Just one more chapter and I think we're done - I know I have to settle things with Kid but then I really think I only have an epilogue left in me for this. So be ready for this all to come to an end. Don't worry, I have 2 possible new fics in the works and still have others to finish on here.

"And these, Jason, are your very first friends!" Marie had Jason up on wobbly legs, bouncing him between the two cribs. "Wes and Crona."

"I'm Jason's friend, not them," Ben grumbled as he threw his arms around his mother's neck.

"Oh, darling, you'll all be friends," she laughed softly.

Spirit's chuckles joined hers, "He loves his brother."

"He's at a possessive age," Marie sighed before she turned her head to Soul, catching him on his next revolution around the room. "Soul, they'll be done any minute, I'm sure."

"You really think I shouldn't go?" Since that was the millionth time the question had burst from his lips Soul didn't even bother to direct it to her again, just throwing a hand in his hair in frustration. "She probably wants to talk to him herself, but-"

Spirit huffed before catapulting back to his feet, meeting Soul's step and getting him by the elbow. "You trust her, I know you do, and Stein's not going to do anything to her other than talk, we both know that one. So, take a breath, kid, especially since I think the little ones are feeding off the energy."

On cue, Wes belted out a cry and Crona started a gravely grumble of his own. "Wes, I swear," Soul started and let it break with a soft laugh. "You can't possibly be hungry again." He was quick to scoop the crowing little boy from his bed, carefully cradling the mewling head. The sound stopped instantly, just red eyes blinking up at him. "You're already spoiled, aren't you? Just wanting to be held," he murmured with none of the annoyance and all tenderness, especially as he pulled the tiny thing to his chest.

Something halfway between a sigh and a laugh trickled from Marie's lips. "With you as a father, Soul, I'm not surprised they're spoiled."

His eyebrows jutted momentarily, "Marie…"

Marie turned her eyes to Spirit, that playful twinkle there. "Even as a boy, he was doting, the way he worried over your daughter."

"Your daughter," Spirit echoed weakly.

"It certainly did take a village to raise that girl," Marie let that break her lips thoughtfully before bringing her attention back to Soul. "And these boys will have the same, won't they?"

Soul snorted a laugh as he smoothed the fine, white-blond hairs on Wes's head. "They'll take whatever attention they can get, or at least Wes will. Crona's a little pickier." When he met Marie's eyes he tried to read the message those partially raised eyebrows were feeding him. "But, uh…" Her soft brown eyes added motion in Spirit's direction. "Spirit, would you grab Crona? It'll be better to stop him at grumbles…"

"Oh…" Spirit started for the crib, kneeling down next to Marie and letting a tentative hand linger towards the baby.

"Don't worry," Soul cleared his throat, trying to loosen the words. "I said he was picky but I think he'll settle for his grandfather. That is until Maka comes into the room, and then, forget it. He only has eyes for her."

Spirit let a weak laugh sputter from his lips, his fingers finally clenching into the delicate bundle to bring Crona into his arms. There was a moment's discerning glance, a distinctive consideration of whether or not belting would get him anywhere before Crona settled into an acquiescent whimper. "His first words are well on their way to being Mama?"

"Sure," Soul chuckled. "And this one'll be more. Always wants food or all your warmth and will refuse any less." He dipped his nose towards his son, offering the whisper warmly, "Not that I'm saying you're not allowed it, just give Maka a rest every now and then."

"They keep her busy?" Marie pressed.

"With two, it seems as if one's always hungry, but she…" Soul gave a wistful sigh. "She never tires of them, or at least she doesn't show it. Any moment they ask for she gives." He was back to caressing the boy, smiling down at the cooing lips. "I certainly don't blame those women for taking nurses. How Maka even manages-"

"It helps to have a good husband," Maka chimed easily and Soul popped his head up with a devilish grin.

"You OK?" He made rushed steps towards her at the door but Maka easily shook off his worry, pressing him towards Stein.

"Just give Stein the baby, won't you?" Soul did as ordered and as soon as his hands were free she grabbed them, directing to hold around her waist and let his chin fall to her shoulder. "Papa, I see Crona has taken a liking to you. Thank goodness! Sometimes he gives Soul this look," Maka paused to try to mimic it, the crinkled brows and forehead, "as if he barely tolerates him. So no crying and no wrinkled brow means at least I have another hand with that one." The laugh that she produced came light as a feather, and Maka let the moment happily swell over her.

Spirit was barely able to clear the tightness from his throat, letting those joy weathered eyes look up at his daughter. "He's a good boy."

"They both are, like their father," Maka said with pleasant surety, turning her head over her shoulder to look at the man in question. "I'm fine," she murmured just for him.

"Since both boys seem fed and fit with more than enough attention, why don't the two of you take a walk?" Marie offered with a smile that made Maka still blush like it was ten years ago and their feelings were barely anything more than the echoes off their desperately beating hearts.

"I guess it's my turn to ask for a moment of yours." Maka sent him a glowing smile and Soul basked in it with a soft chuckle.

"If they cry-" Soul started but Maka stopped it, a firm hand over his mouth.

"There are three parents in this room besides us," Maka chided. "Don't prove yourself the worry-wort father right away."

Soul snorted underneath her grasp before stealing the hand away and using it to steal her through the door. He was in a particular hurry to get her outside into the night air but once in the starting chill, he wrapped an arm around her and slowed them to almost nothing.

Maka leaned into him, steadied by his strong arm and the beat of his heart that she had tuned to. "Stein was reasonable."

Soul nodded but didn't offer any additional words, leaving the stage open for her.

"He accepted my order - no more tattling," Maka let a soft laugh break the last of the anxious feeling away, "and he was honest about what Kid is a part of and what they might expect from us."

"Which is?"

"You're powerful, I'm powerful," Maka shrugged. "The assumption now is that our children will be equal if not more so. And since they try to create regulation and order in the world…"

Soul grunted, amusement fizzling to annoyance at the idea, "Order?"

"Well…" Maka sighed. "I understand them wanting to know about you, me, the babies, but now it has to be on our terms."

"Agreed," he let grumble out of his mouth.

Maka wrapped her arm tightly around his waist, her fingers squeezing into his side. "And while I think promising our help could be a possibility, especially with more transparency on Kid and Stein's part, we need to make the solid order that the issue with witches has to be re-examined."

Soul let a sour smirk hit his lips, "Order them? Did Stein laugh you out of the room for that?"

Maka gave him a wry smile in return, "No, but he very kindly told me that trying to make them do something is much more difficult than running a kingdom."

A sickly sigh left his lips, "Yeah, of course."

"That's not to say we can't make it happen," Maka nudged her hip into his, earning a chuckle from him. "That we won't make it happen, Soul."

As Soul tilted his head to meet those sweet verdant eyes that were blinking up at him softly in the shine of the moon, his heart fluttered away without sense. Regardless of the worry that was still nibbling at him, the myriad of future possibilities that could bolster every last ounce of his troubles, Soul found that same old trembling nervousness under her gaze. "You and me, right?"

"Always," she grinned.

"Yeah," he murmured breathlessly.

Maka hummed out a joyful note before she tapped her head to his shoulder, refusing to be bothered by the walk that jostled her against him. "We have to protect Kim and even Free, and whoever else is just a witch trying to live in this world and not ruin it."

"Then tomorrow that's what we tell Kid," Soul squeezed her shoulder.

"Tomorrow," she agreed before sucking in another deep breath. "It was nice, seeing Papa with Crona."

"Good," he murmured but couldn't help the way the glumness bled into the words. "I know Marie and Stein will have to leave soon but if you want him to, he can stay as long as he likes."

She shook her head ever so softly, barely rubbing against his shoulder. "Little steps, Soul, please."

"Whatever you want," he whispered as he ran gentle fingers down her arm. "Maka… it's alright if it's too much. I know I asked you to do this, but you seem just…"

"I'm fine," it came with a steady surety and a tiny twitter of bliss.

"Maka…"

"Really!" She popped her head up again, mirth twinkling in her eyes. "Sure, I'm exhausted and still sore and, death, can these babies eat, but… just having them, Soul. They're so beautiful, perfect, and while it's hard, each moment they look at me or reach for me, or coo and smile when I speak to them just makes it entirely worth it. And you," she slowed their already leisurely steps, turning to face him and sink into his arms. "I meant what I said. Having you as a partner is all I can ask for."

"If that changes…"

"Do you plan on becoming a bad father?" Maka raised her eyebrows playfully.

"No," he chuckled.

"Then it won't." She reached up, running gentle fingers along his jaw. "Stay the way you are with the boys and we'll be fine. But…"

"But?" His fingers dug into the cloth at her waist, pulling her closer.

"We both agree no more babies, right? At least for now."

He let out a relieved laugh, "Not until we can get a decent night's sleep again, and even then I might remember how much I enjoyed it and refuse to let it go again."

Maka echoed him with a fit of giggles and she pressed them to his neck, wrapping her arms around his shoulders tightly. "I love them, though, and I love you. I… never would have imagined all this. I barely even thought that you and I-"

"Hey," Soul sunk his fingers into her hair, clutching her to him. "Make me a promise?"

"Hm?" she murmured softly.

He glided his cheek against hers, letting his mouth rest right next to her ear. "Forget that, OK? Never think about it again, that there was ever a chance that it wasn't going to be you and me. It's always been you and me and it's always gonna be and you're never going anywhere again and neither am I."

There wasn't enough breath in her, between his words and the tight hold of his arms, to give him acquiescence from her lips. Instead, her fingers digging into his shirt, the way her soul wrapped with his, was the only answer she could give.