Willow finds herself waking up, early, almost too early – or it would be, if she actually needed to sleep. She slips out of bed, careful not to disturb Alaric, and walks downstairs, grabbing the laptop to start looking through websites. She would love to go out and shop properly, but she’s still in hiding from the people who think she’s dead, so if they see her alive – and as a vampire, no less – will cause a war. Plus, if Zander is right, any physical activity like shopping is likely to push her into labour, and she’d rather prolong that for as long as she can. She finds herself shopping online for hours, lost in a magical wonderland full of cots and pushchairs and playpens, and before she knows it six o’clock hits and Alaric walks down looking at her confused. He’s still in the worn jogging bottoms he’d slept in, and his hair has been artfully mussed by the pillows.“Guessing you didn’t sleep?” He walks

Her mind wonders to Yasmine. Was she destined to be the one? Was she meant to be Willow, and something had just gone wrong in the process? Was she the one destined to love Alaric, have his child and bring the worlds together? She thinks about what she’d be doing now had Gwenael not told Alaric she was safe. Would she be alone without any help? Would Alaric have eventually killed her? She can’t imagine a life without Alaric, and yet she can’t understand why it has to be her when Yasmine was the same in every way. Sure, Yasmine had known she was a witch from the start, she had fallen in love with Alaric and hated that the witches turned on her for it. She wanted revenge on them for it. Was that it, though? She feels her head shaking, what if Yasmine was meant to be the one, but she was so full of hate and sadness from the witches hating her for loving Alaric that it made her turn into one of them and Serliciaus had to come up with a second option?&ld

He watches as Gwenael walks to Alaric, glancing to the babies and then to Willow.“Is she okay?” He steps forward slightly; Zander now looking at her, his hand moving to grasp hers. Turning, Zander looks towards Alaric confused.“I can feel it and sense it Zander, what the hell changed?” He places the babies down and walks over. He can feel it; it is like she’s now becoming Monventla. He looks at Zander waiting.“If she is, she’s dead. We can’t risk it, Alaric.” Gwenael looks at Willow, he doesn’t care if it breaks laws, he’ll kill her. They just can’t take that risk. His head shakes as he looks at Alaric and Zander realising they’re not going to, he moves to walk forward, Zander pushing him back.“Give her time, I can’t feel her magic. Give her time, Gwenael, she just had the babies, her body needs to stabilise, give her a damn chance before you rip her apart.&rdquo

“You okay?” Alaric looks at her as she nods slightly. “Really?”“Yeah, it just sucks that I never had sisters or brothers; that’s all.”“You did, you had all the witches in the house Azalea, and all the ones who visited as well.” Zander smiles at her; blood isn’t everything.“You have me and Willow, and these two as well. They can be your sisters, just don’t go tainting their innocence too quickly,” he laughs, nudging her.“I know. When are you taking them outside?” Azalea looks at them waiting.“Not yet, we’re giving everything time. Some werewolves and witches still think Willow is dead, or should be. Her own family can’t see her either until everything is sorted. Plus, we have no idea at what rate the twins will grow, so we’ll be checking on them regularly until we know.” Everyone sits quietly, the twins becoming unsettled and