regency au } { of meeting daughters and beginning courtships

[braveandstupid]

Derek: [so he will walk her back towards their tents and will hear the baby crying and Patience is on a tear and he sighs] M'Lady... do you mind if we stop at my tents before we head to yours. I need to check on something...

Elena: Of course.

Derek: [sighs] I um, I'm aware there's a new rumor about me circulating through the gossips. I believe you will find in a moment the real truth to it. [and they are close enough now that her human ears will hear the crying baby]

Elena: [her head tips for a moment at the sound, her brow furrowing in confusion as she follows him] ... Oh.

Derek: [he lifted the edge of his tent flap] Please come in, I just need to see if something's wrong.

Elena: [nods and makes her way inside, eyes scanning the area as she does]

Derek: [and he will go and wash his hands, and then check on the baby, taking Patience from Melissa and nodding that he had her, and walking back out to where Elena was] Lady Elena, meet my daughter, Patience.

Elena: [her face smiles brightly before holding out her arms] May I?

Derek: [nods, going to carefully transfer the baby into Elena's arms] Just... be careful of her head... she likes to headbutt people's chins.

Elena: [smiles brightly as she takes her, easily cradling her comfortably, almost as though by instinct] She's beautiful.

Derek: Thank you. I wasn't expecting her but now that's it's been a few months... I can't imagine my life without her in it now.

Elena: So this is where you've been.

Derek: Yes. Sadly, I've become attached to this little lady and I'm in love. She will be the end of me too, I'm sure. [smiles]

Elena: She is very lucky to have you.

Derek: I'm pretty sure that it's mutual. [reaches up to stoke Patience's face]

Elena: [nods as she watches him] I'm sure it is.

Derek: But I did promise to take you to the Globe, so I wasn't going to miss the London Tournament, even for her.

Elena: I would have understood if you did.

Derek: Well, I may have a reputation, but I am an honorable man when it comes to my promises.

Elena: And this would have hardly been the last tournament in London.

Derek: I know. But it was the next one.

Elena: Still. There's always another tournament. She is much more important.

Derek: Oh, she is. But she sees me every day. I do need to get out of the house sometimes.

Elena: Fair enough. [she turns away, moving towards one of the chairs and sitting easily so that she can adjust her hold, freeing up one hand to give her a finger to hold on to]

Derek: Be careful, she eats those. [goes to sit next to her]

Elena: She would not be the first. [her smile widens as Patience's hand curls around her finger] Tyler's uncle, Mason has a few children of his own. Sometimes I watch them when he and his wife have to attend a gala or ball in Mystic Falls.

Derek: So you have a lot of experience with kids then?

Elena: [she nods] I do. I love spending time with them.

Derek: Well, when I do get out to tournaments, I will probably bring her. You're welcome to stop by whenever you wish to and keep her company.

Elena: [smiles and nods again] I'd like that.

Derek: [smiles back at her softly] I would like that too. Very much.

Elena: Good.

Derek: [he licks his lips] M'lady, I must ask... are you promised to someone?

Elena: [she glances up at him, before shaking her head] No. I know Lord Lockwood is looking, but I am in no rush.

Derek: I... I was wondering... I've enjoyed our times together and would like to have more. You're different than most of the ladies that I see at court, and I would like to know you better.

Elena: [her eyes are focused on Patience for a moment, but when he finishes, she looks up again] Are you asking to court me?

Derek: [he blinks, and then then nods slowly] Yeah, I mean yes. If the lady would like to be.

Elena: [she smiles] The lady would not mind. But you will have to ask Lord Lockwood formally.

Derek: If the lady doesn't mind, then I think I will talk with my uncle for his permission to ask as well.

Elena: Good.

Derek: Good. [his smile grows]

Elena: [smiles back and Patience is already asleep in her arms] Looks like she had a long day.

Derek: It's her first trip to London. I'm not surprised. Here, give her to me and I will take her back to her nurse, and then walk you back to your tent.

Elena: [nods before getting up to hand her back to her father]

Derek: [ cradles her close to his chest, leaning down to kiss her tiny forehead as he walks her back to the other tent and to Melissa. He gives her his thanks, and then goes back to Elena and holds out his hand to her] Shall we?

Elena: [nods and takes his hand] We shall.

Derek: [and he will tuck her hand into his arm, letting her take his arm as he escorted her the rest of the way back]

Elena: [and she'll be quiet as they walk, mostly because her tent isn't far so there isn't really a point to starting a new topic]

Derek: [and when they get there, he will stop and take both of her hands in his] Thank you for a wonderful evening, Lady Gilbert. It's been an honor.

Elena: [squeezes his hands gently] The pleasure is all mine.

Derek: I will write and let you know how the talks with Lord Lockwood go, and when next we can meet.

Elena: You should write me regardless. I am curious about how you use your own words.

Derek: Then I will write you often.

Elena: Good.

Derek: Will the lady allow me to kiss her goodnight?

Elena: [she tips her head to the side, considering for a moment] Yes. But only a kiss.

Derek: That is all I ask. I assure you, I'm trying to change my way to being a person my daughter will be proud of.

Elena: [nods] Then by all means.

Derek: [ nd he is going to lean in, and give her a gentle kiss. Not at all what she probably was expecting from the ex-playboy]

Elena: [not really, but she's not disappointed either. She leans into the kiss, holding it for a moment, before pulling back with a smile] Goodnight, Sir Hale.

Derek: [smiling as well] Goodnight, Lady Gilbert. Have pleasant dreams. [and he will wait for her to get inside safely before heading back to his tent with a stupid smile on his face]

Elena: [and she will head inside with a smile of her own before climbing into bed and going to sleep]

Derek: [and he is totally going to head to sleep, but stupid grin will still be there in the morning]