I smile as David comes into the kitchen with a twin in each arm. He loves to do that. He says that it makes him feel like 'Super-dad' but I'm pretty sure it's a proximity thing. He's literally very protective of both babies. It reminds me of when we were dating, how his werewolf side was.

I've been meaning to ask about that.

"They're changed. Now time for their feeding." David beams.

I chuckle and pull the bottles up, shaking them, "And dinner is served. No offense to women, but I'm so glad there's nothing nibbling at my nipples."

"I do."

I chuckle as I move to him and take Prue into my arms. She coos a bit and I rock her. She opens her mouth, already anticipating the bottle, and I check it on my arm. It's safe.

"You're good at this." David smiles, "Fatherhood looks hot on you."

I chuckle as I pull the bottle up to Prue's mouth, "I've been doing this a month. It's like clockwork." I say with amusement. I stop and look towards him, "Is being a parent weird? I thought it'd be weird. It's not weird, is it?"

"I thought that, too!" David agrees, "Don't get me wrong, it's scary. It scares the shit out of me." I stare at him as Parker giggles. David clears his throat, "It feels right."

I chuckle at him. It's terrifying knowing that these tiny lives depend on us. I keep remembering how it felt when I was back in that place. I used to feel so at home there and so ready to feel that peace again.

I just realized that I have things to live for and people who depend on me. I have things I need to live for. The silence wasn't as comforting anymore. The light didn't feel right. It's supposed to be bright and harsh.

It's meant to be beautiful.

"Hey, where'd you go?" David asks.

I look up at him and smile, "We haven't talk about a lot of things. Like how 'predatory' you are lately or whatever's on your mind." I say softly.

"I—I don't know. About the predatory thing. I feel like I used to when I was a werewolf." David says thoughtfully, "Maybe...maybe Porter didn't cure me."

"And the other thing?"

"You came back." He says out of nowhere. I blink at him and he continues, "You were at that place and you chose to come back. With all the stuff going on, you came back."

"And pulled that asshole out of my Father's body." I say with a smile, "It wasn't an option. Not staying there. I did that. It's not something appealing anymore."

David gawks at me. He expected me to say that it was the opposite. He expects me to say that the choice was hard. It wasn't. His face settles on a very horny expression. It is usually reserved for the kid's nap time and honestly whenever and wherever we feel compelled.

His attention jumps as the front door opens. We both exit the kitchen to find Carolyn and Penny standing in the living room with two stuffed blue and pink teddy bears each, balloons and Peyton comes from behind Penny with two very small pink and blue teddy bears. Peyton is so adorable. She's thrilled to have someone smaller than her in her life.

"I brought them bears." Peyton says running to me and hugging me leg. I chuckle and bend down to take her in my free arm. She giggles and stares at Prue, "Do you think they'll like them?"

"Yes, they're very pretty. And small. We like small things." I say flashing Penny and Carolyn a very sassy smirk.

Carolyn and Penny stare at me with annoyance.

"I'd just like to take the time to not agree with that." David pipes in.

Penny huffs, "You do realize we are your parents, right?" She asks.

David goes almost maroon as Penny moves over and kisses his cheek. She chuckles at him as she takes Parker in her arms. I watch as she bounces him and Carolyn joins. I chuckle. I gave them a key for emergencies. And coincidentally more annoying and less announced drop-bys.

It has died down since Penny and Carolyn walked in during 'Daddy time'.

David's phrase.

"What are we going to do with the first ten stuffed animals?" I ask as Carolyn moves to grab Prue. I relinquish her with resistance.

"This is payback for the mountains of stuffed bears, dolls and that one incredibly short-lived rabbit." Penny says with amusement. She looks to Peyton who is about to open her mouth, "No, no more rabbits."

"Dog?" I suggest.

"Shut up." Penny snaps.

I chuckle at her as I turn my attention to Peyton, "You can play with our dog." I smile.

"You're getting a dog?!" Peyton brightens up.

"Yes, we're thinking something big. Huge. Maybe a bear. Literally." David says causing everyone in the room to stare at him. He clears his throat, "Or a husky."

"Are you sure now is the time?" Carolyn asks with a skeptical expression, "Dogs and babies? How about mastering one before getting the other."

"Yeah, but it's too late to put the babies back."

"No! No, please. Never again." I blurt.

"I'm being serious." Carolyn nods, "It's a huge responsibility. And with the—sorts of people in this town, do you think it's wise?"

I agree with her in some aspects. Life expectancy in this town dwindles a bit every day. We're speaking in code because of Peyton. While she knows she's special, she's not in the loop about the name and nature of herself and other supernatural beings.

"Hey, Peyt, why don't you go and find a spot for their bears. I'm thinking the cribs. They're small and pretty enough to actually fit in their rooms." I say with another smirk.

Peyton hops down and runs towards the bedroom. I watch as she's gone and when she's out of earshot, I turn my attention to our Mothers. David moves over, standing side-by-side with me. Our shoulders are literally touching.

"I'm not trying to be difficult," Carolyn blurts, "I know how overwhelming one baby is, let alone two."

"Hey, I survived labor. That was a killer, literally." I say with a smile. It soon fades as I notice they're all staring at me, "Oh, it is not too soon!"

"It kind of is." David says with an annoyed tone.

"I'm very glad that you took that ass out of my husband's body." Penny says surprising all of us. She looks between us, "Oh, come on! I get a pass for that one."

We all shrug, agreeing.

"Hey, can you guys excuse us? I would love to speak with my Mother alone." I say calmly.

David and Carolyn agree. David walks over and grabs Parker into his arms before heading to the twins' bedroom. My Mother looks as if she's bracing herself for something bad. It's nothing like that. I want to speak with her about what my Father said.

"What?" She asks with unease.

"I saw Dad in the 'great beyond'." I say with air quotes. Her face turns from unease to confusion. I take a deep breath, "Are you dating someone?"

She stiffens noticeably, "He told you that?" She asks.

"Not outright. He said that he wants you to be happy. It's hard but he wants you to be happy."

"Maxwell."

My eyes widen immediately. I hope I'm hearing this wrong. Maxwell is the worst choice in—everything. Thank God he donated sperm for David but the idea of my Mother or anyone I love dating him is enough to send me into a panic.

But then I remember how nice and gracious he'd been just before I went into labor. I also remember hearing how worried he was for David and me. As I think about it, Penny can do so much worse. I have to accept her choice and wish her the best.

I also have to acknowledge how incestuous it is.

"I know what you're going to say—"

"Good."

"Carolyn knows and I have her blessing and I really—huhdowhat?" She asks, "Did you just say good?"

I take a deep breath, "You're an adult. Hell, you were an adult when you had me and who am I to judge. I was with a vampire, a succubus and a werewolf." I laugh.

"So, I have a question."

I bit my lip, "That sounds ominous."

"Porter."

"Brother? Bennett? Hunter?"

"Lonely," She adds, "I'm worried about him. He is leaving again."

I groan. Porter, of course, told me about his plan to go away again. I urged him not to and he said he wouldn't be going for a while. I told him to think about it.

What I really meant is 'talk to Charlotte'.

Charlotte is equally as annoying. She's pining away for him in secret. She still has pictures of them as a screen saver. Sometimes I literally roll my eyes at her veiled attempt to placate us and herself.

"I would like you to speak with him."

"Me? Why?" I ask.

"You have a way with him. He listens to you. I'm his Mother, he's not going to listen to me."

"Are we talking about our Porter?" I ask.

"He's protective of us but he listens to you. Why? I'm not sure."

"Okay, the shade is real."

"I learned from the best." Penny smiles, "I need to pull a 'Parent Trap'."

I stare at her.

"I've been watching a lot of TV."

I shake my head, "I think I know exactly how to shake him out of his neurosis."

"Thank you." She says throwing her arms around me, "And Perry..."

"Yes?"

"This shirt...I smell throw-up and an unidentifiable scent." I stiffen at her comment and she pulls back, staring at me, "We will keep that very unidentifiable."

It's my turn to go maroon.

                                                                                          -

I jumped through hoops to get Porter and Charlotte into my home at the same time.

Of course, getting them to stay was the harder part. Eva agreed trick her. Incidentally she couldn't stay. Micah is out of the house on some school trip and Nora is...AWOL. David is sleeping in the baby's room.

I am stuck with the two.

At first there is no talking. I can feel how uncomfortable they are. For a minute, it overpowers my discomfort. They sit opposite each other in our brown leather living chairs. I sit between them on my brown leather sofa.

"Why?" Charlotte asks out of nowhere.

Porter and I stare at him.

"It's the only way I cou—"

"Not you," Charlotte says as her eyes fall on Porter, "You."

"Why what?" Porter asks.

I know when to shut the hell up.

"You left."

Porter sighs and leans back in his chair, "I needed to leave. There was so much going on." I take a deep breath and Porter looks to me, "You're not the only reason. I died, too. We've all been through the ringer and it has nothing to do with you."

"So, you left us?"

"Would you want me here? The less of me?"

"It didn't have to be less of you."

"It was!" He shouts. I hear the babies cry in the other room as well as a thumping sound. I listen as the babies stop crying. I glare at him and apologizes. The room goes quiet again before his eyes fall on her again, "It was almost me."

Charlotte stares at him, "What?"

I know what he means immediately. So many people died in that moment and if I hadn't come back when I did, others might have followed. I caution a glance at Charlotte who finally comes to the realization.

Charlotte bursts into a hysterical laughter. It actually baffles me. Porter and I exchange confused glances as Charlotte winds down. She looks between us.

"We could all have die. We could all die now." Charlotte hisses. The laughter is gone and replaced with anger, "So, you turned tail and ran? You got to leave us here, right? Like we were nothing."

"That's not true."

"It is. Did you even think about it? Did you even miss us?"

"Every day."

"Then why?"

"Because Astrid died. My Father died. Our friends all die suddenly and then what? Then we get a short goodbye? Then we get a visit from the afterlife?! It's not enough." Porter says with a growl, "This life, our life, felt so good. So when it doesn't work, when it's not available anymore, it's—"

"Painful." I say softly.

The both of them stare at me. I've said this and done before. Isolation and prevention. I never forgot how much he's lost, how much they all have. He just never lets on exactly how damaged he really is. It's why he's so protective.

It must be terrifying to know he can't save everyone.

I relate.

I lean forward, "Porter, you can't save everyone. You can't keep us safe by leaving us." I recognize how soft my voice is, "We need you. You've been guiding me and giving me just what I need when I needed it. You want to save someone? Save yourself."

Porter's now looking down at the floor. His chin rests on his hands and his foot is thumping against the floor. It's how he tries to manage his emotions, primarily trying not to fall apart. I look to Charlotte who nods as she stands and moves to him. I watch as she wraps her arms around him and he leans into her.

"It's okay, Porter." I say calling their attention, "He doesn't get to win this. I'm tired of wondering which one of us dies next. And that's why I'm going to destroy him. But I can't do it without you, without all of you."

"I always have your back."

"Me too." Charlotte nods.

"First things first. Kiss and make up. Just kiss. No one can have sex in this house but my husband and me." I say with a smile. I stand and head towards the door, "Tell Davey I'll be back in a while. I need some air."

"Hey." Porter says before I hit the door. I turn back to him and he scrutinizes me, "Where are you going?"

"To declare war?" I say as I turn and leave the house.

I can't live under a microscope anymore, not when it affects my friends and family.

                                                                                                        -  

As I sit on a bench in the town square, I look out at the town going on about their daily life. I wonder if they can feel it like I feel it. The eventuality that is to come. There was never any other way this can end, no matter how hard I tried.

"Oblivious and Oblivion."

I don't have to look over to see that the Nowhere Man is sitting beside me. People would probably say that I should be afraid. Maybe I should. But I don't feel like he wants to harm me. I feel like he wants to control me.

And he can't.

"I've watched the world for millennia and the thing that I've learned is that people want to feel, they want to see and experience the things that they feel makes them happy. They choose to be Oblivious and it always leads them to Oblivion. They want the things that make them safe." I look to my left and see that he's already staring at me.

His eyes are blacked over and he smirks as our eyes meet. I feel like I'm looking into the abyss. It's now that I remember I have before. This time, I feel just as afraid but I also feel like it is just the dark. I've already faced it.

"They're not." I say look back onto the town, "Nobody is safe, right?"

"You've matured." His voice is filled with pride, "I've made you into a tougher person."

"You're right. You've taken every single thing in my life and turned it on its head. You've taken every safety I've ever had." I say softly. I look to him again, "But you don't win."

"Are you sure?"

I smirk, "Yes. You've wanted me to realize how dark I am, how much I love the dark. And you're right. You've made me tougher. You've made me realize that I'm not the darkness. I am every bit of the light. I am the Gatekeeper. I am a Summers-Bennett-Gilbert and I defy every bit of death."

He stares at me, not blinking.

"And I'm going to kick every inch of your ass." I say as I stand. I turn back to him, "I was trying to find a way to fight you off. But I don't want to 'fight you off'. I want to end you."

He claps, "Brava! Brava! Thrilling speech." He says standing.

The Nowhere Man lifts his hand to attack me but I'm faster and a burst of light rushes out of my hands, knocking him to the ground.

"Oblivious and Oblivion." I smile turning from him, "No one's safe."

I begin walking away from him.

I know this is the beginning of the end. This is it.

And only one of us survives this.