regency au } { of indoor picnics and quality dad time

[braveandstupid]

Patience: [it was usually his oldest that would run tea time. she paid the most attention to what was going on when her mother entertained, and so she did her best to run imaginary tea in the same way. Unfortunately for Patience, Talia is only two and is mostly in it for the cookies, which is why when she reaches across the table to take one there's the sound of:] Talia, no! It's not time yet.

Derek: [and he is working at his desk in the next room, listening to his daughter's play. A smile comes to his face at hearing his eldest try to imitate Elena, and after a moment he gets up and walks to the doorway to peek in]

Talia: [and that's her wibble face because why are you denying her delicious treats!!!]

Patience: [DRAMATIC SIGH] You have to wait until I say so.

Miranda: But you're also supposed to share.

Derek: [smiles and crosses his arms gently] Good afternoon ladies.

Talia: [all three of their heads snap around and his youngest immediately milks the fact that she's the baby for all it's worth and launches a very upset ramble about how her sister won't let her have a cookie but ... lacks the syllables that will turn that rambling into actual words. but up she goes, going to cling to her father's leg]

Derek: [chuckles, rubbing her head gently] Well, I hate to interrupt, but I think I need to point out that with proper manners, the ladies who are attending the tea are supposed to wait until the host offers the items to her guests. You both need to be patient with your older sister and then you will get your share of the cookies.

Miranda: [sighs and relents] But Talia's only two. She's not old enough to have manners.

Derek: This is how she learns them. It's the same way both of you did, if I recall.

Talia: Cookie? [please Daddy? Please make them give her a cookie?]

Derek: [looks down at her] Now sweetie, you know it's tea first, and then cookie. You need to be good and wait for Patience to tell you that you can have one. Okay?

Talia: [there's some good solid watery eyes there, but when Derek doesn't give in to her wily ways she slumps a bit and sighs] Okay.

Derek: [and now he looks at his eldest] And Patience, I'm sure your mother would point out that you, as host, must always be aware of your guests needs. So if one of your guests is hungry, it's up to you to accommodate them. Sometimes your guests will travel half a day to have tea with the lady of a manor, and may have missed their lunch. [he guides Talia back to her seat, leaning down to kiss her forehead] And you do not chide your guests, but set an example in your behavior.

Patience: [SIGHS because this isn't one of those things, her sister just has zero impulse control, but fine. Fine, she'll be a good host] Okay.

Derek: [and that's a stern look because those dramatic sighs are not very lady like] Patience.

Patience: [And she'll cow a little, because she doesn't want her father to be mad at her] I'm sorry.

Derek: Not all your guests are going to be well behaved. Even as adults, there are many who come from other villages who do not get the proper training you have.

Derek: [and he will lean down to kiss the top of her head as well] Now would there be enough tea and cookies for me to join, or is this for ladies only?

Patience: [looks up and brightens immediately] Can you?

Derek: I can. I'm actually feeling a bit thirsty and tea would be good.

Patience: [and with that she smiles and makes room for him next to her, and continues to go through the tea ceremony]

Miranda: [mimics/makes fun of the ridiculous Mystic Falls ladies that her mother has to entertain for tea sometimes]

Derek: [he's glad that he knows she is playing, but he will have to tell Elena about that later. It makes him smile though]

Miranda: [well, she is only four. she's not intentionally making fun of them, but her impression of their high and mighty way of speaking definitely comes off that way]

Talia: [will happily babble along and just be content with cookies when she finally gets them. but eventually she starts to swing around to nap time and even cookies won't soothe her crankiness]

Derek: [and he will notice that] Well, ladies, I thank you for this wonderful party. I think it's time I return to work, and take Talia to Melissa for her nap.

Patience: [slightly disappointed, but just in the way she usually is when he has to go work instead of spending time with her] Okay. Thank you for attending.

Derek: [and each of his girls will get a kiss goodbye, and he will whisper in Patience's ear that she did a great job, and then pick up Talia to take her to Melissa for her nap]

Talia: [and she will be half out by the time she gets there, dozing lightly against his shoulder]

Derek: [and he will get her handed off and he will look at his desk as he returns and no, you know what a nap sounds good right about now. So he's going to just take off his jacket and shoes and go to the lounger by the fireplace and stretch out for a few minutes.]

Elena: [and eventually his wife will come looking for him, and when she finds up asleep on the lounge, she'll go and wake him up with a soft kiss]

Derek: [and he will smile against her lips, opening them only when she pulls back] Hello, m'love.

Elena: Hello. Pleasant dreams?

Derek: Not so much dreams than blessed silence.

Elena: [she laughs, before moving to sit on the lounge next to him] I heard you had tea with the girls.

Derek: Yes, I did. My mother used to listen to us have tea as children as a way to perfect manners. It seems now Talia is taking after my habit of eating all the cookies and drinking none of the tea.

Elena: [she laughs] Well, tea is a bit of an acquired taste.

Derek: Yeah. The one my mother loved smelled weird.

Elena: Oh? What herb was used?

Derek: Rache.

Elena: [squints for a moment] I've never even heard of it.

Derek: It's a mushroom.

Elena: Ah. Is it as strong as vervain?

Derek: Worse. But it is good for infections.

Elena: At least there's that.

Derek: Yes. [he is going to yawn and stretch, sitting up a bit] I think you may want to have a few tea times with our girls. It seems that they are picking up some bad habits.

Elena: [her eyebrows go up, surprised] Like?

Derek: Well, Miranda believes that she is supposed to behave like the women in Mystic Falls that you host. And I do not mean Lady Caroline or Lady Bonnie.

Elena: [sighs] You mean the Fells.

Derek: That would be them. I know they were just playing, but I don't think Miranda is at an age where she imitates to make fun of people.

Elena: No, she's not. I'll speak with her.

Derek: You may also want to speak to Patience. I think she has taken up some of Lady Caroline's perfectionist habits.

Elena: Well, those habits aren't too terrible, so long as she doesn't become as overbearing as Caroline used to be.

Derek: She has her sigh.

Elena: Yes. But she's also six. She's ... trying to assert her own autonomy a little more, and that's not a bad thing. But I will speak with her too.

Derek: [nods] that is true. I just want to make sure she doesn't give people more of a reason to speak ill of her later if we can make sure she has good manners now.

Elena: No, of course. She takes her manners very seriously. She's just particular, and she'll learn how to be nicer about that in time.

Derek: Then I won't worry about it.

Elena: [she nods with a small smile] Also, they are her sisters. You don't have to be as formal with siblings. When it comes to greeting others not in the family she's impressively perfect.

Derek: You're taking it easy on her then. My mother always made Laura treat us like we were guests.

Elena: I respectfully disagree. She needs to have some people that she can be relaxed and herself with or she's going to grow up and turn into Peter. She's already a lot like him as it is.

Derek: Now that is an image I can't unsee.

Elena: [she laughs] Your uncle is very well mannered and very charming in social situations, and you can tell when you watch him that he's observing everything, and taking in far more information than most people would give him credit for. Patience is the same way when I take her to tea or to Founder's Events in Mystic Falls. But I also remember, when I first met him, that he also seemed desperately lonely, as though he had no one he could truly confide in. If Patience doesn't feel like she can be herself with her sisters, then I worry that she will think that her true self is inappropriate in all scenarios. So a little sibling rivalry when she's young won't hurt anything. It will make them closer when they're older.

Derek: No, you're right. Though now I wish you had met my uncle when my mother still lived. Or his wife. He was a very different person then. It was their loss that forced him to become that way as he was made to raise four children on his own while running the manor.

Elena: I'm seeing more of it now. You may give me a look for this, but I believe Kate might even be having a positive effect on him.

Derek: No, I see it too. I think they are both helping each other.

Elena: Me too. Much needed healing for some rifts.

Derek: Yes. And I think it has also helped Malia in not having her father so sad all the time.

Elena: [she nods] Everyone seems much happier here than when I first visited all that time go.

Derek: Well, you may have helped in a way as well. [he smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her closer]

Elena: [she grins as she goes easily, shifting so that she can curl into him easily] Well I am happy to help.

Derek: If it weren't for you, Patience would be growing up in the stables and playing with swords. Not that I would have minded, but it is nice to know she will be a proper lady.

Elena: [she laughs] Your sister grew up in the stables and playing with swords and she turned out just fine. I think Patience would have been in good hands all the same.

Derek: Yes, but I happen to like your hands better.

Elena: [smiles widely] Duly noted.

Derek: And speaking of your hands... are they busy this evening?

Elena: [there's a contemplative hum as she considers that] Not that I can think of. Why do you ask?

Derek: I thought perhaps instead of eating with the whole family, it could just be you, me and the girls up here. Having tea with them made me realize I've been very busy lately and want to find time just for our little pack.

Elena: [smiles again] I think that would be lovely. The girls would love that.

Derek: We can just put a blanket on the floor and eat like an indoor picnic. And then maybe play a game or two, read a bit, and then send them off to bed.

Elena: Sounds perfect. Though if we're going to have you to ourselves for the whole evening, you have work you still need to do.

Derek: I know. Do you think you can arrange this in whatever time we have, and manage to make it a surprise for the girls?

Elena: They're spending the rest of the afternoon with Amelia so I think I can manage that.

Derek: Good. [and he will lean in to kiss her] Then let us do this.

Elena: [smiles as she kisses him back] I'll see you at dinner.

Derek: [and he will get up and head back to his desk, working to finish the letters he needed to send out for the knights before heading down to hand them out.]

Elena: [and she will arrange for the picnic and have the servants give word to her husband that everything is ready and it's up to him whether or not he wants to pick up the girls]

Derek: [yes, he will enjoy this greatly, and he will stop to get them] Darlings, it's time to get ready for dinner.

Patience: Already? [as she gets up and starts dusting herself off]

Derek: Yes. You can come see your cousin again later.

Miranda: Alright - [and that trails off with a small eep as she trips on her dress and starts to windmill her arms]

Derek: [and werewolf speed has him going to catch her] Easy there, Miranda.

Miranda: [makes a face] This skirt is too long.

Derek: We can see if it can be shortened then.

Miranda: Okay. [a beat] Why won't we be seeing Amelia at dinner?

Derek: Come on, your mother is waiting.

Miranda: [makes a face, because that does NOT answer her question, but she does as she's told]

Derek: [and he will guide them all not to their room, but to his and Elena's room]

Miranda: [squints again] Why are we having dinner in your room?

Derek: Because I wanted to spend more time with my girls. I realized how much I missed being with my daughters after we had tea, so your mother and I came up with a surprise for you.

Miranda: A surprise!

Derek: Yes, just for you three. [and he will open the door, letting them run in to see what Elena has put together]

Elena: [and she has set up a lovely picnic with their favorite foods and she's sitting on the edge of the blanket. there's a bright smile, when she sees their girls] Surprise! [and the girls are both floored and excited]

Derek: Go on, find spots on the blanket and let's eat.

Elena: [and the girls settle in and they have a very lively dinner conversation that mostly the girls carry - at least until Talia runs through the dinner like Godzilla trying to get to her parents]

Derek: [at least they were mostly done with dinner at that point] Tali, love, you do not run through food.

Talia: [grins as she flops against his shoulder for a hug]

Derek: Why don't you go with your mother to change into your nightgowns while I ask the servants to clean up dinner, and then we can play a game or read a story?

Elena: [and the girls agree and off they go! but Talia goes down for the count in the process and Miranda gets distracted by the promise of star gazing with Grayson and Parrish so the only daughter who actually returns is ... Patience. Sorry, Derek.]

Derek: [and he will look at Patience and smile softly] Did you tie your sisters up somewhere?

Patience: [shakes her head] Talia's asleep.

Elena: And Miranda was distracted by her uncle and cousin.

Derek: Well, then it is just us. [and he will hold his arms out for his daughter to cur up in his lap]

Patience: [and she will go eagerly, curling into his shoulder]

Derek: Do you want to play a game, or read?

Patience: Read!

Derek: Alright. I think... [and he will reach to the shelf of books near him] How about this one?

Patience: Yes! [does she know what it is? Not really. but she trusts her dad to pick a good story]

Derek: [and he will lean back, letting Patience curl up against his chest as he opens the book. He will start to tell her the story of an Arabian princess who had to marry before her birthday, but she didn't want to be a princess anymore]

Patience: [and she will rest her head against his shoulder, listening closely to the story and slowly drifting off against his shoulder]

Derek: [and once he is done and sure she is asleep, he will put the book down and look for his wife, one arm protectively around his eldest.]

Elena: [she wasn't far, and she glances over with a smile] Do you want me to put her down?

Derek: I should, but I haven't had a moment with her like this for a while.

Elena: It's alright. I'll go check on Miranda.

Derek: [and he is going to lay there, his hand gently stroking Patience's back as he sings softly to her. He doesn't have the best singing voice, but she liked it at least]

Patience: [she doesn't wake up, just stays curled up safe in her father's arms]

Derek: [and softly] You're going to discover a lot of things about yourself soon, my little one. Things you may find strength from, and things you may come to hate me for. Just remember moments like this, and how much I love you. Because I have, and always will.

Patience: [she shifts quietly, one hand finding his shirt and fisting it tightly]

Derek: [his other hand will go to rest on hers, his thumb running along the top of it] Never let anyone tell you that you aren't worthy. You are a Hale. You come from a line of strong, powerful women, and I have no doubts that you will be any less than them. But no matter what, you will always make me proud.

Patience: [she will try very hard to remember this when she's older, but she makes no promises]

Derek: [and he will soon start to drift off again, his hand idly rubbing her back again]

Elena: [and after making sure Miranda was safe in bed, she returns to their room and smiles softly when she sees them, before making her way closer and resting her hand in his shoulder gently] I think it's time for bed.

Derek: [nods] You can take her to bed.

Elena: [smiles softly as she reaches down to take their daughter] I was going to steal you for a bath when I returned but I'm worried you may fall asleep on me now.

Derek: You could find ways to keep me awake

Elena: I could. [smirks] Maybe you should put her to bed and I should run the bath for when you get back.

Derek: I think that is something I can do.

Elena: Good. [and she will shift Patience back to him as she heads towards their bathroom] I will be here when you finish.

Derek: [and he will smile and then take his daughter to her room, carefully tucking her into bed and kissing her cheek] I love you, my little one.

Patience: [leans towards his touch but stays asleep, curling up on her side]

Derek: Sweet dreams. [and he will get up and go off to hunt down his hopefully naked wife]

Elena: [well, mostly naked. she has a robe on, but she's adding hot water to the tub, waiting for him to return]

Derek: [and he will join her, going to sit on the edge of the tub] Would you like me to get the oils?

Elena: [hums softly, before nodding] Yes. Maybe one of the mints?

Derek: [and he will go over to the high shelf where their daughters couldn't get into them and take the peppermint oil and bring it to her]

Elena: [and she will add the oils to the water, before reaching for the tie on her robe] So. Are you going to join me? Because you're a little overdressed if you are.

Derek: [chuckles] Yes, I will. [and he was already in his basic layers, so it doesn't take him long to strip himself free of them] Should I go in first?

Elena: [nods as she slips out of her robe and sets it off to the side] Probably best, yes.

Derek: [and he will smile, climbing into the hot water and leaning back against the tub and making room for her to join him]

Elena: [and after pinning her hair out of the way she will slide in to join him, shifting so that she's resting comfortably between his legs and against his chest]

Derek: [and his arms will come to wrap around her, covering her stomach as he kissed her shoulder] I think tonight went well.

Elena: [smiles as she leans back into his touch] I do too. They were happy to spend time with you.

Derek: Do I really spend that much time away from them?

Elena: [she shakes her head] Not compared to other families. But when they were younger, you had less responsibilities, so you were able to be more attentive. Particularly with Patience.

Derek: Perhaps it's time I let one of the younger knights take over as captain of the guard.

Elena: And you will do what?

Derek: I don't know.

Elena: [shifts to look at him and shakes her head] They're going to need to get used to spending their time with other things. Lessons, social events, things like that. So I think the better middle ground would be more nights like this, rather than giving yourself less responsibility in the manor. After all, you have an example to set for them too.

Derek: [sighs] I know. I just feel as if I am missing watching them grow up.

Elena: [she smiles softly] Maybe talk to your sister about traveling less. See if you can appoint a deputy for the trips that are less delicate and easier to manage.

Derek: I could do that. Peter has taken over for most of the tourneys.

Elena: Maybe Boyd would make a good choice for a second in command?

Derek: Boyd or Scott. So they can both take turns and not lose time with their own families.

Elena: [she nods] True, but Scott and Stiles have become quite close.

Derek: I have noticed that. Do you think he will leave us to work for Lord Stilinski?

Elena: I think that depends on if Stiles asks. Though it likely won't be until Stiles needs to take over for the Stilinski Manor permanently.

Derek: Well, he has spoken of his father moving here. His father is the current captain of the guards in Austria.

Elena: I suppose we'll have to see when they get back from their trip this fall.

Derek: Yes. I hope things are getting better for them there.

Elena: Me too.

Derek: [and he will lean forward to kiss her shoulder again, his hands massaging her stomach a bit] And how are we, my dear? Is there anything I have missed about you?

Elena: [she hums softly as her smile widens] There are certain attentions I have missed.

Derek: Another benefit that would come from me traveling less? [his kisses move closer to her neck]

Elena: [her eyes close as she tips her head back with a soft hum] Definitely. It would have you much more accessible.

Derek: You wouldn't wake up to an empty bed.

Elena: That would especially be appreciated.

Derek: You would have my hands to keep you warm. [and his hands would slide up to cup her breasts]

Elena: [and she sucks in a breath as she arches into his touch] And you lips to kiss me awake.

Derek: [and he will shift to be able to kiss her as he massages her breasts]

Elena: [kisses him back in return, one arm rising out of the water to loop her arm around his neck]

Derek: [and they can just enjoy the feeling of each other as they make out in the warm water]

Elena: [yep, until the water starts to chill, and while her husband is warm, Elena is still human and can't help but shiver in response]

Derek: [and he will whisper in her ear] Let us go to bed, my love, so I can make love to you properly.

Elena: [smiles softly] I like the sound of that.

Derek: [and he will help push her up, and then join her, wrapping her first in a fire warmed towel before taking his own and drying himself.]

Elena: [and she will dry herself off as well, before taking his hand to pull him back to bed]

Derek: [and he will follow, but he will have to wait to sex her up until tomorrow because we should also go to bed]

Elena: [and we return to this scene where Elena is just going to pull her husband in for a kiss as her knees hit the back of the bed]

Derek: [and he is going to press up against her, leaning down for that kiss as his hardness presses against her stomach]

Elena: [and she moans softly into his kiss, one hand sliding down his chest to slide around him]

Derek: [and his hips will move forward to thrust into her hand as his own hands go back to massaging her breasts]

Elena: [and she continues to move her hand against him and pulls him closer as she lies back onto the bed]

Derek: [and he will crawl over her as she does so, and one hand will leave her breast to slide between her leg to test how ready she was for him, teasing her nub in the process]

Elena: [it really doesn't take much to get her going, he knows her so well at this point, and her head falls back against the bed as he touches her, exposing her neck to him]

Derek: [and he will kiss her hard there, and when he knows she is ready he will guide her hand to guide him to her entrance]

Elena: [she easily shifts her legs to allow him access, her fingers tightening against his back as he starts to slide inside]

Derek: [and with one hand on her hip, the other on her breast he will start to thrust deeply into her, taking his time and making sure his pelvis rubs against her nub on each stroke]

Elena: [and she will revel in all the sensations, tangling herself more against him with each stroke and letting herself ride the waves of pleasure as they grow. Her breathing turns to shallow pants, and it's not long before she hits the edge and tumbles over it]

Derek: [and having taken his time, he is able to keep from joining her, and he will slow down to let her revel in her orgasm before rolling them over, going to sit up against the headboard with her still wrapped around him as she sits in his lap. His lips will capture her breast now, sucking on the hard nipple as his hips press up into her]

Elena: [it's with a comfortable ease that she adjusts to the change in position, part of having been in his bed for so long, so it doesn't take her long to pick up the rhythm again, before nudging his head up and leaning in to kiss him deeply]

Derek: [he will kiss her, his hands going to her hips to coax her to go faster and harder, wanting to join her in the next orgasm]

Elena: [she doesn't need much coaxing, doing the best she can to keep up with the pace he's setting, wanting him to come with her as well. her fingers dig into his shoulders as she comes up on the second one, her lips falling from his as she needs to catch her breath]

Derek: [and as her head leans back, his lips will return to her neck, and she will feel his teeth brushing along her skin as his fingers dig into her hips, pulling her down hard on him as he falls over, releasing deep inside of her]

Elena: [and she easily falls over with him, leaning into his touch as she tips forward to rest against his chest with a happy sigh]

Derek: [his hips will thrust up into her a few more times before he relaxes against the headboard, his arms going to wrap around her and keep her close as he nuzzles her against her neck and cheek] I love you, Elena.

Elena: I love you too. [her fingers come up to trail against his chest gently] And I love our life here. Don't ever think otherwise.

Derek: I am glad to hear that. I know you miss your homeland.

Elena: I do. But what we have is something that I've always wanted. This is perfect, no matter where we are.

Derek: You are all I have ever wanted, even when I didn't know it was what I needed.

Elena: [she smiles widely] Well, I'm glad you found me.

Derek: [and he will yawn, sliding down to lay down in bed, sliding out of his wife but keeping her close as he pulled the blankets over both of them] And now I think it's time we both get some rest.

Elena: [she nods with a small smile, before she curls against his chest] Goodnight, Derek.

Derek: Goodnight, my love. [and they will drift off]