Disclaimer: I don't own Highlander, only the OC that I created. This is also going a little off Cannon.

Rating: Warning this chapter is K+

Beta Reader: FanLass (thank you). Typo's are all mine.

Reviewers: Guest (yes it's me again) You were my one and old reviewer. Thank you. (big hugs)

Author's Note: Hi everyone, sorry this is a little late. I've been working on another projects and FanLass was in hospital and kindly finished beta reading while recuperating. Feel better so and big hugs from me. I was a little disappointed that I only got one review, that was a little sad, but I got over it. I got a few more followers so that made up for it. I hope you enjoy this chapter; it's mostly just fluff, because we all need a bit of fluff sometimes.

Previously…

Methos picked up his bride carefully in his arms, but before he could make it halfway down the aisle, Caren stopped him.

"Wait!" she insisted and when he stopped, she tossed her bouquet over his shoulder not taking any notice of who caught it as Amanda and Joe ushered them towards the infirmary.

Darius glanced at Gaia. "You knew that was going to happen."

"Perhaps," she said with a smile.

Chapter 14

Sanctuary Complex Medical Centre…

Joe glanced at his watch for what felt like the hundredth time, he didn't recall it taking this long when his wife was giving birth to their daughter. Then again, he never expected to be sitting in the waiting room while his daughter was giving birth to his second grandchild.

Amanda came back into the room, having slipped away to get both of them coffee "Joe." She got his attention.

He looked up and took the mug. "Thanks."

She sat down, cradling her mug in her hands. "You were miles away."

"I was just thinking." He smiled softly. "Of when Caren was about six or seven and was a junior bridesmaid in the wedding of one of her girlfriend's Mother. After the wedding, she came over to me and announced there and then she wasn't getting married because there were no Immortals left in the world." He chuckled. "She declared that only an Immortal could keep up with her."

Amanda laughed quietly. "Well she got her wish." She sipped her coffee.

"What about you, Amanda, been married?" Joe asked her.

She nodded. "Once, a long time ago. He was killed."

"I'm sorry."

"Oh Don't be, I did it. He was Immortal, I took his head, it was my way of getting a divorce," she said bluntly.

Joe didn't know what to say to that.

Amanda noticed. "Don't fret about it, Joe, besides there is only one man I've ever really consider marrying."

"Oh?"

She blushed a little, looked at the floor and her face held a far off starry-eyed expression. "He always treated me as an equal , he changed my life and he was a good friend too."

"Was he an Immortal?"

She nodded. "Yes." She knew he was fishing for information. "He also killed the duplicate me the to win the prize."

That bit of information didn't really surprise Joe that much, he'd read a lot about Amanda and Duncan MacLeod. "Perhaps one day you can get your wish too."

"One day," she agreed. "But putting a duplicate of Duncan in his place might be a little difficult."

They lapsed into silence, their coffee was finished and the cups had cooled by the time Doctor Mitchell walked into the room.

"Joe, Amanda," he greeted. "Caren and Methos are asking for you both."

"How are they?" Amanda asked quickly as she and Joe stood. "Has Caren had the baby?"

"Everyone is fine," the doctor assured them. "Methos' hand will be headed by morning he assures me."

"What happened?" Joe asked.

"Caren broke it during delivery," Doctor Mitchell explained and guided them through the hallways to the private room. "Go on in."

Both Joe and Amanda hurried in. "So was junior a boy or a girl?" the later inquired. However both stopped sharply at the sight before them.

"Actually it was one of each," Methos said cheerfully, having heard them. He was seat next to Caren's bed, holding his daughter in his arms. His right hand was bandaged.

Caren was sitting up; she wore a hospital gown, cradling her son in her arms. "It was twins, daddy, look Amanda."

"Twins?" Joe was stunned. "Did you know?"

"Not until a few days ago, apparently one was hiding behind the other, so it looked like it was only one."

Amanda moved closer, looking at the two newborns. "Oh, they're adorable," she gushed. "Can I?" she asked Methos.

He nodded and stood, carefully transferring his daughter into his friend's arms. He then sat next to his wife on the bed. "Other than Doctor Mitchell, Gaia was the only one who knew up until the delivery."

Caren settled her son in his grandfather's arms. "Keeping it a secret was so hard, I thought for sure someone would guess."

"Well you didn't look like you were carrying twins," Amanda noted.

Joe chuckled softly. "Her mother was nearly eight months pregnant before she even wore maternity clothes; even then it was hard to convince people she was pregnant."

"It was certainly a shock for us," Methos stated. "Just being able to have a baby was unbelieveable, finding out we were having two, that was…" his voice faded in awe.

"Well you two certainly don't do anything by halves do you," Joe declared, "A wedding and twins in the same day."

Amanda had sat in the chair next to the bed, tears welled in her eyes, happy tears. "I'm so happy for you two, they're so beautiful."

Methos understood what she was feeling. "They're both miracles."

"Miracles we're not going to be repeating for a long while," Caren assured them.

Her father chuckled. "You say that now, but in time you might change your mind."

"Probably, daddy, but not for a while. Gaia has already altered my body back and she assures me, this time there will be no surprises."

Neither Amanda nor Joe had seen the Goddess come into the medical center, but then the Gaia could come and go undetected as she pleased.

"Well we should tell everyone the good news," Joe declared.

"We will, but together, one of the nurses went to our cottage to get the bag I'd packed," his daughter informed.

"We thought we could tell everyone the good news ourselves." Methos added.

"Are you sure you're up to it, Caren?" Amanda asked her. "You've only just given birth."

"I feel fine, a little tired, but I feel great," she assured. "One of the advantages of being Immortal, I heal very quickly."

There was a knock and the door opened and a red headed nurse came in carrying an overnight bag. "I found it, Caren," she said happily. After putting the bag on the end of the bed, she gave Joe a big smile. "Congratulations, granddad."

"Thank you," he said, still a little shocked by it all.

"If you'll excuse us for a moment, I'll help our new dad get them both changed while their mum goes and gets dressed."

Joe reluctantly let the nurse take his grandson. "We'll wait outside."

Amanda gently laid the newborn in her father's arms. "Have you thought of names yet?"

"We have," Methos assured. "If it's okay, we'll reveal them when we get to the reception."

"It's quite all right, son," Joe assured and he and Amanda slipped outside. He went and sat down. "Twins," he muttered.

Amanda chuckled softly and sat next to him. "Quite a shock wasn't it."

"Bloody oath it was," he exclaimed. "Her brother and sister-in-law are going to be just as stunned as I am."

"We all are," she declared and slipped her arm around his shoulders. "It's certainly turned out to be an interesting day."

He laughed and soon she joined in.

A few minutes later Methos and Caren game out, both had changed into casual clothing. Methos carried his daughter once more and Caren had their son. The nurse followed with the bag.

"We're all set," the proud dad announced and referred to the nurse. "Amy will be coming with us, Doctor Mitchell insisted we'll need an extra set of hands for a while."

"I volunteered actually," the nurse revealed with a smile.

"Let's get this show on the road then," Joe insisted. "I'm anxious to know what my grandchildren's names are."

Chuckling they left the medical center, going to the complexes large mess hall where the reception was being held. Joe went in first.

Richie saw him and singled for the music to be stopped, it was. "Well, what did they have?"

"A boy," he revealed, as Methos and Caren walked in with their babies, the nurse and Amanda following. "And a girl."

"Twins! Hot damn!" Richie exclaimed excitedly.

"Bloody hell, you beak nosed barbarian, you've got to go one better all the time! Good thing you'll never forget your anniversary because it's on your twins birthday!" Connor called from the other side of the room causing everyone to laugh.

Slowly though, everyone came over to congratulate them and look at the newborn twins.

"What are you going to name them?" Angelina de Valicourt asked Caren and Methos as she and her husband congratulated them.

Everyone quieten down to hear the names.

"Zoe Maria, for our beautiful daughter," Methos announced.

"And Xander Adam, for our handsome son," Caren concluded with a smile.

"Very appropriate," Gaia stated. "Zoe means life and Xander is a short form of Alexandra, which means protector of mankind. Both are Greek."

Amy made her way to Caren's side. "I think it's time you sat down," she insisted.

For once Caren didn't argue, letting the nurse guide her over to a chair and sat down without jostling her son. "Thanks, Amy."

"That's what I'm here for," she said happily.

Methos carried over Zoe and sat with his wife, as the nurse grabbed a chair and sat with them both.

"Well people the bride and groom are here now, so let's get back to the party," Richie announced. "We have the birth to celebrate too."

"Not too loud with the music," Joe warned.

"Hey Joe babies love loud noises," Richie declared.

"Knowing their father I guess they'd better get use to some noise," Connor agreed.

Methos gave the Highlander that look… "Okay Uncle Connor and Uncle Richard, my best old buddies, guess who gets to be on the list of favourite babysitters."

Everyone started laughing and the celebration restarted.

Joe went and sat with his family. "I'm proud of you, sweetheart," he told his daughter. "You didn't do things the right way round, but you got there in the end."

"Thank you, Daddy," she said. She smiled sadly though. "I wish mum could have been here."

"Me too, sweetheart." Joe said and lent over, kissing her cheek. "She would have loved the twins, but complained about being too young to be a grandmother."

Caren sniffed and agreed.

"Hey," Methos said quietly. "No tears, your mum wouldn't want you to cry."

"I know, but I can't help it," she said. "Hormones."

He carefully lent over and kissed her briefly on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered.

Amanda had watched the whole exchange, made her way over to Gaia. "Can I have a word?"

"Of course," the Goddess agreed and they moved to a quiet corner of the room. "What is troubling you, child?"

Amanda arched an eyebrow at the child comment and queried. "How did Caren's mum die?"

"She died of blood cancer when Caren was ten," Gaia answered. "Two weeks later they found a cure."

"Can we bring her here, you know do a retrieval and save her?" the Immortal inquired.

Gaia looked over at the new mother and new wife. "It wouldn't be that easy, it's not like the Immortals we have retrieved."

"But not impossible, right?"

"No, not impossible," the Goddess agreed.

"Then let's do it," Amanda insisted. "She needs her mum, especially now."

Gaia sighed. "You haven't considered Joe's feeling in all of this."

"What about my feelings?" Joe asked having overhead the Goddess as he walked over to them.

"I asked Gaia if we can retrieve your wife, I think Caren needs her mum at a time like this and we have the capabilities," Amanda answered straightforwardly.

Joe was stunned, he'd never thought of asking the Goddess about getting his wife back. "Can you do that, save Maria and bring her here to the Sanctuary?" he asked anxiously.

"It is possible, our medical personnel can have the cure ready for use and I can make sure she'll be safe among the Immortals here, as I've done with every mortal who lives and works here."

"Then do it," Joe told her without doubt. "Being my wife back and let her see what a beautiful daughter she has and what wonderful grandchildren she has."

"Are you sure?" Gaia asked him. "Maria will never be able to leave Sanctuary, to the outside world, she's dead."

"I can only hope it's what she would want. As for myself, I'm sure."

Gaia could see there was no changing his mind. "All right, do not say anything to anyone, especially Caren."

"Just being Maria here, Gaia. Whether she wants to be with me or not now there's an age gap, I still want Maria to be here for our daughter."

"Very well. Amanda and I will leave right away," she informed and left with the Immortal.

Joe took a breath, controlling his rapidly beating heart. Maybe he was going to have his wife back or maybe Maria would just see him sixteen years older. Getting some control, he went back to his daughter and her family.

"Where did Gaia and Amanda hurry off to?" Methos inquired.

"They just went to check a few things, nothing to worry about," Joe assured him. He saw his daughter yawn. "However, I think it is time to call it a night, the party goers can continue without the both of you and the twins."

"I think Joe is right," Amy agreed backing him up. "Immortal or not, giving birth is trying work."

Caren nodded and with her help, stood carefully so not to disturb the newborn in her arms.

Methos got to his feet also, his daughter not stirring in his arms. "We're all set, let's leave the party goers to it."

"Good idea," Joe said and with Amy on his side, ushered the newlywed/parents out of the reception.

0o0o0o0

August 8th 2600 AD - New Paris Hospital

Amanda and Gaia arrived in the hospital room in a flash of white light, time stopping seconds after they had arrived for everyone but the sick woman in the room.

Amanda moved closer to her friends mother. Maria Fairchild was so like her daughter, or it was the other way, Caren was a lot like her mother. The cancer had taken it's toll on Maria however, she'd lost her hair from the chemotherapy.

Gaia put a hand on the Immortal's arm. "We must hurry," she announced.

Amanda nodded and scanned the ill woman before retrieving a drop of blood to create the duplicate. "I'm ready."

"The transfer must be quick," the Goddess told her.

"I'm ready," the Immortal assured and created the duplicate, having it ready.

Gaia lifted the sleeping woman out of the bed, being careful not to pull at the IV or the heart monitor cordes. Amanda worked around her, getting the duplicate into the bed and with a practise precision, she had the IV and monitors all switched over to the duplicate in a matter of seconds.

"We have to go, now, the duplicate will not last long," Gaia said softly.

Amanda nodded, quickly covering the duplicate in the bed. "All set," she said and standing beside her activated the device and they disappeared.

Time restarted and a minute later, the duplicate Maria Fairchild flatlined. Nurses and a doctor arrived in minutes, however with the 'No revival' order, they let their patient slipped peacefully away. Shutting down the machines and announcing the time of death.

0o0o0o0

Sanctuary Medical Center - 2616

Doctor Mitchell and his medical staff were ready when the Goddess and Immortal arrived back with Maria Fairchild. They rushed her further into the medical center as soon as Gaia had laid Maria on the gurney.

"We did the right thing," Amanda declared.

Gaia just hoped Maria Fairchild was strong enough for the cure to work. "I hope you are right, child."

"I am," the Immortal stated. "I've been Immortal for a long time and real love stays true no matter what the age of the people. Several of my friends spouses got very old but they never stopped loving them. I know it will be a happy ending for everyone."

An hour later, Doctor Mitchell came into the waiting room to them, both women turned to him.

"Mrs Fairchild is responding to the medication, I can't see any reason for her not to make a full recovery."

"That's wonderful news," Amanda exclaimed.

"Yes it is," Gaia agreed. "Can we speak to her, I still need to make sure this won't happen again."

The Doctor nodded and showed them to the private room, letting the two women go in. "Not too long," he warned and left the alone.

Maria stared for a moment, recognising one of the two women. "Gaia?"

"Yes, child." She sent closer, signaling Amanda to stay back. "How are you feeling?"

"Better,tried, but better. Where am I?"

Gaia took her hand gently, starting the alteration to make her safe from other Immortals without her notice. "You're in the medical center at my Sanctuary. This might be hard for you to accept, but it is the year 2616."

Maria didn't know whether to believe her or not. "Where's my husband and children? How can it be sixteen years in the future?"

Having finished the alteration, Gaia gestured Amanda closer and then answered Maria. "Sixteen years ago, you died, well your duplicate died. We created a duplicate of you when we retrieved you, your death was a fixed point. If it hadn't, then this future wouldn't have happened the way it did."

"But my family, Gaia. Where are they?" the mortal insisted sternly.

"Your son, David, his wife and son are in New Paris," Gaia revealed gently. "Joe is here at the Sanctuary."

"And Caren, where is my daughter?"

"Caren is here too, Mrs Fairchild," Amanda said sincerely and smiled. "She's married. Her and her husband are now proud parents of twins, a boy and a girl."

Maria felt tears in her eyes. "My babies have babies of their own. But how is that possible? I thought Immortals couldn't have children?"

"All will be explained in time, I promised," Gaia said with a smile. "You'll be able to see Caren and her family soon, as well as Joe. However, to the rest of the world you're still dead. I'm sorry, Maria."

Tears slid down her cheeks, Maria didn't bother to wipe them away. "Then why did you bring me here?"

"Because Caren needs her mum at a time like this," Amanda assured her. "She's just become a mother herself and what better person than her own mother to guide her." She took a tissue from the side table and wiped the tears from Maria's cheeks. "Caren is one of my best friends, I asked Gaia to save you."

"Thank you…"

"Amanda," the Immortal supplied. "Your daughter is an amazing young woman, who you're going to be so proud of."

Maria took the Immortal's hand. "And her husband? Tell me about him."

"His name is Methos, he's also my friend. He saved my life."

Gaia patted Maria's hand. "While Amanda is telling you about, your son in law, I'll go and get Joe."

"How is Joe? It's been sixteen years, did he remarry? What happened to him? I left him alone to raise two young children on his own. We both knew the risks of not letting you alter me back. He must have hated me for leaving him. Oh Gaia what am I going to do? "

"Believe in love, Maria." The Goddess smiled and left the room.

Maria looked back to the young woman standing at her bedside. "Before you start, Amanda. Can you tell me, did Caren become Immortal?"

"Yes," Amanda answered, "and she married an Immortal. Methos loves her so much and their twins."

"Please tell me about them," Maria insisted. "And how you meet my daughter."

"Of course," the Immortal said and after perching on the side of the bed she told Maria how Caren and Methos meet and how she came to meet Caren. How it was possible for Immortals to have children and so much more.

The two of them were giggling when Gaia arrived back with Joe.

Maria stopped, tears welled in her eyes. "Joe!" He'd gotten older, even so though he was still handsome, still her Joe.

Joe stood in the doorway, scared to death she was going to reject the sixteen year older him. Her smile though and the love in her eyes told him different. He rushed over and gently hugged her as Amanda moved out of the way, the two of them whispering words of affection to each other between kisses.

"You did the right thing," Amanda said quietly. "True love is always enduring."

Gaia nodded, smiling. No they just had to tell Caren her mother was alive and well, ten years after she'd died.

To be continued…

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