regency au } { of homecomings and presents

[wildkingdom]

Peter: [and he will come in, and will have brought presents from the markets for the ladies] Malia?

Malia: [glances over and there's a small smile before she curls up more on her couch] You're back.

Peter: Just arrived. How are you doing?

Malia: [shrugs as she glances down at her book. While she is past the "attempting to run away to find Liam" phase of things, she's still not happy and has lost a bit of her usual spirit]

Peter: [sighs and goes over to sit with her, running a hand along her cheek] I know you still miss him.

Malia: [she doesn't pull away from his hand, but she doesn't lean into it either, keeping her eyes focused on the words] But he's not coming back.

Peter: Not for a while. But one day, perhaps, when he is able to show he can respect Laura again and she can trust him.

Malia: [yes, but that's not now when she needs him. she stays silent, turning the page when she reaches the end.]

Peter: I got you a present while I was in the markets.

Malia: [... well she does like presents. She glances up at him before shifting over to see what he's got] You did?

Peter: Of course. [and he will reach into his bag and pull out two packages wrapped in cloth. Her nose will tell her what's in the first one as the scent of deer jerky is coming from it]

Malia: [and that makes her grin as she reaches for that one first]

Peter: [and he gives it to her, smiling at that grin] That should be enough for a few days if you ration it out right.

Malia: [she nods and she will try. she might not succeed though. She will immediately rip off a piece before peering at the other package] What's the other one?

Peter: [and he will open up a package with some silk hair ties in her favorite colors] I thought you could use some new ones.

Malia: [and that does make her smile a little as she chews on her jerky. It won't last because they won't replace Liam, but they'll at least make her happy for now] Thank you.

Peter: [he knows, and he wishes he could fix that problem too as easily] You have fun with your cousins and Kate while I was gone at least?

Malia: [she shrugs] Cora and Stiles are gone so it was mostly me and the babies. [she and Kate are ... awkward, mostly because Malia is miserable and Kate doesn't know how to make things easier for her, but she doesn't mind spending time with her second cousins] Amelia is walking.

Peter: Well that is going to make things interesting.

Malia: [nods] Miranda is close, but not yet.

Peter: She may take after her sister and go right into running.

Malia: [nods again, not really sure what else to say]

Peter: Well, I'm going to go check in with Laura now. I will see you later?

Malia: [she nods, and will just sit there enjoying her jerky for now]

Peter: [leans down to kiss her cheek and then stands] Now don't eat it all at once or you will make yourself sick. [and he will smile as he goes to leave]

Malia: [totally going to eat it all at once]

Laura: [is in the library, browsing the bookshelf for something. she's showing at this point, only a few more months left before the baby arrives and is just scanning the titles when she hears Peter coming]

Peter: [child. :| But yes, he will come in and let him be announced before he steps in] Someone is really starting to glow again.

Laura: [glances back over her shoulder with a smile] That obvious, is it?

Peter: Just a bit. Of course, I've seen you in this before so of course it's easier to recognize.

Laura: [she nods as she turns to face him, before taking a deep breath] How did things go with Isaac and Allison?

Peter: Very well, though I wouldn't know details since they managed to disappear halfway through the gala.

Laura: [s i g h] So long as he doesn't dishonor Argent's daughter, I think we should be fine.

Peter: I... think he intends to marry her.

Laura: I know that. I just want to be sure he doesn't get ahead of himself before that happens.

Peter: I'm not worried about it. Sir Isaac may be brash, but he respects Lady Allison.

Laura: Good. I haven't seen much of them together, so I couldn't say for sure.

Peter: You and Parrish may want to spend time with him, teaching him what duties are expected of the mate of the household ruler.

Laura: [she nods] I'll see if Jordan can speak with him. If not, I'll do it myself.

Peter: Good. But they are cute together.

Laura: [smirks] I'm sure they are. I'm glad they had a good time.

Peter: Meanwhile, I got you and Amelia presents.

Laura: [she brightens slightly at that] I think Jordan took her back to the nursery, if you'd like to have her here for this as well?

Peter: Sure. Let's walk. [holds his arm out for her]

Laura: [and she takes his arm before making their way over to the nursery, where Amelia is clearly happy to see her uncle, now that she's old enough to be recognizing people]

Peter: [and he is happy to see her too, going to pick her up and hug her gently] Hello, sweetheart

Amelia: [grins as she plays with his shirt] Good day.

Laura: [smirks, pleased] Very good.

Peter: [smiles] You're growing up too fast. [kisses her cheek] I got you a present.

Amelia: [her face lights up] For me?

Peter: Yup. And I got a matching one for your mother too.

Amelia: [glances over to her mother with a thrilled smile]

Laura: [Grins before reaching for her as she goes to sit in the rocking chair] Come here so he can get it for you.

Peter: [lets her go and then will follow, reaching onto his bag] Now both of you close your eyes. No peeking.

Amelia: [places her hands up over her eyes eagerly and Laura laughs before closing her own. Amelia glances up to make sure that Laura isn't looking and she shakes her head] No, you need ... use your hand.

Laura: [laughs again] Alright, alright. [and she'll lift her free hand to cover her eyes]

Peter: [laughs, and then he will reach into his bag and first put the tiara on Laura's head since he knows she won't open her eyes right away, and then he goes to fix a miniature one to Amelia's head] There. Perfect fit.

Amelia: Can I look now?

Peter: Yes, you can.

Amelia: [opens her eyes and frowns when she doesn't see anything, then she feels something on her head and reaches up her hands to try and grab it] What is it?

Peter: Look at your mommy's head. They both look alike.

Amelia: [She turns and looks up and gasps] I have one too!

Peter: Yes. Two pretty tiaras for two pretty ladies.

Amelia: [grins brightly as she reaches up to try and grab hers again] I want to see it.

Laura: Alright, sweetheart. [and she'll reaches up to take it off her head so she can see it]

Peter: [and knowing how Hales didn't tend to like to be fancy, they are both very simple but pretty tiaras]

Amelia: Can I show him? [looks up at her mom because there's only one "him" that matters as far as she's concerned and Laura will know who she's talking about]

Laura: Of course. He should be in our room. [She lets her down to the floor and Amelia starts to rush off which is followed by a:] Don't run!

Peter: [laughs and lets her go] I got dolls for Patience and Miranda, but I thought she would like something to share with you.

Parrish: [is writing a letter to the knight who is taking care of Liam, checking in on his welfare]

Laura: [she nods with a small smile as she reaches to take off her own] I'm sure she loves it.

Amelia: [bounds around the corner - not quickly, but quick enough. She reaches his side and tugs on his sleeve because she can't quite get her mouth around "father" yet] Look!

Parrish: [and he heard her coming, smiling as he looks down] Hello sweetie... what am I looking for?

Amelia: [she grins at him as she holds up the tiara carefully for him to see]

Parrish: Oh, that's very pretty. Is it for me to wear?

Amelia: [and she pulls it away] No it's for me. [And she struggles to try and put it on her head again]

Parrish: [and he will go to help her] It probably looks a lot better on you too.

Amelia: [beams up at him] She got one too. [again, only one "she" that matters. She hasn't quite gotten her mouth around "mother" and "father" yet but she's working on it]

Parrish: No I really feel left out. Everyone got a tiara but me.

Amelia: You should tell [there's a pause as she moves carefully to make sure she gets the words] Un-cle Peter.

Parrish: He's back already? Well, why don't you take me to him and I can ask him where mine is!

Amelia: He is in my room. [and she will reach for his hand to pull him with her]

Parrish: [and he will take Amelia's hand and let her lead him back. When he sees Peter he smiles] I hear you were giving out tiaras and forgot me.

Amelia: [glances between them] He should get one too. [because this is totally logical to her almost two year-old mind.]

Peter: My mistake. I'm sure Laura would be happy to share hers with you.

Laura: [looks up with a smile] I'm sure we could arrange something.

Parrish: Okay, then you are forgiven.

Peter: Well, now that I have checked in with you, I need to drop off a few more gifts and find my wife.

Laura: [she nods with a small smile] Of course. Thank you, again.

Peter: [and off he will go to check on Patience and Miranda next]

Elena: [will have the two of them in the nursery, trying to see if she can get Miranda to walk on her own while Patience is playing in the corner]

Peter: [and he will smile as he watches them a moment before] I was wondering if anyone here missed me.

Patience: [her head picks up at the voice and she smiles] Hello Uncle Peter.

Miranda: [looks up as well and smiles, but her attention goes right back to her feet again]

Peter: I can't stay long, but I wanted to drop off something I got you both while I was away.

Elena: [her eyes widen comically for the baby] Did you hear that? Uncle Peter brought you presents.

Peter: [and he will come to kneel by the girls and will hold out dolls] Do you want to walk to me Miranda and get yours?

Elena: [glances to Miranda and Miranda glances between her mother, her sister and her uncle and she lets go of her mother's hands to take a teetering step forward towards the doll. She makes it a few shaky steps, but before she can make it there, she loses her balance, drops to her knees and crawls closer to her uncle]

Peter: [and he will pull her into his arms and kiss her cheek] Good girl. You'll get there. Here. [and he will give her the smaller little sister doll]

Miranda: [takes the doll with a bright smile pulling it close as she tries to babble out a thank you but her diction isn't the best as of yet]

Peter: [he gets the drift and kisses her cheek, and then holds out the bigger one for Patience] And for you, sweetheart.

Patience: [smiles as she reaches for the doll] Thank you, Uncle Peter.

Peter: [and he will kiss her cheek as well] You're welcome. I'll let you both get back to playing.

Elena: [glances up with a smile and a nod] Thank you.

Peter: You're welcome. Tell your husband I will hunt him out later.

Elena: [she nods] I will. Welcome home.

Peter: Thank you. It is good to be home. [and off he will go to find his lady wife]

Kate: [who is outside, getting some much needed fresh air. Even when they aren't at the summer castle you really can't keep her indoors]

Peter: [and he will approach her with a smile] You look just as lovely as you did when I left.

Kate: [turns to him with a small smile, before leaning against the fence behind her] I'd hope so. You weren't gone that long.

Peter: Still, I did miss you. Your brother and niece send their regards.

Kate: I will have to write them later. [and she missed him too, but she's still learning this whole actual affection thing]

Peter: I'm sure they will like that. I have a letter for you from Allison in my bag. As well as a present.

Kate: A present? From them or from you.

Peter: From me.

Kate: [and she smiles] I do love presents.

Peter: Well, I hope you like this. [and he will pull out a set of jewels for her]

Kate: [oh yeah, she definitely likes that. Her smile stretches across her face and she reaches out to take it] It's beautiful.

Peter: I'm glad you approve.

Kate: Did you enjoy the gala?

Peter: I did. I ended up spending time escorting one of the Duchesses around the garden.

Kate: Oh? Which one?

Peter: I believe her name was Lorena.

Kate: Beaumont? [she laughs] That old bat is still breathing?

Peter: Yes, at least she was when I left her.

Kate: [she shakes her head] She always said she would live immortal on pigheadedness and bitterness. That certainly seems to be the case.

Peter: So you knew her well?

Kate: She was one of the few people I liked in that godawful town. Aside from her husband, I was the only one she liked.

Peter: Well, I did like her. Though I will admit, she did tell me some things about your life when you were there.

Kate: [and there the amusement fades slightly] Did she?

Peter: [nods] I can tell from it she was worried about you, and hopes that wherever you are now, you are safe and happy.

Kate: [she nods once] Did you tell her?

Peter: No. I felt it was better for you to keep your anonymity to that place.

Kate: I appreciate that.

Peter: Plus I didn't want to worry about getting kidnapped and having you come rescue me so that they could flush you out, if the brothers had any ambition to try. [smiles]

Kate: [she laughs] I have a feeling if they tried to kidnap you, they would have a harder time than most. No one there I know of knew about your kind.

Peter: Still, I would not want to have to come home and explain.

Kate: I appreciate that.

Peter: Well, it was a long ride back. I think I may retire for a bit.

Kate: [she nods] Would you like me to join you?

Peter: [he smiles] I think that would be nice.

Kate: [she nods, taking his hand and waiting for him to lead]

Peter: [and he will lead her back to their bed chambers]

Kate: [where they probably won't do actual retiring]

Peter: [but it will count as destressing and relaxing]

Kate: [that is very true]