Aaron woke up the next morning and saw Miranda clinging to him even in her sleep.
He moved ever so slightly and climbed out of bed. He pulled the sheets over her shoulders and kissed her head.
She snuggled deeper into the sheets and sighed in her sleep.
It warmed his heart that she was starting to feel safe again.
He went to the bathroom and took a shower.
Once he got ready he came back into the bedroom and saw his wife still sleeping.
He quietly slipped out of the bedroom and went in search of his daughter.
He found Alex asleep in one of the guest rooms. He watched her for a moment then decided to roam the castle. He ended up in his office. He smiled as he looked around and saw that everything was the same.
He opened the double doors and saw the beautiful scenery. He felt the slight breeze and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on his face.
He went and sat down in his chair. He leaned back and sighed. It was just like he remembered. He opened the drawers and much to his surprise saw a blanket.
'Miranda. She must've slept in here to have some connection to him' he thought.
He heard a knock on the door and saw Iliana and Karsh. He stood and hugged both of them.
Aaron said "thank you both for keeping all my girls safe."
They smiled.
Karsh said "it's wonderful to have you back sir."
Aaron smiled "I'm happy to be back. I never thought I'd get a second chance."
Iliana said "Miranda never gave up hope. She's slept in your office almost every night. Thantos finally gave up trying to keep her out of there. They haven't slept in the same bed for years. Losing you and the girls was so hard on her. She hasn't been the same ever since."
Aaron nodded "hopefully that will change with us being back. I think Alex will end up staying here or at least will be here a lot so that will help Miranda. I need to try and tear the walls down that she built but I know my wife is in there somewhere."
Karsh and Iliana smiled.
Meanwhile back in the bedroom:
Miranda reached out and felt a cold, empty space. Her eyes flew open and she sat up.
She whispered "no. It couldn't have been a dream. Aaron!"
She received no answer.
She started breathing heavily and shouted again "Aaron!"
When she received no answer she began to feel sick. She ran to the bathroom and threw up.
Camryn portaled over and heard her mother scream. She found her father walking downstairs talking with their protectors. He smiled when he saw her.
She said "dad! I think I heard mom scream. Is she okay?"
He immediately ran to their bedroom and found the bed empty. He heard heart wrenching sobs coming from the bathroom.
He opened the door and saw his wife sitting on the floor with her knees drawn up to her chest and her face buried in her arms. His heart broke for her.
He squatted in front of her and whispered "sweetheart?"
Her head popped up and her eyes widened "Aaron?"
He smiled and nodded "yes baby."
She shook her head "I'm dreaming aren't I? This can't be real."
He took her face in his hands and said "Miranda listen to me. You're not dreaming. We defeated the darkness, Thantos is gone and you're family is back. We will never leave you again."
He leaned in and kissed her passionately. She moaned into his mouth. He pulled back and helped her stand up. She leaned into his chest and sighed.
He rubbed her back and said "let me run you a nice hot bath and you try and relax."
She sniffled "but the girls..."
He interrupted "can entertain themselves. I want to focus on you."
She smiled softly and cupped his face "I've missed you so much. I almost forgot how wonderful you were; so much different than Thantos."
He kissed her wrist and said "I'm here now. You don't have to be the strong one any more."
She looked relieved and watched him fill up the bathtub.
He slid off her robe and flimsy nightgown. He kneeled down and slid her panties down her long, tan legs and just stared at her for a moment.
She smiled and ran her hand over his head.
He stood up and guided her to the bathtub. She stepped into the bathtub and sank down into the water. The bubbles surrounded her and she laid her head down.
She looked at Aaron and said "don't go."
He sat on the floor and ran a finger down her face "I'm not going anywhere. Close your eyes."
Her eyes slipped shut and soon she felt hands rubbing her shoulders. She moaned at the familiar touch and smiled softly.
He would say a spell under his breath that kept the water warm.
She finally decided it was time to get out of the bathtub so Aaron grabbed her towel and she stepped into it. He smiled and kissed her cheek.
He said "feeling better?"
She smiled "much."
They went into the bedroom and he watched her get ready from the bed.
He said "I was in my office this morning and saw that everything was exactly the same."
She froze and said "it was the one place I felt close to you. I blocked it off after you died. I banned Thantos from going in there."
He nodded "I found your blanket in the drawer."
She sighed "I've been sleeping in your office. I'd look at your portrait and feel like you were watching over me; keeping me safe. I thought marrying Thantos would make my life easier but I was wrong! I swear I didn't have any other choice. He was pure evil. I felt like dying when I found out he killed you and the girls."
He walked over to her and slid his arms around her waist "shh. Don't think about that. I don't want you feeling guilty."
She nodded slowly "no one has been in your office but me. Now the girls know it exists and to be honest I don't know how I feel about that."
He said "I'm glad they know it's there. You don't need my office to feel close to me anymore. From now on I want you to get a good nights rest in our bed with me."
He squeezed her and nuzzled her neck.
She giggled "that sounds wonderful."
He saw that she was ready so he held his hand and guided her out of the bedroom.
Aaron and Miranda walked through the castle and saw Camryn stuck in the wall once again.
She muttered "shoot! Stupid, stupid spell. Why I can't I do this? Come one Camryn. It can't be that hard!"
Aaron grinned and looked at Miranda who just shrugged her shoulders.
They walked over to her and Aaron said "I see your trying magic?"
She looked embarrassed "trying and failing miserably!"
He raised an eyebrow and said "I thought Iliana and Karsh were going to teach you?"
She huffed and whined "I got bored! Apparently I'm just not meant to walk through walls. I think its time I've accepted that and moved on with my life."
Aaron and Miranda laughed. Miranda waved her hand and Camryn fell out of the wall.
She hopped up quickly and whined "how do you do that?! You make it look so easy!"
They laughed and Aaron said "it takes practice. Come with us. We will have breakfast out in the garden."
Camryn smiled and said "where's Alex?"
Before they could answer Alex said "I'm right here."
Miranda smiled "good morning sweetheart. Did you sleep well?"
Alex smiled "yes. That bed is so comfortable."
They smiled and Aaron hugged his daughter "were going out to the garden for breakfast if you'd like to join us."
Alex smiled and followed her family.
Alex and Camryn stood behind there parents. They saw Miranda hold Aaron's arm tightly as though she was afraid to let go. Aaron brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. The girls looked at each other and smiled.
They walked outside and he held out Miranda's chair. She kissed his cheek and sat down. He pushed in her chair and sat down with his girls.
Aaron asked Alex "so how did you like staying here last night?"
She smiled "oh I loved it. I got to explore the castle and work on my magic. I've mastered walking through the walls unlike some people."
Camryn glared at her sister and kicked her under the table.
"Ouch! Camryn!"
Camryn smiled innocently.
Miranda playfully said "Camryn don't kick your sister!"
Alex grinned and Camryn muttered "yes ma'am."
Miranda said 'I'm sorry we didn't spend much time with you last night but I was exhausted."
Alex swallowed her food and said "That's alright. I'm sure it was a lot to take in."
Miranda nodded and Aaron touched her hand as a source of comfort.
Alex said "I think I'd like to stay here again tonight if you don't mind."
Miranda was pleased and smiled brightly "of course we don't mind!"
Camryn on the other hand looked at her sister and wasn't sure what to think.
After spending the majority of there day with Aaron and Miranda Camryn decided it was time to go back home. Alex needed to go to Camryn's and pick up a few things so she told her parents she'd be back a in little bit.
Alex and Camryn made it home.
Camryn looked at her sister and said "what's going on Alex?"
Alex furrowed her brow and said "what do you mean?"
Camryn glared at her "your staying with them again!?"
Alex nodded "why wouldn't I? They're our parents."
Camryn said "they're your parents. I already have mine and they're downstairs. Besides Aaron and Miranda have you. They don't need me."
Alex frowned "what is wrong with you? Weren't you the one who wanted to find our birth parents?"
Camryn said "yes but now its to real! They have each other they don't need us."
Alex got upset "that's not true! Mom needs us now more than ever. This has been extremely hard on her. Not only did she lose her husband but she lost her children and married a mad man."
Camryn said "she needs you. I don't even think that she likes me."
Alex smiled and laughed "are you kidding me?"
Camryn got quiet and looked at Alex.
Alex cocked her head and whispered "you're not kidding. Why would you think that Cammy?"
Camryn sat on the bed "because when I go by myself she is always asking for you and does everything in her power to get away from me. She doesn't think I'm mature enough to handle this but she's wrong! I like having responsibilities. I really do. Mom didn't even flinch when I decided to stay home last night."
Alex wrapped her arm around her sister "Camryn, I think you're overreacting. Mom loves both of us."
Camryn said "she didn't care that I left this time either Alex and she got on to me when I kicked you. I was just playing. Anyway, I think it'd be better for me to stay here tonight."
Alex looked helpless.
Camryn smiled sadly "you better get back. They'll be worried about you."
Camryn got up and went downstairs.
Alex stayed on the bed for a moment and went into Camryn's closet and got some of her drawings to show Aaron and Miranda.
Alex portaled to Coventry and saw Karsh and Iliana.
Alex smiled and said "hi! Have you seen my parents?"
Karsh said "they're in your father's office."
"Thanks!"
Alex walked down the hall and knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
She opened the door and saw her parents sitting on the couch.
Miranda stood up and hugged her daughter "I'm so glad your back! What do you have there?"
Alex said "Camryn's drawings. She doesn't know I have them but I thought you should see them after all this helped us find you and dad."
Alex sat in the middle of them and together they looked at the pictures.
Miranda smiled "there beautiful. She's very talented. Why didn't she want us to see these?"
Alex closed the books and looked at Miranda "she didn't think you'd care."
Miranda looked hurt "why wouldn't I care? She's my daughter! I passed my artistic abilities to her. We can bond over that."
Alex shrugged her shoulders "she's convinced that you don't like her."
Aaron and Miranda stood up and said "what?"
Aaron defended his wife "that's absurd! Why would she think that? Miranda's her mother!"
Alex looked at Miranda and said "just the way you act around her. She told me when she comes alone you want to know where I am and you don't think she's mature enough for this responsibility. I think the thing that bothered her most was that you didn't seem to mind when she left last night or tonight. Little things like that."
Miranda's eyes looked glassy and her voice cracked "I never meant to hurt her. I want both my daughters here but I know your sister has a life and other parents back home and I don't want to make her feel guilty or make her think she has to choose. Her family is wonderful and they've been very generous to you but I want to give you the love and attention you deserve. Is that so wrong?"
She looked at her husband and said "I'm already messing up at being a mother."
He hugged her and said "you're not messing anything up. We haven't had to be parents in 21 years it will take some getting used to. We have to get to know them."
Alex said "dad's right. Camryn is just a little sensitive."
Miranda looked at Alex and said "I'll make it right. I promise."
Before Alex could reply they heard Camryn shout "Alex?!"
She stormed downstairs and saw Alex with there parents.
She glared at Alex and ripped her scrapbooks out of Alex's hands "you could've at least asked before you stole them!"
Camryn turned around to go back to the door when Miranda shouted "wait! Don't go."
Camryn froze and slowly turned around "why?"
Miranda walked over to her and said "please stay?"
Camryn looked confused.
Aaron said "yes please stay. We'd love for you to stay the night."
Camryn looked at Alex and said "I just came for my books. I don't think..."
Alex said "oh Camryn stay! I don't think you're parents would mind. It will give us a chance to bond as a family."
Camryn looked at Aaron and Miranda who looked hopeful.
She sighed and muttered "alright."
Miranda's face lit up "wonderful!"
Miranda gently guided Camryn to the couch and said "you're very talented. Your drawings are beautiful."
She looked confused then it dawned on her.
She glared at Alex "you showed them?"
Alex nodded "I didn't think you'd mind...okay I knew you would but I did think they had a right to see your drawings."
Miranda said "don't be mad at her. I'm glad she showed us."
Camryn looked at Miranda "you are?"
Miranda smiled and nodded "I have some of my drawings saved. I could show you if you like even though most of them are of your father."
Aaron smiled at Miranda and she blushed.
Camryn finally nodded "I'd like that."
Aaron said "honey, why don't you go get them and take Camryn with you?"
Miranda looked at Aaron as though she was about to protest.
She said "but Aaron..."
Aaron knew what was bothering her so he stood up and sat beside her.
He said "I'm not going to disappear if you go to another room."
She looked embarrassed.
He kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear "it will give you a chance to talk to Camryn alone."
Miranda finally understood what he wanted her to do and said "okay."
Miranda looked at Camryn "would you like to come with me?"
She thought 'not really!'
Alex nudged her sister and Camryn sighed "fine."
Miranda walked out with Camryn and Alex said "is everything okay with mom?"
Aaron said "she's still convinced everything is a dream and she doesn't want to let me out of her sight. Having you here helps a lot and she wishes Camryn would stay here as well but doesn't want to push it."
Alex said "I can talk to her. I'm sure she wouldn't mind staying every once and a while."
Camryn was walking with Miranda and the came to the bedroom. Miranda walked inside and went to her dresser. She opened the drawer and inside were tons of leather scrapbooks.
Camryn was shocked.
Miranda grabbed some and sat on the bed. She patted a place besides her and said "come sit with me."
Camryn sat besides her mother and looked at the drawings. She saw pictures of her when she was little.
Her mouth fell open "how..."
Miranda said "the same way you drew me. I never gave up hope so this was a way I could stay connected even though people told me you were dead. Thantos found my scrapbooks one time and almost destroyed them but I stopped him before he could."
Camryn said "why would he do that?"
Miranda said "I think he was jealous and didn't want me living in the past. That was when I decided I would remained married to him but could no longer be with him. My heart would always belong to your father."
Camryn said "why are you showing me these?"
Miranda looked at Camryn and brushed a piece of hair out of her face "because I love you and I want you to know I never meant to hurt you or make you think I didn't care."
Camryn realized Alex told them everything "Alex told you!"
Miranda nodded "I'm glad she did. I know you have a family back home but I would like for you to stay here sometimes as well. I'm your mother too you know."
Camryn realized that she was hurting her birth mother which was never her intention so she said "I know and I love you. This is just overwhelming! I'm trying to be there for the family that raised me and my biological parents. I don't want to hurt anyone."
Miranda said "believe me honey I know exactly how your feeling. I've been dreaming of being with my husband and children for 21 years and now that its finally happening I'm scared that one day I'll wake up and have it ripped away from me. It just scares me to death!"
Camryn said "is that why you won't let dad out of your sight?"
Miranda blushed and said "am I that obvious?"
Camryn smiled and nodded.
Miranda said "can you blame me?"
Camryn smiled softly and said "no."
Miranda looked at Camryn and said "so are we good?"
Camryn smiled and said "we're good!"
Miranda looked relieved and wrapped her arms around her daughter.
Camryn hugged her tight and said "I need to go back home."
Miranda's face fell and she pulled back "but why?"
Camryn smiled "to tell my parents I'm staying here tonight."
Miranda smiled brightly "that's wonderful! Let's go back to your father's office."
They made there way to his office and found it empty!
Miranda's heart started to pound and her breathing changed. Camryn touched her mother's arm and Miranda whispered "he's gone!"
Camryn said "I'm sure there around here somewhere."
Miranda looked scared and Camryn said "come on. Let's go find them."
Before they left they heard a loud explosion coming from outside.
They ran to the window just in time to see Aaron get tossed across the yard and saw Alex coughing.
Miranda and Camryn ran through the castle and out to the garden.
Aaron laid on the ground and was laughing.
Alex kept apologizing "I'm so, so, so sorry!"
Miranda rushed to Aaron's side and said "what happened?!"
Alex looked guilty "I tried a spell and it didn't work."
Camryn grinned and said "obviously! Little miss perfect finally messed up!"
Alex glared at Camryn "it was an accident!"
Aaron smiled and said "now girls I'm fine."
Miranda touched his face and said "are you sure?"
He smiled and kissed her hand "I'm sure. It just caught me off guard."
Camryn nudged Alex and said "and I thought you wanted to get to know our father not kill him!"
Alex said "I told you it was an accident! I must've said the spell wrong."
Camryn grinned "I would say so!"
Alex glared at Camryn "he wasn't supposed to go flying across the garden Camryn! You're enjoying this aren't you?"
Camryn smiled brightly and nodded her head enthusiastically.
Miranda said "well I guess as long as you're alright."
Aaron stood up and slipped his arm around her waist. He kissed her head "I'm fine."
Camryn said "I need to get home."
Aaron and Alex were worried.
Miranda smiled and Camryn said "relax. I'm just going to tell my parents I'm staying here tonight."
The door appeared. Camryn said her goodbyes and left.
Aaron said "so everything is okay between you two?"
Miranda smiled and nodded "its just a little overwhelming for both of us but we will work through it together."