1.3: Two + Two (+ One) Makes a FamilyLast EpidsodeWhen we last visited the Campbell's, Lady Beatrice and her husband Lord Gunner (of the Villareals of Windenburg) had twins. Lady Beatrice also informed her fellow candidates for the throne that one of their number was of Bulwark blood. But when it became apparent that Lord Adrian was more than happy to swear allegience to Blakely, she and Gunner did so as well.
Shortly after, the Abbess of Newcrest Abbey, Mother Marian, met with Lady Beatrice in a bid to gain an audience with the new King about the coming weather changes.
Now, the household awaits the coming of these changes. They reside at Scholarly Sway in Newcrest and the household consists of:
- Lady Beatrice- matriarch and head of the Campbell line
- Lord Gunner- Beatrice's husband, illegitmate son of Ezekiel Villareal of Windenburg, though he was acknowledged, he couldn't inherit. Also played an important role in the civil war, helping ensure King Kellen's survival and eventual return to his throne
- Lord Chase- the first born child, older twin to Lady Zuri and heir to the Campbell title
- Lady Zuri- the second born child, younger twin to Lord Chase
- "Lady" Mira- a cat that adopted Beatrice and now has four humans to look after
Taking care of twins was definitely a two person job. Luckily, Beatrice and Gunner had gotten fairly adept at it. That and their children decided to give them a break by syncing their schedules.
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Beatrice settled their daughter back into her bassinet as Gunner put Chase back into his. The two smiled at one another. "Think we can fit in a small nap?" Gunner asked hopefully.
"Knowing them? I doubt it." Beatrice grinned. "But we could certainly try!"
It was one of the few times they managed to catch a little sleep. In between both of their duties, Beatrice's volunteering at the clinic, and trying to find time for each other, Gunner and Beatrice were quite busy and sleep seemed to be a distance memory at times. Naps were a rarity. After a short nap, Beatrice got up, refreshed for the first time in a while. She padded down to the kitchen in her dressing gown. "
Merow!Beatrice looked down, smiling at Mira. "How's my girl?" she cooed, reaching down to give Mira a scritch under the chin.
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She picked her up and gave her a little snuggle. "That's my little girl." Mira mewed and lifted her head up to nuzzle against Beatrice's cheek.
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Heavy footfalls on the stairs made Mira wriggle. Beatrice set her down and the cat let out a meow of greeting as Gunner enetered the kitchen. "Hello, my loves." He bent down to give Mira a quick scratch behind the ears and then went to his wife and kissed her cheek.
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Beatrice smiled at him and they both took a seat at the counter. Mira, not to be forgotten, jumped up on the counter in front of them, giving them both a coy look.
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Gunner laughed. "Show-off," he accused the cat.
Beatrice grinned when he still gave an adsent-minded rub down the cat's back. "We probably shouldn't let her on the counter," Beatrice mused, looking at Mira.
"Why not?" Gunner asked. "This is her house too." He reached over rub his hand on the top of Mira's head. "Isn't that right?" She purred in answer.
Beatrice laughed. "You have a point." A cry split the air. "Oo, that's our cue." The two slid off the stools, gave Mira one last scritch each and then went upstairs to see to their waking children.
*****
Time has a way of going far more quickly than anyone realizes until they look back and wonder where it all went. It was no different for Gunner and Beatrice when they realized their little babies were toddlers already. Toddlers with their own little personalities already. There was no doubt that they were twins. The two were very close.
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They're not quite identical, but it's fairly close. They definitely have their father's eyes, at least their color. Only time will tell as they develop which of their parents they resemble more.
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One thing is for sure. The two are very different in personality. Little Zuri was a talker. In fact, she'd talk and babble your ear off, given half a chance. And she loved hugs. Whether it was her papa, or her big dino, hugging was her favorite pasttime.
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Her brother, on the other hand, was more of a rough and tumble sort. He loved to play. But he didn't have a temper. In fact, he was more apt to cry when upset then have a tantrum like his sister.
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"Zuri Campbell! Stop right there young lady!" Gunner's eyes were narrowed as he looked down at his daughter. She looked up at him with that sweet smile, but he had to grit his teeth. He had to be strong with her. "Inside, now, young lady. There will be no more messes!" When her lower lip protruded, he almost caved. He hated seeing her upset! "C'mon, Zuri. Inside now." His voice was gentler than he wanted, but he figured he'd scolded her enough.
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How did other parents do this?! If this kept up, by the time they were teenagers (something he was trying very hard not to think about), he was going to be a gibbering mess! Hm... he'd have to ask.
"Hey Triss?"
She looked up from where she was working on her computer. "Yes?"
"What do you think about having some of the others over?"
She frowned. "Others?"
He nodded. "Well, I was thinking of their kids, specifically. Thought it might be nice for the kids to meet others their own age. Prince Zach is their age. Adrian's little girl is too. In fact, I could invite my little brother and even Dianna's little one is close in age." The fact that his baby sister had a baby of her own was still taking some getting used to.
Beatrice pursed her lips. "I don't see why not. We'll have to get some equipment. I've been meaning to get something for the kids to play on in the yard. We could have it later in the week, though I don't know how many of the others would be able to join us." She stood up, thinking. "Why don't we invite King Kellen as well? His little boy is also about the same age."
"Hey, you're right! I haven't seen Kellen in a while. Not since his boy was born, even." He kissed her cheek. "So, we're doing this, huh?"
"Seems we are," she confirmed. Their home wasn't meant for entertaining, but it seemed they were going to be doing so anyway. "I'll begin planning."
*****
Gunner flopped on their bed. "Wh-what did we just do?"
Beatrice was already there. "We lost our minds, that's what we did."
He groaned. "I didn't know toddlers and their parents could make such a mess."
His wife grunted in response, too tired to articulate much of anything. "Least the twins went down to sleep easily," he murmured. In fact, it had been the easiest bedtime ever. They had both nodded off before either of their stories were finished.
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At least everyone had enjoyed themselves. All the kids had played on the equipment that Beatrice had managed to get.
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And everyone had come, at least all the kids. Prince Zachary came, with King Darian of all people! His nephew, little Ronan, was a right gentleman and accompanied by his mother and grandmother who had also brought the twin's uncle, Anthony. Prince Jalen and his father both came. And Adrian came with his daughter, Jayda.
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Gunner had to admit that helping Zuri up the slide for the first time and catching her at the bottom had been a highlight.
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Of course, having to chase after their future king to make sure he didn't hurt himself had been both fun and nerve-wracking. That little boy was a bit of a handful already, but a good-natured one.
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Gunner sighed as his eyes closed. Beatrice had already dropped off to sleep. It had been quite a job to get everything cleaned up and a lot of it had fallen to her while he'd run herd on the toddlers while they bid their caretakers and escorts goodbye.
*****
"Ya know, I'm not sure having a meeting with my boss- who happens to be my wife- is any more comfortable here at home," Gunner joked as he sat down across from his wife at the chess board. "Of course, being that you're in your dressing gown, it makes it all worth while."
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Beatrice let out an unlady-like snort. "Down boy. I know you're kidding. Though I do have an assignment for you."
He frowned. "You do?"
She nodded. "I do. Kellen contacted us. He has some information I've been looking for. I'd like you to meet with him."
Gunner arched a brow. "An assignment huh? Triss, I've earned my way to being a field agent. I even went through the hoops you had me jump through. This wouldn't be a way to keep me out of the field, would it?"
His wife's smirk came quickly, far more quickly than it once would have. "The thought has crossed my mind, I'll admit. But no. Kellen has information and has offered to share it. Sending his friend seemed like a good idea. And I figured it would be good to take the kids, too."
His eyes widened. "Wait a minute... you want me to take the kids? With me? Alone?"
Beatrice's smirk became a full-blown grin. "My dear, you aren't scared to take the kids on an outing by yourself, are you?"
"N-no, of course not." He pursed his lips.
His wife laughed. "You'll be fine, big strong man that you are." She patted his hand.
He glowered at her. "You're enjoying this a bit too much."
"Never too much, dear. Never too much."
*****
"You two behave. You stay here with Prince Jalen, ok? King Kellen and I have something to talk about," Gunner told his twins as they entered one of the parlors of Windenburg Castle.
"I'll keep an eye on them," Queen Emilia told him with a smile. "Go on."
Chase made a beeline for the opposite side of the room, curious and wanting to see everything. But his sister loved having an audience, so she went right to Prince Jalen, babbling excitedly.
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In fact, when Gunner came back in after his meeting (and a bit of reminiscening and catching up), he found Zuri dominating the room as both of the boys nodded along to what she said.
Queen Emilia laughed. "She's quite the little entertainer already."
Gunner grinned. "Yes she is." He bid his thanks and his goodbye to the Queen and collected his children. "Ok, c'mon you two. Time to go home!"
"Home, home!" Zuri babbled. "Papa, bring J'len home with us?"
Gunner blinked. "No sweetie. He stays here. But he can come visit, ok?"
"Ok Papa, ok."
Emilia laughed and she and her son waved to them as they left.
"No, Zuri. He lives here. No, Zach can't come live with us either. They have their own homes, child!" Gunner's voice echoed back as he took his children home.
*****
In the other kingdoms"
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