Clarice stretched and gave her neck a roll as she divided her attention between watching T.V and watching Devin so intensly serious in his colouring. A mug appeared from behind her and she tilted her head back and smiled at Auron, accepting the steaming mug of coffee. She held the cup carefully as the couch dipped as he sat down beside her, then curled her legs up beside her and leaned against him. He gave a soft chuckle as he switched his cup to the other hand and wrapped his now free arm around her.

"Anything good happen while I was gone?" he asked softly.

She smiled softly and sipped her coffee. "On the show or with Devin?" she asked, resting the back of her head against his chest. "No on both. I've never seen a kid go through colouring books and crayons so fast."

Auron chuckled and propped his feet up on the edge of the coffee table. Devin paused in his task to look up at him and grin, then quickly returned to work. "Have you heard from Shada?"

Clarice gave a soft sigh. "No. She pops in, begs me to rescue him and then that's it... nothing for months. I had decided to track her down myself. I was thinking about talking to her about adopting him.. I suppose a simple guardianship will do...I need something official though.."

Auron was quiet for a moment, and she let herself drift, enjoying the feel of the heat radiating from the cup in her hand and the smell of the coffee, blending with the warmth of Auron behind her and the smell of his cologne.. "Do you think she will?" he asked, bringing a soft snort from her in answer.

"I don't know. She must have her reasons for not coming for him. I'll just hope that she agrees... I think she'll agree he's happy and safe here with us.. far safer then any where else..." she took another drink of her coffee as she watched Devin for a moment. "I don't understand her. How can she just... leave him..."

She felt Auron give a sigh behind her. "Ah m'petite.. " he said softly, and his fingers brushed lightly against her arm. "Who knows? You are judging her on your own experiences with Regan... she has her own reasons, I am sure. Whether or not they would make any sense to us, is another story. " She felt him shift slightly as he leaned forward to set his cup down, and she turned to look at him curiously. He sat back and gave her a simliar look. She gave a chuckle and leaned back against him again. " How long have you been thinking of adopting him? I was under the impression that you didn't want to be tied down by a child ?"

She laughed softly. "I didn't. If you'd told me a few months ago I'd be talking about this I would have laughed at you. But.. I don't know... he just kind of.. grew on me I guess... maybe it's just memories ands regrets of Regan.." she shook her head slightly and set her cup down as well. She slipped one hand behind his back, and wrapped the other around his chest. "I don't know, Auron. I just... I'm just having trouble imagining my life without him in it now..."

They sat in silence for a moment until quite suddenly, Devin set down his crayons and clambered to his feet. With a grin he climbed up onto Auron's lap and cuddled against Clarice. She gave a soft chuckle, mirrored by Auron's. The three of them sat there for a while like that, until she felt Devin grow heavier and heard a soft yawn. "I think it's someone's bedtime..."

Devin sat up and blinked tired eyes at her but grinned, and hopped down, running for his bedroom. She turned to face Auron and stretched enough to kiss the tip of his nose. "I guess I'd better go help him get ready and tuck him in. Don't run away on me."

He chuckled softly, letting his hand slip down over her back as she stood up. "I'm not going anywhere, m'chere."

She smiled softly, letting her fingers trail over his shoulder as she followed Devin, finding him already in his pajamas and running for the bathroom. She leaned against the doorway, watching him shove the step stool over to the sink and climb up, grabbing his toothbrush. She shook her head, watching him carefully brush his teeth and rinse his brush off before putting it back. She was always amazed at how... independant he seemed. She laughed softly as he jumped down and ran to close the door. She leaned back against it and listened to him drag the stool across the floor. a minute or two later, the toilet flushed and the stool was dragged back to the sink again. She decided she would have to get a second stool. It wasn't a problem in the old apartment or the hotles or guestrooms downstairs, as the toilet and sink had been fairly close together in all three. This one was spaced out a bit more however.

She moved away as the door opened and a dark haired blur shot past her and ran into his bedroom. she heard the slight creak as he jumped onto the bed. By the time she made it into the room he was snuggled down under the blankets, the stuffed yellow duck Sienna had given him his first night with them, clutched firmly to him. Clarice smiled warmly as she sat one the edge of the bed and tucked the blankets in around him, finishing with a tap on his nose, eliciting a smile. "Do you want a story?"

Devin shook his head no and she raised an eyebrow."What? No story! Is it because you're just too sleepy? Or because you don't want me leaving Auron alone with all your drawings..." she asked and poked him playfully in the tummy. He giggled and wriggled then turned on his side, ducky tucked snuggly in his arms and closed his eyes, dismissing her. She gave a soft chuckle and leaned down, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Someday kiddo, I'm gonna wrangle an answer out of you. You're as bad as Auron." She heard his giggle as she left the room, switching the light off and leaving the door ajar as always.

Auron was still on the couch, but had turned so that his legs were stretched out the full length of the sofa, his feet propped up on the arm of the couch. "My, aren't we comfy " She asked softly, and groaned as he saw he'd changed the channel and had a hockey game on.

He chuckled and wung his legs over to sit up. "CSI was over and the History channel had a repeat broadcast on... not even a good show. I wasn't expecting you back for a while yet..." he reached for the remote but she shook her head. He raised an eyebrow but left the remote on the table.

She chuckled and sat beside him. "He decided he didn't want a story tonight." she said andgrabbed hold of his arm and pulling it around her as she leaned against him. "He's a very... strange kid. Intense, serious, independant, but playful and a complete joy to be around... I wish he'd talk more. He rarely says a word..." she let her voice trail off, content to just sit snuggled next to him as he watched the hockey game.

A commerciaol break came on and Auron excused himself, heading for the kitchen. She leaned back in his spot, feeling the warmth of his body still lingering in the cushions. She let her mind wander, half watching the T.V.. A commercial for a jewelry store came on, showing diamond rings and she smiled, reminded again of the news of Nate and Aiyla's engagment.

Auron came back carrying two desert plates decked with slices of chocolate caramel cheescake. It looked like he'd drizzled extra sauce over top, and she gave a soft moan of pleasure at the site. "You spoil me so badly.." she said, accepting the plate.

He chuckled as he sat beside her. "It's completely your fault, m'chere." he said with a smirk as he took a bite of the cheese cake, his eyes closing. "Hmmm.. "

Clarice chuckled softly and helped herself to a bite, savouring it with much the same reaction as Auron had. "Hockey and cheesecake... rather an odd combination, isn't it?" She asked coyly between bites. She always meant to take her time and enjoy every bite.. but it was soo good, she always wound up eating it faster then she meant to.

Auron raised an eyebrow at her."Are you complaining about the cheesecake or the hockey?"

She gave him a look. "I NEVER complain about cheesecake." Then chuckled. "But I don't mind the hockey, either." She set her plate down and turned to lean back against him again. He chuckled, finishing off his own cake and wrapping his arms around her.

They watched the game for a while, Clarice not really paying attention to the game, but lost in her own thoughts. when the game broke for intermission she smiled. "Hey Auron?"

"Hmmm?"

"I have something to ask you and I want you to SWEAR to me, that you will give me an actual answer.. no cheeky evasiveness, or you can sleep on the couch." she asked, hugging his arms acrossed her stomach and snuggling deeper against him.

Auron chuckled. "Is it that serious? Well, seeing as the couch isn't exactly comfortable to spend the night, you're not leaving me with much choice..."

"Well, how serious do you consider my asking you to marry me?"

 Auron quirked an eyebrow. "How serious do I consider your asking me?" He repeated the question slowly, and was thoughtful for a half moment, before chuckling. "Well I wouldn't exactly say it would be a bad thing, would it?"

Clarice started to turn to give him a look, Auron caught her. "No, I'm not being cheeky or evasive. If you're asking ME, why not. I did after all ask the last time." He added a slight smirk, then said seriously. "To be honest, Clarice, I'd been considering it for a while, I just didn't know how you really felt on the subject."

She sat up and turned to face him, one hand reaching up to stroke his cheek. “Now you know. “ she said, a soft smile on her face. “ I got tired of waiting for you to ask.. “ she added with a chuckle and moved to sit on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed him lightly, looking down into his eyes. “Devin’s not the only one I can’t imagine not being in my life…” she said softly and kissed him again. She felt his arms tighten around her as he kissed her back.

She finally broke the kiss, leaning back enough so she could study his face. “Are you sure you want to marry me? After all, not the same woman you married all those years ago… I’m not even the same woman I was a few months ago. Plus.. I’m now a package deal… you take me, you take Devin…”

Auron gave her an amused look, chuckling softly. "Clarice," He shook his head, still looking amused. "I know very well you're not the same woman I married all those years ago, or was reuntied with a few months ago, but has that stopped me from wanting to be with you? I wasn't exactly the same man you married, when were reuntied, and I'll take you and Devin with out complaint, and with love. But you know...that it's going to make you a step mother..." He said with a slight smirk.

Clarice chuckled. "Yes, I'm aware of that. I already feel like a mother to Lex, so that won't change much..I think he would be happy for us, but then he doesn't have any memory of Lillian. Saffron however..." she sighed and gave him a wry smile." Well I suppose he'll just have to deal with it, because I'm going to marry you. Again." she laughed softly, resting her arms lightly on his shoulders. "If you don't mind, I'd rather skip the whole big extravagant do. We can slip off and elope while everyone's distracted by Nate and Aiyla... I'll leave whether or not we should include any of them up to you... for now.."

"Going to marry me huh?" Auron said with a chuckle. "That rather sounds like I have no choice in the matter." He tightened his arms around her, "Then again, there isn't any one else I'd want to be married to." He nodded thoughtfully about Lex and Saffron. "I don't see Lex having much of a problem with it. Rather seems his biggest concern right now is rather or not I'm okay over him and Faal." Auron shook his head slightly. "As for Saffron...I'll have a talk with him...and I suppose you're right about eloping." He chuckled. "I'd hate to imagine if this is how everyone's responding to Nate and Aiyla's engagment, imagine what they'd do when finding out about us." He said with a pointed look.

Clarice rolled her eyes. “Well at least we don’t have rich families demanding a big show. I mean, Nate is practically witch royalty, and Aiyla pretty much IS royalty, adopted or otherwise… “she chuckled. “With us, it’s just us.. and the kids. I seriously doubt my father would care since weddings aren’t a big thing with demons..” She settled herself a bit more comfortably on his lap. “I never dreamed I’d ever find anyone that would mean enough to me that I’d want to get married. Maybe that was a leak from the spell, or whatever, I was pretty content living single with the odd fling tossed in here and there… I never dreamed I’d ever feel this way about someone. Now that I do, I never want to let it go… or you. Whether we sneak off in secret and fill them all in when we return, or sneak the kids away with us and tell everyone else when we get back.. I don’t care. As long as you marry me and agree to stay with me forever. “ She looked into his eyes, a suddenly serious expression on her face. “Never leave me, Auron. Promise me, you’ll never leave me.”

"forever's a long time, Clarice." He said softly, brushing her cheek tenderly. "But if you want me, mon cherie, I'm simply yours. I've never loved another woman as strongly and as much as I've loved and still love, you." He ran his fingers down her neck. "I promise, Clarice, I'll never leave you, unless you want me to, might break my heart, but I'll never leave you."

She closed her eyes at his words and smiled softly, when she opened them, they were shiny with unshed tears. “In that case…” she said standing up and taking his hand in one of hers, while the other cupped his face as she gave him a long deep kiss that threatened to buckle her knees. “I think we have some…’celebrating’ to do…” she said coyly and pulled him along behind her towards their bedroom….