#alberich fletcher

[obigem]

"As you know, me and your daddy have been planning a trip with Aunty Mel and Uncle Saunders. And, well, that trip is all set for this weekend. Even though you're all much bigger now, the thought of you all alone for a weekend, well—I'll just say it. You'll be spending the weekend with Nana Shelly."

"Nana Shelly? Are you trying to punish us? Because I haven't done anything wrong. I shouldn't be made to go, but if you wanna know what Cordie, Dro, and Brick have done to deserve it, I have a list." Millie prepared to read her siblings' rights.

"Nobody is punished." Dre reassured her.

"This isn't a punishment, kids," Dre reiterated, "Your Nana actually suggested it. She loves you all very much, and I think since Papa Raymond died she's been a little lonely. She's looking forward to spending time with all of her grandbabies."

"OK, but Nana doesn't have a piano." Millie pouted.

"And she never lets me bring my guitar to her place because she says it's an instrument for riff raffs, whatever that means."

"You can live without instruments for one weekend, Camille." Dre tried to comfort in vain

"No, I can't. I need an instrument to finish writing my song. It's for a contest!"

"Why can't we stay here? Alphie's pretty much a robo nanny. Isn't that what Dad programmed her to do?"

"You know I don't feel comfortable leaving you for days with an android as the only adult." Dre disapproved.

"What about Aiden? He's kind of an adult."

"Sorry, kids, no can do." Aiden chimed in.

"I've got basic training supervision on base this weekend, which means I won't be around and cannot babysit." Thankfully too, as he wasn't keen on being on the hook for whatever this was.

"OK then," Millie tried again. "I have a proposal. Cordie's 16 and is super responsible, she can watch us."

"Camille, as responsible as your sister is, watching two kids and a preteen is a lot. I don't know—"

"Then what if it was just me? The boys can go to Nana's and keep her company and bond and stuff. I can stay here and finish my song for the competition and Cordie will make sure I don't starve."

"Besides, I'm way easier to look after compared to the boys. I basically watch myself, not like them who can't even keep their drawls skidmark free."

"Please, I don't do that." Dro scoffed.

"That only happens sometimes." Brick wilted.

"What do you think, Cam?" Dre considered the proposition.

[obigem]

After the Fletchers took one happy family group picture together, they dispersed to mingle among their guests.

Brick tried to make friends with Sunny Plott, but Sunny didn't seem to be a big fan of that, and her dad seemed even less of a fan of that.

Naturally, Cam went directly to Valerian Plott to catch up with his number one best friend. His small talk didn't seem to be working though. Val was certainly lost in some deep scientifically ground breaking thought, so Cam opted to dance instead. Val would get the cue to join soon…eventually 😅

Meanwhile, Andrea decided to catch up with Antoinette Goth. It had been too long since they last saw each other in person, which meant there had been precious few moments for her to properly spoil Ani's new baby girl, Henry Goth. After Henry passed, Ani could think of no better name to pay tribute.

"Ani, she's precious!" Dre gushed and cooed at little baby Henry.

"She's perfect." Ani looked on at her wistfully. "You know, even before Henry passed I felt very strongly about naming this one after him. It just felt very right to have a baby girl that bears his name. Like providence, you know?"

"How can I not? All our babies are named after family members in one form or another so I definitely get it." Dre chuckled.

"Perhaps you and the children can come see us in Henford for this one's birthday in a few months? It's been a long time."

"Yes, I know. Visiting has become scarce, hasn't it?

"To be honest, when losing Henry was still fresh, Cam didn't want to visit Henford. It was too much for him. Thoughts and feelings of both his parents is so thick in the air there, he thought he might break down. Then I lost my father and we both were struggling with parental grief."

"But it's settled for us both now, maybe him more than me, but I'm better at bottling things than Cam. Old habits die hard." A sardonic smirk stung her face as memories of her panic attacks from buried emotions called to memory. "Seriously though, I think visiting will be good for me too."

"Henford is filled with new life now," Dre looked down lovingly at baby Henry, "and I think that can help to mend the hole that past life has voided in my heart."

"Altus and I would be happy to have you. Rowan too even if he won't admit it." Ani smiled.

"I know. Is he taking to big brotherhood?"

"Not as well as I would like. We finally got him to stop trying to cast inferniate on her, but now the new challenge is to convince him why trying to use morphiate on her is also wrong"

"Morphiate? Is that like a new Void Critter or something. Sorry, I'm out of the loop. Cordie and the rest of the kids never really got into them."

"Void Critter?" Ani looked puzzled until she remembered what she just said and the company she's in. "Oh my! Please forget everything I just said. I have no idea where my heads at today."

"No worries, the younger they are the more they have us frazzled, don't they?" Dre laughed.

"They surely do." Ani cooed at Henry as she giggled then yawned in return. "It looks like this one is ready for a nap."

"Of course," Dre handed her back, "We have a pack and play in the living room. Aiden can show you to it."

As Ani attended to her daughter, Dre felt a tap on her shoulder.

[obigem]

"Alpha," Cordie scrutinized the far corner of the tree. "Shouldn't there be more ornaments on that end? It's looking kind of sparse."

"Of course, Ms. Cordelia." Alpha added more at lightning speed. For she, the least complicated Flecher of the bunch, was just happy to be there.

With the tree trimmed, the only thing left to do was to round out their Trimming Day Traditions by singing Winterfest songs and drinking cocoa by the fire together, but an unearthly stench stopped them all in their tracks.

"Ugh," Cordie made a face, "Mama I think Droby or Brick pooped their pants."

The two smallest of the Fletchers were dancing away without a care in the world.

"UhUhhh!" Andros sing-songed. "I don't poop my pants anymore!"

"Me neither!" Brick chimed in.

But Dre's Mom nose knew best

"Droby's right, that poop is definitely a signature Brick poop. I'd know it anywhere." She scrunched up her nose

"I've got a great idea. Cordelia should handle cleaning it up. That way you won't have to after a long day at work, Mama." Millie smiled

"According to the parenting books I've been committing to memory, 15 is an adequate age to begin learning child care techniques as Ms. Cordelia's enters her prime fertility age."

"See, Alpha agrees." Millie just couldn't help herself sometimes.

"What?! Do I have to?" Cordie was caught between feelings of the ick and wanting to throttle Millie for suggesting this.

"No, Mama's got this one. I'll spare you the woes of dirty diapers till you have little ones of your own."

"Little ones, plural? Yeah, I don't think so!"

"I have way too many things I want to accomplish, so I won't be having any babies till way, way, way, WAY in the future. And even then, maybe just one."

"You say that now," Dre laughed, "but you'd be surprised how easily love, marriage, and a family can sneak up on you."

"I knew a girl with best laid plans once upon a time. Didn't quite work out for her that way." Dre smiled to herself as it was certainly clear to her how easy it can be to go from a young woman smitten with a cute guy, to a woman in love with a budding family.

It happens so fast.

"Yeah, well, that's you. Don't start putting things out into the universe and giving the Watcher ideas. It makes me nervous."

"Relax, baby girl. I'm certain the Watcher will be very kind to you and let you experience life to the fullest before giving you babies."

"Hey, how bout we stop talking about something that it won't be a possibility for my little princess to have for a long time since she won't be doing that act till she's 50, and sing Winterfest carols instead? Fwingle Zibbs, anyone?" Cameron interjected.

"Carols?" Aiden made a face. "Ya know, I think it's getting kind of late. I may just have to turn in early. You know, early morning drill duties and all." Singing wasn't exactly his favorite pastime.

On the flipside, Cordie loved carols, but she figured she should call it too.

Any other Tree Trimming Day, she'd be right there to finish out the night with the family singing songs and drinking cocoa.

But she had a late night phone call calling her name. And she didn't want to be late for it.

[obigem]

At some point in the night, Alberich had woken and went to find Dre for some comfort, but when she went to put him back down, he found his room empty.

The two went in search for the rest of the family only to find them still in each other's arms in front of the fireplace.

There they were strewn out across the couch fast asleep like she'd never seen them.

Millie was tucked into Cordie's arms. Dro snuggled into the crook of Cam's arm. Cam nestled awkwardly trying unsuccessfully to both sleep comfortably and gather them all.

Dre stiffled a giggle. The sight of them all, it warmed her heart enough to burst. All her babies, this was exactly what they needed.

"Mama gonna carry everybody up to bed?" Brick questioned as he took in the sight with her.

"No, baby." Dre gave Brick a squeeze. "Let's let them rest down here. Wanna be Mama's snuggle buddy tonight?"

"Yeah." Brick hugged her back, as they made their way back up to sleep.

By the time the fire died out, the Fletchers had all achieved their goodnight slumber.

[obigem]

While the ladies got to work on some hand made roasted veggies. The Saunders-Pikes strolled in to mingle and join the Fletchers for apps, before heading down to Aiden's apartment for a Pike-style Harvestfest of Chinese food.

Melody was beyond excited to catch up with her best friend and spend some quality time with Aiden. Journee had the same idea as she ran right to his side as soon as they arrived. But the only thing on Legend's mind was playing with Brick and Dro.

After the ladies put the roasted veggies in the oven, everyone was able to rest for a bit.

Raymond decided to take it easy watching a movie with his grandbabies. Brick and Dro had tired themselves out playing with Legend, but Millie was wide awake.

"Papa, can we change the channel to something a little less boring?" Millie moaned.

"Boring? Miracle on Riverdale St is a classic. True cinema."

"If it's so great and not boring, then why did Brick and Dro fall asleep?"

"They're babies. Babies need lots of sleep."

"That's funny, I don't remember needing that much sleep when I was 4 and 5." Millie needled him.

"Hey, baby girl, if you're so bored why don't you go play dolls with that little friend of yours. What's her name, Janet?"

"Journee."

"Yes, don't you have dolls to accesorize?"

"Eww. I'm not Cordie. I don't 𝘥𝘰 dolls."

"Well, why don't you do whatever it is the two of you usually do?"

"I can't. Ever since she's been here the only thing she wants to do is hang all over Aiden. I don't get what Cordie and her see in him." Millie shrugged.

[obigem]

While the grownups were having an intense conversation at the adult table, a completely different conversation was going down at the kid table.

Camille wasn't exactly pleased to be sequestered off with the babies for this family meal, so she decided to have some retributive fun.

"Why Grampy talking loud with Mama and Daddy?" Andros looked on at them curiously.

"Dro Dro, Mama and Daddy are playing!" Alberich giggled not truly understanding the situation.

"You're both wrong." Camille interjected.

"Mama and Daddy are deciding which one of you is staying behind to live with Grampy."

"What's behind?" Brick asked confused.

"It means, Mama, Daddy, and Cordelia and I will go home and one of you have to stay here to help Grampy. Forever."

"But I love Mama and Daddy. I can't be behind." The worry was starting set in on Droby's face.

"Well, it's too late for that. Unless..."

"Less what?" Brick chimed in.

"Well, I might be able to put in a good word....for one of you."

"Word?"

"Mmmhmm. You see, I could be nice and tell Mama and Daddy which way to lean. But I would need to be convinced which one of you to vouch for."

"I can vince!" Droby yelled. "How I vince?"

"Well, you'd need to do things for me."

"Like bring me things when I ask. Give me your deserts, or ask Mama for stuff you know I want, then give it to me. Simple stuff."

The boys nodded hoping to save their own skins. Millie knew it was wrong, but she couldn't resist taking advantage of their young gullibility.

It didn't take long for the thought of one of the boys being separated from the family to get to them, and they both ended up in tears.

"Now, Camille. What did you do to those babies? They were fine just a second ago."

"Grampy, what do you take me for? I'm not a monster!"

[obigem]

Before Cordelia could fully explain herself, Cameron was already in a stir.

"Cameron, honey, calm down." Dre was taking the news in stride.

"Calm down? Dre she said boyfriend!"

"Are you really so surprised? You said yourself you thought her and Jairo were getting closer."

"Yes, but I thought they'd start out by going out on a few dates together not already being boyfriend and girlfriend. Wait? It is Jai, right? If it's another boy, I don't know if I approve."

"Cam." Dre tried to settle him. "Cordelia, set your father's heart at ease."

"Well, my boyfriend is Jai." Cam let out a sigh of relief. "It's not that I was keeping it from you, everything just happened so fast and there wasn't a moment to let you know."

"Hmm, that's interesting. Weren't you a couple when we went to the Fall Festival." Millie chimed in.

"It was pretty quiet on the car ride there, it just makes me wonder why Cordie couldn't have told us all then."

"You little snake!" Cordie said under her breath. "Don't think I won't remember this!"

"Girls," Dre calmed them both, "Let's not get too excited."

"There's a simple way to resolve all of this."

"There is?" Cam looked to his wife curiously.

"Of course. If the question is if we approve of Cordelia having a boyfriend, the best way to get a feel for it is to invite the Reynolds over for dinner."

"We've gotten to know Jai pretty well as Cordie's friend, but we don't really know his thoughts as it relates to them being in a relationship. That and I don't believe we've gotten to know his parents. This will be a good opportunity for everyone to get to know everyone better."

"I guess that's true." Cam was reluctant. "And it would be good to know that they have the same ideas as us as far as how often they see each other, how late they're out, not being left alone and unsupervised when their together at Jai's place."

"Daddy!" Cordie protested.

"Cordelia, though your dad's phrasing may not have been the best, I do think it would be a good idea that Jai's parents and your dad and I are on the same page with what we're all OK with. I think it'll be nice, unless you have a reason for us not to meet Jai's parents."

[obigem]

Before long the entire Fletcher clan made it to the breakfast table to have a family meal together before they hit the road back to Oasis Springs.

But for Cordelia it was less about pancakes and more about finally getting one over on Camille. She could hardly wait.

Her intense level of glee could not be missed by her very own mother.

"Cordelia, is there a reason you're smiling so intently in my direction?" Andrea asked her unable to ignore her immense enthusiasm.

"Me? Oh, it's just you look really pretty today, Mama."

"Uh, huh. What do you want?" Dre knew better than to take an unprompted compliment at face value.

"I don't want anything. But I do have to tell you something."

"Oh?"

Millie shot Cordie a dirty look, but there was no going back now.

"Yes, but before I say it, I want to give Camille an opportunity to say her peace first. And if she does, as her big sister, I hope you'll see it in your heart to go easy on her for her punishment."

"I see. Camille, is there something you want to come clean about?"

"Yes, there is, Mama."

"Go ahead, I'm listening, baby."

"Well, I wasn't going to say anything at first cause I thought you and Daddy knew, but I'm pretty sure you don't."

"What are you playing at, Camille?" Cordie got suspicious.

"Oh nothing. It's just that, I think you all should know that Cordie has a boyfriend!"

"Boyfriend?" Cam gaspsed.

"Boyfen?" Andros said confused.

"Pancakes!" Brick lost the plot.

"Cordie, care to explain?" Dre was hot on Cordelia's tail.

"What? Well...see....what had happened was...." Frazzled, Cordie scrambled to find her words.

She was prepared for Millie getting her comeuppance. What she wasn't prepared for was getting a dose of some of her own.