Edward and Peter stayed at our house for another thirty minutes. Then they headed back to their homes; Edward allowed for Braden and Brielle to stay at his house overnight, that William and I might have time alone together.

I walked over to the window in the master bedchamber. William walked up behind me, placing his right hand on my shoulder and his left hand on my arm, pulling me to him.

"You're tense." I said, noticing that his grip on me was firmer than usual.

"Yes…" William replied quietly. "What am I to do? My worst nightmare has returned. I'd rather spend eternity burning in hell than setting eyes upon the likes of him again."

"I don't know what you should do William. I'm nearly as confused as you are." I said quietly. "What are we to tell Braden and Brielle? Surely when they arrive home tomorrow they'll want to know who the man was that they saw at our front door, along with why you collapsed."

"Well I'm not going to tell them that the man who was at our front door this morning was their grandfather. I don't want him in their lives. And if Edward has any sort of a brain, he won't say anything either."

"William, that was not a necessary comment. You know he won't tell them." I chided in a calm voice.

William sighed.

"I'm sorry Mary. I'm just upset with him. Edward, my own brother, didn't believe me when I told him that Alastor had returned. It's certainly not something to josh about."

"He was just startled, that's all. I would be too if I was in his position." I replied. "But he knows now, and so does Peter."

"I suppose so.." Said William slowly. "But I still don't know what to do. If I've learned one thing about that maleficent demon of a man, it's that he doesn't give in easily; he'll be back."

I turned to face William, placing my hands on his shoulders.

"And when he does return, we'll all be there for you."