William was collected by Stephanie for a bath before supper. The young witch adored her young charge, but also appreciated the afternoon off her Nanny duties thanks to the distraction that was ‘Captain Alex’. She had been able to attend Mistress Willow, returning to William’s rooms drained but far more relaxed as she knew her own healing spell and gift of energy for the senior wiccan was appreciated.
Xander spent the hour in the study with Connor and Anton. It was but days before the Aurelians would be playing host to the Clan leaders again, and Xander had a power of work to catch up with in terms of his own projects. He was amazed at how easily Connor had ‘covered’ for him in his absence – though admittedly the two major projects were well underway and superbly managed on site by individuals hand picked by Xander (with Jim’s advice).
Anton went out for a smoke and quiet sherry before supper while Connor and Xander caught up properly regards a new project in central Prague. The demolition of the existing building (complete with one of the only facades to survive from the seventeen hundreds in tact) was not an option. The entire block was owned by one of the oldest Czechoslovakian demon clans who could trace their line back to the human lines of the Hapsburgs.
The project was complex with many caveats on the design – but the chief consulting architects were known to the Aurelian court, and had a fine track record. They were also keen to have the Consort’s company engage in the work having seen some of their projects in Helsinki and Bonn. Connor had begun the project tender but was relieved when Xander stepped back in to his professional role. Connor only belatedly realized how very passionate (apart from how talented) Xander was regards project management on this scale.
The brunette threw himself into a barrage of swift phonecalls and concurrently shot Emails to a number of different contracting groups that might be used. Within the hour the tender was to the Aurelian lawyers for final review and would be on the table of the Szoeke Group before their Executive meeting in the morning.
The two men were still in deep conversation regards timing and some of the more mundane aspects of the Prague Project when they noticed a little bear toting figure join Anton on his balcony chair to receive a pre supper hug, so paused their dialogue to simply smile and watch the interaction.
Anton was deep in thought when the little pajama and dressing gown clad lad arrived and stood politely within the adult’s line of sight. Anton’s almost empty sherry glass was immediately placed on the ground and clove cigarette flicked over the balustrade before he opened his arms and William raced over to ‘Sir Anton’ for his nightly hug and ‘daily report’.
Connor smelled and saw Xander’s emotions playing openly as the Consort watched the little boy gesticulating excitedly, hugging Anton and demonstrating the various events of the day using ‘Teddy’ as one of his props. Loving adoration, sadness and longing, plus a mixture of joy and… hope flowed from the newly restored brunette.
Even after these several months with his Aurelian family household, ‘The Destroyer’ was still coming to terms with his own vampiric instincts coming to the fore so easily where ‘family’ was concerned, but had also learned to follow his natural responses. Feeling Xander’s distress, he opened the tiny Swiss army knife on his key ring and made a deliberate cut across his wrist. Connor then offered it to the Consort who absently fixed his mouth over the wound and took two slow drafts before pulling off with a sudden awareness of what he was doing. Xander laved the injury closed before pausing for a moment to settle his thoughts.
“I’m umm… Gahh sorry… Why did you…??”
“You needed it… I know I’m not him… but I figured you needed… the connection.”
A choked, “Yeah” was Connor’s only reply and the two watched for several minutes before returning to the task of packing up the office for the evening.
……………..
By the time Xander and Connor entered the dining room William was seated in his usual place, swinging his legs a little and waiting patiently while Stephanie, Willow and Anton were quietly discussed the upcoming clan meeting and the participation of the coven and other demon clans, and the possible attendance by a representative of the Wolfram and Hart Paris office.
Xander was directed to the chair beside William – the chair that so recently had sported an extra cushion like William’s – so both boys might reach the dining table with ease.
The meal passed easily, with the adults all engrossed in conversation regarding the coming Court gathering. Finally William leaned over and politely asking Xander if the man would mind cutting his veal into bite sized pieces. Xander obliged immediately, realizing belatedly that William’s fine table manners had caused him to be all but ignored, and that he was looking somewhat sad.
After slicing up the food he leaned over and whispered, “Is something wrong, Will?”
“Oh… not really… but might you read me a bedtime story later? I’m sure Nanny Stephanie won’t mind just this once, and I know she marked where we finished last night.”
When Xander nodded his agreement, William brightened, “Can you read Peter Pan – you know the bit where Peter fights Hook - it’s very exciting! There’s Tinkabell – she’s a fairy and there’s a crocodile with his clock and there’s ever so many pirates…And if you like we can play…”
Stephanie leaned over and cut him off quietly, “William, sweetheart, I’m sure Xander is happy to read to you, but how about you eat a little more of your dinner before it gets cold. You can plan for tomorrow after OK?” She gave the little boy an affectionate pat on the knee, though William’s face still fell, and his cheeks fired red.
He’d done it again. Perhaps Papa was right, he should not come to the adult table until he had long pants, but they had given him long pants, so now he was unsure of the rules. He had just been… He took one more mouthful of the veal Xander cut for him, before the lump in his throat suddenly curbed his appetite. He knew that he should have simply answered the question nicely then been good.
Xander noted the instant change and surmised the reason. He could not help thinking that they were both, in a sense living the Peter Pan life, and loved the little boy all the more whilst yearning desperately for his Spike.
He leaned over, cupped and raised a rather wobbly chin then locked his brown eye with William’s baby blues, saying sincerely, “Peter Pan it is. I’m sure he’d love to have you on his side.”
William looked a little hopeful. “Like Michael or John?”
“Of course… like Michael or John.” Xander smiled then took another mouthful of his own meal, and focused back on the adult conversations.
William immediately remembered his place again and pushed around the meat again, making a valiant attempt at one more piece before pushing the remains neatly to the side and placing his knife and fork parallel. He knew he had not earned pudding, so sat with his hands in his lap and head down, desperately wishing that his friend Alex might come back soon. It was so easy to be good with him around.
Stephanie had not missed the change in William’s behavior, and had really not been trying to reprimand the little lad, rather, she knew William needed to keep up his strength and eat well.
When she saw the effect of her comment, she surmised the reason and without the others noticing sent a message to the kitchen, organizing with the wonderful Jon, that her own, William’s and the Consort’s dessert (crème brulee) be delivered to William’s suite rather than the table.
She excused herself and William from the adult table, and invited Xander to join them. William politely said good night to all present, but was really still too miserable to notice the extra person following them up the stairs.
Xander flashed a quick look to his Sire and apologies to Connor and Willow – but all knew that the time was precious and needed, and that Xander, so newly restored, probably needed the sleep as much as his still small friend. Anton squeezed his Childe’s hand and whispered “Embrace your time with our young friend, and sleep well. There is much to be done in the coming days.”
Two hours later, after dessert, teeth cleaning and a story, Stephanie entered William’s bedroom, carefully took the book from the sleeping Consort’s hand and smiled as Xander rolled to place a protective hand on William’s side, before she spread an extra duvet over the sleeping man and retired to her room.
…………………….
Apart from an hour or so after William’s morning ride and a regular story reading engagement after dinner, Xander had little time to spend with his pint sized friend over the following four days. And the ensuing three day lead up to the convening of the court left *no* time for interaction with the ‘youngster’ as the older Aurelians all adjusted back to vampire hours.
William took to sitting under the old oak of an afternoon.
Nanny Stephanie offered to push the swing, but for the last few days he had politely declined her offer. Preferring instead, to sit on the swing and let it gently sway back and forth as he drew pictures and wrote hopeful letters to his friend Xander. He was lonely and wished he too could go home but knew he must be patient and stay out of the way.
Little William remembered the feeling of ‘being in the way’ all too well. Mother and Papa were ‘not to be bothered by small children’. He knew that… but Consort Alexander, Sir Anton and Uncle Connor had always seemed so pleased to see him before, yet now he was not even invited down to dinner. Like at home, all meals were taken in his rooms (the nursery) before he was ushered downstairs to bid a polite goodnight to all present.
Despite Alexander warning William that there were some family and business matters to be dealt with, the tiny blonde was sure that his exile was to do with the outburst at the first dinner with Alexander.
That was until the first of fifty or so limousines and taxis arrived at the front entrance of the castle on the following night. Then he understood. Mother had talked about big parties at the houses of royalty – she had attended them as a girl, though he knew she had always gone in a carriage – not these new horseless vehicles.
Nanny Stephanie had gone downstairs, so he took Teddy, eased off the bed and out the door to sit looking through the first floor landing’s banister. He could see them from his vantage point. As the guests arrived and were greeted by Sir Anton and Alexander before moving on to Uncle Connor. They all seemed terribly polite, and kissed Alexander on the hand like he had seen people do to Priests and the Queen in paintings.
Some of them seemed to be in costumes, others had masks on, and one group made William giggle a little – they had dressed up like lizards! He wished he could stay up to watch the dancing (Mother said there was always dancing) but yawned and resigned himself to another lonely night with Teddy.
But as he crawled back into bed, Sir Anton slipped into the room.
The older Aurelians had been so engrossed in the lead up to the clan meeting, that it was only when a rather nervous Stephanie touched Anton on the arm as he made his way to luncheon late afternoon, that the Immortal realized his error.
“Master Anton, I wonder if you might talk to William. He has no understanding of what is going on and is missing his family and Alexander dreadfully and pines for your attention – and that of Connor. I know it is difficult with the Clan meeting tonight, but it is a confusing time for him… and he misses you too.”
Anton sat on the edge of the bed, then leaned down to kiss the little boy’s blonde curls. “I’m sorry we have been so busy of late William. Nanny Stephanie said you were feeling a little out of sorts. Is there something I can do?”
William was so relieved to receive some attention from Sir Anton that he almost embarrassed himself by crying. Instead, he bit his bottom lip hard, took a deep breath then cleared his throat like his old Nanny used to advise should he ever feel tearful.
“I… I just got a little umm…” William paused and worried his bottom lip. If he said too much he might seem ungrateful, or Nanny Stephanie might be reprimanded in some way, or he might be seen as too naughty to be bothered with and sent home in disgrace like Cousin George had been from school that time. His father had told him about Cousin George!
Anton sat quietly, wondering what on earth was going on in the little boys head.
William picked at a loose cotton poking from the bed sheets for a time, until finally the little boy raised his eyes enough to look at the elegant belt buckle on Sir Anton’s pants. Despite his best efforts to speak clearly, all he could manage was a rather broken whisper as he begged for a second chance, “I’ll be good Sir Anton… I just got a bit… sad… But I’ll be good! Please… Please! May I just wait to see Xander again before you send me home?” With the last statement William finally let a tear fall as he raised his watery baby blue eyes to meet Sir Anton’s warm green gaze.
Instead of the disappointment William expected to see there, however, he found only love and contrition on the part of the adult before being pulled into a wonderfully warm hug.
“Oh my dear William, I have been *so* remiss… *We* are all so happy that you are here, and far be it that you have done something wrong! It is we who have hurt you by our absence!” Anton shifted the little boy until William was cuddled close against a powerful chest, then continued, “We have been so busy with matters of Court … I am *so* sorry that it had to be so – as, I am sure, so are Alexander and Uncle Connor. But it was certainly not your fault. We are hoping to arrange for you to be reunited with your best friend Xander in around two week’s time. Will you agree to stay with us until then do you think?”
Now nestled in the protective arms of Sir Anton, William finally relaxed but blinked wide and whispered, “Oh yes…” then added with more than a little amazement, “Court? So… You *are* a king!”
Anton smiled magnanimously as the little boy blinked wide eyed up at him, “Me?? Oh no dear heart, it is the Consort Alexander and High Master’s court. I am merely an… advisor – like an older uncle.” He swiftly decided to distract the little lad for a time, “Do you have an uncle?”
The remainder of the hour was spent talking about relatives. Anton drew from ancient memories of his original family (though editing carefully) after which William cheerfully related stories of his dear Aunt Mercia’s attempts at spinet playing; Christmas at the house of his Great Uncle Charles; and his adventures as he and Nanny sat on the landing at the top of the stairs when there was a dinner party, just so they could hear his mother sing (she was ‘very good’ apparently).
Finally the little lad was all talked out, and yawned widely. Anton eased the tiny blonde under the covers and stroked the curly locks as William snuggled down to hug Teddy and give in to dreams of home.
……….
The meeting of the clans was surprisingly easy – particularly considering that the Covens of Europe, a contingent from the Fl’aath and representatives from Wolfram and Hart Paris were present on the second day.
The High Master was missed but the clans more than impressed by the presence of the Consort Alexander, the Immortal and the Full Blood Aurelian, Connor. Also the report from Willow had Spike returning in under two weeks.
Apart from the usual clan matters, the dilemma of Lilah Morgan was one concerning all at the table, and most particularly the Fl’aath. It was not just their clan at the table. Other groups owing them allegiance stood alongside as they expressed their concerns regarding balance of power – and then pledged their ongoing support and practical assistance to the Aurelian Court. The gesture was graciously accepted – as was the apology to all present from two extremely nervous young lawyers from the Paris branch of Wolfram and Hart.
What had not been foreseen by the Clan leaders, was the presence at court of one of the senior officers involved in little William and little Xander’s attempted kidnapping. The rest of his hapless team had been ‘disposed of’ by Lilah as their failure became apparent, but Corporal Carlos had given himself up to the three Wolfram and Hart operatives that cornered him in a Bayern beer house one evening. He expected a swift and painful death, but instead had been ‘kept’ - delivered to the vampire Court as a gesture of apology from the Paris branch.
The apology was accepted as the hapless Carlos was drained and turned by the Paris Master. As a relatively intelligent minion, his knowledge of the clandestine workings of the militia of Wolfram and Hart would be useful.
The message from Wolfram and Hart was that there would be no further assistance given her by the Senior Partners. Indeed a there would be a debt created were any other group to effectively rid this plane of her presence.
The three senior Aurelians all heard the last statement as it was intended and immediately knew what needed to be done.
………..
As the Fl’aath prepared to depart at the conclusion of the Court proceedings, one of the restored Fl’aath demons, Treth, remained behind with an interpreter. He cornered the High Wiccan, Willow, “Mistress, a moment of your time?”
Willow smiled and moved toward the Fl’aath.
“I wished to privately thank you. Without your assistance, I… we… would not have been restored.” A cool green scaled hand stretched out to grasp Willow’s warm human one, and the young demon held her gaze with an impassioned stare before continuing through his interpreter. “The thing is… I do not regret the experience. Indeed, I am grateful for my new memories as an unborn and hatchling. I now carry *clear* recollections of the love clan for one so young. I remember my mother’s heartbeat as she held my egg, and my father’s strong yet gentle caresses and constant attention after I hatched from the egg.
“Mistress Willow, my female and I have eggs about to hatch… We would ask that you do us the honor of blessing them as they emerge… And if there is a girl, we request that you allow her entry into the coven for her education when she is of age.”
Willow was extremely moved. Treth’s touch warmed against her skin, and in doing so conveyed his gratitude and hope for the future with no more need for words.
She lifted his hand to her forehead, then kissed it as was Fl’aath custom, before replying, “I am humbled by your request. Of course, your children will always be welcome in our covens should they wish to learn with us.”
She watched them depart then turned to find rather worried expressions on Anton and Xander’s faces. Connor was to one side speaking in rapid Russian to Minna’s beautiful mate and PA Anna but paused as anguish flooded the link.
They all knew, it was but ten days before William would need to make the change.