Hans is an early riser by nature, and the worries weighing on his mind of late have only contributed to that for additional lack of sleep
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While Ali is getting herself ready, Hans returns his attention to the preparation of further food for the children, so that it will be hot and waiting for them when it is time for them to get up.
The cooking is a nice distraction from the things weighing on his mind, good simple work that allows him to focus and keep himself busy. Who knew ex-fighter pilots made such good breakfast chefs?
By the time the children are in the kitchen, the will find plenty of food waiting for them.
The goslings always appreciate a hot breakfast, so Hans gets a quartet of hugs and thank-yous for his efforts before they sit down and dig in. They eat quietly until Ali comes in: then come the requests for lunches, the last-minute paperwork that needs signing, the pleas she finds a lost sock that simply must be work to make an outfit, the not-so-subtle hintings around for sleepover permission, and all those other things children remember only in the morning.
Ali slides into a seat at the table, taking the paperwork and looking it over before signing anything. The other questions are given various answers (nobody's having a sleepover that night, but she tries to be helpful in other areas). Eventually, she even turns her attention to Hans. Her eyes flick over to him for a minute, carefully avoiding his, and her tone is soft and neutral. "Do we have any grape jelly?"
Hans will always be in awe of Ali's ability to handle the various minor emergencies and bits of chaos that make up family life. He is quickly growing used to it, but he is still in awe sometimes all the same. It is just one more reminder of how much he loves this family and everyone in it.
Hans looks away for moment, but he nods. "I had put it away in the refrigerator when the children were done with it. Let me get it for you."
He rises and returns a moment later with the jelly in question. "Can I get you anything else while I am still up?"
"A cup of tea would be lovely," she murmurs, accepting the jelly so she can have a piece of toast. "Thank you."
She, after all, has not had any breakfast yet! And it's unlikely she will until after the children are gone off for their day of learning and adventure, since there's still so much to do. Even the tea and toast are hard to manage, fit in here and there as she packs up lunches and bags while the children finish their breakfasts and other vital preparations.
Hans is welcome to marvel at the artistry involved in packing bento.
"I would be happy to take care of that for you," he says, before beginning to mix the tea.
Hans too, manages in and around the children and their questions, with promises of after-school activities and story time, and homework help and other such things that children often ask. How could he have been so foolish, so monumentally stupid as to not think of the children, so close to his heart, even for a moment?
"This is the last call for seconds," he instructs the children. "And even that must be brief."
The goslings decline seconds, since they have to be going. Mother Sasha and Amaris need to be hugged and kissed before it's off to school, and their friends and adventures and maybe even some learning. So with hugs and kisses, the children grab their things and file out.
And when they're gone, Ali slumps into a chair, holding her head in her hands.
"I am going to be so glad when it's summer break."
"Less... direct stress, perhaps?" Hans says, as he continues to rub. "Less paperwork, at any rate. More things that I would be able to take responsibility for."
Ali smirks down at the table, a hand reaching up to sweep her hair to one side so he can get at her shoulders.
"You've never had to try and get them into summer art classes at the museum. I swear, they're trying to drive half the parents insane so there's less paperwork."
This prompts a small smile from him, as he continues with the back rub. For a fearsome warrior, he can be quite skilled in his ministrations.
"Aaaah, paperwork. Ever the bane of people and parents everywhere," he muses. "I am not completely unskilled in it. I would be happy to take on as much of this burden as I am able."
True, he'd largely had people to do the paperwork for him during the war, but he had final verification on much of it.
"If you'd like. I was going to make another big donation and hope they'd let me skip most of it. Which, I know, is completely selfish of me, but right now I don't care."
"Mm. You won't be able to, back home, anymore. Not very much. Nobility is so passé. You're going to have to get used to being just like everyone else."
He is quite a moment, mulling over his thoughts. "I would be lying if I said I will not miss it. But I believe, no, I know that I am far better prepared for it now, than I would have been had events proceeded differently."
The cooking is a nice distraction from the things weighing on his mind, good simple work that allows him to focus and keep himself busy. Who knew ex-fighter pilots made such good breakfast chefs?
By the time the children are in the kitchen, the will find plenty of food waiting for them.
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Ali slides into a seat at the table, taking the paperwork and looking it over before signing anything. The other questions are given various answers (nobody's having a sleepover that night, but she tries to be helpful in other areas). Eventually, she even turns her attention to Hans. Her eyes flick over to him for a minute, carefully avoiding his, and her tone is soft and neutral. "Do we have any grape jelly?"
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Hans looks away for moment, but he nods. "I had put it away in the refrigerator when the children were done with it. Let me get it for you."
He rises and returns a moment later with the jelly in question. "Can I get you anything else while I am still up?"
Reply
She, after all, has not had any breakfast yet! And it's unlikely she will until after the children are gone off for their day of learning and adventure, since there's still so much to do. Even the tea and toast are hard to manage, fit in here and there as she packs up lunches and bags while the children finish their breakfasts and other vital preparations.
Hans is welcome to marvel at the artistry involved in packing bento.
Reply
Hans too, manages in and around the children and their questions, with promises of after-school activities and story time, and homework help and other such things that children often ask. How could he have been so foolish, so monumentally stupid as to not think of the children, so close to his heart, even for a moment?
"This is the last call for seconds," he instructs the children. "And even that must be brief."
Reply
The goslings decline seconds, since they have to be going. Mother Sasha and Amaris need to be hugged and kissed before it's off to school, and their friends and adventures and maybe even some learning. So with hugs and kisses, the children grab their things and file out.
And when they're gone, Ali slumps into a chair, holding her head in her hands.
"I am going to be so glad when it's summer break."
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"Understandable," he says, gently. "I shall be looking forward to greater time spent with the children and less stress upon you."
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"You think it'll be less stress when they're home all day?"
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"You've never had to try and get them into summer art classes at the museum. I swear, they're trying to drive half the parents insane so there's less paperwork."
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"Aaaah, paperwork. Ever the bane of people and parents everywhere," he muses. "I am not completely unskilled in it. I would be happy to take on as much of this burden as I am able."
True, he'd largely had people to do the paperwork for him during the war, but he had final verification on much of it.
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Good news, Hans: she's starting to relax!
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Ali deserves all the ease in the world, as far as he is concerned.
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He is quite a moment, mulling over his thoughts. "I would be lying if I said I will not miss it. But I believe, no, I know that I am far better prepared for it now, than I would have been had events proceeded differently."
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"Well, I need to get myself some breakfast, and then get started with my day."
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