Dimeria giggled as she nodded, "Just one please. Milk?" Dimeria inquired as she held up the small pitcher of milk and waited for Liah to serve her the sugar.

-

Closing the door softly behind her, Cindalina sat in the chair in front of Marreck and rested her hand upon his knee, "Marreck, she will be alright, I promise you." With that said, Cindalina chose to let Marreck decide if they were to speak or not, knowing that sometimes silence and just having someone near you was enough to help.

"No thank you." Liah said politely as she gave Dimeria's tea a spoonful of sugar before setting the sugar bowl between them, her small hands folding around her tea cup.

~~~

"Its my fault." Marreck said under his breath. "I did this to her." He said before giving her hands another squeeze.

Dimeria giggled as she set the milk down and stirred in her sugar. Noticing they had no cookies, Dimeria stood and curtsied with a giggle, "Please excuse me, Miss Liah." Running to the kitchen, Dimeria tugged on Hathom's shirt and inquired with a small pout, "Hathie? May we have cookies for our tea party? It's not the same without them.."

Hathom laughed as he stood and ruffled Dimeria's hair, "Of course, love. What kind would you like?" Hathom inquired with a wink as he went to Cindalina's counter and looked over the array of sweets.

"Sugar and Chocolate chip?"

Taking the said flavors and placing a good amount of each upon a plate, Hathom handed the plate to Dimeria before stealing a chocolate chip cookie from the place. Popping into his mouth as Dimeria laughed and protest, Hathom teased her before scooting her off back to the living room to her 'guest'.

Setting the plate down by their tea things, Dimeria offered Liah a cookie with a smile, "Sugar or chocolate chip cookie?"

-

Cindalina sighed as she stood and sat beside Marreck upon the bed. Wrapping her arms around him, Cindalina pulled him to her in a comforting hug, "Shh love, don't say that.. No use in blaming yourself, Marreck, you're not to blame. Even if she had become pregnant by a Winterglade Elf, Emelaide would still be in this predicament. It is simply her body's way of handling the pregnancy. She's never been a well child, Marreck, things stress her body more-so than it should. Do not believe for one moment that you are at all to blame for what has happened."

"Chocolate chip." Liah grinned happily at the idea of chocolate, by far one of her favorite foods. "I love your tea set, Dimeria." She said politely as the fire cast rays of light through the glass cups.

~~~

"I don't want her to hurt anymore." Marreck murmured as he buried his face in Cindalina's neck. "And she knows so she won't tell me when she's hurting. It just makes thigns worse and I don't know how to take care of her." He rambled as his hands shook around Emelaide's.

Dimeria giggled happily as she nibbled upon her sugar cookie, "Thank you! How do you like your tea and cookies?"

-

Caressing his back tenderly, Cindalina offered a small smile as he caressed Marreck's cheek, "Love, she doesn't tell you for fear you will blame yourself even more for what is happening. She hates you blaming yourself, Marreck, she doesn't not tell you to worry you. As for knowing how to take care of her, no one does. Emelaide has always been a mystery to us. She is the first female in our part of the realm with this kind of magic, and especially at his amount. It is all trial and error with her, just have faith that everything will turn out right. She needs you, Marreck, and she needs to know that she'll be alright. You looking like she's about ready to die will surely not help her believe that, will it?"

"They're yummy." Liah grinned after taking and swallowing a bite of her cookie. "How's your cookie?" She asked as she took a delicate sip of her tea, pinky finger in the air.

~~~

"Of course not." Marreck sighed as he pulled away from Cindalina and looked down at his wife-to-be. "I just get anxious when she's like this. Its harder to calm when I can't talk to her." He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Yummy," Dimeria giggled as she finished her cookie, "Auntie Lina is the best cook in the whole world!"

-

Cindalina sighed as she took Marreck's hand and kissed his cheek, "I know, love. She should be able to speak by tonight once we get some fluids into her. Try to hold out until then, alright? You can't have gotten much sleep. Why don't you lay down and take a nap while you wait? Surely that will pass the time quickly," Cindalina suggested with a warm smile before heading out of the bedroom just as Dimitrius walked in with the doctor and his small team of attendants.

Leading the doctor towards the bedroom, Dimitrius hung back as the last attendant to enter shut the door behind her, each immediately beginning to get to work on hooking up IVs and the like to begin feeding Emelaide.

"Ah, you must be the husband. Don't you worry, we'll have your wife in tip-top shape in no time at all. We'll come in later tonight to give her another fluid pouch," the Doctor said with a warm smile as he checked all of her vitals, "Seems Emelaide's body is functioning properly, that's always a good sign in this type of a situation. How are you holding up?"

"Alright." Marreck said, a bit overwhelmed by the sudden wave of doctors and attendents that had entered the bedroom. "But I'm not leaving her side until she tells me herself that she's better." He said.

"That's fine, my boy, that's just fine. I'm sure she'll be glad to see her husband when she first wakes up," the Doctor replied with a warm smile, "Now, when this IV runs out, just leave it. Make sure the lines stay connected to her body and everything will be just fine. It seems Emelaide isn't too far gone, so she should begin to have minimal function by tonight," the Doctor said with a confident smile, "However, it will be in spurts and she'll mostly be asleep, but she'll be functional to a degree."

Giving Marreck a reassuring pat upon the back, the doctors and attendants left the room to return back to where they came, leaving the couple alone once more in the bedroom as Cindalina and Dimitrius talked outside about the whole situation.

Marreck let out a low sigh as he returned his attention to Emelaide, stokring her hands gently with his thumbs. "I love you, Em." He murmured softly as he brought her hands to his lips and continued to sit beside his wife-to-be.

In one way, it was good that Emelaide could not feel or hear what was going on around her for two reasons: 1. She hated needles and doctors. 2. She would feel absolutely wretched over what she had caused Marreck to go through and what she has made him feel in her mind's absence.

Yet, on the other hand, it was a shame for her heart would truly melt over the way Marreck attended to her and the things he said. Truly, it was nothing unusual for him to tell her he loved her nor was it unusual that he was kissing her and holding her hand. However, the way he did it, the way he said it - it was so sweet and kind that she would have fallen even more in love with him, as if her heart wasn't full to the brim with love with him already.

Although, it would not be long until all this was brought to light for both of them, for in a few short hours Emelaide would be able to feel and hear her beloved; and an hour after that, she would be able to open her eyes and speak to him, comfort him, assure him that she is alright.

*~*~*

Ariala stumbled out of her lesson, her mind and muscles both sore from her work. Going into the bedroom, Ariala fell gracefully onto the bed and fell asleep instantly, not bothering with dressing herself in pajamas.

~~~

Marreck felt like he'd been in the small bedroom for days and his stomach rolled with hunger though he didn't leave Emelaide's side. Laying down beside her, Marreck wrapped his arms around his fiance and delicately traced the length of her arm as he waited for her to awake.

"Mar.. Go eat," Emelaide whispered as she slowly blinked open her eyes, finally able to function somewhat now that several hours had passed, though her body was hardly functioning at all.

Turning her head towards him, Emelaide offered a warm smile as she whispered, "You shouldn't starve yourself on my account."

Marreck jumped slightly at the sound of Emelaide's voice before wrapping his arms around her, pressing his lips to her forehead. "Will you at least promise me that you'll tell me from now on when you're not feeling well? That you won't wait until the last moment so that we're surrounded by doctors?" He asked, his eyes pleading. "Promise me that you're going to take care of yourself along with our twins." He said as his fingers lingered over her stomach.

"I'm sorry Mar.. I did not wish to worry you," Emelaide whispered softly as she bit her lower lip. "I promise you, I will not wait so long again.. I'm so sorry for everything I have caused you," Emelaide whispered as her eyes glistened, her magic playing upon her regret and sadness, causing the temperatures to unconsciously become colder, "Please forgive me.."

"No, Em." Marreck soothed. "I'm not angry." He promised as he cupped her cheek and gave her lips a quick kiss. "I just want you and our children to be safe." He said, his forehead resting against her's. "I love you, Emelaide. And I can't take care of you if I don't know what's wrong."

"I'm sorry," Emelaide whispered as she leaned into his palm before placing a long, tender kiss upon his lips, "I'm so sorry.. I promise you, I will not worry you so again if I can help it.. No matter what it is, I will tell you, I promise," Emelaide added with a warm smile and another long, tender kiss, "As long as you promise me you will take care of yourself as well."

"I love you, Em." Marreck smiled against her lips, the first real smile he had managed sense he had woken up that morning. "Do you need anything, love?" He asked as he stood from the bed, exited by the idea of food.

"No, I'm alright. Just get some food into you so you can return to me without a growling stomach, alright?" Emelaide teased with a weak, light laugh, "I love you, Mar. I promise, I'll be awake when you return. Speaking of returning.. Where exactly will you be returning to?" Emelaide inquired curiously as she looked around, "This kind of looks like.. Cindalina's bedroom..."

"It is." Marreck said. "Hathom wanted to bring you back here so we came to Cindalina." He explained before giving her forehead a quick kiss. "I'll be back in a little bit, love." He said before disappearing out the door and returning to the kitchen.

As Marreck left, Hathom himself entered the bedroom; Dimitrius following shortly after and sitting upon the bed beside Emelaide.

Caressing her cheek, Dimitrius frowned, "Emelaide.."

"I know.. Mar already lectured me," Emelaide whispered with a blush.

"He was good to, you deserve one."

"I'm not a child, Trius.."

"No, but you're as reckless as one."

"Trius I-"

"I know, you wanted to keep him from worrying. Have you ever stopped to think that every time you don't tell someone something for fear they'll worry about you, something worse happens and they worry ten times more than they would have? Not to mention all of the guilt that comes with it," Dimitrius interrupted.

"Dimitrius, don't be so hard on her," Hathom piped up softly in defense of his cousin.

"Hathom, stay out of this," Dimitrius demanded a tad bit harshly before turning back to Emelaide, "You cannot keep doing this, Emelaide. You haven't seen Marreck's face, heard his words - Em, he's breaking and becoming weary. He loves you to pieces, and he loves your children. But Em, if you're not careful, this may become to much for him simply because you do not tell him beforehand!"

A tear fell from Emelaide's eyes, though Dimitrius quickly, yet tenderly, wiped it away before placing a tender kiss upon her forehead, "Em.. I don't mean to sound cruel and upset you.. But no one will tell you this and you know very well I'm not afraid to. I love you, Em, please do not be angry with me for what I have said."

"I'm not angry, Trius... I just.. I.."

"Shh, I know, love. It's alright, everything is fine now," Dimitrius assured her with a warm smile.

"But Mar.. He might-"

"Don't even say it. He's not, I promise you," Dimitrius interrupted as he placed a finger lightly upon her lips to quiet her, "Now, get some rest alright? I'll bring Ria down tomorrow to visit you so you have some company, alright?"

Emelaide nodded as best she could as she offered him a warm smile, "Thank you, Trius."

"You're welcome," Dimitrius said with a warm smile before placing a kiss upon her forehead, leaving the room moments after.

"He sure told you," teased Hathom with a wink, trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh shush," Emelaide said as she stuck her tongue out at him before settling back into the bed and drifting off to sleep, Hathom controlling her temperatures as she slept peacefully while awaiting Marreck's return.

Marreck sighed happily as he saw his bowl of soup still on the table and sat down immediately, not caring that the soup had gotten a bit cold for his stomach was grumbling more audibly now. Marreck let out a low groan as the food hit his stomach, instant relief spreading through him as he hurried down a few more bites.

"Marreck?" Liah asked softly as she came through the doorway and sat in Marreck's lap. "When is Erre coming?" She asked curiously before putting her thumb in her mouth and resting her head on Marreck's collarbone.

"I'm sure she'll be here soon." Marreck said though in truth he hadn't the faintest idea if and Erreminette was coming for his only thoughts were for the soup bowl in front of him.

~~~

Erreminette was indeed on her way to the meadow and was puzzled that she didn't see Liah or Dimria playing there. Erreminette sighed as she wrapped her arms around herself, not bothering to have brought a coat, and braved through the snow towards Cindalina's in hope that she had seen the two elves.

Cindalina chuckled as she saw Marreck scarfing down his soup. Standing, a sleeping Dimeria in her arms, Cindalina brought the rest of the pot of soup, still piping hot, over to the table and set it down.

"Marreck, love, slow down. Em will be there when you get done, I promise," Cindalina teased gently with a wink as she ladled out more soup for him, "Would you like any bread? Or something to drink?"

"Bread please." Marreck smiled happily before ladling some hot soup into his bowl and hurriedly eating it, not worrying about the burning in his throat.

"Marreck." Liah giggled. "Your mouth is going to burn." She teased as she watched the steam roll over the top of the bowl just as Erreminette burst through the door, shaking like a leaf from the cold.

"Sorry for barging in, Cindalina." Erreminette apologized immediately as Liah hopped down from Marreck's lap and ran to her side. "But I was afraid I couldn't bare a few more seconds out there." She sighed.

Marreck got up from the table, making his way to the coat rack, where he took hsi coat and wrapped it around Erreminette's shoulders. "Your lips are blue." He said, shaking his head as he brought her to the table and prepared a bowl of hot soup for her.

Hurrying into the living room, Cindalina laid the sleeping Dimeria upon the couch before returning to the kitchen.

"Erreminette! What in the world are you doing? Careon, get in here! Quick!" Cindalina urged quickly on her way to the kitchen, her voice trembling as much as her hands as she walked over to Erreminette and began rubbing her arms to try and warm her.

"What's wrong Cindalina?" Careon inquired as she appeared around the corner. However, upon seeing the young Elimlee elf, Careon quickly set her magic to work in raising her blood temperature, "Bloody idiots.. Hasn't the Elimlee lot learned to get clothes before they come here?"

"Careon, stop it this instant. She was probably worried about Liah!"

"Erre, are you alright?" Dimitrius inquired as he quickly got her a cup of tea and put bread upon the table, "Drink this, it'll help.. What were you thinking? You should have went and gotten proper clothes on before you ventured out this way.. I swear, you're a stubborn and reckless as Emelaide!"