Cinderfella

Story: Cinderfella 2: A New Life Chapter: 7 A New Age Begins Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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The story never ends. As long as I'm alive, I will write. Again, guys with short hair, few beards unless I say otherwise, and none of those ballooning pant things. Pants! Your imagination is right with everything else.

A New Age Begins

My words were true. Rest was not what Seth, and I were not going to get much of now. Seth and I lay beside Toby, who of course had his own schedule. It was only a few hours after we'd drifted off when I felt Toby stir. Opening my eyes, I saw him look to see where he was and looked a little frightened until he looked to see me, then on his other side was Seth and the fearful look went away. I smiled at him rubbing his head. Of course, he needed changing. Welcome to fatherhood, I thought. I put my robe on, which Seth and I had but never really used until today and pajamas. I held my hands out to Toby who lifted his arms and let me pick him up. Taking him into the room that would be the nursery for he and Dennis, I saw that Doris was asleep in a chair, holding Sandy, her daughter in her lap who was sleeping against her mother. Both were asleep. I peeked in on Dennis, he was still sleeping, but dry! I saw the bowl of warm water and the bin near the bed Doris had rigged for Dennis with a diaper in it. Fortunately, the water was still warm, meaning Dennis or Sandy had been changed recently. Taking one of the diapers, I proceeded to change Toby. I had done it with all my nephews and nieces before, so I knew what I was doing. Ella was a hands-on mother and insisted some things had to be done by her. I had been allowed to help as part of the family. I picked him up and signed for juice, which he nodded with a big smile. Until he knew the house he should be taken where to go.

In the kitchen, Grace looked up surprised when I walked in with Toby. I looked around. "Do we have any juice ready?"

Grace nodded. "Of course." She went to the icebox and pulled a pitcher out. "I guess we'll have to make sure there is some on hand." She gave me a small cup of the purple juice. "What you and Seth are doing is wonderful."

"We wanted children. They had a bad thing happen and a need, so we were there." I shrugged, "It just seemed natural."

"Many people wouldn't see it that way." Grace moved more around the kitchen. "Do you want coffee?"

I chuckled, "I know we both will need it. When Seth wakes up for certain." Giving the cup to Toby, he tasted it and then drank it down. "I guess he likes grape juice."

Grace smiled and walked over, smiling at Toby. "My name's Grace." She said, and I was so happy I didn't have to tell her that Toby wasn't stupid or slow. But she spoke so he could see her. "Do you want to eat?"

I had gone over some of the signs on the paper Dara had left. "This is the sign for eat." I showed her like I was putting some food in my mouth.

Grace nodded and pointed at Toby and did the sign. Toby nodded again.

"Of course, he'll need to learn to read lips, too. Not everyone will be expected to learn signs to talk to him. But in case, we'll know." I smiled at Toby. "Just be patient," I told him kissing his forehead. Then went to the table. "We'll need highchairs."

"You'll find you need a lot of things," Grace laughed as she went to begin breakfast.

I looked outside. "The sun's not much higher, what time is it?"

"Almost lunch time," Grace chuckled. "I wasn't kidding when I said you just went to bed."

Breakfast or lunch started it was only an hour later when Seth shuffled in. And I mean, shuffled. Feet dragging wearily. The shadow of a beard, which I'm sure I had. Hair in every direction by what it was supposed to go. To me, he still looked sexy! I chuckled, "This is one day as a father? You won't make it."

"Coffee. I need coffee." Seth muttered. "I smell coffee." He looked in the direction of the stove as Grace smiled pouring him a cup.

"There," Grace handed him the cup. "Better now?"

Seth grunted, "We'll see." He sipped the cup and wandered to the table plopping down in a chair. "Good morning."

"Good afternoon," I smiled. "Toby and I have had our lunch."

Seth grinned at me, then leaned over kissing me gently. "Hi, Dad." Then smiled at Toby. "Good morning, Sweet Pea." He greeted kissing Toby on the forehead. Then Toby offered Seth some of his third cup of juice. "Thank you." Seth grinned and sipped the juice. "Mmm, very good juice." And gave it back. Then looked at me. "We need to plan a funeral."

I nodded. "I think Sarah needs to rest here," I bounced Toby. "Have her on the grounds so the boys will have her nearby. As a reminder."

Seth nodded. "We can do that. Even make a garden around her."

There was a knock on the front door. Seth got up, waving Grace to keep doing what she was doing.

"Is Doris here?" I heard a man's voice ask sounding not certain. "She said she would be."

"She's with the baby," Seth replied. "Come in." The two men came in the kitchen area, along with a little girl with long brown hair about five. "You know Frank?" He asked me.

I nodded. "I've seen him around town. Doris was a godsend to come as she did."

Frank nodded. "All Dana said was her Mom had to feed a baby that lost his mother," He looked at Toby. "He must be two." He was wondering about the age and why she was feeding him.

I nodded. "His brother's upstairs with Doris. This is Toby. Dennis is the baby."

Frank was a burly man with a beard in his mid-thirties, "Relatives?"

"As of today, our sons," Seth explained.

Frank looked surprised but nodded. "Okay. So, you need Doris more than today?"

"We're hiring her as nanny and wet-nurse," I explained.

Doris wandered in the kitchen holding Dennis in one arm, Sandy in the other. "What are you doing here, Frank?"

Frank looked at what she was carrying, which Seth took Dennis from her, "I was just wanting to know what was happening. I couldn't go to work today. You weren't there."

Doris shook her head. "I'm fine. I was needed."

"And still are," Seth said holding the now awake Dennis who let everyone know, something wasn't right, and he didn't like it. "Now, now." Seth jostled Dennis gently. "I can't feed you." He reached down and felt. "You're dry. So, what's the deal? Were you just lonely?"

Frank watched quietly Seth interact with Dennis, "Well, I am your husband, I was worried." He said to Doris.

"I'll be home about five," Doris said, but then looked at Seth and me. "Unless you need me longer."

Seth grinned. "We'll need you a lot. But we're going to hire someone else, too."

I chuckled. "Not that you are one, but we have a cow now to supplement. We don't expect you to hang around. You have a life."

Doris smiled at her husband, "You wanted to make more money, well, here I am." She patted her husband's arm.

Frank looked around. "But we need you, too," He said to Doris.

"And I'll be there," Doris assured. "Just not in the day and the occasional night if needed. Dana can cook, you won't go hungry." She patted his burly middle.

Frank looked at Seth and me. "You're serious," He said. "You're their fathers?"

Seth frowned. "You don't think we should be?"

Frank shrugged. "It never occurred to me. I know there are some FSE that have kids, but they were married before. I'm just surprised, that's all."

Doris smiled as her five-year-old hugged her mother's leg. "Lizzie here is now in school, too. When she gets out Dana can keep an eye on her. My mother or your mother aren't far away, they can look in if need be. It'll work out."

Frank nodded. "Okay," He said with some resolution. "Well, I'll see you when you get home." He smiled at Seth and me. "Congratulations. I'll...just go now." He pointed toward the door, took his daughter Lizzie's hand, and left.

Doris smiled at us. "It'll work out," She assured.

Word about the newest little citizens of Royal Valley spread. No fairy communication needed here. Word of mouth worked just fine. The next day we had the funeral for Sarah, and we did have her put to rest on the property. Both Dennis and Toby attended, though Dennis, of course, didn't know he was. And I don't think Toby understood either. The feeding during the in the middle of the night which Seth I alternated. But suddenly, we got visitors. Zeke and Gabe came by to see the babies, then Curt and Daryl. There were others with gifts! Even a highchair! A new priest was now in town and offered to baptize the boys if we wanted. I don't remember my own, but why not? This new priest was a young man in his late twenties and seemed personable and didn't care that we were a couple the same gender. I suppose he was told to be, or maybe he just was. I made sure to pay as much attention to Dennis as Toby. Dennis' primary thing at the moment was to grow. I sat with him often in the rocking chair, talking or just holding him. He was a good baby. A look from his big eyes, he was weaving a spell on me. And I let myself fall for him. We hired Hannah also. Again, she had a baby to bring with her, but she was quickly in love with Dennis, too. That relieved Doris some.

I sent word by Demetrius back to A'Dore about the family's newest extension. Only this time, Ella wrote back. Christian did, too, but Ella was saying she wanted to see them and was planning a trip to us. Which wasn't really fair. Christian couldn't just take off. He could, but he was king!

It wasn't fair that we did have it easier than most. I'm sorry, I was born a prince, so was Seth, even if that horrid Arthur Thorne got a hold of him. Both of us were educated and our business was doing great, so we did have some advantages most new parents didn't have. Help. We ended up hiring two women just do laundry. Believe me, there was a lot! How they did it without hot water from the pipes, I can't imagine. It took a staff to raise kids! My heart was now going out to those who couldn't hire a staff. The adjustment was underway. And according to Blethos' law and A'Dore's law, a public declaration they were our sons had to be done. So, Seth and I had a party in the square and most everyone in Royal Valley came.

Seth was holding Toby, as I held Dennis as we faced the many faces. "By the law of Blethos..." Seth said loudly but making sure Toby could see him talk. "...a public declaration is needed. But we thought a declaration of a more formal type was needed. I, Prince Phillip, known to all here as Seth...."

"And I, Prince Erik..." I added. "Do now declare that Toby and Dennis..."

"Are our sons." Seth finished. He looked at Toby who was looking at everything, Dennis had fallen asleep. "Welcome to our family." He said kissing Toby, then Dennis, who merely fidgeted and went back to sleep.

"Welcome, Tobias and Dennis. The newest citizens of Royal Valley." I said, doing the same to both. "So, it has been said, let it be written."

The cheers went up and the party begun as Seth kissed me with a smile. "We're Dads!"

Now came the fun of trying to work with two small children. Ella did it as queen, so did Terry. I determined not to be outdone. My office sure changed. Now there was a bassinet in my office and toys. I was always having to watch my step to keep from stepping on a ball or spinning top. I had gotten a few books for Toby and some puzzles which he played with while I worked on the books. I was fascinated that he hardly ever made a sound. He would look at me, that face stated he wanted something, and he communicated he wanted or needed something by tugging on me. A few times he would fall, that's what children do as they learned to walk, and it was a never-ending process. Whether he was hurt or just startled, he did make a sound that was more animal in sound than a normal human cry. Except for the stairs, he fell once and howled. Again, he wasn't really hurt, he was startled. Of course, I would come running and check. He was quiet and not restrained from walking through the house. It was his house, too. I rigged up a gate to keep him from the stairs, but he figured it out. Then I realized he knew if he did make that sound, I'd come immediately. A few times more and I figured it out. He found out I'd come running check him, hug him and kissing him and comforting him, I told him if he wanted to go upstairs he needed let me know so he didn't get hurt. He was very smart, very inquisitive, and very independent. I was amazed at how fast he figured out the puzzles I bought him, so I got some cards made up with the letters of the alphabet. I signed to him and said what it was. The thing was, he was making signs I didn't know! They had meaning and he knew it. He was teaching us. Seth and I studied the papers with the signs on it. It wasn't complete for there couldn't be a sheet with all the words in our language. Others we made up but made sure Seth and I both did it. Dennis was growing fast. With Doris and Hannah feeding him, plus the cow we had they were both growing. I never milked a cow in my life! Seth proved better than I did, but what I saw...well, it was kind of disgusting. There were things in it! Blood and other solids floating in the milk. I love milk, but I never saw that. I asked if this was the other "nutritious stuff" the boys needed. Seth chuckled and showed me how to filter it out with a mesh cloth. I was never a farmer. We had a metal basket we dropped in the well in the kitchen where we dropped eggs, cheese and now pitchers of milk to keep them cold. It never went bad as it was consumed by everyone. I'm getting ahead of myself. Seth spent as much time as he could with the boys, but he was in the vineyard, I was at the house mostly. When I went to the winery, I took Toby with me one time. He was fascinated with it as saw the vast amount of wine in vats ready to be barreled. He kept signing for juice. I shook my head.

"Not juice," I said and signed. I held the sign up for drink and juice, but three of my fingers on my right hand as I signed for juice went up to form a W. "This is wine."

His face scrunched seeing a sign he didn't know. A word he'd never seen. He signed again it was juice, but his face told me he didn't understand.

I grinned. "Okay, let's go to the vineyard." I picked him up and carried him to the vineyard. He walked just fine, but this was a quick trip. Seth and some men were working, but they all knew about Toby, and everyone loved Toby. Seth beamed as he saw us.

"How are two of my three favorite people?" Seth asked and signed greeting me with a kiss, then Toby with the kiss on his forehead. The other men waved at Toby smiling their hello.

"Our very smart son thinks wine is juice," I told Seth.

Seth nodded. "Oh...yeah...well it is...sort of." He smiled but wasn't signing. But Toby read Seth perfectly and looked at me to explain.

Toby frowned and signed that it was juice! He knew it!

I swatted Seth lightly which he acted as if he was dodging. Seth laughed, "Sorry." He told me, then turned to a vine and plucked a grape. He showed Toby the grape. "This is where the juice comes from." Seth signed and said aloud.

Now Toby was very confused.

Seth chuckled and squeezed the grape, the juice coming out on Toby's hand. "See? Juice comes from grapes." He signed until he got to grapes. "I don't know the sign for grapes."

I smiled and took my right hand and jiggled my fingers across my left hand. "Like a bundle of grapes," I laughed. "Dara must have realized we worked with them and included the word on the list."

Toby looked at the juice in his hand giving me a what do I do now look.

Seth grabbed a cloth he had and wiped his son's hand off. "We take these grapes..." he signed for grapes. "...we squeeze out the juice. That we give to you and others. But some juice we keep in big barrels as you saw in there, where we make wine out of the juice." The men working with Seth were chuckling as Seth spoke with Toby. They all knew Toby was deaf and knew we used sign language to talk to him, but Seth always managed to be so animated." Like with squeeze when he dramatically squeezed his hands together and squeeze "squeeeeeeed" almost grunting with effort and with big with his hands wide apart. Making the men worked with them laugh. He did make those grand gestures to make Toby smile at Seth. But Toby was only about to turn two! But he got it!! I swear his face lit up with comprehension so obvious. Seth grinned at by Toby's understanding. "And one day, you'll be out here, too."

"Maybe," I smiled. "The boy's brilliant, he may be helping me in the office," I said and signed.

I chuckled as Seth got an exaggerated look of horror making the other men laugh harder which Toby knew was his Daddy being silly and laughed. "You will do what you like. If it's here, fine, but you're smart." I signed and spoke. "You can choose."

Seth grinned grabbing Toby up. "Absolutely." Then proceeded to plant a noisy kiss on the boy's neck, which gave Toby more of the tickling sensation since he couldn't hear it, but he cackled. Then Seth smiled at Toby. "I love you, Sweet Pea." He said and signed with one hand, with we had to work out. Usually, you used both, but Toby knew it and signed back. Silly, Daddy. I love you. Then Toby frowned and signed more. I not Sweet Pea. I Toby. Seth laughed. Then he signed for everyone to see. "You're Toby to everyone else. To me, you're my Sweet Pea."

I took Toby back from Seth. "I know all parents believe their children are smart, but I'm telling you. He is!" I said but didn't sign. This was for Seth. "He's learning the alphabet! He knows their sign and almost knows them in order!"

Seth smiled at Toby. "You know the alphabet?" Seth signed and asked.

Toby thought a minute. Not all of it, he signed. I know A, B, C, D...I forget after that. E?

"But he's got the letters," I said and signed. "He's so smart." Then spoke to Seth alone again. "Dara only started teaching him to sign three months ago. I guarantee he'll be reading next year."

Seth nodded. "We'll make sure he has plenty to read." Then he smiled. "He really is communicating very well for his age." He shrugged. "He might be gifted."

I nodded. "Not to sound like an overly proud papa, but I think they both are. Dennis follows everything. He's only two weeks old!"

Seth frowned. "But you see this as odd?"

I shrugged. "Well, it's damned peculiar. He knows signs I have never seen. You know that."

Seth shook his head. "Well, Dara did sign to him a lot, perhaps she showed him signs he picked up."

I nodded. "Maybe," But then looked at Seth directly, "But he's just about to turn two. Don't you think it's strange?"

Seth shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe he is very smart, is that bad?"

I frowned. "No, just curious."

There were times when it was just Seth and me to care for the boys. That was just the way it was. People can't expect others to take on their responsibilities. Toby and Dennis were ours. As I said, we were in a unique position to afford help, which we needed. But Doris and Hannah had lives. When Hannah's child got sick, she had to stay at home to care for her child or risk spreading this sickness to the boys. That was life. Doris helped, but she could only do so much, and I didn't expect her to sacrifice her children for ours. Thank god for those bottles Dara had given us. And a very patient cow. I fed Dennis his bottle of milk, diluted as I knew to do. I changed him, then Toby got clingy, so I rocked him to keep him calm. I was so tired. I was a Dad. Of course, I was. It was only when I felt a kiss on my lips did I wake up.

"Hi, baby." Seth grinned to me. Only he was clean and in fresh pajamas.

I looked outside and the sun had set. "I missed dinner!"

Seth chuckled. "I have something for you to eat if you're hungry. But it's almost time for bed." He picked Toby up off my lap and stomach. Toby didn't even wake up as Seth put him in his bed. Seth smiled looking at me. "I already took my bath. If you need to the water's still hot. If not, we can just turn in."

The romantic time between us had become the few moments we could find and make happen, "I'm sorry, Seth. I'm neglecting you."

Seth's eyebrows rose, "You're joking." Seth pulled me to standing. "I am not neglected." He stated firmly. "Most of the time, I'm jealous. You not only keep the books and inventory but deal with two small boys. That takes a lot of work." He smiled. "I know you love me. You know I love you. We're good." Kissing me gently. "Now, are you hungry?"

I smiled. "For you."

Seth smiled broadly. "Well, you've got me." Kissing me harder. Then we returned to our bedroom and did enjoy some passion between us.

It was the next morning when I was totally unprepared for Toby. We'd gotten up, got breakfast for all of us. Then Toby tapped my arm.

Are we going to the winery today? Toby signed. Actually, he signed, are we going to the place of wine, but it was a new sign!

I looked at Seth who was also looking quite surprised. Then he looked at me. "I take it, you didn't teach him that."

I shook my head, "No." Then I picked Toby up. "Where'd you learn that? Did you make it up?" I asked and signed.

Toby frowned. Was that wrong? It just made sense. He signed.

"Dara!!" I shouted to the air. "Don't give me the fairy godparent thing. Where are you?"

She came in from the hall. "I'm here," She smiled, waving at Toby. "No need to shout." Then she looked at me, "I didn't want to scare anyone, so I came in this way."

"How is it he knows signs I don't?" I asked. "Neither Seth nor I taught him. Dennis only a month old, he's smiling! No baby is supposed to smile at his age according to what I was told."

Dara chuckled sitting at the table with us. "He's developing fast, I guess," She shrugged, signing at Toby.

What was interesting, Toby recognized her. Not as the old lady she had presented to Sarah and him, but he knew her!

"No," I shook my head. "I mean, yes, he is, but they're both extremely intelligent," I said a little irritated. "He's using signs he shouldn't be capable of, putting sentences together on his own!"

Dara nodded. "Well, sure. Every baby will do that. We talk to them all the time when they're babies, so they learn sentence structure. Toby's just picked it up more." She shrugged. "I did sign to him a lot during those three months."

Seth picked up Dennis from his bassinet. "But he follows you with his eyes! He's showing things he shouldn't at his age."

I nodded. "Why is that? What's the explanation? Is there something about these children? He knows you! How does he know you?"

Dara bowed her head with a smile. "Yes, he knows me," She ran a hand gently over Toby's face making Toby smile more. "Because he could always see me, despite the magical disguise."

"How? Why?" I asked.

Demetrius came in the same way Dara had. "He is the beginning of a new age for men everywhere."

Seth frowned. "Enough with this cryptic crap. What are you saying?"

Demetrius sighed as he sat by his wife. "Our time is almost gone." He took Dara's hand. "Mine, Dara's and all others like us."

I sat up quickly. "Oh, my god! When? How?"

Demetrius smiled. "Oh, nothing that drastic, believe me. But our kind has not had a new birth in two centuries." He shook his head sadly. "After the last of us has died, we'll be gone."

I shook my head. "None of you have had children? In two centuries? How can that be?"

Dara and Demetrius shrugged. "Well, it's not from a lack of trying," Dara said with a chuckled.

"And we did try." Demetrius agreed. "It just wasn't happening. I could tell you boys some things. Even help you guys out. There are some things you haven't figured out yet."

Dara shoved him lightly. "Stop. They do just fine." Then she shrugged. "Apparently our time is about to pass."

"We were given the ability to tap the magic to help guide you and your kind," Demetrius explained. "In another four or five hundred years, we will be gone."

Seth shook his head. "We'll be long dead in that time. But what do Toby and Dennis have to do with this?"

"They both have very gifted minds," Dara explained. "You're right, they are both very intelligent. I don't know exactly how much, but when I touched them, I could sense it."

Demetrius reached for Dennis who seemed to be offering his hand to Demetrius. Demetrius took the tiny hand gently. "Such precious children."

I groaned shaking my head. "I must not be that smart, I'm not getting it."

Demetrius shook his head. "You're part of it." He looked at Seth. "And you, Seth. You both have exceptional minds, but you are able to love without using instinct. You accepted them as your own. Most people might feel sorry for them, but you've loved them as if they were born to you. Toby and Dennis are so much more. Much more. This is the beginning of the age of reason." He looked at me with a look of seriousness I had never seen before. "Their children and their descendants will harness energies and discover cures for diseases you couldn't imagine. You've already changed this town into a real town. The people no longer see the two of you as odd. There are even those beginning relationships they were meant to."

Dara added. "They will go places you never dreamed of."

"Science will be their power," Demetrius said. "That is their magic."

I looked at the innocent faces of my sons. "So, you brought them here to us." I looked at my two godparents. "That's a big responsibility."

Dara smiled. "Could you think of someone better? If I hadn't, they would have died." She said logically. "Toby would have been considered a simpleton by most that came across him. He can't speak simply because he can't hear, therefore stupid. Dennis would be dead because his mother would have died having him in some shack. You two, have the resources and means to nurture them and make them good men. And I know you will."

"Because we're not gone yet," Demetrius said gravely. "We're watching." Then smiled again.

Dennis reached up for Seth, making a sound at his father. Of course, Seth looked at the baby, the love for Dennis plain on Seth's face.

"But I don't worry about that," Demetrius said with a sigh. "They both love you two. You are their whole world."

I grinned as Toby offered his cup of juice to Dara. Dara smiled, taking the cup and sipping.

"Giving them for you two to raise, was one of the best things we've ever done." Dara handed back Toby's cup. "I can already see it. They're given love and give it back."

"What about their mother?" I asked. "Toby should have mourned some, but he never did."

Dara shrugged. "Well, his mother did tell Toby she was leaving and going to see Tom, his father. Perhaps Toby understood that and accepted that. I don't know."

Seth nodded. "When Toby addressed me, it as Daddy. I always assumed he just thinks that's my name, not what I am. Same with Erik."

Demetrius nodded a shrug. "Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. You could always show him what it means." He grinned at Toby. "Show him what makes a family. Show him others and explain the differences. He'll get it." Then Demetrius rose. "But I'll be around. Call me if needed." Then he brightened. "Oh yes, here." He handed me a note. "I promised."

I took the note and read Christian's handwriting. Beware, she's coming. I chuckled after reading it. "Ella's coming." I showed Seth the note.

"Along with Edward, Ana, and Ada." Dara smiled. "Thomas elected to stay with his father."

Demetrius chuckled. "Thomas didn't want his father to get too lonely. Christian would have loved to come, but...."

I nodded laughing. "He is king."

"That's right. A lot of responsibility." Demetrius nodded. "They still have a few days travel. We'll leave as we came in." He pointed to the hallway. Then he and Dara walked out.

"Your aunt is coming!" Seth told Dennis who only burbled a response. Then Seth looked at me. "Wait until you tell Grace."

In my office at the house, I told Grace. "Your sister's coming here? Now!?" Grace was now looking quite panicked. "She's the Queen of A'Dore!" She looked at me and around the room as if she could see the whole house. "We've got to clean this house!"

I chuckled, "It is clean."

Seth also laughed, "You knew Terry before she was Queen of Blethos, so? I was king for pete's sake."

"I've known you two all your lives practically." Grace waved that off. "The Queen's now Terry." She shook her head. "I knew her before she learned to walk, but his sister is Cinderella! Cinderella!"

"I say again...so?" Seth asked. "She's a nice person."

Grace nodded, but she was already planning what she needed to do. "Yes, yes...I'm sure, but Cinderella is coming here!" She hurried out to begin...I couldn't imagine what.

"Well, she took that well." I grinned at Seth. "But I need to tell you."

Seth was still grinning about Grace's panic. "What?"

"I will and should have, but..." I hesitated. "I didn't tell them about Toby."

Seth nodded. "That him being deaf?" He shrugged. "Ella won't care." That's when Toby came in from the hall where Seth grabbed him up as he passed making Toby squeal happily.

I grinned, walking over to them. "He and Edward are about the same age. He'll have a playmate."

The joy of potty training. It wasn't too easy, at first. But I signed and told Toby what he needed to do. It took a few days and he figured it out. Some may not like it, but I showed him what to do. We were both boys and we had the same equipment, so I did pee where Toby could see me how to do it. Then gave him a chamber pot to use. He wasn't tall enough for the toilet yet. I thought of getting a stool, but for now. The chamber pot. I was glad he was getting it enough before Ella arrived. I wasn't showing him about pooping. We'd work on that slowly.

Decorative plants to have around, the streets were swept daily and kept clean. Grace went out of her way to scrub and polish everything. She made me tired just watching her! Provisions were put in the kitchen and of course, Grace planned to cook wonderful meals. She had me hire extra help, which I had intended to do anyway. We had rooms and one was made for the queen. Another was made up for my nieces. Edward would no doubt stay with Ella. We would have room for the guards that came if not, there were two inns in town. Or, if they got along well, Edward could stay with Toby and Dennis, though having a baby in the room might bother Edward with the nannies coming and going.

Then I heard a bell again. Toby and I were having lunch and of course, Toby didn't hear it, but kept eating the foods I sliced up that he could eat with his fingers. And juice. I said to the air, "Okay."

Now Demetrius did walk in as he usually did. He came through a wall as he just walked out of, as he often did. Toby didn't react with surprise. He just smiled at Demetrius.

"Hello, Toby," Demetrius signed and spoke. Then he shrugged at me. "He's going to find out, so why hide what we are...but I think he knew before."

I got up and hugged Demetrius. "As long as he knows he can't do that. And neither can I."

Demetrius chuckled. "All it takes is one collision with the wall to find out he can't." He sat with us. "Just to let you know, Ella's on the outskirts of town now. She will be here in about an hour."

"She made good time," I said, knowing it was not quite two weeks. "Has she many guards?"

He shook his head, "Only four."

I nodded. "We have the room." I reached for Toby. "Let's tell Daddy we're having guests." I signed to Toby.

Toby didn't know what was happening exactly, but he nodded. Seth came in and quickly took a bath and changed. Now the carriage was arriving at the front of the house. One guard driving the carriage, the other three riding along. Gathering up Dennis, we went out to greet them. She was a queen, but she was also my sister-in-law and friend. She got out of the carriage helping a little boy I knew had to be Edward. He had more hair now and was bigger and was about two years old now. Then Ada and Ana got down. Ella smiled at me walking over. Women react pretty much the same when there are babies. Her face got this look. The Oh, he's so cute look. Fortunately, Dennis was wide awake and putting on his charm. After hugging Ella, I held Dennis higher.

"This is Dennis." I introduced. I pointed at Ella. "This is your Aunt Ella," I told Dennis. Then turned to Seth. But I turned back to Ella. "This is Toby, but before I say more. He's deaf."

Ella looked surprised a second.

I spoke and signed for Toby. "This is your Aunt Ella." I spelled out her name. "She's my sister," I explained. Then I turned to Ella. "He reads lips, but he will sign back. Just speak to his face, he'll understand you."

"Hello, Toby." Ella greeted. Then as everyone did when meeting both boys. "He's so beautiful. They both are!"

I grinned as Toby greeted her back in sign. "Of course, you know Seth."

Seth smirked. "Oh, gee, thanks." He hugged Ella. "It's great to see you."

But Edward was staring at Seth. "Uncle Seth?" But it wasn't a question exactly. He was seeking confirmation that he was his Uncle Seth.

It had been over a year. But a part of Edward remembered him.

"He was asking for you for two weeks after you left," Ella said. "We had that picture of you two and showed him, telling him that you had to go home." She looked at her son. "Remember that long trip we were on just now?" Edward nodded. "We're now where Uncle Seth and Uncle Erik live. We're at their home."

Edward's brow furrowed a little. "You home is far away."

Seth smiled, "No, your home is far away." He chuckled. "Now you understand why we couldn't just come back."

Ana walked forward, hugging both of us. "Why were you moving your hands like that?"

I expected this. "Well. Listen," I suggested. "What do you hear?"

They were both about to be eight, but the general question was too much.

"Do you hear our conversation?" I asked. They both nodded. "Do you hear the horses whinny, the sound of their hooves as they fidget?" They both nodded again. "Well, Toby can't hear that. He can't hear when we speak, so we talk to him with our hands. And he has to talk back that way because he can't hear himself speak. He's deaf."

"Why?" Ada asked. "His ears don't work?"

"No, they don't," I explained. "When he was a baby, he got a bad fever that got so hot that caused the part that hears with in his brain to shut down. His fever went away, but the damage was done. He can't hear anymore." I smiled at Toby. "But he's very smart."

"Does he know his ABCs?" Edward asked. "I learned them."

I nodded. "Yes, he does." I signed for Toby to show them the ABCs. "He does it with his hands. He'll form each letter with his fingers."

It was interesting as Edward began speaking and Toby began signing each. He'd finally gotten them all in order.

Ada and Ana were fascinated as they watched him.

"That looks fun!" Ana said. "Can we learn that?"

I chuckled. "Sure, I'm sure Toby will be happy to show you. Just remember, when you talk to him, make sure he sees your face, or he won't understand you." Seth put Toby down and his cousins were around him in seconds.

"What was the letter A again?" Ana asked Toby.

He smiled back and held the letter up.

Ella looked at me with a smile. "This is wonderful," She touched Dennis' head gently. "They are just beautiful." Then she looked at Toby, then Dennis and then Seth and me. "They sort of look like you two."

Seth laughed. "If by that, we have dark hair and male, okay."

Ella smirked. "There's more to that than dark hair and male." Then she gasped. "Did he just smile at me?" She marveled and moved her face closer. "There, he did it again!" But Dennis made a burble sound at her. "How old is he?"

I smiled. "Six weeks."

"Six weeks!?" Ella balked. "He's not supposed to do that for another month at least!" Then she moved and Dennis followed her with his eyes.

Seth shrugged, "Well, he does."

"He never read where he wasn't supposed to," I chuckled and shrugged.

"But the way he's going he could read very soon," Seth said proudly. "Erik already had Toby seeing words and knew learns what they are pretty fast and what they mean. He'll be reading soon. We show him the letters C.A.T and he signs cat, but he knows a cat is a feline, an animal."

"When he starts to read watch out world!" I joked. Then I looked at Ella. "Here, you hold him. Dennis likes you."

Ella grinned as she took the baby. "He is so adorable!" Then she looked at Seth and me. "I knew you'd make great parents." Then she looked sad. "I was told what happened to their mother. That was a shame."

I pointed to a gated off portion of the yard where Sarah's grave was. The garden around her marker stone was thriving. "She's over there. We're going to make sure the boys know about her."

Ella looked up at the house. "This place is lovely."

I laughed. "And I know you're tired. Come in, I'll show you your room. You can rest."

Ella laughed, "Believe me when I say, being out of that carriage is reward enough, but I'd love some coffee."

Ella walked in carrying Dennis who was still weaving his charms on Ella. Smiling and almost making noises...well, he was making noises to her.

"It's like he wants to talk, but he can't," Ella said shaking her head. "None of my children did that until they were at least six months old. It seems he's doing it to me on purpose!" She looked at me. "I see him, but I can't believe he's six weeks old."

I chuckled. "Well, I didn't see the birth happen, but I did see the aftermath. He was born six weeks ago."

Once inside, I escorted Ella in the main room where we gathered as a family. Grace walked in and froze when she saw Ella.

"Grace." I smiled pointing at Ella. "This is my sister Ella."

Grace then bowed. "Your Majesty."

Ella gave a slight bow. "You may call me Ella." Ella smiled.

Grace's eyes grew a little, "But you're a queen!"

I smiled, but understood, but rolled my eyes. "Think of her as you would Terry. You don't call her your highness, or even your majesty. You call Sam, Sam. He's the king."

Grace still had a little trouble with the concept, but did okay, until another carriage arrived three days later. That's when Terry and Sam arrived, unplanned. Along with six guards!

"Sam!" Seth grinned as his brother walked in. Hugging his brother and sister, who also brought their two children, Seth turned and Grace was frowning. "Grace?"

"Now there are two queens and a king here!?" She moaned. "And seven children! All princes and princesses!" She looked at me. "Where do we put them?"

Seth shrugged laughing. "Well, it's more than a royal flush for a game of cards. The Royal Valley Inn will be pleased. We have enough staff, or should I hire some more?"

"No!" Grace said firmly holding her hands out. "This house is big, but it's not big enough, we'll have people bumping into each other like they aren't already!" She groaned and walked out.

Sam chuckled. "Well Terry had to see those new babies and I came along." He shrugged. "I would have sent notification ahead, but..."

I walk in having to dodge as Toby and Edward ran by. "Sam!" I greeted my brother-in-law with a hug, then Terry.

Seth reached down and scooped up Toby. He grinned at Toby. "This is your Uncle Sam." He said and signed to Toby. Then Seth pointed to Terry. "This is your Aunt Terry."

Toby was only beginning to understand who Ella and his cousins were. His face wrinkled. Dad's brother? He signed.

"Well, Daddy's, but yes." Seth nodded, but Sam was watching as Seth signed. Again, we did not tell them about Toby. "He's my brother. He is to me what Dennis is to you." Seth signed and spoke.

But Aunt Ella is Dad's sister? Toby signed.

Seth grinned at Toby and nodded. He looked at Sam. "We didn't know you were coming. We would have told you, but...He's deaf. But he can read lips and will understand if you talk to him. He calls me Daddy and Erik, Dad."

"When you have two fathers..." Sam shrugged and smiled at Toby. "Hello, Toby." Sam shook Toby's hand. "We've got a long time to get to know each other." Then he smiled at me. "I hope this is okay coming like this."

I grinned. "You're king! It's great! Although it will cause trauma for Grace."

Sam smirked. "She worked for Arthur, so this is nothing." He waved the thought off.

Sam and Terry had not met Ella having gotten to be king and queen after Ella and Christian had been here the last time. When we were told that Sam was returning to the capital of Blethos in a day or so, leaving Terry to come back on her own...with four of the guards. I pulled Seth away as Ella and Terry were crooning over Dennis. Michael, Edward, and Toby were wreaking havoc. Ana and Ada were trying to be ladies but were enjoying visiting with Princess Kristine.

"I know Toby's birthday is next month or so, but when will we as a family get together again like this?" I began. "Perhaps we can celebrate Toby's birthday while the family's here."

Seth grinned. "Do you think Toby will know it's not?"

I shrugged. "He might. He is smart." I frowned. "I just wish Christian and Thomas were here, too."

Seth smiled. "Then Grace would really be upset, two kings and two queens!?"

It was so great having almost all we had as a family here. I almost envied Toby, he was deaf, the noise having seven children in the house was a little over the top. Grace may have felt like it was a bit much, so she said, but she loved it. When we proposed the idea of having Toby's birthday, she knew what was needed. We had the gathering for Toby, even though we had to tell him what was happening. He'd only had one so far before, this was the second!

At the end of two weeks, we gathered outside to see Ella and her children off. The last of our family to leave. Then walked into a very, very quiet house.

Seth grinned. "That was great. Even if Sam left in two days."

I shrugged. "He, like Christian, has a kingdom to run."

Now life returned to normal. If there was a normal. Seth returned to working in the vineyard and I to the books and winery. We ended up hiring another nanny, though I will tell you, I didn't care for it. It was my issue that was the problem, but...Dennis would bond with people. Doris and Hannah were needed because of breastfeeding. As Dennis grew, he needed more attention, to keep working we needed someone to keep him and Toby as I worked. We hired Maria. She was a nice young woman in her late twenties. Dark hair and an olive complexion. I celebrated my twenty-first birthday and soon the Nativity Season was coming. A'Dore and Blethos shared a language and many traditions, but there was something I kept noticing when I would go into town. In stores and in the windows of some of the homes I saw a tiny broom hanging. But when I saw one in the boys' room, I wondered about it, so I asked.

"Maria, what's the little broom for?" I asked.

She looked a little guilty about something. "I'm sorry, I should have asked."

"Asked about what?" I asked.

"It's the symbol of Befana." Maria started to take it down.

I stopped her. "What is it? Who or what is Befana?"

"Mr. Thorne didn't like it. But it's for children. She's a good witch who delivers gifts to children on the eve of the Epiphany." She looked at me curiously. "I guess you didn't have Befana in A'Dore."

I shrugged then shook my head. "I'd have to say no. A good witch?"

She smiled. "Well, she was either a witch or just an old lady, but most say she's a good witch depending on the story. The Magi or Wise Men came to her on their way to find the Savior, but she was too busy cleaning house. She later decided to look for the Savior herself. As she is still looking, she delivers candy and gifts to good children, coal, and garlic to the naughty children."

I smiled. "I think that's wonderful." I grinned at Dennis who was again trying to say something but hadn't gotten how to do that yet. "Better than explaining the Epiphany to children." Then frowned. "And Arthur Thorne didn't like the story?" I grinned. "All the more reason to keep it. What else is needed?"

She smiled. "Well, usually there is a stocking hung for her to either put candy or coal in, depending on the child's behavior. Gifts are just left to the children to find."

"Does Toby know?" I asked seeing Toby working on yet another puzzle. I had gotten him one for older children, but he was almost through it.

"I haven't told him yet."

"Well, Seth and I will think we had better." I grinned. And why wouldn't he believe in Befana? He knew about Dara and Demetrius; they were magical so who was to say Befana was just a story? She could well exist like Dara and Demetrius! Seth and I were just going to help her out if she didn't.

That evening as Seth lowered himself in the steaming water, sighing as his muscles relaxed. "This feels wonderful."

I grinned at him. "Tell me about Befana."

Seth's eyes widened. "Befana?" Then he grinned. "Well, Arthur didn't like her." He chuckled. "He barely had time for the Church. He felt he had to at least honor the Church but had no time for Befana's nonsense."

I smirked, "We both know how well he honored the Church. I think it's great! We should tell the boys about her. In fact, we should tell Royal Valley not to hide her anymore." I grinned moving closer to Seth. My hand stroking his manhood which stiffened immediately. Many figures of the good witch on her broom began appearing everywhere. Bigger ones decorated with red and green ribbons. Displayed proudly. They were pretty. Even the town's lamps had red and green adding a festive feeling. There was even green garland with red bows strung in the town. They were even having a celebration in town for the Nativity. We took the boys to Church, but the celebration of the Epiphany began the night before with everyone out after church as vendors provided food, drink, and entertainment. They even had a puppet show for the children. Carols were sung and people enjoyed their time together. Toby watched from Seth's lap as I held Dennis, who was awake the whole time watching. Then I noticed Bent and Garth were together now with all three of Garth's children. Bent had one daughter by hand who smiled at him. It was a great celebration.