Author's Note: My personal headcanon for where the children in this one came from is that Lelouch and Suzaku used a surrogate mother (probably Euphy). But where the children came from is left purposefully ambiguous so the reader didn't have to go along with what I thought.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Family

"Aunt Euphy!"

The shout was the only warning she got before the two children barreled into sight. She had just enough time to kneel before the two boys rushed into her arms. Euphemia rocked back a bit under the impact, laughing along with them. She reached up to ruffle Alex's hair, shaking her head at the messy black curls. It was just like his father's, in a constant state of muss. "Hello you two. Have you been behaving?"

"Of course." Julius was the one to pipe up, trying to look serious. But, at three years old, it was hard not to laugh at him. Euphemia bit her lip to keep from laughing, knowing that the boy would just be insulted if she laughed. Julius just puffed out his chest. "I always behave, but Alex gets in a lot of trouble."

"Does he now?"

"He's lying!" Alex stared up at her with wide eyes. "I do everything I'm told. I don't try to argue like Julius."

"Liar!"

It looked like a full blown argument was starting, Euphemia looking between the two boys. There had to be a way to head them off, but it would be difficult to find that point. They were both as stubborn and annoying articulate as their fathers. To manage to get the both of them would take Lelouch, or careful planning on her part.

Fortunately, Suzaku stepped it before it could become a problem. "Boys, behave."

The both looked properly scolded, but Euphemia recognized the expression from when Lelouch was young. Both of them would just wait until the adults were gone before continuing their argument. Euphemia shook her head, giving Alex and Julius both pats on the head before getting to her feet. The move gave Suzaku enough room to slide past her, Euphemia glancing in the direction that Suzaku had headed off into.

Suzaku was probably heading for the kitchen where Lelouch was hard at work, if her nose wasn't letting her down. She followed after Suzaku, Alex and Julius trailing after her, still muttering to each other. Euphemia made sure to stay between them, hopefully postponing the argument until she could leave. This was her one time to visit in the upcoming months, and she didn't want to leave with the two boys arguing. Then again, they probably wouldn't if she told them that. Both Alex and Julius were eager to keep her happy.

She took a deep breath, smiling at the heavenly scent. Euphemia stepped into the kitchen, standing still as the boys ran out from around her, Julius immediately going to cling to Suzaku's leg. Alex was the one to dash over to Lelouch. "Father, look who's here!"

"I heard." Lelouch looked over his shoulder, smiling at Euphemia before looking down at his oldest son. "And I bet Euphy is hungry. Can you and your brother manage to set the table together?"

Alex nodded, reaching over to grab Julius' hand before tugging him over to the cabinets. Whatever argument seemed to have been brewing disappeared, leaving the three of them to themselves.

Lelouch waved Suzaku over to the stove, passing him the spoon as soon as Suzaku took his place. Lelouch wiped his hands on the apron he was wearing before pulling Euphemia into a hug. "It's been a while."

Euphemia leaned into the hug with a happy sigh. "It has. But I've been busy and so have you, it looks like."

"There's never a dull moment with those two." Lelouch took a step back, glancing back at his husband. "With Suzaku too. He's almost as bad as the both of them."

"Hey!"

Lelouch laughed and patted Suzaku's shoulder. "It's the truth."

Euphemia watched as the two of them exchanged jibes, Suzaku eventually leaning on Lelouch despite her brother's sputtering. She pressed her hand against her mouth to keep herself from laughing out loud, leaving them both to finish cooking. Like fathers, like sons it seemed. Euphemia wasn't sure that the world could handle another Lelouch, even two that were tempered by Suzaku. But at least her brother was happy, and that was all that mattered.

She leaned back in her chair, helping Julius up onto her lap when he tugged at her skirt. He settled himself into her lap, Euphemia holding him carefully in place as she watched the rest of her brother's family, relaxing for the first time in months.