The children were crushed when Quinn and Creedy's weekly performance was cancelled. Silently they slunk off to bed, adding to the dismal atmosphere that had settled over the castle. The two men had avoided each other since the argument. Quinn had spent time with Van Zan; Creedy had been with Rosie or had gone for walks outside of the castles walls. Awash with sadness neither men were themselves in character.
Rosie looked up at the skies and hugged a blanket closer around her. Winter was fast approaching. The Americans had been here a few days now, and she had spoken politely with a few of them, but hadn't sought them out. They seemed an odd bunch, she had no doubt they had seen death and destruction. They kept themselves to themselves and didn't join in with the community's ways or routines. Rosie was wondering if Creedy was right, whether they were seeing the castle as a ticket out of their life, did they plan to stay here? They certainly had enough room, so there wouldn't really be a problem with that. But would Van Zan step down and allow Quinn to be the authority figure?
Rosie looked from the window to her daughters' small frame. Megan was huddled by the fire, clutching a small rag doll Rosie had stitched together for her. Rosie's heart warmed at the sight of her. Her hair was mattered, her clothes hanging off her, her skin dirty but her smile shone through all that, she was a truly beautiful child. Rosie knew she would blossom into a lovely young woman, and smiled as she recalled Creedy's reaction to her commenting on their daughter's appearance.
"Well that's ok" he had smiled, "I have it all worked out. Megan isn't to talk to another boy until she is 25, then she can start to date at 30, after careful inspection of him I'll decide if they can be married, and then they always sleep in separate beds!" Megan had stared at her father with shock, and clung to her mother.
"He's joking isn't he mummy?"
Rosie loved it when Creedy was protective of his children; he was so loyal and loving. "I'm sure your father is just fooling around sweetheart"Rosie brushed a rebellious curl behind her ear and stared out to the castle grounds. Searching the faces for his. Creedy had gone for a walk about 2 hours ago, and she was eager to have him home. Megan jumped up when somebody knocked on the door.
"Come in" Rosie called, her eyes still lingering out the window. Turning to face her visitor her breath caught in her throat when she saw Quinn stood there. As well as avoiding Creedy Quinn had barely spoken to Rosie either, which hurt.
"Megan, bedtime" Rosie gave her daughter a look that said 'all would be explained'. Megan rolled her eyes and smiled, "Night mum"
"Quinn, come on in" Rosie walked over to close the door behind him, watching Megan close the curtain behind her as she crept into bed.
"Hi Rosie, I was just passing and I thought I would drop by see how everything is.." Rosie could see him scanning around the room and smiled, "He's not here Quinn"
Quinn looked to the floor and sighed, "Am I the bad one here Rosie?" he sat on the bed and gestured for her to join him. "You know in all the years I've known Dave we hardly ever fight? Sure we have had arguments but only about who wore the boots we found or who left the mess. You know silly stuff, but this seems real somehow. I'm so sorry for what I said; you know I love you and I'm glad you came here. I was out of line with my remark about turning you away."
"Its already forgotten in my mind Quinn" Rosie placed and arm around the man who was so like her husband she couldn't help but love. "Water under the bridge. Besides I wasn't offended by it, he was"
"I know, god I'm a dick. I've really messed up here, the one thing I admire in him is his loyalty, and I have challenged it!"
"No, he's not perfect either; his language was uncalled for, as was his sarky comments and his prejudice. He has no reason to hate them, he just doesn't know them so he is afraid of them"
Quinn lay himself backwards on the bed and lay in silence for a while. "I miss him. It's stupid, I feel like I've lost a limb. It's always been Creedy and me. Somehow annoying Ma and teasing the kids doesn't feel right by myself."
"Really well cleaning this room and cooking feels abnormal with him hanging around me so do me a favour, make up and take him out to play"
Quinn laughed, "See your just like him always making jokes and making me feel better. We should become best friends me and you" Quinn nudged her with his elbow and winked, "I don't need him. We can spit shake and throw sticks and eat whatever we find on the floor. You can be my new Creedy, a Creedess if you will"
Rosie wrinkled her nose in disgust, "Love the offer but no. Besides I cant kick a football about and talk about wanking all day. You men are disgusting"
Quinn laughed again, "Its easy to see why he loves you, thanks Rosie." Rosie grinned and pulled him into a hug, hearing the door bang she jumped back.
"Well I leave you for five minutes" Creedy roared. Shaking his head, water flew all over the room; Rosie looked out the window and saw the downpour. Flitting her eyes back to her husband she watched the water dripping off him, and instantly wanted to take his clothes off and kiss him all over. After all these years just one look at him could still make her ravenous for his touch.
"Where have you been all night?" she demanded, but his attention wasn't on her, instead he and Quinn were staring at each other.
"You alright?" Quinn mumbled, gazing to the floor.
"Been better" Creedy's jokes had gone, he too stared at the floor and began scuffing his shoes.
"Oh for gods sake! Rosie whined, "Look both of you get out of my sight, go on now, I'm tired of watching you mope! Your causing hair loss and headaches!" Rosie shoved them both to the door and slammed it shut on them. Leaning against the frame she waited.
"Well I think when a lady throws out her own husband he deserves a drink" Creedy bellowed.
"I'll second that, my new best friend kicking me out like that" Quinn joined in.
"You replaced me?" Creedy asked, shoving Quinn against the wall. "We spit shook on never replacing each other you evil fiend"
Quinn shoved him back, and spat into his hand. Extending it to Creedy who did the same, as their hands clasped together they both pulled faces of disgust. They hadn't spit shook on anything since they were 14, now adults it just felt wrong.
"I need a drink after that" whined Quinn, wiping his hand on Creedy's back. Creedy smiled and threw an arm around Quinn, wiping his hand all over him.
"That we do!"

Tina crept into Rosie's room and blinked, it was spotless. The bed was made, the sides cleaned, soft snores told her the children were asleep in the next room.
"Hello?" she called. Tina jumped as Rosie popped up from behind the bed. "Hun what are you doing behind there? Why is it so freakishly clean?"
Rosie glanced about and gestured for Tina to join her, "Shush, shut up come hide"
"From what?" Tina whispered, crouching down beside her.
"My husband" Rosie pulled the sheets over the two of them and crouched, "I guess you want an explanation?"
"Anytime soon"
"Well I interfered and sent him and Quinn out for a drink, well threw them out really and if it hasn't gone well he might be angry, so I'm going to live here forever and he wont find me"
"Ok… you know you are weird. Creedy is never mad at you long. Well aside from the time you lost his jumper. So why bother hiding? and why is it so clean"
"I was nervous" Rosie smiled, "Cleaning is calming, and I didn't lose that jumper, I misplaced it because it was hideous. I know he wont be mad, but this should make him laugh if it hasn't gone well."
"Aww you two are cute, Look I just came to see if you had enough sheets, the weather is nippy and we have loads"
"Ohh that's nice, yes actually I'll pinch a few it could be cold under here tonight"
"Rosie you aren't sleeping under here" Tina shouted.
"Shush, volume not needed" Rosie peeped back out from under the cover and then ducked back under, "He's has been gone for a good few hours, you think he has killed Quinn and is coming back to kill me?"
"I don't think so, but he will when I tell him about that jumper"
"Don't you dare, or I'll misplace a few objects of yours too."
"Define misplace"
"Oh misplace, burn aren't they the same thing anyway? So how are the kids? Would you like a drink? Ill risk it and creep over toward the jug if you like"
Tina sighed and stood up slowly, "Your not right in the head, but no thanks I cant stay. I'll drop those sheets in later."
"Tomorrow will be ok. It's getting late"
Tina grabbed Rosie and pulled her from behind the bed just as Creedy walked in the room. All three stopped dead and stared at each other. Creedy shook his head and tried to think why they had made a den behind the bed but decided it wise not to ask. Woman could be strange.
"Tomorrow it is then. See you soon kiddies" Tina laughed as she left; she had never met a pair like them.
Rosie stood and faced him; his eyes weren't giving anything away. Creeping out from behind the bed she lingered by the window.
"You've been a very bad girl Rosie," he growled.
Rosie stared at him as he advanced towards her, she could smell the alcohol on his breath and gasped when he pushed her up against the wall, the glint in his eyes told her she was in for a good time.
"You meddled in your husbands arguments and he is very very angry" Creedy smiled and kissed her hard. Rosie melted in his arms and pushed her groin against his.
"Oh dear" she whispered, "What will become of me now?"
He stroked his hands down her body and pushed her harder against the wall, groaning as he rubbed himself on her. Kissing her way down her face he bit into her neck and growled as she cried out in shock. Falling to his knees he kissed her breasts and began working up her skirt, his fingers deftly undoing the knots that held her clothing together. Rosie held his head against her waist as she kissed her belly button. A wind blew through the window extinguishing the few candles lighting the room, in the dark she sighed with pleasure as he rose up to her height and dropped his trousers. Grabbing her bum he lifted her up against the wall and rammed himself into her. Rosie threw her legs around his waist and grabbed his hair in her hands, pulling it hard with every thrust.
"Oh god" he called out, bucking himself into her, his legs feeling weaker by the second.
"Just Rosie will do" she panted, "The bed," she gasped.
"The bed?"
"The bed, me you, this thing"
Creedy spun her round and fell on top of her, she pulled furiously at his clothes so she could touch more of him, with each thrust he found himself wearing less, until they were both completely naked. Making love by moonlight was something they loved, and tonight was every bit what they expected of each other. Creedy took her to heaven and back, until she cried out his name in ecstasy as she came hard against him. Rosie looked up at him waiting for him to experience what she just did, but he carried on. Sliding one hand beneath her he rubbed her clit vigorously waking her up immediately. Within minutes she was back in heaven, crying out as she came once more, she felt elated as he too hit his peak. Collapsing in a heap of limbs they lay there in silence, her fingers hadn't left his hair, but she released her grip and stroked her fingers down his back. In return Creedy was stroking her face softly, his body was moist with sweat. After a while, He slid off her and lay on his side facing her.
"So everything's ok now?" Rosie breathed, her voice barely audible.
"Yeah, you fixed it again. I'm sure we would have spoken at one point. But you have to meddled don't you"
"I'm going to have to meddle more often I think" Rosie trailed her hand down his body and kissed his chest softly.

"I love you Rosie" he whispered softly, "Thank you"
"For what?"
"Letting me share everything with you"
Rosie snuggled deeper into his chest and kissed his neck. Holding him tight she drifted asleep, but Creedy lay awake longer thinking about the conversation he had with Quinn. It was clear they had to agree to disagree, Creedy had no reason to dislike them, he just had a feeling. But he trusted Quinn and would follow him wherever he asked. With that in mind he agreed to trust Quinn's judgement.

Megan and Aiden stared at the parents, they were knotted together, their bodies tightly pressed against each other. Breathing softly in their sleep.
"Why cant they just sleep on their own sides of the bed?" Megan asked, unable to understand why two people liked to hug and kiss as much as her parents.
"Well Da says mum always hogs the bed, so maybe he is on his side, and she is just being a hogger"
"Well I'm bored of waiting for them to wake up now, I want to go and play in the snow" Megan whined. Looking at each other the children stepped backwards and then took a running leap at their parents.

Rosie and Creedy's screams could be heard outside, but people were used to the havoc caused by the small family and didn't bother to go and investigate. Minutes later Megan and Aiden ran outside to join in the snow fight, both wrapped and warm but parentless.

Creedy groaned and curled up into a ball, "Why!" he begged, "Every time your daughter runs at me does her foot end up in my balls. Every single time. I'm going to throw up"
"Oh don't be such a wimp," Rosie laughed, pulling on some clothes, "Try giving birth, I would take a kick to the groin over that any day of the week"
Creedy groaned, and clutched himself protectively, trying to control his breathing and ignore the sickening pain rising up into his chest. "I hate children" he moaned.
Rosie peered out the window and smiled, "It really snowed last night you know, its really thick. I can see Megan from here jumping around"
"I hope she falls"
"Oh stop being bitter, come and look"
Creedy reluctantly heaved himself from the bed, and stumbled over to the window, wrapping his arms around Rosie's waist he admired the white landscape with her.
"Its very cold" he whined, snuggling deeper into her neck. "Can we go back to bed?"
"No I have to help in the kitchen. You had better get out there and look for firewood, it will all be damp. We are going to freeze!"
"I'll warm you up" he murmured, running his hands around her body.
"Are you going to warm everyone else up in the same way?"
"Ok ill get some wood" he laughed, while fumbling around looking for clothes. "But I don't think there will be much out there, don't worry about being cold, Quinn and I have a supply in one of the lower rooms, we stacked it up in case we ran out. We will be ok" Creedy kissed Rosie once more on the cheek and left the room.
Rosie sighed, and decided to skip breakfast, she had a familiar feeling or acute sickness, and held her stomach. It looked like another surprise was coming their way.