Kahlan awoke to a persistent knocking, feeling the weight shift in the bed. She frowned as she rolled over, opening her eyes to see Richard with a sheet around his waist, shuffling to the door. She chuckled and he shot a playful glare back at her, to which she responded by pulling the covers over her head. She thanked the spirits that the cleaning staff had gave them some new sheets. Somewhere between their sessions, they had managed to change the bedding. Such a domestic task with Richard made her heart melt.

Richard smiled as he gripped the door handle, laughing at Kahlan's childish behavior. He opened the door quickly and was surprised he didn't see anyone in front of him. He heard a small cough that he recognized immediately and his gaze drifted downwards.

"Rachel, what are you doing here?" He asked as he kneeled down.

Kahlan heard the girl's name and started scrambling under the sheets, trying to find her clothing. This practice was all too familiar lately. Quite frankly, she hated rushing to put her clothes on, especially when a very exposed Richard was on the other side of the room, covered by only a thin bedding sheet.

"I wanted to see you!" Rachel huffed, stomping her feet. "You two have been locked away in here for ages!"

Richard laughed and allowed the girl entrance. Rachel ran straight for the bed, and Kahlan was relieved she had managed to find Richard's shirt and her under-things. Although it didn't cover much, at least his shirt held some sort of coverage.

"Hello Rachel," Kahlan smiled, letting the girl jump on the bed as she scrambled towards Kahlan. Kahlan wrapped an arm around Rachel in an attempt to settle her.

Richard closed the door and leaned against it, watching Kahlan and Rachel interact. He couldn't wait until they had a family of their own. Kahlan seemed to glow when she was around children. Spirits, she always seemed to glow.

Kahlan furrowed her brown when Rachel grabbed at her hand, tugging it forward to stare at it. A moment passed before she realized exactly what Rachel was staring at. The little girl turned around and smiled at Richard.

"You finally gave it to her!" She started jumping on the bed once again, causing Kahlan to become queasy. After being in bed for days on end with Richard, being upright and jostled around didn't agree with her. Kahlan finally regained her focus and looked over at Richard, who had a childish grin on his face.

"Yes, yes I did," Kahlan was relieved when Richard came into the bed and stilled Rachel. He pulled the covers over him, making sure not to expose her to anything, before pulling her onto his lap. "Actually, she found it."

Rachel frowned. "Found it?"

"Well, I'm not quite sure how it happened, but you see how Kahlan likes to wear my shirt?" Kahlan looked down, her cheeks turning red. She furrowed her brows and worried her lip, looking at Richard. Rachel nodded. "Well, one day, while I was still asleep, she got out of bed and decided to wear my shirt, which happened to be tangled in my vest. I'm assuming she picked up both and the ring fell onto the floor, or, she went rummaging through the pockets." Richard smiled as he teased her and Kahlan's nose wrinkled.

"More or less, I'd say that was a rather accurate description." Kahlan made a face and then lifted her hand, as if revoking her statement. "Actually, I noticed your clothes needed washing. I picked up your vest and trousers and the ring fell. By that time I was already wearing your shirt..." she trailed off, looking down at the fabric. Suddenly, she felt quite embarrassed.

"Does this mean you two are married?" Rachel asked, bringing Kahlan out of her thoughts. Richard nodded and the little girl squealed, jumping from Richard's arms to hug Kahlan. She returned the embrace, surprised at how excited she was. "Zedd says you are working on making little sisters for me!" Rachel pulled away, smiling at both. Kahlan opened her mouth but words failed her. Luckily, and as always, Richard was there to save her.

"That is exactly what we have been trying to do," Richard leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "But, we could give you little sisters much more effectively if you weren't here." His words were soft, but Kahlan was concerned that Rachel would be offended and think that she wasn't wanted. Instead, the girl jumped out of the bed and was out the room before Kahlan could blink. She supposed the girl was concerned more about little siblings than feeling neglected.

"She seems so excited," Kahlan mumbled, fumbling around with Richard's shirt.

"And why shouldn't she be? We are going to give her a little sister soon enough." Richard smiled, wrapping an arm around Kahlan and easing her against the headboard, kissing the top of her head.

"She isn't excited for a baby, she's excited for a sister. Does she really view us as her parents? That our children will be her siblings?" Kahlan turned her head and looked up at Richard.

"Of course she does, Kahlan. We are the only family she has, and she's happy that we are expanding it." Kahlan sighed as she leaned in to him. It wasn't until that moment, the moment when Rachel declared that Zedd had informed her that Kahlan and Richard were trying to make a child - a little sister - that Kahlan realized that she did view Rachel as a child to her, regardless of blood relation.

"Remember the day after we first made love, when Zedd told us we needed to bathe?"

Richard laughed and nodded. "How could I forget?"

"Well, you asked me if I viewed Rachel as a daughter..." Kahlan's voice was smaller than she had intended.

"Yes?" Richard questioned, not sure where the conversation was heading.

"I didn't have an answer then," Kahlan turned in his arms, her nose bumping into his. "I have an answer now."

"And what would that answer be, Kahlan Amnell?"

Kahlan smiled and nodded slightly. "I do view her as a daughter. Blood couldn't make me care about her any more than I already do." Kahlan's eyes lit up when she saw Richard smile, his brown orbs looking at her as if she were a good spirit.

Richard was ecstatic. He had always viewed Rachel as a child to them, but he was never sure if Kahlan would accept the idea. Now that she had, Richard was even more excited for a family, for Rachel to have many little sisters, all of which would have bright blue eyes like their mother. One day they would have to explain to their children why Rachel was different, but he was sure that their daughters would readily accept Rachel into the family as one of their own, and not only because they would be raised to think that she was.

He had no words to say, and instead just kissed her.

xx

"My boy! Out of seclusion, I see? Any favorable results?" Zedd boomed, winking at Kahlan as her cheeks reddened.

Richard had been eager to bring Kahlan to Zedd and declare their marriage after it had happened, but Kahlan wanted one more night of peace, and was relieved when Richard agreed. The night of peace was over though, and after Rachel's visit, Richard thought it was the perfect time to visit the old man. Kahlan had followed along, even though all she wanted to do was curl up in bed. With him.

"We aren't sure yet, Zedd," Richard smiled, tightly gripping Kahlan's hand. "But we hope for the best."

"Ah!" Zedd smiled, rushing forward to hug them both. Kahlan clenched her eyes shut. She wasn't used to walking after so many days in bed. All this movement was making her dizzy. When Zedd pulled away, Richard let go of her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist, helping to steady her.

"Rachel tells me you two are to be wed," Zedd's voice couldn't hide his excitement, and he grabbed at Kahlan's hand to view the ring that Rachel had obviously told him about. "Very nice, my boy. It suites Kahlan well." Richard smiled, nodding his head. "Prime time for the cleaning staff to change those sheets of yours!" Zedd's laughter rolled through the room.

Richard chuckled. Kahlan wanted to sit down.

She looked around the room, happy to find that the nearest seat wasn't too far away. Kahlan smiled at Richard before pulling away, determined to sit down. Richard laughed, but continued to stand.

"Fatigued, my dear?" Zedd questioned, his brows furrowing.

"A bit," Kahlan said weakly, propping her head up with her hand.

"I hear you two are married now," Kahlan smiled as she lifted her head, pleased to see Albert. It had been many days since she had seen him, and she didn't realize how nice his presence was.

"We are," Kahlan smiled, suddenly very overcome with joy. "Have you found a job yet?"

"Yes, yes I have, Mother Confessor." He smiled, giving a single nod of his head.

Kahlan frowned. "There is no need to call me by my title, not even in my own palace." She smiled when she saw him start to laugh. "Well, what is your new occupation?"

"The Aydindril Guard was more than pleased to accept me into the ranks. They heard of my help to you and the Seeker, and found I was rather qualified."

"Just as you don't have to call Kahlan the Mother Confessor, you don't have to call me the Seeker." Richard joked, playfully punching Albert in the arm.

Since the journey began, Albert would alternate between titles and names, but it was obvious he felt more comfortable by addressing those by their title. Still, Kahlan felt that they had all grown together, and that titles weren't necessary.

"That's wonderful, Albert!" Kahlan wanted to stand and give him a hug, but the thought of standing made her stomach turn. Perhaps Richard was right, maybe she was already with child.

"All is falling into place," Zedd boomed. Kahlan's head began to throb, she wished the wizard would tone down his voice.

Rachel came running in, rushing up to grab Richard around the legs. Though Kahlan viewed Rachel as a daughter, she knew all too well that all her daughters, by blood or by care, would hold a preference to Richard over her. Yet, she found herself wanting it no other way.

When she game running up to Kahlan, Kahlan welcomed Rachel to jump into her lap.

They all looked up when they heard a knock on the outer door, a guard asking permission to enter. Zedd opened the door, ushering the guard in, who looked nervously between all those inside the room.

"There is a visitor, he asks to see the Seeker." The guard looked over at Richard and then downcast his eyes.

Richard looked towards Kahlan, who shrugged in return.

Then, there was a commotion heard outside of the door. Kahlan put Rachel down and stood up, grimacing when everything felt like it was spinning. Yelling was heard and Richard reached down, letting his hand rest on his sword.

Richard cocked his head to the side when he saw a man march in, pushing guards out of his way. A family was following behind him, stepping over the discarded guards. Kahlan mimicked Richard's actions, narrowing her eyes. Then the burly figure emerged and Richard and Kahlan smiled.

"Chase, what are you doing here?"