Zarek:

Astrid woke and instantly knew what had caused it. Zarek wasn't there. Even in slumber she had recognised the loss of his warmth, the loss of his presence in their bed. She hoped he hadn't had a nightmare; it had been a while since he had, and she had finally managed to make him stay with her after. Usually after a nightmare Zarek would pull her closer into his embrace. She hoped this wasn't a sign he was pulling away.

Astrid pulled on a silk robe and scanned their room for any sign of him. There was none. Astrid just hoped he was still in their home, and had not gone to visit Peradomatio, the 'Hall of the Past' again. Going there only seemed to hurt Zarek and cause him to pull away slightly, as if the past reminded him he deserved no love and comfort. Astrid cast a quick look into their son's room on her way to the main part of their home. Their three sons slept soundly. She carefully closed the door and continued down the corridor. Astrid hoped to find Zarek in their living room. Coming to the last door before the living room, Astrid couldn't resist checking in on their newest arrival. Their first daughter had been born not yet three months ago, and since it had been 'touch and go' with her due to her being born 8 weeks early and very small in weight, Astrid liked to look in on her and make sure she was well. They had named her Zara Rose and as a nick name her aunts had referred to her as Baby Z. Astrid pushed open the door and looked in. The window on the furthest corner of the room was open and the shimmering pool just beyond it cast an eerily beautiful shadow pattern through out the room. The walls seemed to be bathed in a wave of light blue and silver patterns. It was due to this light Astrid could see….

Zarek had come awake to a gentle sound reminiscent to the sound a kitten makes wanting attention and knew instantly his daughter had awoken. Zarek had known the minute their first child had been born he would love his children unconditionally what he hadn't expected was how truly strong his protective nature would be.

Whenever any of their sons began to learn how to walk, Zarek was an emotional mess. He would watch every step and be mere feet from them at all times, so if they did fall he could catch them. Astrid was always trying to remind him, children learn through falling sometimes. Still, every cut or bruise Zarek felt personally, he felt guilt and self hatred.

He should be able to protect his own children from harm.

His overprotective nature only seemed to magnify more when Zara Rose had been born, he remember the worry he had felt when Astrid had gone into labour 2 months early, and he would never forget when the midwife had told them the weight of their child.

So tiny. Both him and Astrid had watched over Zara's progress with worried eyes. He had never been so relieved when they had been told she was out of immediate danger.

Yet he still feared to hold her.

She was a tiny miracle and he didn't want to hurt her. He had been the same with his sons when they had been first born and feared holding them without Astrid near. But with Baby Z he had felt more than fear he felt terrified. She was too small, his hands where so large, what if he held her too tightly, what if she fell. He knew Astrid was worried as to why he seemed to stay away from Zara, actually no, he knew Astrid knew the reasons for it, she knew him too well not to, but he knew she wanted him to get past it.

Zarek left Astrid in their bed and made his way down the corridor. As usual he stopped to check on their sons. He still couldn't believe it sometimes, he had a family. He watched the light from there night lamp reflect off their small, perfect faces, peaceful in their sleep. He hoped they where dreaming. One small leg had fallen out of the bed, Zarek smiled and moved to re tuck it under the cover. He moved back out the room silently as not to wake them. And continued on to Baby Zs room. He loved her nickname. His 'beloved' sister-in-laws where the first to bestow the nickname, as according to them Zara was destined to be a 'daddys girl'. Although none of them could figure out why, and had made comments under their breath that their poor niece must share her mother's lack of taste. Zarek was never hurt by their comments, lets face it, he had received worse. He liked the sound of a daddys girl, a little girl who would cling to him.

Walking into Zaras room he looked into her crib. The crib had been a gift from Themis, according to her, it would help keep whatever baby it contained safe and free to dream. But apparently as Zarek saw two tiny, dark eyes looking up at him, Zara wasn't dreaming. He looked at her for some time. She was still so small and would probably still fit in one hand. She had dark hair and dark eyes like him. He remembered when Clotho had said she never thought she would see anything so cute look at her with his eyes. She had a tiny little rose bud mouth that seemed in a constant pout.

This always made him smile to himself, the father snarls, the daughter pouts.

She lay watching him too, and he wondered what she was thinking. Again she made a noise reminiscent of a kitten and lifted her arms towards him, and kicked her legs. She wanted him to hold her. Could he? Zarek reach his hand into the crib and watched as she grasped his finger, he smiled; her tiny fist was so small.

His love for Astrid overwhelmed him, how could he have been so lucky? He had a family now, he belonged. This perfect, beautiful, tiny baby was his family. His three sons sleeping peacefully where his family. Astrid had even helped him and Valerius find some common ground. Their love for their families. Valerius had a daughter too, Lilly, and Tabitha was pregnant with a son, who was to be born within the month.

Zarek's thoughts returned to Zara. He knew the types of pain a person could encounter in life, he knew the disappointments and suffering. And he knew he would do anything in his power to keep pain and suffering from his children. Suddenly a thought crossed his mind, he snarled. Boyfriends? Lovers? Not unless they had a death wish he thought to himself with a growl. Who could be good enough for her? No one in his mind.

Again came the sound. She wanted to be picked up. Zarek could do it, she was his daughter, he would give her anything she wanted, and so he slowly leaned in to the crib. Picking up Baby Z was daunting, she was so tiny he instantly placed her against his chest in case she fell. And went to sit in the corner of the room in a chair near the window. He held her carefully to him, and they watched each other.

Astrid saw Zarek holding their baby daughter for the first time and couldn't stop the tear from falling. It reminded her of the first time he had held their eldest son, the look of bewilderment in his eyes, the warmth and love, but most of all his determination to be a good father. Zarek had Zara cradled to his chest and was so engrossed in watching her, he had yet to realise Astrid was there.

Zarek was a good father.

She knew that with every inch of her heart.

He would stay up well into the night holding one of their sons after a nightmare, he would help them with their reading, following them around with cushions when they learned to walk.

She smiled through her tears.

Valerius:

Valerius sat in his brown leather chair in front of his desk reading a book by one of his favourite authors, Harry Harrison.

Tabitha was sleeping upstairs and Lilly was safe in her bed. Valerius frowned. Was Lilly old enough for a bed? He would feel a lot better if she was still in her crib, he was constantly fearful she would fall out. Although knowing his daughter it wouldn't faze her, she had the same temperament as her mother, and since Lilly had been the one to ask for the bed, he knew she would fight to keep it.

He continued to read until he heard his study door creep open, assuming it was Gilbert he didn't look, until he felt too little arms wrap around his leg.

Lilly was awake.

And already dressed in her pink fairy outfit. Pink tights, a white tutu, and pink leotard. Her red hair curling around her face, she smiled sleepily up at him. He couldn't help but smile. She was as beautiful and full of life as her mother. It was never dull with Lilly or Tabitha around.

Lilly loved music like Tabitha and although their tastes in music where different their love of dancing and singing where not. More often then not Valerius would come home, to Rock from one side of the house and Disney classics from the other side. Tabitha would be moving her hips seductively to the beat, whilst Lilly would have a Disney sing-a-long-songs film playing on every single TV screen in the house, so that she could twirl and run in all rooms and still sing. The lack of order from anyone else would have driven Valerius insane but he couldn't make himself mad when Lilly sang and twirled until she fell in a heap of pink and white fluff.

He picked Lilly up and placed her sitting on the desk in front of him. He knew she wanted something, she had that look in her eye. He pretended not to notice and continued to read whilst keeping an eye on Lilly. Lilly stood up on the table, hands on hips and glared at him over the edge of his book. He stifled a smile, such a Tabby look. He knew Lilly must have seen her mother do the very same look. He continued reading.

Lilly blew a curl of red hair from her eyes, and continued glaring. It took all of Valerius self control not to smile at his daughters actions. She was such a character and he loved her dearly, and he knew he spoiled her. He had realised how much he spoiled Lilly when Tabitha had pointed out that a four year old didn't need three ponies, 4 wardrobes of designer clothes, and when Lilly had asked for her own flat, he had been shocked to realise his immediate response was, if you want one you can have one! Insanity. Whatever she wanted this time he would say no…. somehow. How he wished Tabby was up to offer him moral support. Valerius shook his head at his thoughts, he didn't need moral support to say no to Lilly. But when he looked into her face, he knew he was a fool to think he could refuse her anything. Here we go again he thought as he placed his book on the desk. She smiled sweetly, too sweetly. Here we go. "Daddy?"

Valerius braced himself " Lilly?"

" Daddy can I have something?"

Oh god what this time? She already had a puppy, two kittens, three ponies, 2 chocolate fountains and her own car, this time he had to say no.

"Lilly, you already have everything you want already." He couldn't believe he had done it.

"But…." Valerius heart skipped a beat as he saw tears pool in her eyes…. He was over, he couldn't deny her. Damn, damn, damn.

"What do you want honey?" Valerius sent a silent pray it wasn't a flat, or an elephant, or a rocket which she wanted last week.

"Daddy…. I want to a ballerina, like the ones on the TV, swirling and twirling" To emphasis her point she twirled in her white tutu. Valerius smiled, finally something simple.

"You want Ballet lessons?"

"Yes" Lilly smiled, and Valerius knew that for once he could give Lilly what she wanted without Tabitha giving him a taunting smile, that said "I knew you couldn't say no to her". He could pretend he thought it up himself, due to her love of her fairy outfit.

Valerius let out a relieved breath.

"Daddy?"

Oh no… this wasn't good.

"Daddy can I have something else… mummy told me I had to ask you"

Valerius frowned, there goes his 'I thought it up myself' idea. What could she want?

Valerius waited and finally nodded for Lilly to continue.

"Can I have a sister?"

Valerius was speechless. It was the first time Lilly had asked for something he was shocked at, even the time she asked for a dragon he hadn't been surprised but a sister… this was new.

Valerius looked into Lilly's brown eyes and knew she was genuine, she wanted a sister.

"The baby mummy is going to have is going to be a boy, so you will have a brother. He will play with you"

"But I want a sister" Lilly again looked on the verge of tears. But before he could answer Tabitha appeared in the door. She wore one of his shirts, which showed her rounded belly through the fabric. Gods, how he loved her. Valerius momentarily forgot about the question Lilly had asked, as Tabitha smiled at him from the doorway. Her auburn curls where falling over one shoulder and her eyes looked dreamy, as if she had only just woken.

Tabitha moved to pick Lilly off of the desk and held her on her hip. Lilly asked Tabitha the same question she had asked Valerius. Valerius watched as Tabitha moved with Lilly to the Sofa in the corner of the study.

"Lay your hand on my belly, sweetie" Tabitha said and she move one of Lilly's hands to her distended stomach. Valerius sat and watched and remembered when he had felt Lilly moving within Tabitha's belly, his love for them both nearly brought tears to his eyes. Lilly placed her small hand over her mothers shirt covered belly and waited. She made a surprised giggling sound and moved her hand away.

Tabitha smiled and placed Lilly's hand back on her belly.

"That's your brother sweetheart, he wants to come play with you." Tabitha smiled at Lilly as she laid her head against Tabitha's stomach and began to speak to the baby within. Valerius knew that Lilly had forgotten all about her question and asked in innocent excitement when her brother was going to come out of mummy's belly. Valerius did smile at that and Tabitha laughed.

"Soon honey" Valerius said. His heart full.

Talon.

Talon could smell it. He would recognise that smell anywhere, it haunted his dreams. Where was that KFC bargain bucket? He asked himself… and then he knew, Ceara had it. He should have known. Ceara was like him, liked meat and coffee and everything else that was scarce in the Runningwolf home. He had sneaked the KFC bargain bucket into the house when he knew sunshine was working at the gallery that was interested in her paintings. He should have known better than to leave it for Ceara to find. Damn. Damn. Damn. Talon stalked through his cabin, where was she? More importantly where was the chicken?!

Talons mouth watered as he called his daughters name. He knew her, she would be hiding somewhere with his chicken. But where? Talon stalked through the living room area towards the kitchen, when he froze. The smell was strong here. He looked beneath the coffee table and sure enough there was Ceara and the chicken. They glared at each other.

"Honey, come out from under there" he said in his sweetest tone, god that chicken smelt good, he couldn't remember the last time he had had some. Sunshine could he home any minute, and he would miss his window of opportunity. As soon as she stepped outside the house, Talon had grabbed Ceara and ran to Starbucks and ordered as many coffees as he could carry and then rushed to KFC. He had been foolish enough to leave both the coffee and the chicken with Ceara in the kitchen whilst he answered the phone to Ash, who had ended the conversation with "Celt, you're a fool to leave the chicken and the kid" then laugh and hang up. Talon knew then he would have to hunt for both his daughter and his monthly instalment of anything not tofu.

Ceara, aged five took a piece of chicken from the bucket and taunted him by smelling it.

"Ceara, honey, pass daddy some, come one sweetie, what where you told about sharing?"

Ceara smiled and ate some of the chicken. Oh, have mercy, Talon thought.

"Ceara..."

Ceara seemed undaunted by his tone and continued to chew happily on the chicken leg. Talon stifled a groan. This was going to be messy.

Reaching beneath the coffee table, he made a move to grab the bucket of chicken but was stopped when Ceara hit his hand hard with the chicken leg. Talon frowned as Ceara giggled and continued to make appreciative noises whilst chewing the chicken.

Talon thought through his options. One, he could lift the coffee table or two, he could blackmail her into giving him some. Instantly he knew option one would be fruitless, Ceara would simply run and hide the minute he had his hands full. Blackmail it is then.

"Ceara, mummy will be back soon, what would she say if she knew you had eaten all that chicken by yourself?" Talon smiled, now he had her.

"Mummy would say how did you get the chicken? And I would say daddy brought it."

Talons smile dropped. Ceara giggled and pulled another piece of chicken from the bucket.

Talon thought back to when Sunshine had been pregnant with Ceara. He had driven her and the midwife mad. He had never known fear like it. He knew the pain of losing a child and worse he knew what it felt like to loss both the babe and the mother. He had been terrified to experience the same again.

His love for Sunshine was even stronger than his previous love for Nynia and he knew he wouldn't survive the loss of a loved one again.

During the pregnancy he had been present at every appointment and if Sunshine had even seemed to have a pained expression on her face, he would take her instantly to hospital. All the receptionists at the hospital now knew them both by name, and every time he would rush in, in a cold sweat of fear, carrying an annoyed Sunshine they would share a knowing smile between them.

Sunshine understood his worrying but as she had told him a hundred times it didn't make her stop wanting to hit him over the head with something heavy every time he dragged her to the A&E for every headache or stomach cramp. He had tried to get Sunshine to eat things other than tofu or bran muffins but she wouldn't. Her cravings where for Pez and fruit smoothies.

The birth had been one of Talons worst/best moments of his life. The labour had been reasonably fast according to the midwife but Talon swore it had seemed like an eternity. He had been present and had been a wreck.

One of the doctors had been so worried about the paleness of his face that they had asked if he needed any assistance. This had cause an outranged response from Sunshine. Who had yelled insults at the doctor and him, claiming they had no idea what pain was.

The moment Ceara had let out her first cry he had nearly fainted with relief, she lived, and Sunshine as well. He still remembered clearly watching in awe as a crying baby girl was placed into Sunshine arms. The tears had stopped instantly as if Ceara recognised Sunshine as her mother. They had named the baby after Talons sister, which he knew she would have loved.

Every moment from then on with Sunshine and Ceara where unforgettable. Ceara's first word, her first step, her first secret meat tasting, all perfect.

He could even smile at this one.

Ceara was like him. A celt.

A meat and coffee lover.

She was his daughter.

Now he just had to figure out how he was going to get some of that chicken….