Author's Note: Sorry for the delay everyone and apologies for the update XD I feel very rusty but hopefully some of the adorable pics make up for the rather random update. It's definitely been a while, but hopefully I'll get into swing of things before too long. I have been doing some planning, and quite a lot of maintenance with the file as well as for future updates.
Don't forget to check out the
Important Links Post if you want to check out family trees as well as some of the news that is happening in the background in the other kingdoms ^^ I might even do a post for that after One to Rule Them All has been concluded ^^
Without any further ado, onto the update!
3.3: FatherhoodThe hallway was dark. Adrian blearily padded his way, barefoot along the hardwood floor, rubbing at his eyes. He held in a yawn as he reached the end of the hall. He turned the door knob and quietly entered. A soft smile turned the corners of his mouth upward as he looked into the cradle near the door. His little girl smiled up at him, her green eyes staring up at him.
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"Hey pretty girl," he murmured, reaching in to gently lift her up into his arms.
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She cooed softly, snuggling against him. Adrian wrinkled his nose. "Whoa, little lady. That's quite the uh- odor. C'mon, let's take care of that, huh?" Changing her diaper was taken of care quickly (he'd gotten fairly good at the process, surprisingly). She was already falling asleep in contentment as he lowered her back into her bassinet. He found himself just staring down at her, a habit he had been doing frequently since she'd been born.
A part of him still couldn't quite believe it, couldn't quite believe the miracle of her. Another part was more than happy and despite having to get up in the middle of the night to change her, feed her, or even just cuddle her, Adrian couldn't remember a time he was happier. "My little Jadya," he murmured softly as he brushed a gentle finger over her cheek before he returned to his chambers.
He found his wife up and already dressed. "Love, you didn't have to get up. I got Jayda."
Marisa smiled at him and they clasped hands.
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"Found I couldn't sleep without you there. I should get up anyway. You've been taking the later- or earlier, depending on how you look at it- shifts with her, allowing me to get some much needed sleep."
He kissed her cheek. "I like spending time with her. You take a lot of the day shift while I'm running around."
"Well, you are an important man, after all," she reminded him. "A diplomat's work is never done."
He grimaced. "That's the truth. I even enjoy people, but there are days..."
Marisa laughed. "Well, just think, once you're done, you get to come home."
"That's my favorite part. Come home to my girls." His gaze was fertive as he looked around. "So- Jadya's asleep again. You and I should uh- go back to bed." He waggled his eyebrows at her, grinning.
A snort escaped then she pursed her lips. "I could be- persuaded, I'm sure." He took her hand. Even though she had just dressed, it was simple enough to rectify.
"I love you," Adrian murmured to her as they climbed into bed.
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She laughed in answer as they disappeared beneath the covers.
*****
"There's my girl! Whose granma's favorite little girl? You are!" Ferina cooed down at her granddaughter as she lifted the precious bundle up into her arms.
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The little girl had quickly stolen all the hearts in the house. Ferina was only too happy to take her turn, normally in the guise of letting her son and daughter-in-law get some extra sleep. It was nice to have this time with her. Jayda let out a little yawn and stretched in Ferina's arms. "Oh, you sweet little thing. Go to sleep." Singing a soft little lullaby, she lay her granddaughter back in her bassinet. When Jayda was once again sleeping peacefully, Ferina leaned down to kiss her forehead and then left the nursery.
She came downstairs and stopped. Daichi, their butler, stood there. "Madam," he murmured, though there was a look in his eyes, more than the look that one should give their employer.
Ferina smiled. "Daichi, dear."
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He reached out to grab her hand to press a kiss to it, but they both froze when they heard footsteps on the stairs. He squeezed her hand quickly and then let it drop before he moved away, most likely to go about his duties. Ferina looked off after him, letting out a little sigh. When her daughter-in-law emerged out of the stairs, she smiled. "Good morning, dear."
"Morning, Ferina." Marisa's expression was bright and sunny as she moved to the counter. "Shall I make us some pancakes?"
"That sounds delightful." Though Daichi was fully capable of preparing the meals, Marisa enjoyed using the kitchen. It wasn't a hardship to eat her food and in fact, she was a good cook.
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Ferina adored her daughter-in-law. Marisa was a sweet thing, it was true. Her kind spirit was surely something her much more volatile son needed, but Marisa wasn't a pushover. Far from it. And it couldn't please Ferina more. The two were well-suited. Most importantly, Marisa made her boy happy and that was all that mattered. She so often found the two of them in an embrace of one sort or another.
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She hoped that meant another grandchild before too much longer. Ferina thought that Jayda could use a brother or sister. She had been careful not to mention it to her son. The poor boy kept going completely red in the face anytime the subject came up. Ferina wasn't quite sure how she had managed to raise such a prude. Then again, it didn't seem to stop him. She grinned. Her boy was no longer a boy. He was Lord Rosa, truly and properly. Not only was he proving to be a wonderful husband and father (he absolutely dotted on his wife and daughter), but he was also an important man in the kingdom.
He had just gotten back from a visit to San Myshuno. He said the city was like another world, in many respects, but he enjoyed his visit to the art center there where he was helping with a program between the Newcrest Museum and the art center.
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Visitors from many of the other kingdoms visited and wanted to chat with the man responsible for the display.
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But Ferina knew he much preferred to be at home these days, with "his girls" as he put it. Jayda already had him wrapped around her little finger and she couldn't even speak yet! All she had to do was smile up at her father and he was putty in her tiny hands.
"There's my little one. Say hello to papa!"
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Of course, time was flying by. It always seemed to and it only got worse. Before they all knew it, Jayda was out of her bassinet and beginning to walk around!
"Come to daddy, sweetie! You can do it!" Jayda teetered on her little legs, her brow furrowed in concentration, but she flashed her father an impish smile. She was the spitting image of him, but with her mother's eyes.
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Just like her mother, she knew just how to get what she wanted from her daddy. All it took was that little look. "Mother, can you believe it? She's already starting to walk!"
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Ferina smiled at her son and rubbed a hand down his shoulder. "They grow up so fast. It seems to happen before your eyes." She felt a few tears burn at the back of her throat. Here he was, all grown up himself, absolutely delighted that his own child could now wobble on unsteady legs to him.
"Oh mother," Adrian murmured. He leaned over, the baby between them as he kissed her cheek.
"Don't worry about me, my boy. Just realizing how fast the time does go. Look at you here? Look at that little girl of yours. I can't help but be so happy that you are happy. You've become such an amazing man, Adrian. I'm so proud of you."
His jaw worked for a moment and then he cleared his throat. "Thank you, truly. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. I don't think I've ever thanked you for it."
She shook her head. "I'm your mother. Would you expect that little girl to thank you for being a parent to her? Then you don't need to thank me. "
Adrian smiled gently. "Yes, mother."
"Good boy."
*****
"Sir?" Daichi approached Adrian, one hand behind his back, his back ramrod straight. "There's been a delivery from Lord Xavier. He has sent a gift for his niece. I've taken the liberty of having it delivered to the back yard as it was too big to bring inside."
Adrian clapped the butler on the back. The man had worked for them since he had been a young boy. He was very much a part of the family, or at least Adrian had always thought so. "Thank you. Let's go see what Donovan and Ayla have sent for our little girl, huh?"
"Of course, sir. It's over here, by the pool."
In fact, Donovan and Ayla had gifted Jayda a little pool of her very own.
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It would be a bit before she would get a chance to play in it though because Adrian and Marisa were taking Jayda to visit with her aunt and uncle. It was one of Adrian's rare days off and it had been some time since they had seen the Xaviers. "We'll be back in a little while, mother. Enjoy your nice quiet day."
Ferina smiled. "I will, my boy. Enjoy yourself." She bid them good bye and watched them leave.
*****
The car ride was a quiet affair. "Simolean for your thoughts?" Adrian asked his wife. She had been uncharacteristically silent so far and was staring out the window, her brow furrowed.
Startled, she jolted. "Oh, it's nothing, my dear. Just haven't seen my brother in a while. Can't believe how fast time seems to be flying." She smiled for him and took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. But inside, she was concerned. She had had to run back into the house for something before they left and had come upon a rather surprising scene. Daichi and Ferina had been engaged in a passionate kiss!
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Marisa didn't find anything wrong with it, honestly. Ferina had lost the father of her child before she even knew she was pregnant. She'd married to keep her secret safe and then had to bury her husband while her son was still a young boy. She'd been alone, raising Adrian mostly on her own for far too long. Women had needs, just as men did. No, what concerned her was her husband's reaction when he found out. She didn't imagine it would be a pretty sight. Her dilemma was whether she should tell him or let him find out on his own. For now, she'd leave it. She would have to come to a decision eventually, though.
*****
By the time they returned to the house, Ferina and Daichi had both retired. Marisa held a very sleepy Jayda in her arms. "I'll put her to bed, love. Why don't we go for a dip in the hottub tonight? Once we get her down?"
Adrian thought about it for a moment. "That sounds like a great idea." He kissed her cheek and then did the same to his daughter. "I'll see you out there."
She carried Jayda up the stairs to the nursery, changed her into a sleeper, and lay her down. The little girl was asleep before her head hit the pillow. Marisa smiled down at her as she leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well, my little angel."
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She changed into her swimsuit and went downstairs. She found her husband already in the hot tub, his head laid back against the side. She didn't say anything as she climbed in next to him. He looked at her out of one open eye, grinning. She arched a brow at him and sidled over. She swung a leg over so she was sitting on his lap! "You look far too comfortable," she observed.
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"Hm, going to help with that?"
"I think I must. Your mother mentioned that Jayda needs a younger sibling. We should get on that."
It had the desired effect: he went beat-red and began to sputter incoherently. Marisa laughed even as she fell backward into the water, pulling him forward.
*****
Adrian slid onto the stool, letting out a yawn. "Morning, mother."
Ferina nodded to her son. "Morning, my boy." She was already up and dressed, while Adrian hadn't bothered quite yet. In fact, he was contemplating a cup of coffee to help wake himself up.
He was still contemplating when his mother cleared her throat. He looked over at her with a frown. "Is something amiss?"
Ferina pursed her lips and let out a short breath. "No, not really. But I have a confession to make. And I know it won't make you happy."
"A confession?" He really wished for that coffee now. His brain was having issues keeping up.
"I should have told you weeks ago, but I told myself it was none of your business. But the truth is, it is your business, if for no other reason than you are the head of this family. I do want to say though, that I am a grown woman and your mother. So just remember that." She pulled in a breath and blurted out, "Daichi and I have a relationship!"
Adrian could only sit there in shock for a moment, blinking. It hadn't quite seemed to penetrate yet. When it did, he jumped up, his hands over his mouth.
"Mother!" he exclaimed.
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"He's our butler! You- What were you thinking?!"
Ferina's head went up and her eyes crackled. "I think I am a grown woman." Her voice was cold, brittle as ice. "I think I am your mother and I think I can see whom I please. Do you have an issue with him being our butler? Or just being a man who I might be interested in?"
Adrian opened his mouth, trying to think of what to say. His thoughts were so jumbled and he couldn't make heads or tails of what he was feeling. But his mother's face was a mask of fury. She stood up, her spine ramrod straight. "I will remind you that while you may be Lord Rosa, I am still your mother. Good day." She strode away before he could think to stop her.
His forehead made a thunk sound as it connected with the counter and he groaned. There was nothing for it. When his mother was in that kind of mood, it was better to let her be. He'd try to talk with her later on, when he could make sense of her news. He wasn't sure he was quite ready to think about it yet himself.
To distract himself, he retrieved Jayda who was just waking up herself. "Hey little girl! Ready for some breakfast?"
She looked up at him, not quite awake yet.
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He laughed and scooped her up. It was far easier to concentrate on Jayda than on his "conversation" with his mother. He'd have to consult Marisa about it, see what she thought. She was good at putting things into perspective. First though, he'd get his little one some breakfast, deal with all that adult stuff later. That and when she wrapped her arms around his neck, everything else fell away. He was whistling as they came down the stairs, tucking everything else away for the time being.
