her drink while shooting daggers at Ewan. "How can you stand it?" she asked after Isobel threw back her head and laughed at something Reggie said as he joined them. "You're ten times prettier than she is."

"I thank you for your support but even if I was as pretty as she is, which I'm not, I don't have the proper family lineage to marry into the Mailler's world."

"What are you ladies over there whispering about?" Reggie asked as he noted their glances in their direction.

"We were just discussing how beautiful Miss. Rossini looks this evening," Georgia said with a charming smile, raising her glass in her and Ewan's direction. Whatever Ewan was thinking was not evident on his face.

"I don't understand Georgia," Moria insisted again.

Georgia shrugged changing the subject. "Please, tell me about the baby, is it a boy or a girl, what names are you considering, and what colors have you chosen for the nursery?"

Moria glowed as she told her all of the details. They didn't know anything about the sex they were going to let it be a surprise and the name as well but they had a few picked out ready to go. The subject kept them occupied until dinner was served and eventually Carrie and Craig joined them. Craig seemed bored and Carrie kept looking over her shoulder at Ewan and Isobel. Georgia had watched her for the last half hour as she tried to maneuver her way into Ewan's conversation before giving up and joining them.

Moria was discussing the nursery and how the pub would stop functioning as a hotel. "Not only will I not have enough space but I won't have the time. But don't worry we'll keep at least one room for friends," she assured her.

There were ten of them for dinner and Ewan sat at one end of the table while Diana sat at the other. Georgia ended up in the middle with Moria between her and Ewan while Collin sat on the other side of Georgia. Isobel was across from Moria, Reggie across from Georgia.

"Where's Sylvia?" Georgia asked Reggie as they all settled in to their places.

"She's meeting a friend for dinner," Reggie said as he turned to flirt with Isobel.

When they were all well into their meal, which was going much too smoothly, Moria dropped her little bomb. "Ewan, Collin and I wanted to ask you and Georgia a question."

Ewan turned away from Isobel, who Georgia was doing her best not to watch but with whom Moria seemed to be fascinated, and placed all of his attention on Moria.

Moria looked at Collin with a shy smile then took Georgia's hand and Ewan's "Collin and I would like you and Georgia to be the babies God Parents."

There was a tense silence at the table as everyone tried to make out exactly what that meant.

"I can't speak for Georgia but I'm honored," Ewan said with one of his rare and beautiful smiles. The entire table now turned all their attention towards Georgia.

Georgia nodded swallowing back despair. It was the closest she and Ewan would ever get to sharing a child. She forced a smile and hugged Moria. "I can't wait." She must have hidden her sadness well enough because no one looked at her odd or made any comment about it. The rest of the meal went without mishap and eventually they all ended up in one of the formal living rooms for coffee.

Moria noticed a piano in the corner and was persuaded to sing for them. As the evening wore on most people wandered away until only Georgia, Reggie, Diana, Ewan, Collin and Moria were left. There was a relaxed atmosphere surrounding them as they all lounged around on the comfortable furniture. Well, everyone seemed to be relaxed but Georgia, she was on edge waiting for something bad to happen and no sooner had she had the thought then it did.

"Ewan, what is this that Reggie is telling me about Georgia getting fired for kissing you? That's the silliest thing I ever heard."

Georgia had never wanted to be so far away from a situation as that moment. Thank God only family was left as the relaxed atmosphere suddenly changed. Everyone but Moria and Ewan seemed tense.

"I didn't fire her, in fact I asked her to stay but she refused, saying she was no longer useful to either myself or Diana." Ewan took a look drink of his whiskey as he looked at Georgia.

At least he didn't throw Diana under the bus.

"But why would you fire her for kissing you? It's not as if she's not allowed to?" Moria was either not grasping the situation or she was playing dumb on purpose.

"Moria, I work for Ewan...it isn't allowed. I'm his employee and he was at a public party. There was nothing private about it."

"Then why on earth did you kiss him?" Collin asked looking perplexed. He at least got the employee/employer relationship but what he didn't get the kiss and why it happened. Georgia looked at Ewan, he would have to explain it, she wouldn't.

"There were fireworks." Ewan said his eyes not leaving Georgia's. "She was trying to take my mind off of the past and keep it in the here and now."

"And I imagined it worked?" Collin said with a knowing smile.

"Oh, it always works Collin. I don't think I have to tell you that."

Collin grinned, he and Moria knew exactly what fireworks to a war veteran meant.

"PTSD is nothing to be ashamed of Ewan." Moria shook her head.

"No, it's not and I told Georgia that very thing, but she wanted to leave."

"Why did you want to leave Georgia?" Moria insisted. "You two are so good together. Remember that time that the four of us went to the football game. The two of you were so silly, I haven't laughed that hard since."

"None of us have," Ewan said as he looked at Georgia. Collin was silent not bothering to interject, Reggie had the grace to looked upset by the change in the conversation and Diana had gone still.

Reggie must have felt the need to interject and ease the situation, "I have to agree, the two of you together works." He was taken aback by Diana's glare.

"Ewan?" Diana asked her voice a bit shrill. "What's going on here? Everybody seems to know about what's going on but me, what are you not telling me?" She stood up facing Ewan."

Ewan remained silent just watching her as he deliberated how much to tell her.

"Are – you – having – an – affair – with – Georgia?" Diana enunciated each and every word.

"Having, no, had, yes." Ewan had his mask back on.

"Georgia?" Diana swung around to face her. "I asked you and you said that you weren't, did you lie to me?" She looked as if she was about to cry.

"No," she cleared her throat, "Ewan and I never had an ongoing affair and we never had an affair when we were in residence."

"But you did have an affair."

"Yes, which is why I knew about his PTSD and knew that if I hadn't distracted him from the fireworks..."

"You both are hypocrites. You've both been doing everything you can to ruin every relationship I've ever had because it's not appropriate. Every time I've fallen in love you both worked together to stop it. Tell me how your relationship is appropriate. Georgia's not one of us Ewan, what was it you said, you don't sleep with the hired help, if lie down with dogs you get up with fleas, and let's not forget the classic, I sleep with them I don't marry them." Diana was all but screaming now. "Do you believe you're different Georgia, do you think Ewan has plans to marry you?"

Diana walked over to Georgia and jerked her up. "Answer me Georgia. Do you think that my brother will marry you? Has he told you about Gwen yet and what he did to her? Granted, she didn't get as far as you did but when he tires of you it'll be the same thing."

"No," Georgia said softly as she looked at Ewan who was quickly about to lose his temper, he looked outwardly calm but if he squeezed his glass any tighter it would crack.

"I'm sorry Georgia, what did you say, was that a no?" Diana looked at her with complete malice.

"Enough Diana, you're making a scene in front of our guests and making Georgia very uncomfortable." Ewan rose from his seat setting his glass down very slowly.

"Oh, I'm sorry Ewan, are you now feeling what I've felt all of these years every time you warned one of my lovers away? Am I making poor Georgia uncomfortable?"

Ewan's restraint broke and he charged towards Diana. Georgia had no clue what he was about to do but she didn't wait to see as she jumped between the two. "Ewan." She put her hand on his chest. He stopped at the contact looking down at her but not really seeing her. "Ewan," she said putting her hands on his hot cheeks feeling the rough stubble.

"I know and you know. It's between us." His eyes looked into her own until she felt the tension leave his body. He turned his face into one of her palms and kissed it. It was such an intimate gesture it almost made her cry. In that moment he was her Ewan.

Georgia kept her eyes glued to Ewan's. "Diana you don't know what love is," she said softly. "Have you ever been willing to put their happiness before yours, have you ever been willing to leave all of this for one of them?"

"No, but you're crazy if you think Ewan would leave all of this for you."

Georgia smiled at Ewan, remembering he had offered her that very thing, but her back was to Diana so she couldn't see her.

Pulling her palm away from Ewan and holding it in a fist so that she could hold his kiss she turned to Diana. "I have loved two men in my life Diana, and I pray to God that you at least find one to love. Maybe then you'll understand just how much your brother has done to protect you over the years."

Georgia turned to the others giving Reggie's arm a gentle squeeze of support, she knew watching Diana's little scene had to have hurt him.

Moria looked upset and was all but cowering under Collin's arm. "I tried to tell you, it's a little difficult." Georgia smiled as Moria lunged into her arms.

"I'm sorry, I pushed too hard."

"No, it would have happened eventually and at least it was only family here tonight. It could have been much worse." Georgia kissed Collin on the check.

"Georgia, Ewan is taking us sightseeing tomorrow. Please say you'll come," Moria begged.

Georgia looked over at Ewan. "As much as I would love to, I came here to do a job and I have meetings setup for tomorrow that I can't cancel this close to the party."

She was walking past Ewan when he reached for her arm stopping her. She could tell he wanted to tell her she was wrong; he knew what she was thinking, that this horrible scene proved her right, that it would never work between them.

"You say the word Georgia and I'll leave it all tomorrow."

She felt the tears start. "I know, but you can't, too many people depend on you."

He gave her a gentle kiss before tucking her hair behind her ears. "Your sure you can't come tomorrow?"

"Yes," she nodded as he gave her another peck then turned her away. She didn't know why he had decided not to push the issue but she was thankful that he didn't.

Georgia left them all quietly behind her as she started the long journey up to her room. Once she arrived the tears started and they wouldn't stop. She had never cursed God before, even when her first husband had died she had been stoic about it, he had done his duty, they had known the risk, but with Ewan it was just plain unfair.

*******

Ewan watched Georgia as she left the room. He had never been more proud of her. She had once again handled a situation that could have become much worse. When the door closed behind her he turned to face his sister. "You want to talk about this now that Georgia's not here to defend you little girl?" Ewan asked as he moved to the decanter and poured himself another drink.

Diana blanched at his harsh words and harsh tone.

"You know nothing about life and until you do there is no way you can love anybody."

"And you know so much more than me?" Diana questioned. "You had the same upbringing as I did." She accused but part of her knew she was fighting a losing battle.

"I was fighting a war when I was your age Diana." The silence between them grew while Ewan debated showing her his scars. Not the worst of them but the edges maybe.

"Ewan, did I hear Georgia right, two loves?" Moria looked a little startled by all that had happened.

"Yes, she was married but her husband died very young." He watched Diana as he sipped his drink. Maybe he should get drunk, that might make it a little easier to admit that Georgia was right and that they would have a long road of acceptance when the truth came out.

"How did he die?"

"He was military, an IED."

Moria gasped as she covered her mouth. "So she really does understand it and the aftermath?"

"As well anybody who hasn't lived through it can." Ewan looked at Collin and something passed between them that no one but them would ever understand.

"Poor Georgia? How old was she when he died?"

"Twenty-two and her husband was twenty-two as well." Ewan looked at Diana. "How old are you now Diana? Twenty-five?"

Diana turned without a word and walked out, no longer willing to listen to him.

"I think we had better call it a night as well," Collin said as he reached Ewan and gave him a hug, Moria following his lead.

After they had left Ewan turned to Reggie. "She's nowhere near ready, you realize that don't you?"

Reggie poured himself a drink and joined Ewan with a grimace and a nod looking into his glass as if it held all the answers.

"But you've seen the worst and if you still want her after that then you still have my blessing."

"I do, only God knows why."

"You don't choose it, it chooses you. It only took me thirty-six years."

"It might take me just as long." They looked at each other and grinned.

"Well, at least you'll never be bored." They toasted with their glasses. "When is Sylvia due back?"

"Anytime, Priscilla seemed eager to come. She and grandmother are pleased as punch saying that life has a way of coming full circle or some such nonsense."

"You wouldn't believe me if I told