The Lakarian markets were an absolute must for all Cardassian women. They had everything from clothing to personal care and everything else in between. Yva and the other women in the family insisted on taking Raina to spend Dukat's money. Not that Dukat minded as he had plenty and his bride to be deserved the best. They had taken young Talyn along with them now that she was growing into a young lady. Raina hadn't been in a particularly shopping mood, but the markets wouldn't be on for another month and although Raina had pointed out that the wedding wasn't happening for another six months, Yva insisted they got ahead in planning and bought items needed for the twins arrival. Raina conceded when she saw how important it was to her future mother in law.

When they had arrived at the markets, Raina had never felt more self-aware in her life. It was clear that the presence of a Human confused the other women. "Yva, they are staring me."

"Don't worry, Raina. I'll tell you who you need to worry about. Let's visit the jewellery market first." Yva led Raina and Talyn to the first stall and she greeted the older lady behind it.

"Yva, it's been a while." The woman cast her eye towards the heavily pregnant Raina. "And who is this?"

Yva proudly wrapped an arm around Raina. "This beautiful creature is my soon to be daughter in law and the mother of my grandchildren, Raina. And the little lady is my granddaughter, Talyn."

The woman nodded respectfully to Raina and her gossip gears were set in motion. "I thought Skrain was married?" A disgusted noise from all three women told her everything.

"Athra walked out on my son and his children. Fortunately, that dreadful woman did us all a favour."

Talyn wrapped her arms around Raina, her head resting on her stomach. "Father found our true mother."

"Raina is our new Federation Ambassador." Yva preened. "Cardassia has never been in better hands."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ambassador. I am, Meela."

"Pleasure is all mine, Meela." Raina nodded to the woman. "So, my intended has given me free reign to spend."

"I see you are familiar with my products already." Meela gestured towards Raina's necklace.

Raina chuckled. "This was a first anniversary present."

"How long have you been together?"

"Oh, it's been nearly four happy years now." Raina rubbed her stomach, smiling as the girls inside offered their opinion. "Soon to get very busy with these two feisty girls."

"Well, go see my friend Aida. She'll have everything you need for the babies." Meela took Raina's hands and held them tightly. "May your daughters be blessed with a beauty comparable to yours. One of them already has been."

Raina looked down at Talyn, who blushed at the compliment. "My sweet little birdie certainly is beautiful." Raina spent some money at Meela's stall before moving on. She had bought matching bracelets for her and Talyn, mainly because she sensed Talyn's insecurity over the twins arrival. Raina wanted her daughter to know that she would always love her, and the twins were an addition to a loving family and not replacements.

After an hour of shopping, Raina noticed that Yva was behaving oddly. Yva had told Talyn to go with her great aunt, Iyza. Once Yva and Raina were alone she pulled her daughter in law aside, but her eyes glared at something in the distance. "Raina, Athra is over there."

Raina immediately whipped her head around towards the woman. "I don't want that woman anywhere near my daughter."

"Don't worry. Iyza has taken her to the other end of the market. Shall we ruin her day?" Yva asked with a certain degree of sinister delight.

"Yva, you are the best mother in law, ever. Let's go." Raina smirked, glaring at the woman.

Yva linked arms with Raina and they strolled over to the stall Athra was at, flanked by four young men. "Athra…." Drawled out. "Long time, no see."

Athra had a looked on her face that resembled something like a deer caught in the headlights. "Yva. Looking as hard faced as ever."

"Jacen is fine, by the way." Raina interrupted with her voice as cold as ice. "Not that you would care."

Athra studied the Human with faint recognition, laughing as she remembered her face on a datapad in Dukat's office. "So, he hooked you after all. How long has he successfully kept you?"

"Since before you abandoned your children." Raina bit.

"You think you're so special." Athra laughed. "He doesn't know how to be faithful and he'll go back his Bajorans in time."

"So when will you be unfaithful to Gul Jalet?" Raina smirked as she sensed she had struck a nerve. "By your logic, you'll be cheating again too." Raina's small victory was short live when she heard Talyn calling for her. Before she could do anything, Talyn was next to her.

"Mummy, mummy. There's a stall selling pets." She babbled excitedly. "Can we get one, please?" Talyn picked up the tension and her eyes turned to the woman who abandoned her. She clung to Raina for protection.

"My only daughter, grown so much."

"Don't your dare speak to her." Raina warned her.

"I'm her mother. I'll talk to her if I want."

Rage burned through Talyn so fierce it physically hurt. She picked up an ornament on the table and threw it at Athra. "You are not my mother, you nasty woman." She screamed before running away.

"Go after her, Raina." Yva said. "I'll deal with her."

Raina chased after Talyn through the markets. She had nearly caught up to her when her foot caught on a piece of uneven pavement. She tumbled face first into the concrete, smashing her face and left forearm on the floor. Everything around her went fuzzy and she struggled to keep focus, even as some women helped her up. She heard a woman call for Yva and Talyn crying. Blood trickled down her face and her arm were in agony. It wasn't until she was at a health centre with a doctor tending to her that the fog cleared. "Oh, my head." She groaned.

"You took quite a tumble, Ambassador. Your daughter was very upset." The doctor used an Osteo-regenerator on her arm to heal the fracture. "The bone will feel quite painful for a day or two but that's just an after effect from the bone breaking."

"Sod my arm." Raina grunted angrily. "I'm more worried about my twins."

"The twins are fine, although I suggest a few days rest. Your cervix has softened, and you've already started to dilate. You might go into labour any time."

"You're well versed in Human pregnancies." Raina commented as she flexed her newly fixed arm.

"I'm a doctor. It's my duty to know." She replied, sternly. "Go home and rest. No more running."

Dukat spent hours trying to coax Talyn out of her bedroom. Even her brothers had tried, and she always listened to them. He walked back into the master bedroom and climbed into bed with Raina. "Still can't coax her out. What did Athra say to her?"

"She said that she was her mother, she could talk to her anytime. Talyn took it badly." She replied. "I think we need to encourage her to be open about how she feels. She's holding a lot back and I worry how she'll feel after the girls arrive."

"So what do you suggest?"

Before Raina could reply, the boys appeared in the doorway with a tearful Talyn standing behind them. "I'm sorry, mummy." She sobbed. Talyn waited until Raina lifted up the bed covers, and she dived into bed, cuddling up to Raina.

"And you two as well." Fortunately, the bed was big enough for the boys to climb in next to their father. "I've been sensing some insecurities from you since you found out about your sisters. How can we make you feel better?"

There was silence from the three children until Mekor spoke up. "Somebody told Talyn that we weren't needed now that dad has a new family. We'll be sent away."

Dukat and Raina shared a look, fearing that this worry would come up at some point. "I want to make it clear. There is no new family or old family. "

"These two girls are so very lucky to have siblings who'll adore them as much as you will." Raina looked down a Talyn's sad face and then to her worried boys. "I've suffered a lot of pain in my life, but if that pain meant my reward was to be here, in this family, then it was worth it."

"Let's get some sleep." Dukat found himself pinned down by Raina and Jacen leaning against him. He stayed awake as the others slept soundly around him. His eyes fell on Raina and the sudden burst of love felt like he was having a heart attack. He still had no idea how he convinced her to fall in love with him or how he convinced her to forgive him, but he was grateful she did. He needed her behind him, and he felt stronger with her support. He wasn't a romantic man or an overly affectionate man, but he loved her and his children more than anything. He didn't care what others thought of him, theirs was the opinion he counted. All he needed to do was to eliminate the problem with Athra and his family could be complete.

Talyn woke in the early hours to the sensation of wetness underneath her. She got and shook her father. "Daddy, the bed is wet."

Dukat woke with a start and felt the same wetness. He gave Raina a gentle shake and she woke groaning in pain. "Raina, the bed is wet."

"I think it's started."