It was almost midnight as Erika sat in the library. She couldn't sleep for worrying about Dominic and Annaliese. She held the book that was in her hand and tried to read, but it was useless. She got up, put the book back on the shelf and went to look out the window. She took a deep breath.

"I love you and miss you, Dominic" She whispered as she looked at the cloudy sky. She blew a kiss out the window. She turned and was about to head upstairs when one of the soldiers called her.

"Yes, Tom."

"There is a lady at the back door." Tom said uncertainly "She claims you're expecting her at this hour."

"Who is she?"

"I have no idea." Tom replied with a shrug. "All I know is that she is filthy and has six kids with her."

"Annaliese?" Erika asked as she ran to the back door. Tom followed. Erika swung open the door. There stood Annaliese covered in dirt with five children huddled against her.

"Please come in."

"Thank you." Annaliese replied. They moved into the kitchen.

"Anybody hungry?" Erika asked. Five big blue eyes stared at her. She turned and brought out some bread and butter and made everybody some toast. While they ate Erika noticed that only five children were there.

"Where's the other one?" She asked Annaliese.

"She's in the baby carrier on my back." It was then that Erika noticed that Annaliese was not sitting back in the chair. When they were finished eating Erika escorted them upstairs. She showed them their rooms.

"Perhaps the children should get a bath first." Annaliese proposed.

"It's up to you." Erika replied with a shrug. "But, everyone looks really tired."

"You don't mind?"

"No. We can change the sheets tomorrow." Annaliese nodded her head. The children ran into "their" rooms and looked around.

"It's pretty." One of the girls commented. Annaliese headed into the room. The room had a king-sized bed in it, so the girls quickly chose who was sleeping where.

"Time for bed, girls." Erika was surprised that there was no fight. The girls crawled into beds and said good night. Annaliese kissed each one on the forehead then left. She looked at Erika as she closed the door. "Now time for the boys." They both giggled as they headed for the "boys" room. Annaliese pushed open the door to see both boys sound asleep on top of the covers. Annaliese looked at Erika shocked. "I was expecting them to be bouncing off the walls."

"Oh, well." Erika said with a shrug. They silently went into the room and carefully tucked the boys in bed. Then they silently left again. Annaliese went to her door. And turned to Erika.

"Thank you for everything."

"No problem." They hugged one last time then went to bed.


Early the next morning Erika was standing by the front door when she heard footsteps running down the stairs. She turned and saw five kids running down the stairs.

"Good morning." She said.

"Morning." They replied in unison.

"Are you missing one?"

"She's still sleeping."

"Oh. Ok." Erika looked up the stairs. "Where's your mother?"

"Still sleeping." One of the boys replied.

"Oh dear." Erika whispered to herself. Then said. "Who wants breakfast?" A chorus of me's answered her. "Alright. Let's go to the dining room." They headed in that direction. When they got there the children sat down in a seat while Erika called Tara.

"The children are ready for breakfast."

"Yes, Ma'am." Tara said with a smile. She went into the kitchen. "Cook, the children want some breakfast." The cook smiled an amused smile and handed her a large covered plate.

"It will be fun cooking for kids." The cook said with a wink as he turned back to the stove. Tare giggled then headed back to the dining room.

"Here's breakfast" Tare called as she entered the room. The children cheered as she sat the plate on the table.

"What is it?" The smallest girl asked.

"I don't know." Tara said. "Let's see." She removed the lid to reveal some delicious looking doughnuts.

"MMMM!" The children said in unison before grabbing one. Erika leaned against the wall and watched as the children devoured the doughnuts.

"Who wants milk?" Tara asked. Five blue eyes looked at her. "I thought so." She left then soon returned with five glasses of milk. After about an hour the children declared themselves done and ready to explore.

"Ok. But first I need some names." Erika said. They headed toward the parlor and sat down.

"I'm Rick." The tallest boy said. He looked just like his father.

"Ok." Erika said nodding her head. "How old are you?"

"I'm five."

"I'm Rita." One of the girls said. "I'm Rick's twin." She had long blonde hair, almost like her mother's except a bit darker.

"Oh. That's nice." Erika said with a smile.

"That's Adam" Rita continued. "He's four" He had dark red hair, with huge blue eyes. Erika could tell by looking at him that he was full of mischief but all he had to do was smile and stay out of trouble. She couldn't help but wonder where the red hair came from.

"This is Amy and Cora. They're twins like me and Rick." Rita didn't need to tell Erika that one. These two looked exactly alike. They both had kinky, curly blonde hair.

"Rick and I." Erika corrected.

"You have a twin?" Rita asked.

"No." Erika said confused. "Why?"

Well, you said 'Rick and I'."

"Oh." She couldn't think of a thing to say. "Never mind." The child shrugged.

"So can we go play now?" Rick asked impatiently

"Just don't get too noisy." Erika cautioned.

"We won't."

"Can we go outside?" Rita asked.

'Good Idea." Erika said. "Tara?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Would you mind taking the kids outside?"

"No problem, ma'am," Tara said with a huge grin. She then turned to the children. "Let's go." She took the hands of Amy and Cora and headed out the door. Erika watched as they left.


An hour later Annaliese came down the stairs carrying the last child. She looked much better than she did last night. She and the little one she carried had had a bath and they both looked refreshed.

"Good morning Annaliese."

"Morning, Erika." Annaliese looked around. "Have you seen the children?"

"Their outside playing with Tara." Annaliese nodded her head as she sat down on the couch.

"Did you sleep ok?"

"Pretty good."

"Good." Erika walked over and sat beside Annaliese. "Want something to eat or drink?"

"Tea would be nice." Annaliese answered.

"Ok." Erika rang for another maid to bring some tea. Annaliese sat the child she was holding on the floor. "What's her name?"

"Harmony." She looked like a miniature version of her mother.

"That's a gorgeous name." Erika said. She watched as Harmony crawled around. "How old is she?"

"She's ten months."

"Wow." The maid brought in the tea tray then left. They sat in silence watching Harmony. Annaliese looked at Erika.

"I hope this war ends soon." Annaliese commented. Erika looked at Annaliese. Tears were slipping down her cheek.

"So do I."

"It's been so long since I've seen Julian." Erika reached over and hugged Annaliese. They sat in silence once again. They looked down at Harmony as she pushed herself onto her bottom. They both laughed.

"She's so cute."

"I know." Annaliese said with a sad smile. " The saddest part is that Julian hasn't even seen her yet."

"How long has he been gone?"

"About a year."

"That long?"

"Yes."

"Does he know about her?"

"Yes. I was pregnant with her when he left."

"Oh." They sat in silence once again.

"Can we go see the gardens?" Annaliese asked after a little while.

"Sure." Erika went and picked up Harmony, and then they headed for the gardens. When they got there Annaliese walked to the roses and sniffed deeply.

"Beautiful." Annaliese whispered.

"I know. Dominic loves the roses." Erika commented. "He's mixed a few and they are gorgeous."

"Can I see them?"

"Sure. This way." They headed toward a huge greenhouse. When they entered, Erika led Annaliese toward a light blue rose with light purple on the tips of its petals.

"He did this?" Annaliese asked amazed.

"Yes." Erika repositioned Harmony then reached out and touched one of the petals. "This one is his pride and joy."

"I can see why." Annaliese reached out and touched the petals. "It's gorgeous." She continued to admire the rose. "Has he tried to make one without thorns?" She asked with a chuckle.

"No." Erika replied.

"Why?"

"Dominic likes to keep the thorns."

"Why?"

"He told me that it reminds him that everything, no matter how pretty or sickly it is, comes with a price." Annaliese looked at Erika as they both shrugged. "I don't know what that means either." Erika said with a smile. "Ready to head back outside?"

"Yes." The headed back out to the main garden. Their spirits were lighter as they talked about the old days and what's been going on in their lives.


A dark form lurked in the shadows as it watched them make their way around the garden.

"Perfect." The form chuckled.