Exton

"Oh, send in Stoney and Alise. I want to hold the little ones."

Rowan nods and opens the door. She speaks quietly and opens the door wider for Stoney and his family. Grace pats her bed, opening her arms to the little ones. Tomas nearly fell out of Stoney's arms, struggling to get to Grace.

"Tomas, relax. Grandmere is waiting to hug you." Stoney struggles to keep a hold on his son.

He stops squirming the minute he is on the bed with Grace. His hands touch her face and she smiles at him, kissing his fingers.

"Thank you Tommi boy. I know you want me better, but I am not going to get better until I am free of this body."

He looks at his crying twin and back at Grace. She holds out her other arm for Tara. Alise lowers the wide-eyed little girl into Grace' embrace.

"I am not leaving you, Tarabelle. I am just leaving this body behind me. Your mama was a spirit at one time. Did you know that? I used to see her every now and then when I would take a walk by the big house we all stayed at when daddy went to Keon's homeland." She smiles at Aise. "I never told anyone. They would have thought I was crazy, you know."

Grace is relaxed. This is something she has been waiting to happen and holds no fear for her. "I am going to tell you a secret." Tara's eyes fix on Grace's own, the tears slowly stopping as she picks up on Grace' calm demeanor. "I used to wish I could be like your mama. No pain, no worries about making enough money to live. I was ready to be like your mama even then."

The little girl watches her intently, a small frown on her face. Everyone else was so worried, yet Grace was happy. Tara turns her head to look at Herne, then looks back at Grace, then her parents.

Stoney smiles, "No Tara. He is not her husband. That is Lord Herne. He is..." Stoney stops, trying to think how to explain exactly what Herne is. There is a rumbling laugh from the foot of the bed.

"What I am, is Lady Graclyn's traveling companion on the first leg of her new existence. Do not worry little one. Your Grandmere will be able to visit."

Grace smiles. "Like your mama's mama and Cassie, Mera's mama." Tara looks around.

"No sweetie. She is not here right now. But I hope to see her soon. Are you alright now?"

Tara lays her head on Grace's side, hugging the woman. Moments later she squirms to the side, leaving room for Gracie. Alise lowers Gracie into her arms and Grace smiles. The baby coos, grasping one of her fingers. Grace looks up at their parents.

"Now stop. I am not going somewhere I cannot visit from. My Lord has promised me that I can visit my new family at will."

There is a tap on the door. Ob peeks around the door.

"I'm sorry. Chloe wants in NOW. She says Abuele needs all the little ones. may we all come in?

Grace smiles as Torrent shifts a few things around. The bedroom is not large, but there is little in it. She watches as they all file in, Guunnar leaning against the doorframe, with Mortuis and Silk right in front of him. Chloe points, giving them all an image of her and Mera sitting on the bed with the others.

"Do you want more company, Grace?"

The woman smiles. "Of course." Chloe gives an image of a kiss from daddy's arms, then sitting on the bed while Mera and Gracie snuggle in Grace's arms. Ob laughs and leans forward so Chloe can kiss Abuele, then settles her on the bed next to Tara. She pats Tara's arm, then stares at Herne.

"No Chloe, your rattle did not come from his antlers. Your rattle came from a deer."

Herne's laughter rumbles the room again. "You have found a special family, Graclyn. Very protective grandchildren..."

Keon looks up, startled as a hand slips around his waist. Cassie lays her head on his shoulder, startling him. He reaches out to touch her cheek, not quite believing she is there. Her lips brush his cheek and she snuggles closer.

"Cassie..." She smiles up at him. "My Goddess... how?"

"By special request, Lord of Hounds. Graclyn asked for three to escort her on the beginning of her new road. A powerful number. I could do naught but honor it. Only two can take full substance for this time, the third will be as he is, true spirit."

Grace looks at Cassie. Wrapped in Keon's arm, her eyes are on her baby, unshed tears shining. "Star? Do you mind if Cassie holds Mera?"

Star's eyes are wide, sliding between pink and blue, extraodinary shades. "I wish I could ask you what the colors mean, Star. But there are so many, and I don't think I could ever catch just the right colors in my art. Sorry... I am an artist, right to the end..."

Star giggles. "Cassie? Do you want to hold Mera?"

Tears slowly slide down Cassie's pale blue cheeks. Her voice is little more than a whisper. "Ohhh, yesss."

Star picks up Mera and holds her out to Cassie. The Water Nymph sniffs back her tears as she gently strokes her baby's cheeks. Keon holds them close, determined to remember this moment. Grace motions to her desk and Torrent pulls out her portfolio.

"Star? Please? I started this, but I didn't know just how close I would be. Could you finish this for me? A gift for Keon to pass on to Mera."

Torrent takes the canvas to Star. It is Cassie and Keon, holding their infant daughter. The sketching is nearly done, missing only a few things to bring it to completion.

Star nods, words lost as she picks up a pencil and begins to finalize the sketch. A soft voice startles both Erik and Raina. "Trust Erik to find a wife who wields a pencil as well as he wields a sword." The young girl giggles. "Your vampire is very handsome, Raina."

Stoney looks at the girl, then at Alise. "Mon Dieu..."