Dimeria giggled as she took the spatula and waited for the pancakes to cook on one side. They weren't waffles, but they would suffice. "When can I flip them?" Dimeria asked impatiently as she contained her excitement for being able to flip the pancake.

--

Emelaide placed a tender kiss upon Marreck's forehead as she smiled down at his sleeping face. Caressing her abdomen, gritting her teeth at the sharp pain from shifting, Emelaide slid into the wheelchair and tucked Marreck back in. Wheeling herself to the bathroom to relieve herself, Emelaide tried not to throw up as she washed her hands. Splashing cold water on her face, Emelaide wheeled herself to the kitchen and went about making some scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach.

"When you see little bubbles popping around the edges." Ariala smiled as she pulled out a cutting board and a knife to slice starwberries while the pancakes continued to cook. "Just a wee bit longer." She said, gazing over to the still cooking pancakes before returning her attention to the berries in front of her.

~~~

Marreck rubbed his eyes as he reached out and felt an empty bed beside him. "Em?" He called, stumbling out of the bed and hissing as the sunlight and hitting his eyes directly. "Its a bit early love." He teased as he wandered out to the kitchen.

Waiting for the bubbles, Dimeria watched the pancakes for any sign of life. When they started, Dimeria pried the pancakes off of the pan and flipped them with a grin and laugh. "I did it!"

---

"I'm sorry darling, did I wake you?" Emelaide asked apologetically as she looked over at Marreck, "I tried my best not to. Are you hungry? I was getting pains in my stomach so I thought I'd best get up and try to eat something, see if that helps."

"Good job!" Ariala encouraged as she finished slicing the strawberries and placed them into a bowl. "Now give that side a few minutes then I want you to flip them onto this plate." Ariala said as she held out a plate for the pancakes before going about and setting the table for breakfast.

~~~

Marreck's brow furrowed when Emelaide mentioned she was in pain and choose to ignore it for now, knowing his overprotectiveness would just upset her. "What are you making, love?" Marreck asked as he made his way to the icebox and found a variety of berries to make his berry drink.

Doing as she was told, Dimeria grinned as she got the first pancake on to the plate. When the second pancake made it onto the place as well, Dimeria giggled and clapped her hands. However, when it came to the third pancake, Dimeria had some trouble. Struggling to get it unstuck, Dimeria shoved harder with the spatula.

When she shoved, the frying pan flew across the floor and Dimeria fell onto her side, landing right on the hot stove. Her dress starting to melt, Dimeria cried from not only the pain, but from her dress sticking to the stove, causing her to panic as she pulled herself away. Still, the dress did not save her from burns that were across her side and ribs.

---

"Scrambled eggs with spinach, with a bit of salt and cheese to tie it all together. Would you like some?" Emelaide asked with a warm smile as she stirred the eggs, "And can you hand me a plate my love? These are almost done."

"Dimeria!" Ariala called as she dropped everything onto the table and ran over to the small elf. Tearing the dress, Ariala ripped it away and brought the crying girl to the sink where she ran cold water over the burns to soothe some of the pain. "Dimeria." Ariala shook her head as her fingers trembled, running back to the ice box where they kept their burn cream and returned to the sink where she splashed the cool water over Dimeria's side.

Ariala began chanting quietly in her native tongue, a spell that her mother taught her that eased pain. When the spell was finished, Ariala looked up to Dimeria's small face. "Dimeria, love. It's going to be okay." She said softly, brushing some hair from the girl's face.

~~~

"I'd love some." Marreck grinned as he picked up a plate from the cupboard and brought it over to Emelaide, giving her forehead a quick kiss before grabbing their drinks and silverware and bringing it to the dining room.

Hearing all of the commotion, Dimitrius was jarred awake. Registering Dimeria's cry, Dimitrius threw back the blankets and threw open the bedroom door. "Dimeria?!" Dimitrius called as he ran down the hall. Skidding to a halt when he saw Ariala and Dimeria by the sink and Dimeria's dress torn. "What the bloody hell happened Ariala?" Dimitrius demanded as he caressed Dimeria's cheek and began looking her over.

Seeing the burns, Dimitrius grimaced and placed a tender kiss on Dimeria's forehead. "It's alright, love. Everything will be just fine. Let's get you back to Winterglade and see Doctor Taralias, alright?" Dimitrius asked with a small smile before hurrying to the bathroom for gauze and bandages.

--

Placing what she had cooked onto the plate, Emelaide quickly made another serving and placed it onto the second plate. Placing one on each leg, side by side in her wheelchair, Emelaide turned off the stove and wheeled herself to the Dining room.

"Voila! I can still make a yummy breakfast," Emelaide said with a grin as she placed a plate in front of Marreck and the other plate in her spot. "Would you like any toast or anything?"

"The pan slipped, I didn't-" Ariala rambled on though she was sure that he speech was falling on deaf ears. "I cast a charm that should ease pain." She added sadly before looking over at Dimeria. "I'm so sorry." She whispered softly, the jar of burn cream still in her hands.

~~~

"Told you." Marreck grinned at his fiancee as he gave her hand a light squeeze. "I'm alright on toast though, love." Marreck said before diving into his breakfast which was indeed very good.

"Where were you? Why were you not watching her?" Dimitrius hissed at his wife, furious at the situation. "She could have been hurt worse than she is. You're lucky she didn't fall to the floor and got off the burner when she did. Any longer and her dress would have started to fuse to her skin and the burns would have been more severe. We'll be lucky if they don't scar her," Dimitrius continued angrily before heading back to the kitchen and treating Dimeria's wounds.

Picking Dimeria up, careful of her wound, Dimitrius looked at Ariala with a sigh, "I know you didn't mean for it to happen, my love. But she is just a child. You must watch her more carefully. She cannot do things on her own quite yet, despite how old she may act at times."

Heading for the door, Dimitrius slipped on his shoes and looked over at Ariala, "Are you coming with us?"

----

Emelaide smiled happily as she settled down and took a sip of her juice before digging into her eggs. "Well, that's at least one task I am still able to perform in my condition," Emelaide said with a small laugh.

"I-" Ariala looked regretfully at her husband before setting the cream aside. "I have my lessons today, I can't. I'm so sorry." She added softly. "Go take care of Dimeria, I'll meet with you afterwards." Ariala said before turning to start take care of the pancakes and pan that had fallen on the floor.

~~~

"And now you'll just have to figure out the rest." Marreck smiled encouragingly as he continued to eat. "These really are delicous, Em. Thanks for making breakfast." He added.

Dimitrius looked dumfounded as he stared at his wife, "You have got to be kidding me, Ariala..." With a shocked and disgusted laugh, Dimitrius shook his head, "So that's it huh. You allow my sister to get burned and then run away like a scared little child. I think I'll be staying with Dimeria in Winterglade for awhile. I.. I just can't even fathom what possessed you to put lessons before Dimeria like that."

With that, Dimitrius grabbed a jacket for Dimeria and slammed the door behind him. Dimeria sobbing on his shoulder, Dimitrius loosely draped the jacket over Dimeria's shoulders and climbed down the ladder. Running for the Doctor's home in Winterglade, Dimitrius' thoughts were swarming and quite confused.

----

"You're welcome," Emelaide said with a warm smile as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, "I'm glad you like them. Though I do dread finding out what I can and cannot do during this pregnancy. It shall most definitely be a nightmare," Emelaide said with a laugh.

Ariala let out a choking sob before she crumpled to the floor, her face buried in her hands. Today had started so well and now she'd ruined everything.

"Ari?" Erreminette's voice called as she knocked on the door. "Come on, we're going to be late." She said as she cracked open the door and saw Ariala. "Ari! What's wrong? Is it your stomach?" Her best friend asked hurriedly, darting to her best friend and sinking beside.

"Erre, I-I'm so sorry." Ariala managed, not completely sure what she was apologizing for but the words seemed like the right ones to use at the time.

"Breathe, Ariala. Just relax, okay? Tell me what happened." Erreminette said soothingly.

"Dimera...pancakes...burned...Dimitrius." Ariala said softly, knowing she wasn't making any sense but the guilt continued to wash over her, making her sentences incoherent.

~~~

"Now where's that Emelaide spirit I fell in love with?" Marreck asked teasingly as he looked across the table at his fiancee. "I seem to remember a girl who never let anything bring her down but it appears she's gone missing." Marreck winked.

It wasn't long before Dimitrius reached Doctor Taralias' office. Bursting through the door, Dimitrius apologized profusely as he explained the situation. Waving away the apologies, the doctor took Dimeria in his arms and placed her gently upon a small bed to asses the damage.

"Will she be alright? Will she car?" Dimitrius asked as he paced the floor, awaiting the results from the doctor.

"I don't think she'll scar, but I'll need to treat this for a couple of days with some rubs and oils I have. It will help speed the healing, and hopefully keep her from scarring. I'll know more after I see what happens tomorrow. She is a very lucky little girl. Strong one, that. Though I expect no less from our Princess," Doctor Taralias with a twinkle in his eye as he looked up at Dimitrius.

"You should go home, pack some things for her. If it is alright with you, I would like to keep her here so my attendants and keep an eye on her. I'm going to put her into a small sleep, so she does not feel the dealing process. Do I have your permission?"

"Yes, yes. Do what ever it takes. Thank you, doctor," Dimitrius said with a warm smile. Walking over to Dimeria, Dimitrius placed a tender kiss on her forehead as he spoke softly, "The doctor is going to make you sleepy for a little while to help with the pain, alright darling? I promise I will be here the moment you wake up."

Nodding, Dimieria sniffled and wiped her eyes.

----

Emelaide laughed as her smile widened, "I believe all of that strength and spirit went straight to our children. They seem to be just fine. I blame you for that one. You swept me off my feet and picked up my pieces. I think you left out the strength and spirit and saved it for our twins," Emelaide teased with a grin, "I always did feel a bit lopsided, like a piece of my puzzle was missing. I guess now I know why!"

"Ariala what happened wasn't your fault." Erreminette said once Ariala had managed to choke out the whole story semi-coherently.

"Except it was, Erre. I handled the situation horribly. What kind of mom am I going to be if I can't even take care of Dimeria?" Ariala asked. "I shouldn't even be allowed to have children." She murmured pathetically.

"Oh, Ari." Erreminette rolled her eyes as she stood up, dragging Ariala with her. "You're being absurd."

"What's absurd? The fact that I let Dimeria get burned? Or the fact that I didn't even go with them to make sure she was alright?" Ariala asked, her voice getting higher with each word.

"The fact that you're acting like a child instead of taking care of one!" Erreminette countered, her hands braced on her hips. "Accidents happen and sure maybe this time you didn't handle it properly but what's sitting here going to do about that?" Her friend added, Ariala standing with her mouth hanging open. She was sure this was the first time that Erreminette had acutally yelled at her. "Now you're going to go get something warm on and some shoes and you're going to Winterglade because this is not how you deal with this. Learn from your mistakes and get out of here."

Ariala reached forward and gave Erreminette a small hug before disappearing into the bedroom and doing just that. "Thank you." Ariala said as she stood in the doorway of the kitchen, dressed fully now.

"Go!" Erreminette insisted with an eye roll before Ariala darted from the house and started into a full run towards Winterglade.

~~~

"Well take some back." Marreck advised with a laugh before getting up from his chair and kneeling beside Emelaide. "Do you hear that? You're mom needs some of her spunk back so stop hogging it all." He teased, his face leveled with Emelaide's stomach.

When the doctor had Dimeria put to sleep, Dimitrius sighed as he thanked the Doctor and paid him for the treatment, as well as paid him in advance for the care he was going to give Dimeria over the course of the next few days. With that taken care of, Dimitrius headed over to Cindalina's, explained what happened, and inquired if he could stay for a few days while Dimeria was being treated.

"Of course, Trius my boy. You go make amends with your wife and pack some things to stay here," Cindalina shooed as she went to the kitchen, "I'll get something hot prepared for you for when you get back."

"Thank you, Aunt Lina, I really appreciate it," Dimitrius called before casually making his way back to Elimlee. He wasn't in the mood to see his wife and talk with her right now, he was to furious and angry with her. He needed time to cool off, and so did she.

---

Emelaide laughed as she caressed Marreck's cheek and placed a tender kiss upon his forehead, "I think they're listening, my love."

Ariala paused in the meadow, catching her breath before continuing on. A root caught her foot and sent her sprawling to the ground, resulting in a stream of unladylike curses to fall out of Ariala's mouth. Ariala stood again, straightened her dress, and continued onwards towards Winterglade. She wasn't sure where the doctor's office was and so Ariala curved off to a path on her right towards Cindalina's house in hopes of finding Dimitrius there, not realizing that the path she was taking was actually putting more distance between herself and her husband as they walked on their own way.

~~~

"Good." Marreck smiled up at Emelaide before he stood and went back to his seat, sipping his juice.

Reaching his home, taking a lot longer than usual, Dimitrius sighed as he saw that Ariala wasn't home. "So she really went...." Dimitrius whispered with a sigh. His fury renewing, Dimitrius cursed as he went to the bedroom and packed a bag for three or four days before going to Dimeria's room and gathering a pair of pajamas for her to wear during recovery that would give easy access for the changing of bandages.

With everything in the bag, Dimeria's favorite teddy packed along with the clothing, Dimitrius set off back to the Doctor's home so he could help the doctor and change Dimeria.

---

Emelaide laughed as she finished her meal and sipped her juice, "Now I just have to keep this confidence and not let this get the best of me as it did last night. I think I'll be fine once I start finding more things I am capable of," Emelaide added with a nod.

"Cindalina?" Ariala called as she knocked on the familiar door, her legs shaking a bit from nerves. "Please be home." She murmured under her breath as she wrung her hands together.

~~~

"Exactly, love." Marreck smiled happily as he picked up his empty dishes. "Have you heard from Jessi this morning?" Marreck asked curiously before walking into the kitchen and beginning to wash his dishes.

"Come in Ariala!" Cindalina called from the kitchen, "I had a feeling I'd be seeing you this morning."

---

Emelaide shook her head as she called softly, "No, not awake anyway. The poor dear is out like a light. Must have been exhausted.. I really do feel terribly for him, Marreck. Is there not something more we can do to help him? I know giving him a place to stay is enough already, but I feel as if we could do more for him... I think you should take him with you and introduce him to Dimitrius and see if he can't get him working. At least then he will have an income coming and then will soon be able to afford a place of his own, wherever he may choose that home to be located. What say you?"

Ariala frowned as she made her way to the kitchen and settled into a chair, removing her jacket and hanging on the back of the chair. "I'm guessing that means you've talked to Dimitrius then." Ariala sighed as she ran her hands through her long hair. "Cindalina, I really messed up this time." Ariala said softly. "I should've watched her more carefully and then...and then telling Dimitrius that I couldn't come with him to the doctors. What was I even thinking? You should've seen the way he looked at me. He was so furious." Ariala grimaced as she remembered how angry Dimitrius had been. "Not that he didn't absolutely have the right to be." She added quickly.

~~~

"Of course." Marreck replied as he returned to the dining room and rested a shoulder on the door frame. "I'm sure they could use him building the house." He pondered.

"I'm not goin' t' lie to you dearie, that was a very large folly," Cindalina said bluntly as she poured Ariala and herself a cup of lemon tea. Setting it in front of Ariala, Cindalina sat across from her and took a sip of her tea, "When it comes to children, Ariala, you put them before anything. If a child is sick, you miss whatever you had to do that day in order to take them to the doctor and watch over them until they are well enough for you to leave them comfortably with a sitter. When they get hurt, you forget even the lessons you have with the Masters and you take care of that child. Lessons will always be there, magic will always get stronger, but children are a once in a lifetime thing, my dear. Children are not replaceable.

"I know you know this, but I think you need a good swift reminding and you need to learn when you can and cannot trust a child to be alone at a stove. Learning lessons the hard way are never easy, but thank the Gods Dimeria did not get seriously injured or, heaven for bid, killed.

"Now, Dimitrius knows you love them both, and Dimitrius knows this was not intentional. However, Dimitrius also did not take kindly to you putting lessons before Dimeria. Even in shock, you should have had the sense to take her to a doctor. Masking a problem is never the answer. Yes, do what treatment you can to tie the child over until you get to a doctor for serious injuries such as large falls and burns, but never, and I mean never, let a child go unlooked at by a doctor when it is of a serious matter," Cindalina concluded before taking another sip of tea.

"I do not mean to lecture you, my dear girl, for you have a mother to do that. I simply needed to say my piece and be done with it," Cindalina added with a sigh as she took another sip of tea.

--

"Precisely. And if they do not need him doing construction, they will surely need someone to run the orders to their respective places etc.. What better to have an extra hand to either do the construction and let someone else do the errands, or have someone hand to do the errands themselves. I think he could at least do some sort of work over there," Emelaide continued with a nod between sips of juice.

"You're right." Ariala said as she sipped her tea. "I deserved it. I can't even believe I said it." She shook her head. "I know I messed up incredibly and I'm just hoping that I get the chance to make up for it." Ariala said softly. "I was hoping you could tell me where the doctors' office is. I have a lot of apologizing to do today."

~~~

"Of course, love. When do you think I should bring him?" Marreck wondered as he walked back to his seat and plopped down into it. "I think Ariala has lessons today so I'm not sure if Dimitrius will be in Winterglade or not." He thought out loud.

"Well, Dimeria's been put to sleep for a few days until the treatment is progressing, so Dimitrius is helping get Dimeria changed and ready for the night. I think it might be best if you just wait here until Dimitrius gets back," Cindalina advised softly as she finished her tea and stood to finish dinner.

--

"I'd wait until you go to lessons next, then someone is bound to be home," Emelaide reasoned as she thought about it. "Or, if you'd rather, I can just send word to Dimitrius and inquire about it? Save a wasted trip for Jessi and it's less of a risk of him getting lost on his way back."

"Alright." Ariala said nervously, wringing her hand as she thought about having to wait for her husband to come home. "Would you like some help cooking, Cindalina? I think I've been improving some." She said with a small smile.

~~~

"Hm, that makes sense as well. Perhaps just send Dimitrius a message. Then whenever Jessi wakes we can have them meet." Marreck smiled.

"You sure can, love," Cindalina said with a warm smile, "Why don't you get a batch of chocolate fudge swirl cookies together? They're Trius' favorite."

--

Nodding, Emelaide smiled as she finished her drink. "I'll send word while you get me some more juice?" Emelaide asked coyly with a wink as she held out her empty glass.