DC Headcanon's 6: Sparkle Sparkle!

Whatever Normal Is

Kentucky and the twins had been staying in Washington with Betsey and her family for about a month.

The southern state kept himself occupied with meetings and re-building his home, trying to ignore the nagging sadness in his stomach worrying about Georgia and whether or not he'd be re-admitted as a state. Betsey had taken it upon herself to make sure the twins were cared for; assigning Gov's nannies to them and dressing them nicely, like other politicians in society were dressing their children.

It was a culture shock for Kentucky who was used to the simple farm clothes Georgia sewed for the twins, and not the gingham dresses or matching with Gov that Betsey liked to dress them in. He wasn't used to sending for a nanny to bring the twins to him, the babies usually with him or Georgia or independent enough to come when called. Kentucky hoped to God this wouldn't make his children regret their upbringing.

Kentucky ran a hand through his hair as he walked down the hall, head thundering from the meeting he just attended. Alabama threw a fit, as per usual, which made one of the little southern states, Florida he thought his name was, burst into tears. Kentucky mentally reminded himself to bring some of DC's toys to the next meeting when two cries rang through the hall.

"PAPA." Kentucky spun around and in a blur, both twins captured his legs, followed by a very exasperated nanny.

"Oh babies." Kentucky whispered, kneeling down and bringing both twins into a hug.

"I'm so sorry sir." The nanny said breathlessly. "They heard my mistress say you were in a meeting and rushed to meet you."

"It's okay." Kentucky said firmly, waving the nanny away, standing up with both still in his arms.

"Papa she won't let me climb anything." IDC whined.

"I wanna go home." DC whimpered.

"I know, babies, I know..." Kentucky whispered rubbing the twins back. "But our house isn't ready yet."

"I'm not a doll." IDC pouted and Kentucky sighed. He knew Betsey, despite meaning well, always wanted a daughter and was treating IDC like one of her childhood dolls.

"The kids are meaner here." DC added trying to wipe his eyes. Kentucky kissed both his babies heads and put them down.

"I'm free the whole rest of the day." Kentucky whispered. "What do you guys want to do?"

"C-Can we go home?" IDC asked usual calm demeanor, failing her. Kentucky squeezed her hand and smiled.

"I'll do you one better."

The sun was peeking over the trees as Kentucky picked up IDC and put her on the back of a horse.

"You got the reins baby?" Kentucky asked.

"Can it jump?" IDC asked the farmer holding the horse steady.

"Well yes little miss, but you're too young to jump." The farmer pointed out.

"I'm not too young." IDC protested and Kentucky laughed and rubbed her back.

"No jumping yet baby, just ride." Kentucky whispered gently, stepping back. He watched as the farmer guided the horse forward, just enough so IDC could believe she was actually controlling the animal. He made a mental note to find another horse for their farm, when his attention went back to DC who was clutched against his leg. Kentucky picked up the little boy, who nuzzled his neck.

"You want to ride after Izzy?" Kentucky whispered. DC shook his head.

"Do you want to see the other horses?" Kentucky asked.

"No." DC whispered.

"You want to stay here?" DC nodded and Kentucky smiled, letting the toddler nuzzle his face into his shoulder. He looked up and watched IDC when a voice called from behind.

"Sir! Sir!" The twins' nanny called, approaching the family with Gov in tow. "Sir, the lady requests the twins."

"For what?" Kentucky asked.

"Hopefully riding lessons." Gov muttered watching his cousin.

"She started lessons with them a couple of days ago, it's nearly time for them now." The nanny explained. Kentucky put DC down and put his hands on his hips.

"I didn't ask Betsey to do that." Kentucky pointed out.

"My lady figured to occupy them....."

"I know, I know why she did." Kentucky muttered rubbing his temples. He looked below him as DC shyly took some candy from Gov when offered and smiled before looking back up.

"Tell her they're busy and won't be coming." Kentucky ordered. The nanny gulped before grabbing Gov and running back towards the house. The southern man sighed as DC happily ate his candy; he was grateful for the twins' aunt, but they didn't need to be raised like how Gov was raised. Kentucky and Georgia made some bad decisions in their lives, but raising the twins they way they had wasn't one of them.

"Papa!" IDC called breaking Kentucky out of his thoughts. "Did you see me ride?"

"You're a natural baby." Kentucky said with a smile. "Maybe you can ride the derby one day."

"REALLY?" IDC said brightly and Kentucky mentally kicked himself. He quickly picked DC up and put him on the fence.

"Well when you're older." Kentucky said quickly. He gently took DC's hand and allowed him to pet the horses snot, smiling as DC giggled realizing the big animal was nothing to be scared of.

"One more time papa?" IDC begged.

Kentucky looked into the face of his daughter and smiled.

"One more, then we need to go to supper." Kentucky announced.

"Ride with me DeeDee!" IDC begged. DC looked back at his papa, who nodded encouragingly, and gulped.

"O-Okay." DC whispered as Kentucky picked him up and put him behind IDC. DC wrapped his tiny arms around his sister's little waist and the farmer started again, leading the horse around the rodeo. Kentucky leaned against the fence and smiled, watching the twins and temporarily forgetting his troubles. He hoped to have this issue resolved soon, Georgia back, and their house rebuilt so they could continue their lives as they did.

Some things would never go back to normal, but maybe, just maybe, they could keep some of their pre-war lives.