regency au } { of new additions and stepping back

[braveandstupid]

Stiles: [and yeah, when the messenger from the manor found them a few hours ride from the manor, Stiles all but made a deal with the devil for his horse to run faster to get him back to the manor. When he arrived he just threw the reins at the stable boy and rushed inside the manor to find his wife]

Elena: [and she is already behind closed doors with Laura and Melissa while Elena is sitting in the hallway with Ben who refused to go to the children's room when his mom was in trouble and was being entertained by Elena instead, listening to him tell her a story]

Stiles: [and he will enter the hallway in a rush, smelling of the road and horses. He will stop when he sees his son and Elena though] I just got word... how is she?

Elena: Fine for now. There's time for you to go for a bath if you'd like.

Ben: Da! [and he will run to hug Stiles, who will get picked up and hugged because it had been a few weeks]

Stiles: Are you sure?

Elena: [she nods] I'm sure. Go ahead.

Stiles: [looks at his son] Daddy needs to go clean up. Can you keep Auntie Elena company a little bit longer?

Ben: [nods] I can do it!

Elena: [she smiles] Good, I was hoping so.

Stiles: [and he will kiss his son and put him back down, and go find a quick bath to wash and shave]

Elena: [and she will scoop him up and place him in her lap] Now where were we in that story of yours?

Ben: Svords!

Elena: That's right. There were swords and knights and all kinds of adventure, yes?

Ben: Yes!

Elena: That sounds like the best kind of story.

Ben: It is.

Stiles: [and while Ben continues his story, Stiles is going to just take a moment to relax, knowing that he wasn't going to have many moments in the coming days]

Elena: [yep, enjoy it while you can dad]

Stiles: [and he will return to the hallway since he is shaved, in new clothes and had a moment in the kitchen for a quick meal] Any word?

Elena: Not yet. Though the hero is just about to save the day, isn't he, Ben?

Ben: [nods, pulling Stiles' hand to sit down with them, and he will keep telling his story]

Elena: [and they'll get through a few twists and turns before Melissa will make her way out with a smile] It's a girl.

Stiles: [and he's up, smiling] A girl? Hear that Ben, you have a sister.

Ben: No brother?

Elena: Not this time, little one.

Ben: [and he just makes a raspberry]

Stiles: Don't worry, Ben. Mom and I can try again in another year or two. [to Melissa] Can I see them?

Melissa: [she nods] They're both asleep.

Ben: Me too?

Elena: [hesitates] Why don't we go and make something for your mom and your new sister for when they're awake?

Ben: [pouts a bit, looking up at his dad]

Stiles: Maybe make something with the flowers that are starting to bloom in the garden. Mom always loves your flower gifts.

Ben: Okay.

Elena: [picks up Ben with a smile] We will get her a lovely bouquet to put by her bed for when they wake. How does that sound?

Ben: Okay! [and he talks about colors and flowers as they leave]

Stiles: [and he will let Melissa guide him into their room]

Cora: [is stretched out on the bed, fast asleep as she heals, while the baby girl is swaddled in a bassinet next to her]

Stiles: [and he is going to go and pick up his daughter gently, cradling her in his arms with ease. He hadn't been worried about this pregnancy as he had the first since he knew what to expect. Handling a baby was easy for him, and he carefully lowered himself to sit next to Cora in bed so she would know he was close while he just learned the tiny features of his daughter]

Cora: [And she will sleep for a long time, but she will curl into him when she senses him there]

Stiles: [and he will lean down to kiss the top of her head when she does, whispering to her that he loves her before going back to focusing on their daughter]

Elena: [and they will knock lightly on the door when they return, before opening the door slowly] May we come in?

Stiles: Yes, but Cora is still asleep.

Elena: [takes Ben's hand and leads him ahead of her, letting him hold the flowers] We have to be quiet and let your mom sleep, alright?

Ben: Why sleep? Sun out!

Elena: You know how when you spend all afternoon running around and playing with the horses outside and when you're done, all you want to do is take a nap?

Ben: Uh huh.

Elena: Having a baby is a bit like that.

Ben: [wrinkles his nose]

Stiles: Want to see your baby sister?

Ben: [nods, going to crawl up into the bed]

Elena: [will help him get up there gently so he doesn't disturb Cora and goes to place the flowers on the nightstand]

Stiles: [and he will pull Ben into his lap, putting the baby in front of him] You were tiny just like this when you were born.

Ben: I was?

Elena: You were. I remember. [glances over to Stiles] I'll bring the girls by later when Cora is awake.

Stiles: Thank you. [and he is going to settle back into the pillows and patiently answer Ben's questions while they wait for the girls to wake up]

Cora: [and eventually she'll be dozing enough for the talking to wake her, and she opens her eyes, one hand reaching for whoever's closest]

Ben: [and he will feel his mother's hand and smile] Mamma!

Cora: [looks up with a smile] Hello, darling.

Ben: I have a sister!

Stiles: [chuckles] I think she knows that, son.

Cora: [she laughs] Yes, you do. [and she'll very slowly start to push herself up into a sitting position]

Stiles: Hello, my love.

Cora: Hello. How is she doing?

Stiles: Still sleeping peacefully. I fear that will not last long.

Cora: Probably not, no. [and she'll reach for Ben to pull him closer] We have to give her a name too.

Ben: [and he will crawl into Cora's arms, snuggling] Are you feeling better now momma?

Stiles: We do.

Cora: Much. [she smiles down and kisses the top of his head] Do you want to help us pick a name for your sister?

Ben: Can I?

Cora: Sure. How about we each pick a name and we vote on which one we like best?

Ben: I like Rosie!

Cora: Rose would be a beautiful name. What about you, Stiles?

Stiles: [and he will look at their sleeping daughter] Claudia. After my mother.

Cora: [she watches him for a moment, before glancing down at Ben again] What do you think of Claudia, Ben? You can call her Dina.

Ben: What name you have?

Cora: [she was thinking Claudia too. she knew that Stiles would like a namesake for his mother] Your dad took mine. It was a really good choice.

Ben: [he bites his lip] Claudia Rose.

Cora: [she smiles widely at that] I think that's beautiful.

Stiles: I like that too. [smiles at the tiny bundle in his arms] Welcome to the world, Claudia Rose Stilinski.

Cora: [she presses another kiss to the top of Ben's head] Perfect.

Stiles: [and they can just snuggle up like one big, happy family.]

Cora: [yep everyone is happy, though Cora will probably wind up taking another nap]

Stiles: [and he will end up putting Claudia back in the bassinet and taking Ben to dinner and then to bed before returning to his wife]

Cora: [hopefully you also brought her dinner, because she will be starving at that point]

Stiles: [yes, he has dear wife]

Cora: [good husband. she will take that plate from him happily] Thank you.

Stiles: You're welcome. Everyone is happy to know you are recovering well.

Cora: I'm sure they're anxious to pass Claudia around between them to introduce themselves.

Stiles: That is a certainty. I'm surprised your siblings have not snuck in.

Cora: Laura knows better. And Derek has been busy with his wife.

Stiles: His wife was outside here with our son for most of your labor.

Cora: Mmmm-hmm. [and no one seems to notice how Talia was born roughly a year after Gracin was.]

Stiles: [forty weeks for those keeping journals]

Cora: [yep. Elena always wants a baby after someone else has had a baby]

Derek: [not complaining]

Stiles: So how do you feel?

Cora: Sore, but no more so than normal. A little more sleep and I should be just fine.

Stiles: [runs a hand through her hair] Good.

Cora: [smiles at that and slowly shifts to lean into him] Do you think Ben will be alright?

Stiles: I think he will. He's just young.

Cora: And he's not used to having to share.

Stiles: Amelia and Patience had to learn when they got siblings. So will he.

Cora: I know. I just don't want him to resent her.

Stiles: He won't. He will come to love her just like Derek loves you.

Cora: I hope so.

Stiles: I know so. [and he leaned over to kiss her] Don't worry about the future, my love. Focus on the now. [and he will gently shift their daughter so look at Cora more]

Cora: [she closes her eyes into the kiss, before smiling as she shifts to rest her chin against her husband's shoulder] You know I can't help it.

Stiles: Yes, I know, but as one man who changed his stars - I'm always an optimist that you may be able to.

Cora: [she laughs] See, this is why you need to be the optimist. We balance each other.

Stiles: Well, since I no longer have to worry about running part of Austria, I think I can handle being more optimistic for you.

Cora: Though you will need to find a way to keep yourself occupied at times. We can't have Ben growing up to think a lord's life is doing whatever he pleases.

Stiles: Yes, I am working with Lord Parrish and your lord Uncle to find something to take responsibility over.

Cora: Good. And we should have a place in Austria to visit every now and then.

Stiles: Yes, and not my father's home. I believe that has been given to the new sheriff and his family.

Cora: Perhaps we should visit next spring and see if there are any manors for sale.

Stiles: That would be nice.

Cora: Since we'd only be there in the warmer months, we'd need someone to maintain it year-round.

Stiles: My younger cousins are getting older. Perhaps if they find marriage and do not inherit a manor of their own, they would be interested in sharing it with us.

Cora: Perhaps. Until then we'll simply need to find trustworthy servants.

Stiles: My father could recommend some, I am sure. We could also ask your brother if one of the knights would like to have the run of a manor that we could hire?

Cora: Do you have a particular one in mind?

Stiles: [thinks] Well, I wouldn't separate Sir Scott from his mother. Perhaps Sir Boyd and Lady Erica?

Cora: Derek just promoted Boyd to take on some of his duties abroad. I'm not sure he'll be able to stay in Austria enough for our purposes.

Stiles: .... Well, it is halfway to France. Perhaps Sir Isaac?

Cora: [she considered, then nodded] I'm sure he'd like that.

Stiles: Then I will approach him on the subject once we look to travel there again.

Cora: Good.

Stiles: [and he will feel the baby shift in his arms] I think someone is waking up.

Claudia: [yep, she's wriggling around and eventually her eyes open as she looks up at the people above her]

Cora: [smiles softly] Hello there.

Stiles: [looking down at her, shifting the blanket near her face so it won't cover her mouth] Good morning, my precious.

Claudia: [flails her arms a bit before slamming them down with a "bah"]

Stiles: I'm sure you are very confused, young one. But I am your father, and this is your mother.

Claudia: [she can hear you but she can't really see you, but his voice is soothing so that's cool]

Stiles: Cora, love, I'm sorry but I think I have found another woman to love.

Cora: [she laughs] I've seen my brother with his daughters. I hate to tell you, but I saw this coming.

Stiles: [laughs gently, putting Dina between them] You want your mommy, my dear?

Claudia: [THERE'S WIND. I'M MOVING. WHAT'S GOING ON THIS IS NOT WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR I AM ALARMED]

Cora: Let's not startle her too much.

Stiles: Sorry.

Cora: No, it's fine. She just can't see as well as we can.

Stiles: You'd think I would remember that.

Cora: It's been a long time since Ben was this small.

Stiles: I just felt that perhaps she would be hungry.

Cora: I'm sure she will be. And she will let us know when she is.

Stiles: That is true.

Cora: [she will inch down so that she's lying next to her, though letting Claudia take her finger]

Stiles: [and he will watch, one hand holding Dina while the other gently strokes his wife's hair]

Cora: [tips her head into his hand] I always forget that they start out this small.

Stiles: Well, they do have to fit inside of you, my love. I'd worry if they came out bigger. [smiles]

Cora: [she rolls her eyes a bit] I'm aware of that.

Stiles: [chuckles and leans down to kiss the top of her head] I think she has your nose.

Cora: [she smiles a bit at that] She does, a little. But she's blond like your father.

Stiles: He is going to love that.

Cora: I'm sure. Do you know when he and Jody are arriving?

Stiles: They were going to be a fortnight behind me, so I would say at least that, it not a few more days.

Cora: Good. That will give her a little time to get used to other people.

Stiles: She will have to learn that fast. There are a lot of people these days.

Cora: There are. Which is why we need to get her used to being passed around.

Stiles: But tomorrow. At least not in this room.

Cora: [she nods] Tomorrow.

Stiles: [and he will relax next to his wife, trying to fight off the exhaustion starting to gnaw at him again from the long travel he had just finished to come home to his wife in labor. Now that the excitement has passed, his body is reminding him that he is only human]

Cora: [glances up at him and smiles softly] Sleep. I'll put her to bed.

Stiles: Are you sure?

Cora: [she nods] I should get up for a bit anyway. It'll be good to walk around some.

Stiles: Okay. Then I will get some rest. But if you need me, just rouse me.

Cora: [nods] I will.

Stiles: [and he will leave Claudia in Cora's care as he gets up to undress]

Cora: [and she will slowly ease herself out of bed and reach for her robe, tying it in place before reaching for her daughter] Shall we go for a walk? I think you'd like that. [Claudia's arms flail a bit as she comes to rest against her mother's shoulder, but reaches up and grasps the shoulder of her robe all the same]

Peter: [and while Derek may be distracted with his wife, Peter will be strategically making a pass near her quarters in hopes to check in on his niece]

Cora: [and she'll be coming outside with Claudia on her shoulder when she sees him with a smile] Uncle Peter.

Peter: [smiles back] Cora. How are you feeling, my dear?

Cora: Good. I've gotten lots of sleep.

Peter: I'm sure you needed it. [and he will look down at Dina] And who is this?

Cora: [glances back, before turning so that Peter can see her better] This is Claudia.

Peter: Hello, Claudia. [he won't ask to hold her, because he knows those first hours can be confusing for a baby, but he can't resist a look]

Cora: [and Claudia is just chewing on her fist, not really able to see anything that isn't right in front of her] She's been fairly quiet so far.

Peter: Perhaps you will get lucky and she will take after you in that regard.

Cora: Perhaps. But then I also remember that Ben started out quiet too.

Peter: That is very true. Well, I will keep you in my prayers for a quiet baby this time. [leans down to kiss the top of Cora's head]

Cora: [smiles a bit] I appreciate it. We were going to go for a little walk if you'd like to come with us.

Peter: I would love to escort you. [and he will clasp his hands behind his back and walk at her side] I heard Lord Stilinski has returned in time for the birth.

Cora: [she nods] He's resting now, as he had a long ride, but he made it in time.

Peter: That is good. The birth of a child is not something any father should miss.

Cora: [she nods] And he won't be traveling for a while, so he should get plenty of time with her before she can run away from him.

Peter: [laughs] Yes, that is good. [though that gives him a moment to think on] So what has happened in Austria, by chance?

Cora: [there's a pause for a moment, but since it's going to come up eventually] Stiles' cousin had a son. And Stiles stepped back from his position as the designated heir and is going to let it go to Olivia's family instead.

Peter: [his eyebrow raised a moment] This is the cousin who tried to poison him, yes?

Cora: That would be the one.

Peter: I fear for those people.

Cora: It was Stiles' decision. He didn't want Ben and his children to have to fight for their place.

Peter: He does know though that if she becomes a tyrant, the people may turn to him to overthrow her as they have come to know him as their Lord.

Cora: He wasn't their lord yet. [she gives a small shrug] His uncle did not fight him on the decision.

Peter: I am aware, but he was known to those in the village. There were many who came to me when your sister was set to marry who privately pledged their loyalty to our house and me to fight Lord Argent if he became a brutal lord to our people.

Cora: [purses her lips because she still hates politics] Then if that is the case, so be it, but for now when we do spend time in Austria it will be on our own land and in our own home.

Peter: Alright. [nods]

Cora: I'm sure it will be fine.

Peter: I hope so.

Cora: How are things with you?

Peter: Things are well. We had an enjoyable time in Russia.

Cora: Good.

Peter: It was good for Malia to be around others her age that she did not have to hide who she is to.

Cora: Hopefully she'll make some new friends.

Peter: That was the goal.

Cora: She seemed a bit happier upon your return.

Peter: She is. And the Krisanovs have an invitation to come visit us before winter if they would like to.

Cora: That would be nice. It's been years since Derek, Laura or I have seen them.

Peter: I know. Nikolai is growing like a weed.

Cora: That doesn't surprise me.

Peter: We will probably see him start to compete in tourneys soon.

Cora: Good. It means we'll get to see them more often

Peter: Yes, it does. Though I fear the troubles that Kate and Nadia would plan against me.

Cora: [amused] I'm sure you'd survive.

Peter: One can hope.

Cora: [and Claudia's heartbeat is slowed enough that Cora can tell she's asleep, so she'll turn as they reach the end of the hallway] And I should probably get her back to bed.

Peter: Yes, you should do that. I will see you tomorrow, my dear.

Cora: Goodnight, Uncle Peter.

Peter: Goodnight, Cora. [and off he will head back to his wing]

Cora: [and she will return to her room, placing Claudia down gently in her bassinet before climbing back into bed and curling up with her husband]

Stiles: [and while he is out, he will unconsciously move closer to her and guide Cora into his arms.]

Cora: [and that will make her smile as she curls up and drifts back to sleep]