Aron walked over and set about fastening her buttons. "You do realize this is the opposite of what I should be doing."

"If we didn't have to watch Kady and our own kids all would be right in the universe and you would be doing what you're supposed to be doing with those buttons." Liadan said.

"I still think we could have trusted Ertzel with them."

Liadan shook her head. "Not with all that's going on."

Aron sighed. "It always seems like something going on."

"It's not safe right now." Liadan squeezed Aron's arm. "With Sileas's wedding going on, Galina would try to ruin that."

Aron sucked in a breath. "Don't even think on that. Sileas deserves today after everything she has been through. One day of nothing but pure happiness and joy."

"That's why I'm taking no chances." Liadan said. She tried brushing her hair but it made no difference. "Let's get the children."

Now Aron was worried. He was hoping Bai might be thinking the same thing so he could monitor the wedding and the festivities. He followed along after Lia.

Liadan walked around the curtain and rescued a lit candle from Vikki.

"Lia? Can you handle getting the children ready? I wish to go find Bai and have a word."

"Uh, sure." Liadan said.

He kissed the top of her head. "I'll be back as soon as I can." He squeezed her hand and then left.

Aron returned to the room. "Is everyone ready to go?"

"Almost- Vikki hid one of her shoes." Liadan sighed.

Aron muttered under his breath. He crossed the room and peered under the bed.

"No Aron! Vikki's-"

The top of Vikki's head flew out from under the bed and into Aron's nose.

Aron sat up abruptly, bumping his head on the bottom of the bed while rubbing his nose.

Liadan sighed. "I'm beginning to think Vikki should just go barefoot."

"If her dress is long enough, no one will notice anyway."

"I just always hoped my children wouldn't have to go barefoot." Liadan said sadly.

"It's not like it's because she doesn't have shoes." Aron sighed. "Despite the fact we can't find them. But I think everyone knows children that age...they prefer being barefoot."

"I never had shoes until I came to Buckley Village..." Liadan watched her youngest come out from under the bed, covered in dust bunnies.

"I only know that when Aislyn and I were that age, we never had our shoes on. Brie either."

"All I can remember from that age..." Liadan's eyes teared up. She did not have a happy childhood.