Allie blinked, rubbed her eyes, and sniveled, “I miss my mummy. Addie thinks she can boss me around, but she’s not my mummy. Right?”
I took her by the hand and as we walked through the bathroom and down the hallway, I said, “I know exactly how you feel Allie. Did you know your mama is older than me by only ten minutes and she’s been bossing me around ever since?” We stopped just before turning into the living room and I picked her up, cuddling her close, feeling the softness of her pink pajamas, and her matching cheeks. “But guess what? I’m glad to have an older sister who loves me so much that she’s always watched out for me. And you’re even luckier than I was! You have an older brother too!”
Allie picked her head up from my shoulder. “Just like Auntie Amrita has Uncle Emrys for her big brother!”
“Exactly!”
“When are Mummy and Daddy comin home, Auntie Lizzy?” Her blue eyes were sad.
“They should be home by the time we get back from the zoo.” I set her down, and hand in hand we walked back to the sofa bed. Ari was sprawled out on top of the covers, at the foot of the bed, his blue pajama legs rolled up past his knees. Addie was rolled in a tight ball, sucking her thumb.
“Ari said he was too hot,” Allie said, looking up at me with a smile. “And see, even though Addie is older than me, she still sucks her thumb. I stopped sucking my thumb already!”
As I helped her get into the bed and covered her back up, I whispered, “That’s right!” I bent down and kissed her forehead. “You’re ahead of your sister on some things, even though she’s older than you; so it all evens out in the end, doesn’t it?”
As Allie pondered my words, I went to the other sofa and pulled an afghan off it, placing it gently over Ari. No sense in trying to move a sleeping child, I thought.
“Try to get some sleep now, sweetheart. We’ve got a big day tomorrow!”
As I tiptoed toward my bedroom door, Allie whispered, “Auntie Lizzy? How come Uncle Emrys hollers ‘E-liz-a-beth!’ when he’s taking a bath?”
I nearly died.
* * *
The next morning when I told Emrys what Allie had said, he laughed until he had tears coming down his cheeks. In between the snickering and snorts, he managed to say, “What on earth did you say to the little goat?”
I gave him an impatient sigh, and corrected him. “She’s a kid, not a goat. And I simply told her you always say my proper name. Which is basically the truth.”
“So you avoided the whole thing about the tub?” Emrys pulled his hair back over his shoulder after putting on his t-shirt. Apparently, he planned to try to blend in with the humans at the zoo. The t-shirt was dark blue, instead of his usual black.
I stepped closer to the sliding door and took a listen. I could hear the cartoons blaring on the television. The triplets were busy eating their cold cereal, and were too engrossed with the colorful animation to engage in any bickering. Finally!
“Yes. Avoidance is my middle name when it comes to little children, and explaining things they’re far too young to understand anyway. And besides, I’m sure that’s all she heard. We weren’t too loud last night.” I stepped into my jeans and zipped them up, pulling my red tank top down over my head. “Were we?” I glanced at Emrys with a wary frown.
He shook his head. “No. It went far too fast anyway. And the water was louder than we were.”
“Except for when you professed your love for me. Apparently she heard that!”
“There is nothing wrong with telling my wife how I feel, is there?” Emrys gave me a sly grin.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re no help. No help at all.” I slipped into my shoes and opened the sliding door. Three sets of blue eyes met mine with anxious expectation. “Are we ready?” I said, ignoring my own anxiousness, hoping to sound happy and looking forward to the day.
A chorus of giggles and cheers echoed through the living room just as the knock came to our door. Emrys led Kelsey and Royal into the noisy living room as I finished picking up the empty bowls and spoons, setting them carefully in the sink. I took a long, slow drink of my glass of Ambrosia. I was really going to need extra strength today, and I was thankful - so very thankful - that Kelsey and Royal agreed to help us out on our trip to the zoo. Vampires or not, three and a half year olds were a handful – times three.
* * *
“And what was your favorite animal, Armand?” Emrys asked as we made our way back to the vehicle. They were walking ahead of us, Ari in between Emrys and Royal. The young lad was beside himself with joy, hanging out with the boys, as he had put it earlier, and he jumped up and down and shouted, “The tigers!”
A few steps behind them, Kelsey and I each held onto the hand of the girls. Quite sticky hands. After we’d situated ourselves in the car, I found a container of wet wipes and managed to get most of the stickiness off. “I liked the cotton candy best.” Addie said, grinning with blue lips. “But the penguins were fun to watch too.”
Kelsey helped me with the sticky fingers and as she finished washing off Allie’s hands, asked, “What about you, Allie? You must have a favorite animal too?”
Gazing dreamily out the window, Allie looked up at the sky, and said, “I think I liked the zebras best. They remind me of Mummy and Daddy. Black and white, just like their hair!”
Addie scoffed and said, “Penguins are black and white too, Allie!”
“That’s right, they are, Addie. You’re both right!” I said, hoping and praying they wouldn’t start another argument. I was exhausted and thirsty and didn’t need to listen to yet another disagreement between these girls.
Allie smiled at her sister and nodded, saying, “Yeah! We’re both right, Addie!” Apparently my little talk last night about sisters must have had some effect. It was a pleasant and peaceful surprise.
Emrys handed me a tall glass. “Here you go, my dear.” I smelled the Ambrosia immediately, and drank without stopping. Allie glanced over at Emrys, and then looked up at me with a wide grin.
Is she remembering?
“Uncle Emrys loves you Auntie Lizzy. I heard him say it last night. ‘Cept he called you E- liz- a-beth.” Kelsey looked away, trying to hide her smile. I grabbed up another wet wipe and quickly began to wash Allie’s face, mostly concentrating on her mouth. I was rapidly learning the tactful art of distraction. One that I was now sure all parents and caretakers of children must learn, along with the tactful art of avoidance.
“Look how sticky you are from all that cotton candy! Your little face is all blue!” I squeezed her cheeks and then tickled her sides until she squirmed and giggled, forgetting all about the hot tub adventures. At least, for now.
Oh God, let her forget!
Emrys gave me one of his mesmerizing looks. I glared at him.
Really? The car is full of kids; quit looking at me like that!
He gave me a wide grin and then reached down and started tickling Ari. “If your sisters are kids, does that make you a Billy Goat?”
“Aww, Uncle Emrys. I’m not a Billy Goat!” Ari laughed. “You are!”
“Yeah, you’re a big fat Billy Goat, Uncle Emrys,” Addie’s voice shrieked.
“Uncle Emrys may be a lot of things, but one thing he’s not, is fat,” I added, reaching over and grabbing Addie’s belly until she laughed with glee.
Everyone was giggling and laughing and when the vehicle finally quieted down, a soft, tiny voice popped up and added, “Auntie Lizzy knows he’s not fat.”
It was Allie. I put my hand on her head, giving a soft pat, still hoping she’d forget whatever she may have heard. Somehow I knew I wasn’t going to be that lucky. Allie gave Addie a serious look and said, “Auntie Lizzy really knows Uncle Emrys isn’t fat, cause she saw him naked last night when he took his bath. But he didn’t get to play in the tub, cause she told him he had to be quick about it.”
Just kill me now.
It figures that, today of all days, Kelsey would be back here with us instead of up front with Royal. Kelsey stifled a
giggle and quickly picked up one of the kid’s books and asked if they wanted her to read. Excitedly, they all said in chorus, “Yes!”
Ari and I traded seats so he could see the pictures. I leaned into Emrys’ arm and groaned, making a silent plea.
Why?
“Kids say the darndest things!” he whispered into my ear.
I peeked at Kelsey. She was engrossed in reading the story to the triplets, but I caught the twinkle in her eye when she heard Emrys repeat himself.
“Kids really do say the darndest things!”
* * *
All three of the kids had fallen asleep on the long ride home, which was amazing considering the massive amounts of sugar they had consumed. Melinda didn’t normally give them sweets, but today was a special day - not only because we’d gone to the zoo, but Melinda and Gavin were due home and our four-day stint of babysitting would soon be over. It had been exhausting, but I was glad that I’d made good on my promise to myself - to always be available to help Lindy with her kids. And I hoped that she enjoyed their trip to Italy as much as I had when Emrys took me there the same year Ambrose and Phoebe had returned. Leaning my head back on the headrest, I closed my eyes, remembering.
I had really enjoyed the quaint town of Ravenna, meeting Vartan, the tour of the factory, and all of the city’s beautiful mosaics and mausoleums. But my favorite part of our trip was when Emrys drove the six or so hours down to the Amalfi coast in the Provence of Salerno, and then three miles up the twisty mountain roads to Ravello. Apparently this beautiful resort had attracted celebrities for centuries, but my favorite story was that this was where D. H. Lawrence wrote Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
The coastal views were stunning, the resort was gorgeous and romantic, and the little details - like lighted candles in the evenings and fresh flowers everywhere added to the magic of each day. In the morning we’d have breakfast out on the terrace overlooking the ocean and then spend the day sightseeing, and one day we took a private boat to Capri. I could almost smell the delicious scent of lemon blossoms and fresh sea air just thinking about it.
I sighed at the memory.
“I am afraid that is only the scent of the hand-wipes mingling in with the sticky blue cotton candy, my love,” Emrys whispered, touching my leg and rudely stealing me away from my daydreams.
“Shh. I want to pretend I’m still in Capri,” I laughed quietly, keeping my eyes shut.
Emrys squeezed my knee. “It is time to awaken the little ones, Elizabeth. We are home.”
With much reluctance, I opened my eyes, but when I spied the raven perched atop the archway I smiled. It was strange that even after a short day-trip, it was great to be home. I wondered if everyone else felt this way arriving at Ravenswynd, or if it was just me. Most amazing of all, was that it had only been four years since we’d arrived here for the first time but, somehow, it felt like it had always been my home. And as much as I enjoyed each trip Emrys took me on, I could not imagine living anywhere else.
“I always get that welcoming feeling, my wife. Home is where the heart is, after all.”
I nodded, agreeing with him, and then turned to begin waking the kids. Within ten seconds multiple excited chatter and giggles filled the back of the limo, growing even louder when they spotted their father’s vehicle parked in front of the big oak doors.
The kids ran in ahead of us as we gathered up all the extra jackets and discarded wrappers and cups. Normally Royal took care of cleaning the car, but under the circumstances, I felt obligated to give him a hand. Never ceasing to amaze me, Emrys pitched right in and helped. No one looking on would ever be able to tell that he was the vampire Regent; the leader of our great family. Right now he was simply Uncle Emrys after a day at the zoo. I chuckled, watching him balance all the children’s things in one hand as he tried to help me out of the door and up the steps.
Priscilla met us in the foyer and said, “I’ve sent the young ones out to the patio. Gavin and Melinda are out there meeting with Fredrick…er…Mr. Feldspar.”
Raising an eyebrow, I thanked her. Kelsey greeted her mother and asked if there was anything she needed help with.
“Ach no. Heather and our newest girl are busy in the kitchen. Dinner will be done soon, and I thought I would join Master Emrys and Miss Elizabeth outside.” Priscilla glanced at me, looking hopeful. “Fredrick has asked me to bring him some tea.”
It was plain to see the latest rumors were true! She had her eye on Mr. Feldspar. I grinned at her and gave her a nod. “Of course, Priscilla. Please join us.”
Emrys agreed and said, “Indeed.”
Priscilla looked flustered and said, “Thank you. I will just check on dinner and be right out with the tea then.”
Kelsey went up the stairs and called over her shoulder, “I am going up for a rest. I don’t know how Melinda does it, but my head is spinning and I feel like I need a long, hot bath.”
I waved at her, set all the children’s jackets and other articles down on the closest chair, and smiled at Emrys. “I suppose we should make sure the kids are with their parents. Our responsibilities are not officially done until I see them in their custody, safe and sound.”
He took my hand and we went through the hallway towards the back of the estate. When I stepped outside, the late afternoon sunshine burst into my eyes, temporarily blinding me.
Before I could focus, I heard the children singing London Bridge. It was like déjà vu. Except it wasn’t. It was my vision, unfolding before my eyes! When I finally became clear-sighted Lindy’s eyes and her smile were as bright as can be…sitting out in the middle of the yard, watching her kids. The girls caught their brother and rocked him back and forth and he began to look sad, though not as much from being caught, as from the words of the song, and his little- boy voice called out: “I am not a fair lady!” This made both the girls giggle more - their blonde curls bouncing back and forth.
“Mommy!” he called. “Addie and Allie are calling me a lady. Tell them to stop it.” He plunked himself down on the grass and pouted. The girls began to run around Lindy’s chair again, giggling loudly.
“Ari is a lady, Ari is a lady,” the girls chanted out in unison.
“Girls! You stop it this instant!” Melinda said quietly but unwaveringly. “You know you are not supposed to tease your brother! How many times have I told you that two against one is not fair? You should protect one another, always.”
A shiver of goose bumps ran all over my body and I glanced quickly at Emrys.
Wow, exactly what I had seen and heard!
He smiled and gave me a quick nod, and we gazed back at the scene unfolding before us.
“Mommy,” Ari sniffed.
He stood up and went to her chair, tears in his eyes, and with a sad, lost look on his face; he raised his arms upward toward Melinda.
“There, Honey,” Melinda said picking him up. She brushed off his little pink face and held him to her chest running her fingers through his brown hair. “It’s ok. You must learn to ignore your sisters when they get like this.” Her voice became firm then, and she added, “Adeline, Alyssa, tell your brother you’re sorry. Remember what mommy said about teasing? You all must play together nicely or we will go inside and take a nap. Do you hear me?”
Good luck with that, they just woke up!
The girls came and stood in front of Melinda’s knees at once and, again in unison, they told their brother they were sorry. Their voices sounded like little angels singing.
“There, Armand, now go and play. You’ll be fine.” Melinda placed him back down on the ground and patted his backside.
All three children began to run in circles around Melinda and her chair again as if nothing had just happened. A bright smile erupted on her face as she watched with joy and began to sing along with them, this time: Ring Around the Rosie. Melinda stood up then and took two of the little pudgy hands joining in their circle going around and around. After they all fell to the ground in a heap of giggles and curls, she hugged
each one of them and kissed their rosy cheeks.
“Hi Daddy!” Allie waved toward the patio and called out, “Are you watching us play with Mommy?”
He is, and we’re standing right beside his chair!
Gavin turned his head and waved at the four shining faces and said, “Yes, sweetheart. I am watching all of you!”
Mr. Feldspar grinned and nodded his head toward Melinda and I heard him say, “They certainly look happy.”
Melinda turned and when our eyes met, she smiled and waved. She grinned at Gavin and then turned back to the children.
“Let Daddy finish up with his visit, children. After his guest leaves we’ll go in and have dinner, okay?”
All three heads bobbed up and down at once and they laughed and clapped and cheered.
“They are very happy, Mr. Feldspar,” I said.
He stood up and greeted us, surprised to find someone standing behind them. “Please, call me Fredrick.” He shook Emrys’ hand and then sat back down; both he and Gavin gazing out into the grassy yard, watching Lindy with the children.
“We hear you had fun at the zoo today,” Gavin said, still facing the yard.
“We enjoyed the last few days immensely, my friend. You and Melinda are doing a wonderful job with the children. They are well-behaved and a joy to be around.” Emrys put a hand on Gavin’s shoulder and gave a quick squeeze.
Gavin turned and thanked him. “We appreciated the break, but as you can see, Melinda is overjoyed to be home.”
The giggles echoed all through the back yard as the kids told Lindy all about our day at the zoo and how much fun they’d had.
Priscilla came out and set the tray of iced tea down, filling several glasses for the adults, and poured some juice into three small cups for the kids.
“I see that everyone around here is helpful when it comes to the little ones,” Mr. Feldspar said, turning to Priscilla and giving her an attentive smile.
She handed him a tall glass, and when their hands touched I almost sensed a quick spark and a shiver run down Priscilla’s arm.
The Ravenswynd Series - Boxed Set Page 96