Are we home yet, Mama?" Ophelia inquired, looking out the windows of the carriage as it bumped along the lane. "I think we must be close!"

Meredith smiled tiredly, holding James in her lap. "You are very observant, sweetheart. It won't be much longer." They had passed the last village that was close to Gracewood, and she knew it was only a matter of a short time before reaching their estate. By now, she was familiar with all of the landmarks, just as much as Derek was.

Michael was seated on her other side, resting his head against her arm. He had been quite exuberant at the start of the journey, but he had become sleepy and quiet in the last few hours. His toy horse was clutched in his fingers, and he listened to his sisters chatter about seeing the puppies at home, and the cats in the stables.

"Are you all right?" Meredith asked, stroking his hair. She was a little concerned; he was always so cheerful and busy; it wasn't like him to be so quiet. He felt a trifle warm against her side.

"Yes, Mama. Just sleepy, I suppose. I wish I could ride with Papa, I'm sure that would make me feel better." He looked up hopefully.

"It's a little chilly out there for you, Michael. Your father is dressed for the weather." She could see Derek riding alongside, sometimes disappearing as he gave Midnight his head, but returning to keep pace again. He had his heavy leather greatcoat on, and black riding gloves, well bundled against the elements.

"You can ride your pony at home," Ella consoled him. "That will cheer you up."

Michael smiled at the thought, before resting his head again. "I bet he missed me."

"I'm sure he did," Meredith agreed. "I look forward to seeing Mistral again as well."

Ophelia and Ella returned to their dolls, and the rest of the time passed quietly. It was only when they rolled through the imposing gates at the end of the curved drive that everyone perked up again. The carriage began to slow as it approached the manor house, and Meredith could already see the group of household servants gathering on the front steps. "We're here," she said happily. "Good to be home, isn't it?"

The carriage door opened as soon as it rolled to a stop, and Derek stood waiting to help them all descend. He swung the girls down first, and then reached for Michael, who was more awake, and looking around happily. Meredith handed James out, and then gratefully stepped outside herself, into Derek's waiting arms. He kissed her forehead, as the children were greeted by an enthusiastic Rose.

"Welcome home! Oh, we have missed you all so much..." Rose hugged all of them, before greeting the adults. "Good to see you both well after your adventures, my lord and lady. I already called for your bath, and dinner to be sent up on trays tonight. You must be ready to rest."

"Thank you, Rose. You always know just what I need." Meredith resisted the urge to hug Rose for her efficiency. "Court life was interesting, but I am so glad to be back here again."

They began to ascend the wide staircase, and she was grateful to have Derek's arm at her waist. She always felt a little shaky after riding in the carriage for so long. The older children were scampering ahead of them into the house, and Meggie had James on her hip. Gracewood Manor was warm and welcoming, with vases of late blooming asters and mums. She could smell cloves and cinnamon, and she realized that the staff had outdone themselves to welcome them home. She smiled indulgently at the children as they headed for their bedrooms, eager to find all of the toys they had left behind. From the kitchen, there was a sudden sound of barking, and then Shadow and his progeny made their presence known. The older dog was moving a little more slowly, but he still managed to lead the pack to greet Meredith first.

"Oh, hello Shadow...have you been looking after everything for us?" She dropped to her knees and held the little Cocker Spaniel as he wriggled happily. The other dogs circled them as well, tails wagging. They had kept only a few of the puppies from a litter or two, much to the dismay of Ophelia who would keep all of them.

"He has missed the children terribly," Rose told them. "You, of course, my lady."

Meredith giggled as the dog placed a wet lick on her nose. "We missed you too." When he had been a puppy, he had always trailed at her heels, before Michael was old enough to chase him. They called him Shadow as a result, and he still considered Meredith his prime master, but Michael was a close second.

"Let's go then...go find Michael!" Meredith urged, and the pack was off after the children in a heartbeat.

"Go on, my lady," Rose laughed. "The children will be fed and tucked in before you know it."

"What have I done without you?"

"Just hurry along now..." Rose nodded. "I am sure His Grace will be ready to look after you, so I won't bother to come up."

Derek chuckled to himself, as he took Meredith's arm to lead her up to their suite. It was good to be back at Gracewood; every time he came back, he regretted leaving in the first place. Midnight would be well taken care of by the grooms, so he was able to relax and take his wife to bed and keep her there as long as they both needed to be there.

"We should plan for a large celebration at Christmas this year," Meredith said, after they had bathed away the travel dust, and shared a light dinner in front of the fireplace. They were tucked into the large bed, spooned together, just content to be together. "Especially with Amelia and her family here."

Derek stroked the curve of her hip, taking his time to kiss her bare shoulder before answering. "I agree, we could invite some of the other local families as well. It's been too long since we've had a celebration here at Gracewood."

"Not as major as the one we just had at court, however..."she countered.

"You should have good experience now," he chuckled, his hands roaming along her skin, igniting little flurries of desire in its wake.

"Plenty of experience, and hopefully no drama such as we had," she sighed, losing her train of thought as he continued to touch her, and press kisses along the back of her neck. She shifted lazily against him, feeling the throb of his erection behind her.

"Mmmm..." he murmured softly, easing the silky nightgown higher along her hips, so that he could trace the delicate skin between her legs. "Can we discuss that later, sweetheart...? I have this need for you right now..."

With a soft laugh, Meredith turned in his embrace, and lifted her face for his kiss. He cupped her face, as she wound herself around him. "I always need you, Derek...and I can think of no better way to celebrate being home than making love."

"I agree with you, love." Her body was pliant against him, her wetness already evident against him, and he moved upwards, into her heat. His fingers cupped her derriere, as his cock moved in and out of her slowly, as he claimed her mouth again. The kiss was deep and erotic, and he felt her body shaking, her nipples hardening against his chest. Their tongues met and slid together, as their bodies rocked slowly together. Breathing faster, every part of their skin tingling and aroused, they lost themselves into the mutual spiral of pleasure.

"Welcome home..." he told her, still sheathed in her throbbing core, as he regained his composure.

"Yes, it's good to be home, where we belong..." she sighed happily.

Much later, Meredith was shaken out of a pleasant dream about puppies and babies, to find Derek beside her with a concerned look in his eyes. "Meredith...love, wake up..."

"W-what is it?" She looked at him sleepily, blinking in the light of the candles.

"Rose just came to fetch us, Michael is not feeling well. He wants you."

Instantly, Meredith sat up, and scrambled to get out of bed, as Derek handed her the robe from the foot of the bed. He helped her with her slippers, and then he guided her towards the door where Rose waited for them. "What do you think is wrong with him?"

"Just a cold, I believe, but the poor boy is quite feverish."

Meredith nodded, but she knew Rose had a good deal of experience with this. They had been lucky so far with their children; none of them had been too ill other than a few sniffles and fevers, so she wasn't overly worried. Likely Michael had been over-tired, and he would be fine with a short time. But of course, he was scared and needed to be comforted as only his mother could do.

They found him sitting up, with Ophelia and Ella both in his bed as well. Tears streaked his cheeks, and his dark hair was plastered to his head. "Girls...go back to bed," Meredith whispered, looking at Derek for help.

"Come, let's let Michael spend time with your mother, all right..." Derek took them by hand and led them towards their beds. Meredith was thankful that Derek was such an involved father; one more reason to be in love with him as much as ever.

"Now, sweetheart..." Meredith settled against her son, and he gave a little hiccup of distress. "Oh, it's all right...I'm here, now…just try to sleep..." She hummed a soft little lullaby, rocking him slowly. Rose fixed the sheets, tucking them securely into place. Derek came back after a while, having made sure the girls were asleep again.

"He is very warm..." Meredith murmured, as Derek dropped into the rocking chair nearby. Candles flickered, adding a cozy feel to the room, but she still felt a frisson of worry. "Rose...what do you think?"

"I'm sure it is just a cold, my lady..."

"What if it isn't? What if it is more serious?" After being at court, around so many other children, Meredith wondered if there was something else wrong.

"Meredith, you mustn't get ahead of yourself. If his fever doesn't break, we will send for the village doctor," Derek said reasonably. But even his usual calm was a little less so; just as Meredith, he was hated to see any of the children sick, and Michael was their first born, the heir to the title. There was nothing Derek would not do for him, within his means.

"Now, my lady Meredith...just give it time," Rose soothed. "He's falling asleep now."

Meredith nodded, feeling him relax further against her side. His breathing was even, and he seemed to be content there against her. She slid a little lower against the pillow and rested her cheek against him. "I will stay here," she said quietly, looking at Derek. He gave her a reassuring smile, and stretched out his legs, as he settled into the chair.

"Then I am not going anywhere either," he murmured, closing his eyes.

Rose shook her head. "Very well, I will check on all of you in the morning."

In the morning, Meredith opened her eyes slowly, realizing she was still in Michael's small bed. He was stretched out, covers kicked away, as he slept. The room was cool, and she shivered a little, not as warm as he was obviously. She touched his forehead and found her fears confirmed, he was still burning up.

"Derek!"

Within a moment, Derek had stirred in the chair, and rubbed his face sleepily. "What is it?"

"Michael is still feverish."

He sat up, and touched her hand, where it rested on their son. "All right, we'll send for the doctor. Are you all right? Did you sleep?"

"Some."

"You need to take care of yourself as well, my love. If you are carrying a baby again..." he told her, his voice low.

"I'm fine, Derek. Just send for the doctor, if anything happens to Michael..."

"All right. I'll have Rose come and sit with you but promise me you will rest later." Derek pressed a kiss on her forehead, before heading towards the door. His eyes were stormy, and his thoughts were troubled as he strode along the corridor to their own suite. Despite the sweet interlude they had shared the night before, this wasn't what he had envisioned of their homecoming, and he uttered a silent prayer that everything and everyone would be all right...