While Gloria had gone to Ezra's room, Chris had followed Terrence into his den for a talk. Chris sat on the cushioned chair in front of his father's large wooden desk. Terrence seated himself in the leather swivel chair behind the desk and took a deep breath.
"Dad, what did you want to talk to me about?" asked Chris curiously.
"Son, if you and Sarah are going to get serious," began Terrence seriously, "I want you to think about your future together. You need to think about getting a decent job which will pay enough to support a family."
Chris laughed briefly. "We've hardly even started dating again - we're not thinking about our future yet. Protecting our family, friends and innocents from demons is a more immediate concern."
"Don't take too long before you plan your future though - none of us are immortal, so we'd like to see you settled before too long."
"Do you think Mom or Josiah will give me the family cookie recipe if I promise to settle soon?" asked Chris, longing to know how the cookies always tasted so delicious.
Terrence shook his head, with a small smile on his face. "I doubt it; they like being able to cook something delicious that none of us know how to make. Gloria will miss you a lot when you move out, and she'll need a reason for you to visit. Making the cookies you love will be one good reason - even if she does always say you're too old for them, she doesn't really mean it."
"Is that all, Dad? I'm taking Sarah out for the day tomorrow, and I agreed to pick her up at 9.00 a.m. So I'd like to get an early night."
The carriage clock on the shelf above the fireplace chimed 11.00 p.m. as if in answer to Chris's words.
"Well, early-ish," said Chris, who didn't usually go to bed much later than eleven anyway. He was usually tired by that time from fighting demons or keeping his brothers out of trouble.
"Go on, Son. I'm sure Sarah won't appreciate you yawning while you're out tomorrow. Good-night." Terrence smiled as Chris left the downstairs den; Mr. Potter was pretty certain that it wouldn't be long before a future generation of witches in their family was started, and he was pretty sure that Chris was the most likely to become a father first out of all the brothers. It certainly wouldn't be Josiah, as that son was too interested in protecting innocents and being a police detective to think about settling down and starting a family. As always, Terrence felt proud of his sons - they were all growing into fine young men.
Gloria joined Terrence in the den. "Everyone's safely tucking up in bed now; maybe we should do the same?"
"I don't feel very tired; I'll stay here a bit longer."
"TERRENCE POTTER," commanded Gloria loudly, "you're coming with me to bed now; and that's an order.
Terrence gulped. "Yes, Dear," he said, never able to disobey his wife when she was in her authoritative mode. Then he followed her out of the den and up the stairs, going into the bathroom to clean his teeth first.
Gloria crept into each of their sons' rooms before going to bed; all the boys were sleeping peacefully, showing no signs of nightmares that sometimes occurred after the boys had faced demons and other evils.
The last son Gloria checked on was Ezra, and she stayed slightly longer in his room, still shaken up that he had been so close to dying that day. Gloria looked up at the ceiling and spoke softly. "Thank you for not taking my son today - or any of my sons for that matter."
End of Episode 2 – The Saga continues in Episode 3 (The final part of the whole series).