A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: OOC, LANGUAGE, LEMON

Chapter 11: Omega

The fights that they have endured were without a doubt, the most arduous thing that anyone of them had ever experienced. But, with the trust that they had for each other, with their loyalty keeping them bound to one another and with the love that they all shared with one another, they were able to pass all of God's tests. Seraph had done her duty and had spoken with God.

"What's going to happen now?" Argilla wondered, her voice unsteady. Gale rested a hand on her shoulder, "I don't know…but we must have faith in Seraph."

Roland and Cielo came towards the pair, "We're going to make it!" Roland said firmly. Cielo smiled, "Of course we will brudda! God's not dat heartless ja?"

Gale smirked, "Well, it looks like neither of us won the contest Cielo."

Cielo elevated an eyebrow, "Wat are you talking about brudda? I gave you de win remember?"

Gale's grin widened, "I never said I accepted it as a forfeit win. Besides, those kinds of wins are for children. I don't like those kinds of wins."

Cielo waved his hands, "Fine, fine! Watever brudda! Well, whoever would win, it's probably Seraph ja?"

Argilla couldn't help but giggle at her teammate's antics. In the midst of very tense situations, they always managed to lighten up the mood and reduce the tension in the air. They were her comfort zones. They were her hope for the future.

Argilla's eyes wandered over to Roland who stood a few meters away from her; he too was observing Gale and Cielo's silly argument. Roland was a new member of the team and she initially had a dislike for him, but after all that they had been through, Roland had proven himself worthy of their trust and loyalty more times than she could count. He was one of her special people now. Roland turned his eyes from the two males as he felt a pair of eyes on him. He caught Argilla's eyes and smiled. He started towards her, "Hey…don't worry. It'll be fine!"

"I know…"

It was then that the blinding light reappeared and Seraph returned. She had a glorious smile on her face, "God has forgiven us!"

Schröedinger appeared again, "It is true. God has decided to give mankind another chance. You must all work together in order to make the Earth a peaceful world where your children will not experience fear. You must all persevere to achieve what you all have yearned for; Nirvana."

Seraph turned to the wise feline, "What will happen now?"

"See for yourself!" said the feline.

The Embryon team watched as the solar data accumulated by data slowly returned to Earth, restoring what was. They also watched as the planet's color began to change. From a dull brown, it became a gentle blue.

Argilla and Seraph felt their tears return to them. "It's so beautiful…" Seraph spoke.

"Nirvana…" Argilla trialed off, "We found it! At last!"

Schröedinger spoke again, "Seraph…God has one more task that he wishes you to fulfill. Do you accept?"

Seraph turned to Schröedinger and without hesitation blurted a 'yes'.

"Then close your eyes…" the wise feline commanded. Seraph did as she was told and a bright light engulfed her once again, "You will light mankind's way and serve as their beacon of hope when darkness would seem to prevail. You would uplift the sorrows of your fellow men when they are overwhelmed with grief. You will lead the people of Nirvana."

The Embryon group stared on at Seraph intently, waiting. What came before them surprised and shocked all of them.

There, in the midst of the light, stood Serph, leader of the Embryon. Argilla stood frozen on the ground in which she stood. She couldn't believe it. It was him. Was he really there, or was it her eyes deceiving her? She had to know, and so she took the first step, "Serph…? Is that you…?"

Schröedinger watched the young woman in front of him as she neared the man she loved. He had always known what had resided in Argilla's heart; in all of their hearts. He saw that her love for Serph was pure and perpetual and that she never regarded herself as part of destiny. How wrong she was.

Serph reached out his hand to her as she neared him and slowly nodded, "Yes…it's me." Argilla's slow steps broke into a run and she wrapped her arms around him, "I thought I would never see you again…!"

They stayed that way for a moment when Gale suddenly spoke, "What happened to Seraph? What happened to Sera?"

All eyes were now directed at Schröedinger. The cat spoke, "Seraph's duty, for now is done. However, Serph and Sera's tasks are far from over." The member's of Embryon furrowed their eyebrows in confusion but Serph knew otherwise.

"You all have not attained enlightenment, and because of that, you all must once more breathe the air of life in an attempt to earn enlightenment." Schröedinger looked intently at Argilla's eyes, "Argilla…you have a destiny to fulfill as well. Yours would be difficult and challenging, but do not fret for God and I believe in you."

Argilla bit her lip in doubt and Schröedinger continued, looking at the other members, "You all have destinies to fulfill. Do you all accept?"

Gale looked at the cat with great determination, "I accept whatever task that has been entrusted to me." Cielo nodded, "Me too brudda!" Roland crossed his arms and smiled, "Why not? I'll get bored doing nothing!"

Schröedinger internally smiled and turned to Argilla once again, "Are you ready?" She looked at Serph's assuring eyes and then at Schröedinger, "Yes."

As soon as she uttered the word, she was engulfed in a soft light of the hue of blue. But, a few moments later, nothing seemed to have changed. Gale then remembered Sera, "Hey. I asked where Sera was."

Schröedinger turned to him, "She is here; with us."

Gale raised an eyebrow, "Where?"

Schröedinger nodded in Argilla's direction and Argilla spoke, confused, "I don't understand. What happened?"

Schröedinger nodded, "Sera is within you Argilla. She resides within you. Take good care of her for she will be the hope of the future." Argilla blushed, "What? So you mean to say that…"

Schröedinger spoke again, "Yes…you are with child. It has already been preordained. Her future is within you and Serph. Raise her well."

Cielo and Roland paled, their minds running along the same path. 'How could Argilla be pregnant?' they both thought.

The cat continued, "You had always been with child but up until now, it had no soul. Now, it has received Sera's soul and has become one with it."

All eyes were focused on Serph, following Schröedinger's gaze. "Serph, I entrust to you the lives of not only your comrades, but your child's and her mother." Cielo's and Roland's eyes widened in realization. Serph and Argilla had…had…consummated their relationship and Argilla had been pregnant for the last week.

Cielo fell backwards, "Wen…wen did dat happen?" Gale chuckled and Cielo frowned, "Eh! You know something and you didn't tell me?"

Gale smirked, "Well…I suppose I do."

Cielo scratched his head, "So wen and how ja?"

Serph and Argilla were both flushed and Argilla decided to take matters into her own hands, and walked towards Gale, "Hey! Serph and I are here you know!"

Gale stepped backwards and continued, unaffected by Argilla's warning, "Well, I can tell you when but I can't tell you how. Seriously Cielo, is your knowledge about basic human procreation really that lacking?"

Roland laughed and Cielo turned his attention on him, "Wat's so funny? It's not like you know anyting either ja?"

Roland stopped his laughter but gave him a cheeky smile, "Anyway, Gale was saying something!"

Gale cleared his throat again and stole a glance at Argilla who was snuggling her head into Serph's chest, uninterested, "Well…Cielo, let's just say that it was a pretty noisy night…"

Cielo placed a hand on his chin and contemplated. He gasped as the memory hit him like a speeding train, "Oh me God! It was--" He, unfortunately never got to complete his sentence as Argilla unexpectedly lunged herself at him, silencing him, "That's enough Cielo!"

As soon as they got on their feet again, they all looked at each other and shared a heartfelt laugh. It truly was wonderful to be free at last. They all resumed their positions; Serph stood by Argilla while the other three males stood a few meters from them and faced Schröedinger.

Schröedinger looked at the other three males, "Come. Let us fulfill your destinies now." They all nodded. Gale turned to Serph and Argilla for the last time, "Well…you two take care. I have a feeling that we'll meet again, but I'm not sure when or how. I am honored to have served you Serph. And you Argilla, you are a special comrade to me. Take care of Sera for us."

He walked over to Cielo and Roland, shaking each of his friend's hands. He then turned to Serph and Argilla, whom he kissed on the cheek goodbye. And then, Gale was gone.

Cielo came forward next, "Well brudda…we had some good times ja? I wish I would never forget them, but den maybe God would erase my memory ja? But well…I love you guys! I'll see you ja?" Cielo stuck out his tongue and then disappeared.

Roland, scratching his head came last, "Well…I haven't known you guys for a long time the way the others did, but I do know that, even if I could turn back time, I wouldn't have changed anything that had happened. You guys taught me the meaning and essence of life and friendship. This would be my last farewell. Goodbye and good luck!" Roland shimmered into specks of glimmering crystals and then was also gone.

Argilla couldn't hold her tears any longer. She had wanted to stay strong until the end and didn't want to spill her tears in front of their comrades. It was so easy to say that she would miss them and that she would one day see them again, but to realize the weight of her words and their departure was at a completely different level. And so, her tears flowed freely, "I know I shouldn't be sad…but I just can't help it."

Serph wrapped his arm securely on Argilla's shoulder and muttered, "It will be alright…I promise." Argilla smiled and wiped her tears away. Schröedinger looked at both of them; they really were the missing pieces of the puzzle that did belong together. They were the people who would raise Sera, the hope of humanity. He was proud to have been given a chance by God to have met them.

Argilla, clutching a hand to her heart spoke, "What about Heat? What will happen to him?" she asked, concerned. The wise cat smiled and winked at her, "Do not be concerned with Heat. He has already received my offer and he has accepted it. He has already gone off to fulfill his destiny just as the others have done."

Argilla smiled gratefully, "I'm glad."

Serph tightened his hold on Argilla's hand and she stared at his eyes. Serph touched his Atma mark on his cheek and Argilla nodded in understanding. She looked at Schröedinger again, "What about the demon virus?"

Schröedinger smiled, "The demon virus shall be no more. You all would return to normal. But your marks shall not fade. The marks will serve as your reminders of the lives that you once lived in order to prevent loss of perspective."

Serph nodded and Argilla spoke softly, "We understand."

Schröedinger spoke again, "It is time you returned to Earth…you have done well. As Roland had said, this also is my last farewell to you…"

"Won't we ever see you again?" Argilla asked.

Schröedinger grinned, "I will always be with you both and little Sera; for always. You may not be able to see me but I'll be there."

Serph and Argilla nodded and muttered, "Goodbye…"

As Serph and Argilla held each other, an unbelievable sight fell before them; there, before their very eyes, Schröedinger had changed into a form of a man. Their eyes widened as they saw that Schröedinger wasn't just any man, but an exact duplicate of Seraph; he was her male counterpart. He smiled at them, and from the shadows, behind Schröedinger, Seraph appeared.

"Serph…what?" Argilla stammered, hardly believing her eyes as she saw Schröedinger and Seraph merge into one being.

"It is now that Seraph's duty is finally over. We have now become one. I am she and she is me. Now, we will reach and attain enlightenment." Schröedinger smiled and continued, "Goodbye…everyone…" they heard him mutter.

Serph smiled gratefully at the once-a-cat, now a man. He pulled Argilla tighter into his arms and they swirled in a spiral of light and specks of gold, and too disappeared.

xxxxx

When Argilla came to, she was on a warm bed. When she scanned the room, she immediately realized that she was at the Lokapala HQ. This was the same room that the Embryon team had stayed in, in what seemed like ages ago. She was alone too. She frowned slightly, disappointed, she had hoped that Serph would be there. But he wasn't. 'Where is he anyway?'

A tight feeling gripped her heart. What if he disappeared like Gale, Cielo and Roland? She started to run towards the door when she bumped into someone. It was Serph. She let out a sigh of relief, "Hey there…It's about time you woke up." He smiled cheerily at her. Argilla furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, did Serph just talk? And not in broken sentences too like he usually did, but he conversed in a full-length sentence without stammering!

"What's wrong? Something I said? Are you alright?" Serph asked in concern and took her hand, leading her back on the bed. He felt her forehead, "Well, you're temperature is normal so I don't see--" Argilla had cut him off, "Serph you can talk!"

Serph scratched his head and flashed a cheeky grin, "I know."

"Since when?"

"Since I woke up…that was three days ago."

Argilla blinked in surprise, "I've been asleep for three whole days?"

Serph nodded, "Yeah…we couldn't blame you though…You've been through a lot…and with the baby…well, the nurses kinda expected that too."

"Nurses?"

"Well, as soon as I woke up, I had you gone through a complete medical evaluation. They said that you had some sort of coma but you should be fine; you were just exhausted."

Argilla blinked again, "I'm so glad you're here…I thought for a second that I lost you again…"

Serph took her hand and cupped her face, "You would never lose me…" He leaned in for a kiss but Argilla stood up, "Well, I gotta take a shower. I'll see you downstairs."

Serph pouted in disappointment. But, he kind of expected her to act that way; after all, this was Argilla he was talking about. She may be emotional at times, but mostly, she was as hard as stone. He loved her; he loved every part of her and wouldn't have her in any other way.

xxxxx

"It's so beautiful Serph…" Argilla spoke, dreamily, surveying the growth of flora and fauna around her.

Serph had seen the newly-transform Earth before Argilla as he woke before she did. And so, he had decided to take her in an early-morning stroll outside the Lokapala Underground City.

Truly it was a magnificent sight. Trees stood, firm and tall, and in full bloom. A tiny pond could be seen in a distance and Argilla turned to him, her eyes twinkling with excitement, "Let's go see it Serph! I'll race you!" And with that, she took off. Argilla had always been like that. When missions were given, she was calm and collected, but at heart, she was a child. She was like the rest of them, really. She was a girl who grew up too soon.

Serph smirked and ran after her. Argilla sat down on the grassy ground and decided to fall back in it, lost in the blue skies above her. Serph stopped and looked for her. Seeing her laying on her back on the grass, her hand on her soon-to-be swollen belly, he smiled and walked up to her, "Hey…you spaced out. You okay?"

Argilla removed her head from the clouds and looked at her lover, smiling, "I was just thinking…Oh Serph…this really is Nirvana! I'm so happy! I never thought that we'd actually find it…God forgave us…everything is as it should be…"

"But?"

"Well…I know I may sound selfish but…I kind of miss the others, you know? I miss Embryon."

"…"

"And now that our roles have suddenly been altered…me being a…mother…you being a father…assisting in the rebuilding of this world…Gale, Cielo, Roland and Heat, missing…I guess what I'm saying is that, what if I can't cope with my new role? I don't know the first thing about being a mother…"

Serph sighed and pulled her to his chest, "It's alright Argilla. Do you remember when we left the Junkland?"

She nodded.

"Well, we didn't know what to expect either when we left. We hoped that Nirvana would be in sight, but we were never sure. We were all terrified of what we might or might not find. We were all walking a path blindfolded. The only thing that we knew was that uncertainty was the only constant thing."

He grasped her hand and brought it to his lips, "But we braved that Argilla…together…and we reached Nirvana."

Serph pulled away from her to look intently into her eyes, "We faced insurmountable feats and survived. Argilla…you can do this. And you won't do it alone…I'll be here, with you, for always…"

Argilla smiled, "Thank you…"

"I only wish that Gale and the others could see this…" she muttered with a hint of regret.

Serph chuckled, "Sure they can. As soon as we find them."

"Wh-what?"

"Well, I trust Schröedinger. Gale, Cielo, Roland and Heat had been entrusted with their destinies; they're alive Argilla. We'll see them again."

"I know…I believe in you Serph…"

Argilla touched his cheek and gently tugged his face towards her own. He complied.

xxxxx

"What happens now?" Argilla asked as they retired for the night, Serph getting on the bed, under the covers, beside her. "Who will lead the Karma Society?"

"Well, the Karma Society's Tribvana leader, yes, he's still alive, has nominated me to take the position."

Argilla raised an eyebrow in doubt, "Why you?"

"Well, I don't know either but he said that he trusts me."

"And what did you say?" Argilla asked, suddenly sitting up. This was a big step if Serph had decided to take the position.

Seeing her sit up, Serph followed suit, "Well, that all depends on what the people would say. So far, I have no competition but you never know."

"That's not what I asked you Serph."

"Then what is it that you asked me?"

Argilla felt blood rush through her cheeks. She hated it when he'd go smart-alecky on her. And now that he just did, his face was plastered with a grin. What she wouldn't give to wipe that smirk out of his face right at that moment…

"Well, I asked what you said. Not what they want you to say. Do you want to lead the people?"

Serph closed his eyes as if in meditation, "To be honest, I don't know. I've always fought battles, one after another, you know that. I've led people; I've led our tribe…I guess I'm just exhausted from that kind of life…"

Argilla softened her fiery gaze upon her lover and placed a loving and soothing hand on his shoulder, "I know…and I understand. You know what is best Serph; and I trust you to do what is right for you, for me, for our family and for the people."

"Thank you for believing in me…"

Argilla drew his face closer to hers, and she could feel his breath on her face, "I'll always trust you Serph…" she whispered. Serph closed his eyes and held her body to him, engulfing it in his warmth. Serph buried himself on the crook of her neck and began to nuzzle the strap of her nightgown with his nose. Argilla shivered at the contact and grabbed on to his shirt while her lips nipped at his ear.

Serph had her strap slide off her shoulders with his nose and gently kissed the newly exposed flesh of her shoulder. Argilla groaned as he bit her at her jugular and grabbed a fist full of his hair, running her fingers through it. Suddenly, Serph pulled her closer and crushed his lips into her unsuspecting ones. She whimpered at the ferocity of how he kissed her. He slanted his face to hers and dove his tongue into her mouth, tasting, nipping and biting wherever he could. Argilla fought with everything she could muster but ended up surrendering to his will.

Serph flipped them on the bed so that he was on top of her, situated comfortably in between her legs. Argilla could feel his enthusiasm on her thigh. Serph's hands found themselves under her nightgown, pulling it upwards, not once breaking their kiss. However it was unavoidable to part for but a moment when he completely pulled the unwanted garment off her over her head, carelessly tossing it to a random corner. He then kissed her again and let his hand rest on her thigh, caressing the smooth skin.

Argilla moaned in his mouth as she felt him touch her. She also felt his hand moving towards her core and her body shock with anticipation. Serph's instincts guided him to her entrance and he slowly inserted his finger within her folds. Argilla broke the kiss and squealed at feeling him within her. Serph smirked, entered another digit to accompany the other and thrust them in and out of her. Her body arched towards his fingers, meeting him for each and every thrust.

Serph could tell that she was close; her breathing became very erratic and labored. Beads of sweat decorated her forehead. And in that moment, in his final thrust, he had lost herself in oblivion and screamed his name in pleasure, "Serph!"

He withdrew his fingers and studied her flustered face, "Don't tell me you're tired…We've only just started."

Argilla panted and stared at him as if he were crazy. She had just lost herself and now he wanted more?

He unhurriedly undressed himself while she lay there on their bed, trying to catch her breath. She didn't get much time to recover though, as she felt his lips on her neck and his hot skin against hers. His hand cupped and fondled her breast while the other parted her legs. She complied and grabbed onto his shoulders, clinging to him. Serph moved his lips from her neck to her rose-bud nipple and gently suckled on it. Argilla arched her back and moaned. Serph, feeling his own control slipping away from the pleasurable moans that Argilla had been giving him, grunted in her chest and positioned himself at her entrance.

Argilla felt her voice die at her lips as he thrust himself into her at a mad frenzy. He wasn't gentle like that night many moons ago. He drove himself into her ever deeper within each thrust. Argilla tightened her grip on his back and wrapped her legs around his waist as he wildly moved within her.

Serph and Argilla grunted and moaned as they reached their Nirvana together. Serph collapsed on her and breathed heavily. Argilla smiled, content, and pulled him closer to her.

"I love you Serph…"

"And I you…"

Again, this was one of Argilla's happiest days. It really didn't matter to her if she had made love with Serph or if they just shared a kiss. What really mattered to her was that he was right there, beside her, as close as one could be with another. They were close like this, just holding each other in the dead of the night, long ago. Well, to Argilla, it felt like a long time, but the feeling wasn't like the way she was feeling at that moment.

When they had first shared a night, she always had an unpleasant feeling up at the pit of her stomach that whatever happiness she might have with Serph will suddenly disappear, and disappear it did.

What made this event different was that, that unpleasant feeling was no longer present. It was then that she started to favor destiny again. Somehow or the other, something told her that Serph was going to stay. He was going to walk on this earth with her, braving its mysteries with her, sharing in life's pleasures and sorrows with her…and raising a family with her.

Argilla stole a look at her lover who, by now, had occupied his side of the bed and had his arms wrapped around her waist. He was already fast asleep. Argilla smiled one last time before slowly closing her eyes, the desire to slumber, overtaking her.

Nothing could ever come in between them anymore.

xxxxx

Argilla clutched her heart as she ran to the conference room. 'They found them…they found them!'

She burst into the room and immediately saw Serph, talking to Fred and the new officials of the Lokapala. All eyes were focused on her. She ignored them and spoke with determination, "Where are they?"

Serph smiled, "Don't worry about them. They are at the infirmary. You can visit them if you like."

Argilla mouthed a thank you at him and turned to look at Fred, "Wanna come?"

Fred nodded, "Nah. You go ahead! I'll bet that they'll be as glad to see you as you are to see them!"

xxxxx

Argilla had burst through the infirmary doors demanding to speak with the head medical officers. The nurse she encountered cowered in fright and hurriedly sought out the doctor.

A man with a while coat in his middle ages, probably in his forties, came to greet her, "Good morning! What can I do for you?"

"I was told that you were caring for four babies here? Umm, all boys, each are having green, red, blue and blonde hair respectively."

"Ah yes. The officials found them this morning. The poor things, they had been abandoned."

"Abandoned?" Argilla asked in disbelief. When she had asked Schröedinger about it before, he had given the impression that her teammates would be taken care off. She bit her lower lip in anticipation of seeing them again.

"Yes it would seem so. They were found at the doorstep of the HQ building this morning. There was no identification record of whatsoever on them except a hand-written letter addressed to a man named 'Serph of the Embryon'."

The doctor, having received no introduction from the woman he was speaking to, stopped walking and turned to her, "By the way, just who are you?"

"I'm Argilla…Serph's…wife." She wasn't his wife; not really. But what else can she say? She was Serph's comrade? Too far. She was Serph's girlfriend? Not too convincing. Serph's friend? Gale was his friend for Pete's Sake! Serph's best friend? There was no way in hell she was going to say that!

Wife, she decided was the best alternative. She was going to ask Serph about that tonight. She had to know where she stood with him. She had to know where they stood amongst man's policies and society's laws.

She rubbed her stomach. She didn't want Sera to have a broken family. She wanted her daughter to grow up with a committed family; a solid family complete with a protective father, a loving mother and annoying siblings. Yes, she wanted all of those things for Sera, her daughter; things that she never had in her life. The doctor's voice broke her from her silent reverie.

"Ah! So you're his wife, well I've received orders to let you see the infants and have the letter."

"Thank you so much."

The doctor stopped in front of his office and opened the door and ushering Argilla inside. She took the seat politely offered to her and the doctor proceeded to rummage through his files to retrieve the infants' personal effects.

"Ah! Here it is. You may have it and you may see the infants. Have a good day."

Argilla gently closed the door from the doctor's office and sat on the nearest chair she found and slowly unfolded the piece of paper in her hands.

It read,

'Serph and Argilla, I entrust to your care these four infants. I cannot feed and support them and I know that I could rely on you…please love them as you would your own children.'

Argilla looked at the bottom of the letter, hoping to find some information, any information on its sender but was disappointed to find none.

Just then, the doctor came to her again, asking to have a word with her, "I'm sorry but I cannot give you access to the infants any more than I have already given. You are not their legal guardians and you must petition to the Lokapala HQ officials in order to acquire custody of the children."

Being out of character for Argilla, she calmly nodded, "I understand. But I can see them now right?"

"Yes you may…"

"Thank you…"

xxxxx

Argilla peered through the glass window and saw the children she had been yearning to see all day. She smirked, if only the older versions of these infants could see this sight now, they would all either die screaming of embarrassment, or gouge their eyes out. The children before her looked absolutely adorable. Little Gale still had that imposing, passive, cool and collected gaze while little Cielo wouldn't stop fidgeting in his crib, having a plastered smile on his face.

Little Heat didn't change much also; he was having a wrestling match with his mittens and had a very fiery look on his round little face. How he had those mittens off, Argilla didn't know.

Little Roland on the other hand, was a bit more quiet than the two and had a content look, an indifferent look gracing his face. Of course, he had his little thumb on his mouth, gently sucking on it.

Truly, Argilla had never seen such a rewarding scene.

"Don't worry guys, Serph and I will come for you…I promise."

xxxxx

Argilla walked through town that afternoon, trying to clear her head of the issues that seem to overwhelm her. She being a mother, Serph being the possible leader of the Karma Society and Lokapala, rebuilding Earth, adopting Gale, Cielo, Roland and Heat, and assuring of a position for herself within Serph's life. There was also the issue of where she and Serph would raise their children.

'We need an acceptable and appropriate place to raise the infants; and a military facility was neither acceptable nor appropriate.' She frowned but remembered the events at the pond with Serph.

Serph's words the other day had uplifted her spirits but the doctor at the hospital reminded her of man's laws and society's expectations. Its implications could be dire for little Sera if not corrected. She didn't want to be labeled as Serph's lover or as the mother of Serph's daughter. She wanted to be his other half; to be his partner in life, to be his wife. Thinking and knowing what she wanted was the easy part, but actually saying it to him would be the difficult aspect.

She could just blurt it out, "Serph, I want to get married!"

But she was different now. In another time, maybe she would have the guts to do it. But, having Sera within her had awoken a gentle and shy spirit within her that she never knew she had. And so, the bottom line was that, she was shy.

'Man…this is so lame!' she thought angrily.

'I should just grab him by the collar and shake him and shout at him, "I-WANT-TO-GET-MARRIED!'

Yes, that would work…She chuckled at her own thoughts and started to walk towards the Lokapala HQ building.

xxxxx

Serph had spoken to the officials of Lokapala. The infants found were in their jurisdiction, and so, in order to be open for adoption, Serph and Argilla had to fulfill certain requirements.

Among others, they were required to be married, to be able to provide for the children and support them. The technical issues required them to demonstrate a certain level of competence in caring for infants. Someone they knew had to testify for their conduct. That wouldn't be a problem though, people knew them anyway.

"So, marriage huh. I'm sure Argilla would want to. We'd do anything just to get the kids."

Scratching his head, he entered their room. Argilla was sitting by the window, "Serph! What happened?"

Serph smiled, "Nothing much. I just spoke to the officials about the adoption of the kids…"

"And?" she asked, anxious.

"Well, Argilla…" he stammered, unsure of himself, "We…what I mean to say is…I…I mean we…"

Argilla's eyes egged him on, but he was stammering more than usual. This had to be something big. She was sure of it. But if he can't say what it was in his mind, then she should just blurt out her issue.

"Serph! You're stammering. Well, I think I should go first. I have something to tell you."

Serph inwardly felt relieved and she continued, suddenly blurting out, "SERPH-I-WANT-TO-GET-MARRIED!"

Serph blinked once, twice, thrice then it finally sunk in. Argilla, on the other hand mistook her silence for rejection, "It's ok…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to not give you any warning. Well, anyway, we have a big day tomorrow, so let's just get some sleep huh?"

She stood up and began to walk towards the bedroom when a warm hand griped her own, "No. Please stay."

"Huh? What is it Serph? Is it because of what I said? Forget about it!"

"No! What I wanted to ask you when I came in was that…I wanted to ask you to marry me. But, I couldn't say it so I stammered."

Argilla smiled, "Really?"

"So…what do you think? I love you…and I want to have a family."

"It's a deal."

Serph grinned, "I knew you'd see things my way."