[New York City, Central Park, early October]

Annalia sighed happily as she stretched her legs out on the picnic blanket that her mother had brought for their picnic and smiled as she watched her brothers, father, and boyfriend play Frisbee in a wide pentagon that took a lot of the space in the park. Other families, couples, and single people were also out enjoying the unseasonably warm weather that was striking their fair city while she and her loved ones were having a family picnic.

Her mother chuckled at her before offering a piece of freshly baked apple crisp. Bethany shook her head at the grateful look she received from her daughter as the plate was snatched from her hand. “Ye eat too much, daughter of mine,” Bethany commented fondly as she watched the crisp disappear rapidly.

“I can’t help it that my mother stuffs me whenever she sees me! Yes I’m eating for two…not twenty, mum,” Annalia shot back after swallowing and grinned widely as her mother laughed again.

“Well it’s a mother’s duty to spoil the grandchildren. And I think I shall start early on since ye aren’t giving us enough time to see ye and Talin as is…what with all yer travelin and such not,” Bethany protested as she wagged her finger at her now sheepish daughter.

“I’m sorry, mum. We’ve been so busy with his traveling and just being together after being parted so abruptly that I guess I have been remiss,” Annalia replied sadly as she put her empty plate down and stared at her slender hands as they rested on her swollen belly. She rubbed her stomach and sighed, then looked up as she felt a cool hand brush aside her hair. She smiled at her mother and leaned into the hug that was offered to her gladly, pushing away all the worrying thoughts that constantly hovered on her mind. Since London, they hadn’t had a repeat of the fight in the alley. She could tell, however, that Talin was still very worried. He was always holding her protectively when they were together. She’d also overheard him making some plans, but hadn’t asked him for details. She was willing to trust him to take care of her and their son.

“It’s all right, Lia. We just worry ‘bout ye and Talin and this wee one that is going to be joining us soon,” Bethany murmured gently as she rubbed her daughter’s back. They both looked up and smiled as their men returned, laughing and jostling each other amiably.

Annalia beamed as pride flowed within her when she saw how easily Talin intermingled with her family. It hadn’t taken long for them to adjust to his presence in Annalia’s life and their lives by default. Talin had worked at being as accommodating as possible to Annalia's family. He had more than proven himself to be a worthy companion for Annalia to her family and so far, everything had been very warm and welcoming on all sides.

The rest of the crisp was served to the now once more ravenous men of the family. The playful banter of a loving family began once again as Ryan and Jonathon took to teasing Annalia about all the events and rich living she had been receiving from Talin since they had met up. Annalia shot back a huffy reply on their jealousy as she stuck her nose in the air, which earned laughter from all of them as Talin wrapped his arm around her waist and nuzzled her neck with a grin.

They grew quiet as the afternoon slowly progressed into early evening, soft chatter and joking breaking their familiar silence as they relaxed as a family. At one point, they had all taken turns on feeling Annalia’s belly when the baby had decided to start doing somersaults while they had relaxed, which in turn had elicited delight and amazement from them all. But after a while, they packed up and started walking back towards the O’Grady home, yawning and deciding what they wanted to do for the rest of the night.

Annalia smiled as she snuggled into Talin’s warm hold and shivered slightly as a semi chilly autumn wind blew up around them before dying down. Talin nuzzled her ear, and then whispered softly to her, surprising her. “My love…we need to talk before going inside. Is that all right?”

She looked up at him and nodded mutely, then stopped at the bottom of the stairs leading into the house, reassuring her mother that they just had to have a little talk before joining them. “What’s wrong, Talin?” she asked quietly while wrapping her arms around her chest in an effort to remain warm as she shivered in the cooling evening air.

Taking his coat off and wrapping it around her, Talin gazed at her steadily before holding her close. “My love…my dear Annalia. I…you are due soon and I worry about the Shadow coming after you again,” he whispered huskily as he rubbed her back when she shivered at the mere mention of their enemy. “I wish to take you to England, near Avalon so that we might use the Isle’s powers to protect us until you give birth,” he informed her quietly and his wish startled her.

She leaned back and looked up at him in surprise. “Go to Glastonbury then?! But…but what about my family?!” she demanded in shock as she stared up at him.

“It would be for their safety as well. I know you wanted them there for the birth, but things changed with London. It is no longer safe. If we went to Avalon, or rather near Avalon, I could guarantee more that I would be able to protect you,” Talin murmured grimly as he looked away.

Feeling her heart break at how helpless he looked, Annalia cupped his face. “It wasn’t your fault, Talin. It worked out, but it wasn’t your fault that they were so powerful,” she whispered lovingly as she caressed his cheek and smiled sadly as he leaned into her touch.

“It was because they were in England, which is where the earth power is so strong. The Shadow has nearly taken over much of the Old Lands, but Avalon is still strong,” Talin replied grimly before he held her close. “I do not wish to lose you,” he whispered fiercely as he held her tightly to him.

“You won’t lose me,” Annalia murmured as she snuggled close, sniffling. She buried her face in his chest as silence fell over them grimly. “Very well then. To England we shall go. What about your business?” she asked, muffled by his chest as they snuggled.

“It will be able to take care of itself, plus I have a very reliable Vice President. You met her,” Talin responded soothingly and smiled softly as Annalia looked up at him.

Remembrance flashed in her eyes and she grinned. “Oh yea! Carrien. She’s a cool lady,” she commented with a chuckle, which urged a chuckle as well from her lover. She sobered then and sighed as she nodded. “All right. Let’s go in and tell my family. Just don’t expect them to be happy,” she warned Talin as they turned to go.

Laughing, Talin shook his dark haired head. “I would not expect less from them, my love. But if it were between your family’s wrath and the Shadow, I would choose facing their wrath,” he admitted wryly, which earned a laugh from her.

“I take it you arranged everything? Including a birthing doctor?” Annalia asked knowingly as she winked at her lover.

“Aye of course! Only the best for my beloved!” Talin proclaimed grandly and they laughed as they went inside.

“Well they’re laughing, so that means they are still together,” Ryan commented with a wide grin as he met them in the foyer carrying two steaming mugs of hot chocolate, which he handed to them after they had taken off their jackets and shoes.

Snorting as she took the warm mug, Annalia stuck her tongue out at her oldest brother impishly while Talin grinned and nodded his thanks after taking his own mug. Ryan winked at them, and then led the way to the living room as their mother called for them to get in for the movie. Glancing at Talin, Annalia smiled uncertainly as they went in before stopping behind the couch. “Um…we have something we have to tell you guys,” she started and chewed on her lip as they all looked at her after her father paused the movie.

“Is it that you are finally getting married?” Anthony asked teasingly and got some laughs as Talin winked at them while wrapping his arm around Annalia’s waist supportively.

“Um, no…not exactly, though that is in the plans. Right?” Annalia cocked an eyebrow as Talin looked at her innocently, which got some more laughter from her family as she frowned sternly at him before facing her family again.

“Well what is it then? Tell us before we wither 'n die, ye two slowpokes,” Liam prodded his daughter and Talin with a smirk.

“What Annalia wishes to tell you is that…we are going to be moving to England until she gives birth,” Talin finally stated as he held her close and placed his hands protectively over her belly.

“What?! You’re nuts?!” Ryan cried in conjunction with Jonathon as they jumped to their feet and their exclamations set off a shockwave of reaction through the family. Demands for an explanation mingled with denials and accusations as the O’Grady family once more erupted into a furor because of an announcement from the only daughter of their clan.

Talin nuzzled Annalia’s neck as they weathered the storm and held each other close until silence finally fell over the gathered. He looked up to see the irate family watching them expectantly and he smiled at them. “We both know that this is sudden and rather unexpected, but things came up and, since she is coming closer to her due date, I am going to have her go with me.” He smiled at them apologetically. “I know how much you wanted to be there for the birth, but…please understand,” he whispered sadly while looking down at Annalia as she watched her family intently.

“So let me get this straight. Yer takin’ our daughter to England until she gives birth 'n then what?” Liam asked softly as he stared at the two with narrowed eyes.

“And we’ll return when things are settled,” Annalia replied quietly as she held his gaze, thankful that Talin’s hold hid her trembling. She clutched her boyfriend’s arms tightly and stilled her trembles as silence reigned once more in the living room.

Bethany sighed softly as she stood up and came over, hugging them both tightly. “Will ye at least keep in contact? ’N be sure to tell us when the babe is born,” she commanded quietly and with acceptance in her eyes.

Laughing on a sob, Annalia hugged her mother in return while sniffling. “Thanks for understanding, mum,” she whispered through her tears while holding her mother close.

“Yea, send a postcard or something!” Ryan added as he got up and hugged them as well before clapping Talin on the shoulder as he grinned at the other man.

“And pictures damnit! I want to see that kid when he/she is born! What is the baby anyway?” Anthony cried as he bounced on the couch and laughed with the others as they watched him in amusement.

“It is a boy. You shall have a nephew,” Talin informed them quietly before smiling down at Annalia as she beamed up at him proudly.

“'n ye have chosen a name, I should hope?” Liam asked as he relaxed in his easy chair with a grin at them.

“Arthur Micheal,” Annalia replied proudly before moving to the couch and snuggling up to Talin as he sat next to her.

“A nice strong name ye chose, love,” Bethany commended with a smile as she settled back in her seat next to her husband. “Now start this movie! We can then play a game, aye?” she suggested with a beaming smile and received a chorus of agreement from her family.

Smiling softly as they focused on the movie, Annalia felt warmth and love fill her within. She loved her family so much and the next few months away from them were going to be hard. But they were necessary. ‘Talin is right. In order to stay safe…we’ll need all the help we can get,’ she thought firmly before relaxing completely into her boyfriend’s arms. She smiled up at him contentedly before refocusing on the movie. Yes, they needed to do this.

After the movie and a round of Scrabble, Annalia went home with Talin to begin their packing. She wasn’t surprised when Talin told her that he had already sent over many of their things to the house that they had now just outside of Glastonbury. So, with a grin after teasing him, Annalia went to bed. They were leaving later the next day on a flight out, so she knew that she was going to need plenty of sleep.

The next day found them packing up the remaining items they were going to need for their home and heading for the airport. Talin was going to have her stuff sent to his home in Long Island finally after having ended her lease with her apartment. With a sad sigh, Annalia closed the door to her apartment for the last time and smiled fondly before taking her boyfriend’s arm and heading out. She waved good bye to her good natured neighbors and landlady while promising to let them know when her son was born before she got into the BMW with Talin’s help.

With a smile, they headed for the airport to take his private jet to England. Smirking as she leaned her head on the window, Annalia watched as her home town vanished from sight. She looked up at Talin and grinned lovingly before they kissed deeply. She felt now that everything was going to be better.