"What?" Roxie's eyes grew wide as she looked behind her, but saw nothing except darkness.

"Who's Steven?" Marlena asked again, "He's always with you these days."

Walker made his way to Roxie's side. He could feel her energy roll off of her as could some of the others who were beginning to eavesdrop.

Suri rushed to her daughter's side and Jenny stood next to Marlena.

"Steven was—is my dad.." Roxie said as Walker put his arm around her waist, "You see my father?"

Marlena nodded and smiled, "Sometimes. I think he hasn't passed over."

"Passed over?"

"Like my parents. They're with me."

Roxie's body gave a shudder before the tears fell hard.

"I called it!" Jadis smiled, her toothy grin more prominent than ever, "Your father hasn't passed over because his death isn't avenged and you need him."

Walker shivered as a cold breeze slipped through. Roxie smiled at him and gripped his hand.

"I bet Margaret's with you. "

Marlena skipped back to Jenny and Evans who were silenced by the revelation.

"Margaret is with you and Walker, but it's harder for her to come through because there are little girls with her."

"Gods... " Walker croaked,"Who sent the message? The warning about Maddy?"

Jadis looked to Marlena and back again.

"Let's give the child some space and we'll discuss soon... "

As if they needed to trek through the emotional turmoil that had just rained down upon them, Walker and Roxie found themselves immersed in training once again.

There would be the prom and a few weeks later... the vampire ball.

"Marlena's gifts are, -" Walker began as Evans shifted into wolf form and back again.

"Going to get her killed."

"Or taken," Crystal said, "I overheard Jadis discussing it. They're afraid that she might be taken for use on their side. "

"Well, " Evans wiped the sweat off his brow as he conjured up a few powers of his own,"Perhaps she'll see that beforehand. "

The hours ticked by and the camp grew tired—even the witches were growing weary.

"You need rest," Walker said to Roxie as they headed back to their home, "We'll shower and get some grub. I hear Brett was talking about having dinner with them?"

Roxie yawned, linking her arm with Walker's, "Yeah..Mom said something about a meal at her place."

"Good.." Walker smirked, "I can take that pretty pink pussy in the shower then..."

"Is that all you think about?" Roxie teased as if she wasn't thinking about it, too.

Walker shrugged, "No puns intended, but it's so hard dealing with the awakening and the hormonal changes."

"Imagine being pregnant on top of all of that."

Walker turned to her as they stopped on the first step of their porch. He caressed her face with his fingers and smiled, "I know we're young, Roxie, but I love you so much. I can't even begin to truly describe how you make me feel—how our daughter makes me feel. I wasn't ready to do any of this before you and here we are—married, about to be parents.."

"Going to war.." Roxie sighed, "I don't want to lose you—I can't lose you, Walker."

"Well, we're going to make damn sure that doesn't happen, aren't we?"

Roxie smiled, "We are."

They showered, Walker doing exactly what he'd promised, fucking his wife leisurely underneath the warm shower, sure not to hurt her or the baby.

"I could go fifty rounds before the night is over," Walker said as they dressed, "Or more..."

Roxie blushed, "I never said we'd only do it once, now did I?"

"Even after all of the training, you're still not exhausted?"

"Not when it comes to feeling you inside of me," Roxie said, brushing out her hair, "I am needy when it comes to you, baby."

Walker smiled as they left the house—he couldn't help it. She made him so joyous—this little mouse who'd scurried her way into his life.

"That's weird," Roxie said, "Jadis and Jaleesa are here."

"I thought this was an intimate dinner.." Walker mumbled, "I like the witches, but can't we have some fucking privacy?"

Roxie wanted to agree, but Jadis and Jaleesa wouldn't be there for just any reason.

"Well, let's get on with it," Walker said, tapping on the door.

Suri opened it, smiling wide as she ushered the two inside. Jadis and Jaleesa sat on the couch, Brett on the other side in a chair, looking nervous. The smell of fried chicken lingered in the air.

Roxie noticed the food was already set at the table, but still piping hot.

"I'm keeping it warm," Jaleesa winked, wiggling her nose.

"Well, what's going on?" Walker said, not wanting to sound rude, "We came here for dinner with Suri and Brett,--"

Jadis waved her hand, "Calm down, Mr. Wells, we'll be out of your hair soon."

Jaleesa smiled, "And I'm sure whatever happens, you two will make the right choice..."

"The right choice?" Roxie frowned, "I don't understand."

Jadis and Jaleesa motioned for Suri to kneel in front of them, but Roxie stepped forward to protect her mother.

"It's OK," Brett said, "She's getting the spell taken off."

"The spell? The love...for my father?"

Suri smiled, a tear streaming down her cheek, "I have to let him go..."

Roxie nodded, taking her mother's hand, "Is that why you wanted me here?"

Suri nodded, "I needed you here. I need your blessing."

Roxie smiled, " Mom, I want you happy—I have always wanted you to be happy."

"Do it, Mama... " Roxie whispered, "You'll always love Dad in your own way. They took too many years from you."

Suri shook her head, "Oh honey.. I'd do it all over again because I received the greatest gift out of it."

"What's that?"

Suri smiled, "You, silly... "

Roxie's breath hitched as she cried alongside her mother, knowing this is what Steven would have wanted, too.

"Roxie,... " Walker gently pulled her away as Suri closed her eyes and Jadis and Jaleesa began to chant quietly.

The two settled in on a loveseat close to Brett who looked absolutely terrified.

"He's loved her for a long time," Roxie whispered, "I can feel it."

Walker could, too. The bond that would be broken between Steven and Suri would be heavy, but not forgotten. Their legacy would live on through Roxie and their grandchildren.

They couldn't understand the witchy enchantments, but Suri felt no pain, although the tears spilled. Her heavy heart was light now as Jadis finished her portion of the incantations.

"You're free... you're free... you're... free... "Jaleesa nodded, opening her eyes as her hand hovered in front of Suri's face then her heart.

"Awaken... " Jadis quipped as Suri's eyes flew open, her heart fluttering as she felt Brett's presence.

"I think we need to go.." Walker said as the witches pulled themselves away from the couch and headed to the kitchen to pack up some dinner, "Your mom .. and.. uh.. Brett look like they need some privacy."

Roxie was stunned, but she turned to face her mother who was embracing Brett as they gazed into each other's eyes, longingly.

"I've waited so long for you, Suri.. " Brett whispered,"I pined for you.. I'm...I know we aren't mates,but I love you.."

Roxie and Walker gathered their things as Jaleesa handed them a bag of containers filled with food.

Jadis cackled as she lit a cigar, ushering the others out of the house.

"Don't you worry, Roxie, darling... She loves him, too."