Episode Twenty-Four Part One

The sun rose slowly. The babies were tuckered up by their parents. But the same could not be said for Aurora. In her room with Marcus, she was whimpering in her sleep.

She was inside a ruined German hospital. Lights were flickering on and off. The stones were cold. She heard grunting and screaming. She spun around and saw a man with dark eyes and side-flopped hair and bristles. It was horrifying. Benjamin pushed a door open. And inside she could hear screams. "No! No!" cried the voice of a woman. It was Anna.

Aurora jolted up, shuddering. The room wasn't frozen but Marcus sensing her sat up too. "Rora…" he tried to comfort her. But he saw her tears and pulled her into his arms. She had seen another awful vision. And her gut was telling her what she had seen was a glimpse of her mother's fate.

Ding. Ding.

A black car, Hubbard's car pulled up along the driveway. The door to the house opened. Jack and Wrolf were the first out. The former's sire stepped out of the front seat. "How is he?" Jack asked.

"He is much better," he said. He glimpsed with deep remorse at Wrolf. "I am afraid his burn wounds will never fully heal,"

Wrolf was upset. "He's alive," comforted his dear friend. "That's all that matters,"

Out of the car stepped Phoebe, arms hooked with her beloved. His neck was so singed that it made everyone feel so guilty for what had happened to him. Wrolf embraced his father. "I'm alright. I'm alright,"

"It's good to see you, Matthew," greeted Jack as well.

Marcus was the third one to embrace him in tears. Then Aurora embraced Phoebe before giving Thomas a hug too. "It's good to see you, Tom,"

"Oh Tom…" Marcus winced at his burn marks.

"I might be able to help with that," offered Aurora. "May I?". She needed no reply at all. She pressed her cold pals against his cheek and ear. Thomas winced but Phoebe's hand in his own kept him stable. As her palm pulled back, his skin was no longer black or pink, it was sour red. They were still there but were not as painful as before. She sent her ice magic towards his neck and chest and his skin subtly reverted back to their original pigments as well. "How does that feel?"

"It feels…better. It doesn't hurt as much as it did before,"

"Sorry, I couldn't take away those burn marks,"

"Don't worry. I've had worse," Thomas assured everyone. "How are the new parents?" No sooner had he said that Diana and Matthew appeared through the doorway. She nodded at Sarah to go inside to the twins which she did at once. "It's good to see you, Diana," Thomas hugged Diana.

"It's good to see you too Tom. How are you feeling?"

"Alive,"

Diana pursed her lips in guilt. "I'm so sorry about what happened to you yesterday Tom,"

"Don't be Diana. You did a really good job," Thomas said proudly. "You've brought two wonderful children into this family. And they're lucky to have parents like you two,"

His father approached him and hugged him tightly. "I never should have left you,"

"No father. It didn't feel right that you had to give that precious moment with your wife," Thomas smiled happily at his father and stepmother. "I'm alright. Thanks to Hubbard. And Jack and Wrolf of course,"

Matthew glanced gratefully at Hubbard. "Thank you,"

Hubbard nodded and saw Diana's deep appreciative smile too. "Congratulations on the new arrivals you both. But now…you must leave London while you still can and make your next move,"

"Thank you once again, Hubbard," said Jack. "We'll never forget your generosity,"

Hubbard's head bowed again and he drove off in his car. They all walked inside again and Sarah and Diana brought the twins down for everyone to see. "They are so beautiful," cooed Jason.

"I wish Phillipe was here to see this," cooed Thomas.

"And Dad too," wished Wrolf.

"What names have you given them?" Phoebe asked.

"Rebecca," Diana said to the girl. "And Philip," she hoped her boy would bear a resemblance to Phillipe.

"They're perfect," approved Thomas. "Which brings me to a present for you two," he walked over to his bag which Jack had managed to reclaim. He pulled out a white shiny slip in a plastic folder and handed it to the new parents. They stared at it with wide eyes before looking back up at him.

"You've organised a christening?" Diana was beyond tears.

Thomas weakly nodded. "It was the least I could do. This will be a celebration to remember, the beginning of a whole new future for our family. Ysabeau is preparing everything as we speak,"

"That's what you were discussing in secret," Matthew said.

"I wanted it to be a surprise for when we returned to Sept Tour. But now…seeing you so happy with a new daughter and son, I just couldn't wait,"

Diana noticed that her sister looked rather pale. The blood was drained from her face. "Aurora…what's wrong?"

"It's nothing,"

"Please tell me," she implored. Aurora pursed her lips and looked at her. "Timothy's dead,"

Diana was shocked. "What? When?"

"Last night. There was a text from Agatha. She said found his body in a circle of white dust," a face of soft but powerful rage coloured her face. "I think you know who it was,"

Diana turned away grimly. "Peter Knox,"

"He knows we have the page," Matthew said next. "We have to leave for Sept Tour as soon as we can,"

Sharing a worried glance, Thomas came forward. "Are you both sure you want to return to Sept Tour with the twins? I can always postpone the christening,"

"No Thomas. You've been planning this for weeks. We can't postpone it," Diana refused to reject his gift to her and Matthew.

"But what if Peter Knox comes for the twins? Or what about that crazy fire daemon from yesterday? I dread to think of what he could do if he got his hands on them,"

"They will know better than to step on our land again," Matthew said assertively.

"Very well," Thomas accepted. He cast a glance at his brother. "Let's organise the Knights of Lazarus to watch the county. And this time we'll have more than before,"

"Good idea," Marcus said.

"I'm going to attend Timothy's funeral with Agatha," Aurora said. "Feel like she could use some company,"

"When's the funeral?" Diana asked.

"Tomorrow. She wanted it arranged as soon as possible,"

"I should come with you,"

"No sis. Stay with your children. They should be your top priority,"

"Timothy gave me that page and it took him a lot of guts. I have to pay my respects to him. And I made a promise Anna to protect you. We all need to stand together more than ever,"

"Baldwin may not have given his approval of forming our scion. But I will not give up. And if he tries to make a move, he will have to answer to me," Matthew swore on his life that no one, not even his brother would dare make a move on those he loved most.

The next day, Aurora and Diana went back to the country with escorts to attend the funeral of Agatha as they promised. The ceremony was beautiful. To their surprise, many daemons came as well. Aurora was startled to learn that her act of defending her dear friends back in Oxford had inspired them to take a stand against the oppression other creatures had against them. If a revolution hadn't already started, it had already started now because of all that she, Diana and their loved ones had done to take a stand against the Congregation that had wronged them. With wet eyes, they watched as Timothy's coffin was lowered into the grave; they threw down roses.

"I am so sorry about Timothy," Diana apologised to Agatha.

"We both are," Aurora comforted. "And we're so sorry for everything you've gone through,"

"How are the twins?" Agatha asked.

"Very healthy and well," said Diana. "Their christening will be a rejection to the Covenant. Without it, the two of them and Margeret will spend their lives as targets,"

Agatha wiped her eyes. "Then we must make sure that doesn't happen. I just hope they're safe,"

"Dani gave her word to protect them," Aurora promised. "Everything that has happened to both Thomas and Timothy means it is our time now to act. And we will avenge Timothy too,"

"That we vow," promised Diana. "Thomas wanted to invite you to the christening,"

"I would love to. But I mustn't. If I'm to remain in the Congregation to help you all make a stand, I cannot come to Sept Tour," Agatha regretted her words but both the sisters knew what needed to be done.

Instantly after the sisters came back, it was decided they would head straight back to France with both the twins and the pages. They took the first ferry to France together. The twins were in carriers, fast asleep. Diana had requested Aurora sing the song that she saw her birth mother play in her vision.

"There. They're now sleeping angels," she cooed.

"It feels strange going back to France," said Wrolf, staring out into the distance. "I can still remember what life was like as a human,"

"I can still remember all that horse-riding across Europe as a kid," said Jack.

Thomas and Marcus saw their father look a little guilty. And so did the sisters. "What's wrong Matthew?" asked Aurora.

"That creature that attacked us…was Benjamin's son," said Matthew with a weak voice. Diana was befuddled. "He said it was my fault that his father did awful things to him. He could have killed you two," he eyed his vampire sons. "And that would have been my fault,"

Marcus shook his head. "That was not your fault. He's just twisted by his hatred for Benjamin,"

"It is Benjamin and him alone," Thomas said assuring. "We'll all be alive and that's what matters. I know you despise that winged being for what he did but you can't kill him,"

"Did you know about Jack?" Wrolf asked.

Jack pursed his lips. "I saw him…once. I couldn't do anything to help him,"

"Why didn't you tell us about him?" Diana asked. She wasn't angry at all.

"I didn't know if he was Benjamin's son or not. I wasn't even sure if he was a danger to us or not,"

They reached France and it was decided that Diana and Matthew with their children and Jack would take the helicopter, the fastest and safest route. The brothers and the others would travel by car with plenty of knights as escorts.

In the cells of the ruined hospital, the flier, Benjamin's son was chained as he was. His father knelt before him. "You failed me again,"

"You forced me…to do horrible things," croaked out the abused prisoner. "I won't do it again,".

Benjamin growled. Screams cried out through the hallways of the prison.

The drive across France was long and tiring. At least it would give Ysabeau and Marthe time to be introduced to the children and to Jack; it was all going to be very exciting. The next day, the cars pulled up at Sept Tour and the luggage was unloaded. They walked inside and they marvelled at all the decorations Thomas had been arranging, flowers, ribbons, glasses, cutlery…

"You've done a fine job, Dad," complimented Wrolf. He stared at the chateau. "You should have all been there when Matthew and Diana were married. It was such a ceremony," they walked inside and were greeted with happy faces.

"It's so wonderful to see you have all arrived safely," Ysabeau greeted. When she saw her great-grandson, a huge smile formed on her face. "You must be Wrolf. It is such an honour to meet you,"

"It is a pleasure to meet you too," Wrolf shook his head. He saw a portrait hanging on the wall. Phillipe.

"I regret that Phillipe does not enjoy seeing us all gathering together. Sarah," Sarah shook her hand too. "I know it is difficult being back here,"

"The baby's will help," the widowed witch assured.

"This is all beautiful," Marcus loved the adornments.

"Are the outfits here too?" Thomas asked. His grandmother led him to a table and there were baby garments of pure white. "Perfect. All set. And invitations are sent too?" She nodded. "Perfect,"

"Is Baldwin invited?" Aurora asked, distaste poisoning her voice.

"I have left that up to the new parents to decide. Baldwin may have been rude and uncaring to many of us but still, he is part of our family,"

"Right, you are," Matthew entered the room with Diana. "It would be disrespectful to not invite him so we should,"

"Thank you so much once again for organising all of this, Tom," said Diana gratefully. "Everything is so beautiful,"

"It'll be more beautiful when all our family and friends and allies come to celebrate. Ransome and the others will be here soon. And so will a few dear friends. My only regret is that Agatha can't come,"

"She's already at enough risk for all she's done for us," Aurora agreed. "And her family and Dani,"

"Don't be so sure," spooked a voice. They turned their heads and so it was Nate, Sophie, their witch baby: Margeret and Dani," Aurora was brought to tears. She ran to them and embraced them.

"It's so good to see you all again," Thomas greeted. Everyone exchanged hugs and kisses.

Dani embraced her face but she cupped his slightly visible burns. "Oh, Father,"

"Don't worry about me," he assured.

"Nice to see you boys," she greeted Jack and Wrolf. She and Jack shared a cheeky grin. "And you must Diana," she shook hands.

"It's a pleasure to meet you,"

"I am glad we are meeting again under better circumstances," her grandfather greeted.

"Congratulations on the new arrivals you two,"

"How did you guys know to come here?" Aurora asked, overwhelmed with joy.

"I might have had a secret contact," said Thomas, winking at his daughter. "We wouldn't want this ceremony without you guys coming over. We know it's risky…"

"No. We want to be a part of it," said Nate. "And with what my mother has done, I'm ready to fight again,"

"So am I," said Sophie.

"Let's get settled into our rooms," insisted Aurora. All guests were led to their rooms. Then once Dani and Wrolf were set in their own ones, they chose to look around the house with Jack. Wrolf showed them every detail he could remember when he was a kid.

They were out in the gardens. "This is so grand," admired Dani.

"You're telling me," agreed Jack.

"It hasn't changed that much," Wrolf said. "I can hear the twins in that room," he pointed to a round tower one just above the courtyard.

"Such beautiful things," cooed Jack.

Marcus and Aurora had unpacked. Aurora pulled out the same beautiful ice-blue dress she had worn before in Oxford. "You'll look beautiful again tomorrow," her lover said.

"And I can't wait to see how ravishing you look in your black suit," she said, hanging his christening attire up. "I just love how alive the chateau is again,". Her happiness brought Marcus joy. His hand reached into his pocket. "Can we go for a walk?" he requested.

Surprised by his request, she asked: "Are you sure it's safe?"

"Don't worry. There are Knights everywhere. We'll be fine,"

She simply hooked arms with him and they walked out of the chateau, not afraid of anything.

Thomas was having a wash. His burnt marks didn't look so ugly anymore but they remained a scar of how brutal Benjamin's son had been that day in London.

"You're still so handsome," Phoebe called from her mirror. With a towel slung over his shoulders but pants on, Thomas walked to glimpse at her as she tried on a beautiful red dress which Aurora had kindly brought her.

"Well, I certainly won't be able to concentrate on the christening tomorrow," he said. She pulled back her hair and he tied his necklace around her neck.

"I've been thinking about our future," she said.

"Me too," he kissed her neck.

"You know if we're gonna have a future together, you will need to meet my parents,"

"You think they'll be ready to meet me?"

"Of course. If we're going to have a future together…they will need to know who you are,"

"That's something I've been worried about. I'm worried they will not accept me. Not after they learn what a devil I am inside,"

Phoebe cupped his cheek. "You are no devil Tom. You are a humane vampire who puts the welfare of others above your own. There is no other creature whom I would rather have a future with than you. And when that happens, we can decide when I'm gonna become a vampire,"

"'When?'"

"Yes. That's why we need to decide now,"

"After the christening. I promise," he kissed her deeply.

Marcus and Aurora came to the site where Emily had died. "I know it's hard being here," he said. "But I chose this place because, in the old times, it was a place where couples would come,"

Aurora could see very clearly how peaceful it was. "I can see why you would say that. This was where I communicated with Diana in the past. She said this was where she gave gifts to the goddess Diana for protection before her marriage to Matthew. When she turned to Marcus again, she saw a peachy feeling colouring his face. "What?"

Marcus offered his hands and containing her awkwardness she allowed her to pull him to the centre of the stone platform. "Aurora, ever since I met you, you've changed my life. And so much has happened between us. I know that…you'd do anything for me and I would do anything for you,"

"I know," her heart raised when she saw him bend down to one knee.

"I feel if I don't ask you now. I will never ask you again," my eyes glistened when a small velvet case was opened revealing a silver ring with an opal diamond which sparkled millions of colours. "Will you marry me?"

Aurora was speechless. After all these months of romantic courting, Marcus was now taking the biggest step of all. She nodded her head. "Yes. Yes! Yes! YES! YES!" the ring slipped between her fingers. And their lips smacked, her hair emitted beautiful dancing rays of rainbow colours. And unknown to them, the spirits of her adoptive parents, Emily and her biological mother watched over her, joyful smiles on their faces.

Diana was busy feeding Rebecca again when Thomas, wearing his shirt knocked on the door.

"I don't mean to disturb but can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Of course. Please sit,"

Thomas walked in and sat down on an old wooden chair. "I would talk about this with my father but I feel that I can only consult with you on this,"

"What is it?"

Thomas twiddled his fingers. "Did you ever consider becoming a vampire yourself…when you chose to mate with him?"

Diana was quite surprised by his question. "In all honesty…I never thought about it. Probably because I didn't think Matthew would agree. And also…he loves me exactly for who I am even though he'll live on for centuries and I'll be gone. Is this about Phoebe?"

"I feel like I'm influencing her to make drastic decisions,"

"But won't that mean you'll never have been unhappy ever again? If she becomes a vampire, you two can live on forever and be happy. You'll never be heartbroken ever again,"

"But she will suffer greatly. She will live on forever whilst her loved ones and her friends die out. How could I ever take that and all that makes her human away from her? There are many things I regret about accepting Matthew's offer to become his vampire son. Choosing to live for eternity whilst watching my mortal friends die out was a major one of them,"

"You're not taking anything from her. And that you're not deciding for her. She loves you. You chose to love her even though she was a human. No one asked you to. And because of that, she loves you back. She's doing this for you Thomas. So, you'll never have to be alone ever again. That's a very special thing about love,"

Her words were just what Thomas needed to hear. "Thank you,"

"I know that Argus would be so happy for you. It was truly his wish that you would find happiness now. And you have,"

"I have you to thank for that. Ever since you met my father, you have changed everyone's lives. You truly are the witch who will change the world for all creatures. And I know in my heart that every creature will forever be in your debt,"

That's another chapter done. Hope you all enjoyed it like yesterday. This is the start of the last three episodes left. The next one will come up either tomorrow or the day after. Once again thank you for your support