ZEDD - TWO AND A HALF MONTHS LATER

I can't focus today. I'm so worried about Thomas and the children, they're all I can think about. Pina has things well under control, but something has Thomas not looking well lately. He seems worried or frightened or upset about something, but he won't tell me what. It seems to have started about two weeks ago, after he woke up from a nightmare. He swore it wasn't one of his old ones, but refused to tell me what it was. Since then he's been spending as much time with Mara Jane and Jacob as he can during the day and holding me tightly at night.

Forget it. I'm not going to get any real work done today. I swing past Dar's office and let him know that I'm giving up for the day. I haven't even left the room when my cuff goes off. "Go ahead."

Thomas' voice comes through, sounding pained. "Zedd, I need help. I think it's time."

"Coming." I head swiftly for our room, calling Pina even as Dar calls Alundra. I run into Gina on the way and inform her as well. Once I reach our room, I pause a minute at the wrecked state that my husband is in. He's pale, looks like he will be sick and has obviously been crying. "Thomas, love, why didn't you call me sooner?"

He sniffles. "Because I wasn't sure."

I scoop him up and head out of the room. "If you were in enough pain to bring you to tears-"

Softly he interrupts me. "That's not why I was crying."

"Then why?"

He snuggles tightly into my hold. "I love you, Zedd."

"And I love you, but that shouldn't bring you to tears." I set him down on the table in the infirmary. He kisses me firmly, lingering for a minute.

Pina quickly gives him the shot to put him to sleep. I'm barely aware of the bustle of activity going on around me at his next softly spoken words before he goes out. "Take care of the children for me, kalleimat. I love you all."

His eyes close and his body goes limp. What in all the hells was that about? Alundra rushes in with Gina and Kira on her heels. Kira and Gina quickly begin to set up the areas for the babies even as Dar comes in with Mara Jane and Jacob. The other children hover in the doorway, unsure what to do. I point to chairs lined up against the wall. "You may sit there."

The four children sit, now unable to see Thomas as Dar pulls a divider between them and the frantic activity. Dar calls to me, "I've already called your parents, Zedd and told them to just come in when they get here."

For some reason, Thomas was very insistant that they be here when it was time - again, something that he wouldn't explain to me. Once more, I pace as I wait. This time Mara Jane is wide awake as we wait, but the four younglings simply talk quietly, trying as hard as I am to be patient. I hear Pina summon Kira, followed a few minutes later by Alundra calling for Gina. It's not all that long before I hear the cries of one baby, but nothing from the other. Before my worry can turn frantic, I hear Kira laugh.

"Well, you're going to be just like your big sister, aren't you? Perfectly fine and not going to make a peep! Let's go see your papa so he knows that you both are all right. Come on, Gina." They come around, Gina carrying my squalling daughter, while Kira has my silent son. Kira smiles widely at me. "They're fine, Zedd. Apparently, your son has decided to follow his older sister's path and not make a sound. Nearly drove Tommy crazy when she didn't cry."

Know the feeling. "But they're both okay?"

Both women nod firmly and I settle in a chair myself, quickly finding myself with both arms full. I don't hear the same frantic level of activity surrounding Thomas that I did when he had Jacob, so I relax a little, although I'm still worried. The children gather around, looking at the twins in awe.

"They're littler than Jacob was" Mara Jane comments, lightly stroking a finger on her sister's face. "Look, she has Daddy's eyes."

"And his vocal chords" Dar jokes, before looking to my son next. "Damn, speaking of looking alike…"

Focusing on my son now that my daughter seems to be calming thanks to Mara Jane's attention, I look at the highly disgruntled expression on his tiny face. His purple eyes practically glaring at me for having a hand in pulling him out into the world. "Angry are we?" Nose only scrunching more in response, I can't help but laugh. "I'm sorry, but you were wreaking havoc on your father with how you and your sister have been fighting for room lately."

My parents hurry in at that moment and over to our side. Proud father that I am, I introduce them to their new grandchildren. "This is Sullivan David Goldar Lee and this is Grace Serena Scorpina Marie."

Before I can protest it, my parents take the children from me, welcoming the children into the world and our family. I pull my elder children into my arms, giving them some attention as well. It seems like it's not all that long before Dar is moving the divider and the other adults join us. Mother and Father are helping Mara Jane and Jacob feed the babies, Gina is herding her children out of the room and Pina and Dar come over as well. I approach Alundra, who is checking on Thomas once more.

"Is he all right?" His last words once again at the forefront of my mind, I can't help but worry a bit.

"He'll be fine. According to Scorpina, things went much smoother this time than the last."

I exhale in relief, earning me a puzzled look from the healer. "Just before he went under, he asked me to take care of the children for him and said that he loved us all. He's been - acting strangely the last two weeks. Combined with what he said, I almost think that he was expecting to - die."

"If he's your mate Zeddic, hell knows that he's far too stubborn to die."

A soft moan snaps my attention back to Thomas. He's trying to wake up, fighting the drugs. Gently I run my fingers through his hair. "Easy, Thomas. Everything is all right."

His eyes are still a bit hazy when he opens them and looks at me. "The babies?"

I can't help but smile. "Your daughter has quite the set of lungs on her and my son is a bit cranky." Before he can say anything, the other side of the room is filled with soft gasps.

I spin around, shocked at what I see. How in all the hells is Sam here? After a moment I realize that he isn't really as I can just see through him. "Hi, Grandpa Sam!" Jacob greets him. "See my new baby brother and sister?"

"They are why I'm here, little one."

"Sam, no, don't take them" Thomas moans out. "Please no!"

Thomas struggles to rise, but Alundra quickly pushes him back down. Sam sighs. "That's not why I'm here, Falcon."

"But you said-"

"All I said was that I'd see you soon - you and the children."

He's still struggling against Alundra. "No, you said that you would see us soon - that you were coming for me!"

Sam shakes his head. "Not coming to bring you home, young one. For you, to make you feel better. I know how much you were wishing that I could still be here to bestow blessings on these new ones as I had your other children and I have come to do just that."

Once this sinks in, Thomas stops struggling briefly. "You - aren't here to take me? To take my babies?"

"No."

Tears flow from Thomas' eyes and he sags back on the table, relief obvious. I take his hand and we watch together as Sam sets his hands on the babies' heads and softly chants the same blessing that he said over Mara Jane and Jacob. When he's finished, he turns to us. "Thank you, Sam."

He nods to me before directing his attention to Thomas and speaks in his native tongue. My husband nods and answers the same way. Sam looks to the elder children. "We are all very proud of you, young ones. Never forget that you have noble blood in you from both of your fathers. Continue to make us all proud."

They both nod and in a moment Sam has faded away. I turn to Thomas. "Is this what has been bothering you, love? What you were keeping from me?"

"Would you be able to tell me if the positions were reversed? That you're going to die in two weeks and there's nothing I can do about it?"

"I-" I stop, unsure of the answer. "I don't know" I finally admit. "But you weren't going to die."

"But I thought I was. He said he was coming for me - what else was I supposed to think considering how difficult the end of the pregnancy was? Not to mention what happened the last time?"

"Mate you know how much I love your grandfather, however if he was coming for you in that respect, don't think I wouldn't have fought him with all I had to keep you and our children here. Besides, as Alundra just stated a moment ago, you are far too stubborn to die, and I am far to selfish to let you."

"I know but- I don't know, just wanted to make sure you and the kids were taken care of." Struggling to stay awake now that his rush of adrenaline has been depleted, he tilts his head to look past me to our children and the busy group around them. "They're really okay?"

"I promise, they're fine, love." Realizing now why he insisted on my parents being here, no doubt thinking I'd need all of the help I could get if he did pass away, I take up stroking his hair once more. "Go back to sleep, Thomas. You need your rest."

"Want to be with you and the kids." The half-asleep statement barely makes it past his lips before his eyes are closed once more.

"We'll be there when you wake up, promise."