"You want some breakfast?" Ellie asked Remiel as she made her way down the stairs.

"No!" Remiel snapped. "I just came down to tell you to make that revolting smell go away!"

"What smell?" Ellie asked. "The coffee?" She paused and poured herself a cup, inhaling with gusto. "Or my omelet? Cheese and bacon and spinach with extra onions!" She waited until Remiel reached her and waved the plate under her nose.

"Oh, dad!" Remiel groaned, grabbing sink, squeezing til her knuckles were white, and begging herself not to be sick.

"What's the matter?" Ellie asked. "Are you okay?" She knew perfectly well that Remiel looked ill, but just once, she wanted to have a little fun. It wasn't like it would kill her.

"No, I am not okay!" Remiel snapped. "Dry toast and...tea..."

"Oh, that's not a breakfast!" Ellie smiled and began cracking eggs. "A big plate of scrambled eggs with cheese should do the trick for you! And biscuits with lots of gravy and butter..."

"I know what you're doing," Remiel hissed, trying not to be sick. "And if I were well, I would kill you!"

"I know, but you're not, are you?" Ellie grinned wider and came closer with her plate. "So...I've heard things from your father about you. Wanna tell me if they're true or not?"

"Oh, you have not!" Remiel snapped. "I know Dad wouldn't tell you anything about me."

"Well, okay," Ellie conceded. "He didn't tell me directly. I found out while snooping as he talked to your brother, but still..."

Remiel bared her teeth, turned on the faucet, and splashed Ellie with cold water. "Go to hell!" She snapped.

"I will," Ellie promised. "Remember, I work there. But back to you...did you really...did you really have sex with Ricky Mikaelson? Did you?"

Remiel's eyes narrowed. "I wish I wasn't ill so I could fight you and make you very sorry you asked that question!"

"Now, now," Ellie told her, stepping away and putting her plate down on another counter. "I'm sorry, I was just having a little fun. Can't we be friends?" She got closer. "You can tell your friend if the sex was good or not."

"It's none of your business is what it was," Remiel blushed.

"Well, since you're not being a very good friend, I'll just assume that it was good and say that I'm very happy for you," Ellie told her. "It's about time you did something to loosen up a little and get that stick out of your butt."

"What does that mean?" Remiel asked. "It sounds insulting!"

"It's not!" Ellie replied. "I'm saying that you've become more bearable to be around. Can't you take a compliment?"

"What I will take is some tea," Remiel replied, pouring herself a cup of hot water and then sticking in a bag of chamomile. "How long will this take?"

"I can help!" Ellie replied. She zapped it, intending to speed up the steeping process, but instead, just made it disappear. "Oops, sorry," she apologized. "Sometimes I forgot how on the fritz my magic can get when I'm pregnant. Thank goodness nothing exploded though!"

"Yes," Remiel drawled and then stepped away from the tea kettle. "That's very...comforting."

To make it up to her, Ellie made up her tea and some toast. "You want anything on your toast?" she asked.

"No, no, thank you," Remiel shook her head. "I don't think I want to risk it just now." Then she felt her stomach twist, and her breath began to pick up.

"Are you okay?" Ellie asked. "Seriously."

"No, I think I'm gonna be sick!" Remiel cried and ran for the nearest bathroom.

"All right," Ellie called after her. "I'll put your tea and your toast in your room, okay? And maybe bring some clear soda too." She got no response, of course. After the toast was done, she put it on a plate, and then went to the bathroom where Remiel had locked herself, eating while she waited outside the door with Remiel's plate on a table nearby.

"Are you okay in there?" She called between bites.

"No!" Remiel replied and then threw up again. "I think I'm going to die! Father help me!"

"Oh, you're not gonna die," Ellie said. "Stop being so melodramatic."

"Stupid fragile human bodies!" Remiel cursed.

"You want me to come in there and hold your hand?" Ellie asked.

"No, thank you," Remiel snapped. "I can handle myself perfectly fine. I just...I wish I knew why this was happening to me. I'm a celestial being! I can't get sick! So why on Earth..."

"Maybe you're pregnant," Ellie suggested, glad there was the bathroom door between them.

"What?" Remiel cried.

"Oh, look, that sounds like the tea kettle!" Ellie cried. "I'll go put some in a cup for you and stick the tray in your room. Okay? Bye!"

And buy the time Remiel opened the door to respond, she was gone.

As the sun hit Eloise, she opened her eyes and kissed Adrian's forehead as his eyes opened too. "Good morning," she whispered and held him tighter, which was hard to do considering how close they were holding on to each other already.

"Good morning, baby bear," he replied with a smile. "How did you sleep?"

"Good," Eloise returned the smile. "But you know I sleep really well all snuggled up against you like this."

"Well, of course," Adrian replied. "Some things never change." He paused. "I know we've hardly left this room since you got back, but I just...I was so scared to lose you that I can't help but want to hang on for dear life."

Eloise kissed his hand. "There's no way you would have lost me. I love you to much. All the time I was in that horrible cell, I knew I had to stay alive and fight, both for the baby and because I knew I wanted so badly to come back to you. I missed you every day!"

"I...I hope you knew that I was going to come for you," he told her. "I know you're strong and capable and everything, and could have gotten out yourself if you absolutely had to, but I want you to know too that I wasn't just going to let you rot there."

"I knew that," Eloise replied. "When you showed up with Kai and Elijah, I wasn't surprised at all."

Adrian let her go for just a moment, a low growl escaping his lips as he tried to forget the condition she was in when he found her. "I could just strangle that Helene! Why would she do that to you when you've done nothing to her?"

Eloise shrugged. "I don't know. Something about not wanting you to have it all this time around. She babbled and stomped and muttered so much, it was hard to really understand a word she said, especially when she said she didn't want to be hurt by you." She scoffed. "Kind of ironic, considering how she was treating me."

"Well, don't you worry," Adrian told her. "Now that she's been caught, she's gonna go on trial and then be thrown in prison to rot for a very long time. Something well deserved, I might add!"

"I think she needs help more than prison," Eloise got out. "She seems really lonely, like she doesn't have anyone around her to help her out or just be with her. It seems like she leads a very lonely life."

Adrian leaned forward and kissed Eloise's cheek, then put a finger over her lips. "Shhh...let's not talk about Helene anymore. I don't care about her. All I care about is you and the baby." He smiled and slid his hand under her pajama top, gently rubbing her belly.

Eloise smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm so glad you're happy about it. I was afraid to tell you I was pregnant because I didn't know how you'd react and since you were forced to raise me, I didn't want to saddle you with another child now that I'm grown. I just want you to be able to do what you please with your life."

Adrian chuckled. "Hello? Did I ever seem less than happy to be your foster father? Sure, it was a bit of a surprise when Kai brought you to me, and my house wasn't exactly baby proof, but that had nothing to do with you. I fell in love with your cuddly self and your big blue eyes the second I saw you. And there's nothing that would make me happier than going through it again with another baby who'll be just as wonderful as you are, and the result of our love for each other. Mrs. Mikaelson." He grinned.

"Oh, my gosh!" Eloise's eyes widened. "That's who I am! That's right! In all the craziness, I forgot that we're married!"

"You forgot?" Adrian asked playfully and raised an eyebrow.

Eloise made a face. "Yes, but I hope you're not offended!"

"I'm not, sweetie," Adrian shook his head. "I was just teasing. But let me remind you; we still have to have our wedding night, you know."

"But it's not night!" Eloise reminded him with a chuckle. "The sun is up! It's morning!"

Adrian got up from bed and closed the curtains, then sat back down beside her. "There you go," he smiled. "Curtains are closed. We can pretend it's nighttime."

"Okay," Eloise grinned.

"I'm ready, are you?" Adrian asked.

"Yeah," Eloise nodded as his hand slid up her stomach and cupped her breast. "I am. Let's do it!"

"Enthusiasm!" Adrian grinned. "That's what I like to hear!"

After spending so many days in pajamas cuddling, it felt so good to both of them to peel off their clothes and have the soft sheets caress their bare skin.

"I'll go slow," Adrian promised. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You're not gonna hurt me," Eloise said. "I know you won't. I trust you."

And he did start slow. Several slow kisses, his lips against hers. Then the kisses became hungry and desperate on both sides as they both tried to get at each other's cheeks, necks, shoulders, everything.

"Okay," Eloise panted. "One at a time. I think we need to do this one at a time."

"Right," Adrian nodded. "Let me go first, please. Let me take care of you."

"All right," Eloise nodded, seeing no reason to protest.

He tasted her slowly and gently, holding both her hands. After she climaxed, he kissed her lips deeply, then her neck and belly, everywhere else until her whole body felt light and warm.

"Is it good?" Adrian asked.

"Yes," Eloise grinned. "It's very good!" She smiled. "But don't forget about yourself!"

"Oh, I'm not," he promised. "Seeing you satisfied, that's what needs to be done first, though."

"And you succeeded," Eloise said. "I promise!"

"All right," Adrian grinned, tickling her gently with one of the roses he'd bought for her. "If you're sure."

"I am," Eloise told him firmly.

He nodded, then leaned back to look her over. "You're so beautiful," he breathed. "And I'm so lucky!"

"Come inside me, please," Eloise prompted, wondering if he was gonna be this polite all the time. "And you can be a little rough."

"Wonderful!" Adrian smiled. Then he buried himself inside her several times, assured by her giggles and cries about how good it was that he was doing the right thing. He knew he was being absurdly cautious, but she'd been through so much that he didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want anyone to hurt the woman he loved ever again. And he would make sure they never did.

Feeling bad after all the fun she'd had at Remiel's expense earlier, a very repentant Ellie knocked on her bedroom door.

"Who is it?" Remiel muttered.

"It's Ellie," she replied. "Can I come in?"

"Drop dead!" Was the reply in a much stronger voice.

"That's not friendly!" Ellie replied. "I know I deserve it though." She sighed and sat down on the floor in front of the door. "I know we've never been close and we probably never will be, but...if you want to talk, woman to woman, I'm here."

"You say that but when I let you in, you'll probably just torture me some more and I've had enough of that!"

"I promise that's not the case!" Ellie swore. "And if you just open the door and let me in...it'll be a short conversation I swear!"

Then she waited and at last, Remiel opened the door for her. "Come in," she said.

"Thank you," Ellie nodded, heading inside, closing the door behind her, and holding out a paper bag.

"Just what in the world is that?" Remiel wanted to know.

"I've been where you've been," Ellie explained. "And it's...it's a scary thing. So here, take this. It's a pregnancy test. That way, you'll know for sure."

Remiel scoffed and pushed it away. "No, I am not pregnant! It's just...I don't know what it is, but it's not that!"

"But if you take this, you'll know for sure," Ellie insisted and held the bag out to her again.

Remiel took it, threw the bag on the floor, and frowned as she took the test out of the box. "Just what do I do with this? Put it in my mouth?"

"No, no," Ellie shook her head and tried not to laugh. "You have to pee on it!"

"Oh, that is disgusting!" Remiel hissed. "What is it with you people on Earth and your bodily fluids!"

"It's just how it works!" Ellie cried. "I don't make the rules! So you pee on it, wait a few minutes, and then if you see one line, you're not pregnant, and two lines means you are."

So Remiel rolled her eyes, took a big drink of water that Ellie poured for her, and after several minutes, she emerged from the bathroom, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh, dear," Ellie sighed. "The test was positive."

Remiel nodded. "Well, you did say that two lines meant positive, correct?"

"Well, yeah," Ellie nodded. "What are you gonna do? End the pregnancy?"

"Yes!" Remiel cried. Then she shook her head. "No! No!"

"I see," Ellie nodded. "And you have to tell the father, too. Or he has to know somehow."

"I told him after our last conversation that he would never hear from me again," Remiel replied.

"Well, tell him that there was a change of plans and you have something very important you need to say," Ellie replied. "I'm sure he won't be mad at you." She sighed. "I know it's hard, but trust me, it's better to tell the father then try and handle it all on your own because believe it or not, they might care more than you think they do."

As Remiel buried her head in her hands, Ellie put a hand on her back. "It's gonna be okay," she said. "Trust me."

Remiel sniffled. "Why?" She asked. "Why should I trust you?"

Ellie took her hand, and was surprised when Remiel didn't try and pull it away. "Because I know where you've been," she said. "Vincent and Valerie weren't planned and...although I love them dearly and always have, the thought of raising two helpless babies when, truth be told, I was barely out of toddlerhood myself thanks to that spell your father put on me, and...it was just too much. So I left. Told your brother he could take care of them."

She waited for judgment, but Remiel just nodded. "Ricky was abandoned by his parents too."

"Of course in my case, it was only for a couple of days or so, but still...my whole original plan was to just leave my kids, and maybe come back when I was older, hoping they'd heard nice things about me." Ellie shook her head. "That's...really sad about Ricky. I take it you don't want to abandon him too?"

"I know you think I'm cold and heartless and I don't care about anyone, but...no," Remiel shook her head. "I don't want to do that to Ricky. He's been through enough and I think we could be friends."

"Of course," Ellie nodded. "And maybe, eventually, more than that. Who knows? And I don't think you're cold or that you don't care. Valerie has said some very nice things about you. And she's very grateful that you taught her ways to beat Vincent at darts!"

"Yes," Remiel grinned. "I did do that." She shook her head. "I'm just...I'm so lost!"

"Both with the baby and because you like Ricky a little?" Ellie asked. "Or a lot?"

Remiel blushed. "I suppose."

"I guess the sex was good too then, huh?" Ellie continued.

"Now you're going a bit far," Remiel got out. "I don't want to discuss that with you right now."

"Okay, that's fair," Ellie conceded. "I won't push." She paused. "And about telling Ricky...you don't have to do that right away. You can take your time."

"I will," Remiel nodded. "I don't even know what I'm going to say right now."

"All right," Ellie nodded. "I think I've done enough here. I'll leave you alone now, but if you need anything...if there's anything more I can do...you know where I am." She got up and headed to the door, her hand on the knob, pausing turning it when Remiel spoke again.

"Ellie?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you," Remiel got out.

"You're welcome," Ellie returned with a smile. Then she left the room, shut the door behind her, and said a soft prayer for the angel as she headed back to the library.

After Adrian was sure Eloise wouldn't be snatched away from him again, life resumed as normal, and there was one matter in particular on Adrian's mind: getting Eloise to a hospital so they could see if her kidnapping had had any dire effects on her or their baby.

"I tell you, I don't need to go to the hospital!" Eloise told him. "I didn't the first time you brought it up and I swear that it's no different now."

"Please?" Adrian asked. "It would ease my mind to be told that by a medical professional, and you're not one of those."

"Oh, so you trust some doctor to tell you about my body more than you do me?" Eloise scoffed. "Well, that's touching!"

"Of course not!" Adrian shook his head. "I just want to be sure, all right?"

"I think you're being unreasonable," Eloise snapped. "I refuse to go."

"Fine," Adrian replied and picked her up. "If you aren't gonna choose to go, I'm taking you anyway. That's how important this is."

He marched her out to the car and belted her in. She didn't kick or scream, but just glared at him, shaking her head. "You'll thank me for this," he told her. "I promise."

They arrived at the hospital soon after and because Eloise was mad, Adrian did most of the talking. In the end, it was decided that Junior, who was on a break, would come with them so Eloise might be more comfortable. That didn't work as well as they planned.

"This better not take forever," Eloise grouched as jelly was spread all over her stomach for the ultrasound. "I told Adrian that we didn't need to be here because I felt fine!"

"He also said that you were kidnapped and living on rats' blood, bread, and cheese for several days," Junior countered. "And because of that, I think I want my friend here to have a look at what's going on inside you."

"I haven't had any bleeding or sickness!" Eloise protested. "And I've even gotten bigger, which means the baby is okay. If it were miscarried or whatever, would it and I continue to grow?"

"Well, that's what we're trying to answer right now, so just hold your horses, missy," Sean replied. Then the four lapsed into silence and watched the monitor before the technician muttered "Oh, my gosh!"

"What?" Eloise asked. "Did I lose my baby?"

"No," the technician told her. "In fact, you seem to have gained two more!"

"Wait a minute, no!" Adrian laughed nervously. "Are you joking?"

"No," the technician shook her head and counted. "See? One head, there's another foot, and there's one more head. I wish this was at a better angle so we could see the third head too because it's there. Now you can just see the other body parts."

Adrian went pale and swayed. Junior caught him and eased him into a chair with a sigh. "Are you all right?" He asked.

"Can I...can I have a glass of water?" Adrian asked. "Please?"

"Sure," Junior nodded. "I'll get it."

After Adrian had had his glass of water, he took a deep breath and cleared his throat. "So...we're gonna have triplets."

"Yes you are," the technician nodded.

"Can you tell if they're gonna be boys or girls?" Eloise asked.

"Looks like three little girls," was the reply.

This cheered Adrian up immensely. "Oh, I can handle that," he said. "Three cute little girls! I can't wait!"

"Me either!" Eloise agreed.

After she'd been checked out the rest of the way, they headed home and sat in the kitchen.

"Triplets," Adrian shook his head. "Wow."

"I know," Eloise replied. "Nice to know I wasn't just getting fat." She reached out and grabbed his hand. "Are you nervous? If you are, you can say so."

"Well, it's just...it's a bit overwhelming to contemplate just now," he said. "But don't worry; I won't get scared and run off."

"I didn't even think about that," Eloise said. "So...do you want to call your mother and tell her?"

"Yes," Adrian nodded. "But let's give ourselves some time to get used to the idea first."

"Yeah," Eloise hugged him. "Let's do that."

Ellie was reading a book in her library when she heard a noise. Looking up, she saw a very pathetic-looking Remiel drag herself into the room and sit down.

"Hi," Ellie told her. "Are you okay? Maybe you should go back to bed."

"I can't," Remiel shook her head. "At least not now. Dad wants to speak to me. He's going to be here any minute!"

Ellie rose to her feet, her whole body filled with rage. "He can't do that! You aren't well! You should be resting! How about you go back to bed and I'll handle this for you? I've got some things I've been wanting to say to him myself."

"It's...I know you mean well, but I can't back away from this," Remiel told her. "I need to face him. I need to answer him myself."

Ellie sat back down and to her surprise, Remiel leaned against her, which was just more evidence to her about how Steve was bullying a very ill woman.

They stayed where they were until Lucifer poked his head into the library. "Dad's in the parlor," he said. "I tried to make him leave but you know how successful I am at that sort of thing. So come on."

"Oh, all right," Ellie snapped, taking Remiel's hand. "But this is going to be an efficient meeting. I won't let your father drag this on for hours because your sister isn't feeling well."

They headed to the parlor and Ellie took a seat on the sofa next to Lucifer, letting Remiel take the lead.

"Hello, Remiel," Steve said.

"Hello, Father," Remiel returned. "What did you want from me?"

"I just thought you had something you would like to share with your brother and me," Steve replied. "Some news that will have a big impact on all of us?"

Remiel swallowed hard and shook her head. "I...I don't think so," she said and turned. "If that's all, I don't feel well, and would like to go back to bed..."

Lucifer felt Ellie start to rise and thought about putting a restraining hand on her arm before giving up. This wouldn't be fun, but, he supposed, he had no right to stop her from getting involved.

"For god's sake, don't you listen?" She yelled. "Remiel told you she has nothing to say, so how about you just leave it alone? It's none of your business anyway!"

"For my sake, it would be better if she came clean and told us what changes will be coming to the family," Steve countered. "It's not good to leave your family in the dark."

"You're not gonna leave me alone until I confess, are you?" Remiel wanted to know. "You treat me like a criminal even though I've done nothing except get pregnant." She paused. "There, I told you. I'm pregnant. Are you happy now?"

"You shouldn't have had to tell him that!" Ellie shouted, outraged. "That was your business, not his!" She then began stomping around the room and seething as she thought about all the choices Steve had made for her over the years. Sure they had turned all right in the end and on most days, she even thanked him. But even though she'd reached that point, it still stung a bit to remember she hadn't chosen this life from the beginning.

Meanwhile, Lucifer for was looking at his sister in shock. "You're pregnant? Who's the young man that did this to you? Was it that Ricky Mikaelson? Was he the boy?"

Hearing this, Ellie stopped pacing and scoffed. "You too? Really? How is it any of your business who the father of her baby is?"

"Since when are you protecting my sister?" Lucifer asked in surprise. "I thought you two hated each other."

"I admit we've not really been the best of friends, but this is a hard situation she's in and she needs all the help she can get, especially from someone who's been in the same boat that she's in now," Ellie told him.

Remiel hadn't been able to get a word in before, but now she tried. "It's all right," she told Ellie. "Thanks for your help. But I can defend myself."

"No it's not okay!" Ellie shouted. "You shouldn't have to put up with those...those men telling you what to do. It's your body and your choice about how to handle this!"

Lucifer's eyes narrowed as he turned to face Ellie. "Does that apply to you as well?" He asked. "Have you changed your mind about the child you're carrying?"

"No, no," Ellie shook her head. "I didn't say that! In this specific case, I want the baby. But in general, yes. That's the whole reason I ended the pregnancy with Isabella the first time around: you and I were in a bad spot and I didn't want to have to raise a baby and fight with you at the same time." She paused. "So, to reiterate, I want our son. But just maybe Remiel doesn't want the baby she's carrying."

"All right, let's all just step back and take a deep breath now," Steve said. "Remiel, do you want to have the child you're carrying?"

Remiel stood silent.

"She doesn't know yet," Ellie supplied. "That's what she told me; she just knows she doesn't want to cause Ricky any more pain."

"Well, it's settled then," Steve nodded. "I'll give Remiel one week to pack her things and move to the Mikaelson ranch so she can tell Ricky he'll be a father soon; I'm sure Selina and Elijah will welcome her with open arms." He looked very pleased with his decision, almost smug. And that look pushed Ellie over the edge.

"Are you kidding me?" She shouted. "What sort of manipulative, selfish man are you? It's bad enough that you picked out my entire life for me when I was just a baby! Now you're foisting the same on your children too?"

Lucifer's jaw dropped. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut. "I thought you made peace with all that," he said. "I thought you were happy here."

"I have," Ellie assured him. "And I love you and the children dearly. But I can't just stand idly by while your father thinks he can run your sister's life. I just can't!"

"Never mind, Ellie," Remiel snapped and turned on her heel. "Thanks for your concern, but I'm too sick and tired to argue about this. Now if you'll all excuse me, I'm going back to bed." She shut the door to the parlor (Which was actually more of an enclosed space with a doorway in and out) with a bang, and then Ellie glared at her husband and father-in-law.

"Now see what you did? I hope you're proud of yourselves!" Then she strode off too, leaving Steve and Lucifer to stare at each other.

"That went well," Steve got out at last. "Don't you think?"

"Oh, damn!" Ricky winced as he came downstairs, finding his grandparents giggling and smooching, with a chocolate cream pie between them. They were taking bits of whipped cream off with their fingers and smearing it on each other before licking it off of whatever bare bit of skin they could reach. "Would you mind! Please get a room if you're gonna do that!"

They paused and looked him over. He wore a pair of jeans sans holes, a black t-shirt, and a leather vest, with his nicest zip up boots.

"No holes," Elijah commented. "Going somewhere nice? Do you have a date?"

"Yeah," Selina added. "Is that what's got you so cheerful? Did you and Remiel make up?"

"Her? Heck no!" Ricky shook his head and pulled out his phone to show them a picture of a very made up blonde with a big chest in a slinky dress. "This is Susie. She's a model!"

"Oh, how exotic!" Elijah chuckled.

"Very nice," Selina added. "So good to know you're trying hard."

"You two are awful!" Ricky cried and put his phone back. "I'm never telling either of you anything ever again!"

"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Elijah told him. "We're happy you're going out; we really are. We just wish it would have been with Remiel. That's all."

"Trust me, she's not as wonderful as you think," Ricky said. "She's not for me."

"Right," Selina nodded. Then she and Elijah caught each other's eyes and tried to hold in their laughter at this ridiculous statement.

Just then, Ricky heard the ding of a text message from the phone in his pocket. Then, at nearly the same moment, the doorbell rang. He pulled out his phone and read the message, his heart sinking a little.

"There's your date," Elijah told him. "Aren't you going to get the door?"

"I...I can't," Ricky shook his head. "Remiel just texted me; she says she's not feeling well. Would you do me a favor and tell Lucy-"

"Wasn't it Susie?" Selina interrupted, her eyes big.

"Well, whatever," Ricky snapped. "Just please give her my apologies because something came up and I can't go out tonight. I have to talk to Remiel."

Then he ran off, leaving his grandparents to sort things out with Susie.

As soon as Ricky disappeared, Selina's phone rang. "Would you deal with that?" Selina asked Elijah. "I have to take this."

"Oh, all right," Elijah nodded. "I suppose I'm the most diplomatic out of all of us anyway. I've never been happier to do something in my whole life." He strode off and Selina answered her phone.

"This is Selina," she said.

"Hi, Mom, it's Adrian," he told her. "We just...I finally got Eloise to the doctor."

Selina's grip on her phone tightened. "And? Did I lose a grandchild because of the horrible thing Helene did?"

"Actually, um...and don't freak out when I say this, but...not only did you not lose a granddaughter, it seems there are two more of them keeping her company in there," Adrian got out.

"What?" Selina cried. "Did I hear that I'm going to have not just one granddaughter but three of them? Oh, my gosh!" She began dancing around and then finally sat down and put the phone to her ear again. "Adrian that is so wonderful! I'm so happy for both of you! But...having three small babies at the same time is no walk in the park. It's going to take a lot of patience and some days...some days will not be as fun as others." Having had triplets herself a long time ago, she knew what she was talking about.

"I sense that," Adrian replied. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna run off when it gets hard."

"Good for you," Selina told him. "I'm proud. And don't worry, I'll be more than happy to help when I can, and so will many others if you tell them. It'll be a challenge, but you won't be alone. And your little girls will love you. I just know it."

"Me too," Adrian replied. "And I think that will make it all worth it."

"Yeah," Selina agreed. "It does." They then talked for a little while longer, until Adrian said he had to call Kai next. Then she told him goodbye, grinning widely as Elijah returned from dealing with Susie.

"What?" Elijah asked.

"Have I got something great to tell you," she said with a smile, then leaned in to share the news about the triplets.

Ricky threw himself through his bedroom door, slammed it shut, and then took a deep breath. He didn't want to be panting like a crazy man when he called Remiel. She seemed like she had enough to worry about. He called her up on Facetime and to his surprise, she answered immediately. What met his eyes, however, was very surprising: she was pale as a ghost and wrapped up in silky white pajamas. Next to was a plate with a piece of toast that had a few bites in it.

"Oh, jeez you really are sick!" he cried.

"I know I look horrible," Remiel groaned. "Thank you for not screaming at the sight of me. I've tried everything to feel better. Ellie's brought me all sorts of tea and clear liquids with bubbles and...nothing is helping!"

"My grandma says that hot water with lemon is good," Ricky told her.

"Thank you," Remiel gave him a small smile. "I'll try that. What have I got to lose?"

Ricky gave her a smile. "You know, those are pretty snazzy pajamas you're wearing."

"Thanks," Remiel replied. "I know they aren't my style but I borrowed them from Valerie. She's such a sweet girl. Later she's gonna bring her dog in to visit me. She says that will cheer me up."

"Well, I hope it does," Ricky replied. "And that you feel better soon. How in the world did you get sick anyway?"

"Maybe you did it," Remiel replied. "Maybe I caught something from you."

"Oh, I hope not!" Ricky shook his head. "But I'm sorry if it's true!"

"It is," Remiel told him. "Believe me."

"I'm sorry," Ricky apologized again. "You know, I'm not doing anything right now. Do you want me to come over and be with you? Since you say I made you catch whatever it is, I don't just want to leave you alone."

"Thank you, but I'm not alone," Remiel assured him. "I have a whole army looking after me over here. I just wanted to hear your voice...see you. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important."

"You didn't," Ricky assured her immediately. "And even if I did have plans, nothing is more important than this."

Remiel chuckled. "I don't know what's making you like me so much now, but I'm sure you'll come back to your senses some day and hate me even more."

"Even more than I have in the past?" Ricky asked. "I don't know if that's possible! I know this might seem like a surprise to you, but I hated you an awful lot before..."

"It's not a surprise," Remiel returned. "I hated you too."

"Yes, that was quite obvious," Ricky told her. "Are you sure you're okay? Cause I'm not kidding when I say that I'll drive over there if you want me to."

"You're kind, but...no, thanks," Remiel shook her head. Then she thought about her father's command, and how best to warn Ricky she was coming. "However," she got out, "If I'm not better in the next couple of days...do you think your grandparents would mind an extra houseguest? I might recover better in a house that's not so full of people."

"I'm sure they'd be more than happy to take you in," Ricky assured her. "Just let me know when you're ready and I'll come and get you."

"Thanks," Remiel told him as a knock sounded on the door. "There's Valerie with Nyx. I gotta go! Thanks for calling me back."

"You're welcome!" Ricky told her. "Take care."

"I will," Remiel swore before hanging up. "I promise."