Thirteen: Shadow

Plot: When the girls are a month old, Bobby Lee takes them to see the guards for the first time, unaware of Edward and Nell tagging along.

"Easy there Elena," Bobby Lee cooed, placing a pacifier in her mouth. "Daddy's just going to take you and your sister to some friends of his."

Elena looked up at him with wide eyes, wondering what he meant. She and Gabby had just turned a month old the day before so with the threat of illness no longer a threat, Bobby Lee thought it would be the perfect time for them to see the guards.

Especially with some of them literally begging to see the little ones. Including the ones that were dads themselves.

"You sure that's a good idea?" Nell asked, handing Gabby Lamb-Lamb. "The girls haven't been anywhere else other than their cradle and our bedroom before."

"Everyone loves a good Take Your Kid to Work Day," Bobby Lee grinned, "Besides, the guys have been begging me to bring the girls with me. Some of them are also dads, and they might give me some tips, especially since we're first-time parents."

"That's true," Nell admitted, "And who knows? Maybe we can organize a play date with some of them when they're a little older."

"That's a good idea, but don't worry," Bobby Lee smiled. "Elena and Gabby might even get a nap in while we're gone."

"True. They're little night owls," Nell smirked. "But I can't help but worry too."

"I know which one is which," Bobby Lee smiled. "Gabby's in pink and Elena's in purple."

"Very good," Nell smirked. "But remember, even though they're twins, they do the opposite of each other. Like if Elena's asleep, Gabby's awake, or if Elena's hungry, Gabby needs to be changed."

"I remember," Bobby Lee smiled, kissing her, then Elena and Gabby. "Girls, you two are identical to each other! Do something identical!"

"It looks like they're doing something identical right now," Edward smiled, "They're both sleeping!"

"And sharing Lamb-Lamb," Nell smiled.

"So you're finally taking them out into the world Robert?" Edward joked with a smile.

"The guys begged me too," Bobby Lee smirked.

"Do you want us to come along? I know your friends enjoy a little rough-housing now and then, and that's not good for the girls," Edward asked.

"I can handle it, Edward; this isn't like when James and I play together," Bobby Lee smiled. "And don't worry about the girls not being able to handle rough-housing; Sofia's tougher than she looks, and Amber's quick enough to get away if she doesn't like it."

"Well, if you're sure, Robert," Nell smiled.

"I'm sure," Bobby Lee smiled. He picked the girls up and murmured, "You girls ready to come to work with Daddy?"

Elena didn't respond as Gabby started to wake up, putting one of Lamb-Lamb's paws in her mouth.

"Silly Gabby!" Nell chuckled, handing Bobby Lee the girls' diaper bag.

"She loves anything sweet," Edward smirked.

"So that explains why she likes putting Helen's hand in her mouth," Bobby Lee smiled. "She also does that with my mother, Bianca, and Lydia!"

"Oh, stop it," Nell smirked.

"What? Gabby knows sweet things when she senses them, right Gab-Gab?" Bobby Lee grinned, kissing Gabby as he took the diaper bag.

Gabby giggled softly and went back to sleep with Lamb-Lamb's paw in her mouth.

"Have fun," Nell smiled as he left before turning to her father. "I know it's silly Papa but I can't help but worry."

"It's because the girls will be without you isn't it?" Edward asked sympathetically.

"I carried them for nine months and Bobby Lee takes them out to a place filled with roughhousing men!" Nell pouted a little. "I know he said they don't do that but..."

"If it makes you feel better, you could shadow Robert for a while," Edward suggested. "You used to do that with me and your mother when we did chores around the house. Then Madeline and Sabrina shadowed you when they were old enough."

Nell smiled. She remembered working alongside Lydia as she worked around the house. Lydia always pretended to be annoyed at her little shadow, but she always thanked her for helping with the chores. "I know, but this isn't like doing housework with Mama," she admitted. "Elena and Gabby will be around strangers, Robert will be the only one they know..."

"Would you like me to go with you, Helenita?" Edward smirked.

"Would you?" Nell smiled.

"Well your mother has Sabrina and Madeline for a few hours," Edward smiled back. "I don't see why not."

"Thank you Papa!" Nell shouted, blushing a little at how she was acting.

"Your mother acted the same way when you were born, then later when Madeline and Sabrina were born," Edward assured her, "I wanted my friends to meet you when you were first born, but your mother wouldn't let you out of her sight! It took a little convincing, but I finally let my friends meet you. Of course, you were a little older by then, and we compromised by inviting my friends as well as your mother's friends over for tea, but everyone got to meet you."

Nell nodded softly at her father, getting an understanding of what Lydia used to do when she and her sisters were babies.

It made sense to her as Edward took her by the hand and lead her out of the room.

Meanwhile, unaware of what Nell and Edward were planning, Bobby Lee carried Elena and Gabby to where the guards were meeting for their briefings and assignments. "Well, girls, here we are," he smiled. "This is where Daddy works."

Elena giggled at him before looking around. This place was so big! But at least there were some nice people coming toward them. Beside her, Gabby squealed as some of Bobby Lee's friends came up.

"I thought I heard your daughters, Robert," one of the guards smiled. "It's good to finally meet them."

"Helen and I wanted to avoid them getting sick their first three weeks of life," Bobby Lee smirked. "We even take nightly shifts."

"That does explain why you're sometimes tired," Another guard teased, touching Elena's hand with his finger.

"Easy Jackson Elena grabs anything she can get her hands on," Bobby Lee smirked.

"Now you tell me," Jackson smiled as Elena grabbed his finger. "But my little ones do that too."

"The stories I could tell you about my little ones," another guard smiled as he came up. He handed Bobby Lee a small package. "My wife was sick on the day of your and Miss Helen's baby shower, so I told her I'd give this to you in person."

Bobby Lee smiled as he unwrapped two small mirrors and hair brushes. "Thanks, Alden! Now Helen and I can make them even prettier!"

"And if you ever need some time to yourself, or some guy time, let us know," Alden continued.

"I will," Bobby Lee smiled.

Elena and Gabby cooed, looking up at the friends of their daddy. They seemed to be very nice so far. And friendly too.

"How can you tell who is who?" Aiden wondered. "They have their mother's eyes."

"Aside from the grabbing," Jackson smirked.

"Gabby's on the right, and she's in pink," Bobby Lee motioned toward her, "And Elena's on the left, in purple."

"What did Miss Helen say about you wanting to bring them with you?" Alden continued.

"She was worried that we'll be too rough or too loud, and she didn't want to let them out of her sight," Bobby Lee explained.

"Too rough? Us?" Jackson grinned, letting Elena hold his fingers. "Never! We know how to act around a lady! Or in this case, two ladies."

"I know, but this isn't like when we play with James," Bobby Lee agreed.

"We'll make sure these little ladies are as comfortable here as possible," a guard smiled as Gabby tried to hand him Lamb-Lamb. "No sweetheart that's your toy. She belongs to your daddy."

"We have a three joint custody of her," Bobby Lee smiled.

"We better start working," Aiden smiled, stroking the twins' hair. "I brought some of my little ones' toys to keep these two company."

Bobby Lee smiled as he showed Elena and Gabby a little plush frog. He squeezed it, and it squeaked. He smiled as Gabby squealed at it and reached for it. Once it was in her arms, she fell asleep again.

Jackson smiled as he let Elena hold his fingers. With his other hand, he reached in his bag and pulled out some hard books. "My son loved these when he was that age," he explained. "And they'll come in handy when your little ones start teething." He also slipped Elena a small teddy bear. "Belated shower gift."

"Thanks, guys," Bobby Lee smiled. "Now maybe we should get to work before we have to take the girls with us!"

"Good. They're gone," Nell smiled softly, peeking out from where she had been hiding. "I hate being a shadow but I just want my babies to be safe."

"And they are," Edward smirked, walking up to the sleeping infants.

"They're spoiled already," Nell cooed, seeing the frog in Gabby's arms.

"But at least we can put some of these gifts to good use," Edward smiled. "You did say you needed another brush for their hair; now you have two! One for each of them. And the hard books will be useful when they start teething."

"And if they aren't using them to chew on, we can read the stories to them," Nell agreed.

She took the frog from Gabby's arms for a moment as the infant began to whimper.

"It's only Grandpa and Mommy Gabby," Edward assured, taking her in his arms.

Nell squeezed the frog, hoping Gabby would calm down as Elena started to wake up.

Edward nuzzled the bear against Elena's cheek. "It's all right, sweetheart, we're here with you."

Elena giggled as Edward made the bear kiss her. She reached for him, and Edward took her in his arms.

"I got Gabby for you Papa," Nell smiled, taking Gabby in her arms.

Gabby squealed at seeing the frog, reaching out for it as Nell gave it to her.

"I thought I was hearing things," Aiden smirked, seeing Nell and Edward.

"Don't tell Robert," Nell smiled. "I just wanted to check on the girls. It's my first time being apart from them!"

"I'm only here for moral support," Edward smiled.

"I understand perfectly," Aiden smirked. "My wife and her sisters were the exact same way when my daughter was born. They were so worried about something happening, but it all worked out. My little girl kept herself busy with the toys the guys gave her, and she was asleep by the time I was finished with my shift."

"I guess I should've realized that," Nell blushed, seeing Gabby fall asleep.

"It happens to all first time mommies eventually," Aiden assured with a smile.

"What's your little girl's name?" Edward wondered as Elena took hold of his fingers.

"Evanna," Aiden smiled. "She's almost nine months now, and getting into everything. We've got a dog as well, and he's like her big brother. He protects her and they play together."

"We'll have to see how well the girls get along with Rex," Nell whispered to Edward.

"And we'll have to get them together for a play date with Miss Evanna," Edward agreed.

"Some of the guys have little ones too, and they'd love to meet these little sweethearts," Aiden smiled. "I've got to get back to work. I won't tell Robert you were here, but I'll see you later."

"Grandpa and I will be around," Nell assured Elena and Gabby with kisses on the forehead as Aiden left.

"Probably behind your daddy," Edward smirked.

Nell looked around, hoping she wouldn't see Bobby Lee anywhere. She wanted to trust him that he could take care of the girls by himself while he was working, but she couldn't help but worry that she'd be caught.

"It's going to be all right, Helenita," Edward smiled. "I watched for your mother when I took you, Madeline, and Sabrina with me, and I never got caught."

"Until now," they heard a teasing voice behind them.

Nell and Edward turned around. "Robert!" Nell grinned sheepishly. "This isn't what it looks like?"

"I think I understand what's going on," Bobby Lee smirked.

"You do?" Nell grinned.

"Of course I do," Bobby Lee smiled. "You wanted to check on us, and that's fine. But so far, the guys are getting along well with the girls. And yes, they gave me a few things for them too. They're with my stuff, and I'll bring it all home tonight."

They were cut off by Elena, who was starting to whimper in her sleep. "It's okay, sweetheart; we're here," Bobby Lee murmured as he took her out and fished a clean diaper out of the bag. "Come on, let's take care of this."

"And Gabby's still sleeping," Edward smirked.

"But not for long. You should know that by now Papa," Nell smiled softly as she helped Bobby Lee with Elena. "If Elena's awake, she'll be awake too."

"It's all right, Gabby, go back to sleep," Edward murmured, gently stroking Gabby's hair. "You look like you're having a wonderful dream. Go back to it. For in dreams, you enter a world that's entirely your own. You can swim in the deepest ocean, or glide over the highest cloud."

Nell smiled when she heard Edward say what he used to say to her when he accidentally woke her up. Her smile widened when she saw Gabby relax with her frog friend.

Bobby Lee smiled when he and Elena came back. Florence had said that to him when he had a nightmare once too. "Well, I've got Elena changed, but I've got to go back to work. Do you want to stay with the girls, take them home, or what's your plan?"

"We'll have them be with you," Nell smiled, seeing Elena comfortable in his arms.

"But we'll follow you around," Edward smirked.

"For moral support?" Bobby Lee grinned.

"And maybe to learn about what you do," Nell admitted. "I know you're a guard, Robert, but I've never known what they do."

"I'd like to learn myself," Edward smiled. "What exactly do you do while you're gone?"

"Well, it looks like the girls are relaxing again, so let's leave them to their nap, and I'll show you what I do," Bobby Lee smiled as he got Elena settled again and tucked her teddy bear in with her.

"Let's let sleeping babies lie," Nell cooed, watching her daughter cuddle with their new toys. "Mommy and Daddy will be back soon."

"And Grandpa too," Edward smiled.

Bobby Lee led Nell and Edward out to where he had been patrolling. He showed them the lookout tower, and even offered to let them climb up and have a look around. "It's not so bad once you get up there," he smiled.

"I'll take your word for it, Robert," Nell grinned weakly, but then she gasped as Bobby Lee took her hand and helped her up the ladder. "Robert Lee Johnson, don't even consider letting go of my hand!"

"It's all right, Helen, I'm right here with you," Bobby Lee smiled, "And Edward's right behind you."

When they were in the tower, Nell breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't ever do that again!" she scolded, but her expression turned to one of wonder as she looked around. "That might have been a terrifying climb, but the view from up here is amazing!"

"And you can feel the wind in your hair," Edward smirked, seeing some locks of Nell's hair blow in the wind.

"It's gonna be a mess by the time we get down!" Nell chuckled.

"You should've listened to Lydia this morning then," Bobby Lee grinned.

"In my defense, I thought I would be with the girls all day," Nell smirked.

She and Edward watched as Bobby Lee walked around the tower's perimeter and watched for any sign of trouble. He even handed them his telescope and let them look through it.

"This reminds me of when Lydia and Bianca used to go birdwatching," Edward smiled as he held the telescope to his eye. "They told me they climbed a large tree where they saw a large eagle's nest. Lydia even saw a hawk catching some prey for its young."

"I remember that, Papa," Nell smiled. "And just so you two know, Madeline, Sabrina, Elena, and Gabby can come up here when they're our age!"

"Too bad it won't be for another ten to fifteen years," Bobby Lee smiled.

"And who knows what'll happen by then," Edward smirked.

"I say maybe marriage and some more children," Nell smiled, trying not to chuckle at Bobby Lee's face as Edward handed her the telescope.

"Good things have been known to come to those who wait," Bobby Lee smirked. "But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"You're right, Robert," Nell smiled, "But can we get down now?"

"No problem, Helen, but you did a good job going up," Bobby Lee smiled.

"Hey it was you who helped me up," Nell smiled, kissing him on the cheek.

"Easy Helenita. You have little ones down below that might be waking up from their nap," Edward smirked, musing her hair.

"And may need their mommy," Bobby Lee added with a smirk.

"Right; check on them first, kiss you second," Nell grinned, going back with them to check on the girls.

Elena and Gabby were just starting to wake up when they came back. Elena offered Nell her teddy bear, and Nell made it dance for her.

Beside her, Gabby giggled as Edward made her frog jump. "You want to kiss your friend, Gabby? You might make a prince appear!"

"If she does, it'll be a baby prince," Aiden smirked, hearing Gabby squeal.

"It's a toy frog! Not a real one!" Jackson chuckled, taking the teddy bear from Nell.

"We'll tell them the story later, but thanks for helping to watch them," Nell smiled. "I don't know how you manage to climb that ladder and look around you without worrying that you'll fall!"

"We don't even notice it anymore," Aiden smiled. "I always imagine I'm going up a flight of stairs when I climb the ladder."

"I used to play in the hayloft of my family's farm when I was younger," Jackson added. "I grew up climbing ladders."

"And I climbed trees," Bobby Lee smiled.

"How can I forget? You boys always played on the trees and I would try and join you," Nell smirked.

Elena and Gabby whimpered, almost in tears before Edward took them in his arms.

"It's all right, my sweethearts," he murmured. "Everything's all right. We're all back down with you, and we're all safe and sound."

Elena gave a little cry as Nell took her and walked her around the room, humming the lullaby Lydia used to sing to her, Madeline, and Sabrina. She managed to settle down as Bobby Lee joined her with Gabby.

"It's okay, sweetheart," Bobby Lee murmured as he walked Gabby around, "We're all here with you."

"They must be hungry," Aiden smiled softly, seeing Elena put Nell's hand in her mouth. "Evanna used to do that all the time until she got teeth."

"Well they haven't eaten since this morning," Nell admitted with a blush.

"Well, let's fix that right now," Bobby Lee smiled. He and Nell fed Elena and Gabby, and after they were changed, he asked, "What would you like to do now, girls?"

Elena and Gabby cooed, pointing to Aiden and Jackson.

"You wanna be with Uncle Aiden and Uncle Jackson until Daddy has to go home?" Nell asked, stoking their hair.

"Okay...let's see what other things we have for you," Jackson smiled.

"And don't worry, Miss Helen, we won't take them up on the lookout tower," Aiden agreed.

"We'll keep them as down-to-earth as they are right now," Jackson smiled.

"That's word play worthy of James!" Edward smiled.

"I don't think they would like heights anyway," Bobby Lee smirked.

"Just because Mommy doesn't won't mean that they'll be like me," Nell frowned.

"They still might want to wait until they're a little older," Bobby Lee smiled. "But I'll still go up with them. But enough of that kind of talk for now. We've still got some things to take care of before our shift ends."

"Everyone's entitled to a little break," Aiden smiled.

"We'll stay out of your way and take care of the girls," Edward smiled.

Elena and Gabby yawned, hugging their new toys close.

"I think you two have had enough naps today," Nell joked with a smile.

"They don't look sleepy at all," Edward smiled. "They're probably bored."

"A little change of scenery never did any harm," Bobby Lee smiled. "Helen, what do you say you and I take them for a quick walk around the castle perimeter? We can let them look at the gardens and fountains, and I can do another watch of the area."

"Ah, the wonders of multi-tasking!" Jackson grinned. "I did this with my son when he was that age too. I'd bring him here, and any time he got restless, I'd take him for a walk around the perimeter. He loved looking at the fountain, and that always put him back to sleep."

"If it can work for him, it can work for Elena and Gabby," Bobby Lee smiled.

"I'll be delighted," Nell smiled, handing Gabby to him.

Gabby cooed, pulling on the collar of Bobby Lee's uniform.

"You two walk, I'll be with your mother and sisters Helenita," Edward smiled, turning to Bobby Lee. "And thank you for letting us be your shadow."

"Come back any time, Edward," Bobby Lee smiled as he and Gabby walked away.

Bobby Lee pointed out some little animals playing near them. "You think they're going to attack us, Gab-Gab?" he asked.

Gabby squealed, reaching out for them. However, the squirrel was too fast for her, and ran up a tree. Gabby whimpered softly as it disappeared.

"It's okay, sweetheart, he'll come back and play with you later," Bobby Lee smiled, picking a flower and putting it in her hair. "But you like looking at flowers and the fountain too, right?"

Gabby smiled and pointed at the fountain. She giggled as Bobby Lee walked her around it.

"Looks like Daddy and Gabby found the fountain," Nell smiled, letting Elena pet the rabbit she had found. "Almost looks like Sofia's bunny doesn't he?"

Elena squealed at the thought of Sofia's bunny, having seen Clover a few times.

Except she never understood why he would hop away from her and Gabby sometimes.

"I think this bunny wants to be your friend," Nell smiled, holding out a flower she'd picked and letting the new rabbit sniff it.

Elena giggled as she stroked the bunny's fur, and squealed as it sniffed her.

"Yes, I think you've got a bunny friend too!" Nell grinned. "We'll have to tell Sofia, and you and your bunny friends can play together!"

Both girls were asleep in Nell's arms by the time Bobby Lee had to return to work as Madeline and Sabrina ran to her.

"We'll take them!" Sabrina giggled, holding out her hands.

"We can help!" Madeline added with a smile.

"Where was this helpfulness last month?" Nell smirked.

"Sorry, Nell, but like Miss Bianca says, better late than never," Sabrina smiled as she took Elena.

"I know; I actually felt the same way when you and Madeline were born," Nell admitted. "I tried to stay out of Mama's way, and I never knew what to do to help when she needed me."

"We all learn together, right?" Madeline asked, taking Gabby in her arms.

"Right. We're all learning about this one day at a time," Nell smiled.