Title: Ap Ackle Op!
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Dorothy + Stephen + Helen
Notes: Challenge 86. Baby Series 3 #21. Takes place at the same time as Afternoon Appointments.
Spoilers: None
Warnings:
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.
Title: Ap Ackle Op!
"Do you hear that, Stephen? Put your head right down to the plate and have a listen."
Helen paused in the doorway and watched, eyebrows arching as the Crown Prince of Sanc giggled.
"That's it, you listen hard. Put your head right down close and listen now. It's there; all you need do is listen."
This was the last person she had expected to find in the nursery. Pagan had determined he would be sitting in to lunch with the Prince, firming his bond with the baby. The black, wool blend clothed rump elevated in the breeze was certainly not that of the man who ruled the Palace staff with an iron hand, nor was the melodious, almost purring voice.
"Excuse me, Your Grace. Can I help you?"
Dorothy Catalonia snapped to attention as though she were a puppet and someone had yanked on her strings.
"Oh!" Golden hair was smoothed into place with well manicured hands. "Helen, isn't it?"
"Yes. Might I enquire as to why you are here and…" she peered at the table with her eyebrows rising. "It would appear you are feeding His Highness."
"Well, it is lunch time and Pagan asked me to watch Stephen while he put some politician in his place. Between you and me, I have no sympathy for the politician."
Helen nodded slightly. "Might I further enquire as to why you are feeding the Prince breakfast cereal?"
Dorothy blushed. She refused to look down at the bowl or at the plate of neatly made sandwiches Helen was always telling the kitchen not to send up until the baby was at least two years old. She hated liverwurst and would not subject the child to it until he could say he did not like it instead of throwing it at her and grinding it into the furniture.
Giggles erupted from the highchair and small fists pounded on the tray, upsetting the bowl.
"Ap! Ackle! 'op! Ack. Ackle. 'op!"
Dorothy blushed under the nurse's eye, sidling to one side of the chair and tilting the bowl upright. "Isn't that cute? He can almost say pop."
Both eyebrows vanished into the woman's fringe and Helen peered down at the Prince who was thoroughly enjoying himself mashing cereal into the tray while a generous helping of milk cascaded over the highchair and Stephen to pool in the carpet.
"It seems he can," Helen murmured. "He can even almost say snap and crackle with that pop. I'm sure Master's Snap, Crackle and Pop would be delighted if they knew."
Dorothy blushed prettily and stepped out of reach of the now very grubby baby's grasping hands.
End
Karina Robertson 2008
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The creation of this fic had nothing to do with a plot bunny, unless, of course, they come 6 feet tall with hair down to mid back and are built like a brick shithouse and go by the name Carlin. What has this to do with the fic, you ask? Well, how about seeing the afore mentioned over grown bunny thundering skipping down a hallway singing "Snap! Crackle! Pop! Rice Bubbles!