[video]

[carriesparasol]

[The video turns on to reveal Alexia sleeping in bed, is the worst possible condition you are likely to ever see her. Her hair is loose and a tangled mess at that. Her dress is ruined from being torn, covered with dirt and other unmentionable mess.

And oh yes, she's holding a new born baby in her arms. The baby girl is properly swaddled and sleeping peacefully in her mother's arms.

After a moment, Alexia opens her eyes and takes notice of the recording. She sighs slightly and carefully shifts to a sitting position. She must look as dignified as possible despite her current state. Meanwhile the child sleeps on.]

Of course. I should have known you would want an update sooner, rather than later.

My dear community, may I introduce you to my daughter? Prudence Alessandra. [She lifts the crook of her elbow so that the camera might catch a better view of the sleeping baby.]

Comments

[carriesparasol]

[Seated at her dresser, Alexia glances to the door.] Come in.

[Prudence is awake, but still relatively quiet.]

[chapter_behind]

[James lets himself in, going immediately to the bassinet, since mama is up and about. Cutest little girl baby! Can he hold her, please? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease?]

She is beautiful, Alexia.

[carriesparasol]

[Alexia gets up and takes another look at young Prudence.]

There is no need to lie, James. [She doesn't say it meanly. Just in her matter-of-fact, preternatural way.]

[chapter_behind]

You have no soul.

[He kisses her cheek affectionately, giving her a hug around her shoulder before scooping up the baby. No worries; he knows to support her head.]

[carriesparasol]

[Alexia can't help but smile juuuuust a little bit at that.]

Yes. I am quite aware of that fact. [Prudence squirms just a little in James's arms, but finds herself quite content there.]

[chapter_behind]

Settle down, poppet, it'll upset your mother if I drop you.

[Because he's likely to drop the tiny bundle that ways all of 6 pounds, sure. James settles her carefully in his arms, insinuating one of his fingers into her grip. BABIES ROCK.]

[carriesparasol]

[Alexia watches all this with amused appreciation.]

You're quite good with her.

[chapter_behind]

Hmmm? [He's never thought about being particularly good with children. Isn't everyone?]

[carriesparasol]

She is quite taken with you. [Prudence's hand is firmly wrapped around her dear uncle's finger.]

[chapter_behind]

She's a very bright young lady. She sees the need for a mitigating influence in her life.

[Babycuddles.]

How are you, Alexia?

[carriesparasol]

[She sideglances at that little comment, James. Of course, she doesn't argue either.]

Tired. Though, not as tired as I was a few hours ago. Nor as tired as I imagine I will be when the next twenty four hours are up.

[chapter_behind]

[Frown.]

And what will the next 24 hours entail?

[carriesparasol]

Moving house. The pack will be residing in London from now on.

[chapter_behind]

Didn't you already do that?

[carriesparasol]

Not to this extent. It was only to be a second place of residence, mainly so Conall and I could be with the baby. However, due to recent circumstances Woolsey no longer belongs to our pack.

[chapter_behind]

I see. That sounds... complicated. Why, exactly, have you been evicted?

[carriesparasol]

The London vampire hive was recently disturbed, causing the queen to swarm. Things were rather hectic and without thinking I invited the queen and her hive into our home. Due to the natural workings of vampires they have now claimed Woolsey at their new residence. Only another swarming would cause them to leave and that is near impossible at this point.

[chapter_behind]

I see.

Do I detect Lord Akeldama's touch in this latest calamity?

[To calm himself, James is going to make funny faces at Prudence. She's a little too young to totally enjoy it yet, but it keeps her interest.]

[carriesparasol]

Only slightly. Another aquaintence, Madame Lefoux, was most direct cause of the trouble.

[chapter_behind]

How disheartening. You need a higher class of acquaintance, Alexia.

[Yes, he's including Randolph in that.]

[carriesparasol]

For the most part my acquaintances are perfectly fine. However in this case I must agree. [She's still terribly miffed at Genevieve.]

[chapter_behind]

We have different definitions of 'perfectly fine.'

[James would be miffed too.]

[carriesparasol]

Yes. I do believe that is something we have already discovered.

[chapter_behind]

Indeed.

[He gives her this look.]

[carriesparasol]

[She'll just be ignoring that look. She instead tilts her head and considers Prudence and how well she was getting on with James.]

If a military life didn't suit you so well I would suggest that childcare suits you quite nicely.