I Didn't Think It Would Happen Like This

[Tree]

"It isn't. "

Ansel reassured with a chuckle.

"Don't worry, you'll be well entertained once we're there. Though I'm gonna have to admit when my wife and I left we weren't exactly looking up collect an extra person on return. "

So while he was very eager to move his wife back into their room where she belonged and should have been in the first place, he also wanted it known that the room Taylor would be taking over might not actually be ready. Bright side was Willow never really unpacked much? Moving her in (properly) wouldn't exactly take forever?

[Sushi]

Taylor chuckled.

"I'm just lucky like that."

He blew a kiss at Willow when she glanced his way.

[Tree]

Ansel smirked to himself.

"If you spook her I will make you regret it. "

He hadn't meant it menacing, as a result the tone came out much more flirtatious than he intended. He gave Willow a look, question very clear on his face.

/ Did that just sound like what I think it sounded like? /

Oh yeah. This was gonna be an adventure.

[Sushi]

"tish tosh. I wouldn't scare her. I'm nothing but charm."



Willow's brows crawled up her forehead, both surprised and amused.

/do you like him even when he's still a boy?/

Because that's what it sounded like to her.

[Tree]

Ansel looked conflicted.

/ That's crazy. I'm into women. /

Yet, now that she highlighted it his mind was very preoccupied trying to work out that. He rubbed his face in mild frustration as he cast a single look towards Taylor.

/ You're certainly going to cause all sorts of fall out. Aren't you? /

He couldn't really say that he minded that thought, either. But damn it all he was perplexed by it.

[Sushi]

/not crazy. He's as pretty as a girl./

Willow gently rubbed his thigh.

/And just for the record, there's no problem with liking both. I like the people I like. Attraction is attraction. I don't get why some people care so much about the extra bits./



Taylor chuckled and licked his finger to turn the page.

"You need a little inspiration too. You wouldn't have invited me otherwise."

With that, he dropped his attention to the book.

[Tree]

Ansel glanced to Willow, surprised.

/ It's that simple to you, huh?/

He asked with an impressed look towards his wife, kissing her tenderly.


/Inspiration is not what I lack. We need something in our polycule that is missing. /

Ansel answered to Taylor now with a glance over the man. Yeah, this was weird for him.

[Sushi]

Willow lifted one shoulder, and perhaps the most surprising thing was that she actually wasn't embarrassed at all.

/I don't understand why that part needs to be complicated?/

She understood plenty about denying attraction for someone else's sake, but recognizing what you liked seemed like it should be straightforward.




Taylor just chuckled to himself without looking up.

"It's an adventure."

[Tree]

Ansel relaxed the rest of the trip, happy to be in the car headed home. He barely dropped down in time to catch Brooke, hugging her close as he easily kissed Nora.

"Miss me? "

He asked as he nodded towards Taylor.

"This knock-out over here is Taylor. Taylor, this lovely little vixen is my mistress, Nora."

He tickled Brooke as he watched Rosie toodle out to Willow.

"These are two of my three little princess, Brooke, and Rosie."

He figured Nora would likely have a question.... or five. But he was in too good a mood to be stressed about it. Well, as long as Willow stayed in decent spirits.

[Sushi]

"ye- I mean no. I didn't miss you at all. I'm mad at you."

Brooke scrunched her face snootily even as she hugged him.

"You didn't take me with you!"



"nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

Nora's eyes narrowed, scoping out Taylor as he kissed her hand.

/...a 'knock-out'? What the heck is going on?/



Ansel would be disappointed if he was relying on willows feelings. This was something incredibly difficult for his wife. She had steadily become more and more stressed as they approached the house until she was stuck on the porch, frozen by anxiety.

Still, he'd be able to enjoy his homecoming until Rosie made her way out to join her mother. That's when he'd be hit with a sucker punch that could drown a person. All of her previous fear was nothing compared to the heart-rending grief that splintered through Willow at the mere sight of the child.

Despite over a year of her working and repairing what she could, this part of her hadn't healed much at all and the reprieve from having to face it only made it that much worse when reintroduced. This devastating wound was just as fresh as if it had been yesterday that she had made the horrible mistake.

She stumbled back and landed on her butt when Rosie jumped up to squeeze her neck after deciding a leg hug wasn't enough. And as she folded the little girl in her arms and squeezed her eyes shut, Willow couldn't keep the images of the younger versions of children out of her head, couldn't keep herself from comparing them. The loss was so painful and the guilt was so cloying that it was a marvel she managed to keep breathing.

She loved them so much.

[Tree]

Ansel rocked back a tiny bit, eyes turning to his wife.

"Willow. "

He called, voice catching in his throat.

/I love you. /

He could push through sending the kids back into the house, smiling at the look Nora gave Taylor.

/ Easy darling. They aren't a threat to us. We met at a one night sort of deal. Willow and I both liked them, so we posed that they come with to see where it goes. They've got a rather... delightful capacity for change. You'll see. /

He kissed Nora again, smiling at having her back. He loved her so. It wasn't the burning, all consuming love he had for Willow. It was gentle, tender, a warmth that never ebbed. She was something dear but drastically different to him.

"The nudest would be Aisling."

Ansel chuckled, unable to help himself as he watched the nude child crawling outside.

" Will you show Taylor any the house for daddy while I go help mama? "

He asked of Brooke, smiling at Taylor before going to help his wife. He just scooped babe and wife both up. Kissing the top of Rosie's head.

"Love you. "

[Sushi]

Brooke was not delighted about this. The result was that she took Taylor to the bathroom and told him that he'd have to sleep in the tub if he stayed here. However, when Taylor climbed in to try it out, her mood lifted a bit over the silly results of her trick.



"Hi Daddy! I love you and I love Mama and I love you in the house the most!" Rosie chirped.

Aisling didn't seem terribly annoyed. She just seemed curious about the change of pace and reappearance of her parents.

Willow wanted to pull the two back before he could take his kisses, wanted to horde them close. She didn't, though. Same as she didn't cry. She just made herself let Rosie go so the child could cling for affection from her father now. That made Aisling jealous and the little one immediately started trying to wedge herself in between.

Willow slid down to her feet to give him more hands to manage the fiasco. The good news was that she was able to go inside now, even if she did retreat to his bedroom right away, hands grasping at nothing.

[Tree]

Ansel smiled after his wife, settling the two with mom after getting snuggles from his littlest two girls before going to have the ladies move all of Willow's belongings into their bedroom and get everything ready for Taylor to take over the room.

He was happy to be sure his wife was alright, kissing her tenderly as he placed both girls with mom.

"Look at that. Nearly picture prefect. "

[Sushi]

No. It wasn't picture perfect. She was supposed to be... Willow shook her head to rid herself of the thought and to attempt to grasp some clarity.

"You're happy to be home. You should go enjoy it with the others."

Aisling was already bored and in the process of climbing down to do important baby things.

[Tree]

Ansel smiled at Willow, moving to kiss her.

"I don't want to leave if you aren't alright. "

Ansel shared with concern, looking over his wife.

[Sushi]

Rosie looked between her parents with concern before tugging on willows shirt. Mama wasn't alright?

"Do your tummy hurt?"

Willow smiled weakly and brushed a hand over the child's hair.

"No. I'm okay."

Physically. She glanced at Ansel's knee, which was as close as she got to his face.

"This is normal," she added for him.

[Tree]

Ansel looked at her with an ache.

/I didn't know. .../

He shifted and kissed her tenderly.

"Are your sure? "

He was trying to believe her when she said to go enjoy the rest, but she was his wife and he didn't want to just abandon her...

[Sushi]

"I'm sure."

It wasn't that she didn't love him or was even unhappy with him, but she did want him to just leave her be for now. Between being back here and the changes bustling around her even now, Willow just needed some time to adjust and get a handle on it.

Well... And maybe steal a few selfish moments built entirely around the hairbrush that Rosie was now bringing back to the bed where her mother sat.

[Tree]

Willow would watch a lady now and then, placing a box on the nightstand they must have decided was hers. Or hanging clothes along the empty side of the closet. Opening drawers to put up under garments and so forth. They seemed to work like a flawless unit as they got Willow's belongings worked into being integrated with Ansel's. It took a while before Willow had a couple boxes beside the nightstand on the floor, a hand carved cradle next to them, and donut cat placed next to Rosie and Willow.


Ansel meanwhile was outside with Nora, Taylor, and Liam while the kids played with Newton in the sprinkler and they drank the rather delightful beer they two men hard ordered from their night out the other day.

"Yeah. So I'm not sure how many more times the wife is gonna let me go on trips if I keep collecting people like pokemon. "

He had told the very, very basic story about Gus in response to a side joke about kittens after explaining that Taylor was here to see how they fit with the household and such. He did not explain that Taylor had a split gender thing. Nor did he explain that Liam wasn't just a live in friend but therapist.

Honestly he was just happy letting everyone settle in to meeting one another.

[Sushi]

Liam laughed.

"There could be worse hobbies. And if you're all happy, I don't see a problem with it."

He didn't ask questions or do anything other than light-hearted chitchat. Anything else was private.

"You wanna see some pictures of Millie and the cat?" He asked, already pulling out his phone.



The cradle was one thing too many in the whirlwind. She hid her face behind her hands as she broke down.

"Please," she sobbed to the nearest lady, "take it away. Put it anywhere else. I... I can't look at it."

Rosie was very concerned and covered her mom in fat kisses.

"What wrong, Mama? You need a cookie?"

She just bawled harder and snatched the child up into a tight hug. Well, this part of her was still broken, but she'd been able to talk directly to one of the ladies without hesitating. That was a new bit of progress. She hadn't been able to do that since the peeping Tom incident. So maybe it wasn't a total loss.

[Tree]

Ansel chuckled, happy to see the kitty and his buddy's wife, nodding to Taylor.

"I'm trying to corrupt them into connecting cats like candy."


Heidi glanced up and nodded quickly took off with it, returning with a hand embroidered hankerchief, wiping the woman's tears as she looked to Rosie.

"I'm not sure, sweetie. "

She looked so worried for her lady.

"Willow? "

[Sushi]

Taylor laughed.

"A reverse of 'if you can't beat em, join em'?"



"I think she needs lots of cookies."

She wrapped her little arms around willows neck.

Willow just clutched the child to her and cried.

"My babies..."

Not even the smallest one would fit in that cradle. She had missed her chance. They got taken away.

[Tree]

Heidi felt sadness for her princess, even if she wasn't sure the source of her tears. She moved to hug the two in a reassuring gesture.

"They're all here, I can go get them for you? "

They'd be really wet, but she was eager to do anything to help Willow.


Ansel snickered.

"Kinda. She's such a spicy little thing she'd probably train them to do house tasks or something. But mainly just want to do it to bug this dude."

[Sushi]

"ah, yes. A best bro in his natural habitat."



Willow turned a little, shielding Rosie with her arms. No. These were her minutes. She didn't want to share the child with Heidi.

"No... They should enjoy their life."

So should Rosie, come to think of it. Reluctantly, Willow made herself release the little girl.

"You too. You go play."

"...Kay," the agreeable little offered eventually, slowly sliding off the bed. She kept glancing back on her way to the door as though hoping Willow would change her mind.

[Tree]

Heidi didn't understand, but really without more information how could she? She ducked her chin slightly, looking to Willow.

"Is there anything else I might help you with, milady? "



Ansel snickered.

"Well I can't have the guy thinking I like him too much. "

He barely managed to put his arms out and pull the trio back to avoid Newton's large splash he did just to make Aisling giggle. Ansel shook his head.

"He looks a dragon. He's a puppy. Promise. "

But he was obviously fond of the creature as he watched a lady heading over. She nodded slightly to the new among the group but only addressed Ansel.

"Your highness, the room is fully prepared for your concubine as instructed. "

Ansel flinched.

"Not. Concubine. Taylor is sufficient at this point. Though that's probably only one of the names they'll have while here. For now just Taylor. "

He made a small motion to the lady.

"I'll show it in a bit."

He glanced after the help with a sigh.

"They're very dedicated ladies in waiting to Willow. They take the royal hierarchy a bit more seriously than us necessary. Sorry. "

[Sushi]

Taylor's face smoothed and he blinked stupidly.

"Wait, you an actual courtier?"




Willow looked to the spot where the cradle had been.

"No," she whispered.

"They're not babies anymore. Nothing can be done about that."

[Tree]

Ansel looked sighed as he noted Nora sway with a tiny proud swoon, kissing her and asking her to keep an eye on the kids and that he'd see her later.

"She really is my mistress, it's an official title that can protect her in ways just being a lover can't. "

Ansel answered honestly as he considered Taylor, deciding now was as good a time as any to show them their room. He didn't even think about taking the guy's hand as he lead him inside.

"The titles carry more than the full on courtier life. But, technically, yes. Anyway, this is your room now. You have a full on suite.... and while I don't anticipate any sort of emergencies that could need such a route, there is a passage through the back of your closet into the master bedroom. "

He was still holding the guy's hand which was not yet on his radar.

[Sushi]

Taylor was studying Ansel very closely.

"Listen, I don't care what I'm called, but is the courtier things gonna make this a pain in my ass?"

[Tree]

Ansel couldn't help but laugh now.

" Not for you, no. Besides, very few want to mess with a Darrenthrope of any variety, let alone the crown prince. "

Ansel shook his head in further amusement.

"Is there anything you think you'll need to settle into thee room for now? "

He let the hand fall the second he saw himself holding it, feeling a new confusion as he watched Taylor. This was weird

[Sushi]

Taylor didn't notice, turning to consider the room.

"The Wi-Fi password and directions to the nearest town."

[Tree]

Ansel shifted to text both a ID and password, then sent her a pin drop to the nearest town.... then a contact ID.

"That's the driver for the house. Text them anytime and they can take you anywhere. "

[Sushi]

"seems like you might be trying to butter me up into forgetting my experience with fae royals."

He tapped across his phone.

"Anything I should know about the area?"

[Tree]

"Don't go out at night alone.... if someone harasses you I do need to know. Even if it feels insignificant. "

Ansel sighed. Fine.

"You aren't dealing with Fae royals. You're dealing with vampire royalty and we're technically in the coven's land still, so the vampire concentration is very high. "

He watched Taylor a minute before stepping from the room and grabbing something from his office, handing it to Taylor .

"The others in my family unit are already known. Until you're something familiar to the area will you please keep this ring with you? It's authority and rank in one so it'll keep you guarded from my own clan and it's. ... nonsense. "

See, even guarding against PIA circumstances

[Sushi]

Taylor took the ring hesitantly.

"I was just teasing you, you know."

[Tree]

Ansel smiled at Taylor.

"Most don't bother our home. But I would be a terrible partner of any sorts if I didn't take your safety as a serious concern. It has been a rather eventful day, I think I'm gonna go check in with my wife and be sure she didn't need anything. Welcome home. "

He was not really thinking when he kissed Taylor in the forehead and totally opted to power out of the room and shut the door to the master bedroom quickly. No need to.....

His panic about questionable deciding died as he saw his wife.

"Willow? What's wrong? "

He asked, moving to her quickly.

[Sushi]

"hey wait, I..."

However, seeing Ansel's embarrassment, he let it drop for now.



Willow looked up from her w-sit at the foot of the bed. She had managed to stop crying, even if her eyes were still red and puffy.

"I asked them not to put the cradle in here. Is that okay?" She asked pitifully.

[Tree]

Ansel felt his heart break into a thousand pieces as he nodded and moved to wrap her in his arms.

"Of chose, my love. "

He wished he could ease her hurt, kissing her temple. Maybe someday they'd be ready for that new baby.

[Sushi]

Willow balled up small.

"I'm sorry. Please don't think I'm ungrateful. It's beautiful. I loved it. I wanted..."

She sniffled and stopped so she could hold herself together.

"It's just too late now."

[Tree]

"We have so many years, my love. Certainly we've got more chances to have little ones?"

He reassured, snuggling her closer.

"If it's ever within my power your going to have your children forevermore. I'm so sorry. "

He couldn't believe he'd almost been coming in here to spaze about a little kiss.

[Sushi]

Willow was quiet, listening to him breathe for a bit.

"Is it?" She asked, voice fragile as butterfly wings.

It wasn't hope, but it was a dawning. She had been turning it over in her head ever since he'd said it. If it was in his own... And if he couldn't get rid of her now... And if loved his children... She was struggling to think of a way that he could take them from her again.