princess of gluttony

[isabel-bishop]

Godmummy? Now that's cute– if you're buttering me up to get me to help you over boring paperwork, you didn't have to go that far. This is far more entertaining.

Oh my god, your mom kept up with the double 'B' name. Wonderful– well, goddaughter of mine, lie back on one of those beds in the back, and I'll give you a check-up. By the fact that you're not freaking out, a bundle of joy is good news if it's true?

[beatricexbaird]

"Beau's not the only sibling who can bestow fucking adorable nicknames on her loved ones. I am the far more entertaining of those in your life, Godmummy."

"My mother's all about keeping tradition as I'm sure my brother and I will one day." Beatrice shot the woman a flashy grin and made her way over to one of the beds Isabel instructed, taking off her shoes before swinging herself over the edge and laying flat against the small cushion, "Long story short, the dhampir who crash-landed into my life and I realized we wanted children, as many as possible. It's also a way pissing off my father since he decided to ignore his son's orders and attack Sterling. We were engaged in my timeline, arranged marriage to save Hell, blah blah blah. We're engaged here now too. Very sudden, but I'm happy."

[isabel-bishop]

No one ever sees the less glamorous side of being a healer, which is making an exhaustive list of ingredients I need for whatever bullshit war is around the corner.

[beatricexbaird]

I normally would not leave my twins unattended had it not been necessary, Godmummy, but how about you take a break from listing ingredients and tell me something I probably already know. Am I pregnant?

Beatrice Baird, daughter of Blair and Ramiel. Hi.

[kaniel-thebutcher]

It is a feat that not many people can do, Beatrice, but you've earned it well. If there's one thing I'd want you to take from me, it's how to hold a grudge– especially against your father. Now, to talk about dropping the bomb on Ole Rammy. Are you just going to show up with a wedding ring? Hide your pregnancy for as long as you can? Or kill him with the anticipation and let him know right away? This is the most fun I've had in a while.

[beatricexbaird]

If there is one word I could use to describe our family, it's petty. You're really enjoying this way too much, Uncle Kaniel, but if you should know...I'll make flashing the ring intentionally obvious so that's one bombshell detonated. As for the pregnancy...we'll casually drop the news by mentioning, say, color recommendations for the nursery or suggestions on the best diaper brands. Something casual out of nowhere. Hiding the pregnancy and watch his face when I suddenly show up with a round stomach tempts me more than you know, but this catches him real off-guard.

[kaniel-thebutcher]

Enjoying my brother's agony is like the sweetest of emotions that manages to invade my inability to care about things. I applaud you, I really do, my darling niece. When you are slighted, you will rain payback on them.

[beatricexbaird]

Can it be possible, have I actually succeeded breaking through your mostly emotionless heart and brought you joy? I thought my natural talent of sweet revenge came from my Grunkle Wrath's or even my father, but no, it's you, my favorite Uncle of mine blessing me with your grudge-holding. Taking it as far as an engagement and pregnancy, well, it's effective.

[beatricexbaird]

The extra defenses at the door are hassle-worthy, but necessary.

[kaniel-thebutcher]

If it's to the dhampir, I've heard him grouse about from afar, then he will be irate, which will make me so happy, and I would lower myself to beg to be around to witness Ol' Ramsie hear the news.

[beatricexbaird]

That's Sterling. If he's irate now, he is likely going nuclear when I tell him I'm probably pregnant. Maybe, the jury's still out on that, but I hear vampire sperm's pretty quick. You really are every bit of my uncle enjoying your brother's agony.

[kaniel-thebutcher]

Interrupting my 'me' time better be good.

[beatricexbaird]

So, I'm engaged. How pissed do you think my father will be?

[fiendishly-sterling]

Sterling would have been lying if he didn't know that his relationship with Ramiel's daughter could be used against the assassin at every turn, a delicious perk that he couldn't help but utilize when the assassin was a pompous ass, but for once, he didn't see that vantage point first. What the dhampir saw first was that he'd be marrying someone like Beatrice. That she would even think of choosing someone like him was a miracle in itself. "Don't threaten me with a good time, Lovebug, but don't worry. I know you're a woman of action, and the fact that you're looking out for my sister and me is enough." Using words was his forte, the dagger for him to wield as a weapon against the world that could crush him in a single second. That ability alone allowed him to see past the bullshit people spewed, and he knew the Princess was telling the truth. She cared for him, and it still was a strange thing to witness. Sterling only hummed in response, leaning into Bea's touch as she soothed away the memories that haunted him and his siblings at every turn. Ironic that even an assassin drew lines that his father crossed gleefully. So many siblings that he witnessed perishing in colorful ways, almost like their father made it his own personal mission to come up with new ways to kill anyone that stepped out of line, if only to stave off the everlasting boredom Henrik felt when he wasn't continuously hunting poor unsuspecting women to add to his harem. The dhampir loosened his grip on Beatrice the moment he felt her pull away, a smile tipping his lips. "Ev is going to have so many questions, but I'll be happier with her around." Truth was, he worried about her when she wasn't within eyesight of him. Sterling was aware that he was more of the troublemaker to make sure that the target was on him most of the time, but he wasn't naive enough to think she would be completely safe because of it. The dhampir gladly received Beatrice's kiss, giving her a wink before she pulled away. "Oh, I'll be thinking of that moment with anticipation."

________

The promise of many sexual escapades could only do so much to distract for so long as Sterling roamed every inch of the home that he would soon be taking... seemingly permanent residence. Not that he banked fully on it. There could be a point in time when the princess would grow tired of him. Choose to keep her relationship with her father stable by breaking off… whatever this was, in order to not rock the boat. Perhaps he should have tried to grovel once he realized who Ramiel was, but that just wasn't him. The only person he had the energy to grovel to was his father, and even that was waning with every passing instance. An exhaustion growing in his veins that aged him far beyond anything else, and if he were capable, Sterling knew he'd have gray hairs sprouting by now. He spent the time trying to relax, to wait patiently, but it devolved into pacing. Then, to search every crevice until finally landing in the bedroom that smelled so richly of his Lovebug, collapsing on the bed as he plucked the ring he'd taken back from the brunette, inspecting it in the light. He didn't know why he took it back; it never belonged to him, and he hadn't for a long time. Sterling tried to stop himself from looking so excited the moment he felt not only his sister's presence enter the domicile, but also Beatrice's, which ended his multitude of times counting to a thousand in order to pass the time. However, what Sterling didn't expect was that he wouldn't get a single second to greet either one of the girls before Beatrice tracked him down and unleashed the absolute word vomit that rivaled his, which he could only attribute to the house Beatrice hailed from, from what little he knew of the demon hierarchy.

He rose to his feet, utterly enthralled by witnessing the princess jump through so many points in so little breath. There wasn't a point where he could really interject, not that he wanted to– a part of him needed to hear her talk more while he simply listened. The silence after she stopped, and where he was supposed to start talking stretched longer than he would have liked as he simply looked at her in awe. Finally, the enamored spell wore off enough for him to reach forward and cut what remaining distance between the two of them down until there was nothing, weaving his hands into her silken locks; tilting her head upwards until his lips pressed against hers. He deepened the kiss for every moment her words ricocheted through his skull, nipping her bottom lip much as she'd done to him as he finally pulled away. "Lovebug, if I wasn't hopelessly in love with you before now, I would be absolutely gone the moment you came in here like a hurricane. I love you right back, my princess." Sterling skated his thumb against Beatrice's jawline almost reverently before dropping his hands to her waist. "You're the only person outside of my sister that I've ever wanted to keep in my orbit. The one person I broke my rule for, and I'm glad I did. Even if it sent both of our fathers after us." Sterling pressed his lips against hers again before trailing them against her jawline and down the column of her throat. His fingers traced the hem of Beatrice's shirt before slipping his hands under to press against her abdomen. A pure... possessiveness coursed through him at the thought of her carrying any child of theirs. "Though you may want to specify how many children you want, my kind is annoyingly fertile." He realized that he wouldn't mind if there wasn't a cap. A part of him whispered that it was a slippery slope to becoming his father with that thought, but he had to believe in what Beatrice said. That he could be a parent that he didn't have, that he was robbed of. "You know... this whole declaring our love for one another and thinking about children reminded me of another milestone that we might as well cross." Taking the ring that he'd just recently accepted back from the woman out of his pocket again, presenting it to her. "This ring will always be yours, and you deserve to keep wearing it, but I'm going to get you a ring of my own whenever we venture outside again. While this ring has a lot of meaning to every version of me, you deserve a ring from me that's entirely us. Marry me, Beatrice, and we can make this moment the ultimate trifecta of getting on your dad's nerves."

[beatricexbaird]

There was a very long stretch of silence Beatrice endured, standing there with an unequivocally expectant look upon her face, readying herself for the burst of laughter or harsh rejection to come flying in her general direction. Blurting a love confession toward someone once thought the obnoxious enemy is one mountain impossible to climb, but to admit a desire having children when the thought not once crossed her mind previously with the same foe whose father threatened her home? Threatened the crown? She often needed reminding the Sterling she met back in her timeline and the Sterling stood feet from her shutting the fuck up for the first time in their lives were different people. Similarities were aplenty, absolutely, yet her heart belonged to this one. When it seemed as if the long pause would have expanded forever and tempted the Princess to snap at the male to say something, Bea suddenly released a soft gasp as the dhampir pulled her closer and connected their lips, her fingers immediately palming the fabric of his shirt while their tongues performed the all too familiar dance she couldn't deny needing more of. The slight tug as Sterling pulled away almost tempted the assassin toward tearing his clothes off and begin the baby-making right then and there. "I am my mother's daughter and my grandfather's granddaughter. I love you too, baby, so much, even when we'll drive the other crazy." She imagined a near future spent crawling under the other's skin when agitation and pettiness arose from its sleepy slumber, forcing either her or Sterling to take a page from her envious great-uncle's handbook by playing the jealousy game before such games turned deadly. No doubt her own possessiveness and gluttonous hunger would take a strong hold. "I know you maintain a small social circle, baby, but I'm hoping I can give you the family you should have had from the moment you and your sister came into this world." All worries of reciprocation wiped away, Beatrice released a soft hum when their lips met again before it cascaded into a slight moan, the combination of his mouth and gentle touches cupping what will soon become the vessel for their ever-growing clan leaving Bea whispering his name like a prayer begging him to claim her forevermore. She slipped her own hand underneath the hem of his shirt, breathing a gentle sigh while her finger pads traced the defined outline of his abdomen muscles, "There is no limit to how many children I want. Annoyingly fertile will benefit us, Sterling, I desire being pregnant as soon as possible." Bea glanced down between them, briefly eyeing her stomach and picturing what it will look like, what it will feel like, once she's carrying. The overwhelming joy, the changes, not even mentioning an extra level of caution on missions. If missions were still on the table during her so-called delicate state. Had this occurred back in her original timeline, her father easily would have taken over the assassin duties until she gave birth, but the situation with Ramiel here is...somewhat murky and uncertain. There's no doubt he wouldn't offer his services nonetheless, however, his dislike of Sterling did not sit well. The princess lifted her gaze once again, cracking a smile at the sight of her engagement ring and the expecting sound of the man's proposal. While it wasn't quite the moment she wasn't anticipating it, it was welcome.

Beatrice pressed her lips together, pretending to ponder for a beat, before taking the ring from him and slipping it back on the finger it had originated from. "Get me a ring that's just ours. Be my husband, be the father of our many children, be the bane of our fathers' existence, and I will marry you." She reached out a hand and stroked a few curls of Sterling's hair back, the love cascading through her being as suffocating in the best way possible as it was astounding. Yes, the ultimate trifecta, indeed. The mischievous glint in Beatrice's eye returned just then, stepping back slightly and tugging her shirt over her head. "Then we shouldn't waste any more time, baby. Let's see just how fertile you are." She shot out her hand again and balled the dhampir's shirt in her fist, yanking him forward and smashing their lips together hungrily.

[seer-nikolai]

Quite flustered, niece of mine. It happens once every other century or so.

[beatricexbaird]

No wonder you're totally bugging. Does this happen to concern Violet too? She's freaking out you're here.

[seer-nikolai]

Hope you're not looking forward to some witty and hilarious banter– I don't have it in me at the moment.

[beatricexbaird]

Wow, Beau was not kidding, Grunkle Nikki. You are flustered.

[beau-baird]

Wow, hello Gluttony, haven't seen this side of you in a while. It's not crazy, Bea. The bottom line is, you love him– it sounds like he loves you too, since he is about two seconds away from dropping the knee, and you're an adult who can make this decision if you want. If you want to give Dad a heart attack with a fake pregnancy, you might as well make it real– you've obviously put a lot of thought into it and may actually want this. I'm not being biased at all with the fact that I would love to have a nephew or niece, or more, to be the absolute best uncle to. Especially with how everything is going... You might as well take the happiness where you can get it. So, leave the charming and figuring out how to unfuck us all to me, and go figure out your happy for the time being.

[beatricexbaird]

I know I'm starting to sound like Gramps right now, but Beau, there is no way in Hell or Heaven he isn't only tolerating me because of my hotness level or getting under Dad's skin. I can't start holding onto that hope just to watch him rip out my heart and say I'm the last woman on earth he could ever fall in love with. The way he looks at me, all the things he said, he wasn't lying. Faking a pregnancy isn't enough for me, no, not when I want the real thing. Swear on the seven kingdoms, it's looking like more than one niece or nephew. You'll be the greatest uncle the realms have ever seen, Beau, just don't forget about your own happiness in between the charming and figuring out how to unfuck us all. You deserve it as much as anyone.

[fiendishly-sterling]

If someone told Sterling that the tides between him and the assassin that had come into his life bearing teeth and knife to the point where they were not only cordial, but pledging themselves to one another... he would have laughed. Not when no one in his life outside of his sister, who he was bound to by blood, even bothered. Yet... Beatrice was slowly changing his life from the moment that she came into it with her beautiful fury. "We make quite a team, don't we?" He couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face. Not a smirk, not a shit-eating grin that he would give someone he felt as though he was annoying. A genuine smile that he never gave to anyone outside of his sister, and at one time Robin, especially reserved for someone who chose to see him, and Beatrice saw him as much as he saw her. Somehow, understanding each other on a near molecular level that no one else has been able to manage. "Since you promised me that you wouldn't use my weakness against my sister or me, I promise you that when I propose to you, it's not because I like to be your father's enemy. That's just a... pleasant bonus. I care for you a lot more than I should, but you make it easy to." Sterling cleared his throat after the admission left him nervous and a touch... embarrassed. He didn't think it was possible for him to end up this way with anyone– it wasn't actually supposed to happen. He'd been so careful to keep everyone that he'd ever come across at arm's length for fear of retaliation from his father, yet the Princess tore down every defense with her iron will. Maybe because for once, he actually felt... secure. Protected. Even if it meant that the woman would be protecting him from her own family. Sterling ignored the searing warmth of Bea's fingertips grazing the skin that no longer showed the evidence of her father's attack on him, willing his mind to not focus on how right her touch felt. Especially since the conversation didn't... warrant such thoughts. "My father got very creative with his punishments on more than one occasion when it came to a sibling that disappointed him enough; you don't want to know what all that flower can do in great detail." The dhampir grimaced, a shiver coursing through his nervous system, causing him to grasp onto Bea's hand a little tighter, seeking the warmth that he was so deprived of. It was one of the many things that Henrik forced his children into one room for– to watch the punishment of any sibling that their father deemed deserved to die, and none of it was pleasant. Every death left a memory in his mind like a ghost haunting his psyche, solidifying one goal– keeping him and Evangeline alive at any cost. "I trust you to do whatever you need to do with this information," he murmured, tilting his head automatically to allow the Princess to thread her fingers through his hair like it was a therapeutic action for her as it was for him. Sterling's eyes narrowed playfully, giving her a lopsided grin. "I know I definitely won't mind an extended staycation, and we can surely find ways to fill the time. Once I make sure my sister is safe, you can do whatever you want with me."

[beatricexbaird]

Beatrice nodded her agreement of the statement, breathing a light chuckle at the notion they made a greater team than either realized. Once upon a time, satisfaction would have showered her grandfather knowing the arranged matrimony proved highly successful despite the rough beginnings. It wasn't Sterling she behaved irrationally angry with in the end, however, that right belonged on Henrik's shoulders. That one smile, a smile so pure and free from the sarcastically maniacal grins forever plastered on the dhampir's lips, caused a weakness at the assassin's knees powerful enough that she could've sunk into a puddle on the floor. "When that moment comes, I know you will spend every day for our eternity rubbing the fact in my father's face. I care about you too, Sterling, more than what I can place in verbal form." I love you, Sterling, just say the words, Beatrice thought to herself, although the confession never drifted past her tongue out of silly fear. It is painfully true how she merely assumed Sterling's interest sliding a ring on her finger stemmed from his fantastical pleasures irritating the piss out of Ramiel and his fuck-it-all attitude, but another part screamed how he must reciprocate any feelings even after a short time. Most of their conversations up until their heart-to-heart were spent sleeping together, that it seemed a massive rush either should admit falling for the other. Sterling became the tornado of destruction swirling into her life and destroying any mechanism utilized separating emotion from her actions. How swiftly she chose jumping out of the frying pan and straight into the fire. "I understand the intricacies how to physically and mentally damage a person's mind, baby, trained to do such by my own hand. And even that...is a hard pill to swallow." Bea's eyebrows knitted in concern as she felt the male's hand grip hers more strongly, giving it a small squeeze as comfort while the fingers of her other hand continuously caressed his hair. The gluttonous side of her grandfather experienced Sterling's desire erasing the memories of his father's disposal method with the siblings who disappointed him. A horror too terrible to name, a nightmare running along a constant loop. Beatrice shook away the thought as the mood lightened and traveled away from Henrik, stepping back slightly lest the temptation staying at his side seduced her. "I will locate your sister and bring her back here. And then," She leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to the dhampir's lips, gently nipping at his bottom one as she pulled back. "Our staycation will commence in the bedroom where it shall remain."

________

Beatrice was positively bursting with energy most often witnessed by those in Gluttony's court when his thoughts raced as quickly as hers were. Marriage and babies, marriage and babies, the Veil orchid, all scattered inside her brain and swirled like a maelstrom of information she required a release. A connections board perhaps, her grandfather's specialty, or confessing her sins surely becoming the swiftest relief. After the several revelations during her conversation with her brother and the time allotted that it took tracking down Evangeline, the assassin and her lover's twin reentered the home before she instructed the young woman to choose any room she wanted. Then Beatrice set off, using Sterling's obvious hunger of his lovebug to track him down in the bedroom they would surely now share together just as they did the first time. "Evvie is safe. Now, I have a few things needing off my chest," She began immediately after entering through the doorway without so much as a proper greeting. Really, her grandmother would've been appalled by the poor etiquette. "I know you said the best way keeping your father off your back was getting me pregnant before he did. Clearly, I'd pick the obvious answer every time knowing that the very idea of you and I birthing a child into this world was laughably impossible. Spreading a rumor I was pregnant to fuck with my father sounded tempting and fuck, it still could happen. Here's the thing," Bea continued with no breaths taken, no pausing, just Gluttony's signature motormouth, "Talking with Beau made me realize just how much this need being pregnant by you and only you actually started growing. I want to have a baby with you, Sterling, I want to have as many as we can. You had a terrible example for a parent your entire life, but I see a spark of your mother you possess within yourself somewhere could make you a really good father." Beatrice put one foot ahead of the other and crossed the room until she stood right in front of the dhampir, "I should have said this before leaving, but I love you, Sterling. I love you."

[beau-baird]

I will put on my best acting pants and be the most shocked, but you know what they say– if you speak things into existence, then it... happens, and I wouldn't be surprised if Dad has an aneurysm or tries to kill Sterling again. Or both. I guess it's a good thing we know the location of some powerful witches who can streamline that; it's time I get cozy with the First family, and I will send you any updates I get along the way. Apparently, things are happening that shouldn't be, and shit's about to go down that Gramps and I can't account for. Grunkle Nik is back, and he's flustered.

[beatricexbaird]

You think I could speak a fake pregnancy into existence? Beau, come on, having a baby with a vampire is totally ridiculous. I mean, it's beyond the realm of possibility. There's no way I could bring a child into this world with a dhampir who's made it clear he'd marry me in a heartbeat and might turn out to be a really good dad. It's crazy talk, right? Dad having an aneurysm and hunting Sterling for blood sport are both equal hand-in-hand possibilities. Your girlfriend is part of the First Family, bro, and you can charm the pants off of anyone so you don't need the good luck. Okay, that's never a good bit of news. I'm happy Grunkle Nikki returned, but he wasted a whole honeymoon. And he's flustered? We're fucked.

[beau-baird]

Is this a plan I should know about, or does it go hand in hand with the details you're sparing me from? I'm sure I can find some strong enough witches to do a scrying spell to find the location in case Henrik has it warded or anything– I'll find it. Do you want me to key you in for when we go to retrieve them, or are you staying behind? She's not. You know how she gets when Violet goes into overload mode; there's not much we can do other than keep her comfortable until whatever her visions are telling her passes.

[beatricexbaird]

I need you acting shocked, but basically, Dad's about to receive the surprise of his life when he discovers his little girl is pregnant. Not actually pregnant, but he won't know that. The bastard's paranoid as fuck like any baddie, Beau, he'll have it warded up the ass and around the corner. It's better I stay behind and keep my eye on the twins, but still send me updates. I'll pay her a visit and bring some of those cupcakes she likes when I can. If it's really as bad as you say, do you know what she's seeing?

[beau-baird]

Then his freedom is what he will get. Sterling deserves that much, even if you didn't want to be involved with him, for letting us know how to take down his kind. He and Evangeline are twins, so they probably won't feel safe until they're together. We know how our grandpa and our grunkle get when they're separated for too long. You take care of them; I'll reach out to others on the down low to track down and get the flower. I have a gut feeling that things are going to spiral a lot quicker than we think. There are a lot of things happening right now that aren't supposed to be; Violet's visions are going haywire.

[beatricexbaird]

And if Father doesn't see eye-to-eye on our agreement about Sterling's freedom, I already have the perfect plan in the back of my mind that will set him straight. No one should be doomed to suffer for eternity at a monster's hand. I'd have my ways making Sterling far less grumpy without his sibling, but I'll spare you the details. I'll worry about the twins and you work on finding that orchid, the sooner we kill that fucking vampire, the better everyone sleeps at night. Beau, the last time Violet's visions were off the charts was when Henrik attempted taking over Hell. It seems too much of a coincidence it happens again when the fuckhead appeared. More importantly, is she okay?

[beau-baird]

You don't have to thank me; you would do the same thing for me if I had asked. It's what siblings are for.

Yeah... you did– welcome to the club. This is more than monumental; this is... tide-turning for this war. We could truly end it before it starts, but if Henrik finds out that Sterling said anything, he will kill him. You're going into protection mode, aren't you?

[beatricexbaird]

I know. It's why you're the best brother a girl could ask for.

I love him. Fuck. He wants his freedom from Henrik more than anything, Beau, it's the reason why I'm trusting you with this information. I don't have a choice going into protection mode with his father on the loose. I'm not at his side right now to track down Evangeline and bring her back. She and Sterling are a package deal, if he punished one, they both go down.

[beau-baird]

I will handle Dad, I promise– if you didn't get through to him when you protected Sterling, then I will.

Now, get me up to speed– you wouldn't say out loud that you love the dhampir even in jest. What changed?

[beatricexbaird]

If his mini me couldn't get through to him period, then you know it's bad. Thank you, bro.

Guess I did just unknowingly admitted that, didn't I? For starters, the engagement ring our Sterling gave me belonged to his mother. Garnet is his and Evvie's birthstone. He opened up, that's what changed. It wasn't merely the ring, Beau, I know how to truly kill a vampire. It's a flower, the Veil orchid, enough to slow down regeneration or permanently incapacitate.