Hey everyone,

It's been a while and surprise surprise it was my fault…again. I seem to be getting busier and busier but I try to write. I do try to write, I write when I get a chance so I may not be able to promise perfect once a week chapters but I promise that I will TRY!

Now, this chapter is probably my least favourite and it was very hard to write so sorry if it's not that good.

EXCITING NEWS!

Okay so DQ and I will be putting up a new 'story' of sorts and it will basically be excerpts that didn't make it in the story either from not working or not liking it or what. But the best part is that if you have an idea to do with this story then you can REVIEW and REQUEST it from either DQ or I. It can be anything basically as long as it makes sense, like if you want one of us to write about the past or about a random minor character more, anything. Just a note: some things in Ally and Jake's past I can't do because it may reveal something from later on in this story but review and I'll tell you if I can do it or not.

SBH

Xxx

P.S this chapter is 24 pages long so please review!

Every minute I'd check the clock waiting for it to be seven am so that I could wake Jake up. I was surprised he hadn't woken up just from the energy radiating from me. The clock seemed to go slower the more often the looked at it. I sighed glancing at the red numbers blaring out at me from the darkness. It was nearly an appropriate time to wake Jake up.

I refrained myself from bouncing around the room happily knowing that it would just be a few minutes now. My hands were folded neatly on my stomach over the blankets. I turn my gaze to the curtain clad window. Through a small gap in the material in came a rivulet of sunlight that spread a line across the floor and halfway up the wall opposite.

Once again I checked the clock and found it to be a bit past seven. Pulling back the covers with a smile I got on my knees and turned to my unsuspecting husband. I started bouncing up and down on the bed excitedly causing Jake to moan.

"Why do you wake me up and how do you have so much energy?" Jake turned over onto his back staring up at me with his dark eyes clouded with tiredness.

"Well my darling husband, today my baby is arriving." I nearly squealed which was very unlike me. He chuckled running a hand through his hair before placing both hands behind his head and watching me intently.

"I haven't seen you this excited since, well, ever."

I laughed extremely happy then sighed daydreaming,

"I've wanted a car like that one in Chicago when we had the car chase. I loved that car and this one is nearly a replica."

"Will I ever be able to drive the car?" Jake asked already knowing the answer but asking anyway.

I acted horrified as if the thought itself was terrible,

"No one but me will be driving my baby." I paused for a moment, "Unless in an emergency then you can but no one else."

"I feel privileged." Jake said sarcastically while I leaned against the head board.

A knock resounded on the door; I jumped up and went to the door to find Violet standing outside with her bathrobe on.

"Ally, sorry to wake you. But I'm kinda having a fashion emergency." Violet explained.

Fashion is right down my alley. I opened the door fully and leaned against the door jamb.

"What's the problem?"

Violet looked desperate so I followed her down the hall towards her room. I could distinctly hear the shower in their room on so I knew Iggy wouldn't exactly be in the room.

"I have nothing to wear to the lawyer's office." Violet stood back as I entered the walk in closet and looked through the clothes she had. I considered each piece carefully thinking of different ways to wear things and what would go with them. "I had something to wear but I don't fit it right now." Violet explained.

I glanced at Violet quickly looking at her baby bump before returning to the clothes. Pants, no, jean skirt, heck no. Something blue caught my eye from within the clothes. Grabbing it out I found the perfect thing, a navy blue dress that was tight around the bust then flowed out to knee length and it had sleeves that went to the elbows. I scrutinized it swiftly before giving Violet the dress.

I went out of the wardrobe while she got dressed, walk in closets are the best thing in the world. You just gotta love em. When she walked back out in the dress I assessed what she was wearing and nodded agreeing with the dress before taking her back in to get the rest of the outfit sorted.

I sorted through the belts she had and grabbed a black one that would go around just under her bust then I snatched up a pair of black peep toe shoes that were not too high.

Upon giving her a once over I knew the outfit was perfect.

"Perfect. Sexy but conservative, shows you mean business." I reassured her knowing how self conscious she is.

Violet looked unsure as she asked me the next question,

"Does it make me look amazingly huge and fat?"

No way in hell it did, it made the bump look nearly gone. I did a good job.

"No!" I yell. "You look gorgeous!"

Her face showed that she didn't believe a word I was saying, why did she not use her lie detecting now?

"Here, I'll prove it to you. Iggy come here!" I shouted out to him knowing the shower had stopped by the now silent bathroom. I'm glad he doesn't sing in the shower.

The door opened to reveal Iggy in a suit, he looked up at Violet and his eyes widened while his mouth dropped. If he wasn't careful he might start catching flies. I smirked.

"You look amazing." He announced sounding about ready to faint.

Violet smiled,

"You scrub up pretty well yourself."

Well that was fun,

"Okay, thanks for your help." I told him shoving him out of the room before turning to face Violet. "Now do you believe me?"

Red stained Violet's cheeks making her look down,

"I guess. I'd better go do my hair. Thank you so much." Violet came over to me and hugged me then left for the bathroom obviously embarrassed.

I left the room laughing going to actually get myself dressed. Jake was up and dressed when I came back in, he was busy in the bathroom so I walked over to our closet and opened the door marvelling at my sanctuary. I loved clothes and shoes, most say that's rather girly which I guess it is but some of the clothes I have aren't girly.

I picked up my black and white patch heeled shoes before walking away from the wall of shoes to where my clothes were. Taking down a pair of white skinny jeans and my black baby doll styled singlet top. After getting dressed I looked in the mirror and assessed myself, I hummed to myself playing with the ends of my hair. Slowly it grew longer until it reached just to the top of my stomach. I liked it so I left my hair down after brushing through it.

Once I emerged I found Jake waiting for me at the door of our room. He held it open for me but stopped me short touching the ends of me hair lying across my back.

"I like it long." He whispered letting me continue walking. I grinned grabbing his hand.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So, Lily needs a nap at one, straight after lunch or she'll just get crabby. She needs her two soft toys or she won't sleep." Violet instructed me, I nodded. The boys had 'offered' to do the dishes so we were free to relax for a few minutes and since the kids were in the other room this would be Violet's only chance at telling me what I need to know with Lily.

"And the potty training thing, I hate to sound like I don't believe in her, because I do, but she is probably going to have an accident. What you need to do, is not make a big fuss over it, reassure her, clean it up and she should be fine. Just remind her to go every couple of hours. Oh, and put a nappy on her before she goes to bed. I don't think we'll be back until late. I think that's everything." My mind churned as I tried to remember everything.

Iggy looked around the corner of the door,

"We've gotta get going soon." He reminded Violet.

"Okay, we'd better say goodbye to Lily then."

Violet stood to go to the lounge with Iggy right behind her. Both of them looked very formal in their suit and dress. I followed them both after a moment just as Jake came into the room. We stopped just inside the room; I leaned back on Jake as he rubbed my arms with his hands.

The sun was pouring into the room from the windows that were now not covered with curtains constantly. I still stayed away from them as much as I could always being cautious and 'listening' for any warning signs. The paparazzi didn't scare me as much as who was reading the papers and seeing the pictures.

Luckily no more had turned up since Iggy destroyed them all but you can never be totally sure.

Violet waved goodbye as she left the room making me come back to my body, I had zoned out while they had said goodbye to Lily.

"Hey guys, when my car arrives do you want to take a drive with me?" I asked Lily and Shadow.

"Yes please!" Lily said and Shadow nodded but I could see the excitement in his eyes. He knew what my driving was like and knew it would be fun.

"I'll stay here for when Typa wakes up. I'm sure I'll get a chance soon to have you drive me around." Jake told me giving me a quick kiss on the forehead before leaving to check on her.

A loud beeping came from outside,

"Come on guys, lets go see the newest addition to the family."

I ran to the front door and opened it wide to see the most perfect car in the world. I could feel the goofy grin on my face as I skipped down the steps and went over to the guy delivering it.

A guy in jeans and a plaid t-shirt got over and the car leaving the door open. I shudder at the sight of plaid, one of the worst fashion mistakes in history. I ran my hand along the bonnet marvelling in the smooth black surface. Not a chip in the paint yet, brand spanking new.

"This is a nice car." He commented grabbing the board for me to sign saying I have received the car and that I am in fact the owner and so on. I grinned at him signing the sheet with a flourish.

"That's why I got it."

"You're cars so shiny Aunt Ally!" Lily exclaimed from behind me.

"How are you getting back?" I asked the guy.

"The car behind yours." He laughed.

I finally noticed that indeed there was a car behind mine and there was another guy sitting in the driver's seat looking impatient. With a few strides the guy, I still hadn't learnt his name, got into the car and they thundered off down the drive again.

I sighed happily closing the driver side door. The car was black with full tinted windows and black leather interior. It was sleek, shiny and fast. It was expensive but very worth it.

"Okay, I'll go get your car seats then we'll buckle you in and go for a drive." I announced going back inside to the garage to retrieve the car seats. Being a mutant bird kid has its advantages, the whole extra strength thing helps when you have to carry two car seats at the same time.

After both car seats were in the back seat ready for the kinds I turned to get them.

"Come here Lily." Lily skipped over to me happily. I picked her up and put her into her pink car seat on the left side of the car, buckling her in tight. Walking round to the other side of the car I beckoned Shadow, once both were all buckled in and safe I ran to the driver's door and got in.

Snapping open the glove box I put in my wallet then closed it again buckling my own seat belt. I glanced in the mirrors getting them all in the right position then turned the ignition key. The car came to life purring quietly, I could feel the strength of the car just by holding the steering wheel.

I put the engine in drive and gunned the engine. Feeling a smile tug at my lips I glanced back briefly at the kids,

"Hold on."

And then I was off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I came to a stop inside the garage using a remote to close the garage door behind me.

"You drive better then daddy." Lily giggled from the back seat. "But faster."

I smirked unbuckling my seatbelt and hopping out of the car.

"That's because I've had more experience and his car isn't anything compared to mine."

Iggy got frustrated with people calling him gay all the time so he went and bought, basically a monster. A jeep that was big and 'manly' so that he would appear manlier but really all it did was scare Violet.

"Mummy, what are we going to do today?" Shadow questioned one I had managed to get them both out of the car and into the house.

"Well during the day you guys can play but tonight we can play some games and watch a movie." I told them seeing them both light up happily though Shadow doesn't really light up other then his eyes.

"Now what game do you want to play?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Shadow POV

Mum was putting some type of cheese with a white outside on the pizza that she said was really good. There were some herbs and some chicken and bacon as well but I couldn't tell what else.

She turned briefly to Lily and I who were watching her and dad make dinner.

"Why don't you and Shadow go play while we make dinner?" Mum suggested.

A grin split onto Lily's face as she nodded quickly.

"That sounds great Aunt Ally. Bye." Lily did a quick wave before hauling me out of the room behind her. Lily was up to something.

"What are we playing?" I asked curiously.

"We're not playing." Lily stated leading me upstairs, now I was sure of it.

I judged her expression as much as I could and all I could see was pure determination.

"Then what are we doing?"

"We're being spies."

"What's the mission?" I enquired feeling slightly fearful as to what her answer would be.

"We're sneaking into my mummy and daddy's bedroom." With one last pull she managed to drag me into her parent's room.

I paused slightly,

"Okay…"

"You look in the wardrobe and I'll look in the bedside tables." Lily ordered jumping up and over the bed to get to the beside drawer.

Opening up the wardrobe doors I peered into the gloomy darkness not being able to quite reach the light switch but luckily we can all see pretty well in the dark. I scrounged through piles of junk and clothes but nothing interesting showed up.

"Shadow," Lily called causing me to emerge to from the wardrobe. "What do you think these are?"

She held up small white objects that I quickly recognised. Tampons, something a boy should never see but now it was too late. Visibly feeling the shock on my face I stumbled through my words,

"You should put those away."

"So, you know what they are?"

"Noooooo." I shook my head hoping she would put them back where she found them and keeping my eyes diverted to anywhere but to what she was holding.

"You so do! Why won't you tell me?!" Lily whined pouting slightly.

"They're for really big girls like our mummies."

"What do they do with them?" Sometimes she is too inquisitive for her own good.

"Ask your mum." I stated simply letting her know she wouldn't get anything out of me.

"You're no fun." Lily finally put the box back into the draw before going over to her dad's side of the room.

Her face lit up happily after rummaging through Uncle Iggy's possessions.

"Shadow! Daddy has balloons in his draw." Lily snagged one from the box dangling it from her fingers before starting to blow it up.

"Why would he have…" The pink balloon was not a balloon at all though, it's a condom.

I panicked,

"oh."

"Oh my gosh! It tastes like strawberry!" Lily laughed licking her lips. Oh god.

I felt heat rise in my cheeks, if only she knew.

"Maybe you should put it away."

"Why?" Lily asked curiously, innocence shone from her eyes.

"Ah, it's not a balloon." I decided to go with knowing that I'd get in trouble for telling her anything.

"Really? What is it?"

"Something that adults use to stop getting pregnant." Its getting harder to answer her questions.

"Huh? But my mummy is pregnant."

"They, ah, use them when they aren't pregnant."

"Why does he have them then?" Lily probed trying to squeeze the answers out of me.

"Why don't you ask your dad?" I countered trying desperately to get out of this conversation and this room.

"He's not here, he's out with mummy." The door creaked open to reveal Uncle Iggy. "Hi daddy!"

Uncle Iggy grinned at Lily rushing to pick up Aunty Violet's wallet.

I backed away trying to get back to the wardrobe to hide but Lily beat me.

"Oh no." I mumbled.

"Daddy, I've got a question to ask you." Lily skipped innocently over to Uncle Iggy hiding the condom.

"Sure princess, what is it?"

"Why do you have strawberry-flavoured balloons when mummy is pregnant?"

All the colour seemed to leave Uncle Iggy's face with dread and confusion.

"I don't have-crap." I saw recognition ignite in his eyes as Lily showed him the thing that would probably be the death of me. "Lily, give me the balloon."

"No, I don't want to. And why do you have pictures of naked ladies in your drawer daddy?"

"Shit." Uncle Iggy swore. "Lily, please give me the balloon."

Faster then I could ever imagine Lily was over the bed and out the door calling for my mum.

"AUNT ALLY!" Lily yelled down the hall. Iggy ran after her trying to stop her before she reached mum. Slowly I trailed behind waiting to watch the fight ensue.

Somehow I managed to pass Iggy and enter the kitchen before him. Mummy was crouched down by Lily as she explained everything that happened.

"I tried to warn her." Iggy ran in nervously.

"How much did she tell you?" he demanded.

Ally's POV

My eyes shot daggers at Iggy as I stood up from my crouching position beside Lily. Lily and Shadow scampered from the room knowing better than to stay when Iggy and I fight.

"What the fuck Iggy." I told him only just managing to keep my voice vaguely calm though under my skin my blood was boiling with rage, electricity flicked off my fingers in little sparks.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it." Iggy tried to blow me off but Violet's my best friend and no way in hell am I letting him get away with making her cry because if she found out about those magazines she would.

"Are you a natural idiot or do you have to work on it?"

Jake continued making the pizza knowing better than to mess with mine and Iggy's fight but after that question I noticed a twitch in his lips.

Iggy smirked,

"I'm not an idiot. Why do you think Violet doesn't know?"

He is so in for a slapping.

"And when she does find out what then? Knowing you have those will make her think she's fat and not good enough when really you don't deserve her if you think that having those are a good idea. It would crush her." I strode forward stopping directly in front of him, being a good few feet shorter then him did not help.

"You won't tell her." Iggy's voice sounded cocky but from his eyes and thoughts he was anything but. He was afraid.

I snorted,

"Of course I won't, she's my best friend and though she deserves to know I know it would crush her and I'm not willing to let that happen." My voice dropped low and threatening, "But if you don't get rid of them by tomorrow I will and if I find anymore I'll burn them right in front of you."

Turning round I walked a step a way then thought better of it and turned back to face him, CRACK! Iggy's head whipped to the side from the force of my slap, you could see every one of my fingers on his cheek outlined in bright red.

Shock whipped through his eyes for a moment before he glared at me and stalked away to go back to the lawyers.

"You know Al," Jake started as I angrily opened the oven breathing in the scent of home made pizza, "I'm glad I never get on your bad side."

Flipping a smile over my shoulder I answered truthfully,

"So am I Jake, so am I."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lily pranced into the room happily having finished with her dolls. Picking her up and placing her gently in her high chair I placed a small plate of pizza in front of her. Her eyes glowed happily as she squealed,

"Pizza! Yay! Thank you!"

Shadow had come in just before Lily and was already digging in not wasting any time.

I took a bite of my own pizza glad that everything was going good so far. No accidents.

"Aunt Ally?" Lily called causing me to swallow my mouthful and glance up at her. "Why does daddy have pictures of naked ladies in his drawer? Cause mummy is prettier than all of them and I bet she's much nicer."

I grinned at the question though inside I was still furious.

"Lily, I really don't know how your fathers mind works."

"He's a really good daddy but he's a little stupid sometimes." Lily had hit the nail on the head with that statement. She's an intuitive kid.

"That's the perfect description of him."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The dishes were done; the children were fed and not poisoned in the slightest. A good night's work I'd say. I had just finished feeding Typa and was coming down the stairs, her balanced on my hip.

"Ooh! Let's watch Enchanted!" Lily told everyone, "It's got princes and princesses and animals and singing and dancing and Dr Mc Dreamy!"

I shook my head amused, Lily should not be watching Grey's Anatomy at her age but she's not an average kid so somehow I'm not surprised.

"No," Shadow complained, I could almost see how much it would pain him to watch that girly movie, "let's watch Transformers!"

"Guys," I laughed taking a seat by Jake on the couch, "relax. I know what movie we're going to watch."

With that settled I leaned back, Typa's head rested just below my chest. Jake turned off the lights and pressed play.


Flick, flick, flick. An odd noise broke through my sub-conscious. Blearily I opened my eyes to see credits rolling down the t.v screen, obviously I had slept through over half the movie. Whoops. Turning my head I saw where the source of the noise was. Violet was opening all the blinds. She turned away from the window and noticed that both Jake and I had woken up. Jake looked very groggy.

"Aren't you guys adorable." Violet ragged us laughing.

"How was the lawyer's office?" I countered, I was actually curious as to how that had gone though.

"Boring." Violet sat down looking tired.

Lily laughing floated to us from down the hall followed by Iggy yelling.

"Argh! Lily don't splash me! I'm all wet now!" I chuckled while Jake snorted stretching on the couch.

"Lily got into the chocolate and she's all hyper. Iggy's trying to give her a bath." Violet explained to us. "What movie did you guys watch?"

"Chain-saw massacre." I answered as if it was nothing.

"You let my daughter watch what?" Violet screamed at me.

"Kidding, we watched Bridge to Terabithia. Do you think I'd let the kids watch that?" Violet's cheeks flamed red in response.

Iggy walked into the room dripping water all over the floor, I held in my laughter when I saw that he was soaked, a sour expression stuck on his face. He was carrying a wriggling and laughing Lily wrapped firmly in a towel. Quickly he handed her over to Violet before leaving to get changed.

"What did you do?" Violet asked smothering laughter at Iggy's expense.

"I splashed him!" Lily answered proudly like it was her greatest accomplishment. "It was funny, he screamed like a girl!"

Violet shook her head,

"You crazy little child. Come on, let's get you dressed and into bed."

She exited the room swiftly before Lily could get cold.

"I think its time to get these guys to bed." I told Jake wiping Typa's wavy black hair from her face, she was so adorable sleeping.

"I think its time you go to sleep too." Jake chuckled at me as I yawned.

"I doubt I can move off this couch."

"Want me to carry you?" he offered sweetly.

"No but I think I need help up."

"Come on then."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"How do you manage to get up this early?" Jake groaned from beside me.

"Easy," I answered sticking on another piece of cellotape, "healthy food, exercise…oh and a constant dose of electricity."

Rolling over he looked at what I was doing this early in the morning. I had just finished wrapping one of Lily's birthday presents. I'd had to hide them pretty well so she didn't find them. It had been an entire week and it had flew by. Time just seemed to speed up.

"Now, get some clothes on and go get Typa up. I've got to help Shadow." I instructed picking up both presents and leaving the room. I had to check around the corner to make sure Lily wasn't there before I could get into Shadow's room. I didn't want her to open her presents in just in front of me and in the hallway.

"Mummy can you help?" Shadow asked as soon as he saw it was me at the door.

"Course baby." I smiled sitting beside him on the floor.

Shadow was so young so I wasn't in the least surprised that he needed help wrapping the present he got Lily. It was so sweet.

Once we finally had it wrapped we left to go to the lounge. Wrapping paper was all over the carpet; Lily had already started opening her presents from Violet and Iggy. It was like a pink appaloosa in the living room, pink everywhere.

"Do you want to open your other presents from me and daddy?" Violet asked, I spotted the gigantic new doll house in the middle of the room, Iggy spoils her so much, and it's sweet.

After much ripping and more paper splashed across the ground we found out the extent of her presents. New dolls, soft toys, furniture for her doll house, she's a lucky kid to be loved so much. I took a step towards her and handed her the two presents from Jake and me.

Lily's fingers grabbed at the paper tearing it off easily displaying a princess set, tiara, a dress and glass slippers.

"Every little girl wants to be a princess and now you can be." I told her receiving a hug in return.

"Thank you Aunt Ally, it's really great."

Carefully opening the other present she revealed a charm bracelet with two charms. One charm was an evil eye from Greece that was supposed to keep bad spirits away and the other an L with diamantes on it.

I helped her put it on as she thanked Jake and me. Violet distracted Iggy while Shadow walked up Lily. His cheeks were flushed a bright red as he held out his little present.

She seemed surprised but extremely happy to get one from him; taking off the paper she found a small velvet bag. Lily undid the string and tipped the contents into her palm to reveal a ring on a silver chain.

"It's a claddagh ring." Shadow told her. "Wearing it on a necklace means that we're friends."

"On a finger?" Lily's curiosity made Shadow blush harder.

"Uh, it means what our mummies and daddies are to each other."

"Oh." Lily exclaimed looking down at it. She managed to get the necklace on and then tucked it under her shirt so her dad wouldn't see it. Smart kid, she threw her arms around Shadow's neck and hugged him tight. I swear if he doesn't stop blushing it'll become permanent.

"Mummy and Daddy, stop eating each other's faces." Lily complained causing them to break apart and blush madly. Well that is one way of distracting someone and it sure did work well. Lily folded her arms looking older than she was. "It's not nice to look at."

Iggy hooted with laughter picking her up into his arms.

"Who died and made you queen of everyone?"

Lily smirked,

"You told me I could do whatever I wanted today."

Considering the answer first,

"I guess that means you get to pick what we have for breakfast."

Lily grinned as if it was the highest honour someone could give you.

"Pancakes!" she squealed blissfully.

"Okay, wanna help me make them?" Iggy questioned who got a nod in answer. They went into the kitchen to start.

"Come on Shadow, time to get dressed." Jake told him ruffling his hair. Shadow followed him upstairs as I took Typa to get her dressed.

"Well my darling, what will you wear today?" I asked dropping a kiss on her forehead.

Typa giggled at me and waved her arms around happily.


"Do you know what smell that is baby?" I asked Typa. I got a smile in response. "That's right, its pancakes!" I yelled crazily getting a full laugh out of her.

"You do you know your crazy right?" Jake teased me.

"Oh yes, I am fully aware of that."

We entered the kitchen and sat at our places, Typa is only three months old so even though she's already been fed for the morning she sits in a high chair. I'm nearly positive that because of our genetic make up that the kids develop faster or no way would she be able to sit by herself and laugh like she does.

"Do you remember what you were doing this time two years ago? Or have you suppressed that painful memory." Iggy smirked at Violet, its an experience no woman can repress sadly and I know she remembers giving birth to Lily.

"What were you doing mummy?"

"I was giving birth to you."

"What were you doing daddy?"

"I was getting sworn at, my hand broken, stuff thrown at me and getting told that I was the most irresponsible, stupid, inconsiderate excuse for a man that ever existed." Iggy sniggered while Lily's eyes widened in shock. Amen to all that, I thought to myself.

"Who would do that to you?! And on the day that your first baby was born?!"

"Your mother did all those things to me. And in six weeks or so I'll have to go through the same thing again."

Lily turned to her mother,

"Why?"

"Because I was in a whole lot of pain and daddy was responsible. And yes Iggy, I do plan on making you share my pain as much as I can." Violet looked to her daughter while Iggy cringed from the memory and what was to come. "You'll understand someday."

"Not if I have anything to do with it." Iggy shouted.

"Can you say naïve or what?" I mumbled to Jake getting a small laugh out of him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

All of us were going out for dinner for Lily's birthday and we were all waiting for Violet. When she finally came outside I opened my door to get into my car, the kids were already in.

"You know," Iggy taunted, "I'd challenge you to a race but your car is so sleek and shiny, I wouldn't want to get it dirty when it eats my cars dust."

I stood up straight never backing down from a challenge, my car could wipe the table with his.

"Oh I wouldn't worry about my car if I was you." I smirked.

"Please," Iggy snorted, "it's all show. At least my car has some power."

He made some engine noises as if he was five and playing with a toy car.

"Okay then. Let's race." There was no way in hell he would beat me.

"Dude, if you're smart you won't race Ally." Jake warned but Iggy just smiled as if he had already won and was being handed a trophy.

"You're on!" Iggy proclaimed getting Violet to groan.

"You're dead. There's no way you can win." Jake told him feeling sorry for his loss.

"I believe in my car!" Iggy fought.

"It's not the car, it's the driving experience." I snapped.

"No one will be racing!" Violet shouted but we ignored her glaring at each other. "Oh for god's sake."

"I'll settle this. In the past I've…how do I put this…had some practice with this sort of thing so I would whoop your ass." I threatened. Chicago had some good times and now it would come in handy.

"I-" Iggy got cut off by Violet.

"Shut your mouth or I'm driving! You pick."

Fear went through Iggy's eyes, his mouth shut so fast I thought he might have broken his jaw.

"Good choice."

Iggy hurried to his car after Violet, I rolled my eyes and slid into my car loving the still new car smell. Revving the engine I pulled out of the garage and onto the driveway following behind Violet and Iggy. The flock would meet us at the restaurant.

We were driving along the road when I saw some flashes of a camera from a car nearby. Oh crap!

"Hold on guys." I warned everyone speeding up a bit so that I could get in line with the paparazzi.

Oh yeah, that pictures perfect. This is gonna make me rich! One of the guys in the car thought. What a creep.

I concentrated on the wheels for a moment and BOOM! They were gone. Zapped into oblivion. I smiled swerving in front of them for good measure, no way would they keep up now.

"Your scary sometimes, you know that?" Jake asked me incredulous.

I shrugged making sure I stayed right behind Iggy and Violet. "He so deserved it. Lily's crying." Glancing back in the rear view mirror I noticed that Shadow looked upset at the thought of Lily crying.

Slowly I pulled up in a parking spot by the restaurant.

"Let's get this show on the road." Jake announced getting out of the car but not before flashing me a smile that I couldn't help but return.

The night went by smoothly after that first little accident, everyone had a good time. Presents were opened, food was eaten and I can say that a lot of wine was drunken by the adults that weren't driving or pregnant. But of course another accident couldn't wait to happen.

Violet left to go to the bathroom and all continued as it had before she left until she wasn't back for a while.

"I'll be back in second guys." Iggy said leaving to see if she was alright.

A few minutes later Iggy came back in carrying a very upset Violet.

"What happened?!" Fang questioned almost instantly.

"Are you okay?!" I exclaimed seeing the scene play over and over in her mind. Damn those papz, if I get my hands on them they will regret ever trying to take a photo for the rest of their lives.

"The paparazzi ambushed her. When I found her, she was on the ground backed into a corner. I don't think she got hurt." Iggy told everyone else so they knew.

Tears streamed down Violet's face as her whole body shook with fright.

"C-c-can we go home?" Violet requested to Iggy.

"I'll just go sort out the bill and check that it's clear." Iggy left the room for only a moment before coming back to take her home.

"The restaurant set security on the paparazzi, its okay for us to leave. I paid the bill too." They gathered the presents, said goodbye and quickly left the room while we all sat angry in our seats.

"Well I guess that's the end of tonight." I sighed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Streams of sunlight peeked through the clouds sending torrents of light down onto the ground around us. A breeze was blowing through the field leaving us with a sense of wistfulness but that was gone when the competition started. I finished tying my hair so it was out of my face and pulled on a cap awaiting the verdict of the two boys. We had decided to play baseball this afternoon so that we could teach the kids how to play or at least try to.

Because of the heat everyone was wearing summer clothes, Iggy had a number one on the back of his shirt thinking that's what he is. I was wearing white denim shorts that stopped right above the knee and a black singlet top to match with chucks so that I could run.

The field was very secluded so we could let our wings out without people gawking and rushing for a camera. The large space was great so we could all have some fun and play a fair game. I shot a look at Iggy and saw him grinning smugly as if he had already won the game and the teams hadn't even been picked yet. Maybe it wouldn't be so fair considering that smile. Violet had decided to stay home, she seemed like something was bothering her but it could just be paranoia from the paparazzi, or not.

I gnawed on my lip wondering if she would be okay, something about it just seemed off. She would love to see Lily's first game of baseball.

"Okay guys, Fang and I are team captains so we'll just pick you one at a time." Iggy announced pulling me out of my day dream. "Gazzy, your on my team and you will be my assistant captain."

Lily pouted looking upset that her father hadn't picked her first.

"Why didn't you pick me first daddy?"

Iggy sighed,

"Sorry Gazzy, I'll take Lily first."

Lily ran to her father's side happily, we stood in a group facing the two captains.

"Jake, you can be my assistant captain." Fang invited his friend onto his team.

"Gazzy." Iggy chose, of course.

"Max." Fang chose her next knowing his wife would not be impressed if she was picked last and she's a damn good player as well.

"Angel." Iggy's grin grew to a wild size.

Yes, with a mind reader on the team we'll know everything the other team will be doing!

I read his thoughts narrowing my eyes glaring in his direction. It'd back fire on him, he'd see.

"Ally." Fang told me. I walked over to him casually balancing Typa on my hip, this left Shadow and Nudge left.

"Well it will only be fair that both of us have a kid on our team so I pick Nudge." Nudge squealed and ran over to join Angel who beamed back at her friend.

Jake gestured Shadow over held onto him by the shoulders affectionately.

"What's our team name going to be?" Max asked getting straight down to business.

"Hey did you see that episode of balls of steel last night?" Jake questioned Fang completely ignoring the question. I clicked my fingers,

"That's it; we could be wings of steel." I suggested.

Everyone nodded accepting the name.

"Our team name should be like a famous designers name like Louis Voitton or…OH! Dolce and Gabbana!" Nudge babbled, Angel agreed with her almost instantly.

"No, we should be the pretty pink princesses!" Lily argued.

"No way guys, team dynamite." Gazzy and Iggy said in unison.

"That's two votes for team dynamite and two for Dolce and Gabbana. You're going to have to decide Lily." Angel told her.

"But I wanted to be the pretty pink princesses, but if I have to I pick daddy's name!" Lily smiled at her father as he looked triumphant, the girls made a humph noise as the group made its way over to us.

"We've decided on Team Dynamite!" Gazzy laughed.

"We're Wings of Steel." Fang announced keeping it simple as always.

"Since you got to choose first we are batting first." Jake said to Iggy.

Iggy's team spread out, Angel taking third base, Gazzy taking second and Nudge taking first.

"Daddy can I pitch?" Lily asked skipping over to where Iggy was standing ready to pitch.

"Sure princess." Iggy handed her the ball and took a step back.

Fang was first to bat, he stood in place with the bat raised ready to hit. Lily threw the ball as hard as she could…and it landed halfway to where Fang was standing.

"Ah princess, how about you go help Aunty Nudge catch the ball and get people out." Iggy suggested when he saw how upset Lily was at not being able to throw far enough.

"Okay daddy." Lily smiled and went over to stand by Nudge.

The ball left Iggy's hand and sliced through the ear reaching all the way to Fang, he swung and CRACK! The ball went flying through the air in an arc. Fang dropped the bat and ran, Gazzy opened his wings and jumped into the sky going after the ball. Fang passed first and second before Gazzy managed to catch the ball, he caught it swiftly and threw it towards Angel's waiting hand. Fang saw the ball going towards third base and did a slide across the ground managing to touch the base a second before the ball hit Angel's hand.

With a smug smile he stood up by Angel who threw the ball back to Iggy. Next up was me; I handed Typa to Jake and took the bat. Planting my feet firmly on the ground I gripped the bat and swung it up ready to hit. Bring it on, I mouthed to Iggy as he got ready to pitch. The ball flew towards me, I watched as it came closer and just before it went past me I swung the bat and hit. With a loud SMACK the ball went in the opposite direction, I dropped the bat from my hands onto the ground and took off.

My feet pounded on the ground as I ran as fast as I could, the air whipped around me as I skidded around first base and kept going knowing that the ball hadn't been caught yet. I heard a cheer as Fang got home, I ran over second base and headed to third. Angel was shouting for the ball as Nudge and Gazzy went after it. I knew once I went past third base that I'd either get out or home and man I hope it's the latter. My foot touched home base and cheers from my team went up. I laughed breathing deeply having run full bore.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Okay Lily, you hold the bat like this and when the ball comes just swing and try to hit it." Iggy instructed helping her get the right stance so she'd have a chance.

We had already decided before the game that we would let both of the kids have a fair chance and we would let them both get a home run, they're too young for us to play properly with them batting.

"Okay daddy." Lily grinned giving her father a hug before getting back into position.

"If you hit the ball Lils, I'll buy you a new doll." Iggy offered thinking she wouldn't be able to.

Fang threw the ball gently towards Lily who had a very determined look plastered across her face. Lily swung the bat and the next thing we knew the ball was flying, she had hit it. Iggy's eyes bugged out as Lily dropped the bat and turned to her father,

"Did I do good daddy?"

"How-I mean yes-I mean run Lily!" Iggy stuttered.

Lily started running as we went after the ball slowly not worried about catching it. When Lily passed third base Jake grabbed the ball and threw it to Max who was waiting on third base. Lily cheered happily when she landed on the home base. We all laughed and joined in on her cheering.

"That's was so good Lily. I'm proud of you!" Lily hugged her tightly. "Maybe I should go home and check on Violet quickly." He told us after he pulled back.

"Its okay, I'll go check on her Iggy," I said taking Typa of Angel who was holding her since she was in batting team, "I have to put Typa down for a nap anyway. You guys all keep playing."

"I'm not sure-" Iggy started.

"I'm going, end of story." I stated pecking Jake on the cheek. "See you soon."

I snapped open my wings and waved bye to everyone holding onto Typa tightly. Within a few beats of my wings I was up in the sky and on my way home. Something kept nagging at me that something was wrong.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The door down stairs opened and closed loudly, the sound of crying drifted upstairs as Violet gradually came to the second story of the house heading towards the room I was currently in, her bedroom. I stayed silent hearing her footsteps come closer, I knew something was wrong but I didn't know what but I will find out even if I have to go into her mind and figure it out myself.

When the door opened Violet's eyes laid on me first and surprise crossed her face followed by curiosity as to why I was here while the others were still playing baseball.

"Ally? I thought you went with the others." Violet stated moving more into the room. I was sitting on the bed and had been waiting for her to get back for about half an hour.

"I did but I came home to put Typa down for a nap. Iggy asked me to check on you. I came in here and you were gone. Where have you been?" I asked when I found the house empty I was so worried something had happened but I knew that nothing had once I noticed the car gone.

A look passed across her eyes, one of worry, one of pain, and one of giving in.

"Violet what's wrong?" I asked starting to really panic now.

Slowly sitting down next to me she placed her hands on her stomach looking down at her roundness.

"I went to the doctor." She told me whispering, her eyes flickered to me quickly before glancing down again but in that one look I saw misery, "I knew that there was something wrong with me and the baby. And they ran some tests. It turned out that I most likely have preeclampsia." Rivulets of tears ran down her face.

"Violet," I choked out, "I'm sorry. I know that's not going to make you feel better but I don't know what else to say." My heart tightened knowing how dangerous this was. No wonder she didn't want to go to the baseball game.

"It's okay. It's all my fault. I let the stress get to me." I was shocked that she was blaming herself, its not her fault that assholes running around with cameras decided that she would be the man target.

"No, it's not." I told her letting the conviction into my voice, "You didn't ask for this to happen. You've been having a hard time lately."

"I'm his mother! I'm supposed to protect him and keep him safe. He could die from this! I could die!" It looked like she been slapped in the face and all the life sucked our of her, with a gasp of breath Violet broke down into tears.

I hugged my best friend fiercely knowing that she needed me.

"Violet, he's going to be okay. He's your baby isn't her? Yours and Iggy's. And by all accounts you and Iggy probably both should have died years ago but you're both still here. He's going to make it through this." I took in a breath deciding to break my rule, "He doesn't like it when you cry."

The sobs stopped automatically as she roiled in shock, she had been pestering me for months constantly wanting to know what the baby was thinking and I had chosen now because those other times she didn't need to know but now she did.

"Really?" Violet pulled back sounding very innocent.

"Yeah, it scares him," I looked into the baby's mind taking in the nearly undecipherable thoughts, "especially when you cry like this. He likes in when you laugh. He thinks about you all the time and you are his favourite person in the whole world. He loves you."

Violet laughed feebly through her tears,

"I love you too baby. We're going to get through this. I promise."

A silence ensued between us but Violet decided to break it,

"You can't tell Iggy about this." She pleaded.

"Vi, it's his baby too." I reminded her gently, he deserved to know.

"I just can't. Not till I know if I have it for sure, which will be tomorrow. He's so worried about the court trial, even if he isn't acting it, but looking forward to the baby is getting him through it. I want to let him have one more day thinking that everything's okay." Violet explained to me willing for me to see her point. I may not agree but she's my best friend and friends keep secrets for each other.

"You should tell him, it might make you feel better." I recommended.

"It wouldn't. I'm not supposed to be stressing about things and if I tell him, he'll stress about it and his stress will make me stress more. Please don't say anything to the others. I need to deal with this on my own." The front door opened downstairs. "Tell them I'm asleep."

I nodded agreeing to it and carefully left the room. This was going to be one of the biggest mistakes of her life.