"Father!" Ilios squealed happily, "Mother!"

Erik peered out the door angrily, "Ilios the children are sleeping stop shouting!"

"Gustaves come to visit!" Ilios whispered, if it could be called a whisper, it was just as loud.

"Has he?" Erik frowned, "He wasn't supposed to come till Saturday."

"What other men would be rowing down the river?" Ilios frowned.

"Go get Eli and tell me if anything wrong," Erik whispered with a nod.

Ilios huffed and turned away, ignoring her Fathers remark and heading out into the sands. She mumbled under her breath and spent a few moments kicking her feet angrily in the sand.

"Go fetch Eli. Ask Eli. I'm just as old and just as smart. What do I need him for?"

She climbed up on top of the small woodpile the kept outside and put a hand to her forehead blocking out the sunlight.

"How I wish to see an ocean," She thought, overlooking the murky waters, "How nice to feel the sun, to swim all alone on forever."

"Hullo there!" A voice called out with a laugh.

Not Gustave.

"Who is it?!" Ilios cried out, "Fred is that you?!"

The man docked the boat and gave a laugh, "Fred? Have I competition?"

"Who are you Monsieur?"She laughed gaily her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

"Come now!" The man laughed putting his arms out to his side and spinning around. "Come to now Ilios! You don't recognize your guardian angel?"

Ilios squinted and the squealed as the man presented her with a box of chocolates.

"Oh, Peter it is you!" Ilios grinned tackling him into a hug, "You've come back for me just as you promised!"

"Come, child," he laughed, "Don't hang on me so, I'm not as young as I used to be."

"Neither am I!" Ilios said proudly standing to her full height.

Peter looked her over and laughed, "Indeed. I suppose your not. How old are you now?"

"Just Nine!" Ilios beamed, "I was 6 last you saw me."

Peter nodded and made a gesture to her height which made Ilios cackle.

"I'm here to see your siblings, and to ask your father a favor," Peter said with a smile.

Ilios took his hand and dragged him onward towards the door.

"Papa!" She called out gleefully, trying her best to remain quiet. "Papa come see who has come!"

Erik and Christine appeared at the doorway.

"Mother," Peter smiled with a small bow. "Father."

Christine laughed in delight, "Oh Peter! So it is you. I thought you'd never come."

He ran up to her kissing each side of her cheek and shaking Erik's hand heartily.

"Peter," Erik smiled, "You've grown up quite a bit."

"Grown richer too," Peter noted. "Rich enough for presents."

He let a small smile escape his lips as in the side of his eyes he saw Ilios uncontainable excitement.

"Wheres the other one?" He joked putting a hand to his knee cap.

Eli peered out from the window, his younger brother in his arms and his eyes fixed on his sister.

"Who is it?" He called out.

"Peters come!" Ilios called back. "Peters come at last!"

Eli grinned and came outside, handing one kid to each parent.

"Ah!" Peter chuckled as Eli tackled him into a hug. "I barely recognize you!"

Eli watched in great amusement as Peter rushed back to the boat and gathered some small parcels.

The happy family led him inside.

"Now," Peter began, "For the mischief maker, for the dreamer, I brought two things."

Ilios jumped up and down impatiently, "Oh do tell! Do tell!"

Christine shushed her and rocked her youngest daughter gently.

She hadn't remembered much about her birth, but she chalked it up to exhaustion. Besides, she had her eyes, dreamers eyes, the kind Ilios had in the twilight.

"A card set, to use the deception you've been given best you may," Peter said presenting her with a fine pack of cards. "And-A picture book, from my trip to the seaside. I remeber how much you always loved the water."

Ilios gave a cry, her little heart bursting with joy. "Oh Peter, it's so perfect."

"You spoil her." Erik scolded.

Christine gave him a stare, "You spoil her."

Peter ignored their banter and continued on. "And for the inventor, the finest new books from my study in New York. New paper and pens for your research."

Eli frowned, "I never told-"

Peter made an all-knowing face and Eli stopped. WIth Peter everything was a mystery, there were questions that had no answers.

"For Father," Peter nodded to Erik wringing his hands together nervously. "I hope you like it."

He handed him a supply of new rosins for his violin bows and a stack of newest compositions by famous artists.

"I've been wanting this!" Erik exclaimed, making Peter sigh in relief.

"And," Peter finished, "For Mother."

He reached deep into the bag and pulled out a beautiful white lace gown, with blue ribbon around the waist.

"Hmmm-" he teased, "It does seem rather small though."

Ilios gave a loud cry of joy that awoke her younger brother.

"Ilios!" Erik scolded.

"Oh let her cry," Peter laughed, "She's only a child, she cries out uncontrollably as well."

Ilios took the dress into her hands and held it tight, "It's too big! When will it fit?"

Peter shrugged, "12 or 13 I would think. I figured you deserved a good school outfit."

"Silly, I don't go to school," Ilios stated in a matter of fact tone.

"Ilios," Christine smiled, "I and your Father have been speaking and-"

"Oh!" Ilios yelped, tears coming to her eyes. "Oh, you mean I-?!"

"You can stay with Ms. Giry when needed during the winter months." Erik nodded, "Gustave will take you with Luke the other times."

"Oh Father," Ilios sobbed, "I'm so happy."

She turned to Peter and hugged him tightly, her small hands choking his neck. "Peter how do the most marvelous things happen when you arrive!?"

"Magic," Peter teased. The sensing Elis disapproval changed his answer, "Science."

"Will you stay long?" Eli inquired.

Peter nodded, "I'm home to Paris, for good."

"That's wonderful," Christine smiled. "You're always welcome here!"

"I have a feeling I'll be hiding here more often than you'd please," Peter sighed in exhaustion, "With money comes attention, every person in town has eyes on me. I can't take a girl to dinner without scandal."

"You could take me to dinner!" Ilios noted in a small mumble.

Peter let out a laugh.

"Ilios!" Christine chided, "I heard that. Mind your manners."

"She only speaks her mind," Peter defended quickly, "She has no need for restraint with me. None of you do."

"In that case," Eli said timidly, "I think you should cut your hair."

Erik raised an eyebrow in horror.

Peter nodded gravely, "Then so it shall be done. First thing in the morning."

He smiled at Erik, "I've been considering buying a theater. Why not? I have nothing to gain nothing to lose."

Erik shook his head, "That kind of rich is dangerous."

Peter turned away so Ilios and Eli wouldn't see his face. Christine saw it plainly.

"I haven't much choice," Peter muttered.

"Shall we play cards?" Eli suggested pointing to Ilios' new deck.

"What a grand idea!" Ilios agreed.

Peter pursed his lips and gave a small word in agreement.

"I'm heading into town to get the kids something tomorrow," Peter said firmly. "And don't you lecture me Father bout spending cause I don't get a lot that makes me feel alive nowadays."

Erik gave a grave look in Peters direction and went to help Ilios set the card table.

"What are their names?" Peter inquired.

"Wade and Winifred." Christine smiled meekly.

"Beautiful." Peter said softly.

Beautiful.