"Jessi don't you dare go and try and find a doctor," Emelaide snapped as Jessi wiped his hands and began rushing towards the door. "Marreck, please.. don't over react. I'll be fine," Emelaide said with a small smile. "You can go finish the dishes, Jessi. I'm fine, really," Emelaide said with a nod as she motioned for Jessi to leave the room.

Looking to Marreck, Jessi stayed in the doorway until Marreck told him to either leave or go get the doctor.

Emelaide sighed as she looked back at Marreck, "And if you thought Ariala was perfect for you for so long, and then realized that I was more compatible and perfect for you than her.. Then who's to say it won't happen again and you'll find someone far better than me, not that that would be a hard task..."

---

Dimitrius grinned, "Thank you, love. Maybe you'll catch up one day," he added with a teasing wink.

Sipping her tea, Dimeria kicked her legs back and forth lightly under the table.

"Ria," Dimitrius chided with a chuckle, causing Dimeria to cease her restless kicking and eat.

"You're being absurd Emelaide." Marreck sighed as he shook his head. "First of all you're in pain and I can't have that. Jessi please go get a doctor. And second," Marreck turned back to Emelaide, "I asked you to marry me and have my children and you think I could just walk away from you?" Marreck asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"I don't think its right for you to hold the fact that I once loved Ariala over me. You need to know that I love you and that's what matters. I don't want to fall for some other elf, I just want to be with you and I can't have you throwing Ari in my face everytime we argue." Marreck explained.

~~~

"Very funny." Ariala rolled her eyes playfully before sipping her water and continuing to eat. "I happen to be gaining quite some skill in the kitchen even though I may not be up for it for the next few days." She said, thinking about her lessons which were sure to tire her out.

"I'm not throwing Ariala in your face," Emelaide said bitterly as Jessi ran off for to try and find the doctor in a town he'd never set foot in until that day. "And I never said you would walk away from us. I merely said it could happen. Who's to say it couldn't? The same could be said for Dimitrius. Who's to say he won't find someone better than Ariala? I highly doubt that's possible. But jeeze, Marreck. How can you not see how flawless and wrong I am? I will never compare to Ariala. Ever. She will always be better than I am on every level. I can only hope our twins will be at least one thing I can get right and not screw up."

---

"Mm, lessons piling up? How are they going, by the way. Are you doing alright health-wise during them?" Dimitrius inquired as he took a bite of garlic bread.

"Emelaide, stop that." Marreck said sternly as he looked up at her. "I need you to believe me that you are the only woman that I will ever want in my life as my wife and soulmate. I am not comparing you to Ariala just because she got lucky and has an easier pregnancy, that's nonsense. She is no angel and you are anything but the flawed image you so stubbornly see yourself as. I love you and I promise you that I will never walk away from us because we are exactly what I want."

~~~

"They're going alright." Ariala squirmed a bit in her seat. She still wasn't at the level of her classmates and even if that was to be expected with their longer years of experience, Ariala wasn't one to sit in last place. "I'm not as tired as I used to be." She said, leaving out the idea that she should start pushing a little harder.

"I know... I know..." Emelaide whispered softly as she rubbed her head, the pains in her stomach starting to subside. "I'm just afraid you'll see me for what I am and decide there's better out there.. I'm afraid of that better out there," Emelaide added with a sigh. "I know it's stupid, and I know it's insane. But.. I can't help but feeling it. It happened once..." Emelaide continued before taking a sip of her juice.

---

"Good, I'm glad. You had me really worried when you went back," Dimitrius warned, seeing the squirming in the seat, "I'm very much relieved to hear you are doing better. Perhaps now your parents will stop hating me," Dimitrius added teasingly.

"It is not going to happen again." Marreck assured her as he took one of her hands. "There is no one out there I'd rather be with then you. Its just you, Em." Marreck said softly.

~~~

"They don't hate you." Ariala laughed as she continued eating her pasta. "Well at least my mom doesn't." She sighed thoughtfully.

"This way Doctor," Jessi said breathlessly as he walked into the Dining Room. "Sorry it took so long Marreck. Who knew a doctor's office would look like a house?"

Emelaide laughed softly, "Hello Doctor. I'm sorry to trouble you.. Marreck is a bit protective and impulsive."

"Now now, he's just a worried Father, that's all," the Doctor said with a laugh. "Come on into the living room, let me take a look at you on the couch," he added, knowing they had just moved and didn't have all of the furniture yet.

"Jessi, my boy, would you mind going into the kitchen and shutting the door? Marreck, you'd best stay here," the doctor added softly as he began wheeling Emelaide to the living room.

----

"Key words being, your mother doesn't hate me. It's the father's you have to worry about," Dimitrius said teasingly as he took a bite of pasta. "I don't think that man will ever like me.."

"Yes, doctor." Marreck sighed as he slumped back in a chair, rubbing his temples to relieve a bit of stress. Having gathered his composure, Marreck stood and began picking up the remainder of the dishes on the table. "Thank you, Jessi, for going to get the doctor. Emelaide may claim me overprotective but this pregnancy is taking a toll on her whether she'll admit it or not." He explained, shaking his head.

~~~

"My father is just difficult. I'm sure mom will make him lighten up." Ariala assured her husband. "He has to come around at some point because I plan on keeping you for a very long time." She smiled across the table.

"It looks like it," Jessi said softly as he began washing the dishes again, "When did her problems start, if I may ask?"

---

With the assistance of the Doctor, Emelaide laid upon the couch with a sigh, her abdomen still paining her.

"Now, let us take a look shall we?" the Doctor asked with a smile.

After a full examination, the doctor smiled, "You are both perfectly healthy. What you are feeling is the effects of your magic and their magic clashing. They're growing, which is causing you pain and your magi to go haywire when you use it, which brings on the pain. I suppose you were using magic?"

"Hardly," Emelaide said in her defense, "I was merely freezing and unfreezing a glass of juice to keep from losing my temper and to keep me distracted.."

"Well, my advice would be to keep the magic at a minimum. Only use it to dry off and keep you and Marreck warm or cooled off when needed," the Doctor said gently.

"Yes Doctor.." Emelaide said bitterly with a sigh.

--

Dimitrius chuckled, "And I you, although I don't believe your father likes that thought too much. Still, I think we should pay them a visit once your lessons die down again. What say you?"

"Right at the start of her pregnancy she was alright." Marreck explained. "But things started going down hill quickly what with me being a Spring Elf and Em being a Winter Elf. It makes me wonder what type of magic our children will possess when they're born." Marreck shook his head.

~~~

"I think that'll help. Spend some time with them just to talk instead of during a mystery pregnancy pain." Ariala rubbed her stomach gently as she thought of the heat which had felt as if it was cutting her in half.

"I'm sorry to interrupt gentleman," the Doctor said with a sigh," But I need to talk to Marreck about Emelaide."

Pulling Marreck aside, the Doctor fiddled with his glasses, "Marreck, I'm sorry to say this, but your fiancee is going to have a very difficult pregnancy. I'm going to give you a prescription for some pain medication. It will stabilize her when things like this happen. The children are growing inside her and their magic is developing..

"If she uses her magic it's going to over load her body and it's going to cause these haywires or magic and sharp pains across her abdomen. Until these children are safely delivered, I'm afraid she'll have to take it very, very easy with day to day life. No strenuous activity, no magic, no standing for long periods of time. If she does, she runs risk of losing the children, or losing herself," he concluded with a sigh as he placed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose and looked at Marreck. "I'm sorry."

--

Dimitrius laughed, "Aye. That's not exactly the best circumstances to see your father. I get the strange feeling he hates me even more every time we meet."

"Thank you." Marreck mumbled as he ran a hand through his hair. He knew Emelaide would be less then pleased about this news and it was going to take some heavy convincing for her to take it is. "Have you told Emelaide this?" Marreck wondered as he looked up to face the doctor.

~~~

"Then all the more reason to make him see the side of you that I know and love." Ariala said as she finished her supper and leaned back in her chair, her hand instinctively covering her stomach. "That was delicious, love."

"I've told her what she can and cannot do, but I left out the last bit. I don't want her worry about that, it's too much added stress knowing she could lose the children, or that she could potentially die herself if she keeps this up. Just.. gently try and break it to her. I thought it best you handle that part, seeing as how you will know best how to explain the consequence of her actions," explained the Doctor gently. "Please do not tell her too much too soon. Break it to her gently, and over time. Give her tonight to cool off, she's not exactly happy about my advice ad recommendations."

With that, the Doctor bid good evening to Marreck and headed back home.

--

"Yeah, it's yummy Trius!" Dimeria said happily as she continued to eat her pasta and garlic bread.

"I'm glad you both think so," Dimitrius said with a warm smile as he took a sip of his tea. "But yes, I would like him to see another view of me than he currently holds. I hate very much that your father dislikes me so," Dimitrius added with a small frown, "It makes everything far more complicated and awkward than it should be. Not to mention quite a bit more tense and stressful for both you and I."

Marreck sighed heavily as he looked at the living room doorway, taking a few moments before gathering the courage to walk inside. Marreck kneeled at the edge of the couch and Emelaide lay and took one of her hands, giving it a small kiss. "How're you feeling?" He asked softly.

~~~

"My father's just intimidating at first. I promise things will work out." Ariala smiled at her husband before standing up and bringing her dishes to the sink. "I'm going to take a hot bath, love." She said as she finished washing her dishes and strolled into the bathroom.

"Fine.." Emelaide said with a small smile, "I take it he warned you I'm not allowed to use magic?"

---

"And you, my dear," Dimitrius said with a laugh as he looked at Dimeria, "Are coming with me to the sink and getting that face cleaned off and going heading to bed."

Dimeria just grinned as Dimitrius picked her up and she munched on her piece of garlic bread.

"That he did." Marreck said softly, leaning forward and giving her lips a soft kiss. "Em, will you promise me that you'll take it easy for the rest of your pregnancy?" He asked.

~~~

Ariala felt her muscles sag as they relaxed under the hot water. She knew the next few days would be tough on her body but for now she wanted to enjoy a bit of calm.

Caressing his cheek lightly, Emelaide sighed as she smiled, "I promise, if you promise not to baby me for the rest of my pregnancy. The doctor said I can use my magic on occasion, and sparingly, so I promise I will do no more than that. However, you must agree in return not to baby me as I try to get out of that lasted wheel chair," Emelaide added with a laugh. "If I have to be weak with my magic, I refuse to be weak with my body. Deal?"

--

Tucking Dimeria into bed, Dimitrius placed a light kiss upon her forehead before turning out the lights and heading back to the kitchen to put away any left overs and get the dishes washed. Then, after that he planned to make another pitcher of iced tea before he or Ariala forgot and ended up not having any the following afternoon.

"Em..." Marreck's voice trailed off slightly as he caressed her cheek. "I know you want to have some freedom and I respect that. I just need you to be careful." He said softly, watching Emelaide warily.

~~~

Ariala caught her reflection in the full length mirror that hung from the back of the door. "Hey Dimitrius?" Ariala called out to the kitchen. "Will you come in here a minute?" She added softly, toying with the faucet with her big toe.

"Getting strength enough to walk will not kill me, darling. I promise, I won't you any magic," Emelaide said with a warm smile as she placed a tender kiss upon his lips. "Please do not deprive me of my walking freedom..." Emelaide added softly as she looked up into her fiance's eyes.

"If I stay in this wheelchair the majority of the time throughout this pregnancy, I will have no strength when I have the twins and I'll continue to be in a wheelchair far after they are born until I can get my strength up again. I do not want to be so immobile for that long. And besides, I have you to help me when you are home, and I'll have Jessi when you are not home. Will you not trust me to gather my strength and not push my limits too far?" Emelaide asked with a warm smile. "I will even settle for using a cane, if that makes you feel better."

---

Setting the pitcher of tea in the ice box, Dimitrius washed his hands as he called, "What is it love?" Drying his hands, Dimitrius walked towards the bathroom and leaned in the doorway, "Is anything wrong?"

"Emelaide." Marreck sighed, realizing that he would have to deliver the bad news sooner rather then later. "Em," He started, looking up at her, "If you do so much as stand for long periods of time then you're putting yourself and babies' lives at risk. I don't know if walking with a cane is a good idea." Marreck said softly.

~~~

"Yes." Ariala said wih an impish grin. "This bathtub is pretty big and I'm all alone in it." She explained, never losing eye contact with Dimitrius. "Join me?" She asked.

Emelaide looked at him blankly, "..What? Marreck, that's not possible... It cannot be that serious. You must be overreacting...? Yes, that's it, you're over reacting as usual," Emelaide added with a distracted laugh as she went about muttering incomprehensibly out of shock and distress.

--

Dimitrius chucked as he tossed the hand towel into the hamper and shut the door behind him. Walking over to Ariala, Dimitrius knelt beside the tub and caressed her cheek with his fingertips. Placing a long, sweet kiss upon her lips, Dimitrius smiled into them before whispering gently, "You really are a little minx, you know that love?"

"Emelaide I am not overexaggerating. This is serious." Marreck said with a frown. "The doctor didn't want to tell you because he didn't know if you could handle it after the stress of today. But I just-" Marreck sighed as he shook his head. "I just don't want you getting your hopes up about being able to walk sometime soon because its not going to happen. We can always have some repairative therapy afterwards, love. This pregnancy is going to be a long process but it's something we're going to have to go through together." He finished.

~~~

"Hmm." Ariala smiled against Dimitrius' lips. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about." She teased as she pulled gently on the front of his shirt for another kiss. "But I do know you can't wear clothes in the bathtub. Its a rule." She added with a sly grin.

Grasping her hair at her forehead, her palm resting on her temple, Emelaide just stared blankly. Completely zoning out, Emelaide just laid there, staring at the ceiling, unable to speak and unable to think clearly.

---

"Says who," Dimitrius said with a grin as he placed a tender kiss upon his lips before unbuttoning his shirt and tossing it to the floor. Standing, Dimitrius undressed and slid into the tub behind Ariala. Wrapping his arms around her waist, leaning her back into his chest, Dimitrius placed light, tender kisses upon her neck as he murmured softly, teasingly, "Since when do we not make our own rules in this world?"

"Em?" Marreck asked, a bit panicked, as he watched his fiancee's eyes drift off.

~~~

"That is my rule." Ariala smiled as she rested the back of her head on Dimitrius's shoulder. "I find that I like my husband is much more fun undressed in a bath instead of dressed." She said as her fingers made light patterns on the back of Dimitrius's calves.

"I... 'kay... time... need... bye.... soon.. yeah.." Emelaide whispered incomprehensibly as she remained in her shocked condition.

---

Dimitrius chuckled as he lightly pinched her waist and nibbled gently on the nape of her neck, "What if I made the rule saying I find that my wife is more fun dressed in a bath than undressed? Would you wear clothes every time you took a bath with me?"