Hello. I am so sorry. I was busy focusing on another story that I got carried away and I had writer's block for this chapter. I hope this makes up for the long wait. Please let me know what you all thought.

Episode 18 Part 1

"Are you sure you're okay getting them to Sept Tour?" Aurora asked Miriam and Jason.

"We'll be fine," assured Miriam. "We've got the knights overwatching our route. They'll warn us if there's trouble,"

"Go and make the most of your time," her son encouraged. "If this is your last chance to have some quality time together because the big fight arises then make the most of it,"

"I hope this helps Thomas,"

"He needs it," said Miriam. "Your idea will work perfectly,"

"I hope so," Aurora tilted her head to Phoebe sitting by herself at the table. "I can't bear to see them apart like this,"

Outside the hotel, Thomas and Marcus were helping the Wilsons and Hamish pack up the big car. Hamish saw how quiet Thomas was. Ever since Oxford, he had been extremely quiet as a mouse. He had constantly kept his distance from everyone, especially Phoebe, who remained heartbroken. Was this the beginning of their friendship ending? "You can't avoid her forever," said Hamish.

Thomas didn't respond. Marcus leaned on the door. "You know it's very rude that you're giving us the cold shoulder,"

His brother stopped packing and sighed. "Do you both have any idea how scary it was? Acting like that?"

"Tom…you did what you had to do," reminded Hamish. "Stop letting it ruin everything between you and Phoebe. She's pretty hurt by the way you're keeping your distance from her,"

Thomas looked at both of them with scared eyes. "I thought I was gonna lose control and kill her,"

Marcus patted his arm in comfort. "But you didn't. You were strong enough to resist that. You were strong enough to protect. You will never lose her. But you will if you choose to distance yourself like this,"

Thomas moved his lips but no words came out. Hearing footsteps they turned and saw their lovers and closest friends exiting the building with their luggage.

"All packed," informed Sophie, holding Margaret in her arms.

"Right. Marcus, Thomas, and I will go in this car…" she gestured to the rental one. "And the rest of you will take the big car,"

"Drive safely," said Miriam. She winked at Aurora who winked back. The boys noticed but didn't have time to ask questions. The artist hugged her close friends and Agatha goodbye before they entered the big car with Miriam, Jason, and Hamish.

They went to the grey car. Marcus entered the driver's seat. Thomas tried to open the front seat but Marcus locked it. "Uh-uh. You're sitting in the back," His older brother tried to argue but he gave in and sat in the back with his agitated, sensitive girlfriend.

Aurora entered the passenger seat, sitting in front of Phoebe. They drove out of the driveway, followed by their friends. They steered their vehicles onto the motorway stretching across the countryside and started to make their way.

Whilst Marcus drove, Aurora was typing on her phone. In the back, Thomas observed Phoebe sitting quietly, unemotionally. "Hey,"

"Hey," she said bluntly. She didn't look at him.

"I'm sorry I've been distant. I just can't stop thinking about that awful moment. And I'm scared. I'm scared that…" he was choking on the words.

Phoebe looked at him heartfeltly "Thomas…you don't I don't care what happened. You saved my life,"

"But I could have hurt you. And I never could have lived another day with that guilt,"

Phoebe pressed her quivering lips and slipped a gentle hand over his. He didn't pull away. Their faces were closing in….

"Don't even think about it," Marcus warned. Flicking their heads, they saw his eyes in the centre mirror spying on them. They frowned.

"Oh look!" Phoebe pointed to the slip road heading off the motorway. "There's our turn," Looking out they saw their friend's car which had pulled ahead in front of them getting into the correct lane. "Uh, Marcus…why aren't you moving off?"

"We're making a stop first," he informed.

"Where?" Thomas asked.

"It's a surprise," said Aurora.

"But we're supposed to be going to Sept-Tour,"

"I've told Ysabeau, Sarah and Em about everything. They'll be expecting us by tomorrow night,"

"No! No! We are not having any delays!" Thomas tried to reach over and grab the wheel but Marcus pushed him back.

"You wanna get us to crash?!" he criticised.

They drove past the junction point and kept driving down the motorway. Thomas huffed. Phoebe was a little nervous. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Of course, it is. It'll be worthwhile," Aurora tried to sound promising enough to neutralise her anxiety but her efforts were useless.

"No. This is a terrible plan," disagreed Tom. "The MacDuffs are still out there and who knows whatever allies and spies the Congregation might be sending out,"

"They wouldn't dare to attack us amongst a community of humans. Not without exposing the creature world,"

"You think we can use the humans as a shield? Not you Phoebe of course,"

"Everything will be fine Tom," Marcus promised. "We've got the Knights watching over the place we're going to. Trust us. It's something we all need,"

The journey was long and tiring. Phoebe fell asleep so Thomas pulled off his coat and draped it over her like a blanket. Her head gracefully fell onto his shoulder. He heard her beating heart as he inhaled the fragrant scent of her air and warm blood. Since they had spoken, her heartbeat had accelerated. It was a sign that her love for her was genuine. She held no fear over him. What she saw in him that day was not the savagery of a monster but the determined desire of a lover to protect his significant other.

Aurora peered out through the window. A tall pinnacle glimmering under the sunlight made her heart leap for joy. "We're here!" her loud voice awoke Phoebe and she bumped her head into the ceiling of the car. "Sorry. Look!' the couple in the back looked out through the window and they saw the Eiffel Tower.

Phoebe squealed out: "You two took us to Paris?!"

"There's nothing like a weekend in Paris, the most romantic city in the world," Aurora peered out again and started taking pictures. Marcus drove them into the centre of the city, the girls taking photos of everything glorious thing they could see. Thomas peered out, memories spinning in his mind as he remembered all the times he and Argus would come here for dates and be together.

They parked at an outside carpark and they stepped out into the light, observing all the colourful buildings around them, the happy couples walking arm linked along the streets. Marcus noticed that Thomas was quite befuddled by the surprise. "You needed this bro,"

"Have you two organised a schedule?" Tom demanded gently.

Aurora smirked. "You could say that"

Phoebe's heart was hammering like mad. "Are we going on double dates?"

"Some are together. Some are separate. But just wait till you both see what we have planned for the final surprise," said Marcus excitedly.

As much as Thomas was overjoyed, he looked like he was about to faint.

"Come on Tom. If this is our last chance to have some quality time together because the big fight arises then we need to make the most of whatever chances we have," slipping his fingers between Aurora's, they shared a deep romantic smile.

Phoebe looked at Thomas, expressing a smile of her own. She slipped her fingers slowly into his. His grip tightened. And a romantic smile bloomed on his face which matched hers. "Okay," he looked excitedly at his brother and Aurora. "Where to first?"

The couples walked to every romantic spot in Paris, following the schedule on Aurora's list.

First, they went to a famous art wall and carved their names off with hearts. Then they crossed a romantic bridge where with heart-shaped locks, they placed their initials on and locked them to the bars before dropping the keys in the river together. Then near some gorgeous parks, Aurora sketched Phoebe and Thomas together and Phoebe offered to do a decent drawing for her and Marcus; Aurora was proud of her artwork.

Deciding to spilt up for a while, they walked to the nearby streets and went to different cafes. Phoebe and Thomas went to a café near the Paris Museum and sipped on some delightful gin and wine with the latter buying some delicious goodies. He spoke spectacular French much to Phoebe's surprise, considering she didn't speak the native language very much. Then to her delight, they went to a florist shop and Thomas spent a decent fortune buying her a large bouquet of her favourite flowers. She loved them.

In their part of Paris, Marcus and Aurora visited an art museum where they wandered around the section of romantic artwork. To her embarrassment, many people recognised her from her books and tried to take pictures with her only for Marcus to keep them away. To their further discomfit, they started taking pictures of them and demanding how long they had been dating and when they were going to get married. They managed to leave and make it to an empty street where they went to a café and dined on sweet cake and cheese.

It was almost night-time and they had settled at a grand hotel about ten blocks from the famous French landmark in their shared rooms. It was now time for the best part of the day. The girls were getting ready together and the boys were easily tidying each other up.

Both women wore red dresses. Both men wore black suits with red roses in their lapels. Whilst Phoebe's hair was in a bun with side strands, Aurora's was completely down with some strands over her shoulders. The men were awed at their extravagant beauty. With the spirit of gleeful teens, they took pictures of one another before grabbing their purses and taking a taxi to a group of restaurants near the Eiffel Tower. They sat down, talked, and chatted, sipping on fancy French wine again.

"Here's to our double date together!" Thomas toasted.

"Cheers," Marcus clinked his glass with his and then the girls clinked their glasses with them.

"Thank you so much," said Phoebe. "Today has been such a spectacular day,"

"No time for thanks yet," said Aurora. "There's one more thing we need to do," she looked above Phoebe's head. She and the boys turned their heads and saw the Eiffel Tower lighting up under the obscuring sky.

The Wilson sat worried in the back with Hamish consoling them whilst Miriam and Jason sat in the front. They were only about ten minutes away from Sept-Tour and they hadn't received a message from the couples for a while. Sophie looked at the picture of Marcus and Aurora with their heart-shaped lock and Thomas and Phoebe with roses together.

"They'll be with us shortly Sophie," Hamish promised. "The Knights are watching over Paris. There's no way they'll get into any sort of trouble,"

"I'm just so scared for her," she said.

"She's got Marcus and Thomas to protect her," Agatha assured. "And Phoebe will be well protected as well,"

"That's right Hamish," said Jason in the front. "We've arrived everyone,"

Looking through the windshield, the daemons with the witch baby saw the grand French estate of the de Clairmonts. They drove through town and up through the driveway where they saw Ysabeau and the witch aunts awaiting them. They smiling. Even Phillipe's widow was too.

Miriam stopped the car and stepped out with her son who opened the large side door to allow the daemons out. Nate carried Margeret in a baby carrier along with some baby items. Agatha stepped out to greet Ysabeau. "My name's Agatha. Thank you so much for allowing my family to stay here,"

"Let's get everyone inside," she said and led her up.

"Congratulations," Emily cooed at the witch baby. "She is so beautiful,"

"We're so happy for you two," Sarah congratulated after hugging Sophie. "I'm so glad you made Aurora her godmother,"

"She accepted it gladly," said the daemon mother happily. "And we made Thomas her godfather. He deserves it after everything he's done for you,"

"So, you're certain knights are watching Paris?" asked Sarah desperately to Miriam.

"Absolutely," promised Miriam. "Jason, this is Sarah Bishop and Emily Mater,"

"Such a pleasure," Jason shook hands with the witches.

"Is he your husband?" asked Sarah.

Jason snorted. "No…I am her son," noticing his mother was a little stiffened after that question, he cleared his throat and picked up the suitcases. "Well…these bags aren't gonna walk into the chateau. Let's go,"

"It's so wonderful to have you here again Jason," said Ysabeau.

"I'm so glad to be back here. It's been decades," the vampire carried the suitcases up the stairs and into the lobby. Marthe awaited him. "Hello, Marthe,"

"So good to see you again Jason. It's been some time,"

"More like over fifty years. Things just haven't been easy,"

The Wilson family and Hamish entered with Ysabeau and the witches and settled in the living room near the fire. It was already dark outside and Marthe was now preparing some food for them.

The group of four walked to the top of the Eiffel Tower and gazed out at the amazing view, sharing selfies which they later sent to their friends. It was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen. Phoebe and Aurora leaned against their partners; their arms wrapped safely around their shoulders.

"This has been the most amazing day in forever," said Phoebe dreamingly.

"Thank you so much for organising this Aurora," Thomas smiled gratefully at her.

"Can't take all the credit," Aurora gently pinched Marcus's cheek and wiggled it a bit.

"Please stop that," he said embarrassed. "We thought this would help you, Tom. To help you realise that you're defined by this family's disease, but by how you are loved by others,"

Thomas half-closed his eyes a bit. He remembered all the fun, all the happiness he had been having with Phoebe. It was as if that awful savage moment hadn't happened in Oxford. "It did," he chuckled and looked full-eyed again at his brother and Aurora. "Thank you,"

"The city of love was the perfect spot," Phoebe admired the view again. "I wish it could last like this forever,"

"Me too," wished Aurora; Marcus nodded in agreement.

From a nearby building in the shadows of the rooftops, the winged creature who had rescued the MacDuffs from imprisonment glared with his dark eyes towards the two cold-bloods and warm-bloods from his spot, his wings tucked behind him. A silver collar around his neck made him quiver. The electrical energy surging with it would send zaps through his skin if he didn't heed the commands of his master.

After spending another moment on the landmark tip, the two couples walked down the stairs and went to a spot to call a taxi back to their hotel. Aurora heard her phone ringing and pressed it to her ear. Hey Sarah.

How was your day?

She sighed in a dreamy sight. It was the most magical romantic day ever. And Thomas and Phoebe enjoyed it so much.

Sounds like you made their day really special.

I didn't do it alone. She shared a romantic grin with Marcus.

Whilst Aurora was talking on her phone and Marcus and Thomas were talking with each other, Phoebe noticed a strange pair of eyes spying on them from the side of a cafe. She glanced across, cocking her head a bit.

Thomas noticed. "Phoebe…what's wrong?"

"Someone's watching us," she pointed to the corner. He looked ahead; he saw nothing. "Stay here," he walked off.

"Tom where are you going?" asked Marcus. His brother didn't answer. He just disappeared behind the corner of the café.

Aurora noticed what happened. Okay. We'll see you tomorrow. Gotta go. Bye. She quickly ended the call before her aunts could ask what the quick rush was for you. "Where's he going?" she asked.

Marcus shrugged. They looked again towards where Thomas had disappeared off to.

He dashed down the crowded streets trying to catch whomever it was that spied on them but he couldn't see anyone strange. The strangest thing was he could sniff something. Not on the same level as him. But higher. He looked up. He didn't see anything. It was no use looking anymore. Quickly he made his way back to others, Phoebe dashing across to him taking his hands.

"What happened Thomas?" asked Aurora.

"I smelt something…smoky. Not smoke from a chimney but…something powerful…with fire magic. It wasn't a witch. It smelled just like your blood Aurora but warmer," his words made his brother glance at his girlfriend in worry. "We should get back and then leave first light,"

The others agreed and instantly entered the taxi that had just pulled up on the side of the road. Sitting on the right side, Aurora looked out the window at all the happy couples standing together, arms linked, happy in love. Observing their happy faces, she caught sight of a chiselled face with a bristled chin. What caught her attention were the dark eyes. Dark eyes that reminded her of her birth mother. She felt her heart jump. Before she could lean out and look back at who it was.

She breathed and fell against her seat. Marcus next to her looked at her worriedly. "You okay?" She simply turned wordlessly to her partner.

A pregnant Diana wandered the streets of London with Matthew looking for a book for their adoptive son Jack. As they searched, she touched the three necklaces around her neck. Phillipe's crystal, Thomas's talisman, and Aurora's ice locket. She loved these people very much.

She was searching through scrolls when she noticed her husband acting strange. "What's wrong, Matthew?"

The vampire glanced around strangely, his nostrils shifting in and out as he caught a scent. "Someone's here. It smells like Aurora,"

Diana wondered why she would say that. They walked out into the street trying to search for whomever it was. She glanced over the London citizens of Elizabethan England when she saw a tall woman in the distance with long blonde hair. "Aurora?"

Matthew stiffened. "It can't be. It can't be,"

The tall woman with blonde hair saw the expecting parent's eyes staring over at her and took off.

"Wait! Wait!" Diana sprinted off.

"Diana…" With Diana pregnant, Matthew had become more protective of her than ever; he could not risk her suffering any sort of injury that could miscarriage of their child. They chased after Aurora through the streets. They came to a fork in the path of an empty street. She went right.

"I'll take left. You take right!" Diana scurried right and Matthew reluctantly went left. She chased after Aurora; they ended up running down a straight deserted street. Aurora tried to reach the end but Matthew appeared out of nowhere She tried running back the other way but Diana blocked her about 5 meters away. "aurora! It's us! Matthew and Diana!

"Who's Aurora?" asked the woman.

Diana was hurt hearing that question at first but she realised that it wasn't Aurora's voice. It was the voice of another woman. She stepped closer to her and felt a glimpse of a resemblance sparking in her eyes. "Anna?"

Matthew recognised her too. It was indeed Anna, Aurora's biological mother who had left her to protect her. She was exactly the same woman they had seen back at the Bishop Household. Anna blinked at Diana. "How do you know my name?"

"Anna!" cried out a voice from behind Matthew.

The couple turned around and saw a square-faced man dashing towards them. Anna sighed in relief and dashed over. "There you are Stephen,"

"Oh, thank god. When my hands slipped I was afraid you had ended up in another timeline,"

"Don't worry about me, Stephen,"

The name made Diana's heart jump. She approached the pair of friends. "Dad?"

Stephen stared at his daughter in shock. "Diana?"

Anna stared at the witch who had chased her. "Is this your daughter?"

There was nothing but shock and silence between the four.

"Come with us," requested Matthew. "It seems we have much to talk about,"

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please send reviews and let me know what you all thought. See you all next week