End

Nicole glared at her brother. "It's not that funny," she scolded him. She started to climb out of bed to help Peter.

"Don't get up," Davy told her. He and Micky stepped forward to help Peter to his feet.

"Pete? You okay Pete?" Micky asked, slapping him lightly. Peter slowly came to.

"Um... yeah, I think so," he mumbled dazedly.

"Why don't you sit down," Davy suggested. "And we'll get you some water." Micky took the hint and left the room, returning a moment later with a glass of water. Peter immediately downed it.

"So what's this I hear about twins?" Mike asked. Davy and Micky had been explaining the story to him in the hall, but he hadn't gotten very far along before they'd heard the crash.

"That's right," Nicole replied. "I started having contractions yesterday and the doctor decided it'd be best if I stayed here - in bed- until they come."

"Already?" Mike asked. "How far along are you? Six months?"

"Seven," she replied. Concerned, she turned to Peter. "Are you alright now?" she asked him.

Peter nodded, waving the question aside. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

Nicole shrugged. "I guess I wanted it to be a surprise," she replied. "I didn't know it was going to shock you like that."

Mike, Micky and Davy laughed.

"So what happened to you two?" she asked. Mike and Peter filled her in - and Micky and Davy, since they hadn't heard the whole story - on what had happened in Alaska.

"You saw her, too?" Thomas asked when he heard about the mysterious woman who had appeared to them. "I saw her, really late at night. I was sleeping but then I woke up for no reason. She was just standing there. And then the next day I felt perfect."

"You were sick?" Peter asked, concerned.

"It was the weirdest thing," Nicole explained. "He was fine one day, and then the next day he was in so much pain he couldn't move."

"And too weak to even send thoughts," Davy added.

"But the day after the lady appeared, I felt perfect again," Thomas said.

"Did she say anything to you?" Mike asked.

"She said 'The boy is ready'."

Peter glanced at Mike. "She said that to us, too," Peter said. "I think it means I'm supposed to give you this." He took the stone out of his pocket and handed it to Thomas.

Thomas looked at the stone in his hands. It wasn't very large, as he could hold it in one hand, but it appeared large. It was round and smooth, a dark turquoise color.

"The story..." Davy mumbled.

"He must be ready then," Micky decided.

"Ready," Thomas repeated with a nod. "But for what?"

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