Chapter 1

Anthill…

Chise stayed still as Shannon removed the bandages that were covering her face. When she was done, she got a tackle of a hug from Ruth. She held him tightly. She missed him, and she felt guilty that he wasn't there to see Emma and Evelynn being born.

Ruth: "Chise. I'm alright. I saw them when Elias brought them home. They're beautiful."

Chise: "I'm glad."

Ruth: "Chise."

Chise: "Yeah?"

Ruth: "Emma reminds me of Isabelle…"

Chise: "Oh Ruth."

Ruth: "I'm glad you are alright."

Chise: "Thanks. How is Elias?"

Ruth: "He's depressed but he's pulling through. He's worn-out though. Not just with the twins but with his job and the church as well."

Chise: "Aw… I told him to take it easy…. And now with the girls…. I should've been there…. I gave him too much responsibility."

Ruth: "No. Don't blame yourself. You had a difficult delivery. He understood completely. He will take care of them. Silver will help too."

Chise: "Why aren't you with them???"

Ruth: "Elias wanted me to go with Shannon because knowing the king and queen, they might convince you to stay here. He wanted to make sure you come back home."

Chise: "I can't stay here! I would miss out on my daughters' lives! I have to get to them! I have to get to Eli-" (wince in pain)

Shannon: "Hey. Easy there. We need to get you to the pond before you could go rushing out of here.."

Ruth: "Come on. Let's go."

Chise: "……….." (nods) Elias……I'm sorry….

Back in the regular realm, it was the afternoon at the Ainswoth's house. Elias had just put Emma and Evelynn in a stroller. They girls watched as their daddy changed his face to Simon which made them giggled. They squeaks and giggles sure bring a smile to his face. In a way that was telling their daddy to cheer up. He bid Silver farewell. Silver gave him the twins' baby bag and he put it on his shoulder. He headed out to the park. He can't risk teleporting him and the girls there until they are a bit older. He got on a train, the people on there were just adoring the twins.

Elias: "It seems you got their attention my sweeties. It's been 2 weeks here. I hope she woke up. I very much want to see your mother again."

Emma: (squealing)

Evelynn: (cooing)

Elias: "We're going to meet Alice and Stella at the park. They never saw you before." (puts finger in stroller)

Emma: (grabs finger, cooing)

Elias: (chuckles softly)

When they got to the park, Elias looked around for them. He then felt a hug from behind. He turned around and it was Stella with Alice following behind waving at him. Stella looked at Emma and Evelynn and immediately fell head over heels with joy. Alice looked as well.

Stella: "So precious!"

Alice: "I see a lot of Chise in them. But none of you Bonehead."

Elias: "Die…"

Alice: (laughs mockingly)

Stella: "What are their names?"

Elias: "The strawberry blonde is Emma and the dark red hair is Evelynn."

Alice: "And Chise?"

Stella: "Yeah. She isn't with you?"

Elias: "……….."

Alice: "Oh…."

Stella: "No….. I'm….I'm so sorry for your loss…"

Elias and Alice: "SHE'S NOT DEAD STELLA!!!"

Stella: "Oh! Hehehehe! My bad!"

Elias: "Remember I told you about Chise being a Sleigh Beggy."

Stella: "Oh yeah that's right!" (picks up Emma)

Elias: "Be gentle. The delivery got difficult when Evelynn was trying to come out. Her horns made her breech. Chise used her magic to turn Evelynn around and put the horns back in her head. After that, she went to sleep. I don't know if she woken up yet. Ruth is with her." (picks up Evelynn) "If Chise didn't do what she did, Evelynn wouldn't be……" (sighs)

Alice: "I get she was saving her daughter, but to use that much magic? What an idiot. So reckless! Though I shouldn't be mad at her for that. She was saving her kid." (strokes Evelynn's cheek)

Evelynn: (smiles at Alice, cooing)

Stella: "Aw! Lynn likes you!"

Elias: "Who????"

Stella: "Instead of Evelynn, I'm calling her Lynn. It's a nickname. Is that okay?"

Elias: "I suppose."

Stella: "Okay. Listen Elias. Chise will come back. I know she will. Right now, I bet she's wondering how you all are doing. She's trying to get back to you guys."

Elias: "Yes but time moves faster over there."

Alice: "Yeah. Hopefully she'll get back before the twins start to walk."

Stella: "Don't say that!"

Elias: "No it's fine. I'm doing my best here. I'm taking care of them."

Stella: "I notice. You don't look so good."

Elias: "Yes. I'm a bit weary. Emma and Evelynn keep me up plus I'm grading papers and doing errands from the church."

Alice: "Take it easy."

Stella: "She's right! Don't overworked yourself. Geez! You and Chise are meant to be together. You two do crazy things!"

Alice: "I'll talk to Renfred about giving you more time off."

Elias: "You don't have to do that."

Alice: "I'm thinking about Chise and the girls. They wouldn't want you to get sick or pass out."

Elias: (sighs) "Alright."

Evelynn: (smiles at him)

Elias: They can't wait to see her."

Stella: "Do they know what she looks like?"

Elias: "Silver shows them a picture of her. They know."

Back at the Anthill, Chise went with Ruth and Shannon to be put in the healing pond. Ruth sat her down. He saw that she was still upset.

Ruth: "Hey. Once your healed, we can go home."

Chise: "…….." (nods)

Shannon: "Actually, Oberon and Titania would like to speak to you."

Chise: "I can't… We have to get back to our family."

Shannon: "It's just for a bit. Just keep relaxing."

Chise: "……Okay."

After Chise was healed, she and Ruth went to see Oberon and Titania. They were very happy to see that she was awake.

Titania: "Robin. My congratulations on the birth of your children."

Oberon: "Yes. Such beautiful girls. Just like their mother."

Chise: "Thank you."

Spriggan: "And yet, she leaves her offspring in the hands of a monster."

Chise: "That monster is their father and my husband. You don't talk like that about him." (getting angry)

Ruth: "Calm down Chise."

Oberon: "You remember the last time you and Thorn's wife had a fight."

Spriggan: "Hmph.."

Titania leaps off her throne and walks towards Chise. She gives her a hug and turns her hospital gown into a green summer sundress and put her now long red hair in braid with a few flowers.

Titania: "Young fledging. You belong here with us. You are barely human. I had this talk with Elias when you made fairy ointment for an elderly man. You. Your husband. Your daughters. Bring them here. So you can be eternally young. You won't have to worry about the curse of your arm or that of a Sleigh Beggy. You and your family can live here happy and away from the human world."

Chise: "Can I see them?"

Titania: "Of course."

Titania held out Chise's hand and opened a water portal. Chise looked through it and saw Elias reading more children books. He then put Emma and Evelynn on his chest. He nuzzled their cheeks making them laugh through there pacifiers. Titania told her that they have gotten bigger. Chise looked closer at the portal. She saw Elias pull out a picture. It was a picture of her.

Elias: "See this? This is your mother. She is beautiful is she not?"

Emma and Evelynn: (cooing)

Elias: "Never forget her. Evelynn. She used a lot of magic to bring you here. She saved you. She loves both of you very much. She will be home soon. We will be a family again. I cannot wait to have her in my arms once more. I will never let her go again."

Chise: (tears) "Oh…Elias.."

Titania: "I can bring them here. You will be reunited once more. What do you say?"

Spriggan: "My Queen!!"

Oberon: "What do you say Robin?"

Chise: "……No…… I appreciate the offer, but my answer is still the same. I want to be able to watch my daughters grow up. I want to be there for them. I don't want to be like my own mother. I don't want to take my life leaving them behind. I'm doing that right now standing here. My daughters need me. Elias…needs me. They are part human, but I want them to enjoy things in the human word. I want them to be human as much as I am."

Titania: "Elias said the exact same words as you. You two are very much soul mates."

Chise: "He's doing his job as a great father."

Oberon: "Even though he's not looking so good?"

Chise: "What?"

Oberon: "Thorn's Child's job as a teacher is quite stressful not only that but the little ones are here. And the errands for the church?"

Chise: (sighs) "Yes. I heard it all from Ruth. I have to get home. That's where I belong. With Silver. Ruth. My daughters. The love of my life."

Titania: "Oh poo. Rejected again."

Oberon: "Come on my love. We can't separate lovers. You should know that."

Titania: "You are childish my love. But you have a point. Go to them. Be with your family. They are waiting for you."

Chise: (hugs Titania) "Thank you for understanding."

Titania: "Of course. But we will not give up on you."

Chise: "Of course."

Oberon: "And we'll be sure to visit to see the blessed children you give us."

Chise: "Yes. They would love to meet you. Ruth. Let's go home."

Ruth: "Right."

Oberon: "Hurry now. Time moves quicker here remember? Be on your way."

Chise: "Goodbye your highness."

Chise and Ruth headed out of the throne room as fast as they could. They pass the pond and waved goodbye to Shannon who waved back. They left the Anthill almost reaching the caves.

Chise: Elias. Emma. Evelynn. I'm coming home! I'm on my way home!

Back in the human world, Emma and Evelynn have turned 3 months old. It was 3am at night. The twins started to cry waking up Elias who had laid down for about 11 minutes. He went back to the nursery. Emma was reaching for the mobile. Elias picked her up and cradled her letting her calm down in his chest. She bald her tiny fist holding tightly to her father's pajama shirt. He held Emma in one hand and picked up Evelynn with the other one. Elias then took the twin to his room. He gently place them on there backs. When they were in bed with their daddy, they calmed down.

Elias: "You just wanted to sleep with Daddy. Of course. When tomorrow comes, we need to buy more of this formula."

It seems that he was finally going to get some sleep. With that, he fell asleep at last.

When tomorrow came, Silver made hoodies for the girls. Because their horns and eyes have been showing at home. If they were to be having an outing, they need to keep their horns hidden. After she put the baby bag on Elias' shoulder, he was off. When they got to the store, Elias could barely keep his eyes open yet he knew what he was getting. He then notice that Evelynn was reaching for something. It was mashed sweet potatoes for babies.

Elias: "Is this what you want Evelynn?"

Evelynn: (squeals)

Elias: "I'm sorry honey. We can't get that. We have enough here. You have to make do. Now we need some diapers. A LOT of diapers…"

Evelynn didn't like the answer. She made a pouty face and threw a jar of mashed peas out of the cart. It was clear that she inherited her father's temper tantrums. Thank God she wasn't sprouting any tentacles like him.

Elias: "Evelynn! You know better." (caught the jar)

Evelynn: (puffs out cheeks, begins to cry)

Elias: "It would seem your sister needs a nap Emma."

Emma: "…Mmm." (nods)

Elias looked around to make sure he wasn't seen. He transformed his face back to normal and used his snout to rub on Evelynn's belly.

Elias: "COOCHIE! COOCHIE! COOCHIE!"

Evelynn: (laughs)

Emma: (squeals and laughs)

Elias: "See? Do you not feel better?" (changes back to Simon)

When Elias changed back, a man who saw the whole thing ran his cart into a pile of cans. Elias heard the crash and saw the man on the floor thinking he lost his mind after what he saw.

Elias: "Girls. Time to go." (walked away QUICKLY)

Emma and Evelynn found that curious how Elias can transform like that. Without him looking, Evelynn made a tiny grunt and poof! Her horns were out, eyes were red, and she even retracted a couple of sharp teeth. Emma was shocked yet curious. She did the same thing and hers came out as well. The little ones both laugh seeing as they like their newfound abilities to transform like their daddy. When Elias got to the clerk, he paid for his items. He was writing a check when the clerk got his attention.

Clerk: "Cute kids you have."

Elias: "Thank you."

Clerk: "Uh.. Is it just me or do they have horns?"

Elias: "Hmm???" (looks down, gasps)

Clerk: "Their eyes look red too."

Elias: (points quickly) "What's that?"

Clerk: "Wha?"

Elias: "Girls no!" (puts hoods on their heads) "It was nothing. Sorry. Excuse me."

Clerk: "Don't forget your bags!"

Elias quickly put the girls in the stroller and covered them up. When he got on the train, he went to a seat that no one could see him.

Elias: "You must not show that form little ones. If you do, it could startle people. Change back at once."

Emma and Evelynn: (tilt their heads) "Hm?"

Elias: (sighs) "I'll explain when you're a bit older."

When he got home, he put the twins asleep in the crib that was next to his chair. This gave him sometime to have a few minutes to himself. He shut his eyes for a few minutes then he heard a knock on the door for that, he groaned with exhaustion.

Simon: "Oy! Ainsworth!"

Elias: "Damn pastor……"

Silver: (annoyed) "……."

Elias: "Let him Silver."

Silver: (sighs)

Simon: "Thank you. Elias. Hey. Did you just get back?"

Elias: "Yes. I did. What do you want?"

Simon: "Well for one thing, I wanted to see your kids."

Elias: "I just put them down for a nap. Please step away."

Simon: "Aw come on. It don't hurt but to look. They're cute when they're asleep. Look at those cheeks."

Elias: "Touch my daughters, I'll turn your body to blood." (tired scary red eyes)

Simon: "Yeesh! Why are you so cranky?? Well cranky than usual."

Elias: (nodding off)

Simon: "Oh... You've been doing a lot since the twins."

Elias: "I'm fine."

Simon: "Speaking of which, I don't want to bring this up in front of them but-"

Elias: "Then don't…"

Simon: "Hear me out. It's the people at the church are concerned that you mate with a human and have hybrid babies. I have no problem with it. It's them. Not me. They think giving what you are, the children would become harmful to others. Saying they might be dangerous."

Elias: "My daughters are 3 months old. What about them is dangerous?"

Simon: "Have they shown their powers to anyone? Babies are curious at those months as you can see."

Elias: "They have but I made sure no one saw them." (looks at them) "They are innocent. Not dangerous."

Simon: "I see. So there is nothing to worry about. Get some rest. I'll hold back on the errands from the church. You need it."

Silver: (hands Simon his medicine) "Hmm."

Simon: "Thank you. Listen Silver. He's really tired. He needs rest. Talk to him. I've been watching him for years. I'm only concern. I'm praying for him. Hopefully Chise will come back. He needs her."

Silver: (nods)

After Simon left, Silver got a blanket and put it on the babies. She then shook Elias waking him up. He then realized that he had papers to grade for his students. He went to get them but Silver pulled on his shirt.

Elias: "Silver?"

Silver: (shakes head no, writes a note) Rest. You are going to let yourself faint. Rest Master.

Elias: (sighs) "Alright."

Silver: (smiles and nods)

Next week, Elias was in his study grading students paper while he was holding Emma who was sucking on her pacifier. He was moving slowly and nodding his skull off. He nod off hard which scared Emma. He shook his skull to keep himself awake.

Emma: (tugs on his shirt) "Mmm…"

Elias: "I'm alright. Do not worry sweetie. I have more papers to grade. They're downstairs."

Emma can't help but to worry. Yes she was 3 months old but she could tell that her daddy was tired. She held tightly as he got up to go downstairs. What they didn't know was that downstairs, Evelynn transformed and was teething at everything in the living room. Elias' chair, a couple of spell books, the table, Chise's desk, everything! When she saw papers, she crawled to them and grabbed them with her tiny hands. She ripped and gnawed at them. When she was done, she threw them everywhere. Elias and Emma came into the living room and saw the mess.

Elias: "Evelynn……You destroyed my students homework…"

Evelynn: (cute yawn)

Elias: "Ugh. That's my girl. But I need to fix this." (casts a spell)

When Elias cast the spell, everything that Evelynn destroyed was fixed. The girls clapped their hands when that happened. They were impressed.

Elias: "You like that don't you? You two will be able to do that when you are of age."

He then remembers what Chise said before. What if they're Sleigh Beggies? That thought made him puzzled. If they were, they wouldn't be able to use it. He pushed that aside for now got the papers and went back to work.

The next day, Elias read where you can carry the babies in a carrier while walking. So he put Emma in the front and carried Evelynn on his back. He made sure the hoods were on there tight just in case. When he had finish with his errands, he thought it would be good to go to the park. He walked slowly heading towards there. He did not hear Angelica calling out for him.

Angelica: "Hey Ains!"

Elias: "……"

Angelica: (grumbles) "I know he hears me. Oh he stopped."

Elias: (falls over)

Angelica: "Elias!"

Angelica rushed over as quick as she could. She caught him and the babies. They smiled when they saw her.

Angelica: "Be careful!"

Elias: "Angie???"

Angelica: "Geez. You need to be careful. You have precious cargo now. And I'm not talking about the groceries."

Elias: "I'm sorry. I just been so….."

Angelica: (grabs his arm) "Come on. Walk with me."

When they got to the park, she sat him down and picked up Emma while he held Evelynn. She saw the weariness take over him. If she hadn't got there when she did,…………ooh boy.

Angelica: "Have you been sleeping lately?"

Elias: "Not particarlly…"

Angelica: "If Chise got back and saw you like that, she would be angry."

Elias: "I know. I promised her that I would look after them. She said that they need me."

Angelica: "They do. But what they need the most is for their father to stop overworking himself."

Elias: "I………I……."

Angelica: "…………"

Elias: (voice breaking) "I don't know what to do……I'm trying to be the best father I can be."

Angelica: "It's alright. Soon Chise will be home. I would love to see her when she comes back."

Elias: "Yes."

Angelica: "Just hang in there. If you don't, I'll give you crap! And you know your kids don't want to see you getting beat up by their Auntie Angie!"

Elias: (shudders) "No they do not."

Angelica: (laughs) "Of course. Are they hot in those hoodies?"

Elias: "Their horns showed up not too long ago."

Angelica: "I know. It's just May in coming really fast. You need to get them some summer clothing."

Elias: "To think. They will be 4 months old."

Angelica: "Yeah. They're growing up real fast."

Elias: "Yes they are."

Angelica: "Alright. Think about what I said okay? Take care of yourself."

Elias waved goodbye to her and started to head home. When evening came around, he washed the girls in the sink. He then put some comfortable clothes on them. He took them upstairs ready for bed. They didn't want to be in the nursery. They wanted to sleep with their daddy again. He gently place them on Chise's side of the bed like always. He then laid on his stomach with his skull on the pillow. He then saw both Emma and Evelynn crawling towards him. They laid on the skull rubbing it gently with their hands. Once again, they were trying to cheer him up. He laid his arm out and Emma crawled under it and put her head in his large hand. Evelynn stayed on his snout rubbing his teeth. Elias then close his eyes and he sung Chise's lullaby to them. After he was done, the girls went to sleep and him 9 minutes after.

On the last day of April, Elias sat Emma and Evelynn in a highchair and feed them breakfast. When they saw Chise's photo on the fridge, something amazing happened.

Emma: "Ma."

Evelynn: "Ma."

Silver: (gasps)

Elias: "I don't believe it…." (gets photo) "It's Mommy."

Emma: "Ma!"

Elias: (chuckles) "Who am I?"

Evelynn: "Da-da-da-da!"

Emma: "Da-da!"

Elias: "Oh my girls. You are speaking! (hugs them) "If only she was here to see this."

Much later, Elias took the girls to the park. He waves goodbye to Silver telling her that he would be back much later. Silver waved goodbye and went back to cleaning. As they got on the train, around the same time, Chise exited the realm of Fae. She caught her breathe for a minute. Ruth rubbed her back gently. She didn't need to stop. She needs to keep going. As they kept going, they felt a hot breeze as they ran. Back at the house, Silver was still cleaning she then heard a door slam. She thought it was Elias and maybe he forgot something. When she heard voices, she got excited.

Chise: "ELIAS! EMMA! EVELYNN!"

Ruth: "Elias! She's home!"

Chise: "Elias! Girls!"

Ruth: "Where could they be?"

Silver: (gasps, hugs her tightly, giggles)

Chise: "Silver! Hi! Good to see you too."

Silver: (hugs Ruth)

Ruth: "Hello to you too!"

Chise: "Silver. Where's Elias and the twins?"

Silver: (writes a note) You just missed them. They left moments ago to the park.

Chise: "Oh….."

Ruth: "I'll go to them. I'll bring them back! You wait here." (heads out the door)

Chise: "Silver…. How long has it been?"

Silver: (points at calender, circles April 30th)

Chise: "I missed everything…." (cries)

Silver: (shakes head no rapidly, writes a note) They know who you are. Master and I have shown them pictures of you. And we talk about you constantly. They know you. They love you. They spoke. They said "Ma." That obviously means Mommy.

Chise: "Really?" (wipes away tears)

Silver: (writes note) Yes. Welcome home Chise.

Chise: "Thank you Silver."

At the park, Elias gave Emma and Evelynn toys to play with. Emma waved hers back and forth while squealing with happiness while Evelynn gnawed at her play keys.

Elias: "Evelynn. You keep teething like that, you will chip a tooth."

Evelynn: "Da-da!"

Elias: "That's right."

Evelynn: "Ru-ru!"

Elias: "Ru-ru???"

Emma: "Ru-ru!"

Elias: "Who is Ru-ru?"

Ruth: "I think they were trying to say Ruth."

Elias looked up with much shocked. He saw Ruth smiling at him. He got up and brought him for a hug. Ruth hugged back with big pats on the back.

Elias: "Ruth. You're here!"

Ruth: "Yeah. Good to see you again."

Elias: "The same! Is……is Chise with you?"

Ruth: "No. She's at home with Silver."

Elias: "She's home?!"

Ruth: "Yes. She's waiting for you."

Elias: "Can you stay with the girls?"

Ruth: "Of course."

Elias: "Thank you Ruth." (runs off)

Man: "Hey watch it! Where's he off to in such a hurry??"

Ruth: "To his wife."

Emma: "Da-da!"

Evelynn: "Da!"

Ruth: "Daddy's going to see Mommy. We're heading there now."

Elias didn't have time to wait for a train. He teleported to the house. When he got there, he opened the door loudly looking around quickly.

Elias: "Silver! Where's Chise?!"

Silver: (looks upstairs) "Mmm."

Elias rushed upstairs. He looked in the bedroom and the bathroom. She wasn't there. He heard something in the nursery. He walked quickly and stopped there. He opened the door and saw Chise holding a teddy bear rubbing it. When she looked up and saw Elias, she smiled as wide as she could.

Elias: "Ch-Chise…"

Chise: "Hey. I'm finally home. I'm so sorr-"

Elias got on his knees and hugged Chise oh so tightly. He rubbed her back and caressed her hair roughly. Chise rubbed his hair as well. She missed it so much. She clenched onto his shirt. Suddenly she felt something wet on her shoulder. It felt like drops. She then could feel Elias shaking as he held her tightly in the embraced. Elias was crying. Hearing him cry made her hug him even more.

Elias: "I missed you…"

Chise: "I'm so sorry Elias. You had to be both a dad and a mom…"

Elias: "It was not easy. They were growing really fast."

Chise: "You done great raising our girls so far…"

Elias: (chuckles softly still crying) "I messed up a few times."

Chise: "It's okay… Silver told me everything… I was watching too thanks to Titania. I want to know everything. I can't wait to see them."

Elias: "They're with Ruth. They can't wait to see you too." (voice breaking) "I'll never let you go again. Welcome home Chise."

Chise: "Yeah. I'm back. I'm home."

Elias put both his hands on her cheek and brought her in for a kiss. Feeling her lips with his felt like it had been an eternity since he kissed her last. More tears came down his face. She wiped them away. There was no need to cry anymore… Chise was home. And nothing is ever going to keep her away from her family. She hugged more while kissing him. She moaned with love. She couldn't wait for Ruth to bring the girls home so she could hugged them tightly just like she did him.