Precious time

[Lovely]

April 23, Year 2
late morning


"Grandbabies! Pa loves em!" He scoops up the twins, smiles and nods to Pat and Lily. "Have a nice day.. Pa is takin his boys."

"EHHHT.... Pa... you bring those younguns back here...." Pat glares teasingly.

"What? I had enough of my own boys.. kept you bunch alive for all these years.. I think I can handle these two for a few hours.. besides.. the ladies like to help us helpless men with babies!"

He chuckles and walks over with the clean rags. "Then they can help you with these..." *nods* ".... unless you'd like to wrap them here then go?"

"Damn it.. I was trying to make a nice gesture and you have to go and ruin it.. what's the matter with you boy? you scared to have some alone time with that hellion you married?" Pa chuckles and takes the rags. "I was planning on doing that in the other room, I'll have you know."

"Oh no, not scared... anxious... go on... take those... just have them home by supper... or your daughter in law will hunt you down like the dog you are... can't exactly 'milk' her you know... quite uncomfortable..." *chuckles*

He chuckled and moved off with the boys. "Oh I'll be back.. you think I want these boys when their hungry and howling?"

"Depends on how much 'help' you're looking to get with them, yeah?" He grinned... thinking hungry and howling must be something they'd gotten from himself, feeling much like that about the 'hellion' he was hoping to be alone with for a while.

"You are most certainly my son.." He shook his head with a chuckle, it was a wonder how each of his boys had a piece of himself, a piece of their mama and a twist of unique to make them each interesting young men. Even though Pat had his odd ways, he still felt much pride in the man the boy had become, plus he'd married a fine girl and given her these two strong boys.. Pa smiled, his boys were something else all right. "Oh I don't want too much help.. just enough, if you know what I mean... You two enjoy the time.. I'll be back." His strong arms curled the two babes close and he headed into another room to make sure they were properly covered before he left. Of course it had been some time since his kids had been so small, even Charly, she was nearly grown up.

Pat called to the next room as he was headed to his own, "If you need help... "

"I'll find it.. I was a young married man once.. I know how precious a little time alone can be.."

[Lovely]

Patrick chuckled and slipped into his room, the door shutting solidly behind himself leaving Pa alone with his recollection of 'handling the situation'.

Lily was humming softly as she put away the clean laundry she'd brought in off the line, hardly glancing at Pat as he came into the room. Though her slight smile would betray her pleasure at him being there.

Whether it was needed or not, the key was turned in the lock and set aside on the nearby hook. It was only a rough latch with a single tumbler of his own devise, but effective to keep his curious brothers out when necessary. Patrick slipped behind her quietly, without a word, kissing her neck as he reached around her to free her hands and pull her attention to himself.

She let her eyes close and the fabric fall from her fingers to land in a rumpled pile in the basket she'd pulled it from. Lily leaned back into his chest and let one arm slide up around his neck to pull him closer and embrace him further, savoring the feel of his lips against her neck.

He nibbled softly at her neck, finding the cord of his medallion still in place. He chuckled, realizing that the year was not yet over. "And what is it my mistress wishes?" He whispered as he passed his lips softly over her ear.

"An afternoon of wicked delights from the only man worthy enough to share them with her." Her fingers curled up into the longer part of his hair in the back and she tugged gently.

"A man on a limited schedule so he'd best comply quickly, m'lady," he murmured, enjoying the play of her fingers. "Come with me..."

"Where are you taking me?" She curled into thier embrace a little, not wanting to lose the closeness they were sharing.

"Only to here...," he said, stepping back to the cushion to sit and rest her in his lap, resting his hand in hers.

"Here is.. a nice place to be." She spoke softly, leaning to brush her lips over his, her fingers curling around his hand.

[Lovely]

Early evening


Pat scoops the boys out of Pa's arms. "You look a little tuckered."

Pa laughs and winks. "..and your smile looks a 'little' happy."

Gives him a look. "shhhh..." Points upstairs. "... sleeping."

Pa chuckled and put a hand on Pat's shoulder, leaning to kiss each of the boys heads. "Looks like all of us enjoyed our visits.. they are pretty tuckered out, they should sleep well tonight."

"Not until after dinner," he sighed, casting a glance up at the ceiling knowing the peace was short-lived. He watched his father. "And who have they been visiting?"

"Everyone.. showed off my boys.. Miss Deneuve just about melted over them.. But even their cuteness won't get me anywhere with her.. though she plays a fine game of chess."

"Aren't they a little small for that cathouse, Pa? Even for Carlisle boys. You know I can't go in there after them."

"Oh shet up.. Miss Deneuve adored them and wouldn't hold you against them.. " He grinned. "Just like she doesn't hold it against me.. funny lady, that one.. judges everyone on their own merit, not their associations."

"Heaven help her then when those boys learn the merits of those girls," he smirked. "Chess? Since when are you satisfied with a mere chess game?"

"Heaven help us all when these boys learn those things.. " Pa grinned fondly at Patrick, reaching to ruffle his hair as if he was still, just a boy.

He cringed, reaching to smooth the dark waves back in place. "So the boys found coos and doting, but what about their grandfather? Anyone turn an eye to those wise grey temples, Pa?"

"Don't know about eyes turning towards me.. but I know my eyes couldn't help but turn in that house."

The bassinette was still set out in the drawing room where Pa had scooped up the boys earlier in the day. Patrick laid them down, shushing them back to restful, well-aired sleep. "They are resting well," he beamed at them, proud and adoring, turning the bright eyes to his father. "Perhaps it's not a cat the old codger needs, yeah? Should try the church on Sunday, or maybe the station?"