Page 230 of As The Shifter World Turns

I handed Charlie to Martin, insisted he change our son’s diaper and then wandered into the kitchen to be confronted by Toby leaping out from behind the door yelling, “Who goes there?”

“Tis your weary father, sire. My throat is aching for caffeine to wake me up.”

“Very well. You may pass.”

Today was going to be a many-cups-of-coffee day.

“TD, where are my boots?” Toby yelled.

“Wherever you left them.” I poured a second cup of coffee and took a deep breath as Martin came in with Charlie. Our little boy was crawling so and I’d been hit with the realization that life would have been much easier if he was immobile.

We’d had to childproof the apartment a while ago and poor Martin was always yelling, “Neil, I can’t open this.”

We couldn't all fit in the van now that there were a lot of kids in the manor family. So, Ryder and Ivor’s family would go with Micah and Archer while Anthony came with us along with Daire and Nate.

Anthony was still skittish about Len, and while the new security cameras and locks had him feeling a little more secure, most nights he slept in 2B and sometimes on our sofa or in Ivor’s spare room.

We piled in the car but we were the only ones in costume, and Toby grumbled.

“Don’t worry,” Daire told him. “The rest of us are getting changed when we get there.”

“Charlie, you look so cute in your knight’s costume,” Nate told him and our little boy rewarded the alpha with a big grin.

Once we arrived, Toby headed for a tent that had been set up for onlookers. His friend was there with his family and classmates from school who wanted to join in.

While Martin and I waited for everyone to get dressed, Toby joined us but then his brow furrowed. The Sunshine Manor family wandered over to us and our older son stamped his foot. “You’re all knights. You were supposed to choose different roles and let me know.” Even the kids were knights. Every single one, even Dyani and Elune.This is bad!

“Daire isn’t,” Nate said as his mate wandered toward us.

I did my best to stifle a laugh but failed. Daire was dressedas a lady with an uppercase L. He wore a long flowing dress and had one of those pointy hats with a veil flowing from the tip.

“Looking good, Daire,” Ryder noted as he bowed and Daire curtsied.

“You’re going to ruin everything.” Tears were streaming down my son’s cheeks. “We need people other than knights.” My big boy was hurting and we had to do something. I messed up my hair, put dirt on my face and ripped my tunic. “Now I’m a servant.” I nudged Martin.

“I can be a…” He glanced at me helplessly.

Daire’s omega dad stepped in. “We can make you a lord. I rented plenty of extra costumes in case people turned up without any.” Most of the Sunshine Manor family took up his offer.

Martin hugged Toby. “There you are. I’ll be back soon and then I’ll order Neil to clean my boots.”

Not likely, Your Lordship.

Toby sobbed his reply. “You don’t have to do that, Dad.”

“Oh, I do.” He winked at me which had me thinking I’d wear my servant’s ripped tunic to bed. Maybe Martin could wear his lord’s fake fur coat.

Toby regained his composure and handed out a sheet of paper which we were supposed to have read. Everyone, including his school friends, gathered around. Toby and Jim stood on stools. They gave everyone instructions. There were props such as shields for the knights, buckets for the servants and chairs for the lords and ladies. They were to divide into teams, one on Toby’s side and the other on Jim’s. Our son thanked Daire’s parents for providing the medieval banquet.

And then it began. Charlie and I stayed close to Martin who had no clue what he was supposed to do. Micah kneecapped a squire with a fake sword while Ivor battled a knight on the opposing team.

“Wow! Ivor’s swordsmanship is excellent,” I noted.

Ryder, who was holding Dyani, and dressed as a squire, nodded. The gleam in his eyes told me he and Ivor might be roleplaying after their daughter went to bed this evening.

“Take that.”Daire!“His Royal Highness Prince Toby is the true heir.” My grizzly friend was doing some fancy footwork as his cardboard sword bent and tore while he fought a knight from the opposing side. Despite his long dress, which was now splattered with mud, he was winning the fight. His opponent gave up and we cheered as our friend was victorious.

As I was a servant, I raced out with a bucket of water, and Daire tossed it over his head, making the dress stick to his legs. Nate, who had remained a knight, strolled over with his opponent’s shield and sword.

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