The nursery was full of streamers, bright colored balloons and a little machine with a tiny fan that filled the air with soap bubbles. Hundreds of tiny little bubbles.

It was New Years Eve at Gryphon's Eyrie and there was a party going on. Not the usual champagne and grownups party. This one was for the children.
Everywhere there was the sound of children giggling and playing, while the adults watched indulgently from the side.


Dominick Falconne turned two just after the stroke of midnight.

"Mama! Mama! Up!" Dom tugged on Kina's skirt smudging it with chocolate. She scooped the boy up and cuddled him close before lifting him to reach for the bubbles.

Pop!

Giggle.

A small kiss given to the baby as he started to fidget, wanting to be set back down. " Happy Birthday Baby." Not even a heartbeat passed and he was off again, to play with the other children all up long past bed time for this one special night.