There was an error in the Chp 25 update. The update originally had Cara and Garren's son's name as Adam. I had changed it later to Caiden, but somehow when I posted the update here, it kept the name Adam. I went back and fixed it, but some of you may have already read the name as Adam. So sorry for any confusion. Cara and Garren's son's name is really Caiden! :)

Chapter 27

Richard awoke with a sudden start, his eyes snapping open with rigid panic that seemed to grip his whole body. Attempting to draw a deep breath, he had to force himself to relax as he calmed his racing heart. His head continued to throb either from the blow to the head that he had received yesterday or from the horrifying events surrounding his daughters' abduction.

He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands in an effort to banish the haunting images of a day that should have held nothing but pleasant moments and special memories. But it had been neither of those things.

Why were their lives constantly plagued by such chaos and danger? Would they never be free from it?

Even Paige and Priya's birth had been shrouded in fear and uncertainty as Kahlan delivered them in Zedd's cabin in Hartland. And now, his daughters' one year celebration would forever be remembered for the tragic devastation that Sangria and Sabinus Dorst had created in their attempt to take them from him and Kahlan.

Richard didn't know how he was going to survive their next birthday let alone Aiden's. Maybe three children were enough for them. He didn't know if he could bear the fear and worry that came with having another powerful child, knowing that his children's lives were going to be in constant danger.

And yet, the thought of never having another baby with Kahlan caused grief to suddenly seize hold of his heart. He wanted so many more children with his beloved, as many as she wanted or was able to give him.

He adored seeing parts of themselves in their children, more so seeing Kahlan in their every expression, every little action. It warmed his heart like nothing else ever could.

Although still very early, Richard was anxious to kiss his wife good morning. He abruptly rolled over only to be met by nothing but empty sheets. He suddenly sat up, his forehead creasing as he began to look around their bedchamber for any sign of her. Finding nothing, he crawled out of bed, slipping on his sleeping pants.

He tried not to worry, knowing that she was probably feeding Aiden, but knowing that Sangria was still on the loose, plotting only Creator knew what caused cold fear to wash over him. He wouldn't be happy until his sword had tasted every last drop of that witch's blood.

Five people lost their lives yesterday, many more wounded. Thankfully, Nicci and the healers had been able to assist in healing the injured, but the devastation had been severe. He shuddered to think about what could have happened, how much worse it actually could have been.

Opening the door to the nursery, Richard poked his head in to find Aiden sleeping peacefully in his bassinet. He paused for a long moment, watching his son as he slept, thanking the good spirits once more that Aiden hadn't been down in the courtyard yesterday.

Closing the door, Richard moved on to Paige and Priya's room. Opening the door, he was relieved to find Kahlan sitting on the floor, her back leaning against the wall with her knees drawn up in front of her. Her focus was on the sleeping forms of their daughters, her face lined with fatigue as well as something more that he couldn't put his finger on.

He softly made his way over to her, settling onto the floor close beside her. Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he gently drew her to him. She went willingly, silently melting into him as her head came to rest on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?" he whispered, turning and kissing the top of her head.

Richard already knew that she wasn't, but asked anyway. Neither of them was alright after coming so close to losing their daughters yesterday. After returning to their suite, they had held Paige and Priya long after their girls had fallen asleep, taking comfort in the fact that they were safe once more.

"I just keep thinking about how we came so close to losing them," she murmured, slipping her arms around his waist and breathing in the scent that soothed her very soul.

"I know," he softly admitted. "It terrifies me knowing that Sangria is still out there somewhere. Thanks to you, we don't have to worry about Sabinus anymore. It gives us one less person to think about."

"I know, but I still hate that I can't control the Blood Rage," she bitterly replied. "I could've hurt someone…someone who didn't deserve to be confessed."

Richard felt her tremble with her words, knowing how deeply it upset her, how much she feared it. He wished there was something he could do to help her gain control of it, but he was struggling as it was to control the beast that resided in him as well.

"You didn't, though," he reminded her. "You were in complete control."

"But I could have," she said. "I'm just fortunate Gorrim and Sabinus were the only two people that I destroyed with my magic."

"I've never seen you call down blue lightning like that before," he told her in amazement, a shiver racing up his spine with the chilling memory. "It was amazing, Kahlan. How were you able to do that?"

"I don't know," she said, her hands beginning to gentle caress his bare skin, lighting stroking up and down his side. "I have no idea how…or even if I'll be able to do it again. I just knew I had to save our girls."

"I have never been afraid of you or your magic, but I must admit…you made me take a step back when I first saw you."

"I'm so sorry, Richard," she whispered, turning her head to press her lips against his bare shoulder. "I never want you to fear me."

"I wasn't scared of you, Kahlan," he told her. "I was just so in awe of the sheer magnitude of the power that you possess, the fierce intensity that had enveloped you. I've never seen anything like it before. You never cease to amaze me."

Kahlan kissed his shoulder again, brushing her nose against his skin before leisurely blazing a path of kisses along his collarbone. The feel of her fingers stroking along his ribs, her warm lips against his flesh was quickly igniting his arousal especially when her tongue snuck out to taste him.

She could see his chest beginning to rise and fall a little quicker, a little heavier as his eyes slid closed, his lips parting. After everything that had happened, she needed to feel that deep, incredible connection with him again, to be wrapped up in the safe tranquility of his love for her.

He centered her like nothing she'd ever known, was her anchor in the stormy frothy sea that threatened to overwhelm them and swallow them whole.

Her fingers began to skim dangerously lower, finding the edge of his sleeping pants. Her fingers slipped beneath the edge, softly grazing his skin and creating an intense flutter to erupt in the pit of his stomach.

"Cara and Garren…have a beautiful son…" Richard managed to say, his breaths coming faster, his pulse racing. "I'm happy for them."

"Me too," Kahlan whispered between kisses as she finally reached his ear, her tongue sneaking out to tease him. "Makes you want another one…doesn't it?"

Richard released a ragged groan as her lips and teeth toyed with his earlobe, her breath so warm and sensual against his skin. When she kissed him like this, she made him lose the ability to speak, to breathe. And when they made love, she made him forget his own name as she seemed to reach right inside of him and consume every part of his being.

Kahlan was beyond intoxicating, filling him so full with her love for him. It made him want to weep at times just dwelling on how much she loved him, how much he truly loved her. She had been the other half of his soul that had been missing from his life for so very long. She perfected him, completed him.

Unable to stand it a moment longer, Richard swiftly turned his head, capturing her lips in a heated kiss that quickly began to turn the tables on her. He swallowed her throaty moan, his hand slipping into her thick hair as his tongue slipped into her mouth.

Pulling back, he breathlessly brushed his nose against hers, his lips teasing hers. "Want to make another baby with me?" he asked, his voice thick with desire as his nose brushed against hers.

Kahlan gazed into his orbs so dark with longing, the depths of his passion for her very nearly stealing her breath. "More than anything in this world," she whispered, her hand caressing his face as she kissed him again.

Reluctantly breaking free from her embrace, Richard helped her up, taking her hand in his and leading her back into their bedchamber, closing the door to the nursery behind him. He turned, kissing her breathless as he lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist as he moved them closer to their bed.

His need for her suddenly seared through him just with the thought of making another baby with her. The possibility of his seed taking root in her womb and creating another beautiful life that was a piece of the both of them was so incredibly arousing to him.

Kahlan felt her back meeting the sheets as Richard moved to settle over her. She immediately rose up, grabbing his tooth pendant as her mouth swiftly connected with his, pulling him down on top of her. Her fingers slid into his hair, tugging on the strands as she deepened the kiss.

Richard momentarily broke the kiss, gasping for air before meeting her again in an opened-mouth kiss that was beyond electric as his hands began to explore her body all over again. The feel of Kahlan beneath him heated his blood like nothing he'd ever known before, the feel of her flesh pressed against his setting him on fire.

He swiftly pulled her nightdress down her body, his hands sliding up her thighs as he worked his way back up her luscious form. Kahlan arched her back as he tailed fiery kisses along her torso to her chest, along her throat to her ear.

"Kahlan…" he breathily moaned as he rolled his hips into her. "I need you…so much…"

She turned her head, kissing his ear and grazing her teeth along the lobe. He trembled in response as she pressed her fingers into his backside, kneading his flesh and begging him for the connection that she so desperately needed, wanted.

"I want you…now…" she breathed.

She arched her head back with a sharp gasp of his name as he gave her what she needed from him, filling her so full and giving all of himself to her. She loved this connection with him, craved this passionate dance with him that drove her completely wild with ecstasy that she never dreamed possible.

He brought about such a fierce hunger deep within her, a lust that was almost animalist in a way and yet at times it was so tender and passionate it nearly brought tears to her eyes. He was her strong warrior, the one who had won her heart so long ago and she loved him more than life itself. She'd do whatever it took to keep him safe.

Panting with the force of his thrusts, Richard buried his face in the crook of her neck, his lips and teeth grazing her skin. His hands continued its erotic exploration, stroking her flesh until she was writhing beneath him, his name spilling continually from her lips.

He loved when she panted his name when he made love to her, her voice so breathless and filled with such intense passion. It only aroused him all the more knowing it was because of him, making his blood rush in his ears, his heart thunder in his chest.

Spirits, he loved this woman, loved how she loved him, what she did to him just by existing. He loved how she looked at him, touched him. She made him want to be so much more than he was, so much more than he ever could be.

"Rich-ard!" she cried as she came, trembling violently with her release.

The feel of him emptying himself deep within her brought a smile to Kahlan's lips, praying that they had made another child. She wanted to give him as many as possible, knowing how much he wanted a large family.

"Kahlan…" he panted heavily as he collapsed wearily onto her.

He kissed along her jaw, relishing the feel of her pressed into the mattress beneath him. He couldn't wait to find out if they had created another baby together, the thought bringing a smile to his face as his lips met hers in a sweet kiss of hope for their future.

XXX

Cara lay on her side facing Garren, her son sleeping soundly between them. She couldn't tear her eyes off of him, couldn't believe that the little wonder that she and Garren had created months ago was finally here at long last. Being premature, he was small, but he was still perfect to her in every way.

Staring at the little face that was so much like her husband's, Cara knew she'd go through bed rest for weeks on end without reprieve if that was what it took to bring another one into the world. The pure joy and pride that lit Garren's face with the birth of their son made her want to have another as soon as they could.

He's so perfect, isn't he?" Garren sleepily smiled at her.

"I don't want to let go of him," Cara admitted, tears stinging her green eyes.

Garren chuckled softly, reaching over to hook her hair behind her ear. "Well, he can't sleep in our bed forever," he replied in amusement. "I would like to have you to myself again at some point especially if we want to have another baby."

"That's not what I meant," she pursed her lips, fighting back the smile that tugged at her lips before growing serious again. "I'm just so afraid he's going to be taken away from us."

"No one is going to take our son, Cara," he frowned. "That brother and sister wanted Paige and Priya because of the powerful magic that they possess."

"No, it's not that," she softly said, avoiding his intent gaze. "Darken Rahl took my first baby right after he was born. I never saw him again."

Garren stared at her for a long moment, stunned by her words. "Cara, I'm so sorry," he whispered, leaning over Caiden to press his lips to her forehead. "Darken Rahl is dead. There is no one here who would ever do that to you."

"I know," she murmured. "I just can't help remembering how painful it was to bring that little life into the world only to have him taken away. I never even got to hold him, to really see him. I didn't do anything to protect him, to stop them."

"What happened to him?" Garren tentatively asked, swallowing past the sudden lump in his throat.

"The same thing that happened to every male child born to Darken Rahl," she scowled, staring at Caiden's beautiful face. "They were killed."

Garren felt anguish well up inside of him with the things that Cara was telling him, the painful past that she'd been forced to endure. No one deserved the things that she'd had to suffer and live through.

"Cara, I'm so sorry," he gently replied, leaning in and kissing her softly as tears filled his eyes. "I wish more than anything in this world that I could have been there to stop that monster from hurting you, keep you from experiencing such horrible pain and heartache."

Gazing into his stormy gray eyes burning with tears of grief and anger, Cara could see the truth of his words. Leaning in, she kissed him again. "I know, but Richard Rahl taught me that we can't change the past, only the future and my future is with you. I love you and that's all that matters now."

"I love you, Cara," he murmured against her lips. "Always."

Caiden began to stir between them as they kissed, causing them to pull back. He began to whimper and cry, his little face crinkling up in agitation.

"I believe your son is hungry," Cara said, picking her baby up and holding him in her arms.

"I'd love to help, but I believe that's your job for now," Garren chuckled.

Cara rolled her eyes at him as she adjusted her night dress to feed Caiden. Garren moved closer to her, pulling her into his arms as she fed their son. He had never dreamed life could possibly be this perfect.

Holding Cara as she nursed their son, he knew now that it was.

XXX

"Caelinus, please won't you come back with us?" Zedd asked as he attached his pack to the saddle of his horse. "You don't have to stay here all alone. You can live at the People's Palace with me and Richard and his family."

Caelinus sighed, his heart heavy and torn. "I don't know, Zeddicus," he slowly shook his head. "I've lived up here alone for so long that I don't think I'd even know how to behave among people again."

"You shouldn't stay here all alone," Frederick agreed. "Come back with us."

"I know Richard would love to meet his great Uncle Caelinus," Zedd told him. "Besides, you have to see my great grandchildren. They will definitely keep you young trying to keep up with those little ones."

"I'm just not ready yet, Zedd, but thank you," Caelinus replied, his eyes growing moist with unshed tears.

Coming to stand before his old friend, Zedd grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him the smaller man into a fierce embrace. "You are always welcome if you change your mind," he told him.

"You're going to regret saying that when I show up at your doorstep someday," Caelinus said as they parted.

"I'm sure I probably will," Zedd sighed heavily as he made his way to his horse. "Just be sure to get your hair cut and gain some weight before you come."

"I look just fine, thank you very much!" Caelinus wagged a bony finger at the Wizard. "And it's too late. You already said it. You can't take the invitation back now."

Shaking his head in amazement, Zedd mounted his horse. "I think I already regret inviting you, you old bag of bones."

"Thank you for helping us," Frederick interrupted, gripping his hand tightly.

"Well, I haven't actually helped you yet," Caelinus frowned again. "Hopefully it will work for you."

"Me too," Frederick nodded as he released the Wizard's hand.

"And you, my dear," Caelinus began as he turned his attention to the Sister of the Light silently standing off to the side. "You are a strong young woman. You will get through this and become even stronger because of it. I know that you don't believe it or see it now, but it's true. Just promise not to make the mistakes I made by running away and trying to hide from life or you'll miss out on great things."

Unable to make her voice work, Deryn could only nod her head as she hugged him tightly. Tears began to leak from the corners of her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear, suddenly turning away from him before she completely fell apart.

"You are welcome to come back and visit any time," Caelinus warmly said.

"With or without the vicious dragon attack to greet us?" Zedd groused from atop his horse.

As if on cue, Odin suddenly swooped in, his large red wings flapping loudly. It remained behind Caelinus, keeping its distance so as not to frighten them again.

"Very funny!" Caelinus huffed.

"Good bye, old friend," Zedd replied, sad to be leaving so soon, but it couldn't be helped. If Michael died before they returned then Frederick's fate would be sealed as well.

Turning his horse towards home, Zedd just hoped they would make it home in time.