Vincent had a quick look around for Emerald’s stuffed lion, but it was nowhere to be found. “That’s a very good question, have either of you two seen it?” he asked Ruby and Sapphire. The girls shook their heads.

“Mother,” Vincent called out, “Have you seen Emmy’s stuffed lion?” Moments later his mother entered carrying the lion.

“Here it is,” she said, smiling broadly, “When I saw Emerald rough housing with it I took it to check that it wasn’t damaged. It’s fine, here you go Emerald. You might want to be a bit more careful with it n future, don’t want to damage it now do we.”

She looked right into Emerald’s eyes as she said this, clearly indicating that she was referring to their earlier conversation.

Emerald's eyes widened and she nodded meekly. She took her stuffed lion and snuggled it. Emmy looked up at her father with a small yawn, wanting to got to bed.

Vincent saw how tiered Emerald was, and it was getting late. “Time for bed Emmy,” he said, scooping her up and walking over to the bed. His mother took the opportunity to leave and let her be put to bed.

Vincent tucked her in before turning to Ruby. “Bed time for you too Ruby,” he said, scooping her up as well. Putting her next to Emmy his tucked her in and kissed them both good night. Taking Sapphire’s hand he lead her out of the guest bedroom and shut the door quietly.

“Ok Sapphire, you have an hour until your bed time, do you want to watch some tv while I catch up with your grandma?” he asked her.

Sapphire nodded eagerilly. She loved watching tv espically when her shows where on.

"Im gonna go watch animal cops." Sapphire replied, hugging her father's legs. Then running off into the living room.

Vincent watched Sapphire heading into the living room before turning to go and catch up with his mother. It had been a long time, and they had lots to catch up on.

*****

The jet landed gently on the island and Vincent opened the doors. He stepped off carrying Ruby in his arms and waving to Jade on the decking. “Hi honey,” he called, “We’re back.”

Moments later Dreadnaught landed behind him, having followed them for the duration of the trip. Fortunately nothing had happened, and he had not been called.

Jade had been standing out, waiting for them. As soon as Emmy got off the plane she bolted over to her mother and hugged her legs. Jade smiled, lifting her daughter up off the ground, hugging her back.

"Hey Baby, everything go ok?"

"Umm....yea...sorta i will tell you later." Emerald said the last part alot softer.

Jade nodded stroking Emerald's hair gently. She grinned as Sapphire hugged her as well, ruffling her hair. She still kept Em securely in her arms.

Ruby was asleep in her fathers arms, soft brown hair covering her face.

"Everything go okay?" Jade asked.

Vincent came up to Jade and kissed her. “Yeah, everything went alright. I had to give my mother a single warning, but after that she was fine,” he said, believing that to be true.

Tapping his watch Dreadnaught retrieved their cases and brought them inside. “So,” he asked, giving Jade a warm smile, “did you miss us?”

Jade smiled at her husband. "Of course I did now lets get inside for lunch, I made it special." Jade responded leading her family into the house.

***

After a Lunch of Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches Jade had brought Emmy into her room to talk like the little girl wanted and what she heard did not please her at all. She let out a growl as she heard the things that hag had said to her baby. After hugging Emerald and telling her to stay there Jade ran into the kitchen.

She saw Vincent and forze his feet on the spot.

"How dare you let your mother say those things to our daughter." Jade growled, she then repeated what his mother had said to emmy.

Vincent started in surprise as he felt his feet suddenly become really cold. Looking down he saw that they had been frozen to the floor. Confused he looked up to see a furious Jade in front of him.

As she started speaking he had no idea what she was talking about, for as far as he knew his mother had not said anything inappropriate to Emerald. Then Jade told him what she had said. He was frantically trying to work out what was going on.

“Whoa, hold on a second,” he said, holding up his hands defensively, “I never heard her say that, nor did Emmy tell me that she’d said anything even remotely like that. When did she say this exactly?”

"She said it last night after dinner!" Jade growled, her foot tapping. She was pissed and there was no doubt about it but her anger lessened as her daughter bolted into the room.

Emerald looked up at her mother and father and let out a bark of protest. "Mommy it's not daddy's fault, I didnt tell him about it because I wanted him to keep talking to grandma. I didnt want him to hate her because of me!"

Meanwhile Ruby ran into the room, on two legs. This was the first time the child had run. "No fighting!" She exclaimed

Jade paused looking at her daughters. She let out a sigh as she unfroze her husbands feet. "Sorry honey."

Vincent’s expression darkened as Jade told him what had happened. “I was cleaning up Ruby after she had gotten herself covered in jelly,” he said, angry at himself for letting this happen, “I saw her crying later, but she said it was because she had hit her head.”

Just as he said that Emerald came running in explaining what she had done. Despite his anger he couldn’t help but smile at his little girl, who was willing to put his relationship with his mother before her own happiness. His smile widened and some of his anger subsided as Ruby came in, running for the first time.

When Jade unfroze his feet he smiled at her, showing that he understood how she felt and would forgive and forget. Moving to Emerald he gave her a big hug saying, “Emmy, that was so sweet of you darling. However, in future I want you to promise to tell me if something upsets you, even if you want to protect my feelings, ok?”

Emerald nodded hugging her daddy back. She looked up at him, eyes filled with guilt. "Im really sorry. I promise." Emerald responded.

Ruby grined as her mother picked her up off the ground. She hug her mother around her neck.

Sapphire walked into this and rolled her eyes. "Oh joy, alright lets have a group hug and get it over with." Sapphire sighed.

“It’s ok Emmy,” Vincent told her, “I understand why you did it, so don’t feel bad ok? Just remember in future that you can tell me anything.” With that he gave Emmy a kiss as Sapphire walked in.

Grinning Vincent grabbed Sapphire and pulled her into the hug with Emmy. “Couldn’t leave you feeling left out Sapphire,” he said with a laugh as he squeezed her tight.

Sapphire groaned, then the other family closed in and it was a big group hug. Sapphire sighed and hugged her family back.

Jade looked over at Vincent. "YOu need to talk to your mother about this." She whispered in his ear.

Vincent nodded in response, and once the group hug was over he excused himself and went down into the lab and picked up the phone. Dialling his mother he sat back in his chair and thought about what he was going to say. Going off on one wouldn’t help matters, so he resolved to remain calm and have the discussion.

“Hello, who is it?” came his mother’s voice over the line.

“Hi mom,” he replied, “it’s me, Vincent.”

“Oh hello son,” she said, sounding a little surprised, “How was the trip home?”

“It was fine mom, listen I need to talk to you about something.”

“What is it? Did you leave something behind?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s concerning Emerald,” he paused to let that sink in, “She told us about a discussion you had with her about her behaviour?”

There was a long pause before she replied, “I see, well I meant what I said, and while it was harsh, it was in her best interest.”

“Harsh!” he paused and took a calming breath, “You reduced her to tears. She’s only three yours old for Christ sake, you can’t go saying stuff like that to her.”

“But it’s true,” his mother insisted, “She’ll wind up in serious trouble at the rate she’s going.”

“Regardless, you will still wrong to say that to her. She’s just a little girl. If that is what you thought then you should have come and spoken to me about it.” While angry that she had spoken to Emerald in that way, he did, somewhat reluctantly, agree with her point.

“You’re right,” she conceded, “I apologise. But after last time I didn’t want to make you mad, so thought it best I speak directly to her. I’ll talk to you next time, I promise.”

“Good,” said Vincent, happy that she’d agreed with him, “now will you apologise to Emmy, without mentioning that you were right or that it was all in her best interest?”

“But it was…” she began before he cut her off.

“Irrelevant,” he interrupted, “she’s three years old, just apologise.”

“Alright, I’ll Just apologise.”

“Thanks,” he said, and headed up stairs and back into the kitchen. “Emmy,” he said, “your grandma has something she wants to say to you.” He gave Jade a reassuring smile, letting her know it was alright.