Extended Family

[Pearce Lockheed]

In keeping with talking to his cousin recently?and the man's moving in with him), Pearce had decided to reach out to his sister Primrose Cadigan. The two weren't particularly close these days, but Pearce loved his family. Especially his niece and nephews and spoiling them. The noble always remembered their birthdays. And his siblings'. But...he wanted to make more of an effort. Especially with having Zander and Briella around, even a little, he realized raising three children alone must be...impossible for him to understand. But...maybe by at least talking to his sister more he could help.

So, he had invited her (and the children) out for a walk in the village. And probably for lunch. And probably shopping. Because he didn't have much self control and he liked to dote on his family.

The edge of the village wasn't crowded despite it being lunch time but he had wanted to meet away from the main marketplace to enjoy a bit of space. He sat on a bench in a small park, facing a quaint fountain. Pearce had toyed with bringing Whisky but...he wasn't ready to take the large puppy anywhere on his own. The kids would love him though. They would have to visit his manor soon.

[Primrose Cadigan]

She'd thought about cancelling on her brother that day. Not because she wanted too, but as a form of punishment for some very naughty children who decided they just didn't want to listen. They were driving Sandra up a wall and she was sure her mother-in-law was very close to losing it with how hyperactive both Edmund and Anya could be. And little Timmy just wanted to go where all the action was. His siblings forgetting just how little still was. His near tumble down the stairs that morning had been Prim's near breaking point. For a woman with a great deal of patience, her children certainly liked to test it, and spread her thin. 

In the end, Prim wanted them to give Sandra a break, and to help burn off energy. There was also the need for some adult conversation that wasn't her mother-in-law, and a chance to see her big brother was always welcome. She missed how close they used to be, but life had happened. Prim and her small brood were walking down to the designated meeting place. She had Timmy up on her hip as it would take them forever to get there if they walked at his pace. Her other hand held Anya firmly at her side, as she was the runner you had to worry about,  and Edmund was skipping a bit in front of them. "Mama, does Uncle Pearce have presents for us?" Anya asked looking up at her. Primrose sighed, and glanced down smiling gently. "I don't know, but if he doesn't we're not going to whine about it are we?" She said gently. "No..." The little girl pouted. They may not see Uncle Pearce as often as they did their other uncles, but the children certainly were familiar with him and his spoiling habits. 

"Mama there he is!" Edmund called excitedly, stopping on the round and pointing to where Pearce was waiting on a bench. "Be careful," She called with a slight huff of laughter. Anya bolted, not wanting her big brother to beat her to the bench as she raced ahead. since it wasn't that far of a distance, Primrose didn't mind letting them run ahead. "What do say Timmy, shall we go say hi?" She asked the toddler. He had his head resting on her shoulder with his thumb in his mouth. Having just had a nap before they'd left the house. Prim reached up to smooth some of lighter brown hair off his forehead. Unlike his brother and sister who were various shades of blond with wavy hair, Timmy had taken after Anthony in his darker curly hair. 

"Uncle Pearce!!!" Primrose couldn't help the small chuckle at seeing Anya practically throwing herself into him. Whether he was prepared or not, he had a niece incoming, and Edmund wasn't far behind. "Edmund, Anya, be gentle." She instructed. It seemed that was their word of the week, as she said the phrase at least ten times a day. 

[Pearce Lockheed]

The blonde saw his sister and her children from a ways off. They weren't terribly difficult to spot what with their matching hair and the skipping and his sister's motherly patience that could be felt for a mile. She was always comforting to be around.

He stood as they drew closer and smiled at the enthusiasm the older two had to see him. Pearce grunted playfully as first Anya and then Edmund barreled into his legs. "Well hello there. And who are you two?" He teased. "I could swear you look like my niece and nephew but I kn-know they are too responsible to leave their mother behind like that." Holding children to proper standards had never settled with him, considering all the etiquette and manners he and their mother had been through. It was stifling. But...it was still a matter of safety not to abandon the woman, even if it was only a few meters away.

He smiled at the pair and ruffled their hair faintly. "What would you two like for lunch?" He didn't have presents with him and rarely did when they met in person. But they would almost certainly acquire some over the course of their time together. Pearce looked up at Primrose as she arrived with Timothy on her arm.

"It'd g-good to see you, Prim. How are you?" And then to Timothy, "Hello, Timothy. Someone's a little sleepy, hmm? May I?" Hold him. If he could carry Zander, he could carry a toddler. And Primrose needed a break herself. Whether Timmy would appreciate someone else holding him Pearce wasn't sure but he asked every change he got. Likely if Timmy didn't want to leave mom's arms, one of the other two, bigger or not, would demand a ride that he couldn't say no to.

[Primrose Cadigan]

“Uncle Pearce, you know us!” Anya informed him, placing her little hands on her hips as she shook her head at him. How could he forget them!? “Mama’s right there!” She pointed, not understanding quite what it meant. Edmund nudged her, clearly not liking the fact she was acting uncool in front of their Uncle. “Uuum, chicken!” Anya declared. “You always want chicken!” Edmund wined, clearly unamused with by his sister. “I like pork.” He said puffing his chest out a bit.

Prim sighed as she could already hear the argument over what they wanted to eat, one saying how the other was wrong, and the other was right, and which one was better for you… She ignored the soon to be argument for the moment and instead focused on her brother. The one they were supposed to be spending time with. She smiled at him, and got a bit closer. Going in for a one arm hug if he allowed. She’d hug him tight and then chuckle at his question. “Trying to keep my sanity, but what else is new? How are you, darling?” She asked, pulling back before she looked down at Timmy.

“Do you want to go to Uncle Pearce?” She whispered to the little boy who was waking up a bit more. He blinked, at Pearce, eyeing him for a moment. Prim expected him to deny Pearce, as he was at that age where he developed his stranger danger sense. At least, it was the age his siblings had acquired it. But to her surprise, Timmy seemed to think about it for a moment longer, before holding his arms out to his uncle, and leaned towards him.

She beamed as the little boy settled, resting his head against Pearce’s shoulder as he sucked on his thumb. Once he was settled Prim called the other two over, making them each take one of her hands. “Alright, where are we off to first?” She asked.

[Pearce Lockheed]

The Marquis smiled a good-natured smile as his niece took him entirely literally. It would be a lie to say he hadn't wanted to tease them, and it was quite adorable seeing her so upset (and her brother in turn) over the idea her uncle might not recognize them. Anya reminded him quite a lot of her grandmother.

At the mild arguing, Pearce shot an amused smile at his sister. Some of it reminded him of them at that age. And some of it didn't. These two were both much more outspoken.

He returned the quick embrace. He was surprised at the intensity of it but didn't complain. He missed her too. "You look radiant," he reassured her. He meant it. He certainly couldn't handle half of what she did and look that good. "I am alright." He did mean it. Though je supposed his word choice was rather vague and unconvincing.

Not having his own children, the nobleman couldn't claim to have the same self assurance at handling children as his sister, but he was a gentle, capable soul, more than delighted that little Timothy actually wanted to be in his arms for even a moment. Pearce beamed at the boy and happily settled him against his shoulder.

"Why don't we do both chicken and pork? There are all kinds of carts in the marketplace." He offered both Edmund and Anya a smile and then looked to Prim before leading them off in the direction of food.

Certainly he wanted to talk to his sister but best to get the children occupied with food since that was often an adventure all its own. There was indeed and eclectic array of food vendors. This or that meat on a stick, wraps, fruits, buns, savory and sweet pies...anything they could want. And Pearce would buy it.

"What about you, sister?" He asked.