Hey, been a while, huh? Been busy with another story lately and ended up neglecting this one for a while. But no more! I'm close to being done with this one so I will be dedicated to going back to more regular updates! Sorry, for the delay. Thanks for your patience!

"Let's see," Sully said as she stared at the game board. "If I move this guy here, then it frees up this guy."

Across the table, Robin watched with an amused grin on his face. "You know you really should say your strategies out loud."

Sully didn't look up, still keeping her focus on the board. "Helps me think."

"Helps me think too. Now I know where to put my pieces."

Finally, Sully looked at him. If looks could kill, Robin would be dead at least twice now. "You're being a jerk right now."

Robin shrugged. "Now you know how I feel when you taunt me during our sparring matches."

"Tough love builds character."

"Exactly."

"Hmph." Sully turned her attention back to the game and finally moved her piece. "There. Beat that!"

Robin chuckled. "I think I-"

"Mother! Father!" Morgan shouted from outside the tent. "Where did you go?" She poked her head inside the tent and saw them. "Oh, there you are! Hey, Kjelle and I were wondering-" She stopped when she noticed what they were doing. "Oo! You're playing that game? I want to play!"

"Actually, Morgan, you're mother and I are-"

"Hey, Kjelle! They're playing that strategy game in here! Come on!"

"I guess we're getting an audience," Sully said.

Robin shrugged. "Seems like it." Soon both girls were in the tent.

Kjelle stepped up to the tale and looked at the board. "So, who's winning?"

"I am," Robin and Sully said simultaneously. The two exchanged both shocked and slightly irritated looks.

"Uh-oh. Looks like a draw."

"Pfft! Lame!" Morgan said. She sat next to Sully. "Don't worry, Mom, we can totally take him."

"I don't remember asking for help," Sully said.

Kjelle sat next to Robin. "You need to be a little more aggressive, Father. I think you should move this one."

Robin looked at Kjelle then the board. Actually, her idea was pretty good. "Um, okay?" He moved the recommended piece, and took out one of Sully's.

"Since when do you play strategy games?" Morgan asked.

"We used to play as a family on occasion," Kjelle said. "I was never that good on my own, but Father and I could make a pretty decent tag team." She looked at Sully and Morgan. "Come to think of it, you two liked to pair off too. Mother used to like saying she was borrowing your brain."

"My brain works just fine," Sully said. "I've given your dad a run for his money." Robin shrugged but nodded.

Morgan frowned and rubbed the back of her neck. "So, you don't want to play with me then?"

Sully tensed up a bit. She really needed to learn to pick up hints. "I-I didn't say that. You can advise or something I guess. But no moving anything without my say so!" Morgan perked up and nodded. "Okay, good. It's our turn."

"Oh, oh! I think you should move that mage!"

"But I don't have anyone to protect him then."

"I think we should get the Pegasus Knights ready," Kjelle whispered to Robin.

"Maybe. We need to get our cleric up closer to the front too." Kjelle nodded.

For another hour and a half, the family played their game, exchanging jokes and accusing each other of cheating. Kjelle remained surprisingly quiet outside the odd input she gave Robin for ideas. It didn't take long for Robin to notice, but he decided not to press it until after the game.

"I'm sorry we lost, Mother," Morgan said again. It must have been the third time she apologized.

Sully sighed but smiled. "It's okay, kiddo. I'm not mad. We make a good team though."

Morgan finally perked up. "You want to team up again next game?" Sully chuckled and ruffled her daughter's hair. Robin smiled as he watched the two then looked back at Kjelle. She was quietly putting the game pieces away as she watched her mother and sister.

Robin began to help her put the pieces away. "You've been pretty quiet, sweetheart. Something bothering you?"

Kjelle shook her head. "No. Just reminiscing."

"Oh? What about?"

"We used to have nights like this when I was a kid. We'd all play a game and goof off. Then we'd eat pie while you read us a story." She finished putting the pieces away and sighed. "Gods, I didn't know how much I missed it." She noticed it had suddenly gotten quiet and looked up to see everyone was looking at her. "What?"

Sully and Robin looked at each other. "Um, I have a pie I've been saving," Robin said.

"I guess I could allow it for tonight," Sully said.

"I got a novel in my tent you can read, Dad!" Morgan said excitedly.

"Guys, this isn't necessary," Kjelle said. "I wasn't trying to make you feel bad or anything. I was just-"

"Hey, don't start!" Morgan said. "I don't have any memories of us doing any kind of family activities. If this is how it was done, then I want it to be as authentic as possible!" Kjelle looked at her parents.

"We don't mind, Kjelle," Robin said.

Sully nodded. "Yeah. It sounds kinda nice just to act like a normal family for the evening."

Kjelle smiled, trying her best to hide the fact that she felt like crying. "Thanks, guys." Morgan grabbed Kjelle by the wrist and started pulling her out of the tent.

"Come on, you can help me pick out a book!" Kjelle didn't get a chance to protest as her sister dragged her along with surprising strength.

Sully gave a long sigh. Robin knew that was one of the few ways she showed when she was sad about something. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I don't know. I guess I just feel a little guilty."

"Guilty? About what?"

Sully sighed again and shrugged. "They had both had their childhood yanked away from them. Morgan doesn't even get to remember and Kjelle has to carry all that heartbreak with her. I know it wasn't our fault exactly, but. Gods, I don't know. Forget it."

"Hey." Robin wrapped an arm around Sully and pulled her close. "I get it. I feel the same way. Like they had to grow up faster than they should have because we weren't there." Sully nodded. "But they pulled through. Both of them, and they're stronger for it. And I think part of that was how our future selves raised them."

Sully smiled a little. "Maybe. Think we'll do as good of a job?"

Robin shrugged. "Don't know. But I think our chances are pretty good from what I've seen so far." Sully smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips.

I can tell I'm a little rusty. Writing narrative has always been a shortcoming for me. Dialogue is much easier and more fun. I'll work on it though! As always, I am open to suggestions if you have any. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed!