"Ducky this is Aaron's and mine second mate Cassie Silverthorne," Dave introduced her to Dr. Donald Mallard.

Ducky was a handsome man with his blond hair and blue eyes that were sparkling with intelligence and humor. The doctor had a firm chin that said he could be stubborn and sharply defined cheekbones.

"We met fairly recently, almost 3 years ago," Aaron added.

"Three years is hardly recent," Cassie snorted.

"It is for our kind," Dave told Cassie. "Remember we live for a very long time."

Cassie gave a sharp nod of recognition at the point.

"It's very nice to meet you Miss Silverthorne," Ducky said shaking her hand.

"It's very nice to meet you to Dr. Mallard. But there is no reason to be so formal. You can call me Cassie."

"And I'm Ducky. Now that the formalities are out-of-the-way I believe that Dave told me that you were pregnant when he called a few days ago."

"Monica believes I am and while I don't disbelieve her I'd still like to have it confirmed," Cassie explained.

"Understandable," Ducky said. "I'm assuming that you've never been pregnant before this."

"No, I haven't," Cassie confirmed. "This will be my first."

"But not the last," Aaron said grinning.

"Of course not, but let's concentrate on the matter at hand," Cassie said

"I'll just run the appropriate test to confirm your suspicion," Ducky said. "If Monica thinks you are pregnant I have no doubt you are, as she's been through it enough times herself to know if you are or not.

"That's exactly what we told her too," Dave said.

"Now do you want your men here or would you rather them wait in the waiting room?"

"I don't mind if they stay, as they have it interest in this to, even if we might not know who the father is as it could be either one," Cassie said.

Ducky nodded in understanding. "We'll have to run the appropriate DNA test once this baby is born, but that's for later."

Ducky began to draw blood and it didn't take long at all to have all that he needed. When the nurse came back Ducky handed the vials of blood to her and instructed what tests to tell the lab to run.

"So now that's taken care of how is Monica doing? Will I be expecting her to come in for the same tests?"

"No, Ducky, Monica is taking a break from having children. It was decided once Cassie joined us that she would have children first. She needs an heir for the Silverthorne name, which doesn't necessarily have to be a boy," Aaron explained.

"It's a good thing that the inheritance doesn't have to fall to a man, because it's only me and my sister," Cassie said, "At our parents passing we are in charge of the Silverthorne fortune and making sure it continues to make money so that they'll be plenty for any heirs."

"I can imagine that there are a lot families of wealth that don't like that," Ducky chuckled sardonically.

"That's an understatement," Cassie snorted. "Like either me or Rena give a damn what those old farts think. There's nothing they can do to take our inheritance from us."

Ducky nodded in understanding and told them he'd get back to them as soon as the results came in.

"So how did you meet? Forgive my curiosity," Ducky asked curiosity written all over his face.

"I don't mind telling you," Cassie shrugged.

"It's not like it's top-secret," Dave said with a smile.

All three then took turns explaining the story to Ducky.

"Well, that's all rather fascinating," Ducky admitted. "Especially the part where you are at able to transform for the first time. There are plenty of part dracon around you know, but with blood so diluted that unlike you they don't have a hope of ever transforming. While they might have had dracon ancestors they are so far back in the past that very little dracon blood remains. Those poor, unfortunate souls are mostly human. However, there are still plenty of dracons around or ones like you, who have the blood through both sides of their family and while you can't transform without help, it's still possible for them to do so, so long as your mate is one of our kind, like what happened in your case."

"So you've known of it happening before?" Aaron asked.

"A few times yes," Ducky said. "I won't say it's very common to have one of our kind who can't transform by themselves, so that they need an infusion of dracon's DNA to allow them to, but it has happened."

"Well it's nice to know I'm not the only one," Cassie said quite seriously. "I knew that Dave and the others were only guessing when they told me their theory, which meant that deep down I didn't believe it could be done, so perhaps if they had thought to come to you and ask you if you've ever heard of such a thing being done before I would have transformed sooner."

"That's exactly what we should've done," Aaron said ruefully.

"It never even occurred to us to ask you if you knew of any time such a thing had happened," Dave added. "It doesn't really matter anyway that it took nearly a year for Cassie to transform. All that matters really is that she did, so that she'll be around for as long, as Aaron and I will."

Ducky nodded and Cassie noticed the look of sadness that passed over his face for just a moment before it was gone.

~~~Dave, Monica, Aaron, Cassie~~~

"What has you so thoughtful?" Aaron asked as soon as they got into their car

"Oh, it's nothing really I just saw this look of sadness and longing cross Ducky's face. It was gone in less than a second and if I hadn't actually been looking at him at that time I would've missed it. It's while we were talking about my pregnancy," Cassie explained.

"I would say it's because he wants to find a mate of his own," Dave said with certainty in his tone. "I'm sure that the subject of pregnancy and babies makes him think about the fact that he never had any children of his own and most dracons want them."

"That's what I figured after what you told me about him," Cassie said. "It's just so sad that he's never found his mate to settle down with."

"For all we know his mate could be somebody like you with a great deal of dracon blood but isn't able to transform on their own. Their dracon genes are basically inactive just like yours were, before we activated them through sex," Aaron suggested.

"If that's the case they could've died a long time ago," Cassie said.

"Or not been born yet," Dave added.

"I know it's not our problem, but that doesn't mean I can't feel sorry for him," Cassie said. "He seems like a nice man and I'm sure he'd treat his mate just like you treat me with respect and love."

"Yes, he would because of the bond, but even without the bond he would never mistreat his mate or his children if he happened to have any," Aaron said.

"Considering how long he's been looking for his mate, I would say not," Dave agreed empathically his tone firm.

"I've often felt sorry for him, though I would never tell him that as he wouldn't want my pity," Aaron admitted.

"Me too," Dave agreed. "I have no doubt that Monica will say the same if we mention this subject to her.

"I could introduce him to Rena," Cassie suggested. "They could at least become friends.

"You don't believe they could be mates do you?" Dave asked.

"Of course not, but it doesn't hurt to introduce him to her. Rena was initially considering going to college to be doctor, but changed her mind in the end and got a business degree instead. It's just that they share a lot of interests that's all. They could talk to each other and understand what the other was saying if one of them got caught up in conversation and started using all those complicated medical terms. I'm sure that Ducky would appreciate having someone he could talk to that understood shop talk. I know, that Rena definitely would appreciate it."

"Well, you learn something new every day," Dave said. "I had no idea that your sister had considered going to medical school, even if she didn't follow through."

"None of us did," Aaron said.

"The subject just never came up," Cassie shrugged. "So think it's a good idea to introduce them?"

"There's no harm in it," Dave said.

"As you said, even if they only become friends then at least maybe Ducky won't be so lonely for awhile. While we're friends with him he can't talk shop with us as most of the time we can't understand a word," Aaron said.

"He doesn't mean to segue into shop talk either, but if he gets really involved in a conversation it can happen," Dave agreed.

"You two and Monica will always be his friends and I'm sure he appreciates it, but I'm sure he would also like to have somebody he could talk shop with. Somebody where he doesn't have to watch what he says. Someone who knows what he is, because they have a similar background."

"That's a very good point," Aaron said.

"Then perhaps we could invite both of them to dinner, just let them meet," Cassie suggested. "Rena was telling me, just before we went to the French Riviera that she wished she had the ability to shift shape. I told her that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be, mostly because you couldn't shift whenever you wanted to go for a fly because of the Order and also because of all the technology nowadays."

"Not to mention the risk of humans seeing us not just members of the Order," Aaron said. "The world is much more populated nowadays than it used to be."

Dave who was driving pulled up to the house and into the underground garage.

"So what's the word?" Monica asked, as soon as the three had walked into the kitchen, which was filled with delicious smells of whatever Monica was cooking.

Cassie sniffed the air appreciatively almost salivating. She could hardly wait for dinner.

"Ducky believes you're right, but is going to run the appropriate tests if only to determine how far along Cassie is," Aaron reported.

"He also said, that you've been through it enough times that you'd know if Cassie was pregnant. He apparently respects you very much," Dave added.

"We should hear back in a few days," Cassie told Monica.

"Yeah, it usually takes anywhere from just a couple of days to a week to get the results, as it depends on how much the lab is backed up," Monica said calmly but with a happiness in her expression. "I can't wait to find out if you really are with child."

"I don't think any of us are going to disagree with you on that," Aaron said. "We haven't had a baby in awhile as that was your choice, though Dave and I agreed with that decision at the time."

"I'm not going to argue with you, if as you suspect, I am pregnant," Cassie said. "I'm actually looking forward to having a child of my own."

"Why don't you come into the den, sit and relax," Dave suggested to Monica gently. "I know you like to stay busy, but we have some other news to share and you might as well get off your feet for awhile while we do."

"Not a bad idea now that you all are home," Monica said without arguing.

The four of them went to the den and sat down on comfortable furniture.

"So what's this other news you have for me?" Monica asked once everybody was settled.

"It's more of an idea," Cassie said. She then explained what she had been thinking.

"It's actually not a bad idea," Monica said, once Cassie had finished. "We have had Ducky over for dinner a few times over the years, though not lately I have to admit. He's actually really interesting to talk to and you can learn a lot if you actually listen to his stories. Ducky and your sister can at least be friends, as you suggested and that's not a bad thing at all."

"No, it's definitely not," Aaron agreed. "You can never have too many friends that know your background, people you don't have to be on guard with."

"I definitely agree with that," Cassie said. "Rena and I have always had to be careful who we were friends with, just because of how wealthy our family is. I won't say I don't know a lot of people, but they're more acquaintances really."

"Yeah, we all know a lot of people, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're close," Dave said.

"So when would you like to invite him and your sister," Monica, asked Cassie.

"That still has to be worked out," Cassie said. "We might as well invite Teri as well since we told her our secret."

"It depends on everybody's schedule," Dave said.

"Well, that's why I suggested dinner instead of breakfast or lunch. Most people work in the day time not at night and this place is out-of-the-way, deliberately so I know," Cassie said.

"Except for those that work in places that are open at night like restaurants, night clubs and so forth," Monica said.

"There are plenty of careers where people have to work at night," Aaron said. "Still, none of those involved have a job that requires them to be out late at night, so dinner is best."

"I say invite them after your test comes back confirming your pregnancy and we can inform your sister and Teri the news during dinner that night."

"That's an even better idea," Cassie said brightening. "That way I don't have to tell them separately."

"Then that's what we'll do," Aaron said looking at Dave who simply nodded.

The four of them talked for a little longer, before Monica headed back to the kitchen to make sure her food didn't burn, but with a spring in her step. Learning Cassie was indeed pregnant and had really cheered her up.

~~~Dave, Monica, Aaron, Cassie~~~

"So what did Ducky say?" Monica asked, as soon as Cassie had gotten off the phone.

Cassie's cell phone had rung while they were having breakfast and since most people didn't call until at least 9 o'clock unless it was an emergency they knew it was likely about the tests.

It was only 7 o'clock in the morning and though both Cassie and Aaron liked to sleep late they were up early for once, mostly because they were expecting a call from the doctor's office and they were anxious for news.

It had been a week since Ducky had taken her blood and sent it to the lab to be tested. The lab of course, had been backed up as usual.

"He said that you were right I am pregnant," Cassie announced with a sloppy grin. "I didn't doubt it really."

"But it was still nice to have confirmed," Dave said with a wide smile at the news.

"Oh definitely," Cassie agreed, even as she flung herself into Dave's arms and kissed him thoroughly, then did the same to Aaron.

Both men looked dazed by the time Cassie was done, but also very pleased.

Monica who had been silent chuckled at the two men's rather goofy expressions, not that she could blame them considering. She was also very pleased at the recent news that Cassie was indeed pregnant. She had been sure she was right but the test proved it.

"I know you're also happy with the news," Cassie finally said to Monica, once she could pull herself away from her two mates.

"Yes, very, very happy," Monica said obviously very pleased. "None of us have had a child to look after for awhile, which was my decision, so I'm really looking forward to the birth of this little one, no matter what sex they will be."

"You know Aaron and I were just discussing a few days ago, the fact, that if it's a boy Gibbons is probably going to have a heart attack. Let me just say, for the record, I won't be sorry if that happens," Cassie commented with a rather malious smirk. "If you had seen how furious he was when he learned I had married well you would have no doubt what he thinks of women. He got so mad his face got beet red and his eyes nearly popped out of his skull. There was almost steam coming out of his ears."

"That kind of mad isn't good for anybody much less an old man," Aaron said with a chuckle.

"No, it's not," Dave said without an ounce of sympathy in his tone.

"I know it's not," Cassie agreed with a smirk of her own. "It wasn't long before he was clutching his chest like he was in pain and he was straining to breathe. He fell to his knees before he could actually say anything and one of the bystanders called the paramedics who arrived very quickly to take him to the hospital. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a heart attack since he's supposedly in ill health and could very well have a bad heart, as that's not exactly unusual at his age."

"Yeah, you said that you'd heard that his health wasn't good," Monica said.

"I say the sooner if he dies the better and you know I normally don't wish ill on anyone," Cassie said.

"But Paul Gibbons is only going to keep popping up in your life until he is gone," Aaron said.

"I don't run into him very much and that time we were just discussing, well, it was a total accident," Cassie said.

"I wonder if your sister has been getting any visits from people that are trying to push marriage contracts onto her," Dave mused.

"I would've heard about it I promise you, so I would say no," Cassie said.

"I wonder why?" Aaron said.

"I'm guessing here, but Gibbons likely assumes since I'm the oldest I'm the one with all the power and am in control of the Silverthorne money. He's right, but Rena has more control than I'm sure he suspects, which is just as well or I'm sure Rena would be approached about a possible arranged marriage."

"That's only if Gibbons can convince the others to try the same thing that they tried with you after your parents died," Dave said.

"Rena's too intelligent to fall for their bullshit," Cassie said. "Especially since she knows they already tried it with me. I doubt they'll try that same idiocy a second time. I suppose Gibbons may, but I doubt very much the others that were involved last time will go along with it, but then, they have a higher opinion of mine and Rena's intelligence then Gibbons does and they wouldn't want to burn their bridges completely with us."

"You know what they did was rude at the very least," Monica commented having been silent. "I mean your parents were barely cold in the ground when they approached you with those marriage proposals. They didn't even give you time to properly grieve."

"Yeah, they'd only been dead for a few months. I'm sure Gibbons is the one that urged them to do it before the grieving period was anywhere close to being officially over," Cassie said. "I'm sure Gibbons didn't give a damn that my parents were barely cold in the ground or maybe he thought that since I was so grief-stricken at their deaths that I'd do something unwise, like not read the contract or at least not the fine print.

"Or possibly sign it just because you didn't want to be lonely, I mean with your parents dead and all," Aaron said. "I mean people do strange things due to grief all the time and then regret it. I'm sure all those young men were handsome and a lot of young women are fooled by that handsomeness. They are likely also charming and charming, handsome men have fooled more than one woman over the centuries. The fact that you were grieving wouldn't have helped."

"That's very true," Cassie agreed. "Unfortunately, for Gibbons, I didn't act like I'm sure he wanted me too. I'm sure he thinks of me as a silly bint who does stupid things routinely. However, I'm way too cautious to sign anything without first reading it thoroughly no matter how grief-stricken and in that case, I was rather annoyed and angry that the sons that came from good families approached me when I was still officially grieving. I mean they knew the official grieving period was nowhere close to being over so they had to know that they would likely be sent away. I basically slammed the door in their faces actually. By the time the sixth one appeared I started to threaten them. I threatened to sue them and their families if they didn't leave me alone. I just wish that they had all appeared on the same day so I could've gotten over with that silliness and the aggravation they caused me sooner."

"I think Gibbons jumped the gun," Monica said. "If only he had been more patient then who knows what might've happened."

"I still wouldn't have agreed to any of it, but perhaps I still wouldn't be so angry and annoyed about it even though it was years ago," Cassie shrugged. "I haven't spoken to any of the families that gave into the pressure Gibbons no doubt put on them."

"The only one you're still angry at is Gibbons, as you know the others were likely pressured, threatened or blackmailed. Gibbons could have something damaging on those that sent their sons to propose," Aaron said, as he studied Cassie.

"I know what you say is true, just as I know he was instigator, even if I have no proof, as everybody else in that set has more manners. I can't see the rest of them pulling that kind of stunt, especially since their wives would go ballistic."

"So Gibbons isn't married?" asked Dave.

"He was but she died years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if she died just to get away from him, as he isn't exactly the nicest man," Cassie said.

"He might've been different when his wife was alive," Monica said.

"It's possible," Cassie admitted, "That might be the case, but I never knew him before his wife's death, so to me he will always be a chauvinist pig, with a real nasty attitude towards women. All I really know about him is that he's a woman hater and he has one son who is considerably older than I am and married with at least two children last I heard."

Monica changed the subject and Cassie began to relax now that they were off the subject Paul Gibbons.

~~~Dave, Monica, Aaron, Cassie~~~