The Scions left Fallcrest the same night they arrived, Erebus infuriated by the fact that not only had his own daughter’s blood not been worth a damn to the Nexus, but that the bitch still somehow managed to recuperate from her wounds in an instant and dispatch almost every single member he’d brought with him that night. The only other original member remaining being Azareal.
No matter. They were determined to take back what they felt was rightfully theirs, and if they had to lay waste to the entire town to do so, the Scions were more than willing to make that move. As it stood, they had come to the agreement to find a way to thin out the the population -both mundane and not- to make it far easier for them to break the next seal when the time came.
With this in mind, they had gathered the wayward berzerker werewolves and vampires that they’d run across in their travels, making for a rather chaotic army of sorts, but a relentless one nonetheless. The plan was simple: Bring the pack of ravenous monsters to the town’s edge and then just let them loose. Their own hunger would guide them to do the rest, and whatever remained once they were sated could easily be taken care of by the remaining demons.
What they had failed to take into account, was just how willing to work together the supernaturals of the town would be.
At the first sign of trouble on the outskirts of town, Guild Hunters ran back to the Council of Elders with word of what was to arrive very shortly. With seemingly no time to waste, Mayor Adams had the town blare their emergency alarm, indicating all residents -mainly all the mundanes but, any supernatural deemed too young or inexperienced to fight- should report to the Fallcrest High School Gymnasium immediately. This was a state of emergency, the details of which would be provided once their safety was guaranteed.
Outside of the school, on the football field, supernaturals from all walks gathered, along with any Hunter willing to join them in defending the town. Evan Grey, Sr. gave the word for the Coven to begin enacting a spell that elevated the hunters’ human abilities to those that could match a supernatural. It was their way of providing a silent thank you to the humans willing to fight alongside them, but they were warned that the spell would only last until the second sunrise after its enacting.
With this in mind, they took quick stock of all of their volunteer fighters, the different groups coming together as one to defend their town. No matter the cost.
This Plot Drop marks the beginning of our War for the Town event. The event itself will run for ONE WEEK, running from Wednesday, December 20th at NOON EST to Sunday December 31st at MIDNIGHT EST. While it is a weeks-long event, it will only count for ONE WEEKEND(the weekend leading up to New Year’s) in play. All non-event threads should be put on hold till the event is over, and if you so choose, can be picked up again afterwards. All major changes and/or plots that pertain to the event should be run through the admins first, and any suggestions to make this event more enjoyable can also be suggested. Activity rules are still in full effect throughout the run of the event and remember to tag any event related posts with fallcrest:event004.
This time around, we will have the town, and by extent the dash, essentially split into two groups: those whose characters were shuttled to and are being safeguarded at the school gym, and those whose characters have chosen to take their chances and fight the good fight.
Any supernatural will be given the choice to either fall in with the mundanes or fight with the others (be sure the choice stays in-character for them); however, ALL mundanes will be in the gym. To better keep track of which starters and threads are taking place where, you ask that you use the additional tags of fallcrest:gym and fallcrest:frontline respectively for each location.
Above all else, remember to have fun and take advantage of this time to plot around!
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The witches had cast their spells, and the Hunters that were willing to fight alongside the Supernaturals to defend their town were ready. And not a minute too soon it would seem, as on the horizon the incoming horde of starved vampires and wild wolves could be seen as they trampled over one another in an effort to get to their so desired meals.
Luckily, the supernaturals weren’t just any ragtag of people come together for a fight. Many of them either had experience or tactical knowledge and as it stood, they now found themselves forming a living wall that created a five mile safe-zone around the high school. Their job now was to keep these beasts from breaching the wall and getting to the innocents they were safeguarding. Some fought for family, some fought for honor. Some fought for those who couldn’t fight for themselves, and some fought just for the sake of fighting. Regardless, tonight Witch, Faerie, Merfolk, Werewolf, Vampire, Shapeshifter, Hunter, and even Demon, stood side-by-side ready to fight keep the haven they’d made for themselves from falling to the greed of a group of old men.
The Council Elders themselves stood at the front of the line, ready to lead the charge, and first sign of the first set of wards being triggered, Evan Sr. gave the go ahead:
NE SANGUINEM INCIPERE
This Plot Drop marks the beginning of our War for the Town event. The event itself will run for ONE WEEK, running from WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20TH at NOON EST to SUNDAY DECEMBER 31ST at MIDNIGHT EST. While it is a weeks-long event, it will only count for ONE WEEKEND(the weekend leading up to New Year’s) in play. All non-event threads should be put on hold till the event is over, and if you so choose, can be picked up again afterwards. All major changes and/or plots that pertain to the event should be run through the admins first, and any suggestions to make this event more enjoyable can also be suggested. Activity rules are still in full effect throughout the run of the event and remember to tag any event related posts with fallcrest:event004.
This time around, we will have the town, and by extent the dash, essentially split into two groups: those whose characters were shuttled to and are being safeguarded at the school gym, and those whose characters have chosen to take their chances and fight the good fight.
Any supernatural will be given the choice to either fall in with the mundanes or fight with the others (be sure the choice stays in-character for them); however, ALL mundanes will be in the gym. To better keep track of which starters and threads are taking place where, you ask that you use the additional tags of fallcrest:gym and fallcrest:frontline respectively for each location. And remember that as soon as there are at least THREE starters in the respective tag, the 3-Before-Me rule goes into full effect.
As the sun began to set on Fallcrest, Pennsylvania, the majority of the town’s residents found themselves in the throes of revelry. Day two of the party raging at the Khanna mansion was in full-swing and it showed no signs of stopping anytime soon, regardless of what the invite had actually stated.
Never would they have suspected that just in the depths of the forest was a small group of men who called themselves Hunters, yet refused to follow the creed to protect all witches. These men, and many others like them, had sworn to rid the world of magic believing that it had no place on this earth. These men would slay creatures of the supernatural without remorse all in the name of protecting what they believed to be rightfully theirs. And that was exactly what they were doing out there.
They sought out their prey, an innocent supernatural creature who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Chasing them unintentionally towards the Nexus, the hunters killed the creature once they had caught up to it. Its untainted blood flowed into the ground, acting as the catalyst required to break the First Seal.
Its effect was instantaneous. A shift in the air immediately alerted the town’s supernatural residents, leaving those with demon blood temporarily breathless. Someone had broken the First Seal and the Nexus had been disturbed.
Additional Information: In-game, this will have taken place towards the end of party on Sunday evening. The party itself will be forcibly shut-down by the Sheriff’s Department under the guise of instances of underage drinking, but the town’s Supernatural Council will have alerted the Sheriff about the goings-on. All supernatural creatures will have felt a sense of unease giving them the knowledge that the seal on the Nexus has been broken. Those with demon blood will have felt it the strongest as their species’s origins is derived from the Nexus and its dark magic directly.
In the early morning, Braxton looked like he was getting ready for battle, making sure that anywhere they were going to will be well-equipped with baby stuff. He even rented a SUV in order to fit 4 baby seats and already had a stroller that could also carry them all at once coming its way.
But for now, Braxton was walking into the gym with a baby strapped to his chest, and another strapped to his back while he pushed a stroller containing two even younger babies. Thank God there was Nix to cover because he had a feeling that Aleja was going to kill him if he left her on the floor alone. However, now that he was at the gym with four sets of eyes staring back at him, he couldn't help but wonder, "... How do I strap 4 babies onto me... ?"
RIKKE
It had taken a bit longer to get out the door this morning, mostly because she wasn't quite used to sharing a living space with so many people. She wasn't complaining though. It had been rather reminiscent of being back home to have such activity at the top of the day. Regardless, she and several of the others had been convinced that they should just go about their regular day, and honestly it made the most sense.
The only person that was up as early as herself, had been Luke -which to be honest, she couldn't be entirely sure the woman hadn't just remained awake- and as they'd had a chat, she'd given a suggestion that _now_, as Braxton walked into the gym, made sense. She eased the weights back down and reached into her duffel before walking over. "Luke said you'd be likely walk in today while trying to juggle all four infants." She glanced down. "I'm glad she was only partially right, as carriers and strollers often work better." She then reached out to hand him a garment. "To answer your question though, this might help. We keep them at the station in case we need to move multiple babies at once."
BRAXTON
His eyes lit up when Rikke offered him the garment. "Oh You're a lifesaver! Luke too! I can totally wear that yess." He already predicted that he won't be moving as much as he normally would but all he cared right now was to carry all four babies with him. "God y'all know me so well." Without hesitation, he put it on and got his babies all set up onto him. "Now we're talking. I'm going to wear this everyday now. Do.. you have a spare? You know, in case something happens?"
He slowly twirled around, making sure he was all set. "Yess, kiddos, time for work." He looked up at the Paladin, "Honestly, no one is going to listen to a word I say today because I bet you their attention is all on these four. Oh, since you're here, did Nix come in with you? She's helping out while Luke's still banned from coming back to work."
RIKKE
It never ceased to surprise Rikke how well Luke knew her 'siblings'. It seemed that in the end, it wasn't blood or even a shared name that made a family, but just the caring of one another. "Oh don't worry, we've got plenty. Our superiors seem to think that we face far more emergencies that require us to carry up to six babies at once than we actually do. Which, personally, I think is a _good_ thing, but I suppose that's not shared by all," she joked.
The Paladin had half a mind to inform him that most folks at the gym didn't pay him all that much attention anyway, unless he was leading a class, but she didn't think it would be kind to his current happy mood. She briefly began to consider what to say instead, but her face was overcome by a look of confusion at his next words. Phoenix _was_ here already, but the way he seemed to equate that with the fact she herself was here... "Yup, she's in the studio. By the way, you'll want to keep an extra keen eye on your little bundle there," she said, deflecting to Tomi. "She is feeling _mighty_ upset with you, and though I don't sense hostility towards the other kids, she does still have her powers so any bites to any one and we're all in trouble."
BRAXTON
"Yess, much appreciated - Truly. Like whoever invented these, genius." He grinned as he continued to carefully sway so it was almost like rocking the babies even if he was only doing it for fun at the moment. "I'm definitely not going to be doing any exercising in these but my god, this is sort of fun to wear."
His eyes immediately fell onto his daughter, seeing the small pout on her face. "Ahhh... Kiddo...." He cooed as he lifted her into the air, "I know! I know, I did promise first thing today! We'll go, we'll definitely go. Look, we can go like right now, and see if Erin's still home. It's still early." He looked over at Rikke, "...Is she still home?"
RIKKE
Watching him muck about, she took note of his statement of not doing any exercising with the vest on. "I don't know, I think squats would be a very practical thing to do with that...actually, I would probably _insist_ that you try and get some squats done in that thing," she teased...mostly.
Being able to sense a charge's emotions was both a benefit and curse. "Oh my," Rikke said as she shook her head to regain her own bearings. "They are still very much capable of their big-people emotions but it does not do well in their tiny-people bodies. Yes, Erin is still at the cabin, but so is Lyra...so there's that."
BRAXTON
Now he had to figure out whether he wanted to go to Keagan or Lyra. Keagan scared him, and he wanted to give Tomi time with her girlfriends... Lyra wasn't going to leave them alone - he could almost guarantee it. Instead of making a decision, he lifted his kid so that they were eye to eye. "Sky first or Erin first? Well, Sky and Miles together, or Erin and possibly Lyra."
"Something tells me that you're going to be very upset with me if I don't let you stay with them..." Braxton admitted though he was a bit sad about it since he wanted to spend time with his kid too, but whatever will make Tomi happy, he was all for it. "Um.. do you know who she picked?"
RIKKE
The Paladin had already gone back to the nearest machine, figuring her work there was done until she heard him ask her a question. She looked at him skeptically and said, "I can sense their emotions, I'm not a telepath. She was less angry when both names were mentioned, so there's no real decision to be made there. If it helps, Luke should also be at the cabin. She promised Keagan that she would do her best to work on gauging what emotions required intervention and which were just base level for any Calvetti....no guarantee Luke stuck to that though."
PHOENIX
Since she arrived at the gym, the witch had been making sure everything was ready to go for both her classes as well as the few she was subbing in for Luke while the other was still on leave. It wasn't until she doublechecked for the tenth time did she re-emerged from the rooms.. only to find Rikke and Brax (and the kids) all standing there.
She smiled at the sight, seeing Tomi being lifted up into the air - despite the small frown on the kid's face. "While Luke might help keep Lyra away from the kids, we all know that it's pretty hard to actually keep her from anything." She gave her 2 cents, "I know I've already failed at it more than enough times since the tour." From the pattern, Nix would say that Tomi will get upset either way if he tried to take her home again but she refrained from actually voicing that.
RIKKE
Rikke turned at the sound of the familiar voice, having honestly lost track of the witch once they'd managed to actually arrive at the gym. Nodding in agreement, she said, "Far be it from me to really think my input matters all that much, what with being the one with the least 'Lyra Experience', but I think if manage to get Erin and Tomi down to the basement, you and Teagan should be able to at least keep her corralled upstairs. Especially since she's constantly forgetting Teagan is human and she's a _wolf_." The paladin was still hesitant to allude to being part of the family as she wasn't sure who all knew what or even how the family would feel.
BRAXTON
He grinned at the sounds of that. "As long as Teg is there, I think we have a better chance. So off to the cabin we go!" He slid Tomi back into her spot. "I'll be right back." He looked over to Nix and then around to see if Aleja was also here. "If anything comes up, you can call me - I'll speed back." He nodded as he slipped back into his office to get the kids back into their respective seats. "Okay, I swear I'll be back as soon as I can - I honestly think that if I run into Keg, she'll never let me take Sky so Tomi might.. have... to stay with her for a bit..." He would rather if Tomi stayed with him, but he just wanted her to be happy especially since he hadn't really been there for her the first time around.
Since leaving home earlier, he was almost impressed with how fluent his actions were of getting the babies in and out of the car and then into the stroller. "Okay.. Let's hope that Lyra's not the one opening the door - she may be the only one who can hear us right now.. Well, and Luke can probably sense T, ain't that right?" He poked the babies all in the tummies.
TEAGAN
Teagan had most definitely not been expecting to just see a mass of light disappearing before his eyes when he walked back into the living room. “I legit I just left for less than a minute to grab a drink,” he groaned. He may be on ‘Lyra Duty’ for the most part, but he was also on ‘Spooky Duty’ per the Calvetti Agents.
His attention was refocused the second he saw Lyra pull the most quintessential wolf move and perk up her head to signal someone approaching. “_I’ll_ get the door, Erin I know you said you’d rather not, but feel free to use magic if you have to,” he said referring to Lyra being kept at bay. Opening the door just as the first few knocks came, he beamed and said, “Hey! Come in, come in. Let’s warm the kiddos up.”
BRAXTON
"Teggggg, my man - am I glad to see you." He grinned as he rolled the stroller in. "Let me tell you, the babies were hype to get out - I don't know if they were just hype to see someone else other than me, or just in general." He laughed before getting the babies all out of their seats. "I even got this thing from Rikke earlier and it's a lifesaver, like you wouldn't believeeee. Helps me carry all the babies. Where's Erin?" He was already looking around because one more second of not seeing the girlfriend, one more second of Tomi being upset."
TEAGAN
He wasn’t surprised in the least when Brax replied and then just kept the verbal train going. Teagan focused on helping him get the strollers inside without incident instead, honestly happy, after the last week, to see that some things really _did_ stay the same after all.
Not even the last question was enough to faze him, given that Keagan had had _a_ time trying to get Skylar out the door this morning without too many tears. “Oh, living room. It’s also where we’ve got seemingly the entirety of the Target baby section, so we can get the other three sorted out too,” he said with a wink as he led them over.
BRAXTON
"Erinnnn!" He called out as he made his way towards the living room. The way his eyes lit up at the sight of the witch - and definitely for different reasons than Tomi, "There you are." He grinned as he held the kid towards the kid, "She missed you - and Sky - a lot, but I haven't stopped by the station yet.. so here we are!" He rambled on even after handing over his daughter.
He then went over to see what Luke (Because it's most likely Luke) got for the babies, and indeed, it really did look like he was at Target right now with the amount of things in this room. "Oh wow, Okay. Let's.. get the kids settled first." The beta wolf started getting each baby out of their strollers. "Look guys, look at allll the toys we have here - and clothes - How much stuff did you guys get??"
ERIN
As a familiar voice rang out, calling out her name, the witch wasn’t quite as surprised as she would’ve been by the same action two days ago. Getting to her feet she smiled and headed in the man’s direction, meeting him part-way, her own arms outstretched and ready to scoop up her brunette tiny. “Oh love,” she cooed as the girl immediately nuzzled into her neck, “I’ve missed you too. Sky’s only been kept pacified by the fact she has her two-“ Erin caught herself, and pivoted her statement, “-uh, _aunts_ from out of town and her uncle to keep her busy.”
She smiled once more and took Tomi to sit on the couch with her. After a few minutes of focusing her attention on one of her two best girls, she glanced up and laughed lightly at the question. “Luke wound up at Target unsupervised so…not entirely sure.”
BRAXTON
"I guess Tomi is going to stay here until Sky comes home.." On that note, he wasn't even sure if he could bring Tomi back to his place again. Braxton took out a stuffed animal that caught his eyes and held it up against one of the babies. "Look, this is literally bigger than all of you." He chuckled, holding it in place so that it doesn't accidentally fall on the mini twins.
"Well, you guys are for sure bound to have everything then. Definitely don't need to worry about missing something." He laughed, ""I'll have to go back to the gym eventually.. but I don't know if Tomi even wants to leave with me." He pointed out considering just how much Tomi was nuzzling into Erin - opposite of how she was with him last night.
LYRA
Lyra had been compliant for the majority of this visit, so far. She'd had plenty of opportunity to start making remarks the second she heard the familiar truck making its way up the drive. but she had refrained. Even managed to remain tightlipped when the Tomi practically lounged at Erin like her own father was on fire...but there was only so much restraint she could muster, even _if_ she was currently distracted by playing with the other babies. "I mean, it's not like the girl was living with you _before_ she was a bab- eeee!"
The wolf rubbed at the spot where Teagan had elbowed her. "What? I'm just stating facts. Besides, we've established that they've managed to retain at least some form of their usual memories. Clearly their likes, dislikes, and wants etcetera are all still there. On the other hand, she _is_ still a baby so technically can't put up much of a physical fight if you wish to take her with you." It was almost laughable to see the baby in Erin's arms whip their little head around and give her a proper glare.
BRAXTON
Despite all the shenanigans Lyra was always up to, she had a point most of the time - surprisingly enough. This time was one of those times. Brax kept his eyes on the babies who were tugging on the stuffed animal in his hands. "I can't believe I'm saying this but Lyra's right.." He looked up to give Teg a smile for his effort to shut her up. "T's home is here with Erin and Sky after all, and it's real shitty of me to take her with me just because she's a baby now." At the glare, Brax pointed towards the kid, "See - she definitely doesn't want to go back with me so really, the only choice is to let her stay here?"
He groaned as he scooted back a bit so that his back could hit the couch, "Honestly, I don't know what would be the right thing to do. Because they're still babies so technically that sounds very irresponsible of me to just leave her here despite.. all the preparation that Luke did to literally house everyone's kid at this point."
TEAGAN
Teagan swiftly placed a hand over Lyra's mouth before she could continue to provide her input. "It's not something that comes with any kind of instruction man. There's no real precedent for young folks reverting to babies, much less for them to still retain their knowledge of being older. I think that as long as each one of them is safe and well-cared for, there's no real right or wrong answer. Even if that kid's glare would have you thinking otherwise," he joked. "Ultimately, she's your daughter, and your move is rooted in her best interest, so even if she's upset it won't last forever." At least he hoped.
LYRA
Lyra only wiggled out of Teagan’s grip after he assured the beta wolf that he’d be forgiven eventually. “Buddy, even though I haven’t personally been here to be eye witness to all of this but I’m pretty sure that it’s not the first time Tomi slept somewhere else *away* from Sky - maybe a first from Erin since they’ve started dating but ya know, I’m sure they’ll understand since they’re just babies so really, there’s nothing to be moping over about. Maybe.” She chuckled as she gone over to the other babies and picked one up. “Escape from Braxie!” She almost squealed as she took a few steps back away from said man. “Oh these little nuggies! Knowing how tall the Bean gets, I’m going to enjoy the time I have now when you’re all smaller than most of us.”
ERIN
The witch couldn't help but feel guilty about this in some way. Here was Brax, getting a second chance to be with his daughter as a baby and she herself was in some way, even if completely unintentionally, preventing him from getting that same pure joy out of it that Keagan was clearly getting. "I think it's just a matter of me having a wee talk with this one like I did with Sky this morning. So much has happened in the last week alone that I'm sure the idea of being out of each others' sight for too long can be a source of anxiety, and with them being tiny babies, they can't right process it all. But much like when they were teenagers, Tomi was able to manage her time between being with me or sky and being with her siblings, it's no different now." She glanced down at the baby to make sure her point got across.
Glancing over at Lyra at the antics she said, "Sky's always said that Miles outgrew you early on, so it might not last long."
BRAXTON
He gave the young witch a small nod, not going to hold high hopes because Braxton already half expected Tomi would rather stay at the ~~Mansion~~ Cabin. With the remaining twins, he dangled toys above them to attract their attention. "It didn't take any of them - except Sky - to outgrow you, Lyr. Your only hope was and still is Sky. Enjoy it while it lasts." He snorted. "Where is Luke?" It was odd not seeing her around to greet the kids at least. And him. Mostly the kids though.
TEAGAN
It took speed he didn't know he possessed but he managed to get to Lyra before she made a move to attack Braxton with on of the many stuffed animals in arm's reach. "I would think that as the Beta of a whole wolf-pack you'd have a bit more tactical knowledge about launching attacks on the enemy's home turf," he managed before setting Lyra back down on the couch. "Luke was here but then suddenly orbed out somewhere. My best guess is that she's either with Keagan and the girls or with Rikke and the paladins somewhere."
BRAXTON
"I'm just speaking the truth." He raised his hands in defense, "Did you forget their growth spurts? Like sky rocketed - it's like one year they were all beans, and the next they were... not." He chuckled at the memory when all the adults noticed that the gap in height was getting more noticeable by the year. "Oh.. Just now? I literally was with Rikke before I came here. See, I really would've stopped by the station but I also like.. 4 kids, and Keg has 2 so that'd be.. 6 kids at the station - that's a lot of kids."
LYRA
She managed to wrestle herself free from Teagan, and made her way to sit properly on the couch. It was to give the impression that she understood and would behave, but really it was just so she could get some space and head start in case she had to run at some point. All for the sake of providing some honesty to these people. She should be sanctified for her work, really. Glancing down at Braxton she simply stated, "That was one very longwinded way of saying you're scared of my sister."
BRAXTON
"Yes. I am scared of your sister. She has been kicking my ass since I was born." Brax admitted without missing a bit. It wasn't news at all. Who doesn't Keagan scare?? He has been SO glad that Luke's been around to act as a buffer for the most part - he prayed for his brother when said buffer was out of commission. "I also don't want to interrupt their time together! The fact that she took them to work when the cabin still had so many people says it all."
LYRA
"EXCUSE ME! Are you implying that a house that isn't even _yours_ is crowded?? Like, have you seriously just demonstrated the gall to have the _nerve_ to even suggest that my presence is a detriment to my sister's ability to bond with her babies and her baby-daddy?!" It took a full ten seconds of silence and a look at the faces Teagan and Erin were sending her way for Lyra to realize something within her little rant may have been TMI...but she couldn't really be bothered to figure out what just now. She was far too offended by Braxton's words.
BRAXTON
He held his hand up in defense while Lyra went off on him. And then silence followed.. Which then Brax had to rewind back a little to process what the younger Calvetti said. "I didn't say you were a detriment to Keg bonding with her babies and he... " He paused, looking *very* confused, "... But doesn't Keg hate Dick's guts? There's no way she'd want to *bond* with him especially when his bum is all the way in ja-" His eyes narrowed as he looked over to the other people in the room. "Am.. I missing something?" After a short pause, his eyes slowly widened almost as comically as Joey Tribbiani did in Friends. "............Who's the baby daddy?"
TEAGAN
There wasn't a real way around this, and it sucked that even though it wasn't something to be ashamed of, it was unique enough that it still had to be somewhat of a secret. _Especially_ given the fact that by telling Brax who the 'baby daddy' was, they'd be -by extension- providing him with a lot more of Keagan's private information than he believed the woman would ever be okay with him knowing from someone that wasn't directly her. As Erin excused herself to give the babies diaper changes -magic worked wonders in carrying four babies- he turned to glare at Lyra with narrow eyes before simply stating, "We're going to say me for now, and you can either take it at face value or venture to ask Keagan face-to-face as that's really more _her_ business to share than ours."
BRAXTON
"....O....kay..." He didn't really know what was going on but if Teg said don't pry, it's best that he didn't - especially when *Keagan* was involved. it was obvious that Teagan was *not* the father but he did not want to give her another reason to beat his ass when she scared him enough already. And as curious as he ever was, his survival instinct was enough to stop him. "No mentioning in front of Keg.. got it.." He made the action of zipping his lips. "Uh.. Babies. Do you think Erin needs help?"
LYRA
"The way she managed to easily slip her way out of this conversation leads me to believe she's fine," Lyra piped up, not looking the least bit affected by the fact _she_ was technically the cause of the conversation taking an awkward turn. "Besides, she's well practiced in the art handling multiple things with only two hands." If the grin now on her face was anything to go by, she was actually _glad_ to have managed to make the conversation even more awkward.
BRAXTON
Although he had known Lyra for most his life, the woman had quite the talent to make someone go speechless. "I don't... Teg.. You have such a skill." He turned over to his buddy with new appreciation all over again because he was literally the only person who could handle little Calvetti. "I.. don't really have much of a plan for today other than going to work - which I don't think is the case anymore.... so you guys don't mind if we uh.. chill here until maybe Izzy comes home?"
RIKKE
There had been little reason for her to stick around the gym after her usual workout was completed and, with her shift at the station not set to start until late in the evening, it seemed like the most logical choice to just orb back to the cabin. The paladin hadn't really bothered to think too much about what she may or may not come back to, but the sight of the Beta on their floor while Teagan acted as a human shield between him and Lyra was...about as expected as one could get in this place.
"I can only speak as a guest, but I don't see Lucas having an issue if you decide to hang out here. If anything, I think she might prefer it so she can bring Skylar back and keep her from wanting to try and fight people due to lack of Tomi."
BRAXTON
"I guess we'll stick around until they come back" He pulled out his phone to shoot Izzy a message about their whereabouts. The throuple were literal magnets, can't and shouldn't be pulled apart for any reason and he was making the effort to *not* add onto the list of asshole-y things he had already done - whether it was intentional or not. Shooting out the text quickly, he took a proper seat on the couch once he was partially sure that little Calvetti wasn't going to destroy his ankles. "...I should tell Aleja that I'm not heading back in for the day.."
RIKKE
"Oh I think she figured that one out on her own already," Rikke shot at him as she took a seat on the floor and begin to do some light post-workout stretches. "I was exiting the showers on my way here when I saw her talking with your sister, and it seemed they were discussing how they would address the two classes you had left today. I'm not really big on the whole eavesdropping thing, by the way, your sister is just really, _really_, loud."
BRAXTON
"Oh. I-Okay.." It wasn't his intention to leave everything without even a warning, but it seemed that they expected as much when he walked out of there with all four kids. The faerie and those who covered his shift needed a raise for putting up with him. "Right..so I guess they're not really expecting me back - I should really figure out my own schedule. I did not anticipate coming over this early."
RIKKE
"I am far from one to have much experience in childcare, but as a Paladin I _do_ have experience with magic being temperamental and doing all sorts of things," she began, "So in all honesty, I have zero idea as to why you all chose to try and go back to any semblance of your normal routines _one_ day after your teenage and young-adult offspring reverted back to infancy. We ourselves," she said meaning the Paladins, "haven't fully disconnected from the 'hive-mind' -as Lyra calls it- since it began, in the hopes of finding everything we can. I mean, no offense, but how dangerous would it be for you to be in the midst of crossing traffic with four babies hanging off you, only to suddenly have them become four _almost full adults_ instead?"
BRAXTON
Brax didn't know if it was meant to be a rhetorical question or not but he opted not to answer it. Everyone was apparently a workaholic, including him, but also didn't want to leave the kids alone. However, Braxton did feel a bit embarrassed when Rikke pointed out the situation. "I guess we were a bit too excited to experience things that we've never done nor were we capable of the first time around.. so our priorities are a little.. out of order." And given their positions now compared to back then, Braxton didn't know if it was harder or not to stay away for too long - they didn't even know how long the kids were going to stay like this. "I'm starting to think I'll need to make daily visits..." A daily dose of Sky and Erin for Tomi. Braxton must admit that he was incredibly glad that the Dawsons were staying over at their place because Sean got to see Ryllie majority of the time.
RIKKE
The man's words led to a sad smile, that she of course proceeded to try and hide with the help of her stretching. She had spent so much time prioritizing being a Paladin above everything else, that now that her own true memories were back, it was easier to fall back into that role than to try and view and process the world through the lens of the woman that she had been before... Even now, upon hearing him, it was certainly true that if given the chance herself, she'd have opted to spend every waking second with her son. "It's understandable to want to take advantage of the time, but we would prefer that it be done safely. In all honesty we're all trying to figure out if maybe there's a centralized location where we can have all affected families stay so we can keep a collective eye on all the affected kids at once, but that's still something we're working through." Rikke figured such a plan would also help with the groups of kids that wanted to be together at all times...even now.
BRAXTON
"As much as I would love to have them over at our place.. I have a feeling that it will most likely be held at the Radcliffe's - Lowkey surprised that Leo hadn't already magicked up a room or - a floor because let's be real, I wouldn't be surprised with what she can pull off - and designate it as the new daycare center." It'd be nice to have the kids all together in one spot so that they didn't have to go from house to house. This might just turn into one big sleepover at some point if they really wanted. "I'm glad that you have the brain cells right now." He joked - not really - because clearly no one really had it. With that, the beta wolf got off the couch and decided to see how Erin was doing with the kids. "Hoooow's the kiddos? Bet you're all giving her an easier time than y'all did with me."
It didn't seem reasonable to bring the babies to the station when there was suitable babysitters literally at home right now. However Keagan could not bring herself to leave them behind once again even if they did keep both Luke and her away all night. So she just waltz straight into her office with them without batting an eye towards all the stares she was most likely receiving from the rest of the crew.
With her babies set up next to her, Keagan quickly got to work to catch up on everything she had missed - vacation be damned. With her attention alternating between her babies and her work, she didn't even look up at the door when she heard the knock. "Are you here for me or the babies?"
ANDY
It was odd to walk into the station and see a flurry of activity that was less 'crisis' and more 'gossip'. It was even more odd to walk towards her temporary office and note that the door was already open, but as she made her way up to the doorway both of her unvoiced questions were answered at once. Mick _had_ warned her that Keagan was likely to not go a single week without at least one visit to the office, so that part was almost expected.
The babies to her side though? Not quite as much. Even _if_ Leo had opted to take hers in for a staff meeting the very next day after they reverted, she would've expected more...uh..._maturity?_ from the actual Chief Deputy. Or maybe she was just unaccustomed to parents caring that much for their kids... "Uh, technically neither. But since you're here, I suppose we can talk shop and what not."
KEAGAN
Recognizing it as Andy's voice, Keagan looked up and motioned to the chair across from her, "Sure, have a seat. I know, I'm not supposed to be here yet." But taking a month off just mean there was a lot ot catch up on in the first day back - that was not ideal for her. "I'm sure you have everything handled." And Mick hadn't called her or anything so it was safe to say that .. all was well, for now.
A squeal came from her side and Keagan turned over to see Sky latching herself onto her sister like a koala. "Baby.." She chuckled softly, "Loosen your grip a little. Your sister is right here, no need for that death grip." Keagan uncharacteristically pulled out her phone and took a picture of it before sending it to Luke. "Okay, we can start. What have I missed?"
ANDY
It was one thing to ignore the scent of an infant. After all, as Quin and Ripley had come to help her figure out, it turns out scent may be how regular vampires hunted but, it was far from how _bezerkers_ did. They relied far more on the sense of sight, being able to rely on it to lead them directly to a bloodsource like a laser. Or, well, more like a shining beacon.
As such, Andy felt confident in being able to maintain her composure as long as she maintained eye-contact on her boss...?... but all it took was the squeal to have her snapping her head in the direction of the babies and the brightness with which they shone had a dull ache starting up in the pit of her stomach. Losing quite a bit of her confidence, she opted to just smile and say, "It's fine, there's not a lot of sensitive information to discuss and if you're setting up shop for the day, I'll probably be heading back to the hotel soon." She did her best to keep her tone light, but she already knew eyes were bound to have betrayed her.
KEAGAN
While she knew Andy wouldn't do anything to harm her babies, her maternal instinct to protect flared - with her own eyes glowing as well. She managed to hold back her growl but still moved to put her body in the line of sight.
"I think it'd be in our best interest that we can hold this converstion off for another day - Or I could read it off a report unless there's something that requires my attention right now but I'm sure you probably had everything handled and I'm just.. unintentionally micro-managing." She admitted.
ANDY
"I may not be someone who grew up in this town with the rest of you guys, but I think it's still fair to say that there's very _little_ that you ever do without _intention_." The observation was less on the micro-managing, and more about how the woman eased her way between her and the babies. Not that Andy could blame her. She often still wondered how Leo could trust her as much as she did...
"I can definitely have a report to you by no later than COB today," she added, being suddenly very happy for the sound of an incoming visitor -well, visitor_s_ but Andy was sure the other person was being brought down to the office against their own wishes. "I'll see you _next week_," she said cheekily before heading off and simply nodding a greeting at the giddy lab technician dragging a confused -and unamused- medical examiner.
NIKITA
When she heard from others that Chief Deputy brought her baby twins to work, Nikita was bound to visit as soon as she could. Not wanting to get scolded by her however, she quickly worked on a good portion of her wok for this morning.
Without question, she dragged Kyle along with her the first chance she got. Using the moment Andy walked out to slip into Keg's room, she was literally shaking with excitement that if she weren't careful, her ears would pop out. "Oh my gosh, look at them!!"
KYLE
Kyle considered herself very lucky. The morgue had it's own entrance out the back of the station, that was mostly meant to afford her the ability to meet the delivery of any bodies to the loading ramp and into her 'office', but that she had been using to avoid the vast majority of her co-workers since....ever. As such, she didn't have a way of knowing that Nikki would be bounding into her office and then immediately dragging her off in the pure midst of some rolling waves of murmuring.
"I could have been elbow deep in someone's chest cavity." The words were barely above a whisper and honestly said to no one in particular as she knew well Nikki would _not_ be paying attention. When they got the Chief Deputy's office and she heard faint gurgles and babbles, Kyle peeked in to see what Nikki was so excited over. "Oh...those aren't cats."
NIKITA
"Nope, n-no cats. But l-look! Babies! Twins. Oh my god, they're so cute." She was vibrating on the spot with excitement. The only reason why she hadn't already gone up to play with the twins was because Keagan hadn't said anything yet and she didn't want to scare the babies - although she was told that they did retain their memories.
"K-Kyle.." She whispered, "They're so tiny..." The moment Keagan told her that she could approach only if she got her work done, Nikita already got in close. "Their hands.. oh my gosh, I .. i think they're smaller than my panda hands..." She was so tempted to shift right then and there.
KYLE
"Infants feel rather out of place in midst of a sheriff's station," she stated. Granted, it was she herself who felt out of place around infants. Or really children in general. She'd never really dealt with them, even when she was one herself.
Unlike Nikki, who immediately made her way over to the babies, Kyle opted to just watch them from afar. Not only would she not really know what she was meant to do with them if she engaged, but what if she did something wrong? They were her superior's children. Granted she didn't get much time to ponder this when a bright light filled the room and a woman materialized out of it. "Glistening..." she whispered, a look of deep curiosity already on her face. "_What_ is that?" she asked Deputy Benson with no preamble or concern for the fact the other woman was clearly still very much right there.
KEAGAN
She watched as Nikki get giddy over her children, and honestly, she understood because she was the same - in a less outwardly enthusiastic way. "Lucas." She greeted with a smile, having a feeling that she knew why the other orbed into the office. "That is Lucas."
She turned to the other, "Is it because I uh.. got a little angry? The babies are fine. There was just a little incident - sorted now though.... Wait, did you leave Lyra alone?" No matter how old her sister was, Keagan (and the rest of the family) still believed she needed supervision.
LUKE
She had honestly tried as hard as she could to ignore the sudden ‘flare up’ she’d sensed from Keagan, but when she received no word after two whole minutes, Luke just opted to pay a little visit. “Hi. I’m a Lucas…that’s about the only _certain_ ‘what’ I can answer right now,” she introduced.
She was in the process of nodding to answer Keagan’s first question, before then shaking it at the second. “Teagan and Erin are at there. Erin’s in charge, so what was the incident?”
KEAGAN
"I think this will be a common occurrence for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, you won't accidentally orb in front of someone who has no idea about supes." She lifted their twins into her arms and walked over to Luke.
"I got a little overprotective, when I don't think I needed to be." Her eyes ventured over to the other two in the room. "Nikki, I know you'd want to play with the babies, but they might bite and we don't want to take any risks until we figure this out."
LUKE
“I…need to start working more with, what your boss has dubbed, the Fallcrest MENSA chapter. Need to figure out what I am before I can begin to work on control. Though for the record, I think for as many times as entire brain was scrambled about, the universe can allow me to wipe a few minutes from Mundy…_kidding_!”
Luke wanted to look somewhat repented, but having her girls back to being so close to her made that impossible. She could feel their giddiness at being at work with their mom after having work be the thing that kept her away for so long, it was hard not to keep a grin on her face even as she glanced back at Nikki. “Keg- uh, Deputy Benson is right,” she began, correcting herself as it clicked that folks outside the cabin-sphere weren’t quite up to date on…anything about their family. “You make too cute of a red panda to risk a werepup bite changing that.”
KEAGAN
"Mm, if there was anything to take from what Old Man Grey did, is that one should *not* mess with the memories." She sighed before her attention was also drawn over to the babies. "I'll be sure to let you know when the babies are asleep - but even then, I'd advise you to not get your fingers anywhere near Sky.. the kid uh.. tends to sleep-eat?" She chuckled at her own kid's antics. "You might be safer watching over Miles."
Keagan gave Sky a look because she could almost sense how affronted the baby was from her stare alone even if she didn't have a Paladin's power. "Yes, I'm talking about you, baby. You almost ate your sister's cheek, remember?"
KYLE
Though Nikki had managed a few words between pouting, the hunter hadn’t been able to look away from the tall redhead that had seemingly just appeared before them. Granted, at the mention of the babies having their powers and one being a biter, she did instinctively reach out to usher the shifter behind her.
“I thought the Nexus had only activated _three_ Paladins with charges in town?” Came the question without preamble. “Also, the last time we met you were one of the pack’s token _humans_…Wait, you mentioned Old Man Grey, does this have anything to do with Evan shimmering into the morgue the night of the invasion?”
KEAGAN
Her eyes looked over to Luke, wondering who should answer the question. "A lot had happened." Was the short answer. Keagan lifted both the twins up into her arms. How was she really going to work today when she was constantly distracted by her children.
"But as you can see, Lucas here can umm.. well, orb. A little too well in my opinion." The latter was meant to be a joke, seeing how she was only upset for a brief moment and she came over.
LUKE
Maybe it was the accent or lack of obviously discernible emotion in the woman’s voice, but being hit with rapid fire questions like that made Luke wince a little. It was rather authoritative and, the fact she had also just been full-named three times had her feeling like she was in trouble.
“Uh, I wasn’t personally at the meeting that led to Evan shimmering over -kind of got caught up _elsewhere_- but from what I know that had to do with something _mostly_ unrelated to me. When I have specifics about-“ she gestured to herself by running a hand up and down, “-_this_, I’ll be sure to fill ya in.”
NIKITA
Though Kyle had stepped in between her and the babies, Nikita still poked out from behind to watch the babies interact with their mom. She only heard off hand from others about how Keagan were often away when the twins were growing up so watching this interaction just had her absolutely beaming.
She could watch them all day but then, the conversation brought her attention back to reality, "...I..It sounds like a lot happened.. More.. More than we know of." From what they just saw, Luke obviously gained some supernatural powers even though a Paladin would have been their last guess. "... But it's nice to s-see you're walking around again."
LUKE
Luke, for reasons she didn’t wish to analyze at this very moment, had been expecting for Kyle to either argue with her over the matter or call her a liar or anything, really, _except_ that the young woman would just give her a nod and let it go. Taking her word at face value, apparently.
She turned her attention to the other woman currently peeking out from behind her protector, and managed a smile. “Thank you,” Luke replied, earnest appreciation clear. “I know it wasn’t exactly all on me, but I do feel pretty bad for having given folks a bit of a scare. I’m just glad the girls are safe and that Keagan won’t be scaring anyone else in town. At least on my behalf.”
KEAGAN
On her part, Keagan drew her attention away from her daughter once more to give Luke a small glare - one that easily implied that she wasn't offended by it. However, it was short-lived as she already turned to the other two in the room, "Kyle, could you please make sure Nikita gets her reports done? I do understand that the twins are adorable, but *work*, Nikki." She chuckled at the pout coming from the shifter, but Keagan already expected them to come by again later in the day again - maybe even a few times.
In a semi-sitting position, the Chief Deputy leaned back onto her desk. "It's been quite the morning, isn't that right, Miles?" She cooed before giving her a light peck to the forehead - which did earn a little whine from Sky.
LUKE
Luke just grinned in response to the glare she received, turning to look in the direction of the odd pair as they both agreed to Keagan’s requests and made their way out…for now. “Still can’t get over the fact those two are basically besties for the resties. I suppose there must be some truth to the whole ‘opposites attract’ thing,” she chuckled.
At the sight of Keagan interacting with the girls, Sky being contented when she got her own kiss, Luke smiled. Though it was short-lived as the older woman’s comment prompted her to ask, “So what actually constitutes this ‘incident’ that seems to have made your morning so long?”
KEAGAN
"I wouldn't say it was a long morning... Just unexpected?" She shrugged, "I must admit, it may have been my fault - I'm not supposed to come in since I'm still on leave. But Andy came in today." She was already wincing internally just remembering how she reacted. "Her eyes glowed at the sight of the twins, and I did not react well despite knowing she wouldn't do anything to harm them."
"I should go apologize to her when I see her later." She sighed, "Nothing really happened other than that - Do you think I overreacted? She didn't do anything and I believed that she wouldn't have done anything."
LUKE
Luke didn't even bother disputing the semantics of her statement, knowing that it would really do nothing at all except give Keagan's obvious attempt at stalling more fuel. She was proven right as Keagan found herself having to continue speaking and eventually wound up providing Luke with the details she needed. She let out a sigh of her own, before stating, "Well, first lesson here -which I'm sure will be completely ignored- is how we don't always need to be in places where we aren't _expected_." It was Luke's way of pointing out that if Keagan hadn't been micromanaging, this could've been avoided. "That one goes for me too, and learning to manage this orbing thing," she was quick to add.
Luke offered a sympathetic smile. "Do I think it was an overreaction? Yes, if you plan on sticking to the whole 'truly believing she wouldn't do anything' bit. But I think _any_ parent would've felt protective in that situation, and I'm sure Andy understands. Regardless, I conversation without babies around may be beneficial."
KEAGAN
"I'll .. try not to come in after today unless Mick calls me in. I just.. it's weird *not* to be working." She conceded eventually. This really had been her fault since she shouldn't have been here in the first place. "I'll find her afterwards - can't exactly call her back, now that she went to the hotel." She shifted Miles so that the baby was leaning into her complete as she gave the kid a hug. God, she did not ever want to let them go to the point that she was almost amazed that she managed to go back to her job all those years ago.
"Miles, I'm sorry but you're going to be trapped in a hug for the next little while." She spoke softly to the baby as she rocked slowly from side to side. "I can't get enough of this."
LUKE
"I'm no expert, but I think the fact that you legit can't help yourself from being at work...is in itself a sign that you have an unhealthy relationship with work." Luke knew full well the line of conversation she was following made her a giant hypocrite, but they'd have to work on one parent at time. "You spent so much of your time hiding in your work -as have I, I won't deny it- that it's become a personality trait. In your case, I think it might high time you take a step back and maybe consider what such a lifestyle has cost you and if the price is something worth continuing to pay."
Skylar was never one to be left behind in the cuddle department, so Luke had to do very little as the tiny ginger practically maneuvered herself to be held like her sister was. "I think after eighteen years with Sky as a sister, Miles is more than used to being trapped in a cuddle."
KEAGAN
"Hmm, yes.. I agree, I should take this time to.. be less of a workaholic." She had another chance with the twins, Keagan really shouldn't let this slip again. ".. but I'll have to at least stay here for today since I did just.. make Andy leave." She sighed as she thought about her actions again. "It wouldn't be fair for her to make her go back and forth. With her speed, I'm sure she's already at the hotel." She looked around her office before turning to her twins, "I'm definitely not willing to lose more time with my family.. I've been away for far too long. I know that.."
Keagan let out a soft sigh as she continued to nuzzle the baby. "They've been really good all morning, though I think it was because there were so many things capturing their attention. But, I think I can get wrapped up early so that you're not all stuck here with me."
LUKE
Luke listened as she spoke, but didn't make to actively provide much more input. "I don't think anything that comes out of my own mouth on the subject could truly be considered _objective_, but suffice it to say that I think Andy will appreciate you at least giving notice if you're going to be coming in on your days off," she quipped. Luke had always been careful not to overstep with regards to Keagan's career and her choice thereof, especially because she knew her input would always be biased and tinged by her own desire to have the woman close. She wasn't really one to take the fact they were now even closer as a family than they knew as an excuse to change that. Keagan would always be her own person.
"If memory serves me right, as long as they're together and they have something to keep them occupied, they'll be fine. Trouble will come if and when one of Miles' sensitivities is triggered, which will then upset Sky on her behalf, which leads to crying from Sky that is in itself a sensitivity for Miles, and it's a vicious cycle."
KEAGAN
"That.. is fair." She chuckled, "I'll keep that in mind for the next time, but the goal is for me *not* to come in altogether, wasn't it? Or at least that's what I *should* be doing.. especially since we've been given a second chance at this... " She watched as Sky cuddled with her other mother and it just brought a smile to her face. How she stayed away for so long was really a mystery because right now, there was barely anything that could pry her away from all her girls - she literally brought them to work with her, and would probably continue to do so if she didn't have vacation days either.
"I think they were very distracted by everything in my office for a little while because I wouldn't think paperwork is what appealed to them, and then Nikki came in with Kyle." She smiled, very amused to how Luke was so accustomed to their routine even years later.
LUKE
Luke walked over and wrapped her free arm around Keagan's shoulders, bringing her two other girls to form one big family cuddle. Partly because she knew the girls would enjoy it -especially Sky- but also somewhat selfishly for herself, because the last one had been while Luke was in a hospital bed. "I can't say that getting to enjoy such small luxuries as getting to hug all my girls at once is much more appealing in your office than it was in a hospital room, but it _is_ a step up," she remarked, before placing a gently kiss atop the brunette's head. "Habits are hard to break, but if you want something bad enough, I know for a fact that you will always find a way to get it."
Luke chuckled lightly and said, "As long as you remembered to bring the bag I packed you should be alright. It's all about finding the right balance with these two. Under or over stimulation is the enemy. Also, if they've retained a good chunk of their memories as teens, then they'll probably have tools of their own to not completely freak out on you. _And_ don't read too much into if if Sky babbles away and Miles doesn't even manage a 'mama'. It's not personal."
KEAGAN
As expected, once Luke engulfed them into one big family hug, Keagan saw Sky's little hand reach out to Miles. It was endearing to see those little digits trying to grip on the her sister's arm... Or hand, she couldn't really tell. "We'll just have to make sure the next time is at home, or just somewhere suitable." She turned to reciprocate the kiss, this time one for the lips. "This would be a good direction to go with."
"You've really mastered the balance of keeping *both* kids occupied at the same time thing. I must take a page out of that guide book." Really though, she was thankful the twins had Luke by their sides. All the times she lost for being away from family, she was going make up for them now. "When is Sky not babbling away?"
LUKE
Luke took note of the wriggling and shift the baby so it was easier for her to coordinate her tiny hand with its target. "Home is always an option, though depending on who else is home at the time, it may be less of a family hug and more of a family _pile up_," she noted. There would be zero way that Lyra would see them and not join in, at the very least. She smiled into the brief kiss and agreed. "Well the girls certainly seem to be taking to it well, all things considered. I'll be the first to admit I wasn't entirely sure how receptive they would be to the idea of us a family unit. I knew they loved me as their _aunt_, that was a given, but nothing is ever guaranteed and all that jazz."
Luke could only laugh lightly at the comment. "This is _technically_ my second go around. At least this time I know that to avoid hours of fussiness and crying, I should make sure clothes have no tags, and Sky is always within arm's reach of her sister." The way Keagan's comment made the babbling redhead stop dead, was enough to make Luke laugh as she gave the kid a squeeze and kissed her head. "It's okay, Chicken Strip, you just have opinions."
KEAGAN
"Home is a good option - even better if Teg is there to hold Lyra back. Bless him for being the only one who can keep Lyra from.. most things." Keagan used her free hand to take sky's other hand, absolutely melting at how small that hand was compared to hers. "Luke, I'm pretty sure you're literally their favourite person. Isn't that right, girls?" She pointed the question towards the twins, giving both another kiss. Keagan was already holding back herself from giving both the babies an onslaught of kisses. Maybe later.
"Sky needs to be in arm's reach of at least *someone*. When is she ever alone?" She laughed at the stare the baby was giving her. "Yeah, I'm talking about you." She continued to tease before giving her little cheek a gentle squeeze." Her smile never dropped as Luke assured her that there was nothing wrong with her babbling away. It was almost comical how abruptly Sky stopped talking, "I'm kidding, you know I love hearing what you think. Babble away, Sky."
LUKE
“Teagan has quite a way with her. Whether Lyra ever comes around to realizing that it’s probably for a reason well…I mean it did take _you_ a while to figure out why for the Christmas Miracle in October,” she teased. Her smirk eased into a timid smile as Keagan mentioned being the twins’ favorite person, anxiety spiking a bit when she actually asked the kids directly. “I think I could live with them implying I’m not their favorite if it meant their actual favorite person is their mother,” she began before slightly furrowing her brow, “Well, their original mother, you know _you_….I’m going to stop talking.”t? It was a small price to pay.
KEAGAN
"Well.. Unlike us, they *did* date at some point." She rolled her eyes at the mention of the Christmas Miracle in October, the incident that everyone was now *very* certain as to why it happened in the first place. Her brows only went up higher in amusement as Luke tried to explain that she was fine if Keg was the kids' favourite, but failing to actually say so. "It's not a competition, Luke, besides I'm not their only mom as you pointed out."
Keagan's eyes rolled again - this time less playfully than the last, "That hadn't changed over the years. No one wants to be around him. For good reasons." However, with the sight of her babies, nothing could faze her right now. The sight of the two of them together, especially with Sky trying her best to latch onto her sister just kept the smile on her face. "I should really wrap up here so we can spend the rest of the day together, how does that sound, girls? Hm?" She said this yet she did not budge from her spot. "Just who do you two take over, hm? Being so cute."
LUKE
"Yeah, and it was _Lyra_ who called it quits and hasn't really gotten around to giving it another go," Luke replied. Teagan could take care of himself and had never been one to need anyone to fight his battles, but every once in a while, Luke felt the protective sister streak. Now wasn't the time to delve too much into it, but she knew first-hand what it was like to be the one waiting and she'd hate that to be her brother. "Isn't _everything_ a competition for a Calvetti?" she said cheekily.
"Luckily he was hardly ever the one holding them anyhow, so it's not like it was a common occurrence. These little bits spent most of their time with Aunt Ook," she provided, with a small smile, hoping to ease some of the worry she knew would rear itself at the mention of Richard. Turning Sky around in her arms just enough to allow her to actually manage to latch onto her sister, she simply laughed. "I think as long as they're together and have at least one of us around, they could care less about the venue," she pointed out. The latter question made her snort as she said, "Well, you keep saying that _you_ are so _not_ cute, so...I suppose that just leaves one other option," Luke glanced down at the girls and said, "They get it form their _daddy_." The eruption of giggles was more than enough confirmation that they were indeed in on the joke.
KEAGAN
"Are you going to try and knock some sense into her then? Lyra also has the same Calvetti stubbornness but surely she's aware that Teg's the only one she listens to... sort of. She listens to him way better than to any of us at least." The whole 'Lyra forgetting she's a wolf especially when Teg's involved' was always amusing to her. "*Some* things don't have to be a competition. This is one of them."
Keagan could not express enough just how thankful she was about Luke being in her life, in the twins' lives. "He was probably trying to impress someone." Because that felt like something he'd do. Bonding with the kids? As if. Instead of focusing on the asshole, she just watched as Sky interacted with Miles. "Well, nothing changed over the years. Now she's even got 2 girlfriends stuck to her side." She gently nudged the taller woman with a groan, "Don't ever say that around Lyra." She snorted, "But yes, I thought we already confirmed that. Mini-Me's and all."
LUKE
Luke paused for a moment before answering. "I suppose not. I mean, it's not like it's something that's out of my reach or anything, but it's not really any of my business. They're both still my best friends and neither has broached the subject with me, so it would be overstepping to do so," she admitted, albeit reluctantly. "Which, incidentally, is what I had to remind myself of this morning when I saw Nix and Rikke heading off to the gym together..."
She groaned at the memory. "Usually he was just trying to get under my skin by reminding me he was the actual parent and I was just a quote "glorified nanny" for the girls." Saying these things out loud to someone else really did highlight just how not right her family's actions towards her were...yikes. Luke could only chuckle at the thought of Skylar having wound up with two girlfriends, "Sometimes there's too much love for just one person." At the mention of saying this around Lyra, her face fell slightly. "This is why we can't have nice things," she grumbled. "They're mini-_us_. The sum of the best of both of us...and some of the not so best too," she laughed.
KEAGAN
"Maybe dad will do it without us prompting it, and *maybe* by then, he'll stop trying to push *you* to her." Keagan snorted, remembering all the times Jarrett kept bringing the topic up. Her brows went up with curiosity. "As long as you weren't going to tease Nix, the girl has enough of that from Lyra. I wouldn't be surprise if Rikke's opinion of my sister is getting lower and lower by each encounter."
Her eyes flashed briefly at the reminder of how much of an asshole that man was. The audacity of him doing all the things he had done will always make her blood boil. But this is not the time for that. She was surrounded by her favourite people in the world, and that really was all she should be focusing on. "Enough about him. I'll say it again and a gain, I'm glad you were there for our girls because there's no question where all that love comes from. It's a good thing she's found people to share all that love with." She chuckled, "They're literally a good blend of us, aren't they?" That thought was always on her mind as she watched the girls grow up, it was very entertaining to see what traits they took from which parent.
LUKE
"I think he really just wanted me in the family," she remarked, a smirk firmly in place. "I'm almost certain that considering how much of her life has been spent in stasis, Lyra is proving to just be a really fascinating specimen for Rikke. Though I do wish Lyra would lay off a bit. Nix is like the only friend she's managed to make on her own and honestly she really cares about her, so if Lyra keeps making it awkward and Rikke loses that, I'm gonna be like, totally not happy with her."
A sheepish look crossed her features as she glanced down at the pair, a dopey grin on her face as she admitted, "This one night, like a week after you found out you were pregnant, I came home and found you sleeping on the sofa. My sole intention in even walking over to you was just to put the blanket off the back of the couch over you but," she paused realizing she was rambling, "Anyway, basically I ended up crouching and just staring at where your belly was for I don't even know how long, and I promised that if whoever was making their way to this world via you made it all the way, safe and sound, _I_ would make sure that they remained safe and sound out here."
KEAGAN
Keagan almost snorted at that understatement. The whole family wanted Luke in the family the moment they *met* her, even Lyra literally adopted her the first day. "She'll lay off at some point - especially if she knows Nix is genuinely upset over it. She may be a pain in the ass, but she would not want to make Nix mad.. or cry."
Keagan smiled, "That's very sweet of you. And I can't thank you enough for keeping to it especially when I wasn't around. These two got to grow up, becoming the amazing women they are today. I do regret that I missed out on so much, but hey.. something good came from the seals breaking for once.. gave everyone a second chance.." She raised Miles higher so she could press her cheeks against the tinnnny little baby cheek. "I don't know what I was thinking back then, I can barely let go of them right now. Coming into work was a bad idea - I don't even know what i'm going to do if the twins aren't back by the time I officially have to go back to the office."
LUKE
Luke nodded, but her face remained concerned. "I know that Lyra would never do anything to actually cause someone she cares about to be upset, _on purpose_. The problem is that Lyra very often doesn't realize she's gone too far until it's already happened." Just off the top of her head, Luke could already recall some disaster blind-dates that wound up causing the girls to be more upset than Luke herself.
Luke tightened her hold on the shorter woman and once again rested her head atop the others. "We were all legitimately different people back then. Our choices were made based on the experiences we'd had up until that point. The old saying does go 'hindsight is twenty-twenty' for a reason," she chuckled. "Besides, the girls turned out to be the amazing young women they are because of _you_ as well. Your time with them while growing up, may have been limited and not as consistent as one would've liked, but it was impactful. A true example of quality over quantity." Luke laughed at Keagan's antics, and how Miles' face practically screamed 'great. my mother's an older version of my sister'. "I'm sure that _if_ that becomes an issue, we'll find a way to make it work. Nikki seems rather keen on helping you with childcare."
KEAGAN
"Yes.. I do know that very well. I can only say that I can try to make sure she doesn't tease Nix too much - and hopefully Teg can reel her in enough to give the two their peace. Sending her back to mom isn't really a threat anymore so we'll need to figure something else out."
What Luke was saying held a lot of truth, and nothing could be done now that everything's in the past. "It's not as if I'd change anything if it meant the girls turning out being who they are now." She sighed, "Whatever we did, it turned out for the good." She chuckled before turning to give her kid another kiss to the cheek before quickly giving Sky one too so that the older twin didn't feel left out. "Okay, do you want me to hand you over to Luke, Miles? Your eyes are *screaming* for help." She laughed when she spotted the face the baby was pulling. "As long as the babies are not in the lab.. or the morgue, I suppose that could work out. And thankfully, we got rid of that pain the peach so we won't be exposing all his negativity to the kids."
LUKE
"Fingers-crossed," was all she could manage. There was no stopping a Hurnado, one just had to hope it decided to change directions. "Speaking of your mom, has anyone told her about the babies?"
Luke managed a small shrug and said, "I think even if we did change certain things, people will always find a way to be who they're meant to be no matter what. These girls would have been amazing with or without my involvement because they're just naturally amazing little people with good hearts. And a good heart will always get you very far in life." She chuckled at the hint of a frown on Skylar's face in the brief moment she believed she would not be getting a kiss like her sister. "Well, you may feel like this is a second chance for you to get to see them as babies, but clearly this is also a second chance for _them_ to get to enjoy having you around and wrapped around their tiny little fingers." She glanced at Miles and said, "I think she's just getting used to the idea of twice the physical contact. If she's not crying, she's not upset."
At the mention of the places Keagan didn't want the babies to go, Luke just said, "I actually think Miles would love to go to both of those." The mirth drained from her tone, however, at the mention of negative people around the kids. "They already had to deal with negativity the first time around as babies, I don't want _anyone_ even remotely distressing around them now."
KEAGAN
"....I'm sure Lyra already told mom and dad first chance she got - probably sent them several pictures. Who knows, maybe that will get them to take a flight back." She had no idea if her parents were actually going to visit but Keg would not be surprised if they show up at the door again. "...Or maybe she hadn't yet because mom hadn't texted me....I'll do it when we get home."
"Yeah.. they're good kids.. so good." She chuckled when Luke said that she was being wrapped around their little fingers. "Oh? And what is it that you girls think you're going to get away with? Hm?" She said this as if she hadn't been spoiling them already all these years. "Miles, I hope you get used to it soon because I don't think I will stop hugging you anytime soon." She smiled when she heard Sky let out a giggle. "Your sister thinks it's funny." She'd 'threaten' her other kid with hugs too but that might not be as much of an issue with this little one. If anything, Sky would probably welcome it.
"No babies in the morgue or labs." She repeated. "We'll deal with them before they get the chance to even step within proximity." Keagan pulled away and walked back around her desk to her chair. "Since I did unintentionally kick Andy out for the day.. I should at least wrap up this much." Nothing was going to stop her from hugging her child while she worked.
LUKE
"See, you're proving my concerns are valid even when the topic is different. You're first instinct was to think that surely Lyra had already told half the planet, because that's what Lyra does: She talks." Taking a moment to take a breath before she agitated Miles unintentionally, she then added, "Your mom's going to go off on you about the fact she and Jarrett were an 'afterthought' since they weren't told until a day after."
"What? Allowing them unrestrained access to the Chief Deputy's office isn't enough, you want them to test their luck and try something else? Because trust me, _they will_. Especially given that they're little brains are still technically working with some knowledge of their teenage ways," Luke warned. She would know firsthand just what this duo was capable of. "If you want Miles to give into the cuddles, you'll have to allow her at least one visit to the aforementioned morgue and labs. It's practically written already all over her face....Sky would very much _not_ like to join in on that part of the field trip."
It was at times like these, when she saw just what lengths Keagan was willing to go to in order to keep hold of Miles as she continued to work, that she wondered just _what_ was it about her assignments before that made it so seemingly easy for her to leave? But that would be a question for another day. "Would you like me to leave? I know you've no shortage help if you need it."
KEAGAN
"Okay, I get your point.." Perhaps the family had let Lyra get away with too much that the girl was a Hurrnado through and through. With that thought in mind, she decided that it may be a good idea to notify her mother even if Lyra already leaked the news. Using a photo she took of the four of them, she quickly sent it to Ianthe. "Let's try and quell one issue first.."
Keagan sighed, already feeling weak at the argument. It was expected that Miles would literally do the opposite of what they're told. "As long as they don't touch anything, I'm sure Nikki would love to give Miles a tour. Sky can stay with me if she doesn't want to go. Just.. don't touch anything, don't let Miles touch anything." She gave Miles a little bounce with her leg, "Okay? Don't grab anything in sight like your sister and we're good."
The Chief Deputy looked up from her file and actually hesitated. "I feel bad if I make you stay at my office of all places, but unless.. you want to help keep an eye on the babies?"
LUKE
Luke gave the older woman an unimpressed look. "Please, as if there has ever been a point in time in which I wouldn't want to help with these two," she said, already walking over to make the swap so Sky could stay with her while she and Miles went off to find Nikki and do some 'minor' exploring. "I told you I'd always have your back where the girls were concerned even before they were born, and I don't intend on waiting until finding out I'm _also_ responsible for them being here to go back on that. Even in the slightest." She dropped a quick peck to the woman's lips as she hoisted Miles back up with her. "Gotta keep it PG for the kids. Last thing I need is to have them go back to normal and then be surprised with some random song they co-wrote about parental trauma via PDA."
KEAGAN
The happy squeal Sky did when she was passed off to Keagan just had her chuckling softly. "Hey baby girl." Almost immediately, she showered her kiddo with kisses, which only resulted in more squeals. She then leaned up naturally for the kiss, slightly disappointed that it was so short. Sky let out yet another squeal from seeing her parents kiss. "I... think a song will be written regardless though." She sighed, knowing all the random songs that they've done.. that weren't released.. *yet*. "Are you visiting the lab? I'm less worried because Miles is less.. handsy but make sure she doesn't ..touch anything in there." While she was concerned about what the two might get into, Sky was distracting her so much when the baby started cuddling into her.
LUKE
"Seems someone was jumping at the bit to take advantage of her what her sister was clearly just tolerating. Man, I wonder who she gets that soft, cuddly personality from?" Luke would normally watch the teasing in public -much less Keagan's _work_ - but the children being between them made her a bit braver. "As long as they're nothing like _mine_....I uh, I think it'll be fine...it _should_ be fine..." She and Miles hadn't even moved a step away and the two shorter members of the crew already seemed to be in their own little cuddle bubble. The taller pair both turned to face each other at the same time, with only a shared nod as they began to head out. "Okay then, well we'll leave you guys to your _hard work_ and we'll go ahead and goexploreandtoucheverythingwelayeyesonkaybye." She was already half-way out the door when a sharp babble made her double back briefly.. "Binky," she gave of explanation.
NIKITA
Once Kyle and she were 'dismissed' from the Chief Deputy's office, much to her dismay, she had to return to her lab to finish up the reports she was working on. All this so that she could go visit the babies again once they wake up - hopefully. "T-they were just so cute.." She gushed again as she looked up from her microscope. "I just want to hold both of them, o-one on each side and just give.. give them the biggest hugs.. But.. I.. I don't think Miles would like that..." She chuckled softly before returning to the microscope, only to jot a couple of words before looking up again and the sound of the door opening. "Ooooooh b-baaaaby!"
LUKE
It wasn't terribly hard to find where she was meant to be going. The building itself wasn't huge -not like the police stations she'd been in while in Philly or Jersey city anyway- and everything was pretty clearly labeled. A bright smile took hold at Nikki's response to seeing Miles. It would always warm her heart to see how so many people genuinely cared for and wanted to have the girls around. Knowing the twins would always have a network of people to rely on had made the idea of moving back to Fallcrest an easy one in the end. _And_, it was also the driving force behind wanting to keep BH productions homed in town even as their popularity grew.
"We got a little restless, and while Sky is more than happy to just cling onto her mom like a ginger koala, Miles and I would very much appreciate a more educational look at things."
NIKITA
Nikita wasn't surprised at all about how a certain twin was glued to her mom. When was that girl *not* snuggling against someone? The shifter was confident enough to say that that kid was never left alone at any point in time since she never *seen* Sky alone, which was an amazing feat of its own. "E-Educational look? " Going back to the topic at hand, Nikki looked around her lab, wondering what she could or could not show. "I... Well.. Um.." She chuckled, "I.. I don't know if it's all that interesting.. Most of my time is waiting for test results." She motioned over to a small machine that was spinning a few test tubes in a circle.
KYLE
Kyle wasn't entirely sure if a civilian was really meant to be anywhere near this lab -let alone an infant- but, no one had bothered to question why most of her own time was spent in a lab that wasn't her own -once her work was done, of course- so she was not about to cause any ripple effects by bringing that up right now. Besides, as Nikki proceeded to guide the pair around the lab, she caught sight of the baby using some gestures she recognized as American Sign Language. "Huh... my mum taught me British Sign Language when I was a baby because she noticed I was still pretty nonverbal when I should be at least trying to speak." It was spoken as an observation, with her inflection not really giving much of anything away on her thought process behind said observation...as usual.
NIKITA
Nikita was pretty sure that if Luke made it all the way to the lab meant that Keagan gave permission - more or less. Surely Keagan knew they were here.. right? The specialist focused on explaining what she could about things in her lab before Kyle's comment got her attention. Honestly, the sight of Miles signing to her was incredibly adorable because her hands were *tiny*. The more she watched the kids do any sort of activity, the cuter she thought they were. However, understanding that Miles was not like Sky, she was not about to go crowd the kid. "Did you w-want to see a close-up on one of these samples?" She walked over to one of her screens and swiveled the monitor nearby towards them. "This...This is the s-sort of things I look at everyday."
LUKE
It took a one-time explanation from Nikki for Luke to be able to make heads _and_ tails of the reports that were currently out in the open, and the newly triggered Paladin found herself looking immediately away. They were almost certain the reason Keagan found their wandering around relatively harmless was because they weren't meant to actually _understand_ any of the confidential case material...A quick exchange of knowing glances between herself and the tiny in her arms let her know that Miles may be a baby, but the kid had the same thought.
Kyle's comment came as a welcome 'out' -of sorts- as Luke glanced over with a small smile and said, "Yeah, that was actually kind of similar to why I decided to learn ASL along with the girls back when they were this size the first time around. I myself was actually prone to selective mutism and didn't really start to develop proper speech until I got sent to the school's speech pathologist in school. Figured this would give the girls a leg up just in case, and it actually turned out really well....though I think Sky only uses it with Miles now to discuss 'secrets' and whatnot." Turning back to face the other two, she almost burst out in laughter at how focused Miles was on the screen and every little word Nikki mentioned as she described each aspect on the screen.
NIKITA
"That's .. that's really cute." She could imagine the twins just interacting with each other through sign - and was almost giddy all over again because now the twins had little baby fingers. Looking down at the baby, she chuckled softly at how much Miles was concentrating on her screen. Honestly, she always welcomed those who were fascinated with her research. To most, one rarely knew what they were supposed to be looking at. They just wanted results so it was always refreshing to explain in detail - well, enough details that wouldn't give away integral information. Her bosses would have her head if they found out. "W-What else did you want to see?" She asked the baby.
LUKE
The immediate sign from Miles after Nikki asked after what she wanted to see next, had Luke shaking her head and shifting her to sit properly on her hip. "Nope," she said, signing back for emphasis more than anything as Miles' hearing was hardly an issue being a wolf...or at least part wolf...? "She signed 'body'" Luke heard coming from Kyle, to which she could only nod and then turn back to Nikki. "And that is our queue to wrap-up this lovely field trip. There are many things I know Keagan would forgive me, but having let Miles actually witness a dead body that is likely an open case...probably not at the top of that list." There was a sound of contempt that came from the youngest person in the room, but all it did was pull a chuckle from the elders. "You can grumble all you want, Stip. If we're going to take a trip to Kyle's neck of the woods, you'll need better motor skills." Luke looked up to glance between the two others and said, "Thanks guys. She's been itching to scope out this place since she was originally this size, so I'm sure even if she didn't everything she wanted, she'll be more than happy to infodump on whoever she manages to get."
KEAGAN
With Sky latched onto her, seemingly content with just being cuddled, Keagan managed to fly through a good chunk of her work for that morning. Not wanting to impose on Nikki (and Kyle) for too long, the Chief Deputy figured she should go grab the visitors so people can go back to their work. "A conversation will still be needed even when you have those motor skills back." She commented, having caught word of the conversation near the end. There were times when she doesn't know who out of the two was a better babysitter. At the very least, they weren't showing a dead body to a baby regardless if it's a physical change only. "Let's head home, Braxton came over so Tomi's also there." As if it was a magic word, Sky started to wiggle about which surprised no one.
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It had been a hectic morning to say the least. Not only had they babies not slept solidly through the night, but they also did not wish to go back to sleep once Julia and Leo’s alarms went off for work. Between the two, they did manage to get them changed, dressed, fed and settled along with a quick breakfast in for themselves, before Jules had to head for the hospital.
Now, it was nearing lunch time, and Leo was wrapping up a full staff meeting with Emmy in a carrier at her back, and Levi in one resting on her front. The tiny boy was sound asleep, but she could feel Emmy doing _something_ with her hair. Honestly, as long as she was content, Leo didn’t much care. Turning to the room she asked for questions before dismissing the meeting. Of course, not everyone left. “Yes?”
Thyra
During the meeting, she had a feeling that her boss wasn't in the best moods however, Thyra could not help but focus on the two babies she was carrying with her. "Your- Um." She pointed to the hair but gave up on that and walked right up to Leo to at least try to dry the hair a bit from.. Embry chewing on it. "Maybe we should get Emmy something to bite on." She suggested before letting the kid grab her hand.
"They are so cute." It was natural instinct to just coo at the babies. "I just want to pinch her cheeks but I also don't want to make Embry cry - or bite me." She joked before playing a little tug-o-war with the kid with her finger. "I've got most things handled, so if you want to just hide in the penthouse with them, no one will question it."
Andy
Andy had managed to walk in as everyone else was filing out of the meeting room. It had been made pretty clear that her services wouldn't be required all that much down at the station pretty much as soon as she walked in, but she'd hung around a bit just in case. As she made her way over to the remaining duo and the tinies, she grabbed one of the straws on the long table, and unwrapped it before offering it to the kid as a trade-off for Thyra's finger.
"Yeah, no. Made hybrid supernaturals aren't the best of ideas in my experience," she said in response to the idea of a fully-powered baby werewolf biting the shifter. "Oh, I'm sure Leo appreciates your offer so very much, but she likes micro-managing just a little more."
Thyra
Thyra's face lit up even more when a certain someone walked into the room. "Andy!" She greeted, waiting for her finger to be freed before immediately giving the Head of Security a tight hug. "If Leo's going to be micro-managing with two babies on her, I don't know how much work is going to get done. Surely everyone's going to be distracted by them." She, for one, was going to be.
Her attention returned to Andy, "I thought you were going to be at the station today? Not that I'm complaining because I do appreciate you being here instead very, very much." One could easily tell by just the fact that their boss still was there with them in the room but Thyra did not let go of the other.
Leo
"Well then I would hope everyone is also going to be too distracted by them to realize the gap in the salaries," Leo shot back smoothly. "I hire only the best and babies is all it takes to derail my well-oiled machine then I'm not going to compensate anyone for that, now am I." Obviously, it would take quite a rather _severe_ lack in work output for her to actually dock anyone's pay, but it never hurt to remind people she was aware of the power she could wield -even if the one that forgot more often than not was herself.
"My guess is that I'm not the only one who took her babies to work with her," Leo noted, before making a face and saying, "Thyra, honesty? Right in front of my babies??"
Thyra
She looked up with almost an understanding look, "Ah, I would have thought Luke would have them since she can't go into work." One would also point out that Keagan's on vacation but Thyra knew by now that not much could keep the Chief Deputy from working. "Leo, we're just hugging." She chuckled, "It's not like we've never done so before."
Easing back a little without actually letting go, "Well, I suppose we-.. I should go before our boss here docks my paycheck." Thyra teased before quickly leaning back up to kiss her girlfriend on the lips. "Will... you walk out with me?" She asked Andy, sneaking a peek over at Leo and back.
Andy
"If my brief encounter with the Chief Deputy is anything to go by, I'd say that much like our boss here, it'll take quite the feat to keep her away from her babies," Andy noted, eyes managing to avoid said boss. Or rather, her current companions. She'd managed to hand Embry the straw without looking directly at her, but even that was enough to show how bright she'd appear.
From the corner of her eye she managed to catch as Leo waved them off, and gladly took the offered respite as she walked Thyra back to her office. "Thank you," she said as soon as the door to the manager's office closed behind them.
Thyra
When she made her way in, she spun around and waited until the door closed before wrapping her arms around Andy again. "Hmm? For what? For wanting you all to myself?" She joked before rested her cheek against the taller woman without saying anything more. The shifter could tell that Andy had been avoiding the babies - which was most likely why she returned to the hotel sooner than expected. After all, she knew the security could easily find herself something to do at the station even if Keg was there.
Andy
As soon as Thyra’s arms were wrapped back around her, and the shorter woman’s head rested neatly against her chest, Andy closed her eyes. She shut out her main sense and as she nuzzled into Thyra’s hair, she let the others take over. The strong and steady sound of the woman’s heartbeat humming in her ears like a song, and the scent that was uniquely the shifter engulfing her sense of smell. In that moment there was only Thyra. “Thank you for knowing what I need if that’s changed drastically since the time you were duty bound to do so.”
Thyra
Leo probably had a feeling this was going to happen the moment Thyra left with Andy but still, the shifter made no movements to break this embrace. "We may have met because of our duty, but it's not because of it that I care about you." She smiled, "Do you think Leo's going to actually dock my paycheck if we stay like this for the rest of the day? Because I really want to."
Andy
Thyra’s words resonated not just physically as they were spoken somewhat against her chest, but emotionally as well. Her parents made it clear when they opted to let her ‘die’ rather than continue to claim her as their child that their love _had_ conditions. “Why?”
The question was out before she could stop it but, now that it was Andy felt there was no point in taking it back. “As cliche as it sounds, I’m quite _literally_ not the same person you knew before. And to that point, I was absolutely _awful_ to you when I first got here. You’ve witnessed first hand what I’ve become- Why do you still care?”
Thyra
Thyra must admit, she did not expect that question at all. She listened as Andy list out the reasons. "You're still my Andy."
She squeezed her arms tighter as her eyes looked up into the other's. "I love you because you're you." She hummed as she swayed from side to side as she pondered her next words. Sure, physically, the witch was no more, and Andy had gone through so much too. "but.. honestly, there is nothing in the world that would ever make me stop *caring* about you." She chuckled, "I won't lie, our reunion was a bit rocky, but that was to be expected."
Andy
It was the possessive nature of Thyra’s remark that made the difference. Because Andy knew, without having to ask, that it wasn’t a means for her to claim ownership -like her father and grandfather might do- but a means to emphasize how she understood there were layers and facets to Andy as a person but they all still made up a person Thyra _wanted_ to care for. A person the blonde wanted to _love_.
When the shifter hugged her tighter, she reciprocated. Letting out a soft sigh Andy finally spoke again as she almost whispered into Thyra’s hair, “Oh to be loved by the likes of someone as beautiful as you, inside and out, is surely one of the universe’s greatest rewards…and worth every trial it’s taken me to get here.”
Thyra
Thyra blushed at the flattery words, "When were you such a romantic?" She smiled, wanting to stay in this position forever. Would Leo actually fire her? Perhaps. Pulling away enough to look up at the taller woman, the manager let out a sigh, "When is your shift today? I personally don't want to budge from this spot, but alas, I would like to keep my job. One day, Leo's gotta schedule us for the same shift.."
She then remembered, "Do you think you'll ever need to look after Levi and Emmy when they're still babies? It's probably a verrrrrrry small chance with how much everyone's been attached to their kids, but you never know when they need a babysitter... Should they call for Kala instead?"
Andy
The brunette could only smile half-heartedly at the question, wondering how romantic her words actually were versus how much Thyra herself was romanticizing them, given that the blonde was truly the romantic of the two. "Uh, I don't actually have a shift at the Radcliffe today. I was meant to be at the station. So...I won't tell if you won't...?"
The thought had already crossed Andy's mind many times over in the time between her first meeting with the babies and now. "I'm sure they'll do their best _not_ to need anyone to watch them, but Leo and Julia are still full-time working moms so...it may come down to it. I would _prefer_ that they keep Kala as their default stand-by, but I do understand that it's actually part of _my_ job description."
Thyra
"Would it be selfish of me to ask if you want to keep me company?" She chuckled but eventually released Andy from being captive in her hug. "I'm kidding - You basically have a day off. I'm not going to ask you to purposely stay at the hotel - where we are majority of our time already."
"Well, if Leo does call you instead, you could still get Kala to help or me.. but yeah, I think they'll probably want to spend all the time with the kiddos as much as possible - maybe we don't have to think about it altogether. I also have a feeling that the babies are all going to get together at some point...so there is that."
Andy
"I personally would have zero complaints," she replied, but didn't push to keep the shorter woman wrapped around her. Andy may have the day off, but Thyra certainly didn't. "It's not like I have anything else on my 'to-do' list. I mean, I there is a reason why I happily agree to three full-time jobs..." Keeping busy was her best coping mechanism as of yet.
Almost as if on queue, Leo barged into the office as she held Levi out at arm's length. It didn't take heightened senses to know what the issue was. "Oh my- wow. Uh- both? At once?" Her boss nodded, and Andy busied herself clearing some space on Thyra's coffee table. "Brings a whole new meaning to 'in the middle of some shit' ya know."
Thyra
Her eyes snapped to the door to see her boss walk straight towards the coffee table. Thyra guessed that it was because her office was the closest but she did not expect it turning into a change room right off the bat. Once Andy cleared off her stuff, she grabbed the essentials and the changing pad and set up the work station.
"Are we missing anything? I feel like we've got everything." Thyra's office was one of the few locations they made sure had a few of baby things in case of emergencies."
Leo
She was aware that it may have come across as panic, which Leo was completely fine with, but the entire chaos she created was more out of the desire to _not_ have to be the one to change the diapers in the first place _while_ simultaneously ensuring that the Manager's office didn't become the scene of some workplace sex because honestly, not cool. "Yeah, I think the only thing missing is the desire to actually open the 'packages'. I mean if they smell this bad _through_ the diaper.... Hey Andromeda, any chance that the smell will overwrite your desire to eat them long enough to do the honors?"
Thyra
"Won't you eventually have to change the diapers yourself?" She asked Leo, "Unless Julia's the one always on diaper duty " Her nose cringed at the stank seeping from the baby and immediately, she stepped closer to Andy. "I think we should.. hurry up, Levi looks like he's about to cry." She pointed at the kid on her coffee table. "Literally, this might be where your speed skill is going to shine." She smilled as she wrapped her arm around the taller woman's waist again - because she can't seem to keep to herself.
Andy
Andy wasn't sure when things went from 'keep the vamp away from infants at all times' to 'vamp is designated diaper changer', but she had to admit that seeing Levi on the brink of tears was enough to make her put her own issues aside and take to handling the 'business'. She went ahead and retrieved Emmy from Leo's back, and laying both babies side-by-side, she made quick work of getting them cleaned up and back to comfortable in no time. How she managed to do it all with Thyra latched onto her like a koala, that was a mystery for another day. "Okay, I think they're much happier now...can't say the same for the person who has to deal with the aftermath in their bin."
Thyra
"I'll have cleaning come by to pick up the trash, and maybe invest in one of those trash cans where it allows you to put a filter for the smell." If it meant that the kids were going to be in her office a lot more often, Thyra would get herself a designated bin for the diapers if she had to. With her arms wrapped around Andy, there were less chances of her being accidentally bitten by the kids as much as she wanted to play with them. At least until Emmy and Levi were a little older again. "Look at them, now that they've got clean bums." She chuckled at the smiles the babies were giving them. "I want to pinch their cheeks but I don't think they'll let me." Already, Embry made a noise that she guessed was a 'no.'
Leo
Leo was nothing if not happy to see smiles back on her babies' faces, but had little time to savor the moment as her phone pinged with a reminder. "Oh, I have a lunch meeting with one of the board members I need to get to," she said, before glancing down at the babies and then up at the pair. "Considering that I'm almost ninety percent sure that not much clerical work was going to be done here today, I'll be leaving these two very special packages with you for the next hour or so. Andy, please don't eat my children and Thyra, please don't smother them. I trust you can strike a balance between the two of you." She quickly bent down to give kisses and say goodbyes to each baby before standing back up and saying, "Good luck" as she made her exit.
Thyra
Thyra almost beamed at the idea of being left with the children for the next hour or two. She did give a small pout when warned not to smother them - which she was not doing. She was simply showering the kids with *love*. "We'll make sure your babies will be fine when you pick them up later." The moment their boss walked out the door, Thyra give the two bundles a group hug. "Ughhhhh, you two are so cute." Though she was still hugging the babies, she turned her head enough to look up at Andy. "How are you doing?"
Andy
Andy was less amused by the surprise babysitting gig, but she _had_ just mentioned such duties were still part of her job, so it wasn’t like there was much point in complaining. She did however manage a small glare at the warning not to eat the children.
It was all worth it though to see Thyra so immediately happy being snuggled up with the two littles. “I’m alright. Focusing on the overpowering scent emanating from your trash can as a distraction.”
Thyra
“…Does that mean we won’t be cleaning out the bin until the end of the week in all the places where the babies might be?” She teased before her nose wrinkling at the scent. “We should invest in those bins with the filters - or an incredible amount of Febreze.” With that, she actually went to grab the spray bottle she had around and sprayed in the direction of the trash. Unable to help herself, she picked up both kids - one at a time - and started slightly bobbing up and down with them. “You two cannot get any cuter, I swear.” She whispered.
Andy
"It's definitely an option, but I think _my_ tolerance for it might not become the biggest issue..." Almost as if to prove her point, Thyra immediately followed up with suggestions on how _not_ to have the smell linger. Rolling her eyes at the display of spraying the trash can, she just shrugged as she watched the blonde proceed to then pick up the babies. "I suppose it'll just be an intensive form of exposure therapy. I mean, I managed to grow to be pretty alright around Levi at his usual age within a couple of weeks, surely I can handle some babies for- uh...we have no idea how long this is going to last, do we?"
Thyra
"Not that I know of - if someone does know, word hadn't gotten to us about it. Would it be bad if I hope this gets to stick for a little while, not long because I'm sure the kiddos want to go back to their actual ages, maybe. If they get stuck like this, then it's like what responsibilities? What adulting? But they also need to be supervised the whole time." She chuckled at the sound Emmy made, "Oh? Are you agreeing with me? Or are you complaining that your babysitters literally became babysitters?" She gently tickled the baby's side as she spoke.
Andy
"I mean that makes sense, we don't really have a horse in this race," she reasoned. There was a small shrug, though she made zero move to close the distance between her and the three babies in the room even a fraction of an inch. "I suppose most parents would hope for the same. They're looking at the opportunity to take on parenthood from a young age, but this time with the knowledge and experience they've gained along the way. For others it's a second chance at seeing their kids in a way they never may have thought they would. Like, look at Leo alone. She loves Emmy and Levi with all her being, but it had to be at least a little bit of a bummer that she missed out on things like first steps and such."
At the noise coming from the older baby, Andy couldn't help but smirk as she said, "I think she's more upset that her girlfriend is still the same age and hasn't been around as often since Leo scared her off."
Thyra
Gently caressing the baby's cheek, she smiled at those blue eyes looking back up at her. "I'm glad you kids didn't lose your memory when you regressed. Hopefully you get to remember the time you've spent with your parents this time around." She spoke softly as she wondered what it was like to experience childhood all over again - except you aren't. "Leo is definitely loving this whole situation." She was very happy for her boss and Julia for that very reason.
"Where is Evan? I haven't seen her around in a while." She saw those little blue hues glow up at the mention of her girlfriend, followed by a sound that Thyra could only assume that it was to prompt Andy for an answer.
Andy
Andy opened her mouth to answer the question, only to close it as she was immediately interrupted by the slightly bigger tiny human in Thyra's arms. Making a face at the girl she said, "You are _way_ more bossy as a baby than you've ever been as a teenager." After another noise of complaint she held her hands up in surrender and said, "I'm getting there, I'm getting there. Evan's been working with the rest of the FC MENSA chapter to do both follow-ups on those that had to be provided with the serum and to continue informing people that were listed in Old Man Grey's ledger that they were likely the victim of _something_. She's also been working with Jack and the Paladins to try and get as much information as they can on the whole baby-gate thing. Sorry Tiny, but you picked a girl with a pretty nifty brain, so you have to share."
Thyra
The shifter could spend the day just watching Andy interact with the baby. It was true that Emmy was a lot more vocal as a baby but she couldn't help but find it adorable, although the explanation did earn a pout. "Yeah.. Your girlfriend is very smart so we need to borrow her brains to get everything settled. Hopefully she will get some time to spend with you." That is.. if Leo was going to allow that. She had a feeling that the parents were also part of the reasons why she hadn't been around. "In the meantime, you're stuck with us for the next little while. Your brother...." She looked over to the younger baby, "...is drifting off to sleep." She chuckled as she reached over to brush his little cheek with her thumb. "You guys are so tiny.. Look at Levi, his head is the size of my hand."
Andy
"That can either mean you just have small hands or he has a massive head," she stated flatly, earning another round of accusatory babbling from the older baby. "They're just facts, Tiny. Though I take you're decision to defend your brother's honor as a sign that _you_ are going to be fighting nap time as well as me." It wasn't until she was reaching for the pacifier clipped to the girl's onesie that Andy realized how close she'd allowed herself to get. There was a stutter to her movements as realization caused hesitation, but she pushed trough and picked up the pacifier to gently place it in the baby's mouth. Though the girl continued to make some noises, she did take the binky and seemed to begin nodding off too. "Well, we'll see how long this peace lasts."
Thyra
She visibly melted at the sight of Emmy's eyes drooping - and that Andy was giving the kid the pacifier herself. The baby made it more amusing when it was clear that she was trying fight against the sleep, and obviously losing. "Oh baby..." She chuckled softly as she gently stroke the kid's head, urging her to fall sleeping. When she believed they finally did, Thyra stood back up and went back to Andy to resume her cuddles. "It wasn't so bad, was it?" She asked, "I don't want to jinx it so I'm not going to say anything."
Andy
Andy wasted no time in using the opportunity of Thyra stepping in to ease Emmy to sleep to take at least five steps back. There were at least ten different thoughts all trying to take center stage in her mind, the one that won out was how _happy_ Thyra looked with the babies. How easily the woman took to them, and how her own humor seemed to make it to where they easily took to her as well. This of course led to the obvious thought of: what if Thyra wants children?
Luckily the blonder herself was back in her arms before _that_ can of worms could pop open. Wrapping her own arms around the smaller woman she hummed in response. "I don't believe there's really such a thing as 'jinxing' things where babies are concerned. Kids just unpredictable little humans by nature. I'm sure once they've recharged they'll be ready to keep us on our toes until their mom comes back."
Thyra
"Then we should take advantage of the peace and quiet we have right now before they wake up again." The good idea would be to do what she's actually supposed to do, however the shifter liked her current position very much. "On the other hand, I sorta want to move the kids back to the suite.. because we bought them so many outfits - we literally could have a fashion show. Like that overall! I want to see one of them wear it. It'd be so cute. Of course, they'd have to be awake for it and I don't want to interrupt their nap."
Andy
The vamp listened, arching a curious eyebrow at the suggestion they take advantage of the reprieve, and then arching it even higher at the fact they weren’t going to use it to change sleeping babies. “Okay, so we can get back to the suite with little to no trouble if I speed us there, but if we’re not doing a fashion show and we’re clearly _not_ going to be doing any daily work…how _exactly_ are we ‘taking advantage’ of this time?”
Thyra
"...I'm taking great advantage right now." Her arms tightened as she said that, "I'm getting very good quality Andy time and what better way to spend the peace and quiet we have now?" Her eyes playfully narrowed, "Did you actually want to do something more.. uh.. productive? You know what? One thing at a time, let's get the babies to their cribs."
Andy
Andy was glad to not have to actually answer that rather pointed question, as it was rather open-ended and honestly quite suggestive for what Thyra normally sent her way. Instead she smiled, and with great care vamped both babies and their newest 'nanny' into the proper elevator to access their suite. As the doors opened, she eased back into average walking and gently led them all into the nursery. "I'll settle Emmy, if you take Levi," she offered.
Thyra
"Okay.." Not wanting to wake Levi up, she whispered as softly as she could as she walked towards his crib. The height of the crib was too high for her, however, she managed to get Levi down without waking him up.. and without falling in herself afterwards. "Aww look at him!" She whispered with giddiness. The sight of the babies getting settled comfortably was too cute, her hand just unconsciously brushing over his little cheeks. "I don't think these two can be any cuter." She eventually pulled away to go back to Andy.
Andy
No sooner had the words left her own mouth than regret immediately begin to spread through every fiber of her being. Regardless, she didn't want Thyra to be distracted from her enjoyment of all of this, so she went ahead and did as she had stated. With great care -and a lot of self-restraint- she carefully picked up the baby girl in her own hands for the first time, and did her best to focus her eyes on the crib itself instead of the almost blinding glow being emitted from every single line the baby's vascular system right now.
With some effort, but nothing too jostling, she was able to get Emmy settled down and without waking her. Stepping away with purpose, but not with haste so as to not draw attention to her obvious retreat, Andy watched as Thyra continued to look at little Levi with nothing but adoration and awe. "I'm sure once you get them into a few of those outfits you picked you out for them, you'll be proving yourself wrong."
Thyra
When Andy mentioned about getting the kids into the outfits, she twirled around to meet Andy's eyes - feeling excitement all over again. Oh the anticipation to get the kids all dressed up in the little outfits they got them. Leaving the kid alone to sleeping, she slid back to Andy to take her hand and leading her out the room. "They're going to be so grumpy when I do so.. Let's hope they get plenty of rest before then." She's hoping they'd be in a good mood enough to let her change them that many times.
"SO." Her arms slinked around the taller woman's waist again, "How are you holding up?" Thyra felt that she may have asked Andy one too many times whenever she was around the kids, but she truly was worried if her girlfriend was feeling uncomfortable because of the kids.
Andy
"I don't think you'll have too much trouble from Levi, if any really. Dress-up is his favorite game to play and Julian is bestie for a reason. Emmy, on the other hand...you should hope that Evan happens to drop in at some point before they wake up," Andy stated. She could practically feel the question coming as soon as Thyra's arms wrapped around her. Andy was sure the fact she was physically tense didn't help matters. "I'm fine," she reassured, though who she was reassuring was up in the air. "These are just growing pains for whatever the hell I am now, just like we both had all sorts of other growing pains as a witch and shifter growing up. All shall pass...eventually."
Thyra
"Hmm, then it's very likely we're going to get a slightly grumpy Emmy. I haven't seen her in a *long* time - I think Leo is actually happy about that." She chuckled before nuzzling into her girlfriend, a very satisfied smile on her face. "Mm.. Eventually." Though she wasn't completely convinced, she trusted Andy and let the topic drop. Pulling away, her hands reached out for the others and guided her straight to the couch. Cuddling while half-sitting/half-lying down was better. "Should we watch a movie?"
Evan
Evan had managed to keep herself busy enough at the library during the day, and in the ‘Meeting of the Minds’ -as Quinn took to calling it- the rest of the time. She’d hardly had time to sleep and eat, let alone pay the hotel a visit. But, with the weather keeping the library slow, she managed to slip back downstairs so she could shimmer to the Avraham suite.
As she solidified behind the couch in the living room, she simply took in the cuddle-fest as the women both pretended to pay attention to the movie on the screen. “Ugh, you guys are disgusting. Get a room,” she grumbled before heading into the nursery, where she could already hear little babbles.
Thyra
Without moving too much, the shifter looked over to where Evan had shimmered in, almost surprised by her appearance because it was as if she heard them talking about her earlier. "Oh yay, you're here!" She smiled while totally ignoring Evan's comment about them. "Give Embry all the cuddles please." She looked up at Andy, "Gotta make sure she can last the whole fashion show session. Evan, how long do you have? Because I do hope you'll help us with dressing up the siblings." She called out the latter in a slightly louder volume.
Dee had, thankfully, been rather quiet on the fact that she’d come home find her and Dylan asleep on the couch. Well, really just the fact that she’d found Dylan still here at all, honestly. Instead, her priority had been for her the mermaid to give the babies a diaper change, feed, settle them back down, and work out a plan for how they would work together until this thing blew over.
As it happened, Fernanda would watch them herself during the day on Dee’s dayshifts and would watch them overnight on Dee’s night shifts and vice-versa. And the be best way to get this done was to work from home. So as she got the trio settled into their large playpen, she went to answer the door, already having a feeling who it would be. Swinging it open all she said was, “We could’ve had this meeting via zoom or even just a phone call.”
Dylan
Dylan only smiled when the door opened, revealing the mermaid. Her mood had been an all time high even when she left the barn house to get herself presentable - one could not be seen wearing the same things twice, especially within the same week. Although it wasn't a surprise, it did not sit well with her to know that their meeting was going to be via zoom.
"We could." She said as she walked in, only to be met by a gaggle of babies. "But I would rather have it in person." Omitting that this one of the very, very few meetings she looked forward to in the day. "Are you trying to get rid of me, Salazar?"
Fernanda
The mermaid had to admit that it was nice to be met with a _genuine_ smile from Dylan -as opposed to her overly saccharine 'I'd kill you if I could get away with it' one- even if the admission was made only to herself. In silence...for now. Instead she returned the smile and stepped aside as the woman made her way and -Fer could've sworn- almost immediately in the direction of the babies.
As she closed the door, the mermaid rolled her eyes. Turning to face Dylan as she flatly stated, "Yes. That is exactly my master plan. I am aiming to get rid of you, hence why I opened the door to my home and then stepped aside to let you in. You have now walked right into my yeeting trap."
Dylan
When she got near Julian, she pulled out a Burberry baby blanket and laid it on top of the kid - not exactly tucking him in with it. It was unfathomable to not have *something* luxurious just because they were babies. "Then there's no problem with having our meeting in person." She grinned now that it was verbally confirmed that she wouldn't be kicked out.
She walked over to the take a seat herself. Even if they didn't talk about work, that was fine with Dylan. The half demon simply enjoyed the peace and quiet they have, and not have people badgering her about contracts and all.
Fernanda
It seemed like her eyes were going to get their workout in today, as she once again felt them roll of their own accord at the sight of the blanket. "Honestly, it's nothing short of a waste of money. The girls are already making their way over to see what the fuss is, and Julian's still too kind to not share his new 'toy'. If you wanted to burn the bibs for a little drool, I'd hate to see what you'll try to do with this blanket after it becomes a chew toy for three babies and three pets."
The mermaid took her own seat on the living room floor, her laptop setup within arm's reach of the playpen. Glancing up, she brought out her tablet as well and asked, "What topic were you looking to start off with?" If the half-demon was looking to use their meeting as an excuse, Fer certainly wasn't...that she'd easily admit.
Dylan
"Darling, it was just something I picked up while shopping." She waved her hands as she watched the two girls making their way over. "It's his, so he can do whatever he wants with it." She said nonchalantly, though she now wondered if she should have picked up 3 of them so that all of them had one. "It's clearly of good taste and choice that they all would want it."
Her eyes fell to the mermaid on the floor, wondering if she was serious about discussing work - "I suppose we could go over the agenda." She sighed as she also took a seat on the floor, leaning on her elbow on the coffee table. However, unlike the other, she didn't bother with her laptop. "It'd be more fun if we don't talk about work though."
Fernanda
"All three were also fighting over one of the dog's chew toys not five minutes before you knocked, so make of _that_ what you will," the mermaid pointed out. She could already tell that it would be rather pointless to try and reason with Dylan that babies were simply that, _babies_. Taste was a literal thing to them, and associated with whatever they managed to get into their mouths.
Dropping her eyes to her tablet, she pulled up the agenda and without bothering to look up asked, "So am I to understand that Dylan Waldorf went out of her way to pay me and three babies a visit under the guise of a personal work meeting but, was really just looking to make a _personal_ call?"
Dylan
"So I really should have gotten them one each." She smiled, as if that was the only solution. "Darling, it's just a blanket - maybe it'll survive until they revert back to their actual ages." As an exaggerated gesture, the half-demon even crossed her fingers. "And it's fuzzy." As if that was a good reason to keep it.
Dylan kept her eyes on the mermaid with a smile on her face. "I wouldn't say I'm here for the babies exactly." As if that was ever going to be a thing she'd admit. She didn't want to admit that the kids were even growing on her in their usual forms, much less as *babies*. "Must we talk about work?" She reached out and held onto Fernanda's tablet at the top with just a thumb and index finger.
Fernanda
"Do you know how much work it takes for the farm to produce enough profit to afford _one_ of those blankets? It's not about the item, it's about learning the value of a dollar. If _you_ can't be bothered to care about cost or the fate of the blanket, at least pause to consider what the person who worked to make might make of just handing their work over to children." Even as she finished her statement, Fer was already resigned to the fact that her pleas would fall on deaf ears.
"Well if you're not here for the babies, and you're clearly not here for work, thank I'm left to assume..." she trailed off as her tabled was lowered, before she glanced up at Dylan with a mischievous grin. "...that you're here to help me get the fuzzy boys ready for a walk."
Dylan
Her brow arched as Fernanda went on about the blanket, which did have her stunned a little - and confused. "Darling." She started once she felt the other was done with her piece. "It's a baby blanket, who else would it be for if it's not for literal babies? It's just a blanket - not like I went and beyond and got the duvet option, which frankly, I should've now that we're talking about dexterity."
Her brow dropped back into a frown, "What?" Her eyes lowered to the furries nearby. "They have a whole field to run about, I doubt they actually need to be *walked* - so no, you know I'm definitely not here for *that*." She snorted as she leaned back away from the coffee table and shifted her weight onto her hands on the floor behind her.
Fernanda
Fer just pinched the bridge of her nose. "Just, no more getting things for the babies with a price tag over twenty dollars," she sighed. Getting Dylan to understand what the value of a dollar was would have to wait for another day...or preferably a time when three babies weren't her priority.
The mermaid scoffed, already getting up to gather up the harnesses and leashes, as well as the strollers for the babies. "They still enjoy getting to see the sights beyond that. Besides, the babies are overdue for a stroll of their own, getting some fresh air, and hopefully tiring out enough for a nap."
Dylan
The look of horror that washed over her face at the sounds of getting *anything* less than twenty dollars. However, Dylan wasn't going to comment any further with how tired Fernanda seemed to be getting. Somehow, she still was willing to listen to the other and stop from getting anything for the gremlins. Reasons that she was unwilling to deal with at the moment.
When the mermaid was actually following through with it, Dylan just sat there and watched as the other got ready. "...Seriously?" They literally just sat down too. "If they need fresh air, we can open a window." She muttered but still got up anyways. "Wait, *beyond* that? How far are you going??"
Fernanda
The mermaid busied herself getting the boys ready, then handing charge over to Krylon of the other two while she worked on getting the strollers sorted. Once ready, she went ahead and moved over to the babies, tiny winter jumpsuits for each of them at the ready.
As she began to change them, she glanced up and said, "Yeah, seriously." One baby dressed and seated, she moved on to the next. "You do realize there are _four_ cardinal directions right? We don't have to _through_ the farmlands themselves to reach something else." Second baby down. As she finished with Julian she said, "I thought we'd hit the Queens. If the kids are still awake they might enjoy a treat...from _me_."
Dylan
Dylan watched as Fernanda got the babies dressed one by one. She was not about to say that the kids actually looked cute in their jumpers - she will *not*. On the other hand, when Julian was ready to go, the half-demon did move to lift him up into her arms so she could fix his little hood. Was she being biased? Perhaps - not that it'd be a surprise to anyone.
"I don't know, darling, there's a lot of land around here before we reach anything else." She spoke nonchalantly, focusing her eyes on the baby. "You.. are so tiny." She muttered as she observed Julian a bit more. With that, she walked over to the stroller to strap him in. It seemed that those winter ~~heels ~~ boots were a good investment with the number of times she had to be walking around in this place.
Fernanda
Fernanda managed to keep her remarks at bay when Dylan made a beeline for Julián and even managed to keep quiet when she brought the land around them. _But_, hearing her cooing at her cousin about how tiny he was, that was just too good not to highlight…in their own ‘special’ way of ‘communicating’.
“Awwww, as cute as is it is to see you be amazed by Julie’s current size, tiny is usually the default setting for most babies,” she said with a bright smile. Her tone was overly cheery, but clearly her words were dripping in sarcasm. As Dylan returned the boy to the single stroller she began to push the double out the door, the leashed furry babies leading, and said, “He’s the lightest, so I’ll assume he’s safe with you.”
Dylan
"It's just.. strange when they weren't this size just days ago." Her face may express how much of a tedious task this was - especially to need to walk a distance with these babies, but Dylan still pushed Julian's stroller.
Dylan didn't know if she was thankful that it was no longer summer, but the half-demon wasn't a fan of the cold either. "Honestly, we should invest in treadmills for the animals." She muttered under her breath. "How is this walk even beneficial for the gremlins? They're not even the one's walking."
Fernanda
"It's beneficial to the _babies_ and the pets alike, simply because it keeps me from being stuck in the same place while you make it your life's mission to test my patience." Fernanda took a step, before turning to face her and adding, "Which, incidentally, also makes it beneficial for _you_. Open air, a nice walk, keeps my head clear and makes it far less likely I'll decide you need to disappear." The mermaid, of course, meant more so in the manner of Dylan _leaving_ the farm, but she felt the possible threat of death might be something worth keeping out there. Made things fun.
"Come on, you can't possibly be complaining already though," she noted in a far more serious tone. "Surely your stamina can take a little light walk into town..."
Dylan
"So you're saying that it's only because *you* get to move around that it's beneficial for everyone around you." Dylan couldn't help but laugh at that - until the mermaid decided to ~~threaten~~ warn her that there will be consequences if she continued to press her buttons. "Oh? Disappear how? Will you be using those so-called resources to make me disappear? Such a drastic decision."
That tone of hers had Dylan straighten her back. It was a tease for sure, and Dylan shouldn't give in so easily to it, but the smirk on her face said more than enough. "Wouldn't you like to know what my stamina's like?"
Fernanda
"No. There was never an emphasis on it being 'only' beneficial for one specific reason," she was quick clarify, "And if you know how much a loathe having my words twisted and then an attempt be made to weaponize them against me in the workplace, let me just make it clear that I despise it being done even more so in my personal life." It may have been a means to tease the mermaid, but it was best to make certain things clear and established sooner rather later. "Perhaps." Whether this was in regards to using her contacts or her agreeing it was drastic, was left up to Dylan's interpretation.
"I have no such curiosity," she replied flatly, "But I suppose the question will be answered by the time we reach the bakery regardless."
Dylan
Dylan did know just how much the mermaid loath it which was why she only gave the other a playful shrug, backing off for now. As fun as it was to press someone's button, the day was early..ish. Instead, she took a look around them as they walked. Surely her brother and especially Nox would not believe she was actually walking so far on her free will. With babies, no less.
"With how far this barn is from everything, it's going to take us half a day just to get there, and another half back." Was she being dramatic? Always. But she she was still pushing the stroller. "Perhaps I should have invested in a e-scooter." Surely she could still push a stroller while riding on one. Taking out her phone, she started scrolling to see what she could order from the *Manhattan *since they were visiting the sister bakery.
Fernanda
The mermaid knew better than to expect an actual apology, but it was enough that there was a pleasant silence that followed. The sounds of winter were in full swing and it was honestly a joy to hear as the babies all cooed and gurgled in joy to the sights.
"I'm sure the fact that you manage a way to complain about just about everything has probably proven to be an attractive quality in the past -because otherwise I don't see why you'd have kept it as a habit- _but_ I assure you, that it is not attractive in the least to present company," she pointed out, before taking a quick look at the woman's phone. "You so much as take a sip of alcohol, and you're on your own the rest of the day. I prefer clear minds around the babies when not in the safety of home."
Dylan
Dylan was not so narcissistic that she didn't know when to stop messing with the younger woman. And so, she obliged and stopped complaining - for now. Instead, her eyes rolled and showed the mermaid her screen. "Food, darling. Substantial food." While she could admit that the Queens had a good selection for pastries, the half-demon didn't have much of a sweet tooth. "You act as if I can't live without at least a glass of wine." Returning her attention to the screen, she continued to scroll, "Did you want anything as well? Since we're heading in that direction anyways." She asked as she added a couple things to her cart.
Fernanda
The mermaid simply looked her dead in the eye and replied with a direct, "And can you?" She continued to push the double stroller, happy to have the boys keeping pace on their respective leashes. The question made her smirk as she found she couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease the other back some. "Oh? Is Dylan Waldorf suggesting we have a lunch date now?"
Dylan
"How rude. I can have a little more self-control than that when I choose to be.." An angry mermaid was a scary mermaid. Dylan had definitely come across worse, but she was still finding herself obliging to most of the other's requests. "Would Fernanda Salazar be willing to go on a lunch date with a Waldorf?" She didn't look up from her phone, "Besides, if it were a date, I could do a little better than the Manhattan while being accompanied by animals and toddlers."
Fernanda
“It’s not rude when the question is merited based on the display of past behavior,” she reasoned without missing a beat. “Besides, you clearly just said the self-restraint would be demonstrated at your whim. How am I to know when you’ll be in the mood if it benefits my babies?”
Fernanda gave her a curious look at the question. “I have to admit, based on your behavior up until now, I would’ve expected a more forward response, _but_ I do greatly appreciate that it has been made a request instead. _And_, as such, I would love to join you on a lunch date….but obviously all my kids are included, furry and bald alike.”
Dylan
"And do you see me drink a glass of alcohol every single time? No~" She pointed out before letting the latter question be left unanswered because 1. she was not going to admit that she didn't want to be kicked out of the barnhouse *again* and 2. she was not going to admit that she's been behaving.
Her eyes did leave the screen at that because she did not expect the other to agree to it being a lunch *date* albeit bringing all the kids and animals along. "Would you really?" There was genuine surprise in her voice when she asked again. It wasn't often to see Dylan Waldorf hesitant but the mermaid was constantly surprising her.
Fernanda
"Just because something doesn't happen _every single time_ doesn't negate that it has happened on a _majority_ of occasions," she swiftly pointed out. "Besides, I don't know why you're suddenly so defensive about the matter, you're normally nothing if not a giant braggart about how you can have more alcohol than anyone at the farmhouse and still not be drunk. Has this suddenly not become a cool thing?"
If she had any hesitations, her resolve was immediately worn away by the genuine surprise in the woman's tone as she asked for clarification. "Of course I would! You've been exceptionally less of a pain in my a- _neck_ than usual, and honestly I rather like this new version of you. You should let her out more often."
Dylan
"That seemed to have gone out the window when your go-to drink was that last one you served. You drank that up like it's water. As much as I hate to lose, seems like my tolerance has nothing on *yours*." She said it matter-of-factly.
With how Fernanda was explaining, Dylan didn't quite know what to do with that description of her. New version of her, and also that she was *less* of a pain in the ass, she honestly had no idea what that meant. She figured that there was some sort of difference since she was actually found around toddlers - something she was thankful that her brother and Nox was not around for. However, this was not the time to be sorting all *that* out. Instead, she just gave her phone over to the mermaid. "You'd have to actually choose the meal first if you want to go on that lunch date."
Fernanda
The mermaid made a face at her and said, "Oh excuses. All that tells me is that you've not been allowing variety into your drinking and now you have consequences."
The silence that followed spoke volumes more than Dylan's actual words ever had. And even though she intended to archive every bit of it, there was really no time in this current moment to parse it all and tray to decipher a meaning. Instead she just chuckled when she was finally told to choose a meal. "Oh come on? You technically asked me out. So pick something, and impress me."
Dylan
"I just have a refined taste." She rolled her eyes. "Not everyone needs a shot of that each day."
Retracting her hand, she looked back down at her phone. It wouldn't be the first time she ordered for someone else - although most of those times, it was just because she wanted it as well and could care less if the other person liked it. With Fernanda, it was a different situation even if she had a feeling that she'd be find with whatever she chose. Dylan Waldorf being nervous? One would never have imagined it. "Very well." One should never back down from a challenge and with that, the half-demon started ordering a few things she deemed acceptable. "They should be ready by the time we get there, whenever that may be." Would she ever stop complaining? Never.
Fernanda
"I don't think it can possible be _that_ refined, if you're over at your brother's clubs every other evening," she remarked without missing a beat. The mermaid held zero against the staff of either establishment, but she knew from conversations overheard between her cousins and the other scoobs that, at least according to Dallas, the patrons tending to leave much, _much_, to be desired.
"If you're already going to be complaining before the lunch date even starts, do not for a second think that I am above retracting my acceptance to join you." It was the only warning she'd be offering.
Dylan
"Au contraire, my brother has quite the collection at his bar. however, it is not my fault the people in this town do not appreciate." She quipped back. Dylan wasn't oblivious about the type of people coming and in of her brother's establishment - it's not like she was there to socialize with the guests anyways.
Dylan was not going to push it any further now that they were almost there. (But honestly, that was a lot of walking.) "Would you look at that?" She feigned surprise, "We're *there*!" The overwhelming aroma from the bakery just hit her in the face the moment she opened that door.
Fernanda
"I stand behind my original statement, and I'm sure you'll stand behind yours, so I suppose we'll just have to agree to disagree. Besides, it's not like taste isn't entirely subjective by nature anyway," she pointed out. It was best to highlight how pointless turning this into an argument would be.
"And you survived the entire trek completely unscathed!" The mermaid teased. "Only one tiny hair out of place," she added before reaching up to tuck said hair behind the woman's ear. Smiling at her handiwork she said, "Now, what tasty treat are you looking to completely ruin our appetite for lunch with?"
Nox
They were on their break from having to stalk one Hartley Goodwin. Honestly, they had no idea what their boss saw in that teacher but there was nothing going on at all with her. Hartley did not lead an exciting life at all. If they were keeping an eye on her in case something happen, Nox was pretty damn sure nothing is ever going to happen. The most exciting thing was when her brother visited.
Wanting to cure their boredom with a good treat, Nox made their way onto the bakery when they spotted a very unfamiliar sight. Was that *Dylan* with *babies*?? Feeling rather giddy, Nox made quick work to get to the door in record time. "Why helloooo~" Their eyes went from Dylan to the baby she had with her. "Dylan, you never told me you've got kids. Does Damien know? Oh god, they're cute. *Dylan*."
Oz had gotten the text from her sibling to meet at the bakery not five minutes before, and was luckily not two steps behind them when they decided to approach Dylan and the children. "Nox, it's not polite to approach people's babies without their consent," she grumbled through gritted teeth as she not-so-gently pulled them back further by the arm. "Apologies. They tend to get a little excited when around something that shares about the same braincells as they currently seem to have."
Dylan
If she was smiling at the slightest actions Fernanda did to her, her reaction was the complete opposite when Nox came into the picture. Immediately frowning at their presence, her eyes focused solely on them even when their sister tried to apologize on their behalf. "Oh, I'm well aware.." If only her glares could kill - or at least scare Nox off as much as Damien did. Whether it was conscious or not, Dylan pulled the stroller towards Fernanda and shifted herself so her body was between the siblings and the family. "Nox, if you make a scene or do something more stupid, I'll kill you."
Fernanda
"No you will not," came the very adamant and defiant statement from the mermaid now standing behind three strollers and a demon. "At least in front of the babies, and certainly not within the walls of Hunter's shop. Besides, I'm sure Nox is smart enough to know that his paychecks aren't actually fully funded by two clubs in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, and if they don't I know that Oz most certainly does. So, to make a long story short, _everyone_ will be on their best behavior, or I guarantee that I will personally see to it that _death_ be the least of your concerns."
Nox had no idea that Dylan's mood bombed the moment she saw them, so as oblivious as ever, they continued to grin as if nothing's amiss. That and it wasn't the first time she ever threatened them. "Yeah, Dyl, no talks of death in front of the babies!" They gave Fernanda a weird look because of course the clubs weren't Damien's income. If it was even possible, the demon got even giddier. "Dyllie! Are you sulking?" They were going to give the other a poke in the cheek but their hand got smacked by said woman. "Owwww, okay.. okay.. geez. You are definitely hangry, aren't you? We should get you food."
Fernanda
It was the mermaid's turn to take a step forward and stand between Nox and Dylan. This town was small enough that through Kala and Dallas, she knew Oz and understood they were doing their best to contain their sibling. However, said sibling was as oblivious as ever, and was very likely to look a landmine full-on and still choose to sit on it. "Nox. Knock it off. You're welcome to try your luck with Dylan and her patience on your own time, but I will _not_ have you putting my children at risk by continuing to poke the sleeping bear while in the same room. Stick to your business or I'll have to ask Hunter to ask you to leave and honestly I'd rather spare my energy and save that favor for something much more rewarding."
Dylan
Already fed up the second his face showed up, Dylan reached out and gently pulled Fernanda back towards her and the babies, switching her attention to the mermaid. "Darling, let's just go get those treats you were talking about for the gremlins. I'm sure Oz here knows what to do. Besides, I don't want my food to get cold because of their idiocy."
Fernanda
She could feel the tension begin to ease in her posture as soon as Dylan's hands were on her. It had honestly been so long since she'd had anyone that made her feel secure and like they had something sturdy to lean on, that the small gesture of having Dylan pull her in towards herself and the babies, was enough to take her anger down from a raging inferno to a simmering annoyance. "Oz, thank you for attempting to intervene and Nox," she fixed him with a steely gaze, "I would recommend not underestimating me because then your responses just become patronizing and that would damaging to you and your employer _many_ different ways." Of course she knew the clubs were a front. There was very little that _wasn't_ a front where the Waldorfs were concerned. She was just glad, that in this moment, Dylan's concern for her and the babies didn't fall on that list.
Dylan
Seeing that the idiot finally backed off - with the help of their sister dragging him out of the bakery, Dylan leaned in to Fernanda's ear, "It's quite a sight whenever you get all fired up like that." Whether it was towards her or towards another, it always did bring a grin to her. Leaning back, she walked around one of the strollers and pulled Julian into her arms before walking over to the display. "...They all look disgustingly sweet." She spoke as if she was in a conversation with the baby while her eyes glazed over all the colourful pastries, some themed for the season. "This is why I ordered from the Manhattan instead.. Substantial food."
Fernanda
The mermaid felt herself begin to calm down as Oz managed to corral her sibling out the door, which proved beneficial to Dylan because instead of turning her scathing words on the demon, the blonde just wound up rolling her eyes as usual at the woman’s antics.
Opting to not fan _those_ flames, she turned to pick up the girls instead of responding to her comments. Though she did give her a look of offense on Hunter’s behalf at her remarks on the pastries. “Excuse you, Hunter happens to be the only baker in a fifty-mile radius that provides options for all major dietary restrictions, which means if you used your eyes to _read_ the menu and the labels instead of just for _judging_ you’d find something even _you_ like.” Vindication came in the sounds and look of approval Julian sent her way.
Dylan
Dylan turned to Julian and booped his little nose when he started babbling. "I see to have offended the fans of these treats." Her eyes looked back at the displays and gave out a sigh, "Well, we are here for these gremlins - did you decide on what you're getting them? Or shall I just buy out the whole store? Perhaps I shall." She hummed as she slowly turned in a circle to see what all that would entail. "We'll take everything."
Hunter
Hunter was normally the one working the back, coming up with new treats and also complicated ways to make them. If she was ever to give Chocolate Guy a run for his money, she'd need to up her game. That being said, she wasn't a recluse like Sage either. Working the front gave her the chance to flex her people skills, after all. As she had made her way to the front, she smiled at the girls in her friend's arms, and was about to smile at the baby boy when it seemed things took a turn.
Of course, before she could even say anything, Fernanda had come to her defense and now she was faced with the proposition of having the day's inventory bought out. "Uh...Well, I don't think _anything_ in mass quantities would be healthy for a baby. I mean, like, eve if it's carrots. Because seeing as how your opinion on my work is clear, they would be the ones enjoying the bulk. Besides, these are best fresh. No need to stockpile. I'll start the kids off with a complimentary round of fruit puree to get them something nice," she offered.
Dylan
Her eyes rolled when it looked like another person was stopping her from 'buying too much'. That really did seem to be the theme around here - one she was *not* a fan of at all. She turned to Fernanda, considering that she would know what the babies want. If anything, she was here to foot the bill, and to grab the food she ordered earlier. The food will have to wait since Julian still hadn't chosen want he wanted yet. "It'd be more convenient if we deliver everything here home." Anyone could take their time choosing what they want then. Maybe even for her to sneak a treat without anyone noticing. "But considering *that* won't be happening, I suppose we'll have to start with that." She said, giving the usual dramatics.
Fernanda
Her patience had already been worth rather thin by Nox, and at this point she had no idea why after they'd spent most of the day -day_s_ really- doing so well, Dylan was choosing now to revert back to her attitude of 'privilege'. The mermaid knew it was a front, and though she could somewhat understand why it may be useful in a board room full of old white men and, even understood that it was usually a means to tease Fernanda herself, it was honestly downright repellant when being used as underhanded remarks against not just someone in customer service, but a _friend_ of hers at that.
"No, it would _not_ be more convenient to buy out the store's entire stock, it would be _wasteful_. Because once home, and the kids have had their pick of the treats they could possibly manage to eat, the rest would go where, exactly?" It was a rhetorical question, so even if Dylan bothered to take a breath to answer, Fer was not in the mood to allow one. "_However_, if you really feel that flaunting your wealth by buying out the goods is something that is absolutely necessary to your survival, you're more than welcome to do so and donate the remainder to some of charities around town."
Dylan
Her mouth snapped shut when Fernanda interjected, clearly annoyed with how Dylan was behaving. However, instead of commenting on anything to further piss the mermaid off, she opted to just give the one on the other side of the counter a look, "I guess we're setting for the few then." The half-demon was definitely not fond of being scolded in public, and if it had been someone else, she'd handle it differently. However, this was Fernanda Salazar.. and she was also carrying said mermaid's cousin, so she shall behave. Thankfully Nox wasn't around to see this otherwise god knows what stupid comment they would have said.
Deciding to switch her attention elsewhere, the half-demon walked off to a nearby shelf as if to see what else this bakery had.
Hunter
Hunter had remained quiet once she'd said her piece, not wanting to really get into anything remotely resembling conflict with the brunette, and honestly being far too scared to interrupt the blonde. She waited until it seemed they'd worked things out between them before simply looking over at Fernanda and saying, "I'll just go ahead and bring a round of the usual to your table."
Dylan
Dylan was not going to test her luck any further so she just concentrated on looking at the other pastries with Julian until the cashier spoke about bringing things to their table. "I suppose my order should be ready by now." She muttered mostly to herself before moving the stroller back towards the other. "Shall we eat now?"
Fernanda
If it wasn’t blatantly obvious that the mermaid was unhappy with Dylan’s behavior, the fact she kept direct eye-contact with her as the older woman asked about their lunch and _still_ chose to say nothing in response and instead turn to address Hunter with a polite ‘thank you’, and genuine smile as she paid…well, that ought to have done it.
The blonde opted to remain quiet as she proceeded to strap the girls back into their strollers only glancing back at Dylan to ensure she’d done the same with Julian before leading them next door. It wasn’t until they had been seated, she’d had a nice chat with Sage, and they had been left to their meals that she finally acknowledged Dylan again. “Care to let me know what we’ll be consuming or would you like to _pay_ someone to do it for you?”
Dylan
She wasn't so self-centered not to know what the mermaid thought about her behaviour ever since the siblings came and left. It was even more apparent when the other didn't even bother to reply to her question. While she was constantly disappointing her father, somehow this felt.. different .. and possibly worse.
And of course Fernanda wasn't going to make it easy for her since she spent the entire time they were at the table speaking with Sage instead. The half demon also refused to look over to the babies because she was *sure* they were giving her some sort of look. One had never focused on her phone screen until today. "Did the chef not already explain that all to you?" Dylan picked up her eating utensils before returning her attention to the other.
Fernanda
"And we're done," was all she said before she began to stand. Making quick work of putting her coat on and getting the kids ready, she managed to them all settled just as Hunter was making her way in with the bags of treats. Luckily the tall blonde didn't hesitate to smile and agree to help her with the babies back to the farmstead. "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Enjoy your meal with a hefty side of passive-aggression, and don't worry about returning to the farmhouse. I'll be sure to email you the rest of the paperwork and save you the arduous trip."
Dylan
Her hands stilled for the briefest moment before setting her utensils down with a sigh. If the other was leaving, then there was no reason for her to stay either so she got up and dropped a few bills on the table. Her eyes caught sight of Julian and naturally reached out and fixed his hat. When she was done, the half demon straightened up and started for the door herself - not without pausing enough to give Hunter a glare.
There were many things about this that was pissing her off, but Dylan would not be able to say what specifically. All she knew right now was that even the presence of the other was irritating her. She was so annoyed that once she was outside the establishment, she didn't even bother calling for a ride or someone to shimmer her away. The youngest Waldorf was willing to *walk* home because she was not in the mood to run into anyone - especially her brother *and* Nox.
It was an immediate change in sense that had the Paladin immediately orbing over to her youngest charge. Which turned out for the best, because as Steve had been in the kitchen fixing a snack, she managed to arrive just in time to keep a rather sturdy ceramic plate to come crashing down on the- "Oh," she let out just above a whisper. "You're a wee babi..." Setting the plate down on the counter, she bent down to scoop up the little wein and said, "Well, that certainly explains the change in how you 'read'. Let's get ye to your sister- nope, wait. She said not to interrupt her. Let's go wait in the living room."
Which would be where Ren eventually found them when she came back downstairs. Glancing up at her most temperamental charge, from where she lay with the infant on the couch, Jack grinned and said, "Oi, I think I found something that technically belongs to ya."
FLORENCIA
Ren had finally emerged from her room after being cooped up with Kieran ever since they got home. Coming down the stairs, she was just going to slip by but then Jack caught her attention. Her eyes went from the Paladin to the baby in her arms, and letting those words sink in. "You well know that I do not have a kid - wait, did Kieran do so- " Her words were cut off when she took a proper look at the child.
"Steve?" She went up to the Paladin and took the baby into her arms, almost naturally bouncing on the spot. "Kier! Something happened to Steve....?"
KIERAN
After emerging from what had become their little decompression routine after work, Kieran had the intention to head towards the home gym. Not being on the force anymore was not going to be her excuse for not working out. Besides, she found that it certainly helped her in the long run, be it the exertion or the endorphin release. She could faintly hear Ren and Jack already arguing, but that was nothing unusual.
What was unusual was Ren calling out about Steve, which in turn had the seer rushing down taking the stairs two at a time to see what the problem was. She stopped short when she came up to Ren _holding a baby_. "When did that happen?" was the first thing that came out of her mouth.
FLORENCIA
"*How* did this happen?" She carried her sister over to her girlfriend, "She's a baby, Kier. A baby. My eighteen year old sister is a baby." That somehow earned an incoherent sound from said sister. "Oh you think this is funny, don't you?" Another sound. "Do you think we can reverse this somehow...?" She was more panicking because what if it was permanent. However, in the middle of her panic, a scent hit her nose.
"......Are you fu- Are you serious, Stevie?" She groaned as she lifted the baby in the air and immediately recoil with disgust. "Oh.... Jack.. I don't suppose you can orb over a diaper right now, could you?"
JACK
Jack had remained on her spot in the couch, mentally holding a conference with the other Paladins while Ren went through her usual stages of addressing a crisis. The yelling bit was the least productive, and the one Jack had become a pro at working through on her own. The request for a diaper, had her orbing off and coming back with a baby bag of supplies. "Yer mum keeps like three of these in the basement at all times in case she comes across a patient that needs some essentials before heading to a shelter, and I'm going to just stop explaining and hand this over to you. Best of luck."
She turned to the most level-headed of her charges and said, "The other Paladins and I believe that this is likely in relation to the latest seal breaking on the Nexus. The good news, it means that whatever this is, however long it lasts, it will _end_. All kickback magic is temporary. The bad news is, it means the wards around the Nexus failed at some point."
AVERY
The wolf had been in the bathroom when she heard all the commotions outside. Something about a baby.. and her girlfriend. Coming out of there, she went to the living room and spotted said baby. "Uh.. What is this?" She looked at the baby in the witch's arm. ".. Is that.. Maite...?" Her eyes widened so much that one would think they would just pop out. "Is my *girlfriend* a baby?! Oh no, that's going to get me arrested." She joked as she walked over to poke the baby in the cheeks. "Oh my god, those pictures did not do you justice, my baby girl. You look *absolutely* adorable."
She would ask if she could carry her but by the way Ren was holding her, it didn't seem the older witch was allowing *anyone* else to carry her anytime soon. "Uh.. should someone go check that out? That's bad news for sure."
DIEGO
"Jack! Kier! I have a hypothetical question," Diego called out as soon as he walked through the front door. Kicking of his slush covered boots and removing his coat and scarf, he continued talking, "So like if, let's say, by complete accident -_theoretically_- one of the runes around the Nexus was like _smudged_, maybe -just a little- but only for like a second or two and then immediately redrawn proper...would that like, have any _significant_ affect on things?"
As he finally made his way into the living room proper, he realized all eyes were on him and was about to ask why when he noticed the _actual_, living child in his sister's arms. "¡Ó Díos! Kier! Did you really make a test-tube baby?! Like, Ren's been scared you might try it now that you get to play mad scientist, but I never thought you'd actually go through with it....She looks just like Ren too- what?"
FLORENCIA
She had let out a groan almost the moment she heard his voice echo through the house. Somehow she had a feeling that Diego had something to do with it now that he had posed the hypothetical question. "What did you do, Diego?" She frowned as she walked right up to her twin brother and held up their baby sister. "Stop it, you seriously don't recognise Maite?!"
However, with that being said, she looked over to Kieran, "....You didn't make a lab baby for real, did you?" She asked... just to make sure since they were on the topic. Turning back towards her brother, the fire witch held the baby back into a cradle. "*Why* did a rune get smudged to begin with??"
DIEGO
When his sister rocked right up to him and questioned if he recognized the youngest of them or not, Diego actively squealed before clasping a hand over his mouth. "Stevie? How did-" he stopped mid-question as the realization dawned on him and he clasped _both_ hands over his mouth this time. Looking from the baby to his sister, to Kieran, to Jack, and back. All about three times in total.
The only thing that got him to talk again was the look of offense clear on the seer's face when Ren suggested she might actually believe her capable of hiding a build-a-baby workshop from her. "Ohhhhhh-kay. So, in my defense, I was actually out there making sure that the wards were still up and operational. I know with the holidays just around the corner it was getting busy for most other witches and demons to take a look so I wanted to be helpful....but I forgot that water doesn't just make up snow, it also seeps into the ground to make mud, so...when I went to check the last rune I thought it would be the easiest thing to just use my powers to move the water, so the snow, but that also moved the sludge beneath, and distorted the rune, this brining down the ward bubble entirely for like a second....or four...so babies huh?"
FLORENCIA
She motioned with her glare and a swift shake of her head, indicating for him to explain already when he suddenly cut himself. To think her own brother somehow 'wiped' away the rune even if by accident. "You're sure that .. the barrier's back?" Was she doubting her brother? Maybe. Ren had more faith in Kieran's rune drawings than his after all.
"Thank god our parents aren't here...." She bounced their sister in her arms when she saw her tiny little hands raised towards her. Ren smiled softly and held a finger over the kid, who then grabbed it. "You better hope she changes back soon because you're going to explain to mom why Steve's back in diapers. "Do we need to bring in a crib? We are not letting her sleep in *your* bed, Di, you'll crush her." She walked back to the couch and took a seat, laying the kid down on her back. "This is.. so weird."
KIERAN
Her face still very much sported the look offense at the thought that Ren assumed she was capable of hiding a possible test-tube baby from her, but she simply walked over to Jack and said, "Jack and I can go grab my old crib from the manor. I'm almost certain mother isn't using it anyway. On the way there, we can make a pit-stop to verify the barrier is back up and fully functional, though I think if it weren't we'd somehow know already."
Walking over to the sitting witch, she looked down at the baby from over the woman's shoulder. "As adorable as she is, I don't think you want to tempt the fates by letting her go commando much longer," she teased. "We'll be back in a few."
FLORENCIA
Ren gave an apologetic look when she saw that her girlfriend still had the look on her face. While she did believe that Kieran wouldn't keep anything from her - because that's what they promised - Ren really felt that a lab baby was possible with how smart the woman was. "Almost certain?" She looked up almost curiously, "What.. would she using it for..? Or who..?"
She leaned in to give Kieran a quick kiss before rolling her eyes. "Okay.." She sighed as she got out the necessary things and set them out. The fire witch definitely appreciated how much calmer Maite was compared to them because that just made getting her into the diaper far quicker and easier than she thought it would be. "That's a good girl." She whispered softly once she was done.
DIEGO
"Oh! You don't know? Kieran's got a brand new baby sister...of the canine variety," he responded only too giddily. "Adaline was feeling that the manor was a bit too massive with just her by her and the usual staff of fifteen all on their own, so I suggested she get a dog." He shoved his arm, cell phone in hand between the two witches to show off the pics of the Pomeranian. "She set the pupper in Kieran's old room, so it wouldn't surprise me if she also decided to repurpose the crib."
The look of 'murder' on Kieran's face was not lost on him as they orbed away, but Diego knew it wouldn't go past a look, so he just smiled and waved. Turning his attention to his sisters, he snorted and said, "She's a baby not a pet, _Flor_."
FLORENCIA
Of course, that woman got a Pom. "Since when were you such uh.. good friends with Adaline?" She frowned. Never did she think Diego would be exchanging pictures with Kieran's mom. At the same time, it was.. strange. "Of all the rooms she has in that manor of hers, she used Kieran's room?" Surely there were other unused rooms in that place, maybe even a spare guest room.
She gave her brother a scowl before ignoring his comment and continued to coo at her sister. "...Was she always this small?" Perhaps it was because they were also smaller back then that Maite didn't feel like this but now, Ren couldn't help but think she was even more fragile than before.
DIEGO
He shrugged but his brow did furrow as he tried to find the answer to that question himself. "I don't know, actually. It just kind of happened. I felt that it was a little sad that she only really had Kieran now to talk too since mom is still very wary, and you were likely to set her on fire if Kieran wasn't around so...Maite and I, being the coolest people in the fam, have just kind of been checking in on her. She wasn't the best mom, but she's trying now and it's mighty hard to try something when everyone around you is already telling you you can't."
Feeling his answer had turned a bit too serious -and personal- he instead focused on Ren's question about their youngest sibling. "Maite's always been the smallest, though I suppose being full grown adults this time around does put her tiny-ness into a new perspective- is she just going to stand there all night?" He interrupted himself as he gestured to the youngest Rendall peeking from behind the sofa, only her eyes and up visible, said eyes glued to the baby.
AVERY
It was bizarre seeing her girlfriend turn into a baby and it did nothing but highlight the age gap between them. From the group chat, only those who are twenty and below were affected... Yes, that gap was very obvious. Not to mention, there were still a few scoobs who haven't turned but were still younger than she was. "Oh man.." She mumbled to herself as she watched the twins fuss - well, one was fussing, the other not so much - over their youngest sibling.
The wolf flinched when Diego suddenly looked her way. Honestly, she wouldn't even mind if she stayed in this very spot the whole night because Maite was so small.. and so fragile of a baby that Avery didn't know quite what to do. "..... Maybe..?" She actually looked a bit sheepish but still, she emerged from her spot and walked closer towards them. "..I don't know how I feel.. about my girlfriend being a baby.. I mean, she's real cute.. like boop, i want to pinch your cheeks cute."
DIEGO
He glanced back over at Avery, his look far more sympathetic now. “Yeah…I suppose when you put it like that, it’s bound to be far more complicated territory for you than us. We’ve always seen her as an ankle biting gremlin, this is your first glimpse,” he said.
He also figured that Steve and Baby Rendall over there were past the ‘platonic’ stage of their romance by now, and it must be trippy to go from _that_ to a literal baby. “Indulge in the cute, and take it one day at a time,” was the best he could offer. He would toss in a joking warning about keeping her hands to herself, but she already looked like she’d puke if he did.
AVERY
The wolf continued to stare at her itty bitty girlfriend, and that feeling of unease simply grew the longer she stared. "...She *is* really cute though.." She whispered softly though she still hadn't actually approached the baby, or was it because Ren was holding her? "I don't know, Di.. This is waaay trippier than you'd think."
Avery actually let out a shuddering breath, trying to take this all in. Unlike the other three, she was not handling this as well as she could. "She's also.. so.. so small." If she was scared of hurting the witch prior to this, boy, did that amplify by a thousand folds right now. "And most of the gang's like that too.. Oh man, everyone's a baby... My niche! She's a baby too."
DIEGO
"Ey! There's a silver highlight or whatever you call it. You get to interact with your niche as a baby without being a kid yourself. You get like, the genuine aunt experience. You get to be her Luke!...but like, before it turned out Luke was actually Sky's dadperson," he suggested. His own words made a thought occur to him as he then added, "Erin and Evan! You can call them and see how thye're approaching the whole 'my girlfriend is now a literal infant' debacle. Surely they'd have a far more relatable input than either of us," he said indicating himself and his twin. "For sure they'd have better input than Ren, anyway."
AVERY
"Do you think she'll even recognise me? How does this baby thing even work?" She looked over to Steve and finally built enough courage to walk right up to Ren. "...Does Maite recognize me?" She asked softly as she gently poked at the baby's hand. "Or are you going to cry because you don't know who I am." She was almost whispering. "Because that... is a whole new level of rejection I would have ever gotten.......We are so creating a support group for this.."
JACK
After an adventure and a half, the Paladin materialized back in the home just in time to hear the wolf's question. As her charge began the process of sorting the items they'd returned with, she made her way down the stairs as she called out, "There's no reason why she shouldn't remember ya. From what the we've been able to sus out in the Paladin mental-group-chat -or _hive mind_ as some have called it in the past- there's been no adverse reaction from the children to the people they know. So far, it seems that though their brains have obviously biologically reverted back to infant capabilities, their memories are fundamentally the same. I mean let's face it, they'd kind of have to be. Baby Steve would _have_ to recognize Ren as her older sister, otherwise half the facial expressions she makes would have the kid terrified, no?"
FLORENCIA
The witch watched as the wolf walked up to them. She turned her body so that Avery can take a look at her sister a little better. At Jack's explanation, however, Ren had to look up with a glare. "Are you saying that I'd be terrifying to my own baby sister?" If she wasn't holding said baby, she might have actually went up to smack their Paladin in the arm. "I'm going to go up and see how Kieran's doing with the unpacking." She scowled as she headed upstairs with the baby - standing by the door of the room so that she wouldn't actually get in the way.
KIERAN
The witch had immediately taken to sorting everything they’d brought back. She figured she’d have at least enough time to set up her old crib by the time Ren came up with the baby, but seeing as how Jack rushed _downstairs_ …well she wasn’t exactly surprised to see her time was cut short.
Glancing up at the pair, green eyes brightened and she immediately smiled at the sight of how soft Ren was around baby Steve this time around. “Well you two certainly seem to be getting along far better this time,” she teased. “Clearly the same can’t be said about you and Jack..”
FLORENCIA
She looked down at her sister who was alternating her attention on both women. "She's my baby sister, of course we'd get along." She mumbled before readjusting her hold on her sister since Maite started shifting into her. "Jack seems to think that if Maite didn't recognise me, she'd cry." Her eyes rolled in disbelief.
"Anyways, how's the crib? Do you need help?" She looked over at the crib. "You used to be in that?" She asked softly.
KIERAN
"Well, in all fairness to Jack, if she didn't recognize you, that would make you stranger. And most babies don't do well with strangers, so.." She trailed off as she began to bob her head from side to the other, causing Maite to giggle and follow her lead by rocking her upper half to and fro as well. "It is such a welcome change of pace to have the Nexus magic give us something terribly cute instead of something just terrible," she noted.
At the question she turned her attention back to the furniture and said, "I've got the general outside framing done. Still have the bottom slats and the new mattress to put in- Oh! You guys can start digging through the stuff we bough, like the sheets and pillows and things." The softer question had Kieran looking at the crib in a slightly different light. "Yeah...dad actually built himself." Her tone was soft, but the tinge of sadness was still there.
FLORENCIA
The witch scowled slightly. She refused to think that her own sister would be scared of her regardless. But that scowl went away the moment the baby started to giggle, and a smile widened when she saw that Maite was trying to mimic Kieran. "Thank god. I do not want another day being stuck as a halloween costume - or have berzerkers invade town again." She complained.
Her eyes softened when she learned that the crib had such meaning to it. Without saying anything, she leaned in for a soft kiss to the older woman's cheek before giving her hand a light squeeze. "I had no idea he knew carpentry." Though she still wasn't the biggest fan of Kieran's parents, but him building the crib was a nice gesture. Letting go of the other, Ren went over to pick out the sheets and pillow they were going to use. "Should we run everything through the wash first?" She muttered as she took out a set.
KIERAN
She nodded emphatically and said, “I genuinely don’t my blood pressure can take any other major anything for at least the next three months. Also, I think my brain needs a break after everything we had to do to clean up after Old Man Grey.”
Kieran was more than appreciative of the gesture. “That man was full of surprises until the very end, and apparently even after,” she replied. It really did feel she learned something every week. She turned to look over at the items, stretching out a hand that then waved in the general direction of them. “All sanitized. So is the carpet, by the way, if you wanted to give her some room to roam…and no, I will not be doing our actual laundry with magic. You still have to use the washer and dryer.”
FLORENCIA
"I'm.. not going to say anything more because I feel like it might just jinx it." Ren gave a wry smile, "The old man seems to have flipped the whole town upside down and we can't even get him to pay for it." Her eyes rolled. One could think he got off lucky since he was killed before the town found him.
She pouted when Kieran told her she would not be doing the laundry the same way. "Fiiine." She whined as she brought over the sheet, waiting for the crib to be set up before laying out the sheet but since she was holding the kid, she couldn't tuck it in as well as she hoped. "Oh this is cute." She chuckled, not expecting the characters on the sheets.
KIERAN
As she continued moving about placing in the final pieces she said, "Yeah, please don't. Let's just count our blessings and not look a gift horse in the mouth." She let out a low whistle and said, "I don't know about lucky. From what Evan was able to see when she had to to go do her due diligence as the next-of-kin, he may have stepped on the very last nerve of the wrong person."
Taking a step back she could only raise a brow as she watched Ren struggle with the bedsheet. "Yeah, I figured she might like them. Also, just a suggestion, but you may be able to win the wrestling match you've got going with the mattress right now if you use _both_ hands. You know? Maybe let the baby down or hand her over?"
FLORENCIA
She rolled her eyes, "He's lucky because he suffered once and that was it. There are plenty of people who probably wanted a piece of him." While she wasn't an advocate of *torture* methods, Ren still believed there was more to be done since he affected so many lives regardless if he personally had beef with said person or not. "Thank god Evan Jr didn't turn out to be like him."
She looked almost offended by the idea of putting her sister down. "No, I will not." She laughed as she held the sheet up to the other instead. "I wanna keep holding her." Ren was already rocking on her feet as if the kid wasn't already pooped out already.
KIERAN
“I think the sentiment of wanting everyone who was wronged to get their pound of flesh is bordering on something that would ultimately be against the Geneva Convention,” she noted. Ren’s proclivity towards anger may be placing blinders on her current view, but her suggestions were increasingly nearing something that would, in practice, be literal torture. “Yes, we’ll she did have her mother for the most important years.”
Green eyes looked just as offended as the witch was _denied_ the opportunity to carry the baby. She took the sheet nonetheless and made quick work of fitting it in place. “She’s pretty much about to pass out, so you’re going to have to put her down anyway. We’ll discuss the multiple ways you’ve affronted me tonight later.”
FLORENCIA
She grew quiet when she saw Kieran looking at her.. which was then backed up by her words. Ren was in trouble because she didn't think before she spoke. Begrudgingly, she went over to laid her sister into the crib before tucking her in carefully, making sure she's comfortable and won't get cold overnight.
While she could probably say something, something told her that being quiet might be the best way for now - until Kieran addressed her again. Instead of going over to her girlfriend, Ren lingered around the crib, fiddling with the frame as she waited.
KIERAN
Kieran watched as Ren set the baby down, and the little girl almost immediately drifted off. Then she waited for the witch to turn back around....and waited, and waited. When it became painfully obvious that Ren was either avoiding any further conversation or was waiting for Kieran to point out where the metaphorical puzzle piece had to go -again-, the older witch just sighed and went to get ready for bed herself.
For all the progress she felt they'd made recently, it still felt like they were always taking four steps back because Ren still refused to confront anything and would rather be told what the misstep was, which in the end always left Kieran wondering if Ren even understood why it was a misstep to begin with.
FLORENCIA
The slight panic she felt when Kieran got ready for bed instead of starting the conversation. When she saw the older witch was in bed, Ren got in as well. With a small surge of courage, she shuffled in close enough to wrap her arm around the older woman's waist. ".... I'm sorry." She apologized softly as she nuzzled into the back of Kieran's neck.
The fiery witch knew she messed up somewhere - the obvious one was related to Ren hogging her younger sister.
KIERAN
The older witch knew she didn't have it in her to actually _stay_ mad, but that didn't mean she couldn't be upset for a while after. Even as she felt the fire witch slide into bed with her and warp herself around her, Kieran's gaze didn't budge from the spot she'd chosen on the wall across from her. All she did, at the woman's apology, was ask, "About?"
This far along, she needn't elaborate. They'd discussed many times over that apologizing without knowing what it is that you're apologizing for, renders the apology moot.
FLORENCIA
"...For hogging Maite, instead of helping you make the bed.." Ren had meant it jokingly since she didn't want to let go of her sister just to make the bed. With that being said, the fire witch would have happily given Kieran the kid if she knew that the other wanted to hold her right that moment.
She fell silet again because it was mentioned that it was 'multiple' times so the witch ahad to think back again. ".... Was it also because I said that you might have had a lab baby in the works?"
KIERAN
Kieran just let out a deep sigh and said, "At this point, it's honestly more about the fact that when you do something that's upsetting, you're quick to say the words 'I'm sorry' but don't bother to take the time to realize _what_ you're sorry about, which means you go on without knowing or acknowledging what you did wrong or why it was wrong."
She turned around to face the younger and said, "But yes, it's also about the fact you thought I'd keep a lab baby from you."
FLORENCIA
She laid there as she mulled over those words, though it was sidetracked when Kieran brought up the lab baby again. "I mean.. like.. you're obviously smart enough to create one if you wanted to.... and I don't know.. Maybe you were waiting to see some sort of results to actually happen before letting anyone know that this could actually be a reality?" She hummed, "... but then, because it's a baby we're talking about so I suppose you wouldn't *not* bring it up - at least the idea of creating one - especially when it's about making a family... "
The more she spoke, the more she felt like maybe she should just.. *stop*. After all, they had been working to tell each other everything. "....Are you upset .. because we said we won't keep secrets from each other anymore.. and here I am.. saying that you're keeping a secret?"
KIERAN
Kieran looked her in silence for a moment. "So, are we really just going to completely skip over the problem that I, as has become the norm, practically spoon-fed you so that you could -I don't know- at least pretend to address it...?" Another sigh escaped her as she said, "I know sometimes we all get sidetracked, but there's big a difference between 'ooh I saw something shiny' and 'ooh I'm going to actively talk about something else', because Florencia Maria Velazquez you are _not_ oblivious enough to have accidentally focused on the _wrong_ thing, you simply chose to focus on the _easier_ thing."
She turned back around settled into bed proper. "I don't think we're getting anywhere soon and we'll have to be up in a few hours to check on the baby. Might as well get some sleep."
FLORENCIA
"Kieran.." She called out when the other turned back around. It was clear from the voice just how tired Kieran was with her.. bullshit. "No.." She answered quietly, "We.. *I* shouldn't skip over it." She made a face as she remembered Kieran calling her out for taking the easy way out... It seems that she took a lot more than she realized from a certain parent than she'd want to admit. "I might.. not know every time when I put my foot in my mouth, but I know I've done something that upset you and.. I know that I shouldn't do it again." She fell quiet again as she thought back to the events earlier.
KIERAN
She let out a an exhausted sigh, but didn't feel up to turning around just yet. "Look, I genuinely don't think this is conversation that is getting us anywhere, and I would hate to say something I regret later because I spoke out or frustration, but I don't know whether I'm just not being clear or you're not listening to what I'm actually saying here. I'm aware that _you_ are aware that I'm upset. I know that _you_ don't want a repeat. The _problem_ lies in the fact that you never actually know what it is that you do wrong, and you always end up waiting for someone to tell you what it was. Maybe, doing a little work and trying to figure it out on your own once in a while would be a more effective way of helping you with not doing those repeats."
FLORENCIA
She wasn't going to push it if Kieran was adamant that this issue wouldn't be resolved tonight. The only thing she felt she could do at this point was to give Kieran her space, figure out what else she did wrong tonight.. and just think before saying anything in the the future - the latter being a bit hard to do since the witch knew she was pretty impulsive.
Instead of replying, the younger woman fell quiet as she just stared into the back of her girlfriend.
KIERAN
Kieran held out for all of five minutes, before turning around and wrapping an arm lightly around Ren's waist. "Please stop boring holes into my back. It's bordering on creepy and that's an adjective I'd really rather never have to use to describe you," she muttered. "We can come back to the conversation later, but I also don't want us to go to sleep like two strangers forced to share a bed, because I saw that too much with my parents and honestly, disagreements come and go but if they're really big enough to disrupt the status quo? I don't like to think about the outcome that usually leads to."
FLORENCIA
The moment Kieran flipped over, Ren felt relief wash over her. She managed a soft chuckle when she was basically called a semi-creeper just for staring. "That is definitely not a compliment for your girlfriend." Her voice just as soft considering the time of night. "Honestly.. I'm just glad you turned around." She admitted before shuffling in closer enough to put her face against the older witch's chest, wrapping her arms even tighter into a half-hug.
KIERAN
Kieran shifted a bit make the fact they were now sharing a spot, on the rather spacious bed, more comfortable. As Ren settled into her usual position, Kieran just placed a soft kiss to the top of her head and whispered, "I swear I can practically feel my hair going grey because of you." She closed her eyes waited for Ren's breathing to even out. Things could wait until tomorrow...or whenever the baby decided nap-time was over.
