The heart may freeze, or it can burn...

Vlad stared with wide eyes, reaching towards the pastries.
Aliceabella smashed the green pendant against the sink and coughed as smoke exploded around her.

Ryland ordered one of the chefs to give Vlad a bit of icing.

Vlad gurlged happily and chewed the icing happily.
Aliceabella coughed and then collapsed, hitting her head on the sink as she fell.

Ryland chuckled and continued walking so he could look at all the desserts in progress. "Give the kid some chocolate."

Vlad stared at the desserts as they passed them, eyes shining. He smacked his lips hungrily.

A pool of blood started to form where Aliceabella had hit her head.

One of the chefs fed Vlad some chocolate shavings. "Good. I'd like a bag of ice," Ryland ordered.

Vlad munched the chocolate happily, getting most of it around his mouth.

The smoke faded away and Aliceabella gasped softly in her unconcious state.

Ryland chuckled, gesturing so another kitchen worker would wipe Vlad's face off. He accepted the ice and a small goodie bag for Vlad and turned to return the baby.

Vlad gurgled happily, licking the chocolate off his lips.

Aliceabella lay still, only the rise and fall of her chest indicating she was alive.

Ryland took a small cake from the bag and fed it to Vlad on the way to his mother's room.

"Pa!" Vlad munched the cake happily, licking his lips.

Aliceabella's breath hitched then returned to normal, her eyes still closed.

Ryland opened the door and raised an eyebrow. "What trouble is that mother of yours up to now?"

Vlad looked around the room and spotted the light from the bathroom, "Ma!" He pointed.

Aliceabella's breath hitched again.

Ryland turned towards the bathroom and caught sight of Aliceabella. "Hmmm," he stepped back out into the hallway and called for a medic.

Vlad stared in confusion, "Mamama?" He whimpered.
Aliceabella's nails turned bright orange, but apart from that she remained still.

Ryland knelt and lifted Aliceabella's head. "Fire. She's still alive at least."

Vlad let his head rest against Ryland's chest, whimpering.
Aliceabella let out a small groan and her eyes blinked open.

Ryland looked up as a doctor came into the room and took one look at Aliceabella before motioning for supplies to be brought in.

Aliceabella blinked blurrily, trying to make sense of what was going on.
Vlad chewed on his hand, watching his mother silently.

Ryland moved out of the way so the emergency medical professional could do his job.

Aliceabella looked up at Ryland, blinking as the world spun in front of her.
Vlad clung to Ryland, cake crumbs on his face.

"She's awake," Ryland told the medic as they rushed to try to dress the wound.

Aliceabella hissed in pain as one of the medics touched the cut on the back of her head.
Vlad spotted the necklace on the sink and reached towards it.

Ryland shifted Vlad away from the necklace and grabbed some tissue to wipe his face with as the medics grabbed bandage to wrap her head with.

Aliceabella closed her eyes as the world lurched in and out of focus.
Vlad carried on staring at the necklace, not paying any attention to the people in the room.