Vicki was nearly ready to parachute out of the plane by the time they arrived back in Toronto. Gwen had brought the twins to the airport to greet their parents and Vicki coulnd't wait.
"Vicki, what is the matter?" Henry asked her, amused at her fidgeting like a child in her seat.
"Nothing, I just missed them so much, plus I'm ready to get off of this damn plane."
Henry shook his head, amazed at the mother she had become. He hoped that one day, his mother would visit him as she had visited Vicki on their wedding day. Vicki never told him about the visit at the hotel. She felt that was just, well, a girl thing. She also hadn't told him of the twin's revelation yet. That would be an interesting story to be sure.
After what seemed like an eternity, they were finally able to exit the plane.
Finally!! Vicki's eyes searched the crowd of people but didn't have to wait long.
Two little blonde children came running towards them screaming.."Mommy, Daddy" in unison.
Henry scooped up Abbie first, then Ward and Vicki did the same, scooping up Ward first then Abbie.
Vicki planted lots of kisses all over her children's faces, pulling them away from her to just look at them.
"Have you two grown since last week?" she asked playfully.
They giggled and jumped at their mother again. Henry smiled as he watched the way Vicki was with the children. He never expected to be the open, loving mother that she had become. Not doubting she would love her children, die or even kill for them, but he expected her to be typical Vicki, stubborn and tough. But she just couldn't, not when it came to Abbie and Ward. He loved her even more for that.
Vicki stood up, looked at Gwen and nodded, Gwen nodded back that silent understanding between two women that says you've gone above and beyond for my children. Gwen knew without being told that Vicki was grateful
"Mommy, mommy, what did you bring us?" Abbie said excitedly, jumping up and down, tugging on Vicki's hand.
Vicki started laughing.
"Patience my dear," she shot Henry a look, he was still holding Ward smiling warmly at his son. Ward put his arms around Henry's neck and embraced him, saying "I missed you Daddy" Henry rubbed Ward's back, leaned into him and said, " I missed you too"
Vicki still had the memory in her mind of Henry as a child. Looking at the two of them together only made that memory stronger.
They gathered their luggage, left the airport together and headed home.
"Okay, Mommy, now?" Abbie said, so impatient, wherever did she get that?
"Okay, okay," Vicki pulled out a bag, took out two small boxes and handed one to Ward and one to Abbie.
"No daggers for real," Abbie cut her eyes at her mother. Vicki shrugged her shoulders and said,"Sorry, too young"
Henry thought to himself that in about ten years, he might have to buy a separate residence, until the teen years blew over with those two.
He chuckled at the thought.
Ward was excited nonetheless. He opened his box and lifted out a necklace, obviously made for a boy.
It was gold, real gold, with a cross on it, a cross identical to the one his father wore.
"Just like Daddy's!" he exclaimed, holding it out to be put on. Henry put it around his son's neck.
Of course, Abbie's held the same, but a replica of the one Henry had bought Vicki while pregnant with them.
"Just like Mommy's!" Abbie was trying to put hers on herself.
"Here, mule, let me help you," Vicki took the cross from her daughter and put it on. After clasping it, Abbie looked down at the cross as Vicki held it between her fingers.
"I'm sorry I got mad 'cause I didn't get daggers mommy, I love this and I love you and daddy." She kissed her mother then her father, sitting back in her seat. She leaned her head over on her mother's lap, holding Vicki's hand as if she was afraid she would leave again.
Ward was smiling up at Henry.
"I love it daddy, what did you bring Gwen?" Oh..they had almost forgotten.
"Thanks Ward," Vicki reached into her bag pulling out another box.
It too held a necklace, only this had some special kind of symbol on it. It looked like a quarter moon, with a star inbedded in it and a small cross etched into the gold.
"Oh, it's beautiful, but you didn't have to.." Gwen was overwhelmed by the gesture.
"We were told while we were there that this is the symbol of your people." Vicki smiled at Gwen.
Gwen's eyes were filled with tears.
In all her years of keeping others children safe, no one had ever given her a gift such as this.
"It is, " she finally managed to say.
Henry and Vicki looked over to each other knowing this was the perfect end to the perfect trip.
"Guess what Mommy?" Abbie suddenly shot up out of her mother's lap.
"What?" Vicki said, her eyes getting wide, clapping her hands together.
"I can do a trick, watch.." suddenly Abbie was gone...
What the...??