A/N: I know this chapter is super short, and that it's been a while but uni has been keeping me occupied. I'll have the rest up ASAP.
The nursery was painted in shades of blue and purple with images of the sky painted on the wall, including a mural of the Strahl in flight. Crying echoed throughout the room and a flustered nanny was trying to soothe one of the triplets. Alix was shaking a rattle with who I guessed was my niece judging by the color of the beanie on her head. I took the colic ridden one from the nanny because she looked like she needed a break. After a few moments he stopped crying and started to drift off. I hurriedly placed him in the bassinet so I didn't drop him.
"Oi, Alix," I whispered, careful not to wake anyone. He turned his fast enough to give himself whiplash before giving a tight bear hug.
"Where have you been? I was worried 'bout you!"
"Didn't Gabe tell you?"
"Yeah. He said that ya went with Balthier 'cause Ashe said ya 'ad t'leave. So I stayed 'ere while Balthier looked for ya. I wanted to go but 'e said I was too little."
"You sound mad at me. Are you angry?"
"Of course I'm angry! Ya left me 'ere!"
"I didn't leave you."
"Yeah ya did! I thought ya were supposed ta be my mum, but I guess I was wrong," yelled Alix running down the hall. I went to go after him when Ffamran stopped me, going after him instead. Basch stared at me with confusion written on his face.
"What," I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He called you Mum'"
"Yeah…uh…I adopted him a while back when I found him wandering the streets in Balfonheim."
"Why?"
"Balfonheim doesn't have an orphanage, and the ones in Archadia are disgusting. I wouldn't leave a chocobo in one if I can help it," I grabbed Basch's hand and we followed the direction that Ffamran and Alix went earlier. We stopped at the sound of giggling and peeked into the garden. Alix and Ffamran were soaked to the bone, splashing in the Fountain of Espers. We walked closer, wary of the amount of water being thrown about.
"Alixzander Ffamran Bunansa! What are you doing?" Both of them turned, and Ffamran tried to hide.
"Uncle Balthier started it!"
"Well I'm ending it! Get over here!" Alix's feet made a squelching sound as he walked through the grass with Ffamran not far behind.
"Basch help me! She'll skin me alive!" yelled Ffamran feigning fear. Alix froze where he was, his eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.
"Are you all right, Alix?" I asked. He said nothing, but strode up to Basch and looked him square in the eye. He studied him for a moment before opening his mouth and closing it again. "I think you have a fan," I said to Basch, holding in my laughter.
"Are you really the best chocobo rider in Dalmasca?" asked Alix.
"I wouldn't say that, but I'm pretty good."
"Can we go for a ride? Please?"
"I suppose we can go for a short one…if it's alright with your mother." Alix gave me his best persuasive look.
"Go ahead, I'm not going to stop you." I watched as they retreated down the hall. Basch swept Alix off in feet causing him to let out a squeal when he was perched on his shoulders.