At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Hello, beautiful lady! Did you miss us? Lily & Nate will be in momentarily to attack you with hugs.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Oh! Hee hee! Good heavens, Master Aiden! You are certainly in a good mood.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. Why shouldn't I be? I just spent a lovely week with 2 of my favorite people in the world. How are you? Is there any tea?
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Hee hee! Oh will you stop with that? Good gracious! I missed you all, dear. How did the chat with Nathaniel's parents go?
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): It was absolutely horrible, as to be expected. That's why we decided to take a few days longer to come back. We took Lily to West Piedmont, New York City & London on the other side. She loved it.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): I should imagine so. I except I'll hear about nothing else for the next few days. ... Now who could that be? Ask Nathaniel to check my stew when he gets in. I'll go and see who's at the door.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Of course. They should be in soon. They were saying hello to Joseph.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): I'll shoot something if I need you.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. I hope it doesn't come to that.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): You never know, dear.
A moment later:
Mrs. Esterly (to Roland): Roland! Good heavens! This is certainly a surprise ... Come in out of the cold, dear, and I'll fix you a nice warm sherry.
Roland (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you. That would be most agreeable. Don't fret, Mrs. Esterly. Nothing is amiss. This is a... social call, I suppose.
Mrs. Esterly (to Roland): I'll admit that's a relief. Have a seat in the drawing room, dear. I'll fetch you your drink.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen:
Nathaniel (to Lily): Yes, I *promise* we can go back. Just not right away. I got work, you know. (to Aiden) Heh. Hey, sexy.
Lily (to Nathaniel): … Okay. I'll remember that you promised. (to Aiden) Hi, Daddy. Where's Mrs. Esterly?
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): Heh. Hi there… (to Nathaniel) I see she's still being a broken record. (to Lily) She went to go answer the front door.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Ha ha! Yeah. A bit. (to Lily) I don't think for one second you'll forget. :-p
Aiden (to Nathaniel): We really need to find her a hobby. :-P
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): I don't need a hobby… Oh, you were joking, weren't you?
Aiden (to Lily): Yes. (to Nathaniel) Mrs. Esterly asked that you check her stew.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): She did? I swear she only asks to be polite... Heh. Y'all will be happy. Smells like rabbit.
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): Heh. I think she was more concerned about it burning. Lily, why don't you set the table? I'll grab the wine.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): She's got it on low. It's not about to burn. While I'm question free for a minute... C'mere.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): With pleasure… (to Lily) What are you over there giggling about?
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Heehee. I love our little family… But, you know what would make it even better?
Nathaniel (to Lily): I'm almost afraid to ask. What's that?
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): A little brother or sister.
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): HAHAHA! I'm afraid that might be a little tricky, my dear girl.
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): … Why not ask Miss Persephone? She's a lady and the closest thing to a mother I have. I bet she'd do it.
Aiden (to Lily): … (to Nathaniel) I have no earthly idea what to say.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ...That makes two of us.
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): … Lily darling, Miss Persephone-- Nate, why haven't we talked to her about this? It makes a sort of sense in round about way.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Cuz it's a fu--freaking complicated issue that your dad an' I gotta talk about first, alright?
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): … Yes, Nate is absolutely right… I think I need a smoke.
Lily (to Aiden): DADDY… You promised no more smoking.
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): Hush. It's just one.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden, Nathaniel & Lily): Why on earth are you all lollygagging in the kitchen? Roland is in the drawing room.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly, Lily & Nathaniel): … Well, that's as good excuse as ever I heard one as to why we're in here.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden, Nathaniel & Lily): ...Don't tell me you didn't know that? Honestly! I expect better of you boys.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): I'm sorry… We were a bit ambushed & distracted by Lily.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. She asked us for a little brother or sister.
Lily (to Aiden, Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): … Who is Roland?
Aiden (to Lily): No one you need to concern yourself with.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Roland is someone your dad used to work with. He doesn't like me very much.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly, Lily & Nathaniel): … I suppose I should go see what he wants, shall I?
Nathaniel (to Lily): Come on, Lil' Bit. Let's go put out suitcases away.
Lily (to Nathaniel): A little brother would be preferable but I'll take what I can get. :-P
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): She asked you for a brother, did she? Hee hee. Oh my! Go see to Roland. I'll be right out with drinks.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes, she did… Thank you, Mrs. Esterly. (to Nathaniel) Wish me luck, handsome.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Good luck. Heh. At least it's not Bubba. :-p We love you, and we'll see you soon, alright? (to Lily) C'mon, nosey!
Lily (to Nathaniel): Alright… But, I don't see why I can't meet him. I've never met a spy before… I mean, one I'm not related to, anyway.
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily): Of course you have, dear. Go. Scoot your bottom up those stairs. I'll call you for dinner.
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes, ma'am… I never get to have any fun.
A short time later, in the drawing room:
Aiden (to Roland): Roland! Why do we suddenly warrant an unexpected visit from the great Lord Wilkes? Feeling lonely over the holidays?
Roland (to Aiden): Aide. This is a surprise. I didn't expect you to be home. Am I forbidden from visiting with Mrs. Esterly. I believe it is common this time year to call on one's loved ones?
Aiden (to Roland): … Oh? So, you didn't come to see me? I suppose I shouldn't really be surprised. I'll leave you to it, then.
Roland (to Aiden): Honestly. Are you pouting because I didn't visit you? Why must you always be so petulant?
Aiden (to Roland): HAHAHA… Oh wait! You're serious… Really? Roland, you've alway treated her like a second class citizen. I have a hard time believing that you came all the way across town just to see Mrs. Esterly… did you even bring her a gift?
Mrs. Esterly (to Roland & Aiden): Here we are! Are you two fighting already? I can't leave you alone for a moment, can I?
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly & Roland): Not at all, Mrs. Esterly. We were just discussing holiday traditions & the way people choose to celebrate them. It's been very educational. Isn't that right, Roland?
Roland (to Mrs. Esterly): Aide doesn't believe this is a social call as I didn't bring a gift... Thank you, Mrs. Esterly.
Aiden (to Roland & Mrs. Esterly): … Well, it is customary.
Roland (to Aiden & Mrs. Esterly): Shall we make small talk? It's what people do, isn't it? How were the Colonies, Aide?
Aiden (to Roland): … Fine. They were just fine… How did you know I went to the colonies? Do you have someone watching me?
Roland (to Aiden): Only the house, occasionally if I can spare the manpower. Your companion has attracted some unsavory attention... You adjusted your watch as you entered. Judging by the number of turns you had to make to bring it to the proper time, you were recently on the eastern seaboard of the United Colonies.
Aiden (to Roland): … You know, Roland, if you wanted to spend Christmas with us, all you had to do was ask.
Roland (to Aiden): And, for your information, my own family's holiday festivities were more than adequate, thank you.
Aiden (to Roland): Yes, I can see that… Beatrice made her famous pudding, which you silently deposited in the potted plant, judging by the dirt and chocolate on the cuff of your shirt… Both children away at friend's houses? Tsk, tsk. That does not bode well. Perhaps, you should take her on a nice holiday & attempt to rekindle the romance. Or is the piano teacher distracting her a bit?
Roland (to Aiden): Are you giving me marriage advice? Really? <chuckle> Honestly, Aide, you move a lover and a young girl in your house, and suddenly you fancy yourself an expert on la vie domestique? Don't make me laugh.
Aiden (to Roland): … Heh. I am by no means an expert. But, I can easily recognize the actions of a lonely man.
Mrs. Esterly (to Roland & Aiden): Alright. That's all the cheek I will tolerate out of either of you!
Roland (to Mrs. Esterly): ... I beg your pardon, Mrs. Esterly.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): I apologize, Mrs. Esterly.
Mrs. Esterly (to Roland): Too right you do. Now. Roland, I certainly don't mind if you come to visit, and NO you do not need to bring a gift. We do have a young girl living here that Master Aiden & Nathaniel have adopted. Her name is Lilian, and that's all you need to know on the matter. Do you understand, dear?
Roland (to Mrs. Esterly): ...Yes, of course, Mrs. Esterly. I apologize for calling on you with no notice.
Mrs. Esterly (to Roland): Roland, dear, I love you, and will be happy to let you visit as often as you like, but if you call on me unexpectedly again, I might just shoot you.
Aiden (to Roland): ... And, she's not kidding. Roland? Does the crown realize you've been using valuable agents to spy on your own brother's house? I would imagine the Empress would frown on that sort of thing.
Roland (to Aiden): <tsk> It's hardly spying, Aide. Your home is part of their routine paroles. With all the crown has to worry about, I think one or two gentlemen keeping on eye on my baby brother will not raise any eyebrows.
Aiden (to Roland): ... Well, I'm sure you know best. Good night, Roland.
Roland (to Mrs. Esterly & Aiden): Mrs. Esterly, I am sorry for any inconvenience my sudden arrival caused. I'll send advance notice next time. Good evening.
A moment later:
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Well! That was certainly something, wasn't it?
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes... I wonder what he's up to?
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): ... I rather think you were right before, dear. He's been striving to get your father's lordship and position for so long, now that he has it, I don't think he knows what to do with himself. I suspect he's lonely. Beatrice is a lovely woman, I'm sure, but she's duller than day old dish water.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): He'd never admit it, of course... Not my concern. I should get to tucking in Lily... Your present is on your bed, by the way. Try not to use it on anyone we like. :-p
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Do make sure she and Nathaniel have had enough to eat. Aiden, my sweet boy, you know I don't need anything more for Christmas than to see you, Nathaniel and Lily happy... Of course, I won't say no to a bit of new hardware. Hee hee.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): … And, that is why you deserve something. You have always been very special to me, Mrs. Esterly... Good night.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Ooo! I love you, you mad, wonderful boy! Get to your girl, now. I'll see to the household.
