Forbidden - Historical Lams (Sequel to "Win His Heart")

Seven - VII

The next day, around noon, the children were playing on the floor of the sitting room. Philip was sitting on the ground next to Henry, who was sitting in his usual spot. The boy was making big movements with his hands and talking about his bright future as a poet, being adorable.

Frances and Angelica were playing with their stuffed animals in the middle of the room, Frances rolling her eyes as her sister gave the stuffed bear a voice she didn't like, "That's not how she sounds," she scoffed.

"It doesn't matter, she doesn't talk anyway," Angelica mumbled, trying to keep the peace.

Frances groaned and put down the rabbit she had, then reached for the bear and tried pulling it, "If you're going to give her that voice, just give her back, she's mine anyway!" She huffed, "Take back your stupid bunny!"

"No, you said we could switch!" Angelica huffed and pulled back, "Papa said to share!"

Henry looked over and furrowed his eyebrows, "Girls, hey!" He said.

"Give her back!" Frances yelled.

"Stop it! You'll rip her!" Angelica yelled as well, hearing a small tear.

John had been passing by the sitting room, on his way to the kitchen when he heard the commotion. He paused outside the doorway and listened to the argument taking place inside. Here we go again, the man thought, rolling his eyes.

It seemed like these girls were always fighting over everything. He couldn't blame them too much, after all, he and his brothers used to fight all the time, but it was still tiresome to deal with.

With a sigh, he walked into the room, the sight of his daughters tugging at the toy being the first thing he saw, "Hey, hey, hey!" He said loudly, "What's going on here?"

"Angie won't give me back my bear!" Frances yelled.

Angelica huffed and kept pulling, another snap leaving the animal, "Share!" She yelled back. Philip watched from the side, holding Henry's leg.

John's frown deepened as he watched the girls fight, the sound of the snapping concerning him more. "Frances, Angelica, knock it off!" He said sternly, getting onto his knees and trying to pry the bear away from the girls. "That's enough, let go of the bear, Angie!"

After hearing all of this yelling and arguing, Alex came into the room as well, not surprised that it was the two girls again. He put on a strong, assertive voice, "Frances, Angelica! Let go of that bear now! Both of you!"

The girls both hesitantly dropped it, Frances huffing and crossing her arms, walking to the corner and pouting. Angelica teared up and very quickly began to cry, not liking to hear her father's mean voice.

As he watched the girls drop the bear and walk away, John couldn't help but feel sympathy. He knew from experience that being yelled at could be scary or frustrating, but it worked and they needed it.

The redhead came over and helped the blond up, attempting to lean into a kiss on the cheek before he felt fingertips pushing him away. He awkwardly pulled back as well, those fingers being John's. The older man gave him a sarcastic smile and Alex glanced to Henry, forgetting he was in the room once more.

He then went to Angelica and swooped her up, resting her on his hip. "And what's wrong with you?" Alex asked.

Angelica wiped her eyes and whimpered, pointing to Frances, "She said we could switch just this once and then tried taking her bear back," she explained through tears.

John looked at Frances with a sigh, the little girl still pouting, "Is this true, Fanny?" He asked with disappointment and tiredness.

Frances sighed as well, uncrossing her arms and fiddling with her hands, nodding with guilt, "I wanted Miss Bear back because Angie was giving her a weird voice," she admitted.