regency au } { of yearly visits and growing toddlers

[impetere]

Stiles: Whoa there, son. Don't reach too far.

Ben: 'orse. [pats it's neck or what he can reach of his neck]

Stiles: Yes, Thor is a good horse.

Ben: [and he'll keep patting and shift to patting his dad's hands]

Stiles: [smiles and leans down to kiss the top of his son's head]

Ben: [And then there'll just be some entertaining baby babble that is phrased like actual sentences but not ones that make sense]

Stiles: [and he will make Thor pace the window of the carriage, looking in at Cora] Hello, my love.

Cora: Hello. How are you two doing?

Stiles: We are having a wonderful time. Trying to teach Ben a few new words.

Cora: How is that going?

Ben: 'orse!

Stiles: Fairly well.

Cora: Good.

Stiles: Are you resting well in there on your own?

Cora: Well enough. Getting a bit lonely though.

Stiles: Would you like our son back?

Cora: Think he's worn out enough to sit still?

Stiles: I hope so.

Cora: Then yes, I think I can take him.

Stiles: One moment. [and he will ride up to the driver and get them to stop the carriage, and he will hand off Thor to one of the escorts and climb back into the carriage with Ben]

Ben: [and he'll be mostly conked out, his head lolling against his father's arm]

Cora: It seems that worked well.

Stiles: We will have to use this technique more often.

Cora: We will. Especially on long rides.

Stiles: [shifts to put their son on the seat and wrap a blanket around him.] I hope he likes Austria.

Cora: I think he will. But he's too young to judge much right now.

Stiles: Of course.

Cora: I'm sure when he's older he'll love it.

Stiles: Me too.

Cora: And I think your father will be thrilled to see him.

Stiles: Oh, I know he is. He has been waiting for this meeting all winter.

Cora: I'm sure. [brushes her hand over the top of Ben's head]

Stiles: I think he's excited to be able to see him grow up the way he didn't get to see me.

Cora: It is a good gift we can give him.

Stiles: I know. I'm excited for it.

Cora: Good.

Stiles: [looking out the window] I think we're almost there. One hopes my cousin has taken to visiting her husband's family for this trip.

Cora: I shall keep my fingers crossed.

Stiles: We can go swimming in the lake in the garden.

Cora: Swimming?

Stiles: Yes.

Cora: I've never really been swimming in public. [ladies don't swim unless they're Kate Argent]

Stiles: I can have the knights keep a perimeter to keep people away.

Cora: We'll see.

Stiles: [smiles] It will be nice to be able to relax and be away from all the noise for a bit.

Cora: The manor isn't that noisy now that Gracin and Talia are getting older.

Stiles: There are a lot of children, I am just saying. And more to come.

Cora: Packs thrive in large families. You may have to get used to them.

Stiles: I am getting there. And I'm more than happy to continue to contribute to the growth. [grins]

Cora: [and her head will duck as her cheeks blush] We will see.

Tyler: [riding up beside him, since he was part of the guard sent] M'lord, m'lady, the manor is in the distance.

Cora: [glances over with a smile] Thank you, Tyler.

Stiles: Thank you, Sir Tyler. Can you ride ahead and let them know of our arrival?

Tyler: Yes, m'lord. [and off he will go]

Cora: [and she will straighten and put on more of her courtier exterior on]

Stiles: I should probably change him before we arrive. Wouldn't do to have a dirty bottom when we get there.

Cora: [she nods] Would you like me to help?

Stiles: Yes. If you can get me a new cloth and the powder.

Cora: [nods and she will go through their bags to find that]

Stiles: [and he will shift Ben to be able to change him, flicking the dirty diaper outside the carriage to get the bad stuff out before putting it in the cleaning bag]

Cora: [and she will finish cleaning him up and getting him dressed]

Stiles: [and then they are there, being welcomed by a happy Uncle waiting to meet his grand-nephew]

Ben: [which this child is too sleepy to really understand and is burying his face in his mother's shoulder]

Stiles: He was in the middle of a nap. Perhaps introductions will be better later?

Vitez: Yes, yes. Your suite has been prepared for you all. I shall see you at dinner?

Cora: Yes. We will see you then.

Stiles: [and he will go with Cora and Ben to their suite of rooms to settle in, and he needs a nap himself]

Cora: [and she will make sure her boys sleep well, and then settle in to read for a bit]

Stiles: [and he will sleep until roused, exhausted from the ride]

Cora: [and eventually Ben will wake up and she will leave Stiles a note, before taking her son and going to wander the castle some, refreshing her memory of where things are]

Vitez: [and he is in the garden reading, and looks up when he sees Cora] Hello, m'lady.

Cora: [glances over with a smile] Hello. I hope we're not interrupting.

Vitez: No, not at all. I was just rereading one of my old books. Nothing I can't be interrupted on.

Cora: Good.

Ben: [looks around as they walk before pointing to something over her shoulder] 'rees!

Vitez: He's already talking. They grow up so fast.

Cora: Not full sentences yet, but he is working on his words. [nudges her son gently] Say hello to your great-uncle.

Ben: [glances over to him, before pointing again] Look!

Vitez: What is it you're looking at, little one? [puts his books down to go and join them]

Ben: [it's just a bird, but it's one they don't have in Norway, more brightly colored than the ones that need to blend into the snow]

Cora: [follows his finger] Yes, that's a bird.

Vitez: [smiles] That is a barn swallow. It is very common here.

Cora: They don't make it as far north as we are. [and Ben starts to squirm, so Cora puts him down so he can go chase after it]

Vitez: I'm sure they are not fond of your winters. [and he watches the little boy run off] He is beautiful, Lady Cora.

Cora: Yes, he is.

Vitez: Did you have a good trip out this way?

Cora: We survived, at least. It took him a while to get him to calm down and sit still.

Vitez: [chuckles] Ah, yes. It will be that way for a while. Carriage rides with little ones are never relaxing.

Cora: Stiles took him out onto one of the horses for a while and that helped.

Vitez: That was a good idea. We used to stop along the roads and let the children run around in the woods for mealtimes. That usually gave my wife and I a few hours of quiet when we were back on the road again.

Cora: My worry is that he will run into the woods and we would lose track of him.

Vitez: Do you have a good tracker among your knights? Someone who would be able to follow him?

Cora: We do. But ... there are too many variables for my taste. I would rather suffer him being restless than risk something worse.

Vitez: Not to sound like I know better, but I think all mothers fear so much for their first child, that by the second they realize that many fears are rare and you can relax a bit. But I don't know your lands like you do, so that is just an observation of an old man.

Cora: [she appreciates that, but at the same time] My family has enemies in the south, unfortunately. It's always better to be careful.

Vitez: You mean Daniel Argent?

Cora: That would be the one. He has been campaigning against my family ever since his sister and my uncle were married.

Vitez: Yes, your uncle keeps me abreast of his movements. After all, I do need to be aware of the safety of my heir while he resides at your home. I have been debating on trying to intervene myself to act as a third party but I believe there is more to this than I am aware, and I do not like to enter into negotiations in the dark.

Cora: Our family has a complicated history. The treaty we do our best to uphold is a very delicate balance.

Vitez: Hopefully Lord Argent will never act on his anger then. But know you will always have safety here. I have many allies and if he dares to set foot on my lands to hurt those of my family, I will destroy him.

Cora: We appreciate your support. But he does not have the support of a majority of his family. For now, he is comfortably outnumbered.

Vitez: As long as he never finds an ally.

Cora: I hope not.

Vitez: You should enjoy your time here this spring, though Olivia sends her apologies. She and her husband will be spending the spring with his family and will not return until you and my nephew have left. [there is a knowingness in those words, and an apology]

Cora: You will have to let her know that we will miss her dearly. [and there's enough knowing there for him to know that it's more of a relief than anything else]

Vitez: I will do so. I am sure she is sad to miss your company.

Cora: I'm sure she is.

Vitez: [and he will go to look to see where Ben has wandered off to]

Ben: [and he is jogging back to them with a clump of dirt and grass in his hands and one flower that is more of a weed than an actual flower] Look!

Vitez: That is very beautiful, Benjamin. Is that for your mother?

Ben: Yes. [he would have answered that to any question to be honest, but it's partially true]

Vitez: You're a very good boy, then. I used to pick flowers for my mother all the time when I was your age.

Ben: [and there's a few unintelligible things that are probably supposed to be words but not clear enough and ends with -] Ish.

Vitez: [laughs] Yes, you are an adorable one.

Cora: [and then his mother will catch up with them and he will walk past his great-uncle without so much as a thought and hold that clump of dirt up to her. she smiles before crouching down to reach for it] Thank you.

Vitez: Well, I will leave you both to explore the garden. I should check on a few things. Maslina will be helping you with Ben if you need a lady at your side - she needs to start learning to care for little ones if you don't mind.

Cora: [shakes her head] Not at all. [and they will keep exploring until Ben's ready for another nap or someone comes to find them]

Stiles: [like a well rested father who has been hunting for his family since he woke up alone with a note] Cora? Benjamin?

Cora: Over here. [she's sitting one one of the benches, while Ben is trying to pick her more "flowers"]

Stiles: [and he will come to join them, looking at the small pile of weeds and flowers] Should I go get you a vase?

Cora: [she laughs] I think a basket might be more appropriate. Though I'm sure you're uncle's gardener’s grateful to be rid of the pests.

Stiles: I am sure he will be. [and he will lean down to kiss her] I'm sorry I didn't wake.

Cora: [she shakes her head] It was a long journey. I'm sure you needed your rest.

Stiles: I never really slept well in carriages.

Cora: Well, you're awake now. That's what matters.

Stiles: Let me go get that basket for you.

Cora: It can wait, if you'd prefer.

Stiles: No, it will only take a moment.

Cora: Alright. We will be here.

Stiles: [and he will head off, and return five minutes later with a hand basket] A basket for your flowers, m'lady.

Cora: Why, thank you. [she smiles, before placing the pile into the basket, and gesturing for him to sit] I've been told that Olivia is visiting her husband's family this spring.

Stiles: Oh, that's a relief. It will make it easier to move around the manor.

Cora: I agree. And he wants Maslina to spend time with Ben to get used to young children.

Stiles: [nods] It would make sense. She's fifteen now.

Cora: [she nods] I told him that would be fine.

Stiles: It should give us some time on our own here too.

Cora: That's true, it would.

Stiles: [goes to take her hand] Maybe form some happy memories here together.

Cora: [squeezes his hand] You don't think there are already?

Stiles: A few, but the whole choking incident makes it hard to forget.

Cora: That is true.

Stiles: But I have heard there is not a single horseradish in all of my Uncle's land so I should be safe.

Cora: [she laughs] Perfect.

Stiles: We should probably get him cleaned up before dinner.

Cora: [glances over at their son, covered in dirt] Yes, we probably should.

Stiles: I'll go get him. [and he will kiss her before getting up and going over to where Ben is]

Ben: [tugging on a very stubborn dandelion that just does not want to come out of the ground and is starting to make unhappy, frustrated noises]

Stiles: [smiles and kneels down] Do you want some help getting the flower?

Ben: [and he'll look up at him with a wibbling lip and big puppy eyes, so yes Dad, please help]

Stiles: [and he will put his hands over his son's and "help" pull the flower out of the ground]

Ben: [and once that's done, he'll straighten up and go to lean into his shoulder]

Stiles: There's my boy. Come on, let's go get Mommy and go back inside.

Ben: [nods and holds tight to the hard won flower in his hand as he's scooped up and they head back to Cora]

Stiles: [and he will walk back to Cora, a bit dirty himself from the flower against his chest but all smiles] I have retrieved our son, m'love, and his hard won prize for you.

Cora: You did. [she smiles softly as he hands it out to her] Well, thank you.

Stiles: Come on, let's get cleaned up. I'll order us some tea.

Cora: [she nods and off they go back to their room]

Stiles: [and there is pre-dinner tea and cheese with crackers while they clean up and relex a bit]

Cora: [and Ben passes out again because he's had an emotional afternoon, leaving the two parents alone]

Stiles: [and he will guide Cora to join him in their study, which is pretty much a library with couches and a fireplace]

Cora: [and she sighs as she settles onto one of the couches] This is lovely.

Stiles: The architect did a great job redesigning this wing to my specifications. Simple, with room for lots of books.

Cora: I like it. [it has books. she's biased]

Stiles: I had hoped you would. [and he will lean over to kiss her]

Cora: [kisses him back, settling in comfortably next to him]

Stiles: [and just some innocent kissing and caressing since they are in the study, enjoying each other's company]

Cora: [and she is fine with that, and it has been a while since they've done more than that]

Stiles: [it's hard work raising a child]

Cora: [yes it is, especially if you don't want to raise another one too soon]

Stiles: [but eventually there will be a knock on the door announcing that dinner is ready]

Cora: [and she will sigh and pull away] Do you think I should get Ben up?

Stiles: We should bring him. We can let him sleep in a corner by the fireplace if he doesn't want to stay awake.

Cora: [she nods and goes to retrieve their son, who is less then pleased about being awake, but he's managing for now]

Stiles: [and he will guide them all down to the dinning hall. Nora and Maslina are already there, and they smile when they see Cora and Stiles]

Cora: [smiles in return and goes to sit in her seat, with Ben in her lap] Good evening.

Nora: Is that little Ben? Oh, he's so cute.

Maslina: Good evening, Lady Cora.

Cora: [she nods with a small smile] Unfortunately he's a little sleepy right now.

Stiles: Is there a basket we can make up for him?

Maslina: [curtseys] Yes, I can go see what we have. I'll be right back.

Stiles: Thank you, cousin.

Cora: Yes, thank you.

Nora: [sneaking over] Does he talk yet?

Cora: A little. [nudges Ben a bit] Say hello, Ben.

Ben: Mmm. [blinks over at her] No.

Nora: [smiles] Hi Ben. I'm your cousin, Nora.

Ben: [stares up at her, before rolling over and burying his face in his mother's shoulder]

Cora: I'm sorry. He's not all that friendly when he's asleep.

Nora: It's a Stilinski trait. My sisters aren't either.

Cora: Hopefully he will have better moments while he's here.

Nora: I'm sure. Can I help Maslina take care of him too when you ask her?

Cora: If you'd like to, sure.

Nora: [and her face lights up] Thank you!

Cora: Of course. You're family.

Vitez: [and he will enter the room behind Maslina who has the baby basket that she sets up by Cora with blankets already in it] Ladies. Nephew. Thank you for waiting.

Cora: [nods as she goes to settle Ben into it] Of course.

Vitez: Let's eat. [he waves for them to sit - his daughters on his left, Stiles and Cora on his right. He takes a moment to say grace to bless their dinner, and they can dig in]

Cora: [and she will eat, occasionally glancing back to make sure Ben is fine]

Stiles: [and he and Vitez will catch up on what happened over the winter.]

Cora: [and she will occasionally provide commentary here and there]

Stiles: [and soon it will turn to manly knight things]

Maslina: [leaning across to Cora] So what's it like, having a baby?

Cora: Honestly? Exhausting. [she laughs] But it's ... wonderful.

Maslina: Does it hurt... like they say it does?

Cora: [she pauses before nodding] It does.

Maslina: [bites her lips, nodding] But it's still worth it, right?

Cora: [she glances back at the rest of them before nodding] I think so.

Maslina: My father is starting to look for a husband for me. My sister won't talk to me about it.

Cora: [her face softens] I'm sorry. That's unfair of her.

Maslina: That's who she is. You're a lot nicer than her.

Cora: It's not about being nice. It's about being your sister. [but she understands, at least]

Maslina: [smiles a bit] And you're my sister too now, right?

Cora: Close enough, I think.

Maslina: Good. I'm happy for that.

Nora: Me too.

Cora: As am I.

Stiles: [looks down at the girls, listening in a bit and smiling at them]

Cora: Perhaps we will have the chance to spend more time together while I'm here.

Maslina: I would like that a lot.

Nora: So would I!

Cora: Good. Then we will do that.

Vitez: [looking down the table] I'm happy to see you ladies getting along so well.

Cora: [smiles softly] We are family after all.

Stiles: [smiles and reaches to take her hand under the table]

Maslina: You did want us to get to know her better, Father.

Cora: [gives his hand a squeeze]

Vitez: I did. I think you three will come to be good friends this spring.

Cora: I hope so.

Stiles: I'm sure Ben will find a way to keep all three of you busy together.

Cora: That much is certain.

Vitez: It's going to be nice to have the sound of a little one echoing off these walls.

Cora: I just hope he doesn't break anything.

Vitez: Things can be replaced. He will only be a child once.

Cora: That is true.

Stiles: I will keep him away from the weapons at least.

Cora: Yes, in that respect we are safe.

Vitez: I will sadly be stealing my nephew away for a few days soon to take him to meet with the barons of our lands so that he can continue to build relationships with them.

Cora: I'm sure we'll be able to keep ourselves occupied.

Vitez: The girls will be able to help show you how to manage the manor in our absence.

Cora: I've helped my sister on occasion when Lord Parrish and my uncle have been out of town. I'm sure we will be able to manage.

Vitez: Good. [looks at his empty plate] I think, for now though, I am ready to retire for the evening. I will leave you children to your dessert and conversation.

Cora: The meal was lovely.

Vitez: [nods, saying goodnight to his daughters and kissing their foreheads before leaving]

Stiles: So what's for dessert?

Maslina: Mini strawberry cakes.

Nora: I helped make them!

Cora: That sounds delicious.

Nora: There is even one for Ben is he would like it.

Cora: We will have to see when he wakes up, though that may not be until tomorrow.

Stiles: It will be fine. If he wakes up hungry in the middle of the night we can give it to him then.

Cora: [she nods] We could.

Nora: Good. I don't want it going bad and I did make it for him.

Stiles: He will enjoy it, I promise.

Nora: [beams]

Cora: He does love to eat. I'm sure he'll be pleased.

Stiles: [and the dessert is brought out and it is delicious]

Cora: [yum yum yum, and once that's done they retire for the evening?]

Stiles: [yup, carrying the toddler back to bed]

Cora: [and once Ben is in bed, she'll settle on one of the seats] That was an eventful day.

Stiles: Yes, and a good one as well.

Cora: It was. It's always nice to see your family. [save for one exception who isn't here]

Stiles: [he knows exactly how she feels though] Tomorrow we can ride out to see my father.

Cora: Good. I'm sure he'll be very pleased to see Ben.

Stiles: I'm worried he and Jody won't give him back.

Cora: I'm sure he's less charming when he gets cranky and upset.

Stiles: We will see. Otherwise I will distract them while you ride away with our son.

Cora: [she laughs] Deal.

Stiles: [laughs as well] I do love you so, m'lady.

Cora: [she smiles softly, before leaning in to kiss him]

Stiles: [and he will smile into the kiss, shifting to gently pull her into his arms]

Cora: [goes to curl up with him, resting her head against his shoulder]

Stiles: Would you like to read a bit before bed?

Cora: [she nods] That sounds lovely.

Stiles: [and he will just reach above him for whatever book looks interesting and they can read until they are sleepy]