A/N: This takes place about four and a half years after Three Pots of Baby Food. So we are dealing with definite terrors here.
Artemis was sat on the long leather sofa of Fowl Manor's living room with one arm around a slightly dozing Holly and the other was flicking through the pages of War and Peace. He had already read it about ten times but then again, he had done the same with all of his other books. Butler and Foaly were watching the news 90 degrees to their right and Juliet was running around the kitchen trying to find some form of a toy for the now five year-old Tommy.
Robina was babysitting the triplets while Artemis and Holly were getting some rest. She wasn't the best but they were only upstairs. The two boys and very pretty girl had proved to be quite some trouble, well when you have parents like them it's a bit of a clash. The eldest boy had been named Julius, the second boy had been named Domovoi and the girl had been called Artemis Fowl III; after all it was a girl's name. There was a loud thump above their heads followed by shouting. Artemis automatically rose to see what it was but Butler was there before him. A few moments later several thumps came down the stairs. Foaly made his way over and then began laughing wildly. Artemis and Holly followed suit. Butler and Robina had been tied up with skipping ropes and gagged by blankets. Holly untied Robina's.
"The horses!" she shouted, "They are going to take the horses!"
Artemis drew back the heavy curtains to see Julius and Artemis cantering past on their Shetlands and Domovoi on Holly's mare. They were only four and yet here they were riding past like pros.
"I know what they want," sighed Artemis.
He plodded sleepily over to the stainless-steel fridge and brought out a plate. Holly smiled, Butler rolled his eyes and Robina mumbled angrily, something about what kids will do for food. Artemis put his head round the door. His children were trotting in circles. They saw him and stopped. Artemis held out a big plate of Holly's double chocolate and nugget cookies.
We have them now he thought. Then why aren't they running for the cookies?