Who else but Baileywick would make the perfect nanny? With the steward getting on his years, the castle household was trying to transition him into retirement, but Baileywick was quite stubborn about staying on the job he'd always done so perfectly despite the strain it now put on his older body. Presenting him with this new duty brought relief to the entire staff and to Baileywick as well who simply adored the little boy.

And as far as anyone could tell, Gus returned the sentiment, although he didn't make the old man's life any easier. As Cedric predicted, Gus was a handful once mobile and needed to have eyes kept on him at all times lest he get into something and hurt himself – it was almost like he was trying some days, Baileywick thought when the boy had somehow managed to topple a table miraculously without hurting himself.

"I'm beginning to think you're more like Cedric than you let on," Baileywick eyed the toddler suspiciously as Gus tried to soothe tempers with a wide smile and baby babble – and it worked. "Right, well, no harm done. That's what matters."

"Baah!" Gus smiled, bouncing himself in Baileywick's arms until he was set back down.

"Now you be careful," Baileywick advised as there was a knock on the nursery door before Cedric entered.

"Dada!" Gus beelined for his father, toddling right into his open arms as Cedric bent over to receive his son.

"Hello to you too, little one," Cedric chuckled and then turned to Baileywick. "The maids reported an incident?"

"He somehow managed to knock over his changing table," Baileywick sighed. "He got behind me for a second as I was tidying up after lunch and down it went."

"We're trying to work on him being so grabby." Under other circumstances Cedric would be berating the steward for endangering his child, but he and Sofia understood the task of preventing each and every accident was monumental, and even Baileywick wouldn't be a match for a toddler's destructive tendencies. "But we're not sure he understands the danger since he's yet to actually injure himself. He has the best worst luck."

"I'm certain once he's a little older, he'll mind better."

"One can hope," Cedric pressed his lips to Gus' forehead while his long nose laid against the boy's hair. "…Sofia called to say this mission is going to take her longer than expected."

"Oh? What is it this time?"

"Some dispute about a dam between our border with Rudistan. Apparently building it would flood one of their villages while the west city desperately needs this new water source. You know, all that wonderful political drabble."

"Oh dear."

"And of course there's the wildlife to consider which Sofia is biased toward, so it's not one of those lovely one-day trips. She said she may be gone the week if negotiations continue the way they've been."

"But if there's a solution beneficial for both our countries, Sofia will find a solution."

"Yes, meanwhile this one is going to be fussing when his mama isn't home to tuck him in tonight."

With an adjustment to his spectacles, Baileywick managed a sympathetic smile. "If you need my help in the evening as well, just say so Cedric."

"Would you?" Cedric's shoulders drooped from the relief.

"Yes, I don't mind at all. Augustus' wellbeing is very important."

"That it is," Cedric agreed, giving the boy's cheek a kiss this time before letting him go back to Baileywick. "Alright, I'll see both of you later. Gus, you behave. I mean it."

An ominous giggle was the boy's response, and as the months passed, he only seemed to get worse. He was still a sweet child, but also a naughty one. For his second birthday he'd been particularly attention hungry for his mother, doing everything in his power to keep the Duchess focused on him. Sofia saved the main table in the backyard from destruction as the boy pulled on the tablecloth only to let go and giggle as he saw his mother approaching with a ready-to-scold look on her face.

"That smile won't work on me, Gus. You know better," Sofia said, hands on her hips, ready to mother her child.

Gus simply gazed up at her with his round hazel eyes and scooted closer to hug her legs, reminding his mama how much he loved her.

"Yes, I love you too, sweetheart, but—"

"Up!" Gus asked, err, more like demanded as he reached his arms up for his mother.

"No 'up'," Sofia frowned. He was adorable, but she had to be firm.

"Mamaaaa, up!" He repeated, becoming slightly frustrated.

Sofia bent down to his eye level, hoping to improve the situation before he escalated to a tantrum. "Wouldn't you rather go play? There are plenty of other children here."

"No," he said very firmly.

"Alright, then how about we find Uncle James? He said he'd take you on a horseback ride today, doesn't that sound fun?"

"NO."

There'd be no negotiating with him, and for the sake of the party's decorum, Sofia relented to carry him around for the remainder of the afternoon, her son not wanting to be held by anyone else, actually offending his aunt Amber with his refusal to be adored by her. It made for a very long day for the Duchess, making her bed so very inviting that evening.

"Do think it's because I'm away a lot?" Sofia asked Cedric as she crawled in next to him.

"I don't think so," Cedric said, not glancing up from his book. "He's two. Mummy said that's the worst age, particularly for sons. I was quite clingy myself, apparently."

"What did she do?"

Cedric's eyes raised over the cover of his book. "What do you think? She indulged me."

"But Winifred's always indulged you, long after you were two."

"Yes, but there was also Cordelia in our house so I wasn't the sole prince and heir if you will. I had to learn to share."

"…You think we should have another baby?" Sofia asked.

Cedric quietly closed his book and set it on the nightstand before clearing his throat. "Um, well, that's really your decision, isn't it?"

"Maybe a good excuse to ease my schedule a bit…" Sofia thought out loud. "I know I want more than one, and Gus did come sooner than we'd planned as we managed so… Are you sure? The late nights are a lot harder on you than they are me."

"Precisely why we should have them while I'm younger and not older," Cedric smirked. "I'm more than happy to do my part, my dear."

"I know you are," Sofia giggled as Cedric crossed the bed to kiss her cheek and trail his lips down her neck. "Oh, are we starting tonight?"

"If you happen to get conceive tonight, that's a secondary benefit," he lifted his head and took her lips in a gentle kiss. "No, tonight you are all mine~"

"NO! Mine!" A little voice yelled from the edge of the bed and both Sofia and Cedric turned to find their son glaring at his father as he tried to crawl up onto the bed.

"Augustus!" Sofia scolded. "How did you get out of bed?!"

"Merlin's Mushrooms, don't tell me we have to padlock his crib," Cedric slipped out of bed and into the nursery to see how the boy had managed to escape while Sofia picked him up to take him back. He wasn't going to make anything easy for his parents.

Author's Note: I haven't been around enough toddlers long enough to understand all their ins and outs, but I know about "terrible twos" and "Oedipus complex" and Gus has both. I considered having Sofia's maid Violet play nanny, but we all know Baileywick is the best you can get.

Also, I'm really trying to work on the other ones, but my muse is a fickle bitch. I'd also like to run drafts by someone if anyone wants to be my Beta. Not really sure how that all works on here, but if you're interested, please PM me. Maybe talking with someone can help me work out the kinks I'm having in other fics.