A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Ghastly, Erskine or China.

I pulled back slightly to gaze and Skulduggery fondly, then drew him into another kiss. It was more intense because I was remembering things, or thinking I remembered them anyways. Skulduggery responded enthusiastically, then was murmuring to me. "Alanis." He said softly. Then he stiffened and pulled back. "Sorry, Valkyrie. I didn't mean to-"

"Call me by my own name?" I asked, stepping closer to cup his face in my hands. "Skulduggery, it's OK. Seeing Joshua brought things back for me too, not a lot, but some. You were always a good husband. I'm not about to get angry because you're still in love with me." He opened his jaws to protest, but I held my fingers to his teeth gently, remembering having to do it centuries ago to calm him. "Skulduggery, hush. I love you. You aren't betraying me by remembering our old life together. I love you." I whispered.

"Skulduggery seemed to blink. "Valkyrie Cain is never this nice. Who are you? What have you done with my best friend?" He joked feebly and I laughed and hugged him tight.

"You always were an arrogant, condescending moron." I said fondly.

"That wasn't nice." Skulduggery grumbled.

"But it's what I love about you. Mother always said I was stupid that way. I seem to remember bringing you pitchers of cream every morning that I had to walk to a nearby farm to get. Chilled as best they could be too, because God forbid his Lord and Majesty had to drink warm cream." I laughed and I swore he blushed. Happy tears glimmered in my eyes. "I really spoiled you, didn't I?" I asked, sniffing slightly and he laughed in response.

"Yes, you did." He said and I could hear the happy tears in his voice. "You were the first woman to do that. Most expected me to give them things, they only wanted me for what I had. China included." He said darkly then sighed. "I knew calling on her was a mistake, but well-"

"You liked being seen with pretty girls and she was obsessed because her magic never did work on you."

"It did for all of twenty seconds. Then I saw her kick a stray dog out of her way. That ended it. I might have not been perfect myself, but abuse an animal like that? Never. I brought that poor dog to you. She had bruised ribs, do you remember? You had a reputation as a healer of animals."

I did remember. "Yes, a Collie I think. She also had a sore paw and a permanent limp but she had a good heart. She went everywhere with me. We named her-" I couldn't recall the name.

"Colleen. She was never able to have pups but she considered Joshua her own. God, I miss that dog. Our cat as well, do you remember her?"

I smiled, nodding. "Tack, so named because she wouldn't take her claws out of your sweaters. That and Ghastly brought her. Speaking of which I better ring him before he finds out on his own." I was happy to call. OK, I personally thought all this warmth and happiness was a bit sappy, but it was nice.

Ghastly answered. "Well hello, Alanis. I've already heard but my little sister always was late for everything." The loving warmth in Ghastly's voice brought a fresh wave of happy tears to my eyes.

"Will you still bring game to my door like a loving big brother when Skulduggery is away? And fresh bread and cream as well when you know I'm ill?" I teased and heard his pleased laugher.

"I never got a sister of my own, so I adored having you. I've missed you, yet I know you as Valkyrie. I feel more than a little confused, to be honest."

"So do I. I have the feeling a case is about to pounce, so what is it?" I asked.

"Ah, you always did know when I had news. Put me on speaker phone then I want the two of you sitting down." Skulduggery who'd been listening attentively and heard everything nodded and we sat. "Seated? Good. Your son is going to start growing on you. We got that much out of the books. At a normal rate. They apparently tried to bond him to the Necromancers to make a second Vile and Death Bringer, but he always fought them. I thought something was strange when Erskine described your immediate bond. Joshua never gave his trust easily." I sat in stunned silence. I knew he was my child but it still took me by surprise when people reminded me that all of it was real.

"Valkyrie, sweetheart, are you all right?" Ghastly asked, and I nodded then realized he couldn't see me.

"I'm fine, Ghastly. It's just- He still is my son, no one can take him from us, right?"

"That was the other thing I looked up. By Sanctuary and magical law he is your son and well, how do you feel for Skulduggery, Val?" He asked gently.

"I love him, you know that."

"This is the other reason I wanted you to sit down. By the same laws you're still married." I threw myself into Skulduggery's arms, burying my head in his shoulder. He tilted my head up to look at me, the smile on his face infinitely sweet. He kissed me deeply, then I felt him slip something on my finger. I looked down and saw a ring, a Celtic braid forged in gold.

"You're wedding ring, my beloved bride. I couldn't bring myself to ever part with it. He dipped his gloved hand into his pocket and held out another ring to me. His ring. I smiled softly at him and took it, slipping it onto his gloved hand. Skulduggery kissed me again, chastely, then turned back to my mobile.

"Ghastly we can never repay you for all of this. Ever. But if you would join us for dinner we'd both be honoured. My wife can make her roast if she remembers how." He said looking at me fondly and I nodded. I did remember. I heard a pleased sound then Ghastly answered.

"I'd be honoured, Skulduggery. Where and when?" He asked.

"Our house tonight at seven work for you?" Skulduggery asked us both at once. I nodded happily. A roast, especially cooked in a pot didn't take that blessed long. We rang off and Skulduggery looked at me. "Well shopping for us, my sweet, then home again."

"I swear, Skulduggery, if you start to sing 'I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen' I'll shoot you with your own gun." I warned as he opened his jaws rather widely. Skulduggery tilted his head in amusement.

"Yes, dear. I'd forgotten how very fierce you are. I'll get Joshua. Wouldn't want his mother to eat her own young." I punched him in the arm and he yelped. "Ow! You always were fierce. Hitting a poor old skeleton like that. What will Joshua think of women?" He teased, grinning.

"That you're lucky to have one." I teased back.

"Damn straight."

"Skulduggery, language!" I said shocked and he just gave me a wicked grin of delight. Being married, I decided, was going to be fun.

OK, I can leave it there, or try to get started on the case, but the love story keeps interrupting.