regency au } { of new additions and returning bethrothed

[hereditare]

Laura: [is sitting with Melissa and Peter in the sitting room when Derek comes in, and while her face doesn't look quite as displeased as Peter, she doesn't really look happy either. Melissa has gotten one of Malia's cradles out of storage which has given the baby a place to sleep for now, and is sitting next to it, rocking her gently. Laura glances up as Derek comes in and she gives him a small smile that isn't really happy, but still a smile as she hands over the letter] Remember that talk we had about consequences?

Derek: [yeah, he has the feeling he's walking into a firing squad from all those looks. He can smell the baby inside the cradle, but he doesn't speak, just takes the letter and reads it. And his hand goes to run through his hair in frustration] This isn't possible.

Laura: Except for the fact that it is.

Peter: Do we really need to give you the speech about how babies are born at this age? [arms crossed. Nope, angry uncle mode is set to high]

Laura: [and that will get him a look, because not helping]

Peter: [not caring. He's still all of your legal guardians: adults, alphas, whatever you are, you three are his responsibility]

Derek: I am very well versed in the practice, uncle. [he folds the note carefully] I do not know how to care for a child, Laura. I don't have a wife to help with that either.

Laura: Then I suppose you are going to have to learn. [and she's not saying she won't help, because that's what family does, but this is Derek's responsibility]

Derek: [his jaw opens a bit, almost in a 'you can't be serious' moment, but he shuts it as he looks at her, knowing that he wasn't going to get out of this that easy. Or at all. he sighed]

Laura: [nods as she moves forward to place her hands on his shoulders] You made her. You have to deal with her.

Derek: [he nods] I will need to get her a nurse first. Do we have any supplies to care for her here?

Melissa: [nods] I can handle that. Malia needs a tutor more than she needs a nurse at this point.

Peter: And I've already sent one of the kitchen staff out to get you what you will need. I will have Stiles bring you the items in storage from Malia's youth that we saved.

Derek: [nods, but he hasn't gone near the crib yet] That will work. I can set up a nursery for her in one of the empty rooms in my wing.

Laura: Good. [and that crib will start making soft noises as she starts to wake up]

Derek: [stands a bit stiffer. He has no real idea what to do here]

Peter: And that, dear nephew, is the sound of your life changing. I hope for you, it leads to the better. [is going to go over and find the paperwork Derek needs to sign]

Laura: [keeps her hands on his shoulders and pushes him forward gently, just enough to get him to look at her. Her hair isn't as dark as his, but dark enough, with fair skin. Her hands are balled in little fists, and it's obvious that her legs are kicking beneath the blanket to try and find the floor]

Derek: [he looks down at the baby, and Laura will probably feel the anxiety rising in her brother. He's very silently freaking out behind his emotionless mask]

Laura: [and she will rub his shoulders gently, before whispering] Relax. She isn't going to bite.

Derek: I'll break her. I can't do this... [shaking his head, letting his fear creep up to take over and he tries to back away]

Laura: [won't let him get that far, tightening her grip on him before pushing him towards the couch next to the cradle] You won't break her. Sit.

Derek: [goes to sit, but he's not sure his sister is right in that] I'm not gentle like the rest of you.

Peter: [snorts] He's right there, Laura. But neither was I, and Malia is still alive so you will be able to do this as well, Derek. You just won't be going to tourney as much.

Laura: [ignores both of them, before taking a step forward and scooping Patience easily out of the cradle and balancing her in her arms for a moment] Babies, more than anything, want to feel safe. They can sense your anxiety just as easily as we can, so if you are upset, than they will be upset. If you are calm, they will be calm. [and then she'll take another step forward, using the arm that isn't supporting the baby to gesture to his dominant arm] Use this one like a scoop.

Derek: If she can sense anxiety, you don't want to be giving her to me right now...

Laura: And the only way you're going to get over that anxiety is if you do it. [she raises her eyebrows at him in a silent way of saying "do as you're told"]

Derek: [takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Almost how he preps before he goes into the ring, and then he nods, moving his arm as Laura had described]

Laura: [and moves to gently place her in his arms] Make sure you watch her head.

Derek: [nods, and his arm goes to wrap around the baby to keep her tight against his chest, looking down at her. He's still scared as all hell, blinking at the baby in a "I have no idea what to do with you" way]

Patience: [and she will blink up at him, big blue eyes, and make a number of sounds before beating one tiny fist against his chest accidentally]

Peter: [moving to stand next to Laura, just watching silently. Almost missing Malia being that small in a way]

Derek: [nope, still lost, but that fist should be bundled in the blanket, right? So he's going to try and figure out how to do that and not drop the baby at the same time]

Patience: [and she's going to surreptitiously grab that finger that's trying to help her. Hi there. She's going to keep that. Let's see what you taste like which is about all the prelude he gets before she's dragging it to her mouth to gum on the edge of his finger]

Derek: Hey, don't do that. [is going to try and pull it away]

Patience: [no wait why, that's actually going to upset her and she'll let out a very distressed noise]

Melissa: It's alright. Babies learn the world mouth first. She's just getting to know you.

Derek: Yeah, well my fingers don't taste good. I was on a horse for a day. They aren't clean. [but now he has a crying baby and no idea what to do]

Melissa: [gets up and grabs a cloth and a washbowl before dipping it in water and squeezing it out] Give me your hand.

Derek: [looks over at Melissa, and then nods and holds out his hand, still trying to figure out how to stop the baby from crying]

Melissa: [she uses the cloth to get most of the dirt and grime off his hands, until it looks fairly clean before nodding] Alright, give it back to her.

Derek: [he looks at his finger, because seriously? Did his mom do this to him? Fine, here child, have his finger]

Patience: [and she takes it and she quiets after that, not dragging it all the way back to her mouth but holding on tightly all the same]

Melissa: She just wants to know you're still there, that's all.

Derek: Okay... [babies are weird. But he's going to relax back into the couch a bit. He still has no clue what's he's doing, but he's relaxing a bit more in his posture.]

Peter: When you get that finger back, you have paperwork to sign. I would also suggest you write the mother and inform her you have the child and she will be well loved and cared for in our walls. Give her some ease of heart and mind so she can move on.

Patience: [oh hey we're relaxing. She's just gonna go back to sleep now then. As she drifts off, her grip slackens around his finger, but occasionally it will tense up again to indicate she's not out completely]

Derek: [and he's going to just sit there, watching her sleep, biting his lip a bit because no, he's still not sure him taking care of a child is the right choice]

Laura: [sighs as she moves to sit next to him] I know this isn't what you wanted. But we have to deal with the hand we've been given.

Derek: She needs someone better than me, Laura. We both know this.

Laura: But you are what she has. So either condemn her to the lot you think she's been dealt or strive to do better.

Derek: [nods] I... I need to talk a ride. Just to clear my head. Melissa...? [motioning for her to take the baby]

Peter: You will sign the paperwork before you go.

Melissa: [nods as she gently takes Patience from him as to not disturb her]

Laura: [nods] You need to at least do that.

Derek: [and once the baby is out of his arms, he will go and sign the paperwork and literally rush out of the office, heading for the stables for his horse and riding back out into the forest. Not that he will be able to escape any of it, but he just needs to not think for a bit]

Laura: [and she will stay on the couch for a moment, playing with the end of her hair] Funny how the world works.

Peter: The world's trying to tell him he needs to finally grow up.

Laura: Apparently my trying didn't do it to their satisfaction.

Peter: [sets the ink to dry, going to sit next to her] Your brother, charming as he is, has refused to find any type of responsibility in his life. He will settle into this. It may even start to change his views on other things.

Laura: It's not a lack of him looking for it, it's a lack of him being willing to accept it.

Peter: Well, this child isn't going to go away. He will have to come to terms with that.

Laura: He will.

Peter: [looks at the baby and smiles a bit] It will be nice to have a baby in the castle again.

Laura: [she laughs] It will. Chaotic, but nice.

Peter: We're going to have to find him a wife, otherwise that child is going to grow up in the stables.

Laura: Mmmmm. She may come to us.

Peter: Have I missed him trying to actually court someone beyond into their beds?

Laura: I don't believe he slept with Lady Gilbert.

Peter: Lady Gilbert... I thought Lord Parrish was her escort at the feast?

Laura: He was. Yet Derek was the one she spent most of her time dancing with.

Peter: Hmmm. Well, I guess we should both keep an eye on them. I believe she is ward to Lord Lockwood, so I will keep track of the tourneys that the lord's son plans to attend and we can find time to travel to at least a few more so Derek doesn't believe his entire life has been uprooted. [sly grin]

Laura: [she laughs] It might do him some good, at any rate.

Peter: Also, I have other news to share with you of importance now that the child has been dealt with. [looks over] Melissa, will you please take the young babe and have Stiles help you set up the bassinette. I will leave it to your judgment where our little Patience is best to be living at this moment.

Melissa: [nods and goes to do that, heading out of the room to find Stiles]

Laura: [once she is gone] What is it?

Peter: [reaches into his desk, pulling out another letter that came] The war in the south that Daniel was fighting is coming to an end. Gerard expects his son back by the end of spring.

Laura: [she falls quiet for a moment, eyes falling to her hands] Guess I'm finally getting married.

Peter: [holds out the letter for her, but it's mostly just Gerard stating the timeline and reminding Peter of his obligations in the truce towards giving Laura to them] I have been going over the rules and practices of the marriage laws, and I believe there is a period we can ask for courtship if you wish. We have not met the time allotment from your meetings as children and Daniel has been at war for a long time since you last spoke. It would be a way to give you some more time...

Laura: For what? [she raises her eyebrows at him because honestly, what more is there to wait for?] Is there anything that will change this without starting another war?

Peter: Not that I have found. And trust me, my dear, I have looked for every loophole I could chase.

Laura: I know. [she sighs] There's no point in waiting. We might as well get it over with.

Peter: [closes his eyes, but nods] Then I will start preparations for us to have a wedding come summer.

Laura: Good. Is there anything else?

Peter: You mean beyond the small stack of requests of lords wanting to marry their sons to your sister that I haven't even sat down to look at? No, nothing major.

Laura: Popular is she?

Peter: That she is. I also have one for Malia I'm ignoring. [small smirk]

Laura: She has time yet.

Peter: You were getting proposals when you were but three, Laura. I'm surprised it took this long.

Laura: Malia isn't the future alpha of the Hale family. She's ... less valuable. Take advantage of that.

Peter: Speaking of value and being the alpha, will you please take these and burn them? [they are the stack of lords toting the virtues of their daughters to Peter]

Laura: [laughs as she takes them] Still intending on remaining a bachelor forever, Peter?

Peter: I had love and lost it, my dear. God made it clear I could only have my wife or my daughter. I will not incur that kind of choice again.

Laura: [sighs as she gets up] Suit yourself. [and with that she will do as he asks and then go spend time with the baby, because it's easier than thinking about what's coming this summer]

Derek: [and he's going to spend a good portion of his day at his parents' graves, trying to find solace and guidance]

Laura: [well, when he's ready to come back, with Patience is where she'll be. Or if he wants his other sister, he's around too]

Stiles: [so once he's done with the bassinette, he will head down to check in with Cora] M'Lady, it's good to see you back again. How was France?

Cora: Lovely. France is usually lovely. [she smiles when she sees him, moving to the side so that he can sit next to her] Were things quiet here?

Stiles: [he purses his lips a moment in amusement, then shakes his head] Not for the last two weeks. [he takes that seat] Have you spoken to your lord brother since your return?

Cora: [shakes her head] Laura wanted to speak with him, I haven't had the chance.

Stiles: Do you wish to hear the gossip them, or wait to speak with him? [he really wants to tell you, but he will wait]

Cora: [her eyes narrow] What?

Stiles: One day I was riding out to exercise Thor, and when I returned, there was a basket at the manor door. And inside was a babe.

Cora: [her eyes widen] My brother's?!

Stiles: That is what the letter with the babe claims. So you are now a lady aunt.

Cora: [her mouth works for a moment, before she gets up] I need to find my brother.

Stiles: He has gone to take a ride in the forest to clear his head.

Cora: [which means she knows exactly where he's gone and she nods] Thank you.

Stiles: Do you need me to saddle you a horse?

Cora: [shakes her head] It will be faster if I run. [and with that, she's already gone]

Stiles: [sighs, but he is getting used to the whole "wolf" thing, so he will get up and go to the kitchen where the little kitchen maid has made him lunch and is attempting to flirt with him a bit]

Cora: [and out she goes to find Derek, coming to a stop quietly and dropping to her knees next to him]

Derek: [he's kneeling there, his hand on his father's headstone, his other hand reaching for his eyes] I take it you heard.

Cora: [nods] Are you alright?

Derek: I can't do this, Cora. I'm not ready. I don't know how to be a father.

Cora: [sighs] No one knows how to be a parent until they actually are one.

Derek: But they have time to prepare. Months to ready their lives. To put things in order.

Cora: Some. And some think they will have a partner until they don't. Nothing is ever as we expect it to be.

Derek: [he goes to sit back on his feet, shaking his head] I was a fool to live life as I have.

Cora: I'm sure Laura and Peter won't argue there.

Derek: This child... I don't know what to do. I know what's expected of me...

Cora: I don't think that the child is going anywhere, Derek. Laura can't send it away, not when it potentially may grow up to be like us.

Derek: [rubs at his eyes] She deserves better than this.

Cora: And what are her options, Derek? Bastard daughters have it worse than bastard sons.

Derek: [he winced, hating that word. And even if he was trying to fight it, the bond was already forming. He was protective of the child, even if it was from his own stupidity at the moment] I don't know. [answered softly]

Cora: [sighs softly as she shifts to face him more] Why did the mother leave her here?

Derek: She was getting married to a duke and he wanted her to put the child in an orphanage.

Cora: So her options are to live with a family who will care for her or to be alone in an orphanage, where she will possibly have to go through her first shift alone. Or be adopted by a family who is unaware of what she is, where she can hurt them.

Derek: I'm not going to send her away, Cora.

Cora: Good. Then she is already in a better place than where she was.

Derek: [sighs] I think I now understand how you two felt with your contracts.

Cora: [raises an eyebrow at that] Oh really?

Derek: The feeling of having a sudden duty put on you that you have to honor, even if you don't know how. [or want to. Derek is a very selfish boy]

Cora: Mmm. At least you don't have to sleep with yours. Or have his children. All you have to do is make sure she's happy.

Derek: [looks down at his hands. He's not sure he can even do that]

Cora: [sighs. So melodramatic] Children are easy, Derek. When they're hungry, you feed them. When they are cold, you clothe them. When they are scared, you hold them. It's not as though she's going to be holding you to a standard, all she wants from you is your love.

Derek: [Derek Hale is always melodramatic. but he's just silent, looking at the gravestones silently]

Cora: [sighs again] You're thinking about this too much.

Derek: It is one of my vices.

Cora: I know this isn't what you were expecting. But do you truly not want it or are you simply scared?

Derek: [he thinks a moment] I'm scared. I didn't want children, not until later, but I was going to have them eventually. I just truly believe that I'm going to do more harm than good. That I'm not ready for this.

Cora: And how do you think you will harm her, exactly?

Derek: ... I don't know.

Cora: Then how do you know you will do harm at all?

Derek: ... I don't know.

Cora: [smirks] Are you beginning to see my point?

Derek: [sighs, and nods, rubbing at his eyes] Yes. I don't know anything seems to be the biggest point.

Cora: Then learn. Don't wallow about it, do something about it.

Derek: [he's just silent a moment, wishing for all God that his father was here to help him. But he wasn't, and finally he just nodded] I'll figure it out.

Cora: [nods] Good. If anything, you could always ask Peter for help. He seems to have done well enough with Malia.

Derek: I know, and he's given me Melissa to help as well. I will figure it out, I just need to accept that my life as I knew it is over.

Cora: [and she'll just give him a look at that because really?]

Derek: I can't take a babe to tourney. She'll need me here.

Cora: That doesn't mean you can never ride in a tournament again.

Derek: I know, but it will for a while.

Cora: It won't be as bad as you think.

Derek: I won't know until I live it.

Cora: Who knows - maybe you'll love your daughter so much, you won't even miss it.

Derek: We will see what the future brings, I guess. [he looks at the gravestones] I just worry that I'm dishonoring them in all this.

Cora: [glances back to the headstones and reaches over to place a hand on her shoulder] I think she would be more ashamed of you if you didn't try.

Derek: [nods] Yeah, she would. But I'm also pretty sure she wouldn't let the child go for at least six months. [small smile]

Cora: [laughs] She would have to give you some time to learn.

Derek: Perhaps. I remember when Malia was born, she didn't want to give the baby back to Peter sometimes.

Cora: Usually when he was sleep deprived.

Derek: But still, when even you were a baby, or some of the servants had their children... she was always in love with them.

Cora: I'm sure she would be in love with her too.

Derek: I'm sure. [he kissed his hand, touching both stones in turn before standing up] I think I'm ready to face this.

Cora: [nods and gets up with him as well] Good.

Derek: Want to ride back with me, or walk?

Cora: I can ride.

Derek: [and he will get Cora and her dress up on the horse first, and then hop up behind her so that they can ride back to the manor]

Cora: [which thankfully she wasn't wearing some massive dress monstrosity so it's not too hard.]

Derek: [is quiet a moment] Her name is Patience.

Cora: [she smiles softly] Patience Hale.

Derek: Yeah. She's going to need a lot of it too with this family. [smiles] The name fits.

Cora: [she laughs] Or it's a foolish hope that she will have more than we do.

Derek: She could have stubborn patience. Laura excels at that.

Cora: Maybe.

Derek: Do you think I'll be a good father, Cora?

Cora: [she tips her head back, glancing up at him before nodding] I do.

Derek: Keep reminding me of that then, okay? I think I'll need to hear it often the next coming months.

Cora: I will.

Derek: [and it isn't long before they are back at the manor and he's helping her off the horse]

Cora: [and she will go head back to her room because Derek is probably going to see his daughter who Laura still has]

Derek: [yup, and when he comes back, he's a lot more confident. The talk and thinking helped, even if he's still uncertain if he's going to be able to do this at this moment]

Patience: [is making low murmuring noises in Laura's arms as she chews on her fist, and Laura talks to her in a low voice]

Derek: [walks over, shaking his head] I'm going to have to get you some chew toys, aren't I?

Patience: Mmmm? [she turns towards the sound of the voice, almost as though she knows he's talking to her]

Derek: Yeah, you heard me. Better to fix your oral fixation now than later. [he looks at his sister] I can take her.

Laura: Are you sure?

Derek: [deep breath, but nods.] Yeah. Yeah, I think I am.

Laura: [nods and goes to stand so that he can take her seat]

Derek: [he doesn't need to sit. He just goes to do the whole swapping baby into his arm thing which he will get better at eventually, but standing he can rock her a but as he looks down at his daughter, and this time there is a smile starting to grow on his face] Randomly putting hands and people's fingers in your mouth is not very ladylike. [as he gives her his finger because hey, it's how they are bonding]

Patience: [cares not for this "ladylike" of which you speak, she's just going to om nom nom anyway]

Derek: [snorts] Yeah, you can't act like you don't understand English forever, child. [smiling a bit more]

Patience: Ahmamabahma-mmmm.

Derek: [smiles, rocking her a bit] Where did Melissa set up the bassinette?

Laura: In the room next to yours.

Derek: Good. [he nods] Just do me a favor - if you hear her or me screaming for the next few weeks, just come help?

Laura: [laughs] Of course.

Derek: I'll figure this out. I just…I need time. Right?

Laura: Right. You'll be fine.

Derek: And I'll give up the tourney circuit for a while so I can focus on her. But... can we still go to London? I made a promise.

Laura: [nods once before] I may not be able to attend, however.

Derek: Why not?

Laura: Because Daniel will be back from the war by then.

Derek: Oh. [he sighs] Perhaps I will send a letter to Lady Gilbert then, telling her I won't be able to meet her.

Laura: [shakes her head] No, you should go.

Derek: I'm not going to leave my sister when she needs me.

Laura: Derek, I will be fine.

Derek: And what if the wedding falls during that time? You want me to miss that too?

Laura: It won't. I'll make sure of it.

Derek: [nods] We'll see what comes as summer approaches.

Laura: He likely won't be here until summer anyway.

Derek: [looks at the baby] I guess everything is going to be changing faster than we wanted.

Laura: I guess it is.

Derek: We’ll all be fine, right? [looks up at her, the edges of nervousness creeping back into his face]

Laura: [glances up at him and nods with a small smile] Yeah. We'll be fine.

Derek: [nods, letting himself just believe it, even if it was hard] I should probably put this one back to bed and get a bath before dinner.

Laura: [nods] I'll call you when dinner is ready.

Derek: [nods, and goes to carry his daughter back to his rooms, knowing that the servants already knew, and his knights probably have already heard through gossip]

Laura: [and she'll head downstairs to check on dinner and we skip?]