Warning: There is attempted suicide in this chapter so if you're sensitive to that, proceed with caution.

Vicky sighed as she poured the lavendar bubble bath in the full jacuzzi tub and sprinkled in some rose petals. She supposed that on some level, what she was about to do was a foolish waste, but...she couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't be with Kai, at least not in an honorable way, and it was killing her inside.

She put on some soft jazz, and as the sound of "Hush, Little Baby," filled the bathroom, she untied her soft pink robe and let it fall to the floor before stepping into the tub. The water smelled wonderful and it was all nice and warm. A nice, comfortable way to go. Of course there would be pain, but it couldn't be any worse than what she was feeling now and at least the twinge from the knife would go away. Yes, she sighed and closed her eyes, just for practice. She would do what she wanted and no angel from Heaven (if that's really what he was) would tell her otherwise!

She eyed the knife, settled and waiting on the tub edge, admiring its glint and sharpness. Taking it in hand, she shut her eyes and took a deep breath into her lungs, savoring the scent from the bath and the sound of the music for a moment before slowly drawing the knife over her right wrist. The pain made her gasp, but not as much as what she heard next.

"Excuse me, pardon me, coming through! I need to sit myself down right here!" There were splashes and suddenly, she felt body warmth from someone behind her in the tub.

"What the hell?" She whispered, loosening her grip on the knife. It was that damn Lucas!

"Good," he said. "Now give me the knife, please. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to play with sharp objects?"

"I wasn't playing," she said, then twisted around, eyes wide, as she saw Lucas. "What...what are you doing in my bath? Don't try and be sneaky! You better not be naked!"

"I'm not, I'm in boxers," he assured her. Then a grin curved his lips. "Want me to stand up and show you?"

"No, thanks," Vicky put the hand with the uncut wrist to her head. "Knowing you, you'd probably pull your pants down once you were on your feet, just to shock me."

Lucas snorted and laughed a little. "We can do that later, but now I have something more important to deal with: Let me see your wrist. I hope you didn't cut it too badly."

"Well, you didn't give me a lot of time before you barged in here," she told him as he took her hand in his and clicked his tongue.

"Not too bad, but still more than I'd like to see." He put his lips to her wound, sucking on it gently.

Vicky couldn't keep her eyes off him as she did this. His warm lips felt good against her skin, as did the fingers of his other hand that held hers tight. As he tried to stop the bleeding, she felt a surprising warmth in her core that made her gasp.

"What?" Lucas asked. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, of course," she nodded, hoping he wasn't seeing her blush. "Are you done?" She snapped, trying to cover up her embarrassment. "This wasn't meant as a free meal, you know."

"Oh, really?" He remarked, that infuriating smug grin dancing on his lips again. "Cause you look like a main course to me!"

"You're disgusting!" Vicky hissed. She tried to pull her hand away, but he had a grip like iron and he didn't let her go until he was good and ready to.

"There," he said at last. "All better! You'll be fine now."

"That wasn't the point of all this! You suck!"

"Yes, I do," Lucas nodded. "You're welcome, by the way. Always at your service. And now that I've stopped you from doing something incredibly stupid, hopefully the next place I put my lips on you will be much more pleasurable than your wrist."

If she didn't hate him so much, she would have mentioned that the wrist had been pleasurable enough and anywhere else would probably kill her, but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of hearing something like that. At least not while they were in the same room. She didn't know what to say, so she just glared.

He smiled back and did a fist pump in triumph before looking around the bathroom with appreciation, especially as jazz filled his ears. "You know, I really like the ambiance you have here. If not for what you were doing, it would actually be very nice. I love that you're a jazz fan because I am too! My great-great-great grandfather actually sent me a few albums to listen to."

"I'm aware of him," Vicky drawled. "Cause he's my great-great grandfather too."

Lucas winced. "Let's not go there again; it will give us both headaches. Of course that's who he'll always be to you, but...remember that your genes changed when you came back."

This made Vicky let out a shriek, stand up, and get out of the tub.

"Oh, we're getting out now?" Lucas asked. "Too bad. I kind of liked sitting here with you among the candles and everything."

Vicky gracefully turned on her heel and glared at him. "Get out of my house now, Lucas, or I promise you, I will call the police!" She stabbed a finger in the direction of the bathroom door.

"And what will you tell them when you do?" He asked. "'Hello, officers! This is Lucas. He just saved my life for a second time, arrest him!'" He scoffed, slowly boosting himself out of the tub and standing on the tile as water dripped steadily from his boxers.

"Stay the hell away from me!" She cried desperately, waving her arms about and backing up as he took a step forward. "I don't care if you have some heavenly mission or something. I just want to die in peace!"

"I can't just leave you," Lucas tried to reason with her. "It's not your time to die, Vicky. You're meant to live eternally."

"Oh, that's rich!" She spat, a humorless laugh escaping her lips. Then she waited for him to make some other cheeky remark. Instead he said nothing, his eyes sliding from her hair in its loose bun, down to her shoulders, perky breasts, her belly, her pelvis, and her long, legs. His eyes were wide and he was slowly licking his lips.

"Will you stop?" She cried, looking around for a towel. "Stop looking at me like you've never seen a naked woman before!"

Lucas blushed and shrugged, trying to avert his eyes, but struggling. "Sorry, but I haven't! You're the first one! And I know you'll hate me for telling you this, but...I think you're so beautiful! Do you realize how beautiful you are? It's making things very tight in my boxers!"

"That's gross, don't tell me that!" Vicky winced.

"Don't look at me!" Lucas told her. "It's not like I can control it!"

Automatically, Vicky's eyes went to his crotch, where it was very apparent he was telling the truth. "I know you want me to tell you that I'm flattered or something, but heaven's sake, grab a towel and cover yourself up!" She cried, blushing.

"Right," he nodded and snatched up a towel. "Yes, ma'am. And can I ask you to cover yourself up too? It would really help my...big problem."

"Is it a big problem?" Vicky asked. "Or a little problem?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"

"I don't know!"

"It's a big problem," Lucas confirmed. "At least I think. Not that I have anything to measure it against." He found his eyes roaming over her body again, quickly averting them and handing her a towel. "For you," he said gallantly and gave her a wink.

"No, I'm not gonna cover myself up and you know why?" Vicky raged. "Cause this is my damn house! My damn bathroom! And damn it, if I want to, I'll be naked!"

Then she looked down as he took a few steps and put his hand on her left breast. "What are you doing?"

"Well, if you don't want to cover up, and don't say I didn't warn you, because I did, I think it's only fair I get to touch boobs for the first time, don't you?" He asked.

She growled and gave him two hard slaps that sent him sprawling backward. "I think I'd rather you feel how it gets to be slapped for having bad manners," she cried. "Didn't your mother ever tell you it's not polite to touch a woman unless she gives you permission?"

"No," Lucas shook his head. "I didn't know that. But now I do. I'm sorry, I guess." He sat up and put a hand to his reddening cheek, his vision coming back into focus. "Look, you're covering yourself up now. Good."

Ignoring him, Vicky began looking around the bathroom for something big and heavy to throw at him. Finding nothing, she grudgingly settled for the plunger, holding it up in the air threateningly.

"A plunger? Really?" Lucas asked in disbelief, trying not to laugh but failing. "Is that the best you can do? You're going to attack me with a plunger?"

She began swinging it around. "Get out of my house, Lucas! Get the fuck out right now!"

Lucas's eyes widened. Holy crap, she was going to attack him with the plunger! "Okay, okay, fine," he said, putting his hands up and conceding at last. Just calm down and I'll go! Damn, woman, if you're that mad at me, I must be getting through to you." The last sentence was said more to himself as he headed out of the bathroom and toward the living room to grab his clothes.

"Are you going?" Vicky called. "I hope you're leaving and not coming back!"

"Sleep well," he said, giving her one last salute and a wink. "But hopefully not permanently or I'll have to come back. Sweet dreams! Which I know they will be cause I'll be in them!"

"Do you want me to toss the vinaigrette in the salad or put it on the table beside the salad bowl? I can't decide." Selina asked Elijah, who was walking around the kitchen with Mackenzie in his arms.

"Go ahead and toss it, I think," Elijah said. "I can never get the right amount of dressing on each bite if I pour it myself."

Selina did and then handed him the bowl. "Will you go put that on the table next to the steak and potatoes, please? Thank you so much for making the steak up, by the way."

"Of course," Elijah nodded. "My pleasure." He paused and then smiled down and Mackenzie. "But first I have to kiss my little princess!" He kissed the top of her head and she just babbled and snuggled against him.

"She must really like the smell of grill smoke," Selina grinned.

"Yes," Elijah winced. "I meant to go shower and change, but-"

"Oh, no," Selina smiled and came over to kiss him. "I like it too!"

Elijah continued to coo at Mackenzie until Ricky came in. "Please don't tell me he was like that with me," he said.

"No," Selina shook her head, a wicked grin on her lips. "I promise, you were never his little princess." She paused and gave him a wink. "Your grandfather is just fond of his girls, that's all."

Remiel joined them soon after and began to put food on her plate. "You want me to do yours too?" She asked Ricky.

"Sure," Ricky shrugged. "Thank you. I'll get drinks."

"I love having meals together like this," Remiel remarked as they all settled down with their food at the table. "It's so nice just to have a chance to take a breath and connect."

"You know, Remiel, you're so right!" He got up and came around to stand by her. "If I may?" He said before planting a soft kiss on her head. "You get to be my other princess...if you don't think it's too silly."

She blushed and laughed and Elijah laughed too. He was teasing and they both knew it. If Remiel was anything, 'princess' wasn't it.

But Ricky didn't seem to catch the joke. "Oh, no," he said, rising to his feet. "Don't you start that with my wife!"

Everyone else froze. Remiel lowered her eyes, Elijah held the back of the chair tight, and Selina nearly dropped the bowl of potatoes. "Did you...did you say..." She began.

"No, I didn't 'say'," Ricky said quickly, realizing too late what had just come out of his mouth. "I said 'girlfriend'. Not any other word." He gave her a desperate look. "Right? That's what you heard?"

"Right," Remiel sighed. "Don't worry about it. Selina, can I have some of those yummy potatoes, please?"

"Sure thing, sweetie," Selina nodded and set the bowl down, pushing it toward her while gazing at Ricky with big eyes and mouthing 'What did you say?'"

He, on the other hand, was avoiding her gaze and blushing furiously, keeping his eyes on his plate.

The tension was broken by a happy Lucas bursting through the door without warning. "Hello, family I adore!" He cried, kissing Elijah on the cheek. "How are we this fine day? And what's for lunch?"

"Hello, Lucas!" Elijah greeted him. "It's nice to see a young man who is okay with kissing his male family members on the cheek!"

"Of course it is!" Lucas nodded. Then he looked at Ricky. "You want a hug, Dad? You look like you could use one."

"Thanks," Ricky mumbled. "But I'm good."

"Anyway," Lucas continued, "what's for lunch?"

"Your grandfather made up steaks on the grill and there are also potatoes and salad," Selina said. "Have all you want; there's plenty to go around."

"Oh, this will be delicious!" Lucas remarked, grinning and rubbing his hands together before filling his plate. "So...what's new? What have I missed while I've been out?"

Remiel and Ricky looked at each other awkwardly until Elijah, picking up on the awkwardness, saved the day. "It's been good," he said. "What about you, Lucas? Did you have any adventures?" He poured some wine, sipped it, and waited.

"Yes," Selina added. "Tell us what you did!"

Lucas looked around the table and shrugged. "Not a lot today, but...yesterday, I touched a woman's boobs for the first time! And she was a beautiful woman!"

That made Elijah start choking on his wine until Selina whacked him on the back a few times. "There. Are you okay?"

"What did you say, sweetie?" Remiel asked her son. "I must be hearing things today."

"Well, it was more like I cupped her breast," Lucas clarified. "I didn't get much further before she slapped me, but it was very enjoyable anyway."

Ricky, knowing who Lucas was talking about, gently elbowed him. "I don't think it's a good time to talk about that now. Or the place."

"I'm sorry," Lucas looked around the room. "Did I make everyone uncomfortable? I didn't mean to."

"Oh, no, honey, it's all right," Selina nodded. "We're very open about sex here. Any time you want to talk about stuff like that, you just go ahead."

She was ignoring Elijah, who was shaking his head wildly and looking like he'd just swallowed a lemon. "Well," she corrected, "Your great grandfather isn't as open with it, but...he's still going to support you. Right, honey?" She sat and gave Elijah a pointed gaze.

"Mmmm?" Elijah asked. "Oh, yes." He was trying not to laugh. "Of course I am."

"Who's this mystery girl?" Remiel pressed. "What's her name?"

"Oh, come on, Remiel, let the boy have privacy," Ricky told her.

"It's not that I necessarily need privacy, but I'd like to keep it a mystery for the moment, Mom," Lucas told her and gave his mother a wink. "But you'll meet her eventually, I promise."

Selina clasped her hands together, smiled, and sighed. "He wants to keep it secret! How romantic!"

"The tiny hint I will give you is that I'm helping her reach her full potential," Lucas told them.

"Does my dad have anything to do with how you met this woman?" Remiel guessed.

"Yes, you got it!" Lucas nodded.

"And if she wanted you to touch her chest, or she didn't and you learned a very important lesson, who are we to judge?" Elijah asked. "You have to let kids make their mistakes and not control every aspect of their lives! It's a little thing that I've learned."

"Yeah," Selina nodded and patted his shoulder. "Sure you have."

Ricky rolled his eyes and sighed with relief as they all laughed and everyone talked about Lucas' mystery girl. He was grateful for the change of subject. Because thanks to a slip of the tongue, he had a thing or two to think about.

Later that night, Remiel was folding clothes when she heard a noise in the hallway outside her and Ricky's bedroom. She opened the door and there he stood. "Oh, hello," she said, finding it hard to look him in the eye. "I...I was just folding some laundry. And since a lot of it is yours, would you mind giving me a hand?"

"Sure, but...Remiel," Ricky told her as he made his way into the room. "About what I said before-"

"No, we don't have to talk about it. I'll have the good sense to pretend like you never said anything because I don't need you to. We're happy the way we are...right?"

"Yes, I suppose we are," he agreed and gave her an adorable smile.

"And since we're so happy, you don't need to feel guilty about inadvertently calling me your wife; it was a slip of the tongue that could happen to anyone. Not that it wasn't sweet, but you don't owe me anything, or us anything; not when I got pregnant and definitely not now."

"Right," Ricky nodded, glad that Remiel wasn't looking him in the eye or paying attention to him as he helped her fold laundry. "Shoot, I dropped a sock. I better get down on my knees and look under the bed. You know how easy it is to lose socks!"

"Okay," Remiel sighed. He was weird sometimes. "Whatever." But after several seconds, he didn't get up. "Okay, what's wrong with you?" She asked. "Did you really lose your sock?" Then she turned around and gasped, hands over her mouth. "Oh, my Dad," she whispered as she lowered her hands to her sides. Ricky was on his knees in front of her, holding a small box with a sapphire and diamond ring in it. "What is that...is that ring or a...I can't think of a suitable other thing it might be! But it's beautiful!"

"It's...I got it from Grandma," Ricky shrugged. "You can pick a different one if you want because I'm not exactly sure about your tastes, but she says this has been in the family for generations, and it was the one her dad gave her mom when they got married."

"I...I...okay," Remiel just stood there, her mouth opening and closing. Was this really happening?

"But first I should probably officially ask you, shouldn't I?" He asked, the sides of his mouth turning up into a grin. "Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world? I mean, not that you aren't already. Frankly I'm ecstatic, but I just...I want to be married to you because I love you so much! Not out of guilt or pity or anything, as you may think the timing suggests."

"Oh, my Dad," Remiel breathed. "So...so you didn't just rush over to Selina and ask for a ring because you said something you didn't mean to?"

"No," Ricky shook his head. "After...After Lucas was born, and you made it through all right, I told myself that I was gonna make it official and that's when I got the ring. But then...I didn't know how you'd react to doing something so...establishment so I kept putting it off."

"What...really?" Remiel asked, surprised and flattered. "You've been wanting to officially propose to me since Lucas was born? Really? I had no idea!"

"Yeah," Ricky nodded. "I mean, in my heart, you're already my wife, but...I suppose it would be nice to make it official, wouldn't?"

"I...I think so," Remiel nodded.

"So you're saying 'yes'?" Ricky confirmed.

"Yes, you sweet man!" She cried, dropping to her knees so he could slip the ring on her finger, and hugging him hard. "Of course I'll marry you!" She took his face in her hands and they began kissing, only taking a break when Ricky opened one eye and saw that the bedroom door was open and Selina, Lucas, and Elijah were watching them.

"I...I see you got something shiny, Remiel," Selina said at last. "Congratulations! I knew that would be perfect for you!"

"I think this calls for a toast," Elijah added. "I'll get the champagne and the glasses."

"Congrats, you guys," Lucas smiled and winked. "Thanks for getting married. It's so comforting to know that soon, I won't be a bastard anymore!"

"Lucas, my goodness!" Remiel cried, blushing.

"It was just a joke, sorry!" He said quickly. "Can I be your ring bearer? Or the best man? Or something?"

"Of course," Ricky nodded, trying not to smile too much at his son's joke since it distressed Remiel and tossing clothes at him with everyone else following suit. "We wouldn't leave you out."

Elijah went and got the champagne and they did a toast. Afterward, Ricky and Remiel finished folding the laundry and putting it away, and just as the last sock was put in the drawer, the doorbell rang.

"Two guesses who that is," Remiel remarked dryly.

Ricky bit his lip on a grin. "Want me to come with you?"

"Not yet, thanks," Remiel shook her head. "This first time around, I think I can handle Dad by myself. Now when my brothers and sisters hear...that's when I'll need backup."

"Right," Ricky nodded. "You got it." He took her hand and squeezed it before giving her a quick kiss. "Good luck!"

Remiel then ran to get the door, finding Steve looking very happy. "Are you wanting to come in and tell me how happy you are that I'm not an old maid anymore?"

"Oh, I wouldn't put it like that," Steve shook his head as he stepped inside the house. "But I am happy cause you're happy!"

"And because you're proven right once again!"

"Well, I knew that," Steve returned smugly. "I just had to wait for it."

"You want a drink?" Remiel asked as she rolled her eyes and led him to the living room.

"I don't intend to stay very long because I want to give you time to savor the moment, but if it's in a handy place, I wouldn't refuse a glass of scotch," he told her. Then he stood up. "Let me get it."

It obviously didn't take long for him to come back with a glass, which he quickly downed and smacked his lips. "Wonderful stuff!"

"So did you tell Gwen too?" She asked.

"Yes, I did, but...you can tell your brothers and sisters if you'd like. I wouldn't want to intrude on your getting the opportunity to share your good news. And if you're going to hire Angelica to do your wedding, you better call her quick because she gets booked fast!"

"I'll think about it," Remiel told him. It was a good suggestion but she was still a little embarrassed about how rudely she'd treated her niece before and wondered if she would even take the job. "At the very least, I can tell Lucifer. You take the people who aren't down here. Would you do that for me?"

"Sure," Steve nodded and stood up. "I'd be glad to."

"Thanks," Remiel smiled as he put his arms around her and kissed her hair. "And...thanks for coming. That means a lot."

"Any time, my darling," murmured. "Any time."

"Noah, come on!" Roxie yelled, looking for the key on her key ring that would lock the club up for a time while she and Noah went to visit Adrian, Eloise, and their kids. "If you don't move your butt right this minute, we're going to be late! I have the toys in the car already!"

"I'll let you go," he told her as he came down the stairs in his lounge clothes and sat down at the bottom of the stairway. "Kiss Celine for me, would you?"

"And nothing for the other girls?" Roxie asked. "I thought you had a habit of kissing as many girls as possible!"

"Roxanne," he growled impatiently. "You know what I mean!"

"Yeah, I know," Roxie grinned, her eyes twinkling as she pulled him to his feet. "Now get up and get dressed because you're coming too. They specifically asked me to make sure you came."

"I don't understand why they want me to come," Noah huffed as he headed up the stairs.

"This is just a guess, but...maybe they want to confirm that you're Celine's godfather," Roxie said. "And personally, I think that's something that needs to be said to your face."

"I doubt it!"

"Granted you're not entirely off base to be confused since you've been drinking a lot more lately and flirting with anyone wearing a thing you can see or a garter, which is the dumbest thing you can do if you ask me-"

Noah's eyes widened. He looked about ready to be sick. "Be careful, Roxanne. Remember, I'm still your boss and if you talk like that to me-"

"Then what, kiddo?" Roxie asked. "You gonna fire me? How long do you think you'll last running this place by yourself?"

Noah's mouth opened and closed, but he didn't say a word.

"I thought so," Roxie nodded. "Now get dressed, please. You're coming if I have to dress you and drag you to the car myself, got it?"

"Yes, ma'am," Noah sighed and headed back upstairs. This hadn't gone his way. Not even a little bit.

"Hey, sis," Adrian greeted Roxie as he opened the door for him and Noah and let them in. "And Noah."

"Hi, Adrian," Roxie smiled and hugged him.

He kissed her on the head and looked at Noah, who backed away a little.

"Don't worry," he drawled. "I don't expect you to kiss me too."

"Well, this is nice," Eloise said as she joined them. "You guys want anything to drink? The girls just had their snack time so it's not too much trouble."

"Actually, Eloise, I just came to drop Roxie off so I'll just be on my way now," Noah told her as she and Roxie embraced.

"Why would you want to go when we asked you to come?" Eloise asked.

"And speaking of surprises," Roxie said, subtly moving in front of the door so Noah couldn't escape. "I brought some more toys for the girls."

"Great," Adrian said, his voice full of goodnatured sarcasm. "More stuff to go on the floor."

"Why did you ask me to come?" Noah asked.

But before either Adrian or Eloise could answer, a little girl clad all in white with a little bit of blue, from her shoes to her dress, to her hair ribbons, joined them. "Hi, Uncle Noah," she said with a smile as Noah watched her with interest and gave her a smile. "Hi," he returned and kissed her hand, which made her giggle. "You look beautiful. What's your name?"

"It's me, Celine!" she said and gave him a curtsy.

"What do you say we go look at the house listings now?" Adrian said to Eloise as he patted a shocked Noah on the back.

"Good you're doing that," Roxie said as she looked around at the toys on every surface. "Cause this house is way too small."

"Actually, would you stay?" Noah asked. "Would that be a problem?"

"Sure, we'll stay," Eloise replied. "But the girls are very well-behaved."

"I am," Celine said, and then leaned forward to whisper conspiratorially. "But not my sisters, especially Michelle. She's a meanie!"

Not wanting to pursue that or encourage trouble, Noah quickly changed the subject. "Your name is Celine? I only know a cute little baby girl named Celine. Not a cute big girl like you!"

Celine put her hand over her mouth and giggled. "You're funny!"

Noah smiled and then turned to face her parents. "So...when did this happen?"

"Two days ago," Adrian said. "We went to their room to wake them up for breakfast and they were already up and playing. It was a little shocking, I'm not gonna lie." He gestured at Eloise. "You think I would have been more prepared after her, but nope."

"Nice to see you, Miss Celine," Roxie saluted her niece and handed Eloise the toys before ruffling Celine's hair. "Where are your sisters?"

"In their bedroom," Eloise pointed in the direction of daughters' bedroom. "But be careful. Michelle is in a spirited mood today."

"Thank you," Roxie told her. "I will."

"Thank you for coming, Auntie Roxie," Celine told her before turning back to Noah and pulling on his pant leg to get his attention.

"Yes?" He smiled down at her. "May I help you?"

"Pick me up, please," she said. "I want to show you my ribbons and my pretty hair!"

Noah obligingly picked her up and held her close as he examined the ribbons in her hair, which were white and light blue. "Very pretty," he told her. "Lovely colors for you."

"Thank you," she said and kissed him on the cheek.

"Hey!" Adrian told her teasingly. "Do you like Uncle Noah more than Daddy? Don't you love me anymore?"

"Yes," Celine said immediately with a wide grin after gesturing for Noah to go closer to Adrian so she could hug him too. "I love you both!"

Eloise rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Oh, for Steve's sake, you doofus," she chided her husband.

When everyone had been hugged and assured they were loved, Noah put Celine down and cleared his throat. "So...is there an actual particular reason you wanted me to come with Roxie? Other than to see Celine, I mean."

"Well, about that," Adrian began.

"We wanted to ask you if you would do us the honor of being Celine's godfather," Eloise told him.

"What do you think, sweetheart?" A grinning Noah asked Celine. "Should I do it?"

"Yes, please," Celine nodded.

"How can I refuse then?" Noah grinned. "I guess it's a yes!"

"Yay!" Celine cheered. "This calls for chocolate milk!"

"Why not?" Noah chuckled. He was in such a good mood as they all made their way to the kitchen. And it did sound tasty. "Chocolate milk it is then."

Just as Noah and Roxie were about to leave, Michelle, who favored garish bright colors, grabbed Noah's hand. "You can't go! You stay for my tea party!"

"Michelle, we talked about manners," Eloise chided her gently. "How we say please and thank you."

But Michelle just ignored her mother and took Roxie's hand in one of hers and Noah's in the other. "Come on!"

Not knowing what else to do, they just followed her along with her parents and Celine, who brought up the rear, and headed back to the girls' room

"You sit by me," Celine whispered to Noah. This was oddly reassuring to him because frankly, Michelle scared him a bit.

They arrived in their room and found Laurelle, who was on her belly on the floor, absorbed in a picture book, which Michelle promptly kicked away. "It's tea party time!" She cried over her sister's protests.

"Time out after this?" Adrian asked Eloise.

"Yeah," Eloise nodded and shook her head at their imperious daughter's back. "Definitely."

Although they hadn't meant for their daughter's to overhear, Laurelle did and nudged Michelle. "You're in trouble!" She murmured.

Michelle put her hands on her hips and strode over to her parents. "Am I in trouble?"

"You're being very rude, Michelle," Adrian said firmly. "And I think you should have a time out. We'll leave here and you'll sit in your corner for five minutes."

"But-" Michelle pouted.

"No but," Adrian shook his head and set a timer once she was settled. "Once this beeps, you can come out."

Michelle twisted around so she could be sure her father saw her pout. "I'm gonna miss the party?"

Adrian sighed and kissed her hair. "We'll have our own little party later, all right? But now you have to think about how being nice and polite and not bossing your sisters around is the best way to behave, okay?"

"Oh, okay," Michelle rolled her eyes and turned to face the wall.

The rest of them left and went into the kitchen, where Eloise made and actual pot of tea and got out some cookies to pass around while Adrian helped Celine make the chocolate milk.

"I'm sure we have cake or something too because of course Adrian's mother keeps us supplied with sweets and things because she doesn't think he eats enough," Eloise rolled her eyes.

"Yeah," Roxie sighed. "Mom's like that, especially with him. All the rest of us, it's just a call or a note to check up but with him, it was 'Here's a truckload of food, what the he'll's up with this furniture?', when are you going to get married?'"

Adrian looked at his sister in wide-eyed horror as Laurelle sneakily stole one of his cookies. "Don't tell me I'm the only one she does that to!"

"I'm afraid so, sparky," Roxie nodded and patted his hand. "At least with that level of intensity, anyway."

"I feel you," Noah said to Adrian, his eyes full of sympathy. "Mom worries about me too."

"Yeah!" Roxie grinned. "Between Mom and Ellie we don't even have to pay for food!"

As they sat eating their cookies, Rusty scampered into the kitchen. He sniffed Roxie and nuzzled her, did the same to Adrian, and then settled next to Laurelle, resting his head on her foot.

"Looks like Rusty's found a friend," Roxie remarked from the next seat over.

"Yeah, they like each other," Adrian nodded. "Probably cause she's the one who sneaks him food the most."

"You do it too!" Laurelle pointed out as she marched up to Adrian with hands on hips and got in his face. "Don't think I don't see!"

"She has a point," Eloise replied as she tried very hard not to laugh. "Just admit it, Adrian."

"Oh, all right," he said, taking Laurelle on his lap and kissing her hair. They'd pretty much decided Michelle was pouting after her time out and they wouldn't see her for a while.

"Want another cookie?" Celine asked Noah, who was starting to feel full. He wondered where all the cookies she was trying to stuff him with were coming from.

"No, thank you," he said and burped. "Excuse me. I'm full, sweetie. But that's very nice of you."

"No problem," Celine replied and hugged him hard. Then she took his hand and brought him into the living room. "Want to see my new dance that I made up? I like dancing!"

Noah looked at the clock and tried not to swear under his breath. They had already been gone longer than he or Roxie had intended. "I can't right now, sweetie. Aunt Roxie and I have to go back to work. But next time you come and visit me, you show me, all right?"

"Okay!" Celine smiled. "Do you promise?"

"Yes," he nodded, picking her up and kissing her hair. "I promise!"

They got Michelle out of her room and after one last round of hugs, Roxie and Noah started to head out the door.

"You sure you can't stay a little longer?" Adrian begged his sister. "Please? I need adults to talk to!"

"I feel your pain," she said sympathetically. "But they won't be kids forever. They'll grow up soon. Just wait and see."

Kayla was staring at a picture of her and Kai, tears in her eyes, as she felt pain rip through her body. "No!" She gasped. "Not now, please!" She knew she was in labor. She felt it in her guts, and the pain had been building all day. She'd been able to tune it out until now. Now it was time "Help!" She cried. "Uncle Kol, help!" He was not the uncle she thought would help her through this but...he promised he wouldn't tell her parents anything she didn't want him to, and he had the whole house to himself since he and Aunt Margot had split up, so...

She managed to pull herself into bed and get the covers over herself. "Uncle Kol!"

"Is it time?" He asked, his dark eyes full of concern as he ran into the room. "Do you want me to call your parents? How are you?"

"I'm about to push a person out of me!" Kayla snapped as he got a cloth to put on her forehead. "How would you be? And don't you dare call my parents. Not yet. Can't you get a doctor or something?"

"I can call my friend Angela," Kol told her. "She delivers babies all the time. She knows what she's doing. And are you sure you don't want me to call your parents?"

"No, don't you dare!" Kayla shook her head before letting out another scream. "I need to do this my way and you know if you call Dad, he'll just storm over here and take everything over. Or he'll worry and that will make me worried, and..."

"All right, all right, so we won't call your dad," Kai nodded. "I'll go call a friend of mine. She's a midwife and works at the Magic Hospital. She can probably get here pretty quick." He paused and looked her over, his dark eyes full of concern. "Unless you think we can get you to the hospital and you can see your regular doctor."

"No, no time! At least it doesn't feel like it!" Kayla winced and thrashed. "Call your friend...and tell her to hurry!"

"Are you absolutely positive you don't want me to call your parents too? You shouldn't be afraid of getting help from your family," Kol said.

"No," Kayla said firmly. "Not now."

So Kol called his friend and he was relieved when she said she was available and on her way. "All right, she's coming," he assured Kayla as he took her hand. "And I'm not calling your father but I hope you know that when he finds out about this, he's gonna challenge me to a duel and blow my head off, or tie me to a horse and let me be dragged behind it, or..."

"Don't joke anymore," Kayla begged as a chuckle escaped her lips. "It hurts too much to laugh." Then she began to scream again, so loud that Kol thought all the windows would break.

It was at that moment that Angela arrived and gave him a sly grin. "What did you do to her?" She teased. "It sounds like someone is being murdered!"

"I'm innocent!" Kol cried.

"I know, I was kidding," Angela assured him, then stood next to Kayla. "Ready to have your baby?"

"Kayla, this is my friend Angela," Kol introduced unnecessarily.

"Yes!" Kayla cried, her eyes wide. "I think I feel something coming out!" She looked at Angela desperately. "Is it coming out?"

"Yes," Angela nodded. And it didn't take much longer before a cry filled the room. Angela quickly cut her cord and washed her off, then wrapped her up and handed her to her mother.

"She's beautiful," Kayla smiled. "And kind of heavy. Not that that's exactly a surprise."

"Ten pounds," Angela confirmed. "Did you know you were walking around with a ten pound baby in your belly?"

"Not exactly, but I knew she wasn't gonna be light," Kayla cuddled the baby. "Her dad and I are food people. And we're gonna make sure she is too."

"So...so you and the baby's father are together?" Angela asked. "I mean, not that it's any of my business if you're not; you wouldn't be the first."

"We are, but...one of the souls who came back was someone he was married to, so...I wanted to give him a chance to sort it all out," Kayla said. "But I can't wait for him to come back and meet his daughter."

"What's her name?" Kol asked. "Did you...did you guys ever talk about it?"

"No," Kayla shook her head and looked into the baby's eyes as they opened. "But I like Florence. Florence Evelyn Parker."