Chapter 22
"Arthur Pendragon, put that bottle down NOW!"
Her face red with anger, the Future Queen stormed into the nursery and yanked the glass baby bottle out of her husband's hands. She stared at the contents suspiciously, taking the lid off to sniff the baby's milk. Seemed all right…
"May I ask what you're searching for?" Every bit as tired and irritable as his wife, the Prince-Regent of Camelot stared at the diminutive woman with a wide, confused gaze.
She turned around to face him, her features still hard. "Gaius said you took off with his sleeping draught today. He said you were busy muttering about how 'babies just don't sleep' and you were pretty borderline insane at the time. TELL me you didn't add anything to Marissa's milk!"
Shocked beyond comprehension, the Prince threw his hands up. "Yes, I took the draught—but it was for my OWN use!" He had the grace to look ashamed as he voiced his next admission. "I sort of hoped I could take it tonight…and…"
"And..?" Kelly glared at the blonde Prince, crossing her arms as she set the bottle down.
Arthur rolled his eyes, suddenly mildly afraid of her close proximity. "And…maybe I would get a full night's sleep…" He dropped his eyes to the floor, feeling very much like a child being disciplined. "I'm sorry. I wasn't being fair, I know..."
Before he could continue, the baby started crying. He turned with slumped shoulders, exhausted but intent upon seeing to his newborn daughter.
Kelly stopped her husband with a hand against his chest. Simply blinking up at him, she shook her head. "Get lost. I've got her." She picked up the little pink bundle, adding, "You can redeem yourself with tonight's late shift." When she heard him leave, she grinned down at the baby girl, cooing, "'Cause Daddy's such a sucker for punishment..."