in your love, my salvation lies

[flowers_on_skin]

Eostre couldn't stop looking at the twins, but, then again, she hadn't exactly tried very hard. Flo was fast asleep, snuffling and snoring a little but Mack was wide awake and watchful, her dark blue eyes darting. Eostre knew that newborn babies couldn't focus, couldn't see very far but Eostre could have sworn that her little girl was looking

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[nevergrowsup]

He'd got shooed off by Lily after being underfoot and hanging around the hut, wound up curled asleep in the center of the trampoline.

Peter Pan was not one for lingering in doorways. It wasn't in his nature, same as any other little boys with more mischief than they have sense. But now he was dawdling, almost afraid to come in to this little house that was his, in a way.

"It's me. Peter Pan."

[flowers_on_skin]

Eostre smiled, her blonde hair hanging in her eyes. She was sweaty. She'd have to get someone to find a way for her to take a bath.

"Hello, darling. You come to say hello?"

[nevergrowsup]

He scuffed his shoe against the floor as he nodded, glancing up at the babies.

They were rather extraordinarily small. Peter was certain he hadn't been that wee, not ever.

"Can I?"

[flowers_on_skin]

"Of course you can," she said, holding out her hand and wiggling her fingers. "Flo's sleeping, but Mack's awake to say hello."

[nevergrowsup]

He walked in, silent as an Indian warrior in the night. Carefully came over to the bed, leaning over to get to look at them.

Mack waved a tiny little fist in his general direction, and Peter's mouth went dry.

They were just tiny little things, but they were people. The Veggies. It was rather more emotion than he could handle at once, got caught up in the wave of it.

"I..."

[flowers_on_skin]

"You want to come up on the bed and sit with us for a little bit, darling?" said Eostre, softly, not wanting to hurry him. "They won't break. It's okay."

[nevergrowsup]

Since coming on the island, Peter had been having all sorts of feelings that were new and a b it strange. Nerves and fear and worry, but nothing was like what the babies made him do.

That's what being a brother feels like, then. It was this swirl of love and concern, glee and astonishment.

He bit his lip, nervously, but started to nod. It was hard to look at anything besides the little babies.

"Should I take Wednesday out first?"

[flowers_on_skin]

"Did you bring him in with you?"

Eostre was pretty sure the rabbit had been firmly left in his basket in one of the boy's rooms, but he did have a way of getting everywhere.

Mack made a small sound that was almost a squawk and flexed her little fingers.

[nevergrowsup]

Out came Wednesday from Peter's pocket, covered in little bits of laundry fuzz and looking incredibly displeased. Being in a pocket or a few hours apparently did not do anything for his temper.

"I snatched him before Lily made me go. but see? he's back."

[flowers_on_skin]

"You should put him in one of the bedrooms, love," said Eostre as Mack started to grumble. She reached down and lifted the little girl into her arms, against her chest, making sure that the pillow keeping Flora still stayed where it was.

[nevergrowsup]

He was a little bit reluctant to let the rabbit down, but Peter reluctantly nodded. It was much easier to stick with what you know, including tiny put-upon bunnies, than something so new as the babies.

Hesitantly, Peter tip-toed back toward the bed. "I...Could I touch one, maybe?"

[flowers_on_skin]

"Of course you can, love. Come and sit on the bed with us, hey?"

In the warm day, the babies were wearing diapers and not much else, kicking little bare legs in the breeze.

"This is Mack," said Eostre, turning the little girl to face Peter. "And this little piggy here is Flo."

[nevergrowsup]

Gingerly, he sat down on the corner of the bed, facing the babies. Normally he would have curled up to Eostre's side like a stray cat looking for scraps of attention, but now she was holding babies. He didn't quite know his place yet.

Looking seriously at her, Peter met his sister's eyes. He'd get to be the one who told her secrets mothers weren't supposed to know, how to fight and spit, about fairy songs and how to catch monsters that live under beds.

Carefully, , he traced his finger over her round little cheek lightly. "Hullo, Mack. I'm Peter Pan. I'm going to take care of you."

[flowers_on_skin]

Mack regarded Peter solemnly, her little fingers stretching and curling.

"She can't see much just yet, but she knows who you are already."

Eostre smiled at him.

[nevergrowsup]

Just as gravely, he held his finger out so she could hold it if she liked. Then he whispered in a quiet voice. "I'm going to be your brother."

He scooted a little bit closer, looking up at Eostre. "How does she know?"

[flowers_on_skin]

Mack wrapped her little fist around Peter's finger with a surprising grip.

"They could hear," she said. "When they were inside. They've been listening."