The thing about peace is that it doesn't last.

But the kind of chaos isn't always bad.

"Daddy!" My Son shouts.

I bolt upright, noticing that I'm not lying on anything. I'm hovering above the bed. I begin to panic until I see my son, Phoenix, with his arms in the air.

Phoenix is a small boy of four. My eyes run over his soft, angelic face. His bronze skin is stunningly like his Father's. His looks, right down to his dark hair and dark eyes, are mirror images of his Father's. He got his disposition from me. He's not a dick like his Father...yet.

He's staring at me, wide-eyed. He immediately chuckles to himself.

"What did I say about this?" I ask with an annoyed voice.

"Dad told me to." He says with a smile, "He said it would be funny."

"And?"

"It's funny."

I sneer at him, "Down now!" I say sternly.

Phoenix slowly lowers his arms, sitting me on the bed. David is such an asshole.

"Phoenix David Gilbert, go and get your brother and sister!"

David turns and runs out of the room.

I quickly slide my legs over the bed and stand, yawning. I turn to the window and smile at the sun shining through the window. It's not harsh anymore. It never will be again.

My thoughts bounce back to Phoenix. I never imagined having another child. That's the thing about peace, it gives you time to reflect on what you really want. This time I alleviated the pregnancy side effects. I also didn't carry the baby.

Two years after the birth of the twins, I was blessed with a bouncing baby boy. And it was my choosing.

I move across the room and grab a pair of jeans that I discarded last night. My wallet falls out of my pants, thumping to the floor. I pick the wallet up and it flips to a picture of Peyton and the twins.

Peyton is now ten years old, approximately four years older than the twins, who are six. I daresay she reminds me of Grandmother in her younger days. She was quite the spitfire, as she used to say. She's feisty, sassy and smart as a whip.

She's also beautiful like Mother.

The twins have synonymously proved themselves to be my children. Honey colored skin and dark eyes. It's a wonder anyone could tell us apart. And apparently the twins are identical. They're so close, I sometimes wonder if their bond is telepathic. And, as it turns out, they are very protective of their younger brother.

I flip the wallet closed and move out of the room. I only stop when I reach the living room. I'm shocked to see all of my friends staring at me.

"Surprise!" They shout.

How could I forget it's my birthday?

Eva waddles over to me, looking as if she could give birth at any times. She wraps her arms around me, looking as if she is about to cry. I chuckle as she pulls away. She's actually crying now.

"I—This is all—"

"Yeah, those hormones suck." I giggle.

Charlotte moves over and hugs me, followed by Porter and Troi, their daughter. I laugh again, trying to find detach myself from them.

"I remember them." Charlotte smiles.

I feel arms wrap around my waist and lean back into David. He still feels like home. I don't worry that it will ever stop, I don't wonder if it will ever not feel good, and I don't have to wonder if he feels the same way.

"Happy birthday, babe." He says into my ear.

"You do know that you're not off the hook for Davey, right?"

"I figured." He laughs.

He pulls away and moves toward the kitchen. Charlotte follows and I'm immediately skeptical.

Porter and Peyton find me now.

"You two do know I might commit murder." I smile embracing Peyton.

After the death of our Mother, Peyton bounced between Porter and me. Porter ended up taking care of her more because he and Charlotte didn't have kids. Now they have one and he isn't a handful.

They protected each other.

As the party goes on, I notice that the kids have disappeared. It's been hours, going into the night. It isn't uncommon for us to congregate for hours, especially when we are barely ever in the same place. It's a rarity that we get to see each other so long.

The kids had all disappeared a while ago. They went outside and we haven't heard from them.

I find myself outside on the porch, watching as they gather around something. They're speaking to something I can't see. I watch as they giggle and laugh. They stop and collectively turn to me. I feel absolutely terrified for a second before Peyton moves to me.

"What's going on?" I ask.

Peyton sighs, "Mom and Dad are telling a story about you and Porter. They said Porter hid your iPod after you stretched out his—"

I stop listening and look towards the kids. It's a flicker of warmth that I haven't seen. I move past her, walking towards the kids. The kids once again turn to me. Once I get there, the feeling is gone. I stare into space, trying to find the feeling again. I'm started as David takes my hand.

"Daddy," Prue smiles as she takes my hand, "Grandpa says you're not the strongest anymore. He said you'd know what that meant."

I chuckle at her and nod, "I do. And it's very charming of him." I say looking to the other children, "Okay, it's time for cake. Everyone inside before I eat it myself."

The kids all run towards the house, Peyton leading the pack. I watch as they stampede by David. He descends the stairs, watching me curiously.

"Hey, what's going on?" David asks.

I smile at him, "Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" I ask.

"A lot." He smiles, "I love hearing it."

I turn to look back at the spot where the children were. I cannot see anything but I feel them. I know that they are not waiting on me. I know that they have moved on. I also know they promised not to go anywhere.

And they meant it.

I walk over and pull David into a tight embrace, "It's weird that we're parents, right?" I ask.

"Hell yes." He laughs, "Now let's go back in before the kids take all the cake."

I chuckle at him as he moves back into the house. I take a quick look around again before moving towards the house. I enter and turn to the open door.

"What the Hell." I smile.

I wave my hand, causing the door to softly close itself.

Peace.