Set a few yars into the future, most things are explained.

TOTAL FLUFF

Enjoy!

It is early afternoon and Kate Castle is bored. Being eight months pregnant has meant that she cannot work, meaning that she is now sitting on the couch, watching a movie and trying to control her emotions.

Her husband stands in the kitchen, making her latest food combination while trying not to be disgusted. Even Ryan would not try it; they had tried to persuade him to the day before. His work is interrupted when the door opens and their daughter walks in with her husband.

At the age of 20 Guinevere married Ant and together they run Hemlock Industries a company now famous for its charity and family orientation. That was two months ago and Rick still can't believe she was grown up. To him it seems like only yesterday she walked into his life and was almost dragged out again.

Pulling his mind back to the now happy present, Rick finishes his wife's meal and takes it too her while everyone gathers in the lounge. The twins race one another to their sister and are soon happily playing with Ant.

Any doubts about Ant's suitability for Gwen had been squashed pretty early on in knowing him but had any remained the way Ant is with his 2 year old brother in laws would have removed them. They adore him and he never misses a chance to see them.

Gwen takes this time to speak, knowing that her sibling would be quiet to listen, they love her stories this time however the story is short and they don't really understand, not that they mind. Even as babies they seemed to love the sound of her voice.

"You know the scar on my side? Can you remember what I told you about it?"

Damien laughs, his small finger tracing the familiar line.

"Zip!"

"Yeah, it looks like a zip and I was going to make it one. With a tattoo. It's a picture that people put on their skin but they can't ever get it off, even if they don't like it anymore. That's why I still haven't gotten it. But I had a brilliant idea, would you like to see my other scar."

The pair nod, their parents watching confused. Damien and Jim don't know about Charles, they're too young but everyone had agreed to tell them slowly over time. Only giving them what they can handle. Each time it's Gwen that tells them, and she does so beautifully. Rick thinks that today must be another of those moments where she tells them.

Pulling up the leg of her jeans, she shows them the faint line that stretches up her leg. It's not any distinct shape, just a straight line. Unknown to Rick, Ant had once put a ruler beside it to see how straight it was. Pretty amazingly straight. Watching the boy's awe at it, Gwen continues to speak.

"I got this one not long after the zip. I was on an adventure and I was trying to get away from the bad guy when I fell. I got away though with Alexis' help."

The boys cheer; they love Alexis, who lives with her boyfriend nearby.

"Speaking of Alexis, I was talking to her earlier and she told me that you two were tidying your rooms, now I will be inspecting them so you should go make sure they're tidy or there won't be ice cream tomorrow."

The boy's run off, leaving the adults laughing at them. The ice cream threat always works. Rick stands to get them drinks but Gwen calls for him to stop.

"Dad, I thought you'd like to know. I'm putting off getting the tattoo I don't think getting it now would be very good for the baby."

He stares at Kate as she begins to beam at Gwen.

Unable to get up, she beckons Gwen to her, tears overwhelming her. The two are crying as they hug, Rick still stands, staring. His confusion has turned to realisation and he's considering fainting. Once he remembers to think.

Laughing at this reaction, the trio talk.

"How long?"

"Two months, figured out the day, our wedding night. Isn't it so perfect?"

"Yes, honey. I'm so happy for you, your dad is too. He just can't verbalise it right now."

Her words bring him out of his trance and he speaks, panic beginning to enter him.

"Baby ... as in...Are you sure? ...I'm going to be a granddad...Wow"

"Yes you're going to be a granddad, and I expect you to take your responsibilities seriously. It's your job to spoil them."

"Them?"

"Yeah, we'll have another afterwards, but just think, my baby'll be only a wee bit younger than my little sister. They'll grow up together. It's going to be amazing."

Kate smiles at her child's enthusiasm, it's strange, she thinks as she realises that in her mind, Gwen will always be her child, no matter how many of her own she has. She decides that a warning is necessary though.

"Ah, wait until you reach the later stages. I feel like a whale. And walking is not fun, believe me."

"But they're worth it, aren't they?"

"Definitely."

The moment is broken by the arrival of Alexis and her boyfriend Matt. She wanders in already knowing Gwen's news, since the two are best friends as well as sisters. Her face is full of joy as she hugs her stepmom. Then she says it. The words that bring his world crashing down again.

"Dad, I've got the best news ever!"

LOL. Happy thoughts.