The Blackthorns

*~*~* Blackthorn Hall, January 4, 1974 *~*~*

Quinn stood in the door and fiddled with her wedding rings as she watched her son sleep. She loved how different her children were and yet how close. Vi curled herself into a ball cuddled around a pillow practically buried under her quilts; Bas lay starfish across the entire bed, one foot sticking out from under the covers and one arm draped over the edge of his bed. Vi loved learning the hows and whys and Baz only wanted to deal in the how-to.

She could hardly believe it was their birthday already; they were 14. She was sad that this was the only birthday they would have together, but she was determined to live as long as she could. She was writing letters for them for the big birthdays. For special events. She'd leave Evan instructions. Ideas for things she wanted them to have on certain birthdays. It was hard. And she broke down in tears more than once as she prepared. She wanted it all in place before she began getting sick.

But she was not going to think about that today. Today, she had made a cake for breakfast - over Evan's strong objections. She and Evan planned to give them their gifts at breakfast.

"He's never gonna get up unless you make him," Evan chuckled as he came up behind her watching their son over her shoulder. "I think Vi is already awake."

"Nope," Quinn grinned at her husband. "That lump in the middle of her bed? That's Vi. She curls, he sprawls."

"Balance," Evan chuckled and shook his head before continuing, "the sun and the moon."

"They've done amazing things. I can see them doing even greater things this time around."

"Maybe, but they need training," Evan warned.

"They'll need familiars to ground them."

"I was thinking the pups that were born on Christmas might be the ones that will make a good match. They were there for their birth and they show a strong affinity for the Gwyllgi and Cŵn Annwn. I have a good feeling."

"Yes, they are quite in tune with them. Shall we do that today as well?"

"If we can roust either of them out of bed," Evan smirked. "It's 7:30 on a Friday, woman. Daylight's wasting."

"Bloody farmer," she grinned up at him.

"You married me," he said softly, half teasing and half in wonder that she had really finally married him.

"Yes I did," Quinn agreed, her eyes soft. "It was always you. Only ever you."

"I know," he said before he kissed her softly.

"Do you have to do that in my doorway?" Baz groaned from his bed.

Quinn almost apologized when she saw the sly smirk on his lips. Then she raised her eyebrow and smirked back. "Yes, and if you don't get a move on I'll stay and snog your dad silly right here."

"No!" Baz grinned. "Mercy! I'm up, I'm up!"

Evan just laughed, long and loud. A shuffling from the shared bathroom got Baz moving faster. Vi would hog the hot water. If he didn't hurry, he'd just get a cold shower.

*~*~*~*~*

As much as Quinn wanted to have them with breakfast, the cake and gifts had to wait until after chores. The animals came first.

"Bore da, Niwl. How are all of you this morning?" Baz said as he crouched down next to the new mother as she was being swarmed by a litter of puppies in various shades of gray all seeking breakfast.

"Morning, Lillith," Vi greeted the Gwyllgi dam before turning to the Gellert. "And how are you today, Eowyn?"

"I still can't believe you named her Eowyn," Baz grinned remembering how excited Vi had been to see the books in the tower library.