Recap: Russel accidentally impregnated Araceli. He convinced her to move in with him and his family and she gave birth to a human. Russel was incredibly disappointed, so he devised a plan to marry Araceli so he could get her to birth him a fairy-child.

Araceli did not question what made her vomit excessively into the toilet a few weeks after her private wedding ceremony. She had been through this before. She was vomiting because she was pregnant.

A new pregnancy seemed a little frightening for her, as Hercules was still a baby himself who needed a lot of attention…

Attention that his own father wasn’t giving him.

Hercules was constantly crying due to his basic needs. He demanded someone to feed him, change him, and rock him to sleep hourly. Luckily, the Thrones family — her new family — were all happy to help out.

Hercules had begun to develop bonds with each one of his family members, save Russel. His Uncle Feign was his best friend, as he would always be the first to come running whenever he cried.

His Aunt Colette was a little fidgety when handling him, but only because she wasn’t used to children. Hercules didn’t put up a fight with her, though, as it amused him to watch her facial expressions as she tried to figure out how to change a diaper.

Araceli was afraid of having another child because she knew how much work it would be, but she had fallen so in love with Russel that she was willing to take on the challenge. She stared at her ring every chance she got, knowing that the tiny, tiny diamond in its center was a symbol for their eternal romance.

Everything would be okay as long as they had each other.

The second Cid heard the pregnancy announcement, he picked up some tools and got to work baby-proofing the house. Araceli was incredibly thankful for his assistance, and Cid was happy to help and all, but it certainly didn’t hurt that baby-proofing the house was also improving his Handiness Skill.

Fantine was happy to hear she was about to have another grandchild, but she knew she would not be around to watch it grow. The Grim Reaper had been following her around for some time now, and she knew her time was up. She accepted her fate gracefully and greeted the Reaper with a handshake. She smiled at him and thanked him for allowing her to live to be 102 years old. He nodded and opened a portal of light through the ceiling. Fantine stared up at it, smiling even wider once she saw Irwin and Waffles waving down to her. She glanced back at her children, nodding once to them, then ventured on to the afterlife, where she would always be watching.

Araceli approached Russel the next day, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it. He looked back at her with tear-soaked eyes. She didn’t say a word. She stepped into the living area, took out a portable electric piano, and started playing.

Russel watched in awe. Her melody was ripping his soul to shreds. It was a lonely tune with a haunting ring to it — but at the same time, it was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard. Araceli’s eyes darted to the grand piano while her fingers caressed the keys. Russel sauntered to it, sat down on the bench, and slowly joined in with her song.

They played together for the remainder of the night, ending with a loving and careful embrace, almost as if they were afraid to grip each other too tightly.

Celebration was to be had a few weeks later, for it was the twins’ birthday.

Both Russel and Feign purchased new clothes for themselves so as to look more like fully-grown adults. Russel tried to keep a ‘cool’ vibe with his outfit while Feign went for more of a relaxed look.

Hercules aged into a toddler not long after and Colette was there to welcome him into the next stage of his life.

She set him back in his crib once he was settled and dressed before approaching her husband.

“Feign, can we talk for a second?” she asked.

Feign had been typing away at a new novel. He closed the document on the computer and turned his chair to face his wife, who was always more important than anything he was working on. “Sure, go ahead.”

Colette scratched her arm. “Okay, well…” She sighed. “I think it’s time we moved out. Araceli is pregnant again and we’ve all been running ragged taking care of her first child, I can’t imagine how difficult it’s going to be once the new baby arrives.” She pointed a finger at Russel, who was stuffing his face full of cookies. “Russel isn’t pulling his own weight with caring for Hercules at all. I’m wondering if it’s because he knows we’ll pick up his slack?”

Feign glanced at his brother. “He definitely needs to pay more attention to his son, I agree with that.” He turned back to Colette, who was smiling softly. “Maybe you’re right. We should go start our life together now that Russel’s is falling into place.”

“With us not around, maybe it will shock him into reality and he’ll wise up, eh?” Colette laughed.

Feign and Colette began looking at listings for homes in Moonlight Falls, unaware Araceli was going into labor right outside of her Fairy House in Cid’s garden.

The baby is a girl and is named Asellus, after Araceli’s great-grandmother. Asellus is born a Pisces with a love for Indie music and a craving for Veggie Burgers. Her favorite color is violet and she Loves the Heat. She was also born Evil, but that trait would stay unknown to her family for a long while.

Araceli flew to Russel to show him his new daughter. Russel’s eyes widened as he saw a shimmer flickering from the swaddled babe. Asellus was born a fairy.

He took her from Araceli’s hands and hugged her as tightly as he could without harming her. “Asellus, hello there,” he whispered, tracing her forehead. He kissed her lightly and then pulled Araceli into a hug. “Look at her! Look at what we did!” he shouted.

His wife nodded, raising an eyebrow. “You weren’t this excited when Hercules was born,” she questioned.

Russel ignored her comment. He was overcome with unconditional love for this child and didn’t want to set her down.

Feign finally accomplished his Lifetime Wish of becoming a Professional Author. The bookshelf in the living area was stacked with copies of his best-sellers.

Having completed his goal in life, Feign and Colette packed up their things. It was now time to leave Feign’s childhood behind and go begin his life with Colette. She wanted to be an International Super Spy, after all, and she needed to be in a house free of distractions in order to progress in her career. Feign called a taxi to take the two of them to a lot on the other side of Moonlight Falls. The two of them hugged everybody goodbye before officially getting into the car. Hercules started crying once Feign stepped away from him. “Don’t worry, little buddy,” Feign cooed, “we’ll always be best friends! I’ll talk to you all the time!”

Colette cocked her head at the sight, second-guessing her plan to stay child-free for a moment. Cid waved as they entered the taxi and drove away from the Thrones Household.

During a storm one night, Russel coaxed Araceli out in the rain. He slid his hands around her waist and drew her to him.

“Russel! What are you doing?” Araceli giggled.

He lowered his eyelids. “I just can’t stay away from you, that’s all.” He pressed his lips against her cheek. “You are so beautiful…” He kissed her neck. “So sexy…” He lowered his head to her collarbone and whispered, “…you have given me the most perfect daughter in the world…”

Araceli blinked. She grabbed his shoulders and pushed him away. “What about Hercules?” she asked.

Russel gave her a blank stare. “Hercules…”

“Our son?”

“He’s…” Russel pondered for the appropriate word. Araceli was growing angrier by the second. He shook his head. “He’s perfect too!”

“Russel…”

“No, don’t say my name like that…” He tried to turn his charm back on to her. “Whisper it. Taste it with your tongue before you let it slip through those lips.”

His alluring demeanor sucked Araceli right back in, forcing her to forget why she had felt herself reaching the edge of rage only moments before.

They spent the rest of the night in the old treehouse. It didn’t take very long for Araceli to realize that one splinter-filled night had put a baby in her belly.

This particular pregnancy really took a toll on Araceli’s body. Her stomach expanded so far she needed to buy completely new maternity clothes. Her back ached so often she had to visit the Spa on a daily basis.

When Asellus grew into a toddler, Russel jumped at the opportunity to teach her how to walk and talk. He was fascinated by her wings (golden, just like Araceli’s) and her brown head of hair. He felt such joy and happiness just being in her presence.

Hercules was left to play by himself a lot. He still didn’t know how to walk or how to communicate with the adults of the home without crying, and he was often lonely now that his best friend Uncle Feign was gone.

Cid could sense his nephew’s loneliness. He heard him whimpering in the middle of the night during a nightmare and knew he was just reaching out his little arms, hoping for someone to cuddle him back to sleep. Cid abandoned his regular routine of gardening, cooking, and attempting to excel at whatever skill he hadn’t already mastered to spend time with Hercules.

In the middle of the night, when Hercules felt scared and alone, Cid crept into the nursery and held him in his arms. Cid didn’t need to sleep as a half-alien, so it was no big deal to care for Hercules all night. He would take the toddler into a different room and nestle him in Cid’s lap with a blanket and a small pillow. He rubbed his back until he was comfortable enough to go back to sleep.

Cid felt horrible when Asellus learned how to walk and talk, so he took it upon himself to teach Hercules. He took him to his garden and told him stories of his own childhood. He read Hercules some of Feign’s books. He spent so much time just talking to him that eventually, Hercules began to respond on his own. Hercules had been born a Genius, after all, it shouldn’t have surprised Cid that this was how he learned the basics.

Araceli wound up giving birth in front of her Fairy House for the second time, as no one could hear her cries during labor.

As soon as Vincent was officially born, she could see why she had had so much trouble during her pregnancy. He was a huge baby who was already showing signs of Athleticism. He had broad shoulders and long legs. Along with his Athletic trait, he was born with a sense of Discipline. His color of choice was Aqua, his favorite food was Potato and Truffle Torte, and he was a Country Music lover. His Zodiac Sign was Capricorn.

Vincent was also born a human.

Araceli couldn’t put her finger on it just yet, but there was something about Russel that didn’t mesh well with her other human child, so she anticipated his reaction to seeing Vincent without wings.

“This is Vincent,” she cooed, handing him over to Russel.

Her husband’s facial expression did not change. He turned his back to his newborn and went to check on Asellus.

Hercules was about to become a child, so Cid revamped Feign’s old room and turned it into one more suitable for a kid.

Hercules begged for a shirt that would openly represent Cid’s alien heritage for his birthday. He made sure his whole ensemble matched around the alien theme specifically to honor his new best friend.

Hercules had grown so close to his Uncle Cid that he accidentally started calling him ‘dad’ on several instances.

As a child, Hercules developed the Neat trait. He could be found wherever a mess was about, as he was constantly cleaning.

Even when cleaning, Hercules refused to wear anything that wasn’t alien-related.

Speaking of aliens, Cid gave himself a makeover. The Thrones family was ever-expanding, and as an immortal, Cid would always look the same. He made up his mind in secret that every new generation, he would change his outward appearance.

As far as Russel was concerned, Vincent had never happened. He had become so good at seducing Araceli that he was almost too eager to begin trying for another child.

“Russel, stop,” she commanded.

Russel rolled his eyes.

“No, don’t, don’t roll your eyes at me like that! We have to talk!” Araceli stood up and her wings started gently flapping behind her. “Do you want another baby?” she asked.

“Do you want another baby?” Russel countered.

Araceli’s eyebrows furrowed. “That’s not…” She grunted. She flung her hand in the direction of the nursery and pointed, her finger shaking. “Are you even aware that you have three children? You spend all of your time with Asellus that I’m starting to wonder–“

“Wonder what, Araceli, that I don’t love my children?” Russel stood up and a scowl set itself on his own facial expression. “Are you implying that I don’t love my children?”

“Cut the crap, Russel. You forget that you flat-out told me about your obsession with Supernaturals.” She floated up into the air and hovered a few feet from the ground. “I’m starting to think that the only reason you even married me was so I could give you fairy-children!”

Russel stayed silent.

Araceli became infuriated. “Oh my god!! I’m right!! All of this was a damn hoax!!” She turned into a ball of light and sped out of the house and upwards towards the sky.

Russel buried his head in his hands and sighed. He was so focused on himself that he failed to notice Hercules had been in the room the whole time.

Hercules sucked in a shaky breath as he ventured to his room. He made his bed before sitting on it and allowing his eyes to drip salted tears onto his pajamas.

So that’s it, he thought, Dad doesn’t love me because I’m human…

Araceli wanted to leave the lot. She wanted to leave Moonlight Falls altogether. Rather than flying away like she wanted, she returned to the house and flew into the bathroom to sob. She fell to her knees and rubbed her eyes, trying to force them to stop producing tears, and told herself she was just Overemotional. It had always been a family trait, after all. The women in her family always seemed to overreact to things like this.

But she wasn’t overreacting. Russel had a twisted obsession with fairies that led her into a loveless marriage where her only purpose was producing litters of fairy-children for a man who didn’t deserve them. Of course she was crying, this was a natural response to a situation like this.

Especially since she was pregnant.

Hercules chose to isolate himself from his parents after he had overheard their fight. He chose to stay away from them as often as possible, even if it was snowing outside.

Cid noticed Hercules running out the door all of the time, so one night, he followed him. He watched as Hercules shivered trying to do his homework in the dark. Cid sighed and sat beside him.

“What’re you working on?” he asked.

Hercules shrugged. “Just math,” he answered.

“Need any help?”

“Not really, it’s my best subject.”

The two sat quietly in below-freezing temperatures for several minutes. Cid tilted his hat. “Herc, you can tell me anything, you know,” he mumbled.

His nephew’s eyes welled up with tears. He blinked them away and tried to hide the shakiness of his voice. “I know.”

Cid placed an arm around Hercules and instantly, Hercules leaned into him and wailed into his shoulder. Cid put his other arm around him and hugged him while he cried. “Everybody loves you, Herc.”

“Not Dad, he doesn’t love me because I’m human!”

“That’s not true.” Cid patted his back. “You know, my dad didn’t show me a lot of love for awhile.”

“He… he didn’t?” Hercules lifted his head.

“Nope. He had no idea I was an alien.”

“So… what did you do to make him love you?”

“I didn’t do anything. He just came to his senses one day and realized that regardless of my species, I was still a part of him.” Hercules scooted away from Cid and wiped his eyes. Cid grinned. “Your dad will come to that realization in his own time. Right now, he’s just going through a lot of emotions and doesn’t know what he’s doing. He still loves you, Herc, he just doesn’t know how to show it yet.”

Hercules frowned. “I…” He sniffed. “I want him to know I love him even though he… he can’t show his love for his own son yet.”

“Everything will be okay, I promise. Things are tough right now, but you have your mom, your sister and new little brother…” Cid pointed to himself. “And me. And you know I am always here for you, no matter what.”

Hercules smiled. “Yeah…” He folded his workbook under his arm and stood up, Cid following. “I love you, Uncle Cid, thanks for the talk.”

“I love you too, little man.” Cid ruffled Hercules’s hat. “So does your dad. I promise.”

When Russel got home from his job, Cid sat down at the dinner table while he was eating. “Russel, look, you need to–“

“I need to do what, Cid, I need to do what!?” Russel slammed his fists on the table, knocking his bowl over, spilling food on the floor. “I swear, this is not the time to tell me what I SHOULD be doing.”

“Your little outburst doesn’t scare me, bro, you need to hear this.” Cid pointed to Hercules’s room. “You are killing that little boy in there, do you know that? You are sending him into a mess of emotions that he doesn’t need to be dealing with at such a young age.”

“Don’t criticize me, damnit! My wife already had it out with me, I don’t need my brother to do the same!”

“Maybe you do, because obviously, nothing has gotten through to you yet!”

Russel stood up furiously, kicking his chair over into the wall. “I love my kid, okay?! I’m just disappointed in his heritage! There’s nothing wrong with that!”

Cid stood up just as quickly. “There’s something wrong with it when it starts affecting the child’s mentality! Put your damn pride aside for once and understand that you have two human children who are going to need you to pay just as much attention to them as you do Asellus!”

“Asellus is special! Asellus has wings, golden wings! She is going to accomplish so much more in this lifetime than either of my sons!”

“What the hell does it matter what they accomplish?” Cid picked up his plate and shoved it into the dishwasher, closing it so hard that the handle broke. “So two of your kids are human. Suck it up. Not everybody in this world looks exactly the same. Look at me! I’m half-alien for crying out loud!”

“And that makes you unique! That makes you special!”

“NO! All it does is make my skin green and my eyes black! It doesn’t make me any better than anyone else! You can write music, Feign can create entire fictional realms, Araceli can fly — these are ALL things I cannot do!” Cid grunted. “Who the hell are you to judge what makes someone better than someone else? Take those fairies off of your damn pedestal and open your eyes! You are going to lose so much if you continue thinking this way, and you can bet your ass I’m not going to be there to pick up the pieces when it happens.” Cid walked pass Russel, banging his shoulder with his own in the process. “Wake the hell up, Russel. Your firstborn kid’s a damn genius, and you’re too blind to even see it.” He left the kitchen and walked straight out of the house, needing to cool himself down.

Russel was so angry at Cid that he couldn’t contain himself. He started kicking over the dining chairs and banging the refrigerator door against the wall. He let out a yell to express his rage before he could even think about calming himself down.

He held his breath and walked into Hercules’s room. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Hercules playing peek-a-boo with a toddler.

Was that… was that Vincent?

When had he aged up?

He had blonde hair, just like Araceli.

Russel was silent as his two sons played. He scratched the back of his neck and sighed, wandering over to Hercules’s bed and sitting down on it.

He tried to think about what Cid said, but it made him so angry that he couldn’t really process through it. So what if he likes fairies more than humans? It was how he’d always been. It didn’t look like it was really affecting anyone anyway, Hercules looked perfectly happy playing with Vincent.

Russel knew he probably should have started soul-searching, but all he could think about was Araceli’s wings and how badly he wanted to have more than one child who had their own.