Prologue:

All around me

With all of your heart

I still don't know how

You get through the bad parts

And then you tell me

That even angles fall

Sometimes when it's quiet

I can hear your call

When I think of your smile

You take me home

It could be a million miles

And you take me home

Deanna quietly looks in on Lily. She still had her blonde hair and her bright blue eyes that sparkled when she looked lovingly at her family. Now she was becoming a young woman before Deanna's eyes. Yesterday it seemed she was this frightened little girl who had just lost everyone she ever loved. Now at the tender age of 13 Deanna began to feel she was loosing her. Deanna sighs with the nostalgic memory lingering in her mind. With one more look and a kiss on Lily's forehead Deanna went to Emmy's room.

The room just past Lily's was Emmy's room. Decorated with bright colors still marked the room of a ten year old; streams of colors brushed across the panels of the room. Emmy was lying sweetly in bed her teddy bear cradled in her tiny arms. Why was it that when adults get older they really don't feel it yet when children grow up it goes by so quickly. Deanna pulls the covers over her daughter's shoulders and gently caresses her dark curls. With a soft kiss and a small smile Deanna moves down the hall to Cadean's new room.

It was decorated with race cars and deep colors. If someone would come into the room they would be able to tell it belonged to a boy. Deanna glanced lovingly into her youngest child's room. Cadean looked more like his father then herself. He still inherited the betazoid eyes but he has his father's hair. She let out a soft laugh when she found that her son's bed was tattered and most of the covers were in a bunch at the bottom of the bed. He wasn't this little boy anymore he was beginning kindergarten in the fall. Why did children have to grow up? Deanna asked herself as a familiar touch pulled Deanna out of her memories. She turned around with a smile and placed her head on Will's chest.

"The kids tucked away for the night?"

Deanna nodded and let out a sigh. Will naturally placed his arms around Deanna's body and tried to comfort her.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing really I just realized that our children are growing up before my eyes. Where did the years go?"

Will trying to lighten the mood

"Where they are supposed to go; Deanna no matter how much we want the kids to stay kids we both know they need to grow up and start their own lives. In another five years Lily will be headed to the Academy or college, Emmy will be in high school learning how to drive, and Cadean will be well into fifth grade. They can't stay kids forever."

"I know I just miss hearing a baby cry or the pitter-patter of light foot steps chasing their brother and sisters around the room or down the corridor. Why is it so hard now Will?"

"It's only been two years Deanna it will happen when the time is right."

"I don't understand with Emmy, Cadean, and the baby we lost we were pregnant after only a few months."

"We both were also a lot younger."

"Will you be terribly upset if we never have another baby?"

"I always wanted four children and if we only are blessed with three I would be just as happy."

"I suppose so, I just beginning to feel like Cadean will be our last baby. In a few years he won't even need us anymore."

"They will always need their mother."

Deanna nods as she and Will both exit their sons' bedroom.

TBC…Chapter 1