The familiar scent of sickly blood wakes Mia. Admittedly her senses have gotten keener. She's begun to develop a sixth sense and that frightens her. More and more she tries to chalk it up to being a new mother again. She's just protective of Eva. But she's equally terrified she's descending into the same pit of madness that consumed Miranda so long ago.

"Miranda?"

Mia gets up and finds Miranda standing at her workbench. It's clean, which is never a good thing. A workbench is a reflection of a person's mind. Unless Miranda's mind is cluttered and occupied by a multitude of things she's prone to being irritable and bored. Boredom leads to gruesome things.

"Miranda what's wrong? Why are you bleeding?"

"Donna," Miranda snarls. It's not aimed at Mia, and the woman knows that.

In the dim light of the dying bulb everything looks black and white. Mia touches Miranda's shoulder. Once she sees Miranda hasn't lashed out she squeezes gently.

"Leave her be. You got lucky with Iulia and the Dimitrescu's. Donna has nothing to lose. The only thing worse than a scared animal that you've cornered, is one that isn't afraid at all."

Despite her anger, Miranda knows Mia is right. The woman has been a nagging voice of reason. One she can't and doesn't want to shake.

"Clean yourself up."

This gets Miranda's attention. She turns, "Why?"

"Because you're allowed to hold Eva with blood on your hands."

"I don't want to hold her."

"Now I know you're not thinking clearly. Wash your hands. Change clothes. And come to bed," Mia moves Miranda's hair to kiss her cheek. Just a peck before pulling away and going to the rack she's arranged for their clothing. A single rack is easily enough.

Smiling to herself Miranda begins the long process of disrobing. She mops up what remains of the messy bloody pokes left by Donna and her deadly fork. Then, just as Mia suggested, she puts on a clean tunic and sinks to sit in bed.

Mia smiles, gently setting Eva into her arms and leaning on her shoulder.

A pudgy, healthy little pink face gazes up at them with dirty blonde hair and golden brown eyes.

Though it wasn't originally the plan, Mia isn't going anywhere.

Miranda thinks it would be exceptionally cruel to deprive Mia of raising not one but two children she herself gave birth to. They don't talk about Rosemary. Or him.

Watching the way Mia cradles Eva and tends to her every whim and coo stirs the same deep love in Miranda that began this twisted journey. No matter how peculiar their journey has been, the three are inextricably connected now.

(( Thank you for your patience and your responses. Yes this is short, we'll be back to regular updates next week.))