McConn Residence December, 30, 2027

Kiara smiled making breakfast when a 5 year old Rossalyn walked into the kitchen.

"Morning Mommy" she said sleeply.

Kiara laughed, "Well Good morning sweetheart, you are up early today.. can't sleep?" she asked as she flipped the pancakes.

Rossa looked down, "Umm I ah had a bad dream"

Kiara frowned placed the pancakes on a plate and put a warming charm on them. She walked over to her daughter.

"Want to tell me about it?" she asked, gently placeing her hand on the childs chin. Rossa had been having a problem with nightmares lately and she was slightly worried they hadn't left her alone yet.

Rossalyn shook her.

Kiara sighed and lifted the child up, Rossa clung to her mother,

Kiara walked over to her chair and sat down, rubbing the little girls back.

"Morning and a lovely one at that!" Ciaran yawned, walking into the kitchen. He had already dressed for the day, but ironically his hair was still plastered to one side from sleep.

His smile faded when he saw the position Kiara and his youngest child were in.
"Hug in the morning? or bad nighthorse?" he asked, reaching out to lay a hand on Kiara's shoulder.

There was a loud crash in the other room and Edwin and Edan both poked their heads in.
"It was Tav! I swear." The middle McConn child immediately defended himself. Being seven years old, Edan McConn seemed to have a streak for trouble a mile deep. And it hardly helped that 12 year old Edwin DeLanquar, a notorious troublemaker, was spending the night.

"Yeah, sure it was." Tav chuckled, whacking his brother good-naturally on the back of the head with the rolled newspaper. At 17, Tav was the oldest child present and seemed to remember that fact very very well.

Kiara sighed and looked from her husband and back to her daughter, "Nightmares again" she said quietly as kissed Rossa on the forehead.

Rossalyn sighed and barried her head into her mothers shoulder.

When the nosie sounded from the other room Kiara looked up "Ah starting the morning off with a bang hmm?'" she said.

Looking down at Rossalyn she asked. "Want to go to Daddy?"

Rossalyn nodded...

Kiara rose and moved her youngest over to the arms of her husband.

Kiara looked over to her energetic sons, and adopted brother. "Do I want to know what you 3 are up to now, at 7 in the morning?" she asked with a raised eye brow.

Ciaran took his daughter as she was handed to him and carried her over to the table. Sitting down, he began to hum May It Be, his wife's and his favourite song. It was used to calm their children for any cut, bump, fall and nightmare.

Tav shrugged, smiling at the stack of pancakes. "Count me out of the mischief, Mum." he assured her, sitting down. Two pancakes were swiftly taken from the pile.

"Oh sweet!" Edan exclaimed, hurrying in with Edwin only a step behind him. "Ya made pancakes, Mama!" he shouted, doing a little "victory" dance. He hurried forward to hug her, smiling up at her with eyes that could get no bigger.

"And about the sound." Edwin slid into a chair and accioed the juice from the counter. "That was the living room cough breaking in two..."

Kiara smiled when she saw Rossalyn yawn and hug her father as humed their favorite song.

She raised her eye brow Tav, "I never count you out of mischief..." she said with amusment.

She laughed and hugged her middle child back, "I am glad like them" she said ruffling his hair. "Go on and eat".

At Edwins statment about the couch, Kiara raised her eye brow and she went to the other room to have a look.

At the sight of the broken couch she said "hmmm" and waved her hand repairing it like new.

Returning to the kitchen she asked "How did that happen?" she asked as she went over to her daughter and husband.

Rossalyn had since drifted to sleep as the last few nights had been rather sleepless, so her 5 year old mind was exshusted.

"Ah it seems all she needed was her Daddy eh?" she said as she kissed his cheek.

Ciaran's heart seemed to sigh within his chest as he looked down at his sleeping angel. It seemed like such a short time since she had laid, nestled in his arms, a wee babe. Now five years old, she was still his baby girl, despite the years.

Grabbing the syrup, Tav dug into the pancakes. "And with good reason." he smiled, after swallowing.

Edan had worse table manners as he scoffed down his pancakes with no syrup and plenty of butter.
"Des ae gowd." he exclaimed, mouth stuffed full. Edwin slapped him on the back, causing pancake to spatter across the table. Edan finished chewing and returned the favour to his uncle, by dumping his freshly poured cup of juice down his back.

"Edan!" Ciaran admonished, trying to keep from laughing. Edwin shouted with a mixture of surprise and pleasure as the orange liquid dribbled down his back.

"You little squid!" he yelped, conjuring a banana. Taking said fruit he slipped it down Edan's back under his shirt and mashed it with a well aimed punch.

Kiara sighed and looked and looked at the two with amusment. However there would be no food fights in her kitchen.

"Now now you two, food is for eating not playing with" she said cleaning the mess casued with a wave of her hand.

"Surely you both know better" she said as she shook her head casting a scurgify at both boys.

"Now eat up, and you can spend some of that energy outside in the backward in the snow. How does that sound?" she said messing both boys air up with her hands.

Kiara looked at Ciaran, the amusment from the boys becomeing clouded as she motioned to Rossalyn, she was worried for her daughter, these nightmare were becoming very freaquent and she refused to say what they were about or what was wrong.

The worry showed on her face, as she gently moved hand through her daughters hair.

She sighed.

Edan nodded excited as his mother reminded him of the snow drifts behind their house. Chuckling, Tav finished his pancakes and rose from the table.
"If you don't need my help with anything, I'll be off." he muttered, heading for the door. He spent a great deal of his time planning, or tinkering with items for some unknown project.

"Aren't ya going to play with us, Tav?" Edwin asked, mouth full of pancake. He took great delight in not using his table manners when at his sister's house. After all, his mother tolerated talking with mouth full, chewing noisily and elbows on the table as well as Kiara handled alcohol.

"No, squirt." he chuckled, ruffling his "uncle's' hair. "You, Edan and Rossa can play without me."

Ciaran noticed the change in his beautiful wife's countenance and his attention moved from the boys to her.
"Don't ya be worried about Rossa now, Ara. I'll be taking her up ta bed soon here and when she's waking, we'll be having a wee chat." He rose from the table with his daughter's head carefully held against his shoulder, her body nestled in his arms.
"Now boys." he turned to them, mock sternly. "Ya eat yar food and no more waste. I hear ya bothring yar mum and I'll give ya ta Grandma to turn ta cider."

Edan screamed as Edwin poked him with a fork and the two boys laughed.

Kiara nodded and sent Tav a smile, "Very well Tav, you know the drill, be careful and see you later. Love you" she said. She said it everytime any of them left, one never knew in these times, after all.

Kiara arched her eyes brow at Edwin, "How come you only a act this over here? Never see you do this at you mothers house..." she said with laugh.

"Don't talk with your mouth full" she said tapping her foot.

Kiara nodded when Ciaran rose with Rossa to take her to bed, she really hoped Rossa would tell them what was wrong.

Rossa yawned and wrapped her small arms around her fathers neck.

"Daddy..." she murmered before drifting back to sleep.

Kiara rolled her eyes and laughed at the antic of the two boys.

"First one to finish eating and CLEAN up can throw the first snow ball" she said with a spark in her eyes.

Tav nodded, heading up the stairs. He would have to gather up his backpack full of "stuff" before he went anywhere.

"Act like what?" Edwin asked, playing innocent. He failed to notice his mouth was full until Edan stuck his fork into his shoulder. "That's it!" he shouted, jumping up from the table.
Screaming bloody murder, Edan tore off into the living room, Edwin hot on his heels. Shrieks of laughter and a loud crash followed by a whoop of pure joy soon followed.

Ciaran sighed. "The "Grandma threat" used ta work." he chuckled. Patting the back of Rossa's head he headed up the stairs to lay her down.

Kiara winced and sighed as the crash sounded. "Really I am surprised the house survives at all with those two" she mumbled as she followed them in to the living room.

"Alright, thats it you two, get your winter stuff on.. you can rough house all you want outside" she looking around the room for what had been broken this time.

"What is broken now?"

____

Rossa's room

After Rossa had been layed down in her bed, not 5 minutes later signs of a nightmare were clearly present.

She was restless, and talking in her sleep, most of it was not very understand able however a few words were could be clear heard.

"Mommy...!? Daddy...!?....no...... Don't leave me!!"

Then her eyes shot opened and she sits up, big hot tears streaming down her face...

Edan was found pinned to the floor, 45 kilos of Edwin holding him against the rug.
Both boys cheered and rose from the floor, dashing off to find their winter wear.

They both cringed slightly as she asked what was broken. Hopefully she wouldn't notice the fallen lamp and shredded curtain.

"You shouldn't have slashed the curtain, Edwin." Edan whispered as they headed out the door. Edwin shrugged.
"You shouldn't have hid behind it..."


____

Ciaran's eyes filled with tears as he watched his little girl toss in her sleep.

"Mommy...!? Daddy...!?....no...... Don't leave me!!" The words tore at his very heart and he carefully gathered his precious lass into his arms.

"Hush, love." he murmured, rocking her back and forth. "Da is right here, taday and forever."

Kiara sighed as she saw the damage done the living room.

"You two must be more careful" she said as she waved her hand at the lamp, making it whole again. She also repaired most of the damage done to the curtains.

"Merlin you two are going to get a pelting of snow when I get out there" she sad tapeing her her fingers.

When she heard her daughters screams she froze, and looked up stares. Bitting her lip in worry she turned to Edan.

"You two can play in the backward, but Edan you know the rules, stay in the backyard" she looked at Edwin and add "I mean it" she was not joking, no on was about to go beyond the wards with out a adult present. Purgers were a contant threat and worry on Kiara's mind so wards were her making.

"I will be with you two in a minute." she said as she urgantly went upstaired.

_______

Rossalyns room.

Rossa sobbed into her father as he held her.

'b...But I see.... you and... m ... mommy disspear... It feels like you are not coming back" she sobbed and sniffed.

Kiara walked into the Rossa's room and what she sees nearly breaks her heart, at Rossa sobbing so badly.

She walked dover to Ciaran and placed her handa on his shoulders has she sat beide him.

"What happened? she asked softly.

The two boys nodded and slipped outside.

---


"It was just a nightmare, Lynierose." he comforted. He looked up when Kiara entered and sighed.
"Another dream, Ara." he murmured. "Edan no doubt has been talking ta her about the purgers." There was a note of weariness in his deep voice.

Kiara sighed and looked a her youngest, who still sniffed back tears and clung to her father for dear life. As if afraid if she let go he would vanish right before her very eyes.

"Shhh it's alright sweety, don't let whatever your brothers say scare you alright. Don't let dreams frighten you, there are just things your mind makes up as you sleep."

Rossa looked unconviced and she continued to cry in to her father's shoulder.

Kiara sighed and noted to find out who had told her youngest about purgers, Edan hisself was to young to know such things. Yes they knew what they were in a sense, but stories on what the purgers could do if they got the chance wasn't something a 5 year old could deal with.

Sighing Kiara moved over and kissed her daughters forehead. Then she brought her mouth to Rossa's ear and whispered.

"I won't let anything happen to your father and brothers Rossa. I promise you, no matter what happens you will mever be alone there will always be someone around to watch over you..."

Still choaking back sobs and shaking like a leaf Rossa managed to say.

"Really?.... you... ya promise?" she asked.

Kiara felt her self start to tear up but she nodded "Yes I promise"

Unlike Ciaran, she couldn't bring herselt to promise she would always be there, she wasn't sure if she could keep it. As long as the purgeres existed there was always the threat of her dieing tomorrow...

"Now sweety, why don't you try sleeping again hmm? you must be tired, don't worry we will keep the nightmares away. Think happy thoughts" she said as she wipped the tears off her daughters cheeks and began to sing May it be, with her magic conjuring a violin in the background.

Rossa fell asleep not even half way through the song.

Kiara sighed, "Remind me to find out who has been telling her about the purgers....... it isn't something a 5 year old should have to deal on her own. No wonder she has nightmares, the poor thing" she said in a equally wary voice, while keeping a watchful eye out the window. Makine sure Edan and Edwin stayed out of too much trouble.

Ciaran listened to his wife calm and soothe Rossa. His mind repeated what he had promised only moments before.

"Da is right here, taday and forever." The words seem to haunt him now. He couldn't promise her he would be here... Having been added to the list several years ago, for refusing to leave his wife's side and his pledge that both she and most others on the list where innocent, he was as much of a target as Kiara.

For a moment he wondered how Horatio and Eglantine lived with the knowledge that death haunted their every step. After all, they had known about the list for far longer than either he or Kiara.

But then he knew how they thought of it... many times he had seen pure terror in Horatio's eyes when Edwin had been missing, even for a wee portion of time. And Eglantine... Ciaran could not count the times he had caught her staring either at one of his children, or one of her own, most likely dreading what the future held and whether or not the past could have prevented it.

He himself did the same things. Waking at odd hours in the night simply to be certain Kiara still lay sleeping beside him. Slipping through the house to see that his children were safe in their beds and that the charms which protected the house were still strong.

Coming back to reality with a heightened sense of awareness, Ciaran sighed.
"I'll be sure ta remind ya love." he nodded. And she was right, no child, 5, 7, 12, 17 should have to live with the knowledge that day and night they were stalked like prey.

Kiara sighed "Just why would any of them... how could any of them even come close to thinking that they should tell her about the situation?" she asked quietly but the concern was heavy in her voice.

"She is just a baby" she said

Almost as if to emphasis that statement Rossa snuggled even closer to her mother, who had since somehow found her way back in her mothers arms.

A single tear rolled down Kiara's cheek, Rossa was so sweet and innocent it pained her to see her scared so much.

She lay Rossa down back in her bed and pulled the covers over her. "Sweet dreams today my sweet, like little girls should have"

Turning back to Ciaran she said "we should let her rest for a bit, hopefully her nightmares will give her a rest for a few hours. I will wake her up in a few hours before lunch" she said.

"She will be fine love, come you haven't had breakfast yet either, lets see how many pancakes the boys left us hmm? and quickly they are burning their energy off outside in the snow. No telling how hungry they will be when they come back inside" she said as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

Ciaran rose from his chair and watched as Kiara tucked their youngest into her bed. Leaning forward he kissed Rossa's forehead, gently moving a lock of hair from her face.

"Aye." he murmured, rather subdued as he continued to muse over his thoughts. Wrapping an arm around his wife's back he led her over to the door.

He chuckled softly as he closed the door, leaving it open a crack in case Rossa had a nightmare.
"Those boys, eh..." he shook his head. "Not sure where they be getting all that energy from. Do ya put soda in the cakes?"

At that moment there was a rather loud knock on the front door and Ciaran groaned.
"Please don't be me boss..." he muttered.

Kiara raised an eye brow, "Heavens no, give them sugar? now that is just asking for trouble" she said with a chuckle.

She cast a curious glance at the door, "hmm, It might just be Horatio here for Edwin" she said as she went to the door. Though if one looked closely enough one could see that Kiara had one hand in her robes, ready to whip out her wand if need be. Not that she needed it, but her spells were that much stronger with it. One never new who might be at the door.

With the other hand she opened the door a crack to see who it was.

Chuckling at his wife's statement about sugar, he followed her to the door, keeping a meter behind her in case the door burst open or he was needed. He hoped it was just Horatio coming for Edwin...

On the other side of the door stood Eglantine and Horatio, both obviously thinking it would take a moment for someone to open the door. Horatio had pulled his wife into a close embrace and was currently kissing her quite passionately.

Kiara smirked at the scene before her, and glanced at Ciaran in amusement before opening the door wider.

"I am sorry for disturbing you both, I can come back later when you are done?" she said cheekily, not even trying to hide the smile on her face.

Ciaran chuckled as he glanced over Kiara's shoulder.

Eglantine pulled away from Horatio at the sound of her daughter's voice, but instead of blushing and/or hiding her face, she limped up to her and carefully embraced her.

"You are not disturbing, Kiene." she returned, eyes sparkling. Behind her, Horatio chuckled and moved forward to come through the door as well.

"I noticed the boys were outside playing." He commented, helping his wife remove her thick cloak.

"Should they be doing that?" Eglantine asked, her hand absently rested on her slightly swollen stomach.

Kiara smiled softly and gently hugged her mother figure back.

"Come on in, have a cup of tea" she eyed Eglantine. "decafe of course" she said softly as she patted her hand on Eglantine shoulder.

Kiara smiled and nodded her head at Horatio. "Oh yes outside and hopefully burning off all that explosive energy of theirs" she commentled.

She gave a laugh at Eglantines question. "Better out there then in my poor living room, it has had enough punishment" she said, quiely thinking merlin her was a witch and could repair items with a wave of her hand.

" And Don't worry the backyard is heavily warded, they will be fine" she said ressuringly.

"Tea sounds lovely." Eglantine exclaimed softly. Horatio made a face.
"More for you three, I'm having not chocolate or coffee." he insisted, playfully making an "unclean" sign with his two pointer fingers. Ciaran laughed softly before gesturing toward the kitchen.

"Cocoa it is then, Uncle." he murmured. His eyes strayed to the window and for a moment he thought he saw something there. Blinking, he sighed, deciding it was just his own anxiety.

Kiara laughed lightly, "We got lots of coco Horatio, not to worry." She said as she closed the front door and made the way to the kitchen putting a kettle of water on the stove.

"So how are things going with you two?" she asked for conversation.

She heard Ciaran sigh by the window.

"Something wrong dear?" she asked.