Eetu and his little brother, Caspian ran around their parents' feet, as fast as Caspian's little legs could carry him.

"Eetu, why don't you go play with Len and Samuel?" Xavier put down his quill.

"Why? Caspian and I are having fun." Eetu accidentally tripped his brother, and he started to cry.

"You're playing a tad too rough with him." Zephrine wiped away her youngest son's tears. "You're seven, he's four. That's quite the age difference."

"Not really." Eetu shrugged.

"Yes, really." Zephrine scooped up Caspian, propping him up on her hip. "I'm sure Len and Samuel would love to play with you."

"Okay." Eetu conceded, and Xavier stood, lifting the child up.

"We'll be back." Xavier turned to his wife and kissed her cheek.

"Caspian, do you want to play with me?" Zephrine set Caspian on the bed, his little feet dangling off the side.

"Pirate!" Caspian giggled. "Be a pirate!"

"A pirate? What's a pirate?"

"You have a boat! And you fight monsters on the sea! And you go everywhere on boat!"

"Sounds exciting." Zephrine leaned in, enthralled.

"Can you be sea monster?"

"If you want me to."

Caspian nodded, smiling widely. "Bed is boat!"

"Okay!" Zephrine crouched down at the side of the bed. She growled playfully and stuck her arm out toward Caspian, who hit it away with as much force as a four year old could. Eventually, Zephrine got the advantage and was holding Caspian down, tickling his sides. The boy squealed in delight, writhing in his mother's grasp.

"Zephrine, please tell me you're not torturing our son?" Xavier came up from behind and placed a light kiss on Zephrine's cheek.

"I'm a vicious sea monster. That's my job." She responded, but stopped tickling Caspian.

"I was a pirate!" Caspian exclaimed triumphantly.

"What's a pirate?" Xavier whispered to Zephrine.

"I'm not entirely sure myself. Let him have it, though. It makes him so happy."

Caspian clung to his mother, signaling her that he wanted down from the bed. When he got to the floor, he continued mumbling about pirates, making up rules and such.

"Our children are an odd pair, aren't they?" Xavier watched as Caspian waddled around, rambling to himself.

"That they are." Zephrine agreed. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."