How Far We've Come

Disclaimer: #Yawn#

Challenge: Princess

Timeframe: Post Crown and Punishment

Ships: Rose/Mack

Summary: The new baby isn't exactly welcome in the eyes of the firstborn princess.

He was holding their youngest child, watching her while Rose got in a quick shower. He tilted the rocking chair back slowly, drinking in the details of the new baby's face. She looked just like Jamie had as an infant, with Rose's complexion and black hair and his own bright blue eyes. "I've got three girls to look after now," Mack mused with a smile as he continued rocking.

The oldest Hartford daughter pranced into the room then. She was clad in dress up clothes: a pink princess dress, a sparkly silver crown and matching silver sandals. "I'm Princess Jamie," the three year old declared proudly. "And by order of the princess, I banish this peasant from the kingdom!" She pointed an accusing finger at the baby.

Mack hid a smile. He knew Jamie was jealous that all of he and Rose's attention had been going to the newborn Serena. They tried, they really did, but they were in many ways still children themselves, and by the time they got through a day they were far too exhausted to have much time to play with their first child.

"Well? Why haven't you removed this foul beast from my sight?" Jamie demanded shrilly. "The princess is waiting." She stamped her foot, her eyes narrowed at the baby in Mack's arms.

Mack stood and crossed Serena's bedroom to the white crib. He lay her down inside of it, covering her tiny body with a soft red blanket. He moved a pink bunny rabbit closer to the baby and smiled as a fat little fist gripped it tightly.

Then Mack turned back to his firstborn. "Come here, little one." He sat down in the rocking chair and held out his arms. Jamie, delighted to have her daddy all to herself, climbed up to his lap. "You know, for such a little girl, you sure know a lot of big words."

"I'm like Mommy," Jamie announced. "Everyone has always told me that. I'm just like Mommy, right Daddy?"

Mack nodded. "That's right. And that's really good, baby girl, that you're so smart. You're going to be OK when you grow up. I don't think I'm going to have to worry about you much."

Jamie beamed. "That's cuz I'm a princess, Daddy."

"Yes, you are. You're my princess. I love you very much, sweetheart. But much as I love you and adore you, you need to understand that Serena is my princess too."

Jamie's little face darkened. "No she's not. Just me. I was here first, Daddy. Firstborn. I'm the princess."

"You are the firstborn, Jamie. You have a very special place in my heart, and in Mommy's. But Serena's our baby too, and we love her. This has to stop. Do you understand that you need to be nicer to her?"

"Why did you and Mommy have to have another baby? Don't you love me? Why do I have to share?"

"We wanted another baby because Mommy and I love each other, and we knew having more than one baby would only make our lives together that much better. And since we got so lucky with you, we thought that any other baby would be just as wonderful as you are." He kissed the top of Jamie's head. "Now I'm going to get the baby and you're going to hold her."

Mack set the oldest Hartford child on the floor and crossed to the crib once more. "Sit on the chair, Jamie." The three year old did as she'd been instructed. Mack smiled and carefully placed the infant Serena in her sister's arms. "Be very careful, sweetheart. She's delicate."

He watched his daughter holding the baby for a moment before quietly exiting to him and Rose's room. "Come here, Rose. You have to see this. It's too cute." Mack grabbed Rose's hand and pulled her to Serena's room.

When his wife saw the way Jamie was cradling Serena, she smiled. "What did you do?"

"I told her that Serena was our baby too and that we love them both very much."

Jamie was beaming again. "I'm going to teach Princess Serena everything I know when she grows up."