"Good." Marreck smiled, obviously relieved. "They're far too good for each other to break up over a fight." He said with a small smile as he began hanging the clothes on the line he'd just set up.

~~~

"So we were told you're from the Autumn Kingdom." Ariala said as she sipped her tea. "What's it like there?" She asked curiously and leaned forward a bit in order to catch everything.

Handing him another piece of clothing, Emelaide asked curiously, "Do you happen to know what the fight was about?"

--

"Mm, much like your Kingdom I expect. Although, instead of shades of green we have shades of orange, yellow, red, and brown. Our flowers are a bit different too I expect. There are some that only bloom in the Autumn. You'd very much enjoy visiting," Jessi said with a smile between sips of tea, "Not only is there life, but there is also slumber and hibernation beginning. Speaking of, I just helped Emelaide fine Marreck a Fig Tree for a present. Did you know you had such trees in your Kingdom Dimitrius?"

Dimitrius chuckled, "I haven't seen any, but I know they're here somewhere. I had to take a course on all of the trees at the College so I could know best how to fully put them to slumber and how best to coat them with snow. Have you been in the Kingdom long?"

"No, not at all. There was a fire at home, and I lost everything.. I also had a terrible break up not long before so I just left. There were far too many memories to stay there," Jessi said sadly, "I was lucky to come across Emelaide and Marreck when I passed out. They've been very good to me, and I owe them my life."

"I do." Marreck admitted as he continuined to hang clothes, fidgeting nervously. "I don't think its really my place to say anything about it, Em." He said sheepishly.

~~~

"That sounds so beautiful." Ariala smiled happily, sipping her tea. "I'm so sorry about your losses but I hope that you find a home here." She said as she reached across the table and took his hand in her's. "You're in good company." She assured him with a warm smile before turning her attention back to her tea.

Emelaide nodded as she let it go, "Well, as long as it doesn't concern Dimeria then I suppose it is none of my business. I'm just glad to see everything is alright. I wonder if they brought Dimeria with them or if she's playing with her little friend," Emelaide pondered aloud as she handed Marreck the last of the clothing and set the basket aside.

---

"Thank you," Jessi said with a warm smile, "I feel at home here. Marreck and Emelaide have been most gracious and welcoming. I truly love it here! I find I like the snow and slumber after so long of Autumn. It really is beautiful here."

"Yes, that it is. Wait until our festival in a few months, then you will be very excited," Dimitrius said with a smile as he sipped his tea. "Emelaide and I were always the highlight," Dimitrius recollected fondly upon last years festival, "To start off, we'd always shower the crowds with ice crystals and snowflakes. We'd angle the sun to shine through them and create a prismatic effect. Then all of us would get together and create the ice-sculptures of our Masters outside of the College. It's surely a sight to behold.

"It's going to be a tad less exciting this year though, with Emelaide not being able to participate. She always gave everyone a run for their money with how out of control her magic would get," Dimitrius added with a wink, "Still, it made everything so much more interesting a fun.

"Emelaide." Marreck said softly as he knelt beside her. "Please don't be upset with Ariala, she didn't know how to react." He warned slowly before reciting over what had happened the night before so that it wouldn't become as much of a shock later in front of Dimitrius and Ariala.

~~~

Ariala smiled happily at the thought of a festival before turning back to Jessi. "But aren't we supposed to be discussing your job working on our house?" She asked curiously. "We can take you over there today because Pulan and his crew should be working. They've just gotten the frame up the last I knew." She explained. "Have you worked on houses before?" She wondered curiously.

"SHE DID WHAT??!" Emelaide's temper flared as she listened to Marreck's account on what had happened, which was quite apparent due to her magic running haywire. "That's it. I'm going to kill her. I'm going to strangle her tan little neck!" Emelaide screeched as she glared at Marreck. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why did you keep what happened to Dimeria a secret from me?! Don't you think I have a right to know what happened to her?"

Emelaide burst into tears as she buried her face into her hands. "How could you both be so heartless and cruel?" Emelaide whispered, not looking up at Marreck.

Feeling the slight shifts in temperature, Dimitrius excused himself from the conversation as Jessi told Ariala of his prior construction experience.

"Emelaide?" Dimitrius called gently as he headed down the hall and knocked on the open nursery door, "Is everything alright?"

"Emelaide, I'm sorry." Marreck said before glancing up at the door. "Dimitrius? Get in here." He warned, trying to soothe Emelaide by running a hand up and down the length of her spine. "Em, she made a mistake and she knows it. Please, love. Don't be so angry." He said softly.

~~~

Ariala shivered as the cold air hit her skin, feeling nervous as she recognized Emelaide's temper. "I have a bad feeling about this." She murmured under her breath as she sat stock still in her chair.

Realizing what Marreck has told Emelaide, Dimitrius' eyes grew wide. "How much did you tell her?" Dimitrius hissed as he rushed to Emelaide's side and knelt before her. "Em, Em.. Look at me. Emelaide, come on," Dimitrius soothed gently as he took her hands from her face and held them.

"Dimeria is just fine. She's staying at the doctor's home right now. They've put her to sleep, much like how you were when you over did things. She'll be must fine, there is no permanent damage other than some possible scarring. But I assure you, even that will be minimal. Please, Emelaide, do not be so upset. Dimeria is just fine and will be playing again in a few days," Dimitrius explained soothingly as he brushed the tears from her cheeks and caressed her cheek.

"How could that wretch you married choose lessons over Dimeria?" Emelaide screeched as she glared at Dimitrius, "And how can you forgive her for that?"

"She didn't go to her lessons," Dimitrius sighed, "She panicked and said stupid things. I forgave her because I love her, Emelaide. Would you not forgive Marreck under the very same circumstances?"

Emelaide nodded before throwing her arms around Dimitrius' neck and burying her face in his shoulder. "Promise me she's okay... Promise me you'll let me see her when she's awake."

"I promise," Dimitrius said with a warm smile as he gently ran his fingers through her shoulder length hair. "Your hair has gotten long," Dimitrius murmured in her ear as he tried to calm her by changing the subject, "Since when did you like your hair long?"

"Since I haven't had a chance to get it cut. I finally just gave up on it and let it be," Emelaide said with a laugh as she leaned back into her chair and wiped the tears from her eyes, trying to calm herself as she caressed her abdomen.

"And look at that, you're even getting fatter! You really are letting yourself go, Emelaide dear. I don't know how Marreck puts up with you," Dimitrius teased as he gently tapped her baby bulge.

"Ha ha, very funny Dimitrius. They started growing, finally. Feel," Emelaide said excitedly as she brought his palm to her moving abdomen.

"They're doing marvelously!" Dimitrius said with a grin, "You two are very lucky to have such healthy children after all you have been through."

"They are alright?" Emelaide asked happily, relieved at the news. As her magic subsided and returned to normal, Emelaide asked with a grin, "Are you sure they are alright?"

"I am positive," Dimitrius said with a chuckle as he stood and looked up at Marreck with a wink. "Now, go get yourself cleaned up and join us for tea, alright?" Dimitrius added teasingly to Emelaide with a warm smile, relieved that Emelaide had brightened over the talk of the children. Placing a light kiss on Emelaide's forehead, Dimitrius whispered, "No more tears, love."

Emelaide nodded with a smile as she said softly, "No more tears."

Smiling, Dimitrius walked over to Marreck and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. Leaning into his ear, out of earshot of Emelaide, Dimitrius hissed, "Never tell her more than one bad thing at once. If it's more than she can handle, she'll go into hysterics and likely start freezing everything in sight. Be more careful with her."

Sighing, Dimitrius left the nursery and headed back to the kitchen and poured himself another cup of tea.

Marreck felt himself quivering with anger directed at the Winter elf who'd just left. How was it that Marreck was unable to calm down Emelaide and Dimitrius was able to calm her in a matter of minutes? Marreck felt waves of jealousy crashing over despite trying to put such thoughts aside when looked down at Emelaide, brushing her hair behind her ear. He wished for once that he would be able to help her without the assitance of her ex fiancee.

"Em? I'm sorry, love." He sighed softly, the anger subsiding and being replaced with a defeated feeeling. "I didn't want to upset you." He murmured lovingly before kissing her forehead.

~~~

"Is everything alright?" Ariala asked softly when Dimitrius returned, taking a small sip of tea as she looked up at him.

"I know," Emelaide whispered as she wrapped her arms around his waist and placed a long, tender kiss upon his lips. "I'm so sorry I lost my temper.. I wasn't thinking... I'm so so sorry," Emelaide murmured as tears fell from her eyes. Burying her face into Marreck's chest, Emelaide whispered, "I promise, I'll do my best not to be angry with her. I'll be civil and not get upset."

---

"Now," Dimitrius said with a sigh, "After I calmed her magic with my own and soothed her. Marreck decided to tell Emelaide what happened with Dimeria. However, he decided to throw in how you reacted too and it was too much for Emelaide to handle. He may have broke it to her gently, but the bloody fool told her too much at once. She's fine, though," Dimitrius assured them as he saw Jessi's concerned look.

"It is not my business to intrude on what Marreck told Emelaide, but are you sure Emelaide is alright? She just had a scare with the doctor about her health..." Jessi explained, quite concerned for her.

"Yes, don't worry. Emelaide is just fine now. She just needed to be calmed," Dimitrius said with a reassuring smile as he sipped his tea, "She'll join us soon."

"Its not your fault, love." Marreck said as he rubbed her back gently, burying his face in her neck. "I shouldn't have told you all of that without warning. I promise, I'll be more careful about these things." He said before giving her lips a tender kiss and standing up. "Did you want to go into the bathroom and freshen up before we join them for tea?" He asked curiously.

~~~

"Oh." Ariala frowned, digging her nails into her flesh as she crossed her arms. Another shiver of guilt ran through her as she thought about all the trouble she'd caused in the past two days. What was wrong with her?

Emelaide nodded as she looked up at her fiancee, "Yes. Could you bring me an outfit to change into? I should have a light blue dress in the closet that I've been wanting to wear," Emelaide added with a wink as she turned her wheel chair around, set the basket onto her lap, and headed into the bathroom to brush her teeth, fix her hair, and wash her face.

----

Giving Ariala's hand a tender squeeze, Dimitrius smiled warmly at her before turning to Jessi. "So Jessi, how long do you think you'll be here?"

"I'm honestly tempted to settle down in this area. I truly adore it! Not to mention it's right next to the Elimlee border so I have the best of both worlds!" Jessi said with a laugh, "I'm afraid I don't know who to talk to about getting a cottage, though."

"If you'd like, after we set you up with a job I can take you over to the realtor," Dimitrius suggested with a sip of his tea.

"Sure! That would be great! Thank you so much," Jessi said happily as he poured himself another cup of tea.

Marreck nodded as he walked into the bedroom and looked through her clothes, a bit disheartened by the amount of blue dresses Emelaide had aquired. Spotting a light blue one he hadn't seen on her yet, Marreck took it off the hanger and hoped for the best before walking to the bathroom with dress in hand.

~~~

"Isn't it cold for you?" Ariala asked, relieved for the change in subject. "I mean, you're from the Autumn Kingdom which must be chilly on its own. But doesn't it get too cold here?" She pondered.

"Perfect!" Emelaide said happily as she stood to change into the dress, tossing her nightgown into the hamper. Twirling once before sitting down, Emelaide smiled into the mirror at Marreck before braiding her hair into a french braid, "What do you think?"

---

"It is a bit chillier here, but it's not so different from what I used to do. I was one of the elves who would help change the season from Autumn to Winter, so I would always be with the colder temperatures. Sometimes our Kingdoms would equal in temperature," Jessi said with a laugh, "So the constant cold is a bit different, but not so very much."

"Did you live along the border?" Dimitrius asked curiously to which Jessi nodded.

"Yes. Our Kingdom is laid out much like yours is. We live in the part of Autumn that we control," Jessi explained as he sipped his tea. "Have you ever been to the Autumn Kingdom?"

"A few times. It's very pretty," Dimitrius said with a nod, "I've only been to the Palace, however. I didn't see much more than that."

"I think you're as beautiful as ever." Marreck smiled, proud that he'd found the right dress and knelt down to give her lips a swift kiss. "Let's get some tea, love." He said as he led her out towards their dining room.

"What's the Autumn Kingdom called?" Ariala asked curiously before spotting Marreck who gave her a warm smile.

"Hey, Ari." Marreck grinned as we walked over and gave her hair a friendly kiss before sitting down.

"Aultavia," Jessi answered before smiling a greeting at Marreck and Emelaide.

Brushing her bangs out of her eyes, Emelaide smiled as she poured she and Marreck a cup of tea. Taking a sip, Emelaide greeted Ariala semi-kindly, "Good morning, Ariala."

"Have you been to Aultavia Ariala?" Jessi asked curiously, trying to keep the conversation going and not leave a lot of silent tension between Ariala and Emelaide.

"Good morning." Ariala smiled nervously at Emelaide before turning back to Jessi, thankful that he planned on keeping the conversation elsewhere.

"No, I'm afraid I've only been to Winterglade and Elimlee." She said as she rested her elbows on the table. "But I'd really like to visit the Summer Kingdom someday. I know it must be so hot but I hear they have such lovely flowers and it must be so much fun to go swimming there." She explained happily.

Jessi laughed as he listened to Ariala's excitement. "You should go! It really is beautiful there. I think you'd feel right at home. Plus, it's not so hot there. It cools down the closer you get to Autumn," Jessi said with a wink as he sipped his tea.

"Have you been to see Dimeria today?" Emelaide asked Dimitrius before taking a sip of her tea.

"Yes, we just came from there, actually," Dimitrius said with a nod.

"When will she be awake?" Emelaide asked softly as she played with her tea cup handle.

"In just a few days time. I'll send a squirrel in Elimlee to find Moe and have him tell you when she is awake," Dimitrius promised with a warm smile, "Don't worry. I'm sure she will be very eager to see you and feel those twins of yours squirming around."

Ariala stopped herself from squirming as she dug her hand into her thigh before taking a long drink of tea. "You're starting to feel your babies?" Ariala asked curiously before a hand rested over her own stomach. "That's so exciting." She smiled happily, trying to change the subject.

"Yes, its got me feeling old about being a daddy." Marreck grinned, keeping the subject away from Dimeria. "Have you felt Lily?" He asked.

"Only once was Dimitrius able to feel her. But hopefully she'll grow more soon." Ariala nodded.

"The magic has to develop before they will grow more. At least that how it is with me. They're finally starting to grow themselves and I'm starting to show now that the magic has stopped growing. I'm very glad that is has for now, though," Emelaide said with a laugh, "It will be nice to be able to have full control of my magic for a month or so!"

"It is so good to feel them finally growing, though," Emelaide said with a warm smile as she caressed her abdomen, "I was beginning to worry."

"I'm sure they're going to be beautiful when they get here." Ariala smiled encouragingly before returning to her tea.

"So have you three worked out a plan for Jessi working on the house?" Marreck asked as he turned to their three guests.

"Yes," Dimitrius nodded, "I think there's a place for him down at the house. They've been a bit short handed lately due to the change of seasons. You sure you guys won't miss him around the house while he's gone all day?" Dimitrius teased with a wink.

"I think we can spare him, for a little while," Emelaide teased back with a laugh

"Glad to know I'm clearly wanted," Jessi laughed as he finished his tea. "Well, shall we get a move on and confirm this job of mine?"

"Yes, I think we should." Ariala smiled as she finished her tea before standing up. "I'll see you both later." She said kindly, giving them a small wave.

"Of course, Ari." Marreck smiled at his friend before continuing to dirnk his tea.

Dimitrius smiled as the couple as he excused himself from the table. "I'll bring him back safe and sound on my way back to visit Dimeria, I promise," Dimitrius said with a wink before leading Ariala and Jessi out of the house and into the snow towards the house.

"Well this has been quite the eventful morning," Emelaide said with a laugh as she looked over at her fiancee, "Join me for a bubble bath to relax a bit before we get back to work?"

"And how could I refuse that?" Marreck smiled at his fiancee as he finished clearing the dishes before making his way to the bathroom.

~~~

Ariala smiled happily as she fit her hand in Dimitrius' while they walked. "I'm so excited for our house to be done." She pondered aloud. "I don't think climbing that rope ladder will be much fun when I'm blown up." She laughed as she cradled her stomach.