Mikael was sitting in his kitchen, doing his best to explore the banal things Sybil was so fascinated by (in this case, macaroni and cheese) when his cell phone rang. Relieved, he shoved the bowl of disgusting glop away and grabbed it. "Sybil, dear, I'm glad to hear from you! I'm trying this macaroni you like so much and it-"

"Sorry to disappoint you, old friend," came a voice on the other end of the line. "But it's only me, Charlotte."

"What do you want?" Mikael sighed deeply.

"Well, hello to you too," Charlotte drawled. "I didn't call to cause trouble, if that's what you're thinking. I just...I just wondered how you were."

"Not spectacular, not terrible, eternity just chugging on as always."

"Yes, eternity," Charlotte heaved a sigh. "The undisputed truth for some, a myth for others."

"What can I do for you?" Mikael asked. "Or did you just call to talk philosophy?"

"I heard a rumor through the grapevine and I just...wondered if it were true." Charlotte paused.

"Oh, you heard nothing through any grapevine," Mikael snapped. "You put aside your hatred for your sister so you could snoop around in my life! Did you and she have a nice chit-chat?"

"Chit-chat is such a glib way to describe what happened between me and my sister," Charlotte chuckled. "We bicker and sometimes she lies just to spite me, but today she told me something so ludicrous that I had to call you and see for myself that she was making it up. Have you...have you truly fallen for a demon woman, Mikael?"

"Do you seriously think I'm going to answer that?" Mikael snapped. "Did you just call to badger me? Get to the point!"

"Is her name Sybil Vane? Or am I wrong?"

"Why are you badgering me like this?" Mikael asked. "I thought we decided to part ways amicably then be friends while keeping our noses out of the more private aspects of each other's lives."

"My, my...you wouldn't be so defensive unless she had, in fact, captured your heart! I knew you had one deep down, but I never thought she would be the one to let you prove it! Granted, her human appearance is that of a stunning beauty, but-"

"There's more to her than that!" Mikael snapped. "She has a beautiful soul, too!"

Charlotte chuckled openly. "Oh, dear, Mikael. You must be in love with her. You wouldn't say something like that if you weren't."

Mikael rolled his eyes and stomped his foot, but didn't otherwise respond.

"I'm not trying to mock you," Charlotte quickly reassured him when it was clear that he was taking her words the wrong way. I'm glad she's in your life. I don't know how she brought out the softer side of you, but she did. You deserve happiness with her."

Suddenly, the full impact of what she'd said earlier, the words he'd brushed off as philosophical nonsense, fully hit him. He began to worry. "Charlotte," he asked carefully. "What did you mean when you said eternity was a myth for others?"

"I'm driving by your penthouse," Charlotte said. "Would you...would you please tell Remiel that even though I failed to be the mother she deserved, I love her nonetheless. Would you let her know that?"

"Why are you telling me this?" He asked before the line clicked. "Charlotte? Charlotte!"

Then there was a loud crash from the street outside. He ran to look out the window and see what happened, realizing, with a sinking heart, that it was Charlotte's car that was in a crumpled heap.

Swearing, he took the elevator down to the bottom floor and ran out the door, helping Charlotte out of the car and holding her tight as curious souls swarmed around and an ambulance siren sounded in the distance.

"What the hell did you do that for?" He whispered. "Have you lost your mind? Stay with me, will you? Help is coming."

"I...I don't want help," Charlotte whispered. "I want...to...go home." Then she went still. Mikael gave her a shake, but when it was clear she was gone, he held her until the ambulance came, then turned her over to them and went to call her family and tell them what had happened to her.

"Okay, sweetie," Selina said to Mackenzie after feeding her and burping her. "I'm gonna put you in your carrier here so you can hang out on the kitchen island. Now it's time for me to make breakfast for everyone else."

"You know, if you just decided you wanted to take a day off, it wouldn't kill us to have cold cereal every once in a while," Ricky remarked as he strode in to the kitchen and joined them.

"Well, if you want cold cereal, nothing is stopping you from having it," Selina told him and lowered her voice. "I just thought I would do something special for Remiel since her m-o-m is d-e-a-d." She paused. "How is she doing?"

Ricky sighed. "She says she's doing all right, but I don't know." He paused. "Can I help you?"

"Keep an eye on Mackenzie, would you?" Selina requested as she cracked a few eggs into the Belgian waffle batter. "And the other eye out for Remiel?"

"Sure," Ricky nodded and went to make a face at his tiny aunt and tickle her belly. Then he and Selina chatted, immediately falling silent when the angel entered the kitchen.

"What?" She asked.

"Good morning," Selina greeted her with a smile. "Waffles today! You can have extra whipped cream if you want."

"And can I get you some coffee?" Ricky added.

Remiel looked back and forth between him and Selina and Elijah who was sitting in a chair near the kitchen. Then she gave them a smile. "It's sweet of you to be concerned, it really is. But I'm fine." She came over and took little Mackenzie in her arms. "How could I be upset when I have access to this darling little thing. She's so precious!"

Elijah winked. "She's a real charmer like you, Remiel!"

Selina approached her and gently took her daughter back. "You know, it'll be a little bit of time before the waffles are ready; maybe you could go take a walk and clear your mind. The fresh air will be good for you. Empty your mind of troubling thoughts."

"It's very sweet, but...I'm okay about what happened to my mother," Remiel told her for what seemed like the millionth time. "We weren't that close; you know, you saw." She paused. "She wasn't a mother to me; not like you."

Tears welled up in Selina's eyes and she kissed the angel's hair. "What a sweet thing for you to say!"

Lucas came into the kitchen, and grabbed a banana, gobbling it down before hugging his mother. "I'm so sorry, Mom!"

"So you're gonna pity me too?" Remiel asked. "I mean, thank you for the thought, but like I keep telling everyone, I'm fine!"

"Grandma Charlotte and I never met in person, but she took time to wish me well and tell me good morning before...before the end," he sad as he poured cold cereal into a bowl.

Everyone froze and looked at him in shock. "If you never met her, how could she wish you well?" Ricky asked. "I'm totally lost here!"

Lucas shrugged. "I can't really explain it all that great. It's like telepathy. I heard her voice in my head. And before you all think I'm nuts..."

Remiel swallowed and put an arm around him, trying to give him a comforting smile. "Of course we don't think you're crazy. It's something we can do between Earth and heaven. A celestial thing." She sighed. "I know you didn't know her well, but at least she made an effort to reach out to you."

"Damn," Selina mouthed at Elijah. Not knowing what to say, he shrugged.

"How did she even know about me?" Lucas asked curiously.

"Well, of course my parents know about all their descendants," Remiel said. "They know you because of the wings. Who else could you belong to?"

"What about...what about my cousins?" Lucas asked. "They don't have theirs? Did they get in trouble?"

"Well, no," Remiel shook her head. "It's just that...your Uncle Lucifer was not a big fan of his wings or anything that showed he came from up there." She looked heavenward. "And Dad, when it finally got through his head how strong my brother's feelings were, decided that when he had kids, they would probably learn to share those same feelings, so they were born without them and can choose to accept them or not."

"Ah," Lucas nodded. "Gotcha."

Remiel gave him a long hug before her phone rang. Looking at who it was, she pulled away quickly. "Sorry," she apologized. "I have to take this."

"Who do you think that is?" Ricky asked. "Not more bad news, I hope."

Lucas shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe some sort of mission from Grandpa. That would be good for her to have something else on her mind."

Ricky growled and threw his napkin on the kitchen island. "She has missions too now? Well, I guess I have no real important purpose in this family, do I? I get close to people and they just run off because they have better, more important things to do! Who needs me? How can I compete with that?"

"Hey!" Lucas told him. "Just a minute. Don't you go anywhere! I may look grown up, but I know deep down, I'm a big mess. I'll make a mess of things, or sometimes it all might become too much. That's when I'll need you. That's when I'll need my father. So stay, please?"

Ricky looked at Lucas in surprise, then gave him a shy smile and hugged him hard.

Elijah gave Selina a wink, and then, after she put the waffles on a plate, she went to sit in his lap. "You think everything will be okay?" She asked.

"Yes," Elijah nodded, taking her hand and kissing it. "Not perfect, of course, because nothing ever is...but I think that yes, they'll be all right."

Remiel shut herself in her and Ricky's bedroom to continue the conversation she'd been having. "Sorry," she apologized. "I can talk now. Are you still there, Avery?"

"Of course I am," Avery assured her.

"So...what do you want me to do?"

"Well, Sybil will come to the farm soon and I can feel it in my guts that Mikael is not far behind."

"Really?" Remiel grinned. "How exciting! Did you have something to do with that?"

"There's no need for me to nudge so much anymore, thank goodness," Avery replied. "They seem to like each other's company, even if they're a bit stubborn about making it permanent. Now, when they arrive at the farm, encourage them to stick to each other like glue! There's no way I'm losing this bet with Father and giving the win to Azrael!"

"I agree," Remiel said. "I don't want her to win either!"

"And Remiel?"

"Yes?"

"I realize you've probably been asked this a million times and are sick of hearing it, but I know Aunt Charlotte's gone and...how are you holding up? I'm only asking this once, I promise."

"I'm fine, we weren't close. You got the better mom of the two, but...thank you for asking."

"You're welcome. And you know my number or...where I am, if you want company."

Remiel gripped the phone tight. "Thank you, Avery."

"You're welcome."

And as the call ended, Remiel put the phone on her bedside table, tears falling down her cheeks.

Selina put some spices into the pot of spaghetti sauce, stirred it up, and tasted it. "Not so bad," she told herself. "Little bit of a kick, but not really." She paused and poked her head out of the kitchen to call to Elijah who was reading in a nearby armchair. "Sauce is done! Come see what you think!"

"Spicy or not?" He asked.

Selina thought. "Not super spicy but there's a little." She put some on the spoon and handed it to him.

He tasted it and a smile curved his lips. "Oh, this is perfect!"

"Wonderful," Selina grinned and began ladling it into Tupperware containers to put next to the soup that Elijah had made and there was still more space for whatever else they wanted to cook and freeze for later. "You know," she said. "I realize that if we run out of food, we can go to the grocery store now, but there's a part of me that feels I need to fill cupboard, fridge, and freezer once the weather gets cold." She shivered. "And that's what's coming."

Elijah came up behind her and put his arms around her and chin on her shoulder. "There. Better?"

"Much," she smiled as they swayed back and forth. "Thank you. Just what the doctor ordered."

"And I'll go put a fire in the fireplace too," Elijah assured her. Then the doorbell rang. "I'll get that," he said.

"Perfect," Selina said. "It must be Sybil!"

Elijah strode to the door and opened it, bundling the young woman inside. "Come in, dear, come in. Welcome to our farmhouse! Can we offer you some tea or something? It's chilly out there."

"Thank you," Sybil smiled and removed her coat. "How kind." Then she looked at Selina. "Oh, dear. I hope I'm not interrupting anything. Did I come at a bad time? It looks like you're cooking!"

"I cook all the time," Selina smiled. "It's my hobby and my business. If you wait until I'm not cooking, you'll be waiting a long time."

Sybil looked around. "Oh, this is a fabulous kitchen and I bet it has a fabulous house to go with it."

"I did my best," Elijah smiled. "It was all for Selina."

"Nice to see you, Sybil," Selina said and wiped her hands off to come shake hers.

"Nice to see you too," Sybil replied. "And thank you for letting me come and study the horses."

"No problem," Elijah told her. "What kind of tea would you like?"

He handed her a tin with several different flavors of tea bags and it didn't take long for her to fish out one that contained chamomile with honey and give it to him.

"It's our pleasure," he said, making the tea and handing her the cup.

"Thank you again for inviting me into your lovely home," Sybil smiled. "I can't say it enough."

"No need to thank us," Selina shook her head. "We're happy to help with your school project. It seems so exciting!"

"Yes, and I'm very lucky to have been chosen to be in the program," Sybil added. "They don't just let anyone in."

Elijah crossed his arms. "This isn't a criticism, but I was very surprised when my father called me and told me you wanted to come and study the animals here at the ranch."

Sybil blushed. "I swear I didn't ask him to do that. It wasn't necessary. I would have called you myself if I had had the chance."

"I didn't know you knew Mikael," Selina replied.

"What?" Sybil blinked and opened and closed her mouth. "He's one of the founders of the program that I'm in."

"Wow, you're father is a founder now? That's something I didn't see coming," Selina shook her head.

"Well, it's a very noble cause," Elijah said. "You learn something new about your parents every day."

Sybil brushed some lint off her sweater. "Yes," she replied. "It really is. It gives a lot of people like me who just came back a chance to go back to school and build a life."

"Well, we're glad that you're back." Elijah smiled. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few phone calls to make, but we'll look at the horses after. Is that all right with you, Sybil? I promise I won't be gone forever."

"Of course," Sybil nodded. "There's no rush. Take your time."

Selina reached out and stroked the sleeve of Sybil's sweater. "This is so pretty. Is it cashmere?"

"Yeah," Sybil blushed. "It was a gift."

Selina smiled. "Well, whoever gave it to you had good taste."

"Thank you," Sybil replied but kept her gaze away from Selina. "Is this your baby?" She asked, changing the subject and coming to look at Mackenzie.

"Yes," Selina nodded and kissed the baby's head. "This is our pride and joy, our new little girl, Mackenzie."

"Hello, beautiful!" Sybil greeted the baby. "Can I hold her?"

"Sure," Selina replied and took Mackenzie out of her carrier to hand her over. "She's used to being around lots of different people. It doesn't bother her to be held by strangers."

Sybil held onto her for a little bit and bounced her. "You're very pretty, you know that?" She cooed. But then she put her back in her carrier very suddenly, tears running down her cheeks.

It didn't take long for Selina to notice and when she did, she put her spoon down and came to embrace the young demon. "Sweetie, what's the matter? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Sybil sniffled. "I'm so sorry to do this to you...what a mess I am over nothing. I feel like such an idiot!"

"There's nothing to be sorry about," Selina told her and then went and got her a tissue. "Here, blow your nose."

"Thank you," Sybil sniffled after a good strong blow. "Thank you very much."

"Now, I don't mean to pry and you can tell me to just buzz off, but...do you want to talk about what's upsetting you? You can tell me anything. I won't anything you tell me away."

"It's complicated," Sybil replied.

Selina chuckled. "Oh, well, then I guess it has to be about a man. I feel you. No one knows more about complications involving men than me!"

"Yep," Sybil nodded. There was no point in denying it. "You got it."

"Well, sit down here at the island and have some coffee," Selina insisted. "Tell me everything."

Sybil shrugged. "I wasn't planning on finding anyone. I actually just wanted to be alone with Princess Leia."

"Who?"

"My cat," Sybil added.

"Great name," Selina winked. "But...even though you weren't looking, you found a man on accident?"

"Oh, it was definitely an accident," Sybil nodded. "First we bumped into each other in the alley, then at the grocery store." She shook her head. "I know it's a terrible idea to involve yourself with someone you meet at night in an alley, and I didn't even-"

"You weren't a fan?"

"I hated him," Sybil confirmed.

"And now not so much anymore."

"Yep, that about sums it up!" Sybil shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair. "He's a bigwig in the supernatural world. Rich, powerful, and hated too. At least by most people."

"And what does that matter?" Selina asked. "Who cares what other people think? I've had lots of relationships that pissed off people in the past. Hell, when my first fiance got me pregnant before we were married, I wanted to keep the baby so I faked my own death."

Sybil raised an eyebrow.

"It was the only thing I could think of to do to get my fussy mom off my back," Selina shrugged. "She didn't approve of my fiance, and I was seventeen, human, young, and desperate. That's the only explanation I can give." She paused. "But enough about me; How do you feel about this man? Do you love him? The answer to that is all that matters."

Sybil nodded. "I'm madly in love with him...but we can't be together." She twisted the Kleenex in her hands and bit her thumb nail.

"I'm sure he's madly in love with you too," Selina encouraged. "You're beautiful, you're sensitive, and you have a big heart. Don't think we don't love Amy, because we do. We weren't mad that you and Klaus were together; you are truly a beautiful soul, Sybil. I'm sure the man you love is not a fool and he'll not let you go."

"Thank you," Sybil smiled, took Selina's hand, and squeezed it. "You...you've really helped me."

At that moment, Elijah strode in and clapped his hand. "All right, who's ready to see some horses?" He grinned.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," Sybil replied, returning the smile. "Let's go!"

"And keep your chin up," Selina added. "It'll all work out in the end. Trust me!"

"Thank you, Selina," Sybil grinned. "I will."

Though it was past time anyone usually did it, Ricky was unloading hay for all the horses because he didn't know how to be around Remiel. He knew in his guts that she was still grieving for her mother, no matter what she said otherwise, but her warrior spirit wouldn't allow her to do it to anyone's face, so he thought it best to stay away as much as he could until she'd worked it all out.

As he put the last hay bale down, he heard a voice behind him. "Dad? I brought you some coffee. I thought you could use it." He turned and saw Lucas standing in the barn doorway, a a thermos of coffee in each hand. "Sure," he said. "Thanks. But I don't think I need two."

Lucas chuckled. "One of these is for me. I thought we could have coffee together...if you're not too busy."

"No," Ricky shook his head and sat on a hay bale after taking his thermos. "Please, sit."

"And I didn't know how you liked it, so..." Lucas pulled a baggie of creamer and sugar packets out of his pocket. "You can craft your perfect cup."

Ricky dragged an empty box over to use as a makeshift table and as they put cream and sugar in their coffees, he said, "So...it was nice of you to come out here, but...it's not interrupting any heavenly mission or anything, is it?"

"Nope," Ricky shook his head. "I'm all yours!"

"Good," Ricky nodded. "Cool."

Unsure of what to say, they sat in silence for what seemed like several minutes until Lucas finally spoke. "I know you're worried about Mom. But she'll get better; she just needs time to process what happened to Grandma and find peace."

"Yeah," Ricky nodded. "I agree." He paused as Lucas shivered. "Are you okay? Do you need a blanket? Let me get one for you."

"Thanks," Lucas told him once Ricky had settled it around his shoulders. "It's chiller than I thought. Summer's on its way out and winter is coming."

The small talk made Ricky roll his eyes. "You know, it was sweet of you to come out her and bring me the coffee and all, but...you don't have to force yourself to be with me. If there's somewhere else you'd rather be, I understand."

Lucas frowned. "Why would I force myself to be with my father? Have I done something wrong? If I did, I'm sorry."

"N-No!" Ricky shook his head, grabbed Lucas, and held him tight. "That's truly not it. I just...I'm not part of the Heaven team and I have no idea what your grandfather is up to, so I thought...I thought that made me the less interesting one and you were only coming to see me out of pity or something. It's definitely not because you did anything wrong. I would never do that to you, ever. I promise."

"I don't think you're less interesting," Lucas said. "And I...I like that you don't know what's up with Grandpa. You're my space away from all that. It's nice. You give me normalcy."

"I...I do?" Ricky was shocked. His jaw dropped a little.

"Yeah," Lucas nodded, gesturing for Ricky to come closer so they could share the blanket. "Is that why you've...you've had trouble dealing with me growing up? You thought I wouldn't want to be anywhere near you?"

"Yeah," Ricky nodded. "Dumb, I know, but...I guess I didn't realize just how much of an effect I had on your life."

"Really? That's surprising," Lucas told him. "I mean, when I was little, we were together all the time! You were my hide and seek buddy. You dropped whatever you were doing to play with me and give me hugs and things. And it's not like that now, is it? Now, I'm just a stupid angel boy who knows nothing about life, or...anything." He sighed. "And you know so much. You're so wise and so experienced. Are you sure it's just the angel thing that makes you not want to come near me?"

"I...I love you," Ricky said firmly, looking him in the eye. "It's just weird and I'm trying to figure out how to be a good father to you when you were just a baby two seconds ago and now you're my age. Do you think it's weird?"

"Well, I don't know any different," Lucas shrugged. "You're doing so well, and...you're so perfect. I'm sorry if I made it difficult for you."

Ricky gave an awkward laugh and shook his head. "Perfect? Me? No, no, no. I'm far from perfect."

"For me you are," Lucas murmured. "You're my father!"

It was then that tears began running down Ricky's cheeks and he threw his arms around Lucas to hug him again. "I love you so, so much. More than you know."

"I love you too," Lucas assured him as he hugged him back. "And I need you more than you know because I have this mission and-"

"Oh, I don't know anything about heavenly missions," Ricky shook his head. "If you need help with that, you'll need to ask your mother."

"No," Lucas shook his head. "I can't tell her! It's about girls and talking to her about girls would be too embarrassing!"

"Your mission is a girl?" Ricky asked. "I heard your grandfather likes to set people up, so maybe-"

"I don't know," Lucas shook his head, his voice filled with urgency. "I don't know why she's my mission exactly, but...anything I tell you about it, you have to keep it quiet, okay? Please?"

"Of course," Ricky nodded. "I just feel so honored that you're sharing this with your mom and me."

"I never told Mom," Lucas shook his head. "She has no idea."

"So who is the girl you need to help?" Ricky asked.

"Vicky Mikaelson."

Ricky's jaw dropped. "Your great aunt? Steve can't be setting you up with your great aunt! Maybe he's lost his mind."

"Well, technically she's not related to me anymore."

"What?" Ricky put his hands on his hips. "Of course she is!"

"No," Lucas shook her head. "All her genes changed when she got brought back to life."

"Well, damn, you learn something every day," Ricky sighed. "I did not know that."

"She wants to commit suicide and I have to stop her. I already did once but she seems very determined and who knows how long it will be before she tries again?"

"Oh, my god! And you...you're telling me this just now?"

"You swore you would be quiet," Lucas reminded him. "Remember?"

"Right!"

Lucas bit his lip and smiled. "You know, she's really pretty. It's...it's hard to look at her and think only of my mission."

Ricky lowered his head and tried to hide his laughter.

"Right," Lucas threw his hands up. "Now you're laughing at me."

"No, no, it's just that..." Ricky looked up and smiled. "You're reminding me of your mother."

"And...is that a good thing?"

"Yes," Ricky nodded. "It's good, I promise. And I'll keep quiet about Vicky. You just focus on keeping her alive. I love you, Lucas."

Lucas grinned. "I love you too, Dad."

Selina added a few more things into the sauce and gave it some good stirs. Then the doorbell rang. She wiped her hands on her apron, just wondering who in the world it could be?

"Mikael! This is a surprise." She opened the door and was very surprised to see her father-in-law. He very rarely ventured out here, saying that he'd spent enough time with this set up as a human and now preferred the comfort and convenience of the city.

He chuckled. "I'm sure it is, given the fact that I've made my preference for the city clear, but...may I come in?"

Selina nodded. "Oh, sure, of course. May I take your coat?"

"No need, but thank you," Mikael told her and hung it on the hook himself. "Where is everyone?"

"Well, I'm here cooking so the fridge and freezer are full now that it's started getting chilly, your son is in the barn showing Sybil the horses for her school project and-" She picked up Mackenzie from her seat. "This is your granddaughter, Mackenzie."

"Another one?" Mikael asked in surprise, even as he took the the baby's hand and shook it, not knowing what else to do. "My goodness."

"Yeah, I know," Selina nodded. "And she was late too!"

Mikael tapped his fingers on the kitchen island. "Did I...did I hear you say Sybil Vane is outside?"

"Yes, she's enrolled in the Council program for adult students," Selina nodded. "I thought you had money in that. I thought you would know."

Mikael avoided her gaze. "Now that you mention it...maybe I did hear something..."

"Good," Selina nodded. "That's why she's here."

"I see," Mikael tried to stop his shaking hands. "I'm sure Elijah will take very good care of her."

"Are you all right," Selina circled him. "Would you like some tea or something? You seem distressed."

Mikael blushed and stepped away from her because it was kind of overwhelming to have those big blue eyes right in his face. "I'm fine...but I...I wouldn't say no to some coffee. It's a bit...chilly out there."

Selina grinned. "Well, come right this way! As luck would have it, I just made a fresh pot! So...if you're not here to see Sybil, what made you decide to grace us with your presence?"

"Well," Mikael cleared his throat and sat down as she filled a cup with coffee for him and nudged the full cookie jar in his direction. "Actually you don't have to worry; I came because I was wondering if I might talk to Remiel. Is she here?"

The door opened again and Selina was about to tell Remiel about Mikael but smiled when she saw it was Lucas and Ricky instead, laughing and talking and looking like they were having a very good time.

"Hi great-great-grandpa!" Ricky greeted him.

"Hi great-great-great-" Lucas began.

"Don't you dare," Mikael shook his head and stabbed a finger and Lucas' direction.

"The Mikaelson men don't like to be reminded how old they are, even if it's true," Selina explained in answer to Lucas' curious expression.

"Oh, I was joking!" Lucas said, eying Mikael. "You know that, right?" He looked over at Selina. "Does he have a sense of humor?"

"Not always," Selina replied. "I would definitely not be the right person to ask about that."

Lucas' eyes widened as Mikael circled him to look him over. "You seem to have grown into a nice young man," he remarked. Lucas let out a breath.

"Yep," he said with a grin. "Demon genes and all!"

Selina's eyes widened and she began waving her hands to shush any further demon talk. The last thing she needed when Elijah was out of the house was a tantrum from his father.

But to her surprise (and relief) Mikael took it in stride. "That has its perks. Plus, it's much easier to talk to you now that you're all grown up."

Selina brought her spoon down on the table. "Perks?" She mouthed at Ricky, who shrugged. He was just as clueless as she was about what the hell was wrong with Mikael.

"Yeah," Lucas chuckled. "Being grown up is pretty great!"

"Guys, would you go tell Remiel that Mikael wants to see her?" Selina asked.

"Right," Ricky nodded. "Nice to see you...?" He trailed off, unsure of how to finish.

"Mikael," Mikael replied easily. "That's fine."

"All right, see you, great-great-great Mikael," Lucas told him with a wink and then went off with Ricky in search of his mother.

As they left, Selina tried hard not to laugh. "He gets the impudent streak from you," Mikael said. "Nevertheless, I think Lucas will grow into an extraordinary young man." His eyes traveled to the yard where his son and Sybil were talking about horses.

"Yeah, he will be," Selina nodded. "Now, are you sure you're all right? I mean, I haven't seen you so out of it. I mean, not since I, well...you know."

"Out of it," Mikael murmured. But he wasn't looking at her.

"Okay," Selina said. "You've met someone. Who is she? What's her name?"

"There's no one," Mikael told her. "I haven't met anybody."

"I know we're not that close or even close at all," Selina said and sat down. "But if you want to talk, I'll listen."

"Selina, I'm fine," Mikael told her firmly. "It's very...considerate of you, but please let it go and stick to making wonderful coffee."

Remiel smiled as she came in the house and saw Mikael, her first real smile since she'd found out about her mother's passing. He hated knowing that he was going to have to make it go away. "Mikael," she said, coming to take his hand. "Sybil should be in in a bit. If you're here for her, that is."

"Actually, I want to see you," he told her, leading her to sit at the kitchen table and trying to ignore Selina's inquisitive look. This line of thought couldn't go any further. His daughter in law was a terrible gossip who couldn't keep a secret if her life depended on it. "Not Sybil. I don't know why would even think I was here to see her."

"Yeah, why?" Selina asked.

Realizing she had erred in some way, Remiel rushed to save herself. "I thought you might need to monitor the progress she was making for her class," she clarified.

"Oh, yes, well-" Mikael breathed a sigh of relief. "It's not necessary yet. I was here to see you, to tell you the truth. Can we have a word?"

"Sure," Remiel nodded.

Sensing this was none of her business (and that it was nothing juicy) she grabbed Mackenzie, bundled her up in a hat and coat, and headed for the door. "We'll be outside with Sybil and Elijah. You guys feel free to talk."

"Thank you," Mikael called after her. "That's very generous of you." Once the door was closed, he gestured for Remiel to come sit next to him.

"All right," she said. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Let's go sit in the living room," Mikael decided. "You'll be much more comfortable in there."

"Thanks," Remiel said, kind of confused.

When they were sitting comfortably on the sofa, Mikael tried to think about what to say next, rubbing his hands in an attempt to get his brain to work. Finally, he cleared his throat. "As you know, your mother has...passed away. I was with her when it happened."

Remiel nodded and swallowed. "I know that."

"And also..." Mikael sighed. "I wanted you to know that she thought a lot about her decision to leave and was at peace with it."

"Okay."

"I know she wasn't the warmest mother you could have had, and believe me, I know the type because I'm not the warmest father either-"

Remiel smirked. "I knew that too. It's one of the reasons my brother helped Selina humiliate you; your terrible parenting."

"Oh, damn it!" Mikael cried. "I don't believe this!" Then, finally, he took a breath and got his bearings.

"Yes, but...the good news is that that's in the past now," Remiel added quickly. "You're changing!"

Mikael's eyes widened. "Pardon me?"

Remiel then averted her eyes and faked a coughing fit before admitting, "I heard what you said to Ricky and Lucas." She then shut her eyes, glad the conversation seemed to be almost over.

"I suppose I try," Mikael said. "But back to your mother...she wanted me to tell you that, no matter how hard it might be for you to believe, she loved you, Remiel. And wished that she could have been a better mother to you."

Tears began running down Remiel's cheeks. "Better late than never, I suppose. Did she really say that? You're not lying?"

Mikael shook his head. "I say a lot of things, but I don't lie."

Remiel sniffled. "I'm sorry, but...it's just that I don't even know how to process what you just told me."

Mikael sighed, took the angel in his arms, and let her head rest on his shoulder. "I know she wasn't an easy woman to love or understand, but in her own unusual way, I believe she truly loved you, my dear."