Disclaimer: Any characters you recognize aren't mine and neither is the world they live in

A/N: This was supposed to be just a little one part ficlet my muse decided needed to be written, but it keeps growing. Anyway, I hope you like it. Oh, if you don't like implied things then don't read this 'cuz... yeah... Anyway! Hapy reading!

~*~

Alexia dropped onto her bed with one arm behind her head so that she could stare out the window. She had spent the morning cleaning her room; now all she wanted to do was relax. She glanced at the clock and was surprised to see that it was nearly two o'clock. The heavy rainfall left streaks down the window that distorted the grey and dismal world beyond. Even with all that, she was in a great mood. She had spent the night before dancing at Black Ice with Gabriel. They had stayed out nearly all night and then she had gone back to Gabriel's afterwards. After a long week it was always nice to unwind for a few hours, and that had become almost a weekly ritual with the group. They wouldn't be going this week because Friday night was opening night for The Crucible. Even with all that had been happening, she and her friends had managed to attend practice and learn all their lines. When India basically disappeared from town, Mrs. Ingle had been scrambling to find a new assistant director. Thankfully there had been a new student that enrolled and who happened to have plenty of theatre experience. Alexia didn't know when Devon had learned it all, but he was a great help to the production. He had been easily accepted into the school and now had quite a few friends. Not to mention that he had started dating Maia, the girl he had met the first night he went to Black Ice.

Another interesting turn of events was that Kiree had a new love interest as well. She and Jarius spent a good bit of time together. And, if Alexia wasn't mistaken, he was currently curled with Kiree in her large, curtained bed. He had been at the house for the last several nights at least. He was warm and funny. He always had a joke to tell or some slight of hand to make someone smile. He had been a Gypsy as a child and because of that, his wardrobe tended to bright colors and silks. Alexia was glad for the color. Kiree had been slowly making everything in the house darker. Now there was a new bright red couch and purple chair to match in the den. The dark and dated kitchen cabinets had been replaced with new white ones and the avocado wallpaper had been given over to a rich blue paint.

The house was dead silent, but Alexia relished that after the rushed rehearsals and costume fittings of the past week. The costumes for the play were drab, but that was historically correct. She had even asked Kiree about them. Kiree hadn't known much, seeing as she had chosen to be in Paris at that point in time where life was much more exciting and there was less of a chance of being caught or seen as odd, but she had seen a few of the Puritans and she had said that their costumes were accurate. Alexia hated the boxy shoes because she knew they'd give her awful blisters, but that couldn't be helped. She relaxed to the pleasant sound of rain drumming on the roof overhead and eventually fell asleep.

~*~

A warm sunny day, sometime in early spring. All around dogwoods and apple trees blossomed, their petals drifting on the warm breeze. Twin girls skip through the trees, laughing as they collect early flowers like crocus and lilies and daffodils in a large basket. Their white dresses billow behind them as they run and their red-gold curls bounce with every step. They had long since discarded their stockings and shoes on the blanket where their parents sit talking together. A picnic lunch had been laid, but eaten. The girls stare in awe as a butterfly lands on the handle of their basket and stays for several minutes. "Kaitlyn! Karianna!" A mother's voice calls. Her accent places her on one of the British Isles.

"Coming mother!" The girls cry in unison. They aren't speaking English, rather an older language; probably Gaelic or some variant. They pick up the basket and carry it to the blanket. Father selects a perfect lily and tucks it behind Mother's ear. She laughs and gives him a quick kiss. As a family, they gather the picnic items and return home. An armed escort emerges from the woods and follows them. The girls do not notice; they are too happy to spend a day with their very busy parents. Father is almost always busy in councils with his nobles and Mother spends most of her time entertaining the ladies. The girls are usually left in the care of Maurya, their nurse. They return to the castle that is their home and attend Easter services in the chapel. It has been a perfect day.

~*~

Alexia woke to find that the rain had stopped and it was a beautiful day now. The dream lingered as it had for the last couple of days. She didn't know what to think about them. Then she realized what had woken her up. Her phone was bouncing and jumping on her bedside table; she had forgotten that it was set to vibrate. "Hello?"

"Hey sweetie!" Gabriel's far too chipper voice was so loud that Alexia had to turn the volume down a few notches. When was the last time she had used it? Oh yeah, she had needed to call Kiree from practice the other day and it had been really loud in the room. "What are you doing later?"

"Nothing. Why?" She was suspicious because Gabriel hardly ever called. He had a cellular phone, but that was only for the occasional job he took and the times that it would be inappropriate to materialize out of seemingly nowhere. Or, when he didn't know where she would be.

"I'm going to pick you up at six then."

"Why?" She repeated.

"It's a surprise, I can't tell you!"

"Last time you picked me up to surprise me, I was nearly killed by the man who was supposed to be my father," she reminded him.

"Yeah, well, this time is going to be different," Gabriel said matter-of-factly.

"Uh huh, sure it is," Alexia said. "I guess I'll trust you."

She heard Gabriel laugh. "Okay, I'll see you then. I love you."

"I love you too." She hung up the phone and glanced at the tree-frog shaped thermometer that was stuck to one window. It was nearly seventy-five degrees. Knowing that this would probably be one of the last warm days before fall really set in, she reached for her favorite bikini. She would spend the afternoon lying out on the back porch in the sun. It had been a while since she'd had an entire afternoon to herself. Downstairs, she used a dish rag to dry off one of the lounge chairs before spreading out her brightly colored towel. The sun was warm on her back as she lie down on her stomach. Her intention had been to read, but she had brought a boom box out instead and put in her favorite CD. Stretching like a cat, she made herself comfortable and soaked up as much warmth as she could.

~*~

Two sisters face one another, each nearly shaking with excitement. They are to be presented in just a few moments to the court as women. The gowns they wear are of identical design and color. The only thing that differentiates the gowns is the chosen color of the inset panels. Both gowns are a crisp fabric the color of liquid copper. As the fabric moves, light dances across it in puddles. Karianna had chosen a rich sapphire blue for the panels inset in the sleeves and skirts whereas Kaitlyn had chosen a deep emerald green. Earlier that day their father had taken the girls aside and presented them with jewelry for the night. Each piece features copper metal work with jewels to match their dresses.

Kaitlyn opens her mouth to speak, then shuts it when no words came out. Karianna smiles and nods, apparently knowing what her sister was going to say. The girls know that their father would not only be presenting them as women, but to their future husbands also. Father had only smiled when they had asked him for hints, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

There was no more time for speculation. The heavy wooden doors to the chamber that the girls had been closeted open. Kaitlyn steps out first and is greeted by a handsome young man in an emerald tunic. If the man escorting her was to be her husband, she would lead a very happy life indeed as she had known him for as long as she could remember and already loved him. Karianna meets the her escort with a smile to match her twin's. Resplendent in his sapphire tunic, she has also known him since she was a little girl. She allows him to take her arm and guide her to the dais where her parents wait. They are announced as they cross the floor. "The ladies Kaitlyn and Karianna." Each girl curtsies deeply while her escort bows. When they rise, their mother beams at them and their father rises to speak. "Ladies and gentleman, I cannot say that I have ever been more proud to present my daughters to you. On this night, the eve of Beltaine, I present them to you as women and full members of our humble court. Also, it brings me great joy to present two young gentlemen that many of you know well. Sebastien Roderick, whom you have seen grow from a reckless and rash youth into a man who is willing to lend his strength and knowledge wherever he can. I am very pleased to announce that he has offered suit to Karianna, if she will have him," he paused so that Karianna could agree to the suit before the assembled court. When she finishes with her formal words, he continues. "The other young man is Donnovan Mochrie, who has grown from a shy and quiet youth to a poet and minstrel of unparalleled talent. It brings me great pleasure to announce that he has offered suit to Kaitlyn, if she will have him." Again, there is a pause while Kaitlyn agrees to the suit. "Please, enjoy my hospitality tonight. Would all the young ladies and their escorts like to take the first dance?"

The music starts, and the new couples move gracefully across the dance floor to the tune that drifts through the room. It is a night that every girl will always remember.

~*~

Alexia woke to her CD skipping. Until then, she hadn't realized that she'd fallen asleep. "Are you feeling okay?" Kiree asked from the now open doorway. "You've been sleeping all day."

"I feel fine. I guess that I'm just tired from rehearsals and everything. What time is it?" Alexia replied, standing up to fold her towel.

"Almost five. You should probably go hop in the shower and get ready for your hot date tonight," Kiree teased.

Alexia jerked the plug for the CD player from the outlet. "How do you know about it? And what do you know about it? Why does everyone know these things but me?"

Kiree laughed. "Because that's all you can think about, when you're awake that is. I've never been able to tell what you're dreaming about."

"Oh. I'm going to go take a shower," Alexia announced as she passed Kiree. She didn't know that she was ready to talk about the dreams that she'd been having. Were they about Kiree and Kaeli or was she just making things up? Shaking her head to clear the spider webs from her dreams, Alexia climbed the stairs to her room and luxuriated in the steaming water. She turned her thoughts to what she would wear. Mentally, she picked through her closet and drawers for the perfect outfit. Nothing came to mind. She decided that she'd ask Kiree for ideas.

Alexia hummed to herself as she stepped from the shower. She pulled a robe on and belted it before going out into her room to find something to wear. She walked past the bed without looking at it, but she caught a glimpse in the mirror of something that shouldn't be there. A black box tied with a pink ribbon was sitting on the white comforter. A pink long-stemmed rose lie on her pillow with a note attached. "I love you" was penned in elegant writing, silver on black paper. She sat on the edge of the bed and opened the box. Nestled in pale pink tissue paper was just the outfit that she'd been looking for. There was a black a-line skirt, a silver silk and lace camisole, and a black three-quarter sleeved blouse with faint silver pinstripes. Alexia sat the box back on the bed and went to her dresser. She pulled black lace boy short panties and a matching bra from a drawer and pulled them on. She didn't want to wear full pantyhose, so she dug out a garter belt and thigh-high stockings. After she donned those, she took the skirt from the box and slid it on. Wearing the camisole, she sat at the small antique vanity that had been her mother's. Alexia took care applying an opalescent eye shadow, black eyeliner, and mascara. She lined her lips with a rich crimson and stained them the same color. A dab of gloss in the center gave her a slightly pouty look. Satisfied with her appearance she dabbed perfume in all the right places, then buttoned the blouse over the camisole.

Perched on the top of her jewelry box was the necklace that Gabriel had given her for Valentine's day-a slender silver chain with a three tiny heart-shaped pink sapphires. She had a silver chain bracelet that would match well. She found a pair of heels in her closet that looked like they'd been made to go with the outfit and she'd forgotten that she owned. As she admired herself in the full-length mirror, someone knocked on her door. Before she could call out an answer, Gabriel let himself into the room. He was wearing a black suit with a tuxedo shirt. He had managed to tame his hair with some gel. Alexia melted at the sight of him; he'd never looked more handsome to her. "You look amazing," he whispered into the silent room.

"So do you," she managed. All words seem to have caught in her throat.

"Shall we m'lady?" He asked, offering her his arm. She took it and he escorted her down the stairs. Kiree was siting in the kitchen with Jarius. She told them to have fun. To Alexia's surprise, the didn't give a curfew. Alexia dismissed it, Gabriel had probably already talked to her about it. Gabriel held the door for her as she stepped into the still warm evening. A black limousine was waiting in the driveway. Alexia looked at him, but he would only smile. The driver came around to open the door and help her inside. Gabriel slid into the spacious seat beside her and then they were alone. Two glasses were waiting on the small bar. He took them and handed one to her. Alexia took a sip and the bubbles tickled her tongue. "Champagne?"

"Do you like it?" He asked.

"Yes," she said, snuggling under the arm that he wrapped around her shoulders. "But what is the occasion?"

"Can't I take you out on a nice date?" He avoided her question.

"Yes, but..." She didn't get a chance to finish that thought because he kissed her.

No buts, just enjoy tonight, his voice floated through her mind. She melted against him, unable to speak. Somehow her glass had made its way back to the bar. She picked it up again and took another sip. Cognizant thought slowly returned. She realized that soft music was playing. Alexia had no idea where they were going. When she tried to ask, he shushed her with another kiss and told her that she'd find out soon enough. The limo pulled into the parking lot of the most expensive restaurant in the area. "Are you sure about this?" She quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Just because I don't have to eat doesn't mean that I don't enjoy to every now and then," he grinned at her before taking her hand to help her from the car.

When they stepped into the elegant foyer, the host greeted them warmly. "Ah, hello again monsieur," the small man beamed. "Your table is right this way."

He took them to a small private table lit with soft light and candles. There was a bottle of white wine waiting on the table with two glasses. Gabriel pulled out her chair before seating himself. A young man came over and poured wine for the two of them. "Enjoy," he said before giving a quick bow and retreating.

"Well?" Gabriel asked.

She beamed at him. "It's fantastic. I've never been here before."

"It's only going to get better," he replied mischievously.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nope, no more hints."

She rolled her eyes at him. "Okay, I won't ask."

"I love you," he said, taking her hand in his.

"I love you too."

The waiter took that moment to return with a tray full of food. Apparently Gabriel had already ordered. There was a large lobster tail fluffed on its shell along with steamed vegetables for each of them. Lobster was one of Alexia's absolute favorite things to eat. "Mmmm," she said taking a heavenly bite.

"Did I do good?"

"You did wonderfully," she replied.

They ate their meal and chatted. The waiter came and took their plates away. A bottle of a fruity red wine replaced the white and desert was brought. In the middle of the plate, among raspberries, strawberries, and chocolate sauce, was a piece of chocolate shaped like a wrapped box. Gabriel watched expectantly as she lifted the top of the box. Nestled among candied violets was a black velvet box. Looking up, she saw that Gabriel was now standing beside her. He took the velvet box from its place before going down on one knee before her. When he snapped it open, there was a diamond ring. Alexia couldn't think. "I know that this is rather awkward, and it is rarely done among my kind, but I love you and I cannot bear to be away from you," he said softly. His voice quavered as though he thought she might reject him. Alexia hadn't noticed that he'd taken the ring from the box until he was sliding in onto her finger. "Alexia, will you marry me?"

She couldn't reply; there were too many emotions. All she could do was nod. He pulled her from her chair and wrapped her into a tight hug. I love you, she thought, knowing that he could hear her. Never let go.

I won't.

~*~

Alexia didn't remember eating desert or leaving the restaurant. Her mind was still spinning. They were back in the limousine and she was curled up against Gabriel, thankful for his strength. She didn't think that she would be able to walk. He kissed her forehead gently. "Are you all right? You haven't said anything since we ate," he observed.

It took her a moment to find the words to speak. "I'm just... I don't know. Everything is a blur. I can't believe it..." She rambled. She moved so that she could kiss him. They didn't stop until the sleek black car pulled into Gabriel's driveway. Just like before, he got out first to help Alexia from the car. He nodded at the driver before leading her into the house. He must have convinced Vitaliy to spend the night somewhere else because the house was dark and silent. "Wait here," he bade her when they came to the living room. She took a seat on the edge of the couch. She hadn't bothered to turn on a light, so she could barely make out anything in the room. It didn't matter though. She was too busy trying to figure out what Gabriel was up to now.

He appeared before her and took her hand without saying a word. Instead of bringing them both to his room, he picked her up and carried her to his bed where he sat her down gently. He slipped her shoes from her feet and then lie down beside her. He had already taken off his sport coat and shirt; his skin glowed warmly in the candlelight from the many candles around the room. He kissed her as he began to unbutton her blouse. She sat up long enough to slip her arms out of the shirt and to allow him to slide the camisole over her head. She pulled him towards herself, running her hands all over his skin. She surrendered herself to him. Eventually they fell asleep together, her head pillowed on his chest.

~*~

An intricate ring of golden knot work on a breakfast tray. An identical one on the tray beside it. Sisters rising from bed to eat. There is no note or explanation with either ring, but there is no need. Twin sets of eyes meet over a table. No words. They stand in unison to rush to the door. Two men are waiting nervously in the hallway and are met with embraces as the girls fling open the heavy wooden door.

~*~

End Part I

Hope you liked it and even if you didn't you can always clickie the little blue button over there. See it? It says "review". Yep, that's the one. You know you wanna clickie.