Little Drakie's Baby Book

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

Augra 3, 1422

Safely wrapped in a warm blanket, the fuzzy-brown-haired, blue-eyed Drakus Voran Dragonheart silently sleeps as his mother holds him close as she lays in bed at home, while his father tends to his mother. His older sister continuously comes to look at him and kisses his big, pudgy cheeks. His whole life is ahead of him. And it's sure to be a good one.

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

Febra 23, 1423

Drakus stayed home with his Grandfather a lot, in fact, whenever Mommy or Daddy were gone, Grampa was the one who would be there to take care of him. He smelt funny, though it just made him giggle.

Big Sister was always a bit of a pain. She'd scoop Drakus up under his arms and haul him somewhere, laying him down on a blanket and playing with him, or to the bath tub, or to his bed... But he never cried, just looked annoyed, the way a baby does when he's just soiled his diaper. He always felt safe when with her, just as much as he did when with any of his family.

His father was almost never around, though when he was he never left Drakus. Always holding him, caring for him, feeding him, telling stories to him. Drakus liked pulling on his father's beard. It always made his father rolls his eyes, and it made him laugh when his father would rub his face against his own.

Of course, he loved being with his Mommy. He would always fall asleep in her arms. Give him just five minutes and any crying or wailing would be exchanged with the snores of a happy baby, nuzzling against his mothers chest. And when he didn't fall sleep on her, he'd always coo and pulling on her hair gently, or the bright, shiney necklace she always wore. "Stop that Drakie," she'd say, "Daddy made that for Mommy, you can't have it." She'd then smiles and kiss him and lean closer so he could look at the two bright black-violet Phenalopes. "Maybe Daddy will make you one some day."

Little Drakie would then fall sleep, clutching at his mothers clothes, and big smile on his little face.

[Frances]

Drakie loved following his big sister around. She was as much fun to play with as Mommy or Daddy. It was much better when Mommy picked Drakie up, though; Tyra tried, but since she was only five years old, she wasn't really big enough to carry him properly.

Grampa was fun too. He was a giant to Drakie, but he was as gentle as a lamb when he picked Drakie up. He spent a lot of time with Grampa, almost as much as with Mommy. He loved them all, Mommy, Daddy, Grampa, and Tyra.

One day, Drakie was playing with Tyra. They were playing a game of attacking meanies, and Tyra was protecting Drakie, like she usually did. Grampa was watching them play, a smile on his face. Daddy was gone as usual, but Mommy was too. But they'd be back soon, and Drakie would be overjoyed to see them.

There was a knocking noise, and Drakie saw Grampa stand, suddenly smiling brightly. He told the children to stay put, and left the room. Drakie returned to the game with Tyra, but soon got curious where Grampa had gone.

He and Tyra went out of the room, following where Grampa had gone. He was standing at the door to the house, talking with someone outside. Tyra led the way, creeping up behind Grampa. When they were close enough, they peeked around Grampa's legs, to see a woman with a pretty smile. She smiled at the children, as Grampa realized they were there and he smiled down at them also.

"Jana, these are my grandchildren, Tyra and Drakie."

Jana, the lady, smiled at both of them. Tyra smiled back, but Drakie hid behind his Grampa.

"It's very nice to meet you two. Your Grandfather has told me so much about you."

Tyra smiled even more, and Drakie had a hint of a smile. He wasn't sure about this stranger, but Grampa was there so things must be ok.

"I'd invite you in, Jana, but this is really my daughter's house, and it wouldn't be right for me to have you here with the children without you first meeting Val. You understand?"

Grampa was looking... odd. Drakie looked at the lady, but she was smiling warmly. Drakie looked back at Grampa, and he was smiling again.

"I understand. Perhaps you could introduce us soon? I'd love to meet your daughter and her husband. I've heard of him, at least. Didn't he have something to do with stopping some sorcerer who was killing farmers near Hempstead?"

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Shiff's a great man, and I'm proud to have him as a son-in-law, but I don't think my daughter's quite accepted that anyone could ever replace my dear Tamara. Hmmm... perhaps I should introduce you soon. It'd help her get used to the idea. Ummm... not that I'm saying that we're going to ... you know... settle down together. Or that we're not... ummm..."

Grampa sounded kinda funny. Drakie looked at him, and he was red! The lady had something else to say.

"I think I'd better go. I don't want you make you feel uncomfortable. I'm sure I'll get to meet Shiff and Valmara soon enough."

The lady smiled at Grampa, in a way Drakie'd seen Mommy smile at Daddy. Then she leaned over and kissed Grampa on the cheek, smiled at the children again, and turned and walked away. Grampa watched her go, then closed the door gently. He picked up Drakie in one arm, and put his other hand on Tyra's head.

"Come on kids, let's see go find out what mischief you got into while we were talking."

Drakie knew he was safe in Grampa's arms. Tyra, though, was making sure. She told him in her most sure voice:

"Don't worry Drakie, I'll always protect you, just like Mommy does."

[Frances]

Drakie is very happy. Mommy had been gone for months. Daddy had been home for a long time, then Mommy went out for a while. She had told Drakie, "I'll only be gone a little while. I'm just going up to the mountains to help clear a path. I'll be home before you know it." Then she was gone for FOREVER. Daddy said she was visiting friends, but Daddy seemed upset and worried about something. Then Daddy was gone for a while, too, and only Grampa and Nani (that's what Grampa said to call his friend) were home with Drakie and Tyra.

Daddy wasn't gone for too long, though. He came back after a few days, and he brought home Mommy! Grampa made them stay in their room when they heard Daddy come in, but Tyra and Drakie watched through a small opening in the divider. Daddy came in, carrying Mommy, who looked like she was asleep. Daddy put Mommy carefully in their bed, and they talked a little bit. Then Daddy beckoned Drakie and Tyra over.

Daddy said, "Mommy's been sick, but she's getting better. She needs to rest a few days, but she'll be up and playing with you soon." Drakie and Tyra went to see Mommy. She looked tired, but smiled at them. After they talked and had family hugs, Tyra went off to play. Drakie, though, climbed onto the bed (with some help from Mommy and Daddy) and snuggled up to Mommy, who went to sleep again. It was so wonderful to have Mommy home.

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

Drakie was quietly playing with his toys when he heard the word... "Magic." Mommy and Aunt Tegan had been talking about Trouble knowing how to do some really strange stuff, like make plants grow, and get animals to listen to him, and even make them do silly things. Drakie wanted to know how.

The next day he asked his big sister, Tyra, about it. "Sissy," he said nervously, "why can Trouble do neat stuff like make aminals talk to him and make plants grow?" He knew Tyra would know. She knew everything.

"Well Lil Bro," Tyra started, "Trouble is special." She almost seemed in awe of it. "I think the animals listen to him because he has a special connection with nature, almost as if he is part of it. Kinda like how I can sneak through the woods to go seem him play with Grumpy." Drakie knew Grumpy. He was Trouble's big bear friend, almost like his big living teddy bear, with teeth.

"Can I be like Trouble, Sissy?" He asked hopefully, tugging gently on Tyra's blouse as she looked up.

"I donno, Lil Bro." She smiled to him and gave him a little hug. "Don't worry about that though. You just try to be good. Auntie Rose says if you are good Toran will take care of you, so don't worry."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time went on, and Drakie almost forgot about magic, but then Daddy came home, with his swirly rock and Drakie got all excited again. "Hey Daddy!" he yelled, running up to his armor clad father.

"Heh! Well, someones glad I came home," said Shiff, picking up his son. "So what's my little warrior doing up so late?"

"Daddy? What's Magic..."

Shiff's jaw might have dropped if it wasn't strapped to him inside his helm. "Well... Its kinda complicated, Little Man... But I know just who to ask."

"Aunt Rose?"

Shiff smirked. Of all their aunts, Rose was around the most. "No, she doesn't do magic. Lets go visit auntie Ely tomorrow, hows that sound?"

"Super!!" Drakie said excitedly. "Think she'll make me a pie?"