(Takes plAce during the winter)

Simone was bundling the children up since it was cold in Sulwal. They were on their way for a festive gathering for the holiday season.

“It's too hot,” Camille complained as she fluttered her winter cloak.

“Yes, because we are on a summer island but Sulwal isn't.” Simone chuckled as she straightened Camille out.

The twins were threatened to good behavior for the whole time they would be there. It was their sister’s first winter celebration since being given their own ‘palace’ in Sulwal. It was a wedding gift from Llywellyn and Alshaya was absolutely glowing about it. She wanted to show it off to everyone.

The last little Terrowin to get ready was baby Cantrell who was a newborn. He wasn't happy with the warm clothes but he would be. Simone brought him up and gently kissed his forehead. “It's going to be your first real party. Yes it is.” She rubbed her nose against his. Their house didn't count.

Simone was dressed in her very best ball gown. She looked like she did indeed have blue blood. “How's it going with you Lewis?”

The whole family was going so it was a lot to manage as they sent their gifts for Alshaya and Llonan ahead.

Once they were all ready they got to Sulwal castle where they met up with Llywellyn and his family. Llywellyn was excited to see his extended family as his eyes went to Cantrell.

“I guess you can see him,” Simone rolled her eyes and passed him over to his uncle.

“Hey look at your full head of hair,” Llywellyn said in awe of the cute infant. “And your little hazel eyes.” Cantrell cooed and took hold of Lly’s finger with his small hand. “So cute…”

“Yes, yes adorable. We make the cutest babies in existence. Can we get going before our daughter starts a tantrum.” Simone chuckled.

Camille huffed. "Daddy am I cute like baby Cantrell?"

Winter was an odd thing on Koskaan, and something that Lewis had never really adjusted to in all his time living there. He walked out into the warm weather wearing an elegant, velvet blue winter cloak that accented his black, silver accented suit underneath. His white hair shimmered in the sunlight as he let out a subdued groan.

“If we don’t get moving soon, all of us will freeze in our own sweat,” he said with an irritated tone. It was bad enough that he had to deal with Llonan near his daughter all night…

It wasn’t that he hated Llonan. If anything, he had a mild respect for the lad for being able to handle the oppressive force that was his daughter, Alshaya. No, he didn’t hate the kid at all. He just didn’t trust him with Alshaya. Perhaps a little overprotective, yes, but Alshaya was, in all essence, his first ‘born’ daughter. Calling her anything less would be an insult to him and Simone both, and he wouldn’t have it.

That left Llonan, the prince and son of that cocky bastard of an elf, Llywellyn. Sure, he had come in handy several times over, and earned his place among the people that Lewis ‘trusted’, but it was a trust that extended as far as Lewis could throw the elf, which…in fairness, he hadn’t tried doing since his rebirth as a night phoenix.

Maybe I’ll get the chance to do a little elf tossing tonight, Lewis thought to himself, which earned a stern look from his wife. I’m joking… That earned a second look.

Finally, with everyone present, Lewis and Simone (with the help of Lucas and Ezili both) managed to corral everyone through the gate and into the chilled Virens Forest, directly into the castle of Prince and Princess Celestina.

Celistna… Lewis frowned as Llywellyn approached them and started to fuss over his newborn niece. Alshaya Celistina…princess…. She had always been a little princess growing up, but now she really was one. He wondered just how much of a terror she had been to Llonan over it, and that brought a half smirk to his face.

He scooped Camille into his arms and hoisted her onto his shoulder, “Of course. But you’re a different kind of cute,” he said as the family started through the gilded leaf halls. “Every year you’ll grow cuter, too, until you're as cute as Mommy. And then you’ll…” Oh gods, Simone…what have you done to me. “You’ll find someone just like Alshaya has.”

Camille scoffed at the thought, “Boys are gross.”

“We are not,” Remy, a white haired boy of ten that looked eerily like Lewis said.

His twin nodded, “Not gross at all.” Remy let out a loud belch that echoed through the halls.

“Gross…” Camiille replied with a dead stare, mimicking Lewis’ glares.

Lewis rolled his eyes, “Let’s try to keep the etiquette at least a little higher than school cafeteria? I’m not sure I can protect you from Alshaya if she hears you.”

“Yes father,” the two said in unison.

“So what’s this place called?” Lewis asked as he approached Llywellyn. “Did it come with a name? Or do they get to choose?”

Master Terrowin had a thing against Llonan. Which really wasn't against Llonan. They both knew he was a good kid. He had always indulged Shaya for better or worse. Everett had somehow made it clear that Llonan was a bitch whisperer without getting punched out. Probably because his sister had been too preoccupied with princess training, bridal lessons, and her schooling to actually do something to him.

Simone almost facepalmed at her boys but they were just being boys in the end. As gross as it was at least they were still showering, not that they had a choice. They were at that age. Lewis practically threw them in the baths to be scrubbed if they refused to do it themselves. Teenage boys were gross and they were coming up on that age.

“We gifted them the Eytelia, the Silver Palace. It's given to the first married couple that isn't the crown prince. It's been in the family for generations. It was supposed to be mine but we all know how that turned out. Each of the palaces are named after stars or celestials.”

The palace was fit for Shaya that much was sure. Its gilded silver stone shone brightly against the crisp winter day even under the trees. The palace help opened the large doors and brought them in.

Beautiful winter solstice music was playing now that Simone could hear it. The entire palace was decorated even better than Koskaan Castle and Simone felt a little out done. They were brought to a grand ballroom that had been outfitted with sofa and warm cozy vibes for the winter season. A huge winter solstice tree was in the center all decorated. Gifts were piled in organized stacks.

“WELCOME EVERYONE,” Shaya announced as she came over and gave out hugs to everyone followed by Llonan. They stopped of course to oogle the baby and hold him before continuing their rounds. “There's cocoa, wine, and a menagerie of food goods for you to enjoy but before we get started Llonan and I have two gifts we absolutely must give.”

Llonan left to get two wrapped presents and handed one to Shaya. They both walked up to their father's and Llywellyn had to hand Cantrell back to his mother.

“Really? Can't wait until all of us are opening stuff?” Llywellyn chuckled as the fathers got their gifts.

“Open them together on my count.” Shaya said it proudly as her and Llonan stood together a bit closer than they were before. She gave the count down and let Lewis and Llywellyn open their gifts.

They would pull out a sweater each that said ‘Grandpa’ everyone squealed with delight at the news.

“Eytelia,” Lewis repeated. It was an interesting name, to say the least. He hadn’t given much thought to the idea of celestials or the lore surrounding them, and made a mental note to study up on it later. Either that, or reference Simone’s vast memory. He pushed that thought aside when he felt feelings of jealousy emanating from his wife, and he smirked in her direction.

We can rearrange when we get back. I’m sure you can figure something out, Lewis said to her. It’s no castle, but that manor of ours is something special that not even this place can replicate. Simone smiled back at him as they filtered into the main hall.

Alshaya had grown up into a beautiful young lady. She was positively glowing with happiness as she danced around the family saying her hellos with hugs and kisses. Llonan seemed to be in good spirits as well, though he seemed almost too nervous in front of his father in law.

“What is it?” Lewis asked, resisting the urge to glare.

“N-nothing, sir…” He said, looking away almost dejected.

“I thought we got over this ‘sir’ shit awhile ago,” Lewis replied, though he earned a slight reprimand from Simone over his language.

“We did,” the nervous elf replied. “We certainly did…”

Squirrelish today, are we? Lewis sighed, and shook his head. It was only moments later that Llonan was sent to get the important gifts, and moments away from what would likely be a disaster.

Alshaya, beaming, scooted over with her present, and practically forced it into Lewis’ hands, her eyes bright with glee. On her count, Lewis opened it, and unfurled a hand knitted, bright pink sweater with vibrant red lettering.

“Grandpa,” Lewis said out loud. Silence filled the air as the kids that knew what that meant stared at their father in horror. A variety of feelings flooded his heart, and he could feel Simone trying to do her best to soothe them all. It took a full thirty seconds of Lewis staring at the sweater before he looked to see Llywellyn’s own matching green sweater.

“I’m only wearing it if he is,” Lewis said finally. Everyone in the room sighed with relief, but Simone still had a worried look on her face. I’m going to spoil that child rotten, and make them a living terror for Llonan and Alshaya both. That kid will want for nothing in our care…sugar, toys, whatever it takes. And if I see a single tear from mistreatment, I’ll string Llonan up by his feet and drain his blood, mix it into a tea, and serve it to his other grandfather.

From Simone’s reaction, it was clear that she knew about none of this. “Alshaya, baby,” Simone spoke up, and she seemed to be at a loss for words as she looked at the sweaters and back at her daughter and son-in-law. Yes, she was happy and ecstatic to have another Terrowin on board, but there were rules for this.

“Yes, Mama, there’s a baby,” Alshaya said proudly as Llonan put his hand on her belly with pride.

“No, no… I mean Baby Girl… We talked about this.” Simone said softly. “We’re happy we are, but…”

“Oh, that,” Shaya beamed as she looked at her father. “I just figured if he lunged, I would start crying.”

Simone face-palmed for real this time and looked at her husband, who had agreed to wear it as long as Llywellyn did.

“Well, it is in the festive spirit,” Llywellyn said as he stripped off his nice coat before pulling the sweater on. It was a good fit.

Meanwhile, Camille was making faces at her father. She couldn’t read, but from everyone’s reactions and the fact that her sister said baby. “Oh my gods, you guys are gross,” the room lit up in laughter. “Baby Cantrell is a giant germ and now we’re getting another one?” Everyone had heard that the small girl had learned what a baby was and how they were made.

Simone was looking at Lewis intently. I think you have the right idea. Payback for when she was younger, for sure.

“How far along are you? I wish we had known before we went Solstice shopping,” Simone said as she hummed.

“I’m about two months now. We wanted to wait and tell everyone once we were absolutely positive everything was going fine.” Alshaya said proudly. “We kept the staff hush, hush.”

"We could have gotten Xeik and made sure everything was fine," Simone cooed softly, but didn't fight much more on it. Elvish magic was pretty good after all.