Introduction

Alan raced down the hall when he heard the knocking of the large doors. He couldn't wait to introduce Eric to his new brother…who was limping down the hall, leaning on the crutch the doctor who Mister Humphries had called provided. Ronald, though not being there very long, was already part of the family. William had, upon his master orders, bought Ronald his own wardrobe, dressing him out of what rags he wore, he was given luxurious meals to help put meat back on the blonde's bones and as Alan wanted, his room now had two beds and wardrobes. Alan was happy, Ronald was ecstatic. "I'm sorry." Ronald apologized, hobbling to Alan.

"Why?" Alan cocked his head.

"I-I'm slowing you down."

Alan smiled. "When your leg gets all better, we can race each other from our room to papas."

Ronald laughed. "I was pwetty fast."

"I'm faster." He laughed with Ronald.

William looked up at them from the bottom of the grand staircase. "Are you two going to come and greet our guests?"

Alan nodded. "Yeah!" Alan ran down half the stairs the leapt down the rest stumbling into a hug he gave William. "Hi." He smiled up at the butler.

"Hello." He fixed Alan's hair then made his way to the door. With a look of dread, he opened them, a read blur nearly knocking William over and strangling him. "G-Grell…" William gasped.

"Hello darling." Grell pulled back, tapping his cheeks. "I haven't seen you in ages and look at you!" he pinched William's cheeks. "Still as cute as ever."

"Mm." he took a large step back, greeting the other woman and Eric. "Miss Sutcliffe." He bowed.

"Hello William. Where is Master Humphries?"

"I'm here Miss." The man said as he carried Ronald down the stairs, placing the blonde beside his brother. "It's a pleasure to see you again." He took the woman's hand, kissing her knuckles.

"You as well." She said with a smile.

"How is your husband?"

"Ill. He's come down with a terrible cold, thus why I had to come to speak with you."

"I see." He turned to William. "Is tea ready?"

"Yes sir."

"Very good. Come." He offered his arm to the woman. "We'll speak in the study."

William watched the master and Miss Sutcliffe leave before turning to the other two. "Eric. It's nice to see you again."

Eric saluted to Will. "You too mate."

"Eric!" Alan hugged him. "I gotta show you something."

Eric ruffled Alan's hair. "Alright. 's nice ta see ya again as well."

"Yeah." He took Eric's hand and tugged him back to introduce him to Ronald. "This is my new brother."

Eric blinked. "Brother? But I thought-"

"He's just been adopted." William said, ignoring Grell hanging off his arm. "And the family has welcomed him with open arms."

"Well, ain't tha' nice ta hear." He knelt, extending his hand to Ronald. "Nice ta meet ya. Eric."

"Ronald." He said, shaking the man's hand.

"Ooh, fer a youngin' ye got a strong grip." He laughed then looked up at William. "Need any help?"

"Grell repellant would be nice." He shook the red head off his arm. No matter how much the red head wanted to be a woman, William wouldn't treat him as so.

"Darling, you're going to have to admit, one day, we'll be together."

"I will die, before I ever consider you as a…suitor." He turned back to Eric, ignoring the pout. "As for your request, I'm fine. Please, entertain these too as they've been thinking of games to play."

"Oh, 'ave ya?" he asked the two children.

"Yep!" they said together. "But, we didn't agree." Ronald said. "I wanted to play outside."

"I wanted to play inside."

William, knowing the two were in good hands, left Eric to be their guardian for the time being as he returned to his masters side. "Well, why dun we do both?"

"Both? Like…outdoor indoor hide and seek?" Alan asked.

"Sure."

"…but aren't you too old to be running around a lot?" Ronald asked.

Eric looked at the younger blonde then burst into laughter. "I ain't tha' old kid!" he lifted Ronald up. "Can an old man hold ya this high up?" he held Ronald over his head.

Ronald laughed. "No." he giggled as he was set down.

He smirked then repeated what he did to Ronald to Alan. "Right." He set Alan back on his feet. "Ya good ta walk?" he asked Ronald.

"…I'm slow."

"Ah, tha' doesn't matter." He covered his eyes. "Go on you two. I'll be lookin' fer ya in ten seconds."

Alan took Ronald's hand and helped him flee the monster that was soon going to be searching for them.