Butcher sat on the edge of the bed and petted the toddler's hair, "What's wrong, Nilsy?"

"Do you want to stay with Daddy and Papa?" Butcher picked Nils and Chase back up.

Butcher kissed Nils' forehead and got back on the bed with their oldest and youngest. "He doesn't have teeth."

"Oh yeah," Butcher just hoped that didn't mean he would become a living teething toy.

"Teenagers," Butcher grumbled and snuggled down into the bed, tempted to start singing the song.

Butcher smiled sweetly and looked at Chase, who was already asleep.

Butcher yawned and closed his eyes.

Ryland reentered the building with a smirk, moving quietly.

Butcher slept calmly still, somewhat conscious of the fact that if he moved he would upset his lover and their children.

Ryland quickly made his way up the stairs, smiling when he entered the bedroom to find the whole family asleep. He went over to the bed the majority of the children were on first. This one looks like Andrew. He touched Reve's cheek gently, but she didn't wake up. What should I leave for them to find...? He looked around.

Reve made a small sound and snuggled into Josie.

Ryland's eyes fell on a pair of scissors and he picked them up before moving to the other bed. "Hello Nils," he said quietly, grinning as he took Mikey's ponytail into his hand and started snipping it off.

Butcher's wings twitched but he didn't open his eyes at the sound of the vampire's voice.

Ryland weighed the liberated ponytail in his hand. "I'll be going, Nils. Say hello to your daddy for me." He chuckled and wrapped the cut hair around the boy's neck before turning for the door.