Amelia and Zelgadis went their own ways after Zelgadis had escorted the princess to her home.
Filia and Baby Val had gone back to their home and the shop, promising to visit.
Xellos hung around. He knew Dynast would try to get Lina again and he was determined to stop that from happening. He was now living in a room in Lina's cottage after Lina had found out why he was following her.
Lina's family went about their lives, making frequent visits to see their youngest member when the time allowed them to.
"Hello Miss Sylphiel. What are you doing here?" Amelia asked as she approached the cottage. She smiled a bit nervously at the pretty shrine maiden, knowing that Sylphiel hadn't been told about Lina and Gourry's marriage.
"I came here to see Gourry-dear.I thought he might be able to help me," Sylphiel said, smiling at Amelia. "What are you doing here?"
"I just came to visit Miss Lina. She, Mister Gourry and Mister Xellos are staying here," Amelia said. She knocked on the door and waited for an answer.
Xellos opened the door and gave the two women his usual grin. "Hello Miss Amelia, Miss Sylphiel. Won't you come in," he invited, holding the door open wide so they could pass by.
Sylphiel and Amelia entered the cottage and were led into the small parlor.
Xellos left to go get Gourry since Lina was out visiting her family.
"Hi!" Gourry said when he saw the two women. "Why are you two here?"
"Gourry-dear," Sylphiel sighed when she saw the man she loved. She recovered her wits a second later and stood. "I came to ask if you would help get rid of a monster thats terrorizing my uncle's town," she said.
Gourry scratched his head. "I dunno Sylphiel. I'd have to ask Lina about it," he said. He looked around. "Hey! Where's Lina?"
"She's visiting," Xellos said.
Gourry nodded. "Then she'll be back soon and I can ask her," he said happily, a big smile on his face.
Amelia just sighed and put her head into her hands. She didn't know how someone could forget where his wife was, even if it was Gourry.
Sylphiel was too busy staring at Lina to answer. She couldn't believe how different Lina looked now.
"I came here to visit," Amelia answered and got up to hug Lina. "She doesn't know about your marriage yet," she whispered in Lina's ear.
Lina nodded and walked over to greet Sylphiel. "Hi Sylph. Long time no see," she said and smiled.
"Hello Miss Lina," Sylphiel finally said and hugged Lina. "You've changed."
Lina shrugged. "I'm home, so I might as well dress like I used to," she said. She stepped back. "So, why are you here?"
"I came to ask for Gourry-dear's help in getting rid of a monster in my uncle's town," Sylphiel replied. She looked over at Gourry. "But he says that he needs to ask you first."
Lina looked over at Gourry. "If you want to go, you can. Just try to be back here before the new year," she told her husband. She gave him a soft smile as she left the room.
"What was that all about?" Sylphiel asked in confusion. "Why does Gourry-dear have to be back before the new year?"
Xellos disappeared so he could check on Lina - and avoid the tears that Sylphiel was sure to cry.
Amelia looked down at the floor, not wanting to be the one to break the news to Sylphiel.
"That's when the babies are going to be born," Gourry answered with a smile.
"Why would you have to be here for that?" Sylphiel asked, dreading the answer. She could already feel the tears threatening.
"Because they're my babies. Lina and I got married a few months ago," Gourry said. He looked startled when Sylphiel burst into tears. "What's wrong Sylphiel?" he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Sylphiel only cried harder. 'How could they not tell me something like this? Lina knew that I loved Gourry and she still didn't tell me when she saw me! How could this have happened?!' she thought, her tears still flowing.
"Miss Sylphiel?" Amelia asked hesitantly, her blue eyes filled with concern.
Sylphiel shook off Gourry's hand and ran out of the cottage. She found a spot that would let her stay hidden from view and began to cry harder than she ever had.
"Sylphiel?" Lina's voice came softly.
Sylphiel's head jerked up and she saw Lina standing near her hesitantly. "Why didn't you tell me?" she sobbed.
Lina knelt next to Sylphiel. "I was planning on telling you when we were alone. But I guess Gourry broke it to you in a less than tactful manner," she sighed. "Gourry and I were married while we were sleeping by a nasty little toad of an innkeeper. He said that it was improper for Gourry and I to share a room if we weren't married, so he roped a priest and got us hitched while we slept."
Sylphiel sniffed and used her hankerchief to wipe the slowing rain of tears off her face. "You and Gourry-dear weren't given a choice in the matter?" she asked incrediously.
Lina nodded and offered Sylphiel a hesitant smile. "Will you forgive me for not telling you right away?" she asked.
Sylphiel nodded and hugged Lina. "What happened to the innkeeper?" she asked as an after-thought.
Lina grinned. "He lost his inn in a tragic accident with a Dragon Slave," she replied impishly.
Sylphiel giggled and the two women went back inside the cottage.
"It's a good thing Mister Xellos will be staying here to protect you Lina," Amelia said as she too prepared to leave. She looked at the silent Mazoku standing behind Lina. "Take good care of her Mister Xellos," she said before she left.
Xellos grinned at Lina. "What are we going to do now? You're in no condition to raise any hell around here."
Lina returned the grin. "I may not be in any condition, but I'm sure our guests will be when they arrive," she replied.
"Guests?" Who?" Xellos asked, his eyes snapping open in surprise.
"You'll see when they get here," Lina replied mysteriously and went back inside.
