Angela gave her son many, many kisses after the tears were done. Drae held his wife and she, in turn, held their son. There was such love in that little room. For the first time in a month, Rohan was fed by his mother. She sat in Drae’s arms and held Rohan to her swell. He was content with her and this was how he knew his mother. After he was fed the three of them were soon joined by Iva and they had a good day together, a grand day. They all played together in the fields. 

At night they all climbed into bed together. Rohan slept so very close to his mother so she could enjoy his baby scent, even though it was more like a woodland scent. Iva being Iva was curled up into Drae. In the morning, Rohan had managed to be over Drae’s head and Iva was sprawled out between them and Angela had managed to get shoved all the way over to the other side.

But Angela was looking more and more like herself. She was finally herself actually. She was awake enough to look in the mirror and see the maturity in her face from the one finally growth of the night. She smiled and rolled back over so she could chuckle at Ro, Drae, and Iva. “You lot are all bed hogs.” She said in barely a whisper.

She gently moved Rohan over to her and kissed his dark head of hair. Moving her hands down she grabbed the blanket that had been strung about the bed and straightened it back out. When she saw Drae peek she put her finger to her lips. “Five more minutes before we wake them up. They are exhausted.” Yesterday had been a good stress-free day.

Rohan yawned and reached out to grab his mother’s hair. She helped him find it as he rolled into her and she chuckled again. The low rumble of her laughter jolting him awake for a second.

The day had been filled with much romping around and piggy-bear rides for Iva and Angela while Rohan followed Drae around as a little baby bear. It had been a much needed treat for the youngest children of the family, and there were plans to do things with the older children as well. 

Drae was debating on some sort of camp out in the gardens for the older children, but it was still in the works when bed time came and the four of them bundled into the bed. He had draped an arm around Iva as she curled up next to him so he could hold Angela's hand and feel Rohan's slow and steady breathing as they all fell into sleep. 

The next morning showed that there had been a great amount of movement as Drae woke up to find Rohan had more or less monopolized the pillow above his head and Iva had all but pushed him and Angela out of the bed and was spread eagle in the middle. He peeked out from beneath the pillow that Rohan had claimed as Angela straightened out the blankets over the top of them. He slowly pulled his head out from beneath the pillow and nodded at Angela when she requested to let the children sleep for a few more minutes. 

He lifted his head, groaning softly at a sore back and shoulders, but watched as Angela kissed Rohan's head and the little boy stirred slightly, reaching for her hair. Drae chuckled softly as Rohan used the hair almost like a blind man's dog and used it to locate and roll into Angela to cuddle with her. 

Rohan started awake at his parent's chuckle and looked around with his big green eyes, and complained quietly before he sat up and climbed up on Angela and rubbed his face sleepily. 

"So much for five more minutes," Drae whispered as he reached out and rubbed Rohan's head. He looked at Angela and smiled. 

"I was thinking… you could use a proper vacation after all that has happened. I know you probably don't want to run off on the children right now, so… what if we had a little outing to Apoy Island, for a visit to the hotsprings?" he suggested. 

Angela was amused with her son as he awoke to his father’s chuckle now. It was almost like he wanted to find out what was so funny. Angela propped herself up so he could climb up onto her. She helped to get the sandman’s sand out of his eyes and kissed each of his eyes. “So much for five more minutes.” She chuckled and looked down to Iva. “At least she is still out.”

She held Rohan close to her and if he was hungry she nursed him. At least she was feeling better about everything. She took a deep breath as she looked over at her husband and smiled. “That does sound lovely and the children won’t die if I leave for a minute or two.” She thought she heard Rohan grunt and rolled her eyes softly. “At least… not really. Dramatically might be another thing.”

She tilted her head at him. “For us or with the children?” She gently rubbed Rohan’s back. He was truly a glutton if there ever could be one in toddler form. “I think it would fun either way. Though a little time together wouldn’t hurt after everything we’ve had to go through this past month. If you can free me from infant death grip I’ll gladly go with you. Iva will be a little bit more understanding than Rohan.”

Drae chuckled. "She'll sleep forever," he smiled before he looked at Angela lovingly. "He'll be fine, if not a bit grumpy," he added as he poked Rohan playfully. "Won't you buddy?" 
Rohan waved a hand at his father smacking his poking fingers. 

Drae looked back at Angela. "Just for you and me. I think we could use it. After all, I made you wait for so long," he chuckled. "I was thinking something a little different for the children. Maybe a day visit to Horae island?" he suggested. 

The warlock looked at his son and furrowed his brow. "Hey you, how can I do anything with your mum if you are holding onto her like that?" he demanded playfully. Rohan giggled but let go of Angela and sat up, and began 'bumping' up and down on the bed, as if he was trying to wake up Iva. 

"Oh, no you don't, rascal," Drae chuckled as he scooped up Rohan and bounced him lightly on his lap. "See, he knows how to listen," he said with a cheesy grin in Angela's direction. 

Angela laughed at the site and shook her head as he started to bounce to wake his sister up. “What are we going to do with you trouble maker.” She cleaned his face up and kissed his forehead. “He knows how to listen to Daddy. If you remember correctly it’s how he came out and how he first kicked.” Angela tickled her son’s feet and laughed.

“I think they would love Horae by the way. We could all go… Well as many of us that wanted to.” She spoke softly as she pulled herself out of bed and put on one of her more summery looking dresses. She brushed her hair and turned to see Iva rolling into her spot and taking up the whole area. “I will never know how she manages to sleep with you here now.” She chuckled.

Soon Drae and herself were off after handing Rohan off to one of his sister’s. Taking one of her arches they landed in the deep white sands of Apoy. Angela let her toes play in the sand as she felt the volcanic heat hit her. She stretched and laughed towards Drae. “Hope you are ready to at least work for it since you made me.” She was teasing him now as she listened to the waves crash into the ocean.

Drae had left the cloak and long sleeves behind, and was wearing a simple sleeveless tunic. The sun was warm on the tropical island and he stretched out, feeling the sun's rays on his shoulders and arms. He knelt down and pulled off his boots and stockings and followed Angela's suite and let his toes play in the warm white sand. The waters beyond were a crystal clear aquamarine, and Drae could see a myriad of sea shells beneath the surface, as well as a plethora of brightly colored fish. It was nothing like the bay at Wyllomochvar or Adeluna's coast. 

He looked at Angela as she laughed at him, wondering what exactly he had done that was so funny, but grinned at her.

"That much I deserve," he laughed as he moved to wade into the surf, which was remarkably warm. He guessed that the underwater vents of the volcano kept the reef plenty warm and he sighed in contentment. "I don't know about you, but I think the girls would love it here. It's positively gorgeous," he said as he sat down on the warm sands and looked out at the ocean. 

"We could set up a summer home here, I think," he thought out loud. "Not that the gardens aren't a perpetual summer home, but think of being able to just come here when we need to get away," he suggested. He ran his fingers through the sands and was surprised to pick up a pearl in between his fingers. 

"Look at the size of that thing. A child could use it as a marble!" he chuckled before he tucked it away in his pocket. He looked up at Angela as the tropical sun glinted off her red hair, and he couldn't help but think she would look quite fetching with a wreath of island flowers in her curling locks. 

"Shall we walk along the tide for a while? We might be able to find some nice keepsakes for the girls," he suggested. "Or we can go looking for those legendary hotsprings that make this place so popular," he added.

Angela began to wade with him and felt the wet sand now between her toes. It felt so warm and weird but it was pleasant. She held onto his arm as she closed her eyes and took in all the sun she could. The rays felt wonderful on her. “I think they would. We might lose them at sea, they would love to swim in the ocean I think.” She chuckled a bit as she leaned her head into his shoulder and opened her eyes with just a slit so she could watch the water sparkle as it tossed and turned.

She moved with him as they sat down. “A summer home would be gorgeous. Away from all the busy people and loudness of Arri and more private than the temple.” She chuckled a bit. “I quite like the idea. It doesn’t need to be overly large. A small Tudor cottage with three rooms… Just big enough for a little company.”

She chuckled at the pearl and tilted her head. “They could. I’ve seen some large pearls but never have I actually seen someone find one before.” It shocked her how much she had never experienced being as old as she was. Though the mundane things in life always amazed her. 

Thinking about his suggestions she smiled. “How about we do both, Love. I like the prospect of just existing right now.” She just wanted to live and if that meant doing all of what he suggested she would. “Come on, we can find some nice shells or something.” She laughed a bit. “Then once the sun starts to set we can go find the hot springs. They actually aren’t that far from here.” Of course, she had been to the hot springs here but they were some of her favorite inspiration. Especially when it came to her own spring in her room.

She got up and pulled him with her. “I just want to be with you…” She gave a smile and leaned up so she could kiss him. “What do you think we could find on a beach like this.”

"I don't think we would need to worry that much. Iva is old enough to swim, is she not, and as long as she was carefully watched I do not fear her being lost. And Rohan would take to the water, quite literally as a fish. Him I may worry about, but love of is mother may call him home," he chuckled. 

He looked out at the ocean. "Just a quiet little place where we could escape to when things get crazy. Big enough for us, and the youngest children," he agreed. 

He looked at the pearl and rolled it about his fingers. "It would make an excellent jewel on a necklace," he chuckled. "And adorning your neck, it would have no other place," he smiled as he held the ocean treasure to her neck. 

He stood up at her beckoning and took her hands to pull her up as well. 
"I think I can enjoy both with you. The girls may like shells as keepsakes," he replied eagerly. "And I think enjoying the night from the comfort of the springs may be quite the way to wind down," he added. He leaned in and kissed his wife before they began walking in the surf. 

"Who was that youth I've seen lurking about the Gardens with Sapphire?" he inquired curiously. 

Angela about froze at Drae’s words. “He doesn’t listen to me well Drae but…” She remembered his face when she had shown back up and her fears were quieted down. “As long as you stay with him and make sure he isn’t hurt.” She was mostly worried his abilities were too good. She nodded about the home. “If we design it, we can build it… rather I can poof it.” She chuckled a bit.

She looked at the pearl and smiled. “If you do a miracle like you did my wedding ring… I’ll wear it no matter what.” She teased him knowing that no matter what she would have worn it anyways. “I have always liked pearls.”

She nuzzled his face after they kissed before they started to walk. She let her fingers flirt with the skirt of her dress as she thought about his question. “Hiro? He is the son of one of my very good friends from the old world. Remember when I told you about my other half? She had a righteous friend named Sabishii. He was a true hero. Well still is actually. I haven’t seen him since the sundering but he would always help me. When I was dying Hiro came to take Sapphire away from the suffering. I asked him to but he told me he would do anything for Sapphire. I think in honest they are good friends with an innocent crush but they do help each other out. Makes me happy and I almost want to see Sabishii to hear what he thinks.” She chuckled. “Hiro also won Torn’s tournament when Torn was a god. He is talented like his father.”

She held her husband’s hand as she looked up at the sky before finding a conch shell in the sand. It was almost intact. She wiggled her finger a bit and found the pieces of it in the sand before reforming it. It was only a few pieces missing after all. “What do you think about this for Iva?” She smiled at Drae. “I fixed it just a little bit so it wasn’t sharp.”

Drae considered the youth he had seen about the shrine. He had seemed like a good sort, but he found himself wanting to talk to the young man. He was rather fond of Sapphire and was wanting to vet the boy. While he trusted Angela's judgement, he was feeling protective.

"If you trusted the boy with her safety, then I trust you. I just want to get to know the boy. I might not be Sapphire's true father, but I still love like she was my own," he said as they strolled. He listened to her words about Sabishii, Hiro's father, and wondered if he would be the sort that he would get along with. Somehow, he doubted it. 

He bent over and picked up the conch shell and looked it over now that it was intact. "I think she'll like that a lot," he laughed. "I wonder if it is true that you can call mermaids with a conch," he mused as he looked the large shell over and slipped his hand inside to test the fit.