When Flame and Aaron got back from the ceremony later that evening they went straight to where their daughter and the widow were. Flame poked her head in the door and saw Blaze in the corner with her dragon plush and Abigail in the rocking chair reading a book.

"We're back." She said, making both of them look up at her.

"Welcome back you two." Abigail closed her book and stood up. She took a couple of steps closer. "Blaze was a little darling while you two were gone. She really missed you two though. She wouldn't play and hardly paid any attention to me when I tried to get her to. She's been like that since a while ago; hugging that dragon plush you said she liked." Abigail pointed over to where Blaze now lay on the floor dozing off with the plush still in her grasp, drool was stringing from her mouth.

"Oh, well she's still much attached to us, I knew this would happen. Aaron she's too young to be away from us for very long like today. She needs to come with us until she gets older."

"Flame, where we have to go sometimes will be way too dangerous for an infant; we can't bring her everywhere."

"Well then maybe we shouldn't rush off everywhere. As a mother I don't think what we're doing is right."

Abigail politely waited for them to stop talking before speaking.

"She was fine, honestly. We had a good time. She'll get used to me in time."

Flame nodded.

"Oh, Abigail, I almost forgot!"

Flame quickly went and fetched a bag of Asterems worth a significant amount of money and brought it back.

"No Flame." Abigail said when she saw the money bag. "I couldn't possibly take that much. You don't have to pay me."

Flame pushed the bag into her arms.

"No, I insist. You deserve something for helping us as much as you do. Take it."

"No really."

Flame pushed the bag farther into Abigail's arms and refused it when the shepard tried to give it back. Abigail finally accepted the payment and held it to her side.

"Come here sweetie. Mommy and Daddy are home." Flame called to her daughter.

Blaze dropped the dragon plush and crawled to her mother. She stopped at her feet and reached up to be picked up. Flame picked up her daughter and nuzzled her.

"You missed us didn't you?"

Blaze cooed and snuggled up to her mother. Aaron stood in the doorway watching and smiling.

"Thank you for the money…" Abigail said quietly. "Well," She raised her voice back to normal volume. "How did the ceremony go?"

"It went well." Flame answered. "It should increase and expand our imports and exports."

Abigail nodded.

"That's good."

"The news crew was there so we should expect to see ourselves on TV later. I hope my hair was okay. Sometimes it just seems like it has a mind of its own."

Flame twirled around with Blaze in her arms. Blaze laughed.

"Thank you for watching her Abby."

Abigail blushed at the queen using a nickname while addressing her. The white shepard nodded.

"You're welcome Flame."

The king stood behind his wife and her friend; smiling and listening to his wife talk to her friend and eventually tried to get in on the conversation. They talked for a few more minutes before Abigail looked at the clock on the wall.

"Pardon me but I think it's time for me to go."

Flame glanced at the clock. It was getting late and the sun was setting outside the window.

"You can stay for dinner if you'd like." Flame offered.

"That is a very nice offer Flame but I couldn't"

Flame's smile faded.

"Why not? Abby you musn't let yourself too used to being alone in that big house of yours. It's been 2 years since Walter died and you spend almost all of your time there all cooped up. It isn't healthy."

Abigail flinched at the mention of her deceased husband's name and breathed in. Walter was a German Shepard Dog whom she met when she was in her late teens. He was the son of the Duke of Canis and they were brought together by arranged marriage between their families. He was a very proud and hardworking man. They didn't know about each other at first, just thinking that this was the way of the law of contract that binded them together; and they were right, it was but they developed affections for each other and eventually fell in love. Walter was nice, funny and dependable, but stubborn at times when his thoughts on an important subject matter differed from someone else's. His stubbornness and temper sometimes got the best of him and ruined banquets and alliances with other nations that his father had to patch up behind him.

"Abigail?" Flame asked when the dog went silent. "Abigail…I'm sorry about mentioning him but I really think you should come out once in a while."

"…It's okay Flame. I understand you only mean well…and I agree I need to get out more. I accept your dinner invitation." Abigail replied.

"Are you okay?" Flame asked concerned.

"Yes I'm okay." Abigail tried to smile.

The king had taken Blaze from her mother's arms and was holding her gently. The chefs were already preparing dinner and the servants were setting the long table.

"Here, you can sit down in the living room" Flame said as she led her friend to one of the comfy chairs and sat her down. Abigail thanked the queen.

Flame nodded and went to the table where her husband had already sat Blaze in her highchair. One of the servants came over to them with a blend of chicken, tuna and vegetables for the baby princess and started feeding her. Abigail still sat in the living room until Flame brought her over once the food started coming out. The family and friend then sat down at the table and once everything and everyone was in place, they started to eat.

"This is really good…" Abigail said as she picked at her food.

"…I shouldn't have mentioned him at all" Flame thought.

Aaron tried to start a conversation but failed to do so when nobody responded to him. The rest of the dinner was quiet and after everyone had finished and the table was cleaned they sat in the living room for the rest of the night. Soon Blaze became tired and Aaron put her to bed. When he came back Abigail had already left for home; leaving the two alone.

"Flame, you really need to think before you say things. She's not over loosing Walter from sickness yet." He put his arm on her small shoulder.

"Maybe but-"

"I know you were trying to help but she's sensitive remember?"

"Yes…"

Flame's ears drooped and she went to go get ready for bed. Aaron put on his nightclothes and sat on the bed while his wife showered. Flame came out of the bathroom in her silk nightdress and got into bed with her husband. They kissed each other goodnight and fell asleep. The baby sleeping cozily just next door as the stars and moon shone high in the sky.