Note: Just like with When Summer Becomes Winter, the protagonist (as well as the children) has been renamed from their default name. Alice is now Caprina, and Colette has been renamed to Elora! The twins will also have a different name, but we'll worry about that another time.

This is also a bonus story set in the same universe as When Summer Becomes Winter! This is not important to the main storyline!

-End Note-

Fall 2

My quill violently scribbled how I was feeling. But my thoughts were faster than my hands. I started to become blind from my tears. It can't end like this! I can't lose her! Not like this!

I looked to the side at a flower that was blooming from the wood of my desk before more sprang up at an alarmingly quick rate, covering my desk entirely and causing me to jump and fall out of my seat in surprise. A small gasp was heard. I knew exactly who did this.

"Elora, come in here, please." I said in a gentle but stern tone while dusting myself off before taking a seat at my desk again. My little daughter poked her head through the door frame.

"Yes, papa?" Her tiny voice asked.

"That's not in, Elora." I told her. Her face flushed, as her turquoise eyes ventured downward in shame as she walked into my office. Tiny white flowers bloomed from her steps.

"Sorry, papa." She said quietly when she approached me. I lifted her onto my lap.

"You are not in trouble, Elora. But please do refrain from using your powers until you've learned to control them properly." I snapped my fingers, fixing my desk instantly.

"I was trying to...I wanted to make you feel better, papa." She admitted. My darling daughter didn't seem to fully understand what was going on. I embraced her tightly, counting my luck that she was immortal. That there was only a slim chance of losing her, and that was if she went into the depths of Atohl's end, which would make her mortal.

"Seeing your face brightens my day. Whenever I am able to see your smiling face, I feel better instantly." I told her in a slight lie. Though her smiling face always brought me joy, now it was different.

"Really?" She asked. I have to keep this façade going. I have to remain strong for Elora! And for...

I didn't want to think about that. Plus, I cannot form any tears in front of Elora. She's only five. I don't want her to worry.

"Of course. Now, go play. We'll pay your mother a visit shortly." I placed her on the floor as she rushed out of my old house.

"See you soon, papa." She told me in a soft, melodic tone. As soon as she was out of sight and earshot, I started to sob.

"Caprina." I couldn't lose my wife. I just couldn't! Elora would be without a mother, and so would...

I couldn't get rid of them. I wanted to, but feeling how much Caprina loved them, I couldn't hurt her like that. Though I don't think she fully understands that she'll die if she goes through with this! Elora almost killed her. A female human can only endure so much with a god's offspring. I explained that to her, and that's why we carefully planned Elora. And all I wanted was Elora! I didn't want Caprina to endure that pain again. I didn't want her to be as weak as she was again with Elora. But I wasn't careful enough!

Twin demigods. They were draining her to nothing. In fact, she's already wasted away. Skin and bones. I fear that she'll have to go into labor sooner than winter. And her body...it just can't handle it.

And though I am a god, there are rules. I cannot turn Caprina back into how she was before her pregnancy, and I cannot bring her back to life when she passes. And though my wife was slightly malnourished with Elora, she was able to regain her strength after our daughter was born. And she wasn't as terrifying in appearance as she is now. There was nothing to Caprina now besides her round abdomen that would jump with the movements from our children.

And there's only so much that Simone can do as well. Caprina is hooked onto tubes and machines to keep her alive for the time being. But they aren't doing her justice. Her home is now at the clinic instead of the outpost where she should be.

I should also be with her more. But my fear of losing her was preventing me from wanting to look at her. How could I look at her? Knowing that I will never be able to see her face again.

"Lucas!" I jumped at the sound of an authoritative voice that sounded annoyed.

"Ah, Scarlett! Is there something-?"

"Yes! There's something very wrong!" She exclaimed with difficulty as I noticed she was trying to hold back tears.

"We don't have much time! And...I know that Caprina would want to spend as much time as she can with you and Elora before she goes! I-I know that it's hard, but you have to toughen up and..."

Scarlett stopped her speech when I slid my hand across my desk, causing the bottle of ink to smash against the wall. My thoughts started to cloud my vision. Everything turned black, and I could only make out very few of the words that Scarlett was screaming.

"Livia! Need...from...danger!"