Kane watched as, one after another, the guards on duty caught sight of Kel and went still. He knew she was the only other Lady Knight in the realm, and that many thought she was dead but he still had not expected this type of reaction. What did they expect, a refugee? A battle ready, knight in full armor prancing through the gates as though nothing had happened? Kane knew how much Kel hated being the center of attention and found himself slightly annoyed. Alanna instructed them to turn their horses over to one of the grooms standing by and follow her. About that time two children rounded the corner and barreled into Alanna, nearly knocking her to the ground.

"What are the two of you doing here? You are supposed to be at home!"

"We got here two days ago with Papa." The taller of the two boys was a little more reserved and answered as he let go of his mother. "Aunt Buri had her baby and Grandpa Myles needed Papa for something."

"Alan let go I can't breathe! Go find your Father and tell him to meet us at Uncle Raoul's."

"Yes Mama" Two heads nodded and the boys took off to do as their mother said.

"They have gotten so big, Alanna. I've missed a lot." Kel had grabbed her husbands arm and was holding on for dear life, using him as an anchor. Alanna smiled and led them off towards the palace. Kel looked around, taking in some of the changes. There were a few new buildings she did not recognize but other than that everything looked almost the same. She glanced at Kane and noticed spots dancing in her vision. She shook her head trying to clear it but that only seemed to make it worse. "Kane?" She whispered his name and fainted.

"We have to keep her sedated! If she comes to and recognizes any of us we are all dead men and all of this will have been for nothing."

"I understand that but much more of these drugs and she won't survive at all. We were told not to kill her!" Kel recognized those voices but couldn't put names to them before she blacked out a

"Kel? Kel? Wake up, love." She knew that voice, where had she heard it before? "Kel? Keladry!" She opened her eyes and waited for her vision to focus.

"Kane? What? What happened?"

"You scared me to death! That is what happened? If you die on me know Keladry I swear I will find someone to bring you back so I can kill you again!"

"Neal would you mind not yelling at my wife? I would really appreciate it." Neal had the sense to at least look a little ashamed.

"I'm sorry Kel, but you scared me. Why didn't you tell us you were expecting?"

"I'm sorry what?!" Kel looked at Neal not sure she was hearing him right. She slowly sat up and stared at him. "What did you say?"

"Kel you did know you were pregnant right?" He looked between the shocked expressions of Kane and the woman on the bed. "I'll take that as a no." he said to himself. "Uh Kel, Kane, congratulations your going to be parents in about eight months or so."

"You're not serious?" Kel still did not comprehend what he was telling her.

"I am very serious Kel. When you fainted, Kane thought it was another flashback only worse. We were going to insist on checking you out anyway and when you did not wake up right away, Kane gave us the go ahead." Neal kept talking about pregnancy symptoms, even though Kel had clearly tuned out.

"Uh, Neal," Kane interrupted, "would you give us a minute." The man looked at Kel noticing her panicked expression for the first time, nodded and left them in privacy. Kane followed him to the door and shut it behind him. "Kel, did you really not have any idea?"

"Kane, I promise you if I had any suspicions at all you would have been the first to know. I haven't been feeling well but I just thought it was the flashbacks." She put her hand to her still flat stomach in shock. "How did this happen?"

"Well I really didn't think I would have to explain the specifics to you love. After all we have been married for six months." He smirked and kissed the back of her hand.

"Are you happy?" It had just occurred to her that he may not be all that thrilled at the prospect of being a father.

"Happy? Are you kidding? I could not be happier! We talked about having children Kel, I don't think we planned on it being this soon but…are you happy?"

"I don't think it has sunk it yet." The couple sat there for a moment staring at each other. "A baby! Kane we are going to be parents! I hope it's a boy!"

"Oh no I want a girl!"

"A girl? I thought all men wanted boys?"

"Not all men are married to you." He leaned over and kissed her softly before they heard a small knock on the door. "Well, time to face the music, I suppose." Kane stood and went to the door. Kel heard him open the door and closed her eyes in relief as she recognized her mother's voice.

Ilane of Mindelan took one look at the man who had answered the door and knew Kel was alright as Alanna had said she was. The man in front of her wore confidence like a cloak, and she knew he was lethal. "You must be my new son-in-law?"

"If you are Ilane of Mindelan, then I must be. Please come in" He waved her into the room and shut the door. She stood stock still in the middle of the room staring at Kel still sitting in the bed. She could not stand being so far away from her youngest child any longer and strode to the bed and wrapped her in a hug.

"I never gave up hope."

"Mama!" She spoke between sobs she could no longer control, "I can't believe you're here."

"Where else would I be?" She drew back and looked at her daughter. "My youngest daughter comes back to me after two years of wondering and searching? Of course I'm here." She took her in her arms again and held on tight. "Oh dear don't cry. It's alright. I'm here." She tried to soothe Kel the best she could. Ilane wasn't sure what she had been expecting but an uncontrollable sobbing Kel was definitely not it. She glanced over at Kane and saw that he was holding out a handkerchief, she smiled and let go of Kel long enough to hand it over.

"I'm sorry Mama, I don't know why I'm crying. It must be the hormones."

"Hormones?" Ilane tilted her head to look in Kel's face. "Kel?"

"I don't know if we want to tell everyone just yet Mama but I'm pregnant. I just found out. Kane and I haven't even discussed what or if we want to tell anyone."

"We do." Both women looked at Kane in surprise. "What? I want to scream it from that tall needle looking tower we saw coming in. You really think I'm going to be able to not tell anyone."

"So he is thrilled I see." Ilane turned back to her daughter. Kel laughed and wiped at her face.

"So it would seem."

"It has been quite a day. My daughter is returned to me with a husband and child in tow. I am truly fortunate." Ilane put her hand to Kel's check and hugged her again. She pulled back and stood to face her new son-in-law. "Now, Kel introduce your husband to me. I taught you better than that." Her eyes twinkled as she spoke.

"I'm sorry Mama; this is Kane Dell, my husband. Kane, Ilane of Mindelan." Kane took his mother-in-law's hand and kissed the back dramatically.

"It is an honor to meet the Lady who raised such an amazing woman."

"The honor is mine." He dropped her hand and grinned at her. Ilane laughed and hugged him. "Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me" She whispered to him, not wanting to start Kel's tears again.

"Mama, where is Papa?"

"The King's Council is in session but he is heading straight here as soon as he can. I am supposed to be with Her Highness and Princess Shinko but I know they will understand." Kel moved to get out of the bed and both her mother and her husband moved to help her. She looked at them in confusion.

"What are you doing?"

"You should stay in bed." Kane was worried she would fall or pass out again.

"Kane, I'm not breakable; I'm pregnant, and I refuse to sit about like and invalid. I feel fine and I want to get up." Kane made to argue but the look on his wife's face silenced him.

"Kel you really should take it easy for a few days. Neal says you fainted in the courtyard?"

"Yes I did but I'm sure it was just the heat." Kane was still unconvinced and was still hovering over her.

"KANE! I am fine!" He put his hands up and backed away. Ilane couldn't help but laugh at the exchange.

"I can tell you two have been together a while!" She sat in a chair near the bed as Kel got dressed. "Don't worry dear; your father did the same thing the first time I was expecting. You know with you here there are 4, well 3 now, women who are expecting."

"What do you mean?" Kel had finished dressing and was sitting down to pull a pair of sturdy boots on.

"Well Buri just had her baby a week ago; Yuki and Daine are both expecting, and now you." Ilane saw the panicked look in Kane's face. Kel had gone from elated to sobbing to yelling within five minutes. If there were two other women in this place like that, he wasn't sure he wanted to be around. "You can go and hide in the training courts if you like, that's where all the other husbands are." He looked at her grateful and got up to leave, kissing the top of Kel's head as he left.

"Send someone for me if you need something love." He walked towards the door and then stopped and turned around, "I forget, are we telling our news or keeping it to ourselves?"

"I think I would like to keep it to ourselves for now. We just got here, let's settle in first..."

"I thought you might say that." He turned and continued towards the door. He didn't get five feet past it before he turned around and came back to kiss Kel again. "I still hope it's a girl."

Kel laughed and sent him on his way.