It was a fine summer day in Middleton.

Cassie was surrounded by pots, pans and other cooking aids as she finished up dinner in the kitchen. Alexander had tucked himself away in a corner chair by the window, with clear views of his mother and his sister outside in front of the basketball hoop. He liked the sport and might have been out with his sibling, but found more interest and comfort in keeping an eye on his family and his nose in a book.

"Alex," Cassie questioned, "Where's your sister?"

"Outside. Basketball." He said nonchalantly.

She chuckled and answered, "Ok." Her twins' apparent indifference for each other bothered Cassie; they had barely spent two seconds away from one another's company since they were born. She heard the familiar sound of a bouncing ball outside and knew he was home.

"Mama! Dad's home!" Alex said excitedly.

"Oh, good," she answered seeing him bound towards the door. "Wait until he gets into the house before you start bombarding him, alright?"

"Oh, ok, I will," he said stopping in his tracks, looking back at his mother with a minor look of disappointment looming on his face. Cassie chuckled a bit as her son returned to his perch and buried himself back into his reading material.

Sam carefully pulled into the driveway, seeing his daughter in front of the hoop. He smiled proudly as she had appeared to continue the Radford affinity for his favourite sport; and, like him and Nick, it had already become a way to vent when she was upset or think when confused. Something had to be on her mind, he thought. Cassie had mentioned to him that she had noticed something different about the twins, now Sam was sure that she was right. Perhaps a talk with his daughter would shed some more light on their concerns.

"Hey princess," Sam said closing the car door and placing his hands up for a pass.

"Hi Daddy!" Elizabeth replied, throwing the ball and running for a hug from her father.

He caught the ball and bent down just in time to embrace his daughter. "I missed you while you were at the hospital today," she said out of the blue.

"I missed you too, as always," he answered. Catching an unfamiliar look on face, he asked, "Hey my girl, what's up?"

"I don't know, Daddy. I…I just…I really miss you when you go to work at the hospital and I'm really…happy when you're back," she said hesitantly, as if she wanted to say more but wasn't.

"Well, I'm very, very happy that you're happy when I get home from the hospital," he smiled, picked up the ball again and gave it to her. After a moment, he added, "Lizziebeth?"

"Yeah, Daddy."

Looking into her eyes, the same ones that stared back at him every day in a mirror, he continued, "Any particular reason you're glad when I come home from the hospital? I am happy that you miss me because I miss you when I'm at work even when it's not at the hospital."

"Hospitals aren't fun," she simply answered. "People who are hurt or sick go there."

"Well, that's true," Sam admitted to her, "but that's why I'm there. I'm a doctor and I want to help make them better."

"I know. I just like knowing you're home," she said, wrapping her arms tight around his neck.

"Ok, ok," he said holding her. "I like coming home to you, your Mom, brothers and sister too, so we're even."

They separated and Elizabeth smiled, content for the moment. "I've been practising," she said, "let me show you."

"Ok, quick demo. We don't want to keep your Mama and Alex waiting for us." They both eyed the ball and made a dash to see who could get to it first.

Cassie listened to the repetitive sound of a bouncing ball and knew that her young daughter's worries had been eased—for the moment. She remembered when her mother had first talked to her about the Merriwicks, and when she had first talked to Grace. It looked like she may to think about it again with Elizabeth, explaining about her namesake and their lineage. Elizabeth may not be the only one, she suddenly considered, looking over to her only biological son. Males of the Merriwick line were rarely mentioned in the stories she had heard growing up. She knew he was smart—as smart as his father; she knew he was kind—as kind as her own father, his namesake; but she was the Merriwick, not her husband, not her father and she could only wonder what that meant for Alexander, if anything, would certainly come as a surprise. For the first time, she didn't know what to expect.

The bedtime ritual for the Radford twins took time. Once Elizabeth and Alexander were settled in their room and in their beds, however, it was family time. Sam had stopped working late shifts at Hillcrest when they were born so he could be there for them. The children had never known an evening without their father.

"We finished Seabiscuit last night," Elizabeth announced looking directly at her brother. "Now it's my turn to choose, right Mama?"

"Yes, Lizzie, it's your turn."

The little girl rubbed her hands together excitedly and went to the bookcase. She scanned the shelves seriously until her hand landed on the one she wanted. Cassie smiled upon receiving the book.

Alex had also caught the title of the book. "A girly book, really," he complained.

"The Tarynsville books are not girly, sport" Sam cut-in. "Your brother played the prince when the whole of Middleton was transformed into the town one Halloween."

Cassie smiled at the memory of that special Halloween. That night she had dreamt of a future with Dr. Sam Radford.

"Nick read these too," the boy said, his eyes lighting up at the shock of the possibility and mention of his brother.

"Well, no" Sam had to admit, "but he did see the movies and liked them no matter what he says."

"Then I'll wait 'til you and Mama let me see the movies," he said crossing his arms sternly and looking at his mother and sister.

"Alexander Samuel," Cassie said with a firm calmness in her voice that the boy understood immediately. "You know the rules. Your sister chose this book, just as you chose the last one, and it is the bedtime story. Yes?"

"Yes."

"Good. Let's begin."

Cassie snuggled around her youngest daughter and began to read while Sam put his arm around his son with a final look that told the boy he was in agreement with Cassie. Surrendering to his parents' rule, he leaned into his father's chest, closed his eyes, and listened to his mother's soothing voice as she read the story about the town that was eternally stuck in Halloween. Elizabeth glanced at her brother, who already seemed like he was asleep. Her father listening intently with a look of pure love for his wife, who brought the story of the young woman and enchantress to life. It was times like this when she was most happy and loved—her family around her.

Cassie had finished the chapter and both children were properly tucked in when she and Sam clicked off the lights and leaving, with one last look at their sleeping son and daughter, the door ajar.

They walked into the main room, hands intertwined, and settle upon the couch for the evening. "Something is up with our daughter, love," he said to her with concern written all over his face. "She said an odd thing and it got me thinking," he paused.

"What Sam? What did she say? What's got you thinking?" Cassie fired the questions.

Over the years of knowing her husband, she had learned many things about him and one of those things was that he had extraordinary listening skills and could infer certain information from just hearing what someone had to say—perhaps that was why he was such a good doctor, father and person.

"She said she likes it when I am home from the hospital. That she doesn't like it there because people are sick and hurt."

"Well, a lot of children are scared of hospitals. That is normal."

"There's more. It wasn't just what she said, but how she said it."

Cassie could see her husband playing the moment over and over in his mind. She loved his tenacity and when it came to worry for his children, it was intensified.

"Cassie?" He suddenly asked. "When did Grace begin showing signs of her…Merriwick intuition?"

Getting a thoughtful look on her face, Cassie said, "I think it's always there. It's just learning what it means and how to act. That's what can take a lifetime." She was constantly amazed by her husband. In many ways he was still the sceptic that didn't believe in Eastern medicine, luck or even a bit of magic, but he always believed in her and by extension her daughter. For the first time, she could see, he was considering that maybe their daughter had inherited more from her mother than her compassion and kindness.

They both looked at each other.

"Perhaps I should talk with her."

"Yeah, I think now might be a good time to tell her about her Merriwick ancestors."

Sam kissed her on the cheek and opened his book. They both settled into each other and their evening habits.

Some hours later, Elizabeth Radford lay in her bed, unable to fall back to sleep. Her twin brother slept soundly in the bed next to hers. A glow from low house lamps illuminated the hall enveloped her in warmth and safety, as it always had. From the moment she could crawl, Elizabeth was a mover. She was curious, adventurous, and always wanted to be someplace where she was not—she had grown up with stories of her mother's and Aunt Joanne's travels after all. At the moment, she wanted to be someplace other than her bedroom, other than her house.

In an instant she was out of her bed quietly making her way out the door and over to the B and B that was only next door. Grey House was locked for the night, but Elizabeth knew the code to keypad that guests could use to enter after hours. Clad in pyjamas and slippers she found herself in the cosy Grey House living room staring up at the painting of her ancestor and namesake, Elizabeth Merriwick. Grace had always told her that she thought their mother resembled the Grey Lady, and as Elizabeth Radford stood there by the light of the fire, she couldn't agree more. Suddenly she had a familiar feeling.

"Mama," she said without turning around.

Cassie appeared by her side. "Lizzie, what are you doing here at this time of night?"

Her voice was, once again, calm yet stern. Elizabeth was well aware that she had done something she should not have, but also that she was not in too much trouble—at least that was what she hoped.

"I couldn't sleep. I just had to be here."

Mother and daughter moved to the couch, Cassie letting her continue. "You and Daddy named me after her, right?" she said, eyes still fixed on the painting. "Why?"

"Well, your Dad chose your name, actually," she explained, giggling to herself as the memory came back to her.

"Daddy named me?"

"Yes, and I named your brother," she said honestly.

She pulled Elizabeth close to her. "You and your brother are the best things that your father and I could have ever wished for in our lives."

"Mama, you and Grace are always telling us stories about Elizabeth and the other Merriwicks." Cassie nodded. "Why?"

Her daughter was full of questions, Cassie thought. "Well, they were some women in our family that did some amazing things. It's good to share those stories."

Her younger daughter sighed heavily, looking at the Grey Lady. Sam was right, she realised, something was going on with their daughter as she saw the same look of concentration from the 8-year old that she had seen in both Sam and Nick at times.

"Elizabeth," she finally said. "Your Dad wanted you to share your name with the Grey Lady because he knows all those stories too. Elizabeth Merriwick was an independent, strong, courageous woman who did some wonderful things while she lived. That's simply what we want for you—to be the best you can be and not let anything stand in your way."

"Thanks," she said smiling and hugged her mother tightly. "I just wonder," she added pulling away from Cassie's arms "I just wonder…is there anything …different about the Merriwicks?"

"Different?" Cassie questioned cautiously. "How?"

"Well, I always know when you, Daddy, Alex, Grace and Nicky are around before you announce yourselves. Alex notices it too and he even noted how Daddy and Nick don't seem to do this, but you and Grace do."

Alexander, her observant son, Cassie should have known he would make the connection between the Merriwicks. "So you and your brother have talked about this?"

"Yeah, he was the first that noticed and told me," she admitted. "Then I couldn't let it go."

She thought about how much to tell, knowing full well that it would probably get back to her son as well. Not even Grace had been as direct about her Merriwick questions at this age; she had been a bit older.

"Sweet pea, every little piece of who we are comes from many, many people—our ancestors—and that makes us an individual." Elizabeth gave her a look and Cassie laughed. "There, what you did just now. I've seen your father do that. Your tenacity is a Radford trait. You and your brother both share your father's grin and his shining blue eyes."

"Mama…"

Cassie raised her hand and continued, "Your Dad would list all the things that he sees reflected in you from me; all these pieces from me, from him will determine who you are. You are a Radford, a Nightingale, a Merriwick and more. Yes, there are some Merriwick bits that are…special… and as a Merriwick, you may feel those differences, but they are what make you, Elizabeth Marie Radford.

"So, what I feel sometimes, we all have that?"

"To some extent, yes. Generations of Merriwick women including me, cousin Abigail, my mother, and your sister have felt this way. Let me assure you, it's not something bad, but if something ever makes you worried or scared you can come to me or your Dad, ok?"

"Daddy knows? He believes in you—us?"

"He believes in all of us. He always will. That is just one of the reasons I love him so much." Cassie explained to her daughter with a knowing smile. Elizabeth, despite being a Merriwick, was also most certainly her father's daughter.

"Ok," Lizzie finally said as if her mother's explanation had answered her questions, turned back towards the portrait of the Grey Lady. "You look like the Grey Lady and I'm named after her…that's pretty cool."

Cassie laughed and kissed her youngest daughter, "Yeah, pretty cool. Come on, let's get back home. Your brother will be missing you and your Dad will miss me."

Quietly, so as not to disturb guests and other members of the family, Cassie and Elizabeth left Grey House.

After tucking her daughter back in bed and kissing her son on the forehead, she slipped back into bed. She settled in and Sam rolled over, wrapping his arm around her.

"So, what happened to my two girls?" he asked groggily.

"You know?"

"I know my wife and daughter were not where they should be, yes, and you had five minutes before I started looking for you both."

Cassie kissed him. "Thank you. I'm sorry. I heard get up and followed her to Grey House."

Sam looked surprised. "Grey House. Why?"

"You were right. She needed to see the Grey Lady and I needed to tell her a bit about her ancestry."

"A bit?"

"Enough of what I felt she should know at this stage. Our twins are very aware of their differences…shall we say."

"Both of them?!"

"Mmhmm."

Sam lay back onto his pillow. "Ok, where do we go from here?"