"Arthur...I-I'm back."
((OMG!! I’m so happy I could just, a;dbgldfbsl!!))He looked as if he’s seen a ghost. He frantically reached out and touched her face. Feeling the smooth velvet and looking deep into her eyes, “is. Is it, really you love?!”
Arthur turned, and saw her backside. It felt nice knowing she was home again. “Why don’t, you help the kids get dressed. Breakfast should be done in a few minutes.”
“ Are you sure love?”
“Yes. I want you, to spend as much time as you can with them. I’ve been with them for, quite awhile. Seems only faie, you get the same thing. Specially for someone as lovely, and as kind as you.”
The swan nodded and smiled,“ Thank you love.” She pecked a kiss on her husbands cheek,“ I’ll see you in a bit.”
“See ya in a bit love,” he went back to cooking their breakfast as she tended to the children. The girls were slowly getting up and making their way to the bathroom, while William quietly slept in his crib.
Odette found it hard to not help cook breakfast but she accepted the welcome chance of spending time with her two daughters. The girls chattered on and on about their latest discovery in schools, friendships they have made, and of course the small adventures they have had with their Father while she was away. It felt bittersweet to hear their tales for it seems they have been more than well looked after and loved. At the same time, as a Mother, she regretted the time she had missed and the opportunities lost of sharing these memories with them.
As the girls talked and conversed with their mother, William was very adventerous. Much like his dad, getting into trouble and doing things he wasn’t supposed to be doing. Recently he had discovered a new talent: escaping his crib. There was a noticiable thud, but the girls didn’t seem to notice it. As soon as the girls were finished grooming themselves, there was a tug on Odette’s dress: it was little william, staring up at her with his big amber eyes, suckling on a pacifier.
Odette’s eyes found the face of her little son looking up at her with such. Large, Amber eyes. She felt her heart plummet as she bent down to pick up her small son William. She did her best to conceal her emotions while the girls were around. As far as the girls know she did a very convincing job. After all she truly was very happy to see her kids after such a long journey and to be reunited with her husband. She kept her emotions and tact until the girls left for school chauffeured by Rogers for now they have an arrangement to be driven by him a few times every week for Arthur to have time to manage the affairs of Swan Lake and all those who have inhabited there. When the door had shut Odette crumpled onto the floor kneeling with her son and her arms. She held him so tight as to never let him go. Tears streaming down her face , one of her hands cupping the back of his head.
Arthur, could hear the blubbering echo throughout the house. As he finished the dishes, he dried his hands, and investigated the source of the noise. He saw Odette, collapsed at the door. Fearing the worst, he ran over as quickly as he could. Hoisting her up, “what’s wrong babe?! Is, is everything alright? Come on, talk to me.” He then noticed, William was in her arms and, was confused, “what’s, going on babe?”
“ I’ve missed so much” Odette croaked. “ How could I leave what is most precious to me, just to advance in the magical arts? How could I have- I’m sorry Arthur.” A torrent of tears streamed down her face,“ I’m so sorry.” William, confused by all this squalled in protest and kicked his legs to be free. Odette gently put William back down and he crawled after a colorful rattle. Tears continued to flow down the Queens face as she watched him.
He gently held her and rocked her lightly, as if she was a baby herself. “Its alright. The, important thing is, your here now and forever.” He watched him play with the colorful rattle. “You know, that’s your rattle right? I remember the day you left. You, told me to give them a special present after you left. You gave, william that rattle, and the girls their own set of hair clips.” He couldn’t help but chuckle, “I remember one day where, they were all so, upset, that they couldn’t find their clips nor rattle…after, a long day of looking and tears, we found them and, they were as happy as every…you never left them babe, you just, weren’t in the same room with them. Watching them.”
“ I left to protect my own family” she whispered. “ I have a duty to my Kingdom and family, but it doesn’t take away the regret that I’ve felt not being there. It’s been almost 3 years.” Odette looked up at Arthur,“ You know why I had to go, the Kingdom was under threat, I had to sharpen my skills and…” The ex swan looked at Williama as he gurgled and played in the background and sighed,“ I was called to do it. You and the children were in my thoughts every moment.”
“And we were in yours. When theye get older, we’ll tell them everything. Even, our own story love.” Leaning in and kissing her. “Why don’t, you go over there and keep him company. Around this time, we take a nice little walk to a pond, not far from here and, sometimes we see a paticular group of animals…sometimes a bird, a tortoise, a puffin, and maybe a frog…” gently hinting to her abour her friends.
Calming down, she sniffed with a slight smile,“ Sounds like a great idea.” She gently released herself from her husbands embrace and walked over to kneel by William,“ Will, how do you feel about going to the pond to see some friends?”
He looked up at her, shaking the rattle and smiling widely. Giving a light coo. “Well then, I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll get the bag ready.”
Odette picked William up and held him again, she turned her head around to look at Arthur, “ Do you need help love?”
He lightly nodded his head, “no. But thank you anyways babe. Why don’t you and William, catch up a bit.” William lightly giggled as he laid in Odette’s arms.
Odette smiled," Alright." Then she began to toss Will up in the air and then catching him. The baby started to squeal in delight at each toss, making her feel more at home again. " You know I have to say, this one takes after my father a lot, Iris takes after you though."
