spamalot } { of visiting family and pine cone destruction

[arbalete]

Peter: [is in the library, rocking a baby Gavin softly and knowing that his "in-laws" will be visiting sometime soon, but the baby is exhausted. Of course, he is managing to do this while there is a book open in front of him on a pedestal so that he can read as he's doing it. Because multitasking is a thing. He may also be reading about Slavic banshee lore to the infant because he's not going to retain it anyway, right?]

Anya: [comes CAREENING around the corner and skids to a stop in front of him hands gripping her skirt tightly at her sides as she looks up at him] Hi, Uncle Peter.

Peter: [totally heard her coming a mile away and smiles down at the tiny Russian princess] Hello, Anya. How are you doing today, princess?

Anya: [rocks on her heels a bit, giving him the side long look that indicates she's waiting for something, and Peter should know what that is. She twists a bit as she answers, drawing the word out slowly] Goooooood.

Peter: [he smiles, leaning down carefully not to disturb the sleeping baby on his shoulder] Then come give your uncle a hug, but be careful not to wake the baby.

Anya: [and she will dart forward eagerly to do that, sliding her arms around his neck and holds him tightly. After a moment she pulls back, squinting at the baby in his arms] Is that my cousin? [she's whispering because he said not to wake the baby, but since she's a kid, it's more of a stage whisper]

Peter: Yes it is. His name is Gavin.

Anya: [scrunches her face a bit as she looks at him] He looks like the Pillsbury Dough Boy.

Peter: So did you when you were a baby. But he doesn't like his belly poked just yet. [he moves to poke Anya's belly]

Anya: [squirms a bit in response] I don't like it either.

Peter: But if I move three inches to the right... [and he's tickling her]

Anya: [shrieks a bit as she tries to squirm away] Uncle Peter, stooooooooooop.

Peter: [he laughs and lets her retreat] Okay, I've stopped.

Anya: [sighs as she looks over at the baby again] Is he always this boring?

Peter: I'm afraid so. All he does is eat and sleep. But he will be fun soon.

Anya: Mommy said I have to be really careful with him, because he’s frabble. [she means fragile]

Peter: She's very right. Gavin's bones are still very soft so he can't really hold his head up yet. You have to make sure he doesn't hurt himself.

Anya: Mrs. Rolinski said the same thing about the baby puppies that Happy the dog had. They were reeeeeeeeeeally tiny and they couldn't even open their eyes.

Peter: But they will get bigger and so will Gavin, and then you will be able to play with him every time you come to visit.

Anya: Okay.

Peter: So, did you run over here on your own, or is your dire wolf of a father lurking somewhere?

Anya: He's talking to Aunt Nadia with Uncle Victor.

Peter: I take it your brother went to visit Liam?

Anya: [nods] And Mommy had to work.

Peter: Well, we're happy to have you here. Dina, Jonathan and Ryan will probably love to see you.

Anya: Who's Dina?

Peter: You remember Ms. Cora, right?

Anya: [nods] Uh-huh.

Peter: Well, her mate's name is Stiles, and he has a daughter named Claudia who's four, and she likes to be called Dina.

Anya: Ohhhhh.

Peter: I can see if they can come over for you to meet her if you're bored with all the adults.

Anya: Okay! [because yes, she will probably be bored with the adults fairly quickly]

Peter: [and he's sure Allison and Cora would love another kid to watch]

Anya: [she would be pretty good and Dina would have someone not a boy to play with]

Dina: [YAY!]

Peter: Come on, let's go find your daddy and uncle

Anya: [nods and takes his hand so that she can lead the way]

Peter: [and he will let Anya lead him, his other hand easily cradling his son against his chest since he is tiny]

Anya: [and eventually they will arrive in the living room where the three siblings are sitting with coffee and talking] I found him!

Nik: You did! [holds up a hand so she can smack it, but she has to jump up to do so which she does easily] Atta girl.

Peter: [chuckles] I see you guys got in safely. [moves to sit next to Nadia]

Nik: We did. It was a good drive. [pulls his daughter up into his lap] How's having a little one again?

Peter: One that's my own and not borrowing from my nephew and niece? It's amazing.

Nik: He sleeping through the night yet?

Peter: [looks at Nadia] Not fully, but he's getting there.

Nik: [nods] At least he doesn't seem colicky.

Peter: He hasn't shown any signs. [he carefully shifts Gavin off his shoulder and into his arm.]

Gavin: [daaaaaaaddy I don't like that. He's going to whimper and squirm a bit because his warm pillow is gone]

Nadia: Oh, there he goes. [sighs softly] Want me to take him?

Anya: [perks up a bit because HEY HE'S DOING SOMETHING]

Peter: Sure. He probably will find your topic of conversation better than the book I was reading him anyway. [goes to hand the baby over]

Gavin: [opening his blue eyes to see his mommy and his lips move because mommy = food always]

Nadia: [oh, she knows that look, she shakes her head and gets to her feet] Excuse me.

Gavin: [yay lunch!]

Peter: [chuckles] I swear he eats more than Derek.

Victor: Well, he's a growing baby. He needs whatever nutrients he can get.

Peter: That's true. So, how have you both been? [he leaned back into the couch, relaxing]

Nik: [nods] Good. Things have been pretty quiet on all fronts.

Peter: Good. While they say that things can get too quiet, after last summer I'm happy for a little quiet.

Victor: I'm sure. That's not the kind of craziness that needs to happen again.

Peter: Ever. But hopefully with the nemeton gone, it will end any problems that may follow.

Victor: Hopefully, especially with Derek and Fiona's situation. [whoops someone may have forgotten he's not supposed to talk about that]

Peter: [eyebrow up] Situation?

Victor: [his eyebrows go up because ... oops. Nik is also shooting him a look] You know. A young child in the home. All that. [That bluff was awful.]

Nik: [just pinches the bridge of his nose]

Peter: Uh huh. [leaning forward just a bit] The one that they've had for almost a year now?

Victor: [nods, pressing his lips together] Yes. Lucy. She is adorable, isn't she?

Nik: [he's just going to start laughing at this point before turning to his daughter] And this is why we don't trust your Uncle Victor to keep a secret.

Peter: [and he's going to tilt his head, and yup, sorry Victor you may be alpha but you're probably the easier to crack at the moment] A secret, huh? About Derek and Fiona, and obviously not Lucy since that's the distraction.

Victor: [SIGHS] You did not hear it from me, I'm fairly certain my sister-in-law will murder me.

Peter: I'm the secret keeper in the family, so I never heard it.

Victor: [another sigh before] Fiona is pregnant.

Peter: [both eyebrows up] Come again?

Victor: About four months along now? That sounds about right.

Peter: I thought pregnancy was impossible for her.

Victor: So did she. Which is why she's being so secretive about it. I think she feels that the less people know, the less people she'll be disappointing if this doesn't work out the way we hope.

Peter: But I don't understand still... humans don't just magically repair their internal organs like that...

Victor: Oh, that I don't know the details of. I probably wouldn't know about the baby at all if Fiona hadn't been staying with me when she found out.

Peter: [doing the math in his head, then leans back] I bet I know when it happened.

Victor: [holds up a hand] I've known that girl since she was thirteen. I don't want to know.

Peter: That's the how, not the when. Four months ago, Derek and Fiona finally mated.

Victor: Well, that might explain some of it.

Peter: Do you have a theory?

Victor: Well, we're told that the bond improves the health of a human mate. Maybe it went a little further in some respects for Fiona.

Peter: I know Derek was heartbroken when Fiona had told him of her condition. It's almost like a miracle. Some greater power giving him something to make up for all the wrong that has been done against him.

Victor: [he shrugs] Whatever it is, it's happening. Fiona's still trying to wrap her head around it.

Peter: I don't blame her.

Victor: Which is why you can't tell her I told you.

Peter: If she's at four months, she won't be able to hide it much longer. Not around my family.

Victor: I think she knows. But she has to do it in her own time.

Peter: Understandable. Well, once it's noticeable, I will do my best to remind others not to crowd her.

Victor: I think she'd appreciate that.

Peter: Then it's the least I can do

Victor: [nods] And I'll do my best to keep my wife from circling like a hawk.

Peter: So I guess that means you will be spending next summer out here.

Victor: Most likely.

Peter: That will be nice. I know Nadia misses having you both around as well.

Victor: Eh, not that much.]totally teasing because he knows his sister can hear him]

Peter: She can only put up with me and my books for so long, I fear.

Victor: Yes, but she loves you. Us, it's negotiable.

Peter: [chuckles] Well, Nik is an acquired taste I've been told.

Nik: [glances up from his daughter who's trying to desperately hold his attention] I'll have you know I am a treasure.

Peter: One man's treasure... [smirks] Can I refill either of your coffees? [because yes, he needs one of his own now]

Nik: Please. [Victor nods in agreement as well]

Peter: [picks up the cups and moves into the kitchen with them, refreshing theirs and making one for himself] Victor, while you're here, there is a young man I want you to meet. I've been trying to figure out what he actually is, but so far have come up without any positive leads. Perhaps you may see something I'm missing.

Victor: Of course. I should be in town for a few days. Who is it?

Peter: [returns with the coffees] He's the young deputy that was caught up in the events of the nogitsune attack.

Victor: The one who's fireproof?

Peter: Yes, that would be the one.

Victor: I can't say I've heard of anything fireproof, but I'd definitely be willing to take a look.

Peter: Good. I will check with his schedule and see if I can get him to come by. He's a nice young man. [and dating the banshee]

Victor: Just let me know when you’re available and we’ll make it work.

Peter: Well, unless the sheriff's department needs me to consult on something, I'm usually free.

Victor: Then I suppose it will just depend on the deputy.

Peter: So while you're in town, is there anything either of you boys want to do?

Victor: [gives a bit of a shrug] Mostly going to take the opportunity for family time, really. Leah wanted to spend some time with Fiona and we wanted to meet the baby.

Nik: And we figured if we didn't give Gabe and Liam a few days together they'd be incited to patricide or illegal driving practices.

Peter: [chuckles] Yes, I've been hearing the adventures of Liam and Gabriel from Derek. They remind me of Scott and Stiles when I first met those two.

Victor: [his eyebrows go up] Considering I only knew them after the fact, I'm going to guess it's a good thing they have a state line in between them.

Peter: Oh yes. And that they both have a healing factor.

Victor: Good to know.

Peter: If you join us for dinner Sunday, you will get to meet them both, and their brood. I was telling Anya about Stiles' daughter, Dina, who is four now.

Anya: He said that if I got bored then he would call them so I can play with her. [guess what, Dad? She's very bored.]

Nik: [smirks] That so?

Peter: She has pre-K for a half day, and then my sister is usually watching her and the other toddlers until their respective parents are done with work.

Nik: And what time is that? [glances down at his watch]

Peter: [looks at the decorative clock on the wall] In about an hour. You can probably take her to Talia's though. Ryan will already be there and Dina and Jonathan will join them soon.

Nik: [glances down with a smirk] Wanna go play with the other kids?

Anya: Yes!

Nik: [scoops her up] Alright. I'll be right back.

Peter: [nods] Let me go check on Nadia. I'll be right back.

Nik: [ nods and he'll head out to the porch to wait for him]

Nadia: [is in the baby's room, having just put him down for more nap time]

Peter: [slides up behind her, his hands around her waist and kissing her shoulder] I'm going to walk Anya and Nik to Talia's.

Nadia: [nods as she leans back into him a bit] Okay. I think he'll be down for a while, so it will give me a chance to talk to Victor more.

Peter: You do that, and I'll take my time walking Nik back so you can have it without your baby brother in the way. [smirks a bit]

Nadia: [laughs] I appreciate that.

Peter: [turns her to kiss her properly] Call if you need me.

Nadia: [leans in to the kiss with a sigh] I will.

Peter: [and he will walk her back to the living room, leaving her with Victor while he meets Nik & Anya out on the porch] Shall we?

Anya: [nods eagerly before taking off down the porch]

Nik: [sighs] Be careful, kiddo. Your bones don't automatically fix themselves yet.

Peter: You know, Anya, the pine cones are falling everywhere. Auntie Talia would probably love a pile of big ones to put in her kitchen window display. Think you can find some along the way?

Anya: [pauses and glances back at him for a moment, before nodding and keeping her eyes on the ground as she goes]

Nik: You know that we're probably going to wind up carrying most of them, right?

Peter: But it will keep her distracted and walking slower. [smirks]

Nik: [laughs] We'll see how well that works.

Peter: [chuckles as well] So what kind of adventures have you had lately, Nik? I have to admit with Nadia's pregnancy, I've found myself missing all the traveling we do.

Nik: Eh, I haven't had much. I haven't really wanted to miss anything with her. [gestures to his daughter]

Peter: [nods] Amazing how having a child changes your mindset, isn't it?

Nik: Mmmm. Definitely not a place I thought I'd be.

Peter: But you wear it well.

Nik: Thank you.

Peter: And she is adorable. And thankfully my only niece that doesn't ask me to change into a puppy for their benefit.

Nik: [holds a finger to his lips] Only because she doesn't know it's an option.

Peter: [nods] I knew she was my current favorite for a reason. [he says that to all the kids though]

Nik: [laughs] She will find out eventually, you realize. Hopefully when she does, she'll be old enough to recognize that it's not something you do for fun.

Peter: Hopefully. Though there are days where it's easier to herd the kids back home like they are sheep when they are in the forest playing.

Nik: [smirks] I'm sure they get a kick out of that.

Peter: I have sadly given up my status of responsible, respectful adult for that of the family pet on some days. But I will admit, that form does give me a different sense of freedom that I wasn't expecting.

Nik: I wouldn't know. My family isn't really known for that particular talent.

Peter: You remember how you would tell me why you traveled the way you do?

Nik: [nods] I do.

Peter: Imagine that, but instead of needing the motorcycle, you just shifted into a wolf and ran. Taking in the smells and sounds of the forest, feeling the ground under your paws...

Nik: [nods slowly] Sounds liberating.

Peter: It is. Though I've been doing it less. I was worried Nadia might think I enjoyed it more than being with her.

Nik: [snorts] I don't think that is what she's worried about right now.

Peter: Anything I should be concerned about? Beyond her fears about being a good mother, which I try to constantly reassure her on.

Nik: I think she's having a hard time connecting with him. But that'll probably be easier as he gets older and does more than eat and sleep.

Peter: It will, but I could have Laura talk to her as well about postpartum depression, just in case. Just so she has a bit of comfort from a perspective I wouldn't have as a mother.

Nik: [nods] I don't think it's as bad as all that. But I do know that she didn't particularly like being pregnant. She'll work through it, though a little help wouldn't hurt.

Peter: [nods, but hearing that from Nik stabs at him just a bit. So he just stays silent at that]

Nik: [glances over before shaking his head] She wouldn't have done this if she didn't want it. She didn't know how she'd react going in.

Peter: I know. I just don't like feeling sometimes that she only did because of my desires and not her own.

Nik: No, if she really didn't want it she wouldn't have let you knock her up in the first place. You may have gotten her thinking about it, but she would have said no if it wasn't really want she wanted. But it's not an easy thing, or anything that we - being male - will ever actually be able to understand. And she definitely doesn't resent you for it.

Peter: [nods to himself] The last time I did this, I didn't know I was going to be a father, and there was never a mother in the picture, so its hard sometimes to know where the roles lay.

Nik: I don't think there are any rules to it, man. Just do what you feel is right and she'll meet you the rest of the way.

Peter: Every situation is different.

Nik: Yep. And she's glad you're happy.

Peter: Good. I will just work to make sure that she can find her own in this too, beyond mine. She deserves it.

Nik: [nods] Just don't force it. She's never really been good with people telling her how she should feel.

Peter: I'll do my best not to. However, I tend to think more than feel so I do make mistakes at times in matters of the heart.

Nik: I think we all do. Matters of the heart can be a great big blind spot.

Peter: My sister and I always talk about how she's the heart and I'm the head that helps us make our pack as strong as we are. Thankfully Laura and Derek share that same type of bond when the times comes for them to rise into their places.

Nik: With us, it's the other way around. Victor is more practical while Leah is pretty much all heart.

Peter: But it shows that having the two see each side, you can find the middle ground.

Nik: [nods] Definitely. It certainly makes life easier.

Anya: [runs up with an armful of pinecones and drops them in her father's hands] Hold this, please. [and with that she's off again]

Peter: [chuckles] I bet Tali can help her make you some handlebar tassels out of those.

Nik: I hope so. She's going to have so many pine cones to contend with.

Peter: We actually use them around the back porch to gives spiders a place to live so they don't come into the house. They eventually turn into mulch. So there is never too many.

Nik: As long as there's some use for them and my daughter isn't just dumping them on her front porch.

Peter: I wouldn't hassle my sister in a way that would opt her to get revenge in some equally creative way. She has a legion of toddlers at her command.

Nik: That's the part that worries me.

Peter: She would aim her efforts at me. So you're fine.

Nik: Duly noted.

Peter: [and look, there's the Hale House coming into view] Looks like we're here.

Anya: [has darted back with a second armful of pine cones, this time gluing herself to her father's side]

Nik: Now don't be shy, you've been here before.

Peter: [eyes scan the house and sees Ryan on the porch] And I think I see someone who will be very happy for a new friend. [and he gives the eldest McCall puppy a whistle in greeting]

Ryan: [looks up from where he and Noah are sitting, Noah staying on his feet almost as though he's worried if he gets down he won't be able to get back up again] HI PETER!

Allison: [looks up with a sigh] Ryan, honey, you don't have to shout. He can hear you.

Peter: [chuckles and points at Ryan and waves his arm for the boy to come over to him, and he crouches down next to Anya] That's Ryan, and his little brother Noah and his mother Allison. Ryan knows everything about this house and the people in it, and he can show it all to you.

Anya: [nods as she glances up to Peter] Where do I put the pine cones?

Peter: [holds out his hands] I'll take these.

Anya: [hands them off before she and Ryan run off towards the backyard, leaving Noah making distressed noises on the porch]

Allison: [sighs] It's okay, kiddo. You'll be keeping up with him soon enough.

Peter: [walks over to the porch to leave the pine cones, and then leans down to Noah with a smile] What's the matter, little one? Did I take away your playmate?

Noah: [definite upset face as he points after his brother]

Peter: He'll be back. Until then, you get to play with these all to yourself. [he starts to try and balance the pine cones in a pyramid.] No having to share.

Noah: [that distracts him for a moment, taking a small step forward so that he can see what Peter is doing. He'll watch quietly for a moment, before taking one hand and whacking it against the pyramid, sending the pine cones scattering down the stairs and Noah burst into bright happy giggles, while Allison is in the back facepalming]

Peter: Oh, you're going to be a destructive one. [he motions for Nik to give Noah the rest of the pine cones] Just make sure Auntie Talia gets a few of these when you're done. [looks at Allison] And how are you today, my dear?

Nik: [will happily take on the job of setting up the pine cones so Noah can knock them down]

Allison: Fighting a bit of a headache but nothing I can't manage. Noah's been a little attention seeking today. Everything's gotta be about him.

Peter: Well, I'm sorry to give you another little one to distract for a few hours, but Anya is better off with ones her own age. Have you met my brother in law yet, Nik?

Allison: [glances over and waves, before squinting slightly] I think so, but it was a long time ago. Allison.

Nik: Nik Kirsanov. Nice to meet you.

Peter: Nik is Nadia's little brother, though you wouldn't know it if you put them all together in a line. [smirks]

Allison: [laughs] Hey, that happens with brothers. Or at least that's what I've heard.

Peter: [watches Nik with Noah in amusement] I was selling Anya up on playing with Dina and the boys for the afternoon. As long as they don't plot on taking over the world before dinner, you should be free of them.

Allison: I appreciate it. At least when a lot of the other kids are around they can entertain themselves.

Peter: And when in doubt, pinecones work. You don't know how many times I used to distract Cora and Malia with pine cones when they were little.

Allison: [eyebrows go up] Really?

Peter: Yeah. You can use them in arts and crafts in so many ways. Are they are in abundance in the preserve, so as long as you have a plan, you'll have the pinecones.

Allison: Good to know.