Welcome to Gaia! ::

The young girl turned her brown eyes to her father, "Trouble? Do you still get in it? Is that why mom did let me meet you before? She always said you were busy or it wasn't the right time." Lyv asked slightly confused at the new information. She hadn't questioned her mother often, but when she had asked about her father, Di had always told her he was a good man, but he wasn't in the place for them to join him. That he had business that didn't leave room for a family. But that didn't seem like that was the case anymore. Killian had a house with a room for her. How was that not leaving room.

As he said he was free to go shopping anytime, she giggled,"Saturday we will go then. Get you good PJ's,"It was then she heard the door open, and looked to see her mother coming out. With a smile she bounded to the woman, telling her before she could speak, "Mom! Dad's joining us Friday for Pizza and Sundae's! Then he's gotta come shopping Saturday when we go for Maddy's gift. He doesn't have Pj's!" Di looked down at her daughter with a smile as she tried to hide the laugh warming her throat. Her laughing green eyes turned to Killian, "No Pj's huh? Gotta fix that, I guess." She then looked back down to Lyv, and pushed hair back out of her face gently, "However little girl, it is still a school night, and you gotta get going to bed soon.""Awww mom, really? But isn't tonight special?" "Yes dear, almost bedtime. Go get your things." She told their daughter, nodding her head towards the door. She watched Alyvia run back into the house with the pup at her heels, before she turned back to Killian, "Sorry to cut it short..."

Grace rolled her eyes at Orion's driving comment, and finished off her water. "Oh no, you'll have to endure safe driving, and may have to live to see another day. Oh, the torture." She laughed and raked her teeth over her bottom lip. Sure she wanted to see how Thomas was doing, but she also didn't want Moira to think that she didn't trust her. She'd watched so many children in her lifetime, that Grace was sure the woman knew her way around an infant. But, just to ease her worries she nodded slowly, and reached around in her purse, grabbing her phone and handing it off to Orion. "You should have seen me before I left. I looked like a crazy, over-bearing, controlling mother." She had always seen people do things like that in movies and TV shows, but had never been guilty of it until now. She trusted Moira, but this was the first time that she had been away from Thomas since she'd gotten out of jail. It would certainly take some getting used to.

As for dessert, Orion had to know that she was always up for something sweet. It was what she survived off of when she worked as a nurse. Sugary food and drinks filled with caffeine, just for the energy. "How about some chocolate cake?" Every place had to have their own version of chocolate cake. With how good the food was, Grace assumed that the dessert was going to be just as good. "I'm not sure how long Moria wants to watch Thomas, and with it being so late there isn't going to be much to do." But she didn't mind just driving around with Orion, because getting to spend any time with him at all was nice.

They ended up with the chocolate cake, and the waitress brought it over almost immediately, with two forks for them to share. After the first bite, Grace hummed and nodded her head. "This is some damned good chocolate cake." She licked some icing from her bottom lip and grinned, shifting in her seat a bit. "I've missed this, you know. Just having some time to ourselves." She knew that with the amount of children he wanted, that they were only going to get less and less time together, which sounded a little somber to be honest.

Dereck looked at Lyn for a few long moments, and slowly nodded his head. He didn't want to leave her here all alone, but it was better than dragging her around with him while he went to question some of the crooked businesses in town. She also didn't need to be around that s**t anyway, because nine times out of then things got messy. "Alright. Make sure you stay here, you'll be the safest here." He placed a firm kiss on her forehead, and then got down on one knee and placed two more on her stomach, letting his hands caress the sides.

This was his family now, and he'd be damned if anyone did anything to hurt them. Dereck had to make this town safe for his children, because they were going to grow up here. He would do anything for Lyn and the babies. Anything. "I love you, Maralyn." He stood again and grabbed her chin with his thumb and index finger, tilting it up so that he could place a ginger kiss on her lips. "Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything." He held her gaze for a few more moments before grabbing a gun and putting it in the front of his waistband, and leaving the office. The rumble of the engines indicated that they were off. Not all of them, because Lucky stayed behind to do his techhy s**t.

"This doesn't mean I want things to change." Lena quickly said as she turned to face Archie. She kissed his lips lightly.
"I love how things between us are right now." He stared into his eyes a moment. She could easily get lost in them. She broke the contact and returned to the task at hand. She went and found them suitable coffee mugs. Lena needed her coffee, a tiny mug would never do!

She poured the steaming liquid in first one mug, then the other. She passed Archie one of the mugs, and moved hers over a bit.
"I will get the creamer, and sugar." She was happy for the quiet alone time she had with Archie. Thankful Tyson was currently occupied.

Lyv nodded to her mother, and hugged her father back as he squeezed her tight. "Of course, Daddy. I love you too." When he set her back down, she turned to her mother, and with the woman walked back through to the front of the house, her father following their tracks."See you Friday!"Lyv called to her father as she walked out the door. Di smiled as she followed the young girl. She turned and placed a soft kiss on Killian's cheek, "Thanks for understanding. Let me know when you're stopping by Friday."" She then turned away from the man and his new house to follow her daughter to the car. Once both were inside and buckled, Diana backed out of the driveway and took the two of them home to her parent's old house. There she helped the girl get ready for bed with a bath before she herself grabbed a glass of wine and sat on the living room couch mulling over tonight's events.

Orion was completely comfortable following Grace's lead. He actually did find he liked that Grace could and would take the lead from time to time. The romance and dates weren't all of his responsibility. He appreciated and enjoyed that she was capable of her own date ideas, and putting them into play.

He examined the new car silently. It was her money, so whatever she wanted to do with it was fine. He also trusted that she did her research before purchasing the car. Besides that he knew Jeeps were reliable vehicles.

Once at the casino-hotel Orion looked around. Immediately he felt the rush of excitement when his eyes landed on the casino. He loved gambling. Apparently it was something their Father had passed on to all three of his children. The single vice they all shared. They all loved to gamble. The thrill of it was just too much for them to resist.
"Let's go get settled in." Orion quickly said as he ripped his gaze away from the colorful lights that filled the casino.

'Cause sometimes you just feel tired,
Feel weak, and when you feel weak,
you feel like you wanna just give up

~Cadence Jaycey Sinclaire-Caine~

Cadence had received the much dreaded phone call and they had confirmed her fears. She was in fact pregnant. She felt betrayed by her body. How dare it house and nourish the seed of that evil man! She shuddered as she thought about being tied to that horrible man forever. Legally he would be allowed to see the child, and there was nothing she could do about that.

She sat down at the table and wrapped her cold hands about her coffee mug. The heat immediately spreading through her fingers. She lifted the cups to her lips and took a cautious sip. There was a knock at the door and she set her cup back down. She moved across the room, into the living room and across that room to the front door. She opened it and there was her Mother, she was staying at a local motel while she visited. She had brought pie to cheer Cadence up. Cadence must have sound upset when she asked her Mother to come over.
"Chocolate pie."
"Moooommmm!!!" Cadence wailed and burst into tears. Lena stepped inside of Eden and Jethro's house, and hurriedly set the pie down. She hugged her daughter.
"I know you love chocolate pie but there is no need to cry."
"Mom! I'm pregnant!" Lena tensed up, and squeezed her daughter tightly as she began to sob.
"Shhh! it's okay!"
"No! No it's not okay! I don't want this baby! I don't want his baby! I don't want to be tied to him forever!"
"Cadence Jaycey! This is NOT HIS baby! This is your baby!"
"Mom, he Fathered the thing so that makes it his for all legal and biological purposes." She sniffled pathetically.
"Yes, he contributed something to the creation process, but that means nothing. He can walk away at any time. Besides he is currently in prison, thankfully."
"That would be helpful." Lena laughed but covered her mouth.
"Oh no, that was awful. I'm sorry."
"Mom, I do not want it. The thought of...."
"A baby is a blessing from god, regardless of how it comes to you. Not everyone is blessed with children. Instead of focusing on the bad, focus on the good."
"Which is...?"
"You will be a Mother." Cadence sighed. She had always planned to have kids one day. So this could be a little bit of good news. Especially since she hadn't been sure what her chances of conceiving had been after the attacks.
"I am not sure I am ready for this..."
"I will let you in on a secret, no one ever is." Lena stated confidently. She wiped Cadence's tears away.
"So, stop with the tears and let's enjoy some pie and maybe start on a list of baby names." Lena let Cadence go and grabbed the pie again. She carried it into the kitchen, and Cadence followed her.

Several days later, after her Mother's visit. Cadence was still adjusting to life with a working mouth again. It was great to be able to eat again. Currently she was seated at the table eating a bowl of dry Honey Nut Cheerios with a side of cold Green Grapes. She was definitely looking better. Casts off, and wire gone.

She glanced up as Killian walked in the kitchen. Immediately she rose to her feet to go with her bowls. Killian gripped her arm.
"Sit, please." She paused as she thought about what she wanted to do. She sat back down.
"If you are going to try to convince me..." Cadie started but Killian cut her off.
"I think you should. That is your decision though. You honestly don't seem like you want this baby though. I can make the arrangements, and no one has to know Cadence." She stared down at the table, it was true she did not want to have a child with Ben, however this was her baby as well. Her Mother had pointed that out, and now it was all she could think about. Slowly she shook her head.
"Killian I am going to have this baby." He opened his mouth to argue but Eden stepped in the kitchen.
"Her body, her choice. By trying to force her to abort the baby is to further victimize her. So Killian, let it go." He huffed and exited the room. He had come to visit Cadence and brought Lena along. Lena had to head back after a few days, Kill had decided to stick around. Mainly he had hoped to convince Cadence to return home, and when he learned about the pregnancy, Well he had offered to pay to have it taken care of.

He was surprised by the response he received. Eden had jumped down his throat, and Cadence had refused his help. He really felt that would be the best for Cadence but she would not listen to him. She was determined to birth the child of the man who had tortured her for months. Though she did admit that she wasn't 100% sure the baby was Ben's. Killian was angry to learn that Black had taken certain liberties with Cadence as well. Liberties that Killian would make sure Black paid for.

~Candie~

Dereck had actually been right on his way back to the clubhouse when Lyn sent him the text message, so he didn't have a chance to get it. But, as soon as he arrived it was evident that he had been in a bit of a spat. His nose had been bleeding, and his knuckles were beginning to bruise and were bloody as well. But, there was a bright smile on his face. Nate went right to Lucky and they both started looking some things up on the computer, and Dereck moved right to Lyn, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Hey, baby. Got some good info about where they might be staying. Gonna go after them tonight." He moved toward the bathroom, mostly to wash his hands and the dried blood from his face. "Hows it going with the alarm systems? I'm gonna need all hands on deck tonight.." Which meant that she was going to be alone. But he had a plan for that, too. "I'll need you to call your cousin and ask him to stay with you." There was no arguing that matter. It was going to happen whether she wanted it to or not.