"You seem much better," Selina remarked to Elijah as they lay in bed one morning. She smiled at him, put her arms around him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "What changed?"

"Christine's calling me 'Dad' now," Elijah replied brightly. "That just…it really made me feel better."

"Well, that's good," Selina told him. "I'm really happy for you. You cheered up just in time."

"What do you mean?" Elijah wanted to know.

"Well, it's a full moon tonight!" Selina informed him. "And it wouldn't have been any fun going out by myself while you were in the basement moping."

"I wouldn't have done that," Elijah insisted. "I would have come with you."

"But would you have been as fun?" Selina asked. "Admit it. You wouldn't have."

"All right, I wouldn't have," Elijah confessed. "But that's not something we have to worry about now, is it?"

"No," Selina shook her head as Elijah took her in his arms and gave her a kiss. "It definitely isn't."

When they pulled apart, she took his hand and they headed to the kitchen to get coffee. And although Elijah at first found the silence of the house a bit disconcerting, he soon began to enjoy it.

Selina was obviously thinking the same thing cause she smiled at him and said, "It feels nice here, doesn't it? All quiet with no one wanting our attention every five minutes?"

"I suppose that I do enjoy the tranquility," Elijah admitted. "But what are we going to do with ourselves until tonight? We can't spend the day in bed, or else what would we do tonight?"

"Well, I honestly think that if we wanted to, we could stay in bed 'til doomsday," Selina told him. "But I agree that we should probably go out and see people or something so we're not just completely wrapped up in ourselves."

"All right," Elijah nodded. "But what do you suggest we do? Do you think we should go visit someone?"

"We could," Selina agreed. "But not Amanda."

"No, of course not," Elijah agreed. "I'm sure they've seen enough of me for quite some time."

"But," Selina reached up to play with his hair. "You're looking a bit shaggy. Why don't we go see Laura about your ends and have her trim them up a bit?"

"I think that's a good idea," Elijah agreed. "I haven't seen Laura in some time. I hope she doesn't feel ignored."

"And after that, we can have lunch and go to a movie or something," Selina suggested. "I know that learning how to live our lives without our kids is a difficult thing to think about, but I really think it's a good idea."

"Oh, I do as well," Elijah nodded. "You don't think I'm ignoring you or that I don't value you, do you?"

"Of course not!" Selina told him. "I know that you grew up in a family that was really big, so learning how to live in a house with just two people is a new skill for you. I understand. Take as long as you need and if I feel ignored, I'll mention it."

"All right," Elijah nodded. "Be sure you do, please."

So Selina grabbed her keys, held them up as they jingled, and then asked, "Are we still gonna go see Laura?"

"Sure," Elijah nodded. "I think we are."

"Daddy! Mom!" Laura cried out and hugged both her parents when she opened the door to their knock. Her smile was wide and she looked overjoyed, which made Elijah feel kind of guilty. "I'm sorry we haven't visited in so long," he apologized. "I hope you haven't missed us too much."

"I did miss you," Laura told him. "But I assumed you were busy and it didn't bother me. So what's going on?"

"Well, your sister Amanda is engaged, and I found out that my father is dating my stepdaughter," Selina replied. "That just about sums it up."

"And if he and Christine get married, he'll be both my father in law and my son in law," Elijah mused.

Selina shivered. "Please don't talk about that," she begged. "I'm still processing the fact that Daddy and Amanda are dating. The thought of them getting married is just too much for the moment."

"Right," Elijah nodded. "I understand." Then he looked at his daughter. "Anything interesting going on with you?"

"Well, Elizabeth and Charlie have been talking to Gregory about possibly adopting a little boy from one of the women at his shelter. It's not a definite plan yet, but it's something that's been discussed."

"And how has Katherine reacted to that?" Selina wanted to know.

"You can ask her yourself," Laura said. "She's downstairs waiting on the phones like usual."

"And I have a question," Elijah told his daughter. "Do you think I need a trim?"

"Maybe just a little one," Laura replied, eying him a little. "Come downstairs with me."

"I'm coming too," Selina said. "If you and Katherine are gonna be together in the basement, there's no way I'm staying upstairs."

They went to the basement and, seeing that the chair was empty, Elijah sat in it while Laura got out her tools.

"What a pleasant surprise to have you in for a walk-in, Elijah," Katherine remarked. Then she looked at Selina. "After she's done with him, you might ask her to do you as well. You have several split ends. How you left the house looking like that, I have no idea."

To Elijah's surprise, Selina ignored this attempt to goad her, saying simply, "I've been dealing with my mom's ghost lately, so frankly, your attempts to goad me into violence really need some work."

Katherine then sank back into her chair and didn't say another word as Laura cut Elijah's hair. They went upstairs and talked a little longer after that, and then, after giving Laura a hug and promising to visit again soon (especially if Laura had more news on Elizabeth and Charlie's potential child), they went on their way, stopped for a leisurely lunch, and then spent the rest of the day driving around with each other, went to see a movie, and then headed back home to rest in bed with each other so they'd be fully charged for what would happen that night.

"I'm going out with some friends tonight," Christine told Matthew an hour or so before sundown. "You can come if you want, but you don't have to."

"Oh, thank you," Matthew replied. "But don't feel like I need to be included in everything in your life."

"Actually, my friends would be really interested to meet you," Christine told him. "I'm going to Roxie's cause it's full moon night and on full moon nights, all the werewolves who aren't the type to hold the change back meet at Roxie's to transform and then go out and do their business."

"But you said you weren't active," Matthew remarked.

"I'm not," Christine shook her head. "But that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to go. So…do you wanna come? I mean, I understand if you don't, but…"

"Would I be welcome?" Matthew asked. "I mean, of course I've gone to Roxie's before, I believe, cause she's my granddaughter and everything, but…do you really think your friends will approve of me?"

"Yes!" Christine nodded. "Especially the female ones. Cause you've got the gift. The sort of calm and good personality that draws werewolves to you."

"Well, as long as you're sure I'd be welcome, I'd love to come tonight," Matthew told her.

"All right, great!" Christine smiled and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for coming with me. That makes me so happy!"

"I actually love this place," Matthew remarked as he and Christine parked in the bar parking lot and he helped her out of the truck. "It's one of the few places where I feel I can be myself."

"Really?" Christine remarked. "I mean, I shouldn't be surprised, but I sort of am. I thought you were always too rich to hang out a bar with the masses."

"I think that would have been the image my father preferred I project," Matthew told her. "But honestly, I've always been very low maintenance. I just like simple things. Like horses and hunting and good cooking. And to have good friends around. That's nice too."

"Well, then this will be the place for you for sure!" Christine smiled as they headed into the bar.

Matthew was wearing jeans, boots, and a plaid shirt, and to Christine's surprise, the bouncers greeted him by name. "Nice to see you again, Matthew," one said. "Have a good time tonight."

"I will, Bud," Matthew replied to the burly, balding man. "Thank you very much."

"Is it because your granddaughter owns this place that they know you?" Christine asked when they got inside.

"Yep," Matthew nodded as he approached the bar. "It is."

He then asked Vince, who was tending the bar (as he would be one of the few not transforming that night) for a drink.

"Usual whiskey?" Vince replied knowingly before Matthew could ask. "Glass or bottle?"

"One glass at a time," Matthew told him, pushing his shaggy dark hair out of his eyes. "Please."

Vince nodded and then looked at Christine. "And what will you have?"

"I don't feel like drinking tonight," She said. "Can I have one of the Pepsis from the cooler?"

Vince nodded. "Coming right up," he said reaching under the bar where all the juice, soda, and water was, and plunking a cold can of Pepsi down in front of her, then pouring it in a glass with ice.

Christine thanked him and then turned away from the bar. She and Matthew sat and chatted, and then, as it got dark, all the active werewolves in the place (including Roxie, who rushed by and gave Christine and Matthew a quick 'Hello') left the bar, and then a chill ran down Matthew's spine as he heard a howl sound. He downed the rest of what was in his glass and then set it down so Vince could pour him some more.

"Kind of eerie, isn't it?" Vince remarked.

"Yes," Matthew nodded as he took his glass back. "Yes, it is."

"But kind of beautiful too, in a way," Christine added. "My dad was active before he died and when he would go out to change, I would sit on the deck and listen to him howl. I never thought it was scary. I found it comforting."

They sat in silence for a few seconds and then Matthew asked Vince, "When does everyone usually come back?"

"It depends," Vince replied. "Sometimes they come back right after they're people again, but sometimes, it could take as long as tomorrow morning for some to return."

"Don't worry, I won't make you stay here until tomorrow morning," Christine told him.

They were involved in a game of pool when everyone started trooping back in, asked for one more drink, and then some took rooms upstairs while others grabbed their car keys and headed out.

"You wanna leave too?" Christine asked Matthew. "It's past midnight."

"Yeah," Matthew nodded with a yawn. "I think, despite all the fun I've had tonight, that would be a good idea."

He dropped Christine off at her house and then accepted her offer to spend the night on the couch cause he felt too tired to drive. He had just enough energy to call Selina (who answered in a very groggy voice and assured him she made it through the night okay, and that she and Elijah had had quite an evening) before he got on the sofa, and Christine put a blanket over him and kissed him goodnight before going up to bed herself.

"What do you want to do about an engagement ring?" Viktor asked Amanda. "Don't worry. I am aware that I haven't given you one yet."

"Well, to be totally honest, I'm kind of glad you haven't," Amanda replied. "Cause it shouldn't surprise you that traditional rings aren't really my thing."

"I figured as much," Viktor nodded. "I mean, I have my mother's diamond ring that my wife left with me after she decided she didn't want to be married to me anymore, but I would feel terrible giving that to you. It's tainted."

"Do you actually have it, or does Alexandra still have it?" Amanda wanted to know.

"Oh, I have it," Viktor assured her. "Alexandra gave it back after, you know, she was attacked and everything. That's two failed marriages that ring has been a part of."

"Well, then, let's get something new," Amanda suggested. "I don't think I even want a ring. What about a bracelet?"

"That would be different," Viktor remarked, not feeling surprised at all. "And if that's what you want, I'll get it for you."

"Oh, don't be silly," Amanda replied. "At least let me pay for half. Please. I insist."

"That's very sweet of you," Viktor smiled. "But really, I want to do this for you."

"All right," Amanda conceded. "I'll let you buy my engagement jewelry. That's very sweet of you. Thanks."

"You're welcome," Viktor told her.

And although Amanda had thought that he would be buying her something, he took her to his house and led her up to the attic where his mother's vast collection of jewelry was kept.

"I know I said I'd buy you something," he said as he turned on the light. "But my mother had such an array of jewelry that she'd accumulated over the years that I thought I'd at least show it to you before we headed to the store."

"Thank you for trusting me with something as valuable as your mother's jewelry," Amanda told him. "I appreciate it."

"It's not a problem, really," Viktor smiled at her. "Now, Mother was a really efficient organizer, so all the boxes that contain jewelry with a particular stone have been grouped together. Did you have a particular stone in mind?"

"How many boxes of jewelry does your mom have?" Amanda asked. "Where did it all come from? And no, I don't have a particular stone in mind. I think I'll just look around until I find something that speaks to me."

"Mother came from money," Viktor replied. "She bought most of her jewelry or got it as presents for various holidays, which was why her family didn't get hold of it all after she was disowned for marrying below her station. And before you ask, Astrid's already got what she wants, so you can pick anything you want."

"Really?" Amanda asked as she looked through the boxes. "Good, cause I was thinking about asking you that. And may I say that your mother had very good taste?" Eventually, she found a white gold bracelet of alternating diamonds and amethyst. "I like this," she said, putting it on her wrist and holding it out for Viktor to see. "And it fits perfectly."

"That was one of Mother's favorite pieces," Viktor replied fondly. "It's almost like you were meant to have it." He smiled and took her in his arms. "I can't wait to be married."

"Yeah," Amanda kissed him before getting up to explore the attic some more with Viktor trailing behind her. "Me neither."