The next morning dawned all too early for Lexi, who had been sleeping peacefully in the arms of her husband. She carefully freed herself from his grasp and pulled a deep blue robe over her nightdress. After loosely pulling her hair into a ponytail she descended the stairs for the first time in 3 days. It was very early so she hadn't expected to see her oldest son sitting quietly in the kitchen.

"Good morning Griffin," she said softly, her voice no louder than a whisper.

Griffin turned slightly surprised to see his mother standing in the doorway.

"Good morning," he said getting out of his chair and giving her a hug. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," she said as she moved over to the tea pot that sat on the stove to pour herself a cup.  

Griffin nodded and sat back down.

"I heard you and your father have been arguing a lot more than usual," Lexi said as she sat down facing her son.

Griffin looked down at his hands. His mother rarely yelled but could make him feel ashamed of himself with just the disappointment that filled her voice. She took one of his hands in her own and tilted his chin with her other so that he was looking into her eyes.

"Griff, I know that you're angry, but your father cares about you and he hates when you two are fighting," she said gently. "I think that we've had this conversation before," she added smiling.

"I know," said Griffin.

Lexi quietly sipped her tea. She could feel her strength leaving her. Being bedridden for 3 days had defiantly taken its toll on her. She sighed and closed her eyes as she felt the now familiar coldness coming over her.

Griffin watched as his mother's face contorted in pain.

"Mom, are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

Lexi snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Griffin as if she had just realized he was there.

"I'm fine," she said shaking her head and getting up.

"Where are you going?" Griffin asked.

"I'm still very tried hun, I think I'll go back to bed for a little while longer," she said smiling slightly.

Lexi slowly made her way back up to her room. She felt dizzy and cold. Luckily she met James at the top of the staircase.

"Lexi you're up," he said smiling but his smile faded as Lexi fell, unconscious, into his arms.

"SIRIUS," James yelled.

Sirius charged out of his room, his hair sticking out at odd angles.

"What happened?" he asked urgently as James walked towards the master bedroom carrying his sister.

"I don't know she just fainted," he said.

"She probably hasn't eaten in days," said Sirius as he stroked his wife's hair.

"I'll have Lily bring her breakfast when she wakes up," said James.

*       *          *

At around 10:30 all the kids were sitting around the dining room table eating breakfast. As always it was noisy and animated.

"Oh Ebony my darling take these as a sign of my love for you," said Javen as he passed Ebony the plate of toast.

"Uh… thanks Javen."

"Aww isn't that sweet," said Cadence with a grin. "You know Ebbs I think if you asked him to he'd give you a kiss!"

"Shove it Cadence!"

"Oh stop fighting," said Harry, "it's so annoying.

"Christiana," said Sirius looking at his niece, "your aunt wants to talk to you."

"Why?" said Christiana, as the table fell silent.

"She'd like to speak with you," Sirius repeated. "She's in her room."

Slowly Christiana got up and made her way up the stairs wondering what exactly Aunt Lexi needed to tell her.